LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lake County Press, Issue 2188, 26 September 1907, Page 4

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting, held on Wednesday, September 18th, was attended by all the members.

Superintendent of electric lines wrote forwarding a statement showing the revenue and expenditure 6f the telephone office at Gibbston, for 12 months ending June 7th, 1907. There was no refund due and as the terms of the guarantee had now expired, the bond was returned cancelled —Received. Town Clerk, Arrowtown, wrote intimating that the Counoil had written Sir J. G. Ward recommending telephone communications between Queenstown, Arrowtown and Cromwell.—Received. A similar letter was received from the Cromwell Council: Dr Waddell reported a case of scarlet fever at Pembroke. Precautions had been taken.— Received. G. Marriner, of the Biological college, Christchurch, wrote saying he was publishing a book on the " Kea," and asked particulars of the amounts paid per head, the number killed, etc.—The Clerk to supply what information he could. J. Attley wroto pointing out that ha was charged ratos for a dam on bis leasehold, and as the water was used for domeßtio purposes, he did not think he should have to pay the rates. The Engineer said the dam was registered under the Mining Act.—No action taken, Mr Attley could apply to the Assessment Court. Several letters were read from Mr Fraser, M.H.R acknowledging receipt of a number of letters from the Council.

The secretary of Branoh Creek Sluicing Company wrote asking permission to alter road-line at Branch Creek, to its original line. —Request granied. The secretary of the same company wrote for permission to cut timber out of the Cardrona nursery. The Clerk said from what he could learn, the lessee, Mr Studholme, had the only right to cut timber in the nursery.

Cr M'Dougall outlined what was, in his opinion, the agreement made with Mr Studholme.

The Clerk having read which slated that the lessee, -Ui- Studholme, could only cut timber with the sanetiou of the Chairman or Engineer, Cr M'Dougall suggested that as the lease expired at the end of December next, tenders for leasing same bo called for next meeting. The Engineer suggested that tendors be also called for cutting fire-wood. He thought that 100 cords could easily be got and sold. Cr M'Dougall said some of the trees were of more value than being cut up for firewood. The Chairman understood that Mr Studholme had cut and sold timber without the sanction of either the Chairman or Engineer. —The Clerk to make enquiries.

Cr Baird suggested that the grazing right of the land be let only, and timber be cut and sold by County. The Clerk was instructed to write the Branch Creek Sluicing Company saying that

after New Year tbey would be in a position to supply the timber} Resolved, on the motion of Crs Baird and birley—That tenders be called for lease of trio county' 3 property known as Studholme's -Mi scry for the term of seven year?, MMolved,on the motion of Crs M'DougeH snln d °^ That this CouacU heartilv S'w, objections of the Waimakau£sS, Wa . ter Supply Board aad kindred local lltt ; Sa p St the P as3ill « ° f th * Christchurch Etoetnc Power and Loan Empowering Which thh CounciUonsider would be detrimental to the best interests of mHP >odies ' and that Mr M.U.K. be requested to look after the interests of the petitioners. Stenhouse and Leary, wrote complaining of the bad state of the Greenstone track. £5 or £0 would put it in repair. ,r T of E L nf?ineer 3aid he had arranged with Mr btenhouse to spend ill on t. Cr Birley said it would lie cheaper to put a bridge across near Here Lake as to open up the present track would be expensive. rne Inspector of Mines wrote saying the Council s application for extra vote for repairs o Gentle Annie bridge was under consideration.—Keceived.

D. Mcßride wrote asking assistance to connect read from his place to new punt. It would cost about £SO. If the Council would grant him £2O he would make the road to the satisfaction of the Engineer and keep it in order while he owned the property. Cr Cockbnrn supported the application, Btaling that Mr Mcßride was a large ratepayer and had a claim on the County. Cr Mcßride said it was absolutely a private road and would be used only by Mr D Mcßride.

The Engineer said some consideration should be given to Mr D. Mcßride's application, as that gentleman had given permission to cut the punt road through his freehold and he could anytime block this part of the road. After further discussion it was resolved on the motion of Crs McCaughan and Cockbnrn to grant Mr D. Mcßride the sum of £ls to out the road on condition that he agreed to transfer land on punt road. Council to pay cost of transfer.

James McMullan. Arthur's Point, wrote agreeing to the Council's proposal to give £8 for his share for repairs to road to his property. —Received.

James McMullan, also wrote asking permission to erect a swing gate on the Big Beach road, opposite the boundary of Mr Attley'a land (known as St. Hilda) and hia own.

The Clerk was instructed to write Mr McMullan that he would have to advertise same before the Council oould maka any grant.

Under-Secretary of Mines Department wrote acknowledging receipt of Council's letter asking for subsidy of £SO for a track to the Boheolite mine at Glenorcby and informing the Council that the Minister of Mines baa approved of a subsidy of £SO at the rata of £ for £ for the work. Labor by those signing the petition would be accepted as an equivalent to the parties' contribution towards the cost of the work.—Beceived.

Under-Secretary Mines Department wrote re application of Messrs Lambie and party for subsidy of £SO to assist them in their prospecting operations near Skippers, stating that a report is being obtained upon the application. It was stated that Mr Mcintosh had visited the mines, but required some further information.

The Clerk was instructed to get the required information and reply. Secretary Pembroke School Committee wrote asking that the road between W. Allan and the school section be opened as there was no back entrance to the school residence. Attention was also ca led to a culvert on the road which needed repairing.—The culvert to be repaired, and the matter of opening up the road was held over until the Engineer visits the locality.

Egbert Sainsbury wrote asking for repairs to road from foot of hill to 2 mile bridge and to his sections. He estimated cost of repairs to road at £6, this would not include tbe bridge. Cr Cockburn said the road was in a bad state, and the bridge dangerous. The bridge would have either to be olosed up or repaired, the planking was very loose and rotten.

The Engineer was instructed to attend to same as early as possible. Town Clerk, Arrowtown, wrote asking for some information re the road which the County wished them to repair and maintain, and other information as regards revenue, etc

The County Clerk here spoke strongly of the manner in which letters and accounts were sent in at the last moment. Writers expected to be dealt with at the meeting. Ha took trouble in trying to obtain all the information he could re the letter so as to be of some assistance to the Council, but when letters came in at the last moment which required some attention, it was impossible for him to have the required information ready. The letter from Arrow Council was one of these. Cr M'Bride said there was a minute on the minute book which required all letters to be in two days before the meeting. This minute should be enforced.

County Clerk: Ye 3; unless of a special nature.

On the motion of Cr M'Bride, the letter of the Arrow Corporation was held over until next meeting.

C. H. Koch, Glenorchy, again wrote requesting the Council to have gates removed, and open up the surveyed road to his property. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Waste Land Board in regard to same. H. Scott, Bees River, Glenorchy, wrote complaining of Mr F. M'Bride's action in erecting a dam for protection works on his freehold.

The Engineer stated that when M'Bride commenced to put on the dam, Cr Hirley wired him. He went up and Mr M'Bride left off. He did not think the Council had any jurisdiction in the matter. If Mr M'Bride wanted a site he should apply to the Waste Land Board.

Cr Birley thought the better plan for the Council would be to make arrangement to make a road back of Camp Hill. Cr M'Kibbin : Mr M'Bride stated at last meeting his intention of putting in a dam to protect his property. He was Btopped by Scott, who said he was putting it on his freehold.

The Chairman: Wa gave Mr M'Bride no permission. Cr M* Bride: Mr Scott is mistaken; the Bite was on the old river bed. Scott mistakes it for an old road. Such is not the case. He may now be occupying it, but he had no title.

Considerable discussion took place, when the i hairman said they could not deal with Mr Scott's letter, aa they had no jurisdiction. Samuel Hunter, Pembroke, wrote complaining that he was charged a full carrier's license when he only used occasionally two miles of the County road. Cr M'Dougall said he thought it was hardly fair for a man to pay full license when he only used the road occasionally and for only two miles. Hunter was actually carrying in the Vincent County. Mr Ware, Inspector of Lisensed Vahicleg, said for most of the time Mr Hunter only used two miles of the county road, but occasionally he went to Cardrona, Cattle Flat, and Spot Creek. He had only charged Huuter with a three-quarter license, and he thought that was a fair price. Again, when there was some misunderstanding re the bylaws, Hunter for two years paid no license. He thought the Council should uphold him in his action.

On the motion of Crs Lambie and Birley, the Inspector's action was approved. The ranger's report was read and reoeived Mr W. Turton wrote "on behalf of Mr Tarnbull, Wanaka Station, re exchange of road Mt. Barker to Pembroke.

The Engineer explained what Mr Turnbull wanted, and stated that a few years ago he took a vote of the residents of Mt. Barker aa to which of the roads wai more convenient to them. They selected the lower road which the Council had graded. To open up the new road would cost l.'i).

The Chairman : The Council had already made two; roads for the Mount Barker re-

sid*m3. The propor,. .1 new road would lie an advantage to the residents, as it would cmiiect wut'i tho Lowbnrn Punt Road, but 1 o '.'•bject'd to 'the expense. ftesofved, on the motion of Crs M'Dougnll and Cockburn—That conditionally upon Mr '■ndMrs Turnbull's willingness to pay tho sum of £l2 incurred by this Council upon a road on Section 13. Uloek 111, South Wanaka, now useless or closed, that their request of the 18th inst. be acceded to. Besolved, on the motion of Crs Cockburn and M'Kibbin—That the vote of Lake County Council be vested in the County Clerk to use at Borough Election on behalf of the Council. Besolved, on the motion of Cra Cockburn and Birley—That the Chairman and two councillors be empowered to put the County -,ftfand sign any necessary documents in ooimection with the construction of Lower Shower bridge. • The Engineer's report referred to tne toilowjng : _The Tucker Bench rond formation had been completed, and r.ork was carried out in a satisfactory manner. Wharf at Pembroke had been linishe.l and would be inspected. With regard to tho Kawarau Punt the boate had been thoroughly overhauled and repaired, and eld ".portions replaced. He | was of oninion the boats would last six or seven years. He proposed to draw the punt ■with ft wire rope instead of the chain. The approach roads to punt were completed .gfetisfectorily. In order to conipltfg the, north side approach about five cliatnsof 6n 'bill road would require widening, and ft, small part of ft section in Frar&tpn township required to be purchased. Mx Gardner, owner of the section is willing to sell the part required for £5. The various works at Wanaka had been completed and awaited inspection. Contract 294, gravelling at Maekie'B, Miller's Flat, was completed satisfactorily, and final payment certified. Regarding roads and 'works, the Xinloch-Greenstone traok was in much need of repair. An expenditure tof £2O would put the road in good order, but £4 would remedy a good deal <of the Bucklerburn Junction traok. The toad to Mr Birley and parties' sobeelite mine has been surveyed for a distance of two miles up the right hand branch of the Bucklerburn. The Mines Department faas granted £SO for the work. The track is Ho be 3ft to 3ft 6in wide, and is being cut by day labor. Cosgrove's road, Gibbston, has been inspected, and found to be well formed at a regular grade of lin 11. The length is 33 chains and width 13ft, and about 100 yds of walls and four culverts have been built in a substantial manner. Estimate the cost at £IBO. At present the road serves land held by P, Cosgrove and T. Butler, the rateable lalue of which is £3OO. There was similar land which the road would serve when taken up. The various works ordered at the last meeting of Council have all been put in hand. Resolved on the motion of Cr Birley and Lambie—That the Greenstone track be repaired the cost not to exceed £4. The Clerk read a statement of receipts and expenditure. Receipts £ISBO lis 2d; expenditure £724 5s 9d. The Clerk stated that the Bank overdraft was £IOOO below the limit, ■and after that days accounts were paid the overdraft would be about £7OO below the limit.

The Finance Committee reported having taken an exception to F. M'Bride's account for horso hire. It also suggested that the Licensing Clerk's salary be raised to £2O, and the County Clerk £2O for his services in connection with licensing matters. The Clerk read communication from several other Counties re the amounts they gave their licensing clerk. In most cases the salary was £2O. The Connoil, however, deoided to hold the matter over to next meeting, the clerk to ascertain if the whole £2O were paid to the Licensing Clerk or divided between him and the County Clerks. On the motion of Cr M'Bride and M'Caughnn—lt was resolved that the Finance Committee with the County Clerk wait on the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand re reduction of interest on the Council's overdraft. Be Mr M'Bride's account for horse hire, the Engineer stated that in his opinion M'Bride was to find the horses if the Council found the men.

The Chairman, Crs McKibbin and Lambie expressed the same opinion. Cr Cockbnrn looked upon it as a work of M'Bride's the Council was only aasistimg. The matter was held ovev until next meeting. The Financo Committees report was then adopted. C. E. Gudgeon agent for Ocean Accident Company wrote stating that his company would have much pleasure in holding the Council's contract policy £SOO fully oovered for the term specified.—The policy to be renewed.

J. W. Eraser, County Clerk, wrote asking for an increase in salary. Cr Baird said that paying Clerks' such low Balaries only offered a premium for dishones'ty. The Clerk since he came had been a good officer, and the precise manner in which he brought the business of the County before the Council was a great assistance to them. Ho would have much pleasure in moving that the Clerk's salary be increased to £2OO per annnm.

Cr Birley said he would support the motion as the Clerk was really entitled to it. He complimented the Clerk on the handy manner he had brought the business of the Council before them.

Cr Cockbnrn said the Clerk was a credit to himself and to the Council and had a good deal to do with the Council's present financial position re the reduction of the overdraft. Other Councillors expressed themselves on similar terms. The Chairman agreed with previous speakers. Not only had the Clerk conducted the business of the Council with much ability but got en very smoothly with the ratepayers giving them every satisfaction. The reduction of the overdraft was due to him in a great measure, owing to the manner he had brought up the financial statements every meeting. No trouble had been too great for him in getting every information possible for the Council. The motion was carried, the increase to include licensing salary bonus. Mr Eraser brieily returned thanks stating that he had always done his best in the Council's interest and would continue to do •o.

On the motion of Crs M'Kibbin and Baird, it was dioided to recommend to Government lor favorable consideration, Mr P. Cosgrove's application for compensation for a road be had made at Gibbston at a cost of £IBO. Mr Fraser, M H.R., to be communloatad with *3king him to support application, as the road was of benefit to other settlers. The Engineer said he web very much dissatisfied, and hardly knew how to express himself, that the Council bad not made any move in making him an increase in salary. When he made the application some time ago. he was told that be should have an increase as soon as the financial position of the Council had improved. Seeing their action that day he was very much disappointed in the Council not taking some aotion in redeeming their promise. Since bis administration, the cost of carrying out the public works of the •m Council had been reduced from about a third ' to one-half of what the cost had been before. The Chairman said the Council had not forgotten the promise, and intended moving in the matter later on, thinking it would be best to see how the Engineer got along with the Lower Sholover bridge when the plans and specifications were on the table and the tender let. The Council intended to give the Engineer a substantial bonus. Cr M'Kibbin approved of an increase of salary. He always supported a salary of £350 from the first. So had Cr M'Bnde. The Engineer's present salary after paying travelling expenses was very small. _ Councillors as a whole confirmed the Chairman's remarks that after the Lower Shotover bridge was got' under way they intended to cive the Engineer a bonus, but thought the Engineer should have made a fresh apphcation for increase. The Engineer said if he had got an inkling he would have done so, but ho relied on the nromi'e of the Council that as soon as the finance improved he was to get an increase. If be carried oat the construction of the Lower Shotover bridge in a satisfactory manner and did without a clerk of work he

would be entitled to a substantial bonus besides getting an increase now. Aftr-r some further discussion, on tho motion of Cr M'Kibbin and M'Caughan, it was resolved to increase tho Engineer's salary to £350 (being an increase of £25 per year. The Engineer said bo appreciated all the kind things the Council had said about him. He had always done his best. As yet the Council had seen him in small things compared to what the construction of the Lower Shotover Bridge would be. The expenditure of about £BOOO would entail a good deal of hard work and anxiety, and if he put the things through well he would expect a bonus. He, however, was satisfied with the present increase, and thanked the Council very much for their consideration.

Resolved on the motion of Cr Cookburn and M'Caughan—That the part of Bection 25. block XVIV, FranktonJ township, required for approach road to punt, be purchased from Mr J. Gardner for the sum of £5.

Cr IfcDougall brought up a matter re the drainage of a swamp on hill, Pembroke, which drained into Miss Russell's garden, which was a menace to public health. Also a plan whereby tho nuisance could be abated asking the Council to make a contribution of scitio £27 10s 6d towards som°. Tho Engineer said it would cost £75 to abate tho nuisance; ■ Cr McDoug»ll fcable'd a motion, but could not gut a seconder, and as far as the Couneil was concerned the matter fell through, Cr M'Caughan asked, the unrJrman what was done with the money collected for the special rate for the Upper Shotover Bridge. The reason he asked was that ratepaj'f t'3 clown his way were paying nearly, half a* mubh again 68 ttay did formerly They wanted to know where this extra money went to. The Clerk: Government had raised the valuation on the land down that way. That, of course, increased the special rates. The Chairman: The speoial rate for the Upper Shotover Bridge had a separate acoount, They had now a surplus of £303 on hand'. They could knook off the special rate for two or three years, or ke'ip it on a little longer and then strike it off altogether. Accounts to the amount of £IO3B 3s 8d were passed for payment. The Engineer was instructed to call fresh tenders for gravelling at Gar&ton (determined from Thos. W. S. Soper). On suggestion of Cr Birley, the Engineer was instructed to do the Garston river road by day labor. Cr Lambie complained that Dwau and Meadows, Upper Shotover had been rated for the same property.—The Clerk to look into the matter.

Besolved on the motion of Cr Birley and M'Bride—That £lO be spent on the soheelitt track, Glenorchy, Cr Birley called attention to the stale of the traok known as Scott's Lane, Glenorchy, the cost would be about £lo.—The Engineer to report next meeting. The Clerk stated that the next meeting would be a statutory meeting, therefore it would not be required to appoint a day. Vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.