MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11367, 7 September 1897, Page 3

MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Mackenzie County Council was held yesterday, when all the members were present. The Clerk and Engineers report mentioned that owing to the recent rain some of the streams were flooded, and the fords would need attention as soon as they subsided. The fencing of tho Fairlie Domain had been completed, and the willow planting against river encroachment would be finished during tho week. Tho cost, so far, had been .£39 4s 3d. Tho planting of willows and poplars on Lake Pukaki and at Pukaki bridge was in hand, the cutting and carting of tho stakes having been lot by contract, and the planting was being done by day labour—lls 6d per cord for cutting and 70s to 90s for carting. A tender had been accepted by the Chairman for supply of drain-pipes, six, nine and twelve-inch, at 4,;d, 9d and Is 2d per foot. Marram grass roots obtained from Christchurch had been planted on the drifting sand at Tekapo and fenced, the situation being suitable for the grass. The new tree-planting at Tekapo had been inspected, and it appeared to have been well done. The varietiesplantedwere; larch 4000, ash 4800, Pines Austrica and lauricio 1000, birch 500, alder 200. Oaks and Finns ponderosa were to have been supplied, but the contractors stated that they were not procurable. It would take about 5000 more trees to complete the planting of the space enclosed. In addition to the forest trees a cord of poplar stakes had been stuck into the damp part of the ground, and there was room for three cords more. It was resolved that 5000 more trees should be planted, 3000 oaks, 1000 P. ponderosa, and 1000 Norway spruce, and three cords more of poplar stakes. Mr M’Leod, who had inspected the plantation, stated that the oaks had done exceedingly well at Tekapo. The Chairman suggested that, in view of the difficulty of getting oaks, it would be a good idea to got 10,000 acorns and form a nursery somewhere. Among the correspondence was the following:—From the Treasury, as to payment of .£2Ol 9s fid, subsidy on rates. From the Land and Survey Department, asking for proposals for expenditure of £3 8s fid, thirds accrued and held since 1888, and offering £365 for formation of three new roads on the Albury Estate and the shingling of two of them, the formation to be 33ft, shingling 18ft wide. Tho Council considered tho formation stipulated for too wide for hilly country, and decided to ask to have this condition altered. I rom the Land and Income Tax Department, as to £lO3 accrued from thirds and fourths. From Mr J. Siegert, applying for leav<? to place two gates across a road through his land on Albury Estate, and from Mr J. Barron, objecting to the proposal. The Council agreed to grant permission, there being very little traffic. From the Geraldine County Council, as to meeting of delegates from the four South Canterbury County Councils to consider the advisableuess of combining to pass joint by-laws respecting heavy traffic, slaughter-houses, &c. Messrs Rutherford and M’Lean did not think the county needed a tractionengine by-law, and it bad the rest. It was, however, resolved by three to two, that the Chairman should attend tho preliminary meeting. Mr M’Lean moved “That the delegate to the County Councils Conference bring up the matter of the better protection of sheep-farmers against sheepstealers, and suggest that a clause be added to the Slaughterhouses Act, making it illegal for butchers, farmers and others to remove the ears from the skins of sheep slaughtered by them.” This was carried unanimously. Mr H. Corbett, Gricklewood, wrote, respecting complaints against the impounding ranger, and requested the Council to dismiss the present officer on account of his arbitrary conduct. The Council thought this unnecessary, as his appointment terminates next month, but after a good deal of discussion it was resolved, by three to two, to call for applications for the post of povmdkeepers only tor the next year. Messrs R. M’Kay, and Hervey waited on the Council as to a charge for use on their properties of tail water from tho Ash wick Flat races, and offered £2 a year each. Tho Council determined to demand £3 a. year each or £fi from both. This Mr M’Kay refused, and gave the Council notice not to allow the tail water to flow on to his land. On the recommendation of the engineer, some sanitary improvements were ordered to be carried out at the Tekapo Hotel. The Chairman stated that the accounts for the previous year had not yet been passed by the Audit Office, ou account of a technical objection to the inclusion, as an asset of a claim against tho Melville Downs estate for making a water-race, the cost of which was being repaid by instalments. Councillors were of opinion that the item should be included, as it was a real asset, but in order to get the accounts through it was agreed that the balance-sheet should be altered. Mr M’Lean gave notice to move at next meeting that a general rate of five-eighths of a penny in the pound should be struck for the current year. Accounts to the amount of £306 14s JOd were passed for payment.