LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lake County Press, Issue 2117, 10 May 1906, Page 5

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

[Balance of report.]

The Council passed the necessary resolution to borrow on the overdraft, at the request of the manager Bank N.Z. Partridge and Hunter applied to divert County road about 20 feet near Sawyer's Gully.—Granted on motion of Crs M'Bride and M'Dougall on condition that two sureties be given to amount of L2O, and that applicants repair any damage done and keep the said road in repair. Leave of absence was granted Cr Baird. Vincent County Council asked the Council's eo-operatiou in getting an amendment to the "Timber, Flax Royalties Act, 1905," so as to include lignite in addition to timber and flax.—lt was decided to cooperate with the Vincent County Council in the matter. A letter was received from the Town Clerk of Queenstown regarding the meeting of delegates in connection with the Christchurch exhibition. This had been previously attended to. Paulin Bros, wrote stating that they had the heaviest part of their contract done at Routeburn, and asked for a progress payment and extension of time. — The amount was included in the accounts, and an extension of time was granted to end of June, on motion of Crs Birley and M'Caughan. The District Road Engineer wrote saying the Minister did not see his way to recommend the Governor to sign the Order-in-Council re road in Lower Wanaka District, as the road in question led to the river and reserves.

Cr M'Dougall said the road was a superfluous one, and he was astonished at the action of the authorities in the matter. He suggested that the Council not only approves of the closing of the road, but that tho Council gives the applicant authority to close the road. Mr Evans, solicitor for applicant, suggested that the matter bo held over till next meeting. It was necessary to get the Minister's consent.—This course was adopted. On the motion of Crs M'Dougall and Oockburn, it was decided that the Council ia satisfied that the uae of motor cars upon the several roads below mentioned would be attended by risk :—Between Roaring Meg bridge and lower end of Gib'bston Flat known as Nevis Bluff; Queenstown to Frankton ; Arthur's Point, and by Dan O'Connell road to Skippers ; Arrow to Macetown ; Lower Arrow Bridge by Zigzag to Pembroke ; Queenstown coM'Kinley's ; Arthur's Point to Thurlby ; Pembroke to Glendhu Bluff. T. Butson's application for a slaughterlicense was recommended to tho authorities to be granted. A letter from tho Acting-Postmaster General was received in reply to a telegram asking for ft daily train service to the Lakes. The writer said the Department only intended running the trains on the four days a week as heretofore for the winter months. Arrangements had been made for mails for Queenstown and Arrowtown to be despatched by the second exnvel* .Oil Mondays and Wednesdays to connect with Kingston train on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A telegram was received from Mr 1 urnbull, Pembroke, to the effect that as sections were being femced it was necessary to define Cardrona-A lbertown road, which was at present on wrong line, with an impassable gully on proper line.—On tho suggestion of Or M'Dougall, it was decided to leave the matter in tho Engmioer's hands to enquire into. The Superintendent Tourist Department wrote saying that as no provision had been made for tho Mt. Nicholas-To Anau track in the votes, no expenditure could be authorised for it. Enquiries would be made into the matter of a grant or LnO for improvements to crossings on iobins track.—Received. . Cr M'Kibbin suggested that the Engineer urge that something bo dune to Tobin's road, as it was really dangerous at present. Crown Terrace was now becoming a favorite tourist drive, and tins particular portion, of the road required attention*

Manager Bank N.Z., Oueonstown, wrote informing the Council that tho legal limit hk computed from the balance-sheet for your ended 31st March, 1905, was L 2680. Wilton asked that tho haknce-Hheefc for year ended 31st March ho audited more expeditiously than the present one, ho that the legal limit would be disclosed. —it was decided to keep the manager's lettei in mind when striking the rate. A letter was received from tho Pay-master-general stating that the vouchers which had reached the Treasury woro being dealt with, and would be placed to the Council's credit as soon as possible.

The Collector of Customs wrote that thd gold purchasod from the Lakes for February was 13530z. A letter was received from tho Roads Department (in reply) stating that the road vote could not be spent in the construction of a punt at Kawarau Falls. _ A note had been made of tho bad condition of the punt, and the Department asked for an approximate cost of replacing same. This would be taken into consideration when passing next year's estimates. Tho Engineer said a wooden punt would cost about L3OO, and a steel one about L4OO.

The Engineer was instructed to put in an estimate of cost of punt ; members preferred a steel punt. Southland County Council wrote giving the Council's share as Lsl 10s 8d for bridge at Fairlight —Received. The Wakatipu District Hospital's application for use of room in Council Chambers for four meetings, charge 10s, was granted. C. M. Brooke, chemist, Christchurch, wrote quoting lis per bushel for poisoned grain.—Received. The ranger reportod the number of horses found on County roads, and the fees paid.—The ranger to be informed that too many horses and cattle were allowed to wander on County roads. Regarding the Christchurch Exhibition and the matter of local exhibits, a committee were appointed (as reported in our last issue) to arrange details with the local Borough Councils.

Engineer's Report. To the Chairman and Councillors, Lake County Council. Gentlemen. —I beg to Hubmit my report for the period ending 30th April, as follows : Contracts. —The following contracts are completed save final inspection :—260, foot bridges and tracks, Routeburn ; 202, Arthurs Point Hill deviation ; 260. eleaiinu track Fernhill, Greenstone. Contracts still in hand are 200, Crown Terrace to Limestone ; 259, Routeburn Koad ; 261, track to Lake llarris. Surveys have be .n made ami tenders called for Iso 271, Shotover Valley Road ; 272, Bob's Cove track ; 273. Hen Lomond Road. Roads and Woiks.—The Work 3 being carried out by day labor from Government votes on .Skippeis Road are completed.— Gravelling at Cardrona Coalpit Road lias been commenced. —Gravellinp and maintenance metalling on Maeetown Road has been completed as far as possible, the difficulty in getting horse teams having stopped gravellint;.— A serious break has occurred on the road to Paradise owing to floods in the Rees River that will cost about £2O to repair. Government Grants.—The whole of the Government grants with the exception of those for Staircase Road, Tucker Beach road and 25-Mile-Boundary Creek Road are either expended or works are in hand for same. C. (J. Wabk, County Engineer.

Cr Birley said the break on tho Paradise road was a serious matter, and it required immediate attention. —It was decided that it be repaired at once. Decided, on tho motion of Crs M'Bride and Reid—That the Engineer arrange with the successful tenderer for contract No. 2(38, viz., gravelling at Cameron's, to reduce tho amount of his contract, and expend only tho unexpended balance of Government grant —Queenstown-Clyde road. It was decided to allow tho Engineer L 3 extra towards expenses on his visit to tho Wilkin district.

Cr M'Kibbin said that to get an idea of how the County funds were spent in the different ridings, and the amouut paid in rates by each, he would propose—That a statement be laid on tho tablo at eacli meeting of the amount of money accruing from each riding in yearly rates. Also the amount of money owing by each riding and tho amount of money spoilt in each riding (not including Government grants. Seconded by Cr Cockburn, and cairiod. Ou the suggestion of Cr Cockburn, it was agreed that tho roadmen should bo sent for three or-four days to repair tho Shotover Staircase track from Smith's to Arthur's Point.

Accounts to the amount of LIOIG 15a Id were passed for payment. Tenders were dealt with as reported in last issue.

Decided, on _ the motion of Crs M'Dougall and Lam bio—That the Engineer on his visit to Peuibroko lay off truck or road through the street adjoining the police reserve, cost of same to be charged to vote Lloo—Pembroke township. Members handed in to tho Engineer lists of the different requirements for thenlocalities, so that application could bo made to Government early to have the amount placed on this year's Estimates : —Shotover Riding—Shokver Valley road extension L7OO, Arthur's Point to Skippern LSOO, (Skippers to Btillondalo L4OO, Skippers to Stoney Creek L2OO. Greenstone Riding—Complete road Greenstone to Mb. Nicholas Ll5O, Rees River groins L2OO, Glenorchy co Boundary Creek (deviation and improvements) LISO, making track and improvements to scheelito mine, Bucklerburn and Temploton LIOO ; tourist, votes —further extension of bugyy road Route burn Valley L4OO. rock-cutting and improving bridle-track Routebum Hut to Lake Harris L 75, improvements Priory and Routebum road Ll5O, improvements etc., to road, etc. Rees Valley Ll5O, bridle track Greenstone to Glade House L'/nO, tree-planting in and around Glenorchy Ll5O. Cardrona— Crown Range Saddle to Cardrona L2OO, Cardrona to Pembroke L2OO, Pembroke to Vincent County boundary LSO, Pembroke to Glendhu Bluff LIOO, Cardrona Coal-pit road LIOO, Pembroke township LLOO, Glendhu Bluff to Aspiring LIOO, Pembroke to head Clutha River LIOO, Pembroke to Lake Wauaku LIOO, Pembioko public wharf Lf»U. Arrow— Quoenstown-Gentlo Annie LSOO, Arrow to Crown Range Saddle 1,200, AiHiur'a Point to Arrow via Miller's Flat L2OO, Hogan's Gully 100, Lake Hayes to Arrow Bridge via Baud's Hill LI.OO, Thurlby Domain to Miller's Flat via Hamilton's Hill LIOO, Arrow-Maootown road L2OO, Bracken's track LSO ; tourist votes—To improve turns Tobin's road LJ.OO; Hayes' Hill track 1.-25. Queenstown—Arthur's Point to Qiieon.sl.ovvn LIOO, Moke Creek track Lot), Thin tbyArthtir's Point £SO ; tourist votes-Tucker Beach L3OO, Ben Lomond (to finish) L 750, Lower Shotover B-idgo 1.-0000. The Chairman said the Council would now have r,o decide what rate would be struck for tho year. Ho might, say the bank limit lor '99-00 was L3IOO, 'OO-oi. L 3093, 'OL-2 L 2580, 'O2-3 L3BOO, 'O3-1 L 3270, while the limit (not oUieial)_for 'OO-7 would bo something like L 2527. Thus there had been a decrease of L.1333 to what it was four years ago.

lii reply to Cr M'Kibbin, the Chairman said the present liabilities totalled about L 3013, and the amount of accounts L 1230. In reply the Engineer said tho aim unit of Government money spout totalled

L 1490 ; the amount received being LBOO, leaving LC9O.

Tho Chairman said the Vincent County which was considered a rich county levied the same rate as the Lake. Or M'Xibbin said with the present indebtedness, and allowing a bank limit of L 2527, left the indebtedness over the legal limit a f something like L 1206 as a liability. The Chairman : Yes ; the liabilities will be something like LI3GO without making provision for the ensuing year. Cr Cock burn considered less casual labor should be employed, and the Engineer should reduce the staff'where possible.

Cr M'Bride said money was wasted in not having a horse and dray for different work. A man and a barrow was more expensive. Ho instanced cases in point. The Chairman said he would like to see the Council in a position to work with the live farthing rate, but thought it impossible to do so. CrM'Kibbin said he was in favor of a six farthings' rate. The Council had no other option. Ho was avorse to tho permanent workmen being taken off the roads. The Arrow riding could not do with a less number.

Cr Birley said ho thought when the Council got tho grader a saving would bo effected. Cr Lambie said he was in favor of the six farthings' rate as it was necessary to assist in meeting tho liabilities. He was not in favor of reducing tho workmen on mountainous tracks. They could nob be spared.

Cr M'Bride said ho was averse to increasing the rate. If the Council increased the rate it would be no better oil' at, the end of tho year. The farmers had to bear the burden. After further discussion Cr M'Kibbin proposed, and Cr M'Dougall seconded— That the rate be a six farthings' one. Cr M'Bride moved as an amendment that the rate be five farthings. There being no seconder, tho motion was carried, Cr M'Bride dissenting. The Council passed tho following resolution on the motion of Crs M'Bride and Birley—That Mr H. O. Harte haa acted as clerk, treasurer, collector of rates, etc., for a period of three years and during that time wo found him industrious, sober and attentive to his duties.

Applications for the Clerkship wero then dealt with (as reported last, issue), and the Council rose at 2 M 0 a.m.