COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10112, 10 August 1893, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

SELWYN. An ordinary meeting of the Solwya Co naty Council was held yesterday: present —Mr D. M’Millan (Chairman), and Messrs H. W. Peryman, E, Weatonra.J. G. Murray, T, York, W. Boag, T. H. Anson, J. Rennie and W. Dunlop. LAKE ELLESMERE. Correspondence was read which .had passed between the Government and the Council concerning the letting out of Lake Ellesmere. One communication was to tho effect that provision would be made in the Estimates for a subsidy of -£730 towards the maintenance of works already done at the Lake, and any other work tho Council might see fit to undertake. Provision would also bo’ made for a Bill to sat aside a sufficient area of land, to produce that sum, both being subject" to tho approval of Parliament. A discussion ensued, in which some membere condemned the action of the Government in not coming to a definite decision on the matter, which was stated to be very pressing, aa it was urgent that the lake should at once bo let out. Some of the speakers objected to the suggestion, that the Council was endeavouring to repudiate the contract entered into. The opinion was expressed that the Government should have definitely stated whether it intended to legislate, giving the Council control of the cutlet of the Lake. It -was decided to again draw the attention of the Government to tho urgency of the work; to state that if a definite promise were given by the Government to introduce the necessary legislation, the Council would at one’e undertake the work, and that if a satisfactory answer were received the Chairman should call for tenders for the work immediately. THE UHE3IPLOTED. In answer to a letter from the Council, on the unemployed difficulty, the Avon Road Board wrote to the effect that it had accepted the offer of the Council to grant £ for £up to £3O, The Malvern Road Board wrote to tho effect that it could find work in the Eowai river bed, sufficient to assist the local unemployed. The Ellesmere Road Board could not find work for any men from the City, having enough unemployed in its own district. The Springs Road Board had given instructions for four men to be employed breaking metal. -

A resolution was passed approving of the Road Boards finding work for the most necessitous cases in their own localities. PLANTATIONS. Tenders were opened for leasing Reserve 1741 of 48 acres, and Reserve 3438, 5 acres. The tender of W. Beaman, at Ss 3d pec acre, was acepted for the former and that of W. Stewart, at 9s Id per acre, for the latter. An offer to lea: 0 another reserve was declined. WATER RACE. Several matters in connection with tho water races were considered, Mr Davies, the overseer, having reported several items of damage during the lafcs rains. The auxiliary race had met with an accident and required repairing. The work of keeping the races clear and in order, had - become so heavy and constant that t ho required relief. The accident to the Waimakariri waterrace had resulted from the neglect of the man in charge to turn the water off when the rain continued. Three chains had been washed away, and a chasm left. The Council discussed the advisability of building a house for tho caretaker. MISCELLANEOUS. A long report of the conference of local bodies was received and laid on the table. Several minor matters having Received attention, the meeting terminated.