Lake County Council.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2038, 15 February 1895, Page 5

Lake County Council.

An ordinary meeting of abovenamed body was held in the Clerk's office on Monday, when there were present Messrs B. Rogers (chairman) J. Elliott, J. George, H. Graham, F. M'Bride, and J. Muirhead. Before proceeding it was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Muirhead and Elliott, to adjourn to the Public Library, where business was resumed. Mr Elliott said he had been requested by Cr Fox to ask for leave of absence in consequence of being bnsy harvesting. He believed this was the fint time Mr Fox had been away during his conncillorship and he (the speaker) had no doubt the Council would readily grant the request. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Outward correspondence was read and approved. Correspondence. From the Mayor, Arrowtown, stating that nnder section 94 and sub-sections of Public Works Act 1882, a right-of-way between the ArrowCromwell main road and Arrow District Hospital, end being section 2, block 33, Arrowtown, had been •topped, as far as the Borough Council was concerned, and asking the County Council to confirm the decision of the borough ratepayers to close the road. From the presiding officer for election of five trustees to the Arrow District Hospital, stating that Messrs T. M'Donnell, J Jenkins, H. Graham, G. H. Romans and W. Clark were proposed by Mr Graham (the Council's delegate) and seconded by Mr Preston (the Borough's delegate). The firstnamed four only were e.ected, Messrs Graham and F. St. Omer (Queenstown borough) the otily other delegate present, voting against Mr W. Clark, who was afterwards elected at an extraordinary meeting of the trustees. From Festal Department, Queenstown, applying for £6O annual amount of subsidy, due ou 21st ulc. ■for the Glenorchy-Telephone From the Crown Lands Department, Dunedin, stating by direction, that the Government desired information concerning the expediency of introducing a " Fair Rent Bill " next session aud asking the Council, if willing, to answer questions iu accompany ing schedule, before loth March. Fro.ii A Barron, Under-Secretary, Lands and Survey Department, Wellington, statin/ that the Government had granted the sum of £250 voted by Parliament for general repairs and maintenance of main road, Clyde-Queenstown—that portion of it within Lake County—and enclosing copy of agreement for signature, with terms and conditions. From the Chairmin, Wakatipu Licensing Committee, under date December 20th, 1594, stating that at an adjourned meeting of the Committee it was pointed out by one of the members that in the statement of accounts forwarded by the County Clerk, " there appears an item purporting to be salary for two licensing clerks, that it was directly contrary to the shirit of the Act that there should be two clerks." Attention was called to this fact an lan explanation asked. It was also pointed out that, at their annual meeting, the Licensing committee considered £25 a reasonable enumeration for duties entailed on the office of Clerk to the Committee, an! further, " that as the mon»y raised by license fee«, etc., is not the revenue of the Lake County alone, but of the various local bodies who were represented on the Licencing Committee, the resolution of said Committee ought to be respected accordingly." From J. F. Healey, Arrowtown, on behalf of Charles Perriam, enclosing application to the Wardens Court for construction of a water race crossing the nnin road near Gibhston, ai.d asking per nisnion of the Council to allow same. From J. Knowles, Card p ona, asking permission to pat a drive through the reef underneath the road near first crossing above the township. From G. D. Beale, Macetown, asking permission to put a sluicing st"ie culvert across the road between C. Ross aud T. Reid's. Fiom R. Balch, Macetown, asking permission to cut a tunnel ui-der road in fmut of Mr Smith's store. From L. H. Prcstou, Arrowtown, on behalf of W. Galloway, askiue permission to put tunnel 50 feet under Arrow-Cromwell road, at Stewart's Creek <5-Mile), immediately above Mr I'ntchard's property. Th" Clerk stated that the last three applications had been granted conditionally, in order not to tielay the work desired. From N. B. Vou Tunzelmann, Beach Bay, saying that the gate for which he had permission to put up across the road to keep bis neighbour's sheep out of hit paddock, was smashed every now and then by Mrs M'Kenzie, so at to let the stock in the writer's ground. From G. C. Tothill, Invercirgill, enclosing copy of letter which appeared in the local ' Times ' of 6th DecemiKr, with regard to the Californian thistle, and hoping the Council will see their way to hive all such tbivlet cut down along the road lines of Lake County. The writer leferre Ito a deputation which waited upon the Hon, J. M'Kenzie, who admitted the great danger iu allowing the thistle to remain uncontrolled, Out said nothing coul 1 be done to make land owners step its progress until there was some legislation on the matter. He said, however, that he would endeavour to get the thistle cut on Government lands this season. The writer suggested that the various Farmers Clubs and committees in each district should urge farmers and County Councils to see that the thistle is cut before the seed gets a chance to ripen, aud also to report if any is found seeding on Government lands. The writer concluded :—I look upon this weed as the greatest enemy to farmers that has ever come into New Zealand, and as a pest beside which rabbits end small birds become insignificant. There is no doubt that the House well next session do something towards trying to get it controlled. In the meantime a great deal will be gained in stopping its seeding this year. From E. T. Wing, chairman of the Wakatipu Hospital trust to the County Chairmiu (telegram dated December 12) asking pei mission for temporary use of Council Chambers for patients, as the hospital had been burnt down. From J. E. Fox, secretary to Bluff Harbour Board, requesting, in accordance with the Harbour Act, 1878, that on the 11th instant, the Council elect one member to represent it at the Board, for ensuing two years. (Extract was enclosed from *N.Z. Gazette,' January 7. 1892.) From the Hon. J. G. Ward, offering himself for re-election on the Harbour Board. From R. M'Dougall, Pembroke, expressing regret at inability to attend meeting, owing to pressing business engagements. Ordering ox Correspondence. Arrow Hospital Trustees. -Re letter from the presiding officer, Mr Elliott remarked that it was strange Mr Graham, the Council's delegate, did not vote for Mr Clark, after being requested by the Council to do so. Mr Graham said he did not consider himself bound to vote for Mr Clark. If anything could be shown iu the Act why he should he would apologise. He explained the reason for his acton was that, at the eleventh hour, Mr Scoles, an old trustee, was a candidate. Mr St Omer, the Queeus town delegate, also declined to vote for Mr Clark Mr Scoles was a very old mem her, and had, man} J ears past, done much good for the Hospital; anc e (the speaker) considered he had a far greatei claim than the other candidate. The Chairman thought that certain Dames wen suggested as trustees, but this was some time afte Mr Graham was elected, and when the question wa opened up a second time. Mr Elliott thought that if Mr Graham was askei to vote for a certain man be should do so. The Chairman—As Mr Clark was afterward elected, there is no necessity for again opening u the question; and, in any case, the poiut is not c much importance. The action of the delegate was approved. GtENOKCHY Telephone.—/rV £6O annual sulisid the Chairman said this concluded the payment, an the Council had very nearly paid the original cosi whilst Government got the line and the benefit froi it It was resolved, on the motion of Messt M'Bride and Elliott that the subsidy lie paid in tb usual way by Government deducting from othc amounts due to the Council. Closing Right-of-Way—Resolved on the motio of Messrs Elliott and Muirhead—That the action < the Arrow.Borough Council in closing the road 1 approved «f.

Fair-rent Bill—Mr George thought it only right that Government should submit to local bodies questions in connection with a measure of this kind, and that the local bodies should, if they thought proper, express their opinions. Probably the Clerk would submit the valuations asked for. Mr Graham thought the proposed measure was a very important one. Times were not so good as they were years ago. The Grand Hotel, Dunedin, was a case in point, where the lessees had to leave because they could not pay up the original value. The proposed bill would be the means of putting property on a more equitable basis throughout the country. Mr Elliott did not think the Council should be hasty, and this was hardly a fit time to bring the muter up. Mr George—The Government are simply requiring information. The Chairman said there were representatives in Parliament, and the local bodies might go contrary to their opinions. There was also the opinion of their own member to consider, and he hardly thought it would be right for the Council to comply with the wishes of Government Most of the questions put would require an expert to answer. Mr Geoige proposed—That all information be supplied, if possible, to Government. Mr M'Bride was of opinion that, if let alone, things would find their own level. People would l«id high for land and other property they wanted, and it was hardly fair that they should turn round soon after and expect a reduction. Mr Muirhead- What would you do when a man will have a certain property right away? My opinion is that he should be made to stick to his bargain. The motion was seconded by Mr Muirhead and carried. £250 Road Vote.—Resolved, on the motion of Messrs M'Bride and Elliott— That the Chairman be authorised to sign the agreement co-iccrning the Parliamentary vote for repaiis and maintenance of the Clyde-y ieenstown road. Two Clerks.—/?? letter from the Licensing Committee, Mr M'Bride did not think that the Council ought to depart from their previous decision, as the County Clerk had a lot more to do in consequence of the new Act, and as Government did not think fit to appoint him Licensing Clerk he was entitled to son.e compensation. Mr Elliott was of a similar opiuion, and the matter had been threshed out before. The balancesheet, containing the item, had also been passed by the auditor as correct. Mr George—The main question put forward is whether two clerks can be appointed. The Chairman—The amount was only paid as a bonus to the County Clerk. It was thought only fair that the amount should be equally divided. It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Elliott and Muirhead— That the Chairman of the Committee be written to statins the matter had already been decided upon, and the | Council declines to re-open the question. Water Races k Tunnels.—The applications of C. Perriam and J. Knowles were granted, subject to the usual conditions, and the action of the Engineer in granting similiar applications by D. Beale, K. Balch and Gall way, was approved. The Chairman expressed in opinion with reference to applications of this kiud. that there was a danger of granting them too hurriedly, without the knowledge of others that might be interested. He thought that such applications might be advertised once in the local papers, as people who were near neighbours oftentimes did not know what was being done. For instance, Balch's application affected Mr W. T. Smith, under whose store the proposed tunnel was to be made. Mr Elliott—Smith's stoie is on the road. It would be throwing things back and present obstacles to advertise applications. The Clerk generally knows all about applications made. The Chairman inst inced a case where a man suffered rather seriously by his bakehouse falling in through a tunnel undi r it caving in. In B dob's case a spring was also likely to be tipped, arid if eo it might seriously affect householders. I The discussion then dropped. The Thistle Nuisance —AV G. E. Tothill's letter, the Engineer stated that maintenance en- | tractors had to keep the road clear 30ft ou each side from the centre of the road. Mr M'Bride said I the California!! thistle was at Kawarau Falls station j and over Mr Chegwid ten's and other paddocks in ! the district. Mr Muirhead thought gorse was | worse than the thistle. Mr Elliott considered the I farmers should take the matter up. It was stated I that, in some instances, the thistle might be grow- ' ing beyond the limits of roads, and a motion by i Messrs George and M'Bride was passed to the effect j that maintenance contractors should be paid a I little additional for cutting the Californian thistle ! beyond the r"ad lines in their contracts. Wakatipc Hospital.—The Chairman explained j the unfortunate circumstances of the burning of i the hospital buildings, and that he had granted the I temporary use of the Council Chambers. Tne I action was approved on the motion of Messrs ! Graham and Klliott. Harbouk Boakd Election.— It was stated that, besides the Hon. Mr Ward offering himself for rej election, Mr D. Roche, of luvercargill, had indirectj ly offered his services. Mr Elliott proposed Mr Ward for re-election and, 1 in doing so, said that Mr Ward had been a good i member for several years, and would no doubt iu the future—especially being one of the Ministrydo all he could for the benefit of the County. Seconded by Mr Graham. Mr Muirhead proposed as an amendment, Mr I). Roche, who. he considered was a good man and straight in his actions. He had no objections to Mr • Ward, hut thought that gentleman had enough to do in other directions. Mr Roche would at least attend more meetings of the Board than Mr Ward j had done, and take an equal interest in the biuij UeSS. Mr George seconded the amendment. ! The amendment was lost and motion carried, ' there only voting for the first-named the mover and I seconder. Absence.—Leave of absence was granted to ' Messrs Fox and M'Dougall from present meeting. Financial. —It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs George and Graham That Mr James Fox be authorised to sign'cheques instead of Mr E. A. Cameron, as from January 20th. The Clerk explained that this motion had been found necessary in consequence of Mr Cameron's absence from town and the bank declining to cash cheques unless signed by the authorised councillor. Afternoon Sittings. Neighbours Quarrels.—The Engineer said Mr i Vontuiizelmanu's application to erect a gate alongj side the lake was granted by the Council. Mr ; Elli.itt thought the Council should see that no I parties be allowed to pull down gates, etc. Mr Vontuneelmann had a fine plantation at Beach Bay, i and the action of M'Kenzie seemed to be a piece of ■ spite, Mr George considered if parties damaged the gate they were iiable to the Council. Mr I M'Bride did not look at the matter in that light. i If the man broke down the gate maliciously, he J could be sued, civilly for damages. Mr Von has i autliority from the Council to erect the gate, and 1 he can sue for damages on his own account. It was resolved on the motion of Messrs Elliott aud M'Bride— That Mr M'Kenzie be informed that Mr Vontunzelmant '■ has authority to erect the irate at Heach Bay, and if Mi M'Kenzie damages it, he will be responsible for same. • Maintenance Contract.—lt was proposed bj Messrs Muirhead ami Graham—i . That the maintenance contractor of Garston be eompelle* i to carry out his contract. s Mr Muirhead said that the contractor came anf ) put soil on the road when it was not required, bu f in winter when they wanted looking after, th( I roads were all slush. He did not believe the con tractor had been on the road for six or eight monthi f , during the last year. Had he been there two o 1 I three months ago he would have improved th< ;, road. There was no good putting earth wher n there was already too much and none where it wa s ' really required. e I Mr Graham thought that there was something ii r this style of things that should be remedied. Mr M'Bride considered the contractor was as goo< n ! a working man as could be got. Mr Mnirheadi I That may be, but he does bis own private worl e I and neglects the Councils. I do not believe in : . man getting3oa or 40s a day.) Mr M'Bride believe*

the contractor, M'Canghan. would ijve satisfaction | to everyone, and th it th • present c mplaint was a \ piece of jealousy. (Mr Muirhead—There are ruts f in the road since last autumn, and the road has not < been touched since.. I was told before I came up to this meeting that we would he better off i without the contractor. I know he is a good working man, but he is at something else instead of the road contract. From Garston to the Black bridge there are big lumps and the road is not fit for a dray to go along. The Engineer said there was plenty of loom for improvement. He had gone over the road, and the contractor had promised to attend to all needed repairs on every road—and if he had not done bo there was plenty of cause for complain*. Mr Muirhead—Well, the roads have not been attended to. Mr George said that the work contracted for seemed to be a secondary consideration, and the money a first one. If the man was getting £B6 a year, some of the contract money shovld be detained. The road to Head of the Lake was bad enough, hut this seemed to be worse. The Engineer said he was continually putting men on in certain cases of maintenance contracts. In fact it was quite a common thing to put wages men on. Mr Elliott said the Engineer had power under the conditions to compel the contractors to carry out their contracts. He (the speaker) was always against the contract system, and the present was an instance of the absurdity of it. Mr M'Bride—l am still in favor of the contract system ; the mistake is not keeping men up to the mark. The Chairman also believed in the contract system, and as far as the Skippers roads were concerned the Council were getting much better worth for their money than if the work were done were done by day labour. The motion was then put and carried. It was resolved, on the motion of 'Meesrs Muirhead and Graham— That the 11 chains of the road leading from N'okomai siding to block XI, in the Nokomai Survey district, be formed and gravelled out of general fund account, and tenders be called to be dealt at next meeting. A Bargain.—Mr Graham proposed the following motion tabled at previous meeting— That this Council offers the Government this building, the Council Chambers, for a Post and Telegraph office for the sum of £9OO. Mr Graham said be had*amended the motion so far as to place the sum at £9OO, instead of £650 aud the old post-office. He withdrew his previous remarks, also, that the Council could meet at Arrowtown at a peppercorn rent, and he left it to the Council to meet at Queenstown if they liked. The amount raised would greatly reduce the overdraft and save over £7O a year interest. There was a very little use for the building, and he was glad to see it put to such a good purpose as an hospital. He had not the slightest doubt Government would take th» property at the price offered, and, if so, they could get possession in a fortnight. His action had been taken as a matter of pure iuterest for the ratepayers generally. The motion was seconded, pro forma, by Mr Muirhead, who nevertheless thought that if the Council put their shoulders to the wheel they could run off the debt without selling the building. He should go dead ng.iinst the motion. The motion was put and lost, the ouly member voting for it being Mr Graham. Glenokchy Road.—Mr George called attention to the terribly bail hili that had to he gone over along the Queenstowu-Glenorchy track, and pmltgrsted that something should be done to le'iimiy the difficulty by a deviation near the lake. The Engineer said that he thou.ln the estimated cost of the work was made some years ago. but he wa' not s.ire. Tli>- deviation went through some swampy land and there wu.iid be a considerable amount of rock cuttii.g. It wis resolved, ou the motion of Messrs George anp M'Bride That ter.ders be called fir construction of the deviation on IJ-iean-towtiGlenoreliy Irak at 25-Mile, according to the eiiiriiicer'n survev made some yean a»'o. BaTTkKY R:»a.). Elliott and Graham That the Engineer l>:.-iti-itriir'i'd to put the ro-.i iw pa*sable order from the 12-Mi!e ('reek to the All Nations battery, Macetown ; up to a limit of ten pounds i necessary. ' The mover siid the ground had been sufficiently prospected by a small party of four men, and they wanted the road from their claim to the battery put in proper repair. The Chairman thoncht the men should be prepared to make an offer like Filippini's party at Skippers did, by contributing so much to the cost. The motion was carried on the understanding that the cist should not exceed £lO. The Chairman—We are evideutly galloping away with the funds, as more money has been voted away during the last two meetings than for twelve mouths before. The following was read and adopted : - Engineer's Report. The Chairman and Councillors, Lake County Gkxtlkmis,—l have the honor to submit my report as follows, for the period fro u itith November till 11th February:— j Roaos ami Traces.—The«c are all in good order and the I several cont-actors are giving fair satisfaction. ' Contracts. No. 104. Pembroke MatuM Road. This work i i> now completed an I I would recommend payment of balance ! due :ti soon a* the moiic) is obtained from Government. No 107 Kexairs Low -r Shotover. Thi- work is almost ' complete 1 an,l i would ask for authority to pay the contractor when iln.-.e. No in-*— Gravelling road loading to runt. This is nearly done, and pa- incut is recommended on final Inspection. No. l.j'.) -Improvements to track Skipper* Creek. This work is pru/rek.ing in a satisfactory man: or. , lNsrat'CTioxs —The various works ordered ■ at last meeting have been carried out, and tenders are called for gravelling on Cardrona Road, to be in to-day. Block 1, Dart—l would recommend that about 30 chains of d'tchine and two culverts be ilme before winter on the road through block 1, I'art, same tu lie charged to Deferred Payments. Ruad vr Reks.—Plans of this road have been submitted to the Lai.J* Department, and tenders may be called as soon ao they are returned. J. Black, County Engieeer (The Chairman here left, being required in the Warden's Court.) Fergus Testimonial.—The final statement was i brought up ami it was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Elliott and M'Bride— That the balance sheet be adopted, and a vote of thanks be recorded to Mr Black for his trouble and to all concerned in carrying out the work. Accounts.—A list of accounts were brought up and passed for payment, amounting to £452 12s. The bank overdraft, exclusive of above payments, was £l9Ol. Tenders were opened, as follows, for contract 110, gravelling Cardrona road:-F. F. M'Bride, £63 liT)s (accepted) ; J. \V. Baker and J. Coattrove, £99 1 U 6.1. Parliamentary Votes.—Mi Graham thought it very desirable to call for tenders at once for the Arrow-Macetown road, as the vote would lapse ou 31st March—in fact it would perhaps be a good plan to put men on at once and do the work by co-opera-tive labour. The Chairman believed in the co-operative system, but it «ould net be safe to go on with the work until tbe expenditure was granted by Government. The Engineer said Mr G. Mackenzie had been instructed to make a report on the road. Mr Elliott also believed in the co-operative system, i but not a penny yet had been spent of the money voted for the Lake district except the £250 for main road. It was resolved, on tbe motion of Messrs Graham aud Elliott— I That the Engineer snbmit proposals to the Surveyor, Mr Mackenzie, for letting the work on the Arrow Macetown [ road, and, on approval, that tenders be called for and dealt with by a committee. Also resolved, on the motion of Messrs George ' and Graham— That the £IOO voted for road up Rees Valley be expended i on the co-operative system. r (Mr Rogers here resumed the chair). 3 Skippeks Bkidge.— The Engineer, in reply to i Mr Graham, said that £1750 was authorised for the j work some time ago, and had been held over till Mr Gordon came, as it was found impossible to get i the grade of 1 in 8 which Government insisted ou. By raising the Bridge 180 feet and adding 107 feet 1 to the span (making the bridge 310 feet long) a - grade of 1 in 6 only could then be got. c Tbe Chairman said the residents were quite willi ing for the road to bo 1 in 8, or*even 1 in 5, as a 1 I road of that kiud would make a difference of la 6d

per cwt in the car f ag<\ The present Bridge was very shaky iuiee i, aud he thought Government should be asked to go on with the work as suggested. It was resolved on tbe motion of Messrs Graham and Elliott— That this Council wire to the Government urgirisr that remaining works in the district, namely the Shotover bridge and Macetown road, with all other works, be gone on with at once. Financial.—Resolved, on the motion of Messrs George and M'Bride— That the Chairman and Treasurer interview the local manager of the Bank of New Zealand, with a view to getting the rate of interest on overdraft reduced. Resolved on the motion of Messrs Graham and George— That the road between Arrowtown and Macetown be done by co-operative labour. The Chairman was authorised to write and ask Government to consent to approaches to Skippers bridge being constructed at a grade of one in five, if found necessary. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.