THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 983, 4 October 1888, Page 3

THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

An adjourned special meeting of the council was held on Wednesday, September 26th. Present—Crs Ewing (chairman), Burnett, Guffie, Forgie, Forrester, Howell, Cogan, Laverty and loder. The business of the meeting wbb to finally settle and sign the annual balance-sheets. The Chairmen read and laid on the table thejannual balance-sheets and statements, and the auditor's remarks thereon—viz., that councillors' travelling expenses had been disallowed, as not showing that they were " actual expenses " under the Aot. After some conversation, in which the Chairman stated that he had written to Sir B. Stout for a legal opinion on the matter, but that he had not yet received a reply, it was Moved by Cr Cogan, seconded by Cr Howell —That the balance-sheets and statements for the year ending March 3lst, 18S8, as audited, be finally settled, and that the Chairman be authorised to sign the same; but that the council protests against tbe disallowance o' the amounts voted as travelling expenses of councillors, the said amounts having in its opinion been voted in a manner strictly within the meaning of section 105 of the Counties Chairman in seeking a high leaal opinion on the matter,—Carried unanimously. The Chairman then signed tha balancesheets. This finished the business of the adjourned special meeting. ORDINARY MEETING. The same councillors were present. The minutes of the last adjourned special and {ordinary meetings held on July 25th, 1888, were read and confirmed. OOBBESPOKBENOH. Schedules of outward and inward correpondence were read. FITKBTOI. The returning officer, Puketoi, wrote, Btating that Mr Jas. Howoll had beon eleoted in Cr Mathias (resigned). IMPOUNDING ACT. The Colonial SeoMtary wrote, acknowledging theSreceipt of a memorial from tho oouncil, praying thatseotlons 5 and 6 of the Impounding A.ct, 1884, might bo proclaimed to be in force within the connty ; also that the Legislature'evidently intended the second paragraph of seotion 7 to opply to counties in which the Counties Act was in full operation, although owing to bad punctuation that intention was not perhaps very clearly expressed ; and that a statutory declaration that the resolution to adopt certain sections in the Impounding Act had been passed by not less than two-thirds of tbe council. The Chairman stated that tho declaration had boen forwarded. VALUATIONS. In reply to a lotoer from the Chairman, requesting tho Property-tax or other department of tho Government to supply the council with as full information as poasiblo with regard to changes of areas act! rentals of runs, and ownership of lands that havo taken place withinjtho lost twelve months, the Colonial Secretary Hated that the information could

! be obtained from the Crown Lands Department ; and that it had been decided by that, department that in future local bodies should themselves procure information of the nature in question from the Land Offices, as owing to the large reduction in the staff: the compilation could not be made by the officers of 'heir department without neglecting their ordinary duties,—Received. OiMABU NASEBY ROAD. Letters were reoeived from Messrs George Sumpter and J. Church with reference to this road. Mr M. J. S. Mackenzie, M.H.S., wrote, acknowledging the receipt of resolutions re Oamaru-Naseby road, stating that the Colonial Secretary was in possession of all fact*, figures and information concerning the proposed road, and he had been given to understand that he (the Colonial Secretary) was personally favorable to its construction. Mr MackenKie also wrote, enclosing a letter from the Minister of Public Works, in which the Government are not disposed to commit tbemeelvee to the work. The clerk of Wuitaki County Council wrote, forwarding a resolution agreed to by Waitaki Council, as under -.—Thai the Waitaki County Council join with theManiototoCounty Council in urging the Government to construct the road through Dansey's Pass, and is of the opinion thst the opening of such road would be of great benefit in connecting Central Otago with the seaboard at Oamaru at a comparatively small cost.and that such a work should be undertaken by the Government as a Colonial work. This council regrets chat it is nnable to contribute toward the construction of the road, as at present all money available is required for existing roads. MELBOUBNE EXHIBITION. The Chairman read a telegram from the Chairman of the Gold fields Committee (Mr E. J. Seddon, M.H.R.), stating that with the view of augmenting the mineral exhibits in the Melbourne Exhibition, he asked his (the Chairman's) assistance in procuring from the several mines in the district five tons of quarts, or quantities of auriferous cements or argentiferous ores. The Chairman stated that he had forwarded one ton of wash dirt from St. fiatbans basin and one ton from Vinegar Hill. He believed that speoimens had been forwarded from other parts of ihe county. BENEVOLENT INBTITDTIOH. A letter was read, from the secretary of the Benevolent Institution, stating that the sum of 8s per week had been allowed for outdoor relief to Mary Ann Thomas, Naseby. VALUATION. A telegram was received from the Property Tax Commissioner, stating that he had applied to the (Jriwn Lands Office," Dunedin, for the information, and was now asking when he might expect it. When he heard he would let the council know. BBIDSE OVEB TAIEBI BIVBB. The Chairman of Wainemo County Council wrote, forwarding a copy of reso utions agreed to by the council ot a m9bting held on August 2lßt, as under:—(l) That the question whether a horse traffio bridge across the Taieri is, or is not, a proper expenditure of the Government grant for opening up the adjoiniog land, be referied to the Surveyor-General for his opinion for the guidance of this council ; that the statement of the settlers interested be transmitted to the Surveyor-General in full for his consideration in deciding the question j and that the council expresses the belief that the question is fairly opea to doubt. (2) That Mr Kamsay having represented to this council that the Maniototo Council, notwithstanding their Chairman's leiter of 4th June, 1888, is willing to pay the whole cost of the bridge beyond the £3OO, and to erect the bridge free i of further cost to this council, and, further, to pay half cost of all maintenance required, this council write again to the Manioo'o Council to ascertain whether such is the case. (3) That on receipt of the decision of the SurveyorGeneral and of the Maniototo Council as above stated, the whole matter be taken into consideration on its meri's, the ground being thus cleared for free consideration apart from the relations of this council to the Government on the one hand, and to the neighboring council on the other.

Leave was granted Mr John J. Bamsay, who appeared on behilf of a number of Bettlera interested in the construction of the proposed bridge over the Taieri, to address the council on the matter. Mr Riinsay urged on the council to renew its offer, and spoke generally on the importance of the work to residents and the danger which now exists in fording the river in times of flood. Moved by Cr Forgie, and seconded by Cr Cognn—That in re proposed bridge over the Taieri at Capbum, the Waihemo County Council be informed that this council is willing to adhere, to the offer contained in the Chairman's letter of 26th March last.— Carried unanimously. GIMMEBBOBN. Mr A, Pirie wrote, stating that the roads in the G-immerbum district had suffered severely during the la e floods, and asking that tho engineer should be requested to inspect end report on the roadi.—Referred to the Ohairman. EWEBUBN. A letter was read, signed by eight settlers at Eweburn, complaining of the state of the road Naseby to Sowburn, beiow the main Dnnstan road. Moved by Cr Forrester, and seconded bv Cr GufEe—That tho letter of Mawhinney and others be received ; and that the engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications, and invito tenders for the formation of the portion of the Naseby-Sowburn road complained of. Tenders to be dealt wiih at the next meeting of the Finance Committee.— Carried unanimously. BENEVOLENT IJfSTITUTXON. The secretary to tho Otago Oharitable Aid Board forwarded a return, made np to August last, of all outdoor relief cases to persons residing within the county.—Received. pr/HAKANTTI CLIFFS. The town clerk, Palineraton, forwarded a copy of a resolution agreed to by the Borough Council, as follows:—That the member for this district be requested to oppose the expenditure of the £IO,OOO in making tho proposed tunnel at Purakanui Cliffs, butadyosate the construction of the railway by the original proposed route through Sawyers' Bay. —Received. MANIOTOTO. A letter was read from Mr James Hore, asking the oouncil to plaoe in repair the road through blocks in. and vii., Maniototo.— Referred to the engineer to report on to the next meeting of the council. DAMAGKB. W. Ginsberg, storekeeper, wrote, applying for payment of Ll7, being the amount of losb sustained by him through the capsizing of his waggon on the hill leiding to the Pound ; failing which, legal proceedings would be taken to recover.

Moved by Cr Lavorty, seoonded by Cr. Gogan—That the application of Mr Wm, Ginsberg, for damages sustained by the capsizing of hia Tan on the road leading to Naseby, and near the County Pound, be reccivod; and that he be informed that the oouncil, nftor making an enquiry into the matter, cannot entortain his claim,—Carried unanimously. CEOWTf I^AHDS. Tho Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarded a oiroular to the effect that it was desirable that tho method of obtaining the Land Board's approval of tho plans of as required by the Land Act, 18S5, should be simplified | and forwarded a list of ull sections and blocks from which revenue is derived, — Referred to the Chairman and engineer.

puketoi. ...... The manager of Puketoi Station (Mr 8.. 8. Charters) wrote, complaining "of" the state of the road betwen Puketoi and Patearoa, and stating that the recent rendered it impassable for dray traffic;— Referred to the engineer to deal with. ■•Vi';'. : '. . HTDE. Thomas Gilchrist (foT the: Victoria Sluicing-.y Co., Hyde) wrote, asking the council to 'orm a road to divert, the traffic, from Main Gu:ly, Hyde, to the spur opposite. It was staird that the road in use was blocking the tailings and impeding the progress of the work of taking np fall to the workings. Moved by Cr Laverty, and seconded by Or Cogau—That the application of Mr Thomas Gilchrist, asking that the road ba diverted from their present workings, Hyde Gully, be given effect to; and that the engineer be instructed to have the necessary formation done as soon as possible.—Carried unanimously. KYEEUBN. Gee Wee, Kyeburn, applied for permission to cut a race across the road near German Creek bridge.—Referred to tho engineer to report. A NTJIBANCK. Mr W. D. Millar wrote, asking steps be taken to stop the Naseby Borough Council from depositing nightsoil and »ther offensive matter within a distance of about three chains from his property. He had complained to ithe Borough Counci- and to ih<' Polioe, bat; without effect.—Referred to ihe engineer to- report to the council, and in the meantime to procure the abatement of the nuisance, if such is found to exist. HYDE. Mr J. J. Riinsay, Chairman of the Hyde Progress Committee, wrote, asking for a vote of L 5 to open a road to Three-mile Coal-pit, a great number of the inhabitants of Hyde being dependent on these pits for their supply of fuel.—lt was agreed to subsidise the work to the extent of half cost to a total contribution of £5, provided always that the engineer's report be favorable, and that his estimate of the value of the work shall be taken in estimating the amount of subsidy payable. ST. BATHANS. Mr John M'Enneney, Torky Gully, St. Buhins, complained that the contractors (M ssrs Reilly and Co.) of the new road leading to St. Bathans were cutting through hiß residence area, and that he would hold the council responsible for damages,—Referred to the chairman and engineer. BOBINO BODS. Mr John M'Kay, Sowburn, asked if there wa9 any possibility of obtaining the boring rods, the property of Vincent_County, as he intended to prospect for coul;—lt was agreed that the Chairman should whether Vincent County has boring rods, whether they can be obtained if required, and on what conditions. HAMILTON. A memorial was read and presented by Cr Howell, signed by 18 residents of Hamilton, praying ths council to take steps to improve that portion of the main road from " Fortifications" to Hamilton, and asking that a load of gravel should be laid on the main road at Hamilton. Moved by Cr Howell, seconded by Cr. Liverty—That the petition of Mr Tnomas Howell and others be received ; and that the engineer bo instruated to prepare plans and specifications for the various works, and to call for tenders for the same, to be dealt with at the next meeting of the Finance Committee.—Carried unanimously. BT. BATHANS. A memorial was read and presented by Cr Bwing, signed by 23 residents, praying the council to gravel the footpath within the township, aud to repair the drains and water tableß.

The Chairman explained that as the work was an urgent one he had instructed the engineer to invite tenders for it, which had been dealt with at last finance meeting. The work was now neaily completed.