MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 24, Issue 1259, 13 January 1894, Page 3

MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL.

,;„, -The. ordinary meeting of the'council -'.was held in the County Council Chambers, .Kaseby, on Wednesday, January 3rd, 1894. :-7-Crs Burnett (chairman), Jbhn- - fltonsvGu'ffie, Forrester, Logan, and Coram. - -• MINUTES. ■ -.. The minutes of last anneal meeting were <~-.read, and confirmed on the motion of Cr Logan, seconded by Cr Coram. COBBBSrONDINCK. ... Schedules of outward aud inward corre- .- apondenue were read. CHAMTABUI AID. . The clerk to the Chariuble Aid Board forwaided a list of persons residing in the county in receipt of chariuble aid. DOOTAX. ' :■'.• Mr M. Prendergaat, jun., applied for the position of registrar of dog* and collector ■ of dog tax at Hyde, in place of Constable Johnston resigned. —lt was explained that Constable Johnston would again be willing to act in the above position. Resolved—That x Constable Johnston be re-appointed. TKNDKBS. . .A report of the business dealing with the tenders appeared in la>t issue, with regard to contracts 479 and 482 objections were raised-as follows: .. CostbaotNo. 479:—90 chains of formation, .-.culverts, gravel, &&, &c. - -Cr Logan objected to any money from the „. ii.*ote of £2BB being expended on the main - ;xoa4.while access was not obtainable to - several sections. ? • . vjsVfter discussion, and the production of the undertakings defining the locality, the " following tenders were opened: '— .. P. Hagan ... ... £143 0 0 Bradley Bros. ..., 88 0 0 John Coyle ... ... 160 0 0 P. M'Cluskey ... 165 18 8 Moved by Cr Johnstone, and seconded by ... Cr Coram—That the tender of P. Hagan be . accepted, aud that the work be-chargeable to the £2OO vote for Swinburo district. . ■ Contbact No. 482:—Forming and gravelling footpath, Hyde Township. ' •-..■■, Cr Logan, objected to the council dealing with tenders for the above work, and would move— That, considering the state of the

c mnty finances, no tender be accepted for contract No. 482. "* ~ " " •"? - Cr Coram seconded the motion. '"Oa the motion being put. *t"Kere voted : Ayes—Crs Logan,* Vud Coram Vuoes—Crs Guffie, Forrester, Laverty, and'Burnett. Motion lost. The following tenders were then opened:— M. Piendergast, jun., ... £43-,,0\r0 ; H.P. Hagau ~ - 61-0 0 Moved by Cr Guffie, and seconded by Cr Laverty—That tlie tender of M. Prendergaßt, jun., be accepted, and that the cost or the work be charged to the land fund.— Carried unanimously.

CHARITABLE AID. Mr J. F. Christian, representative of Mauiototo County on the Charitable' Aid Board, wrote as under : N. £. Valley, Dunedin, December 13, 1893. To the Chairman and Members a of Maniototo County Council. Gentlemen—

I have to thank yon sincerely for the honour you have done me in again electing me to represent your district on the Charitable Aid Board, the more so that I am not aware that 1 have been able to render you any material service in the past. But it should be borne in mind that, the powers of the board, if any, are of very limited character, and until these powers are increased the most it-can do is to act ail a check, and not a very effectual one, on the ever increasing demands of the various institutions for which it has to find the money. The real power is practically in the hands' of the Benevolent Institution Trustees.- ahd> those of the- Minister for Education, and the latter has, in my opinion, shown that he intends to retain it,

You will be aware that the board have long been trying to get a voice in the management of, the Industrial School, and with that object in view a deputation of the board waited:on Mr Reeves when he visited Dunedin some months ago. He then very plainly gave us to . understand that he intended to keep that, institution entirely under, nis own control. The' only concession, he : was prepared to make was the setting up of a board of advice consisting 7 ' of four ntembeis—two to be nominated.by the.Charitable Aid Board and two by the Minister. This was ultimately agreed to, but personally 1 do not look on it with hope.. So long as the advice tendered suits the wishes of the-Minister for the time beinp it will be acted on, but not one minute longer. On the other hand this newly appointed board will, should the necessity arise; .have to play the part of scape griat whereon to lay any or every fault that may' be found..wi(h .the management of that institution. It is generally admitted that taxation, and 1 representation should go together, but in this case we find an entirely opposite course is 1 pursued and I think, that while;thje united, districts are compelled to contribute j-tt>. ,ih'e , tfiaintainanct of the Industrial School, they should demand as a right, and not rest till, they have obtained, a voice in its management* :If the whole of the contributing bodies unite and bring the matter before Parliament the.e can be little donbt of that right being conceded. The contention that it is a school, and as such must remain under the control of the Minister for Education has no real force; for if this contention holds good, it then follows that, being a school, it should be maintained as other schools are. If you look at the priuted balance-sheet you will find that one fourth of the money spent on charitable aid is handed over to this so called, school.

I have thought .this matter of sufficient importance to lay before you, and if thought well of to get your advice thereon.—l ain, Gentlemen, tfours Faithfully, John Christian. Moved by Cr Logan, ind seconded by Gr Laverty That Mr ; Christian's-;le"fter. : .be received, and this council thanks him'for his services, and for the very full exposition of charitable aid administration which he has given.—Carried unanimously. TAIERI BIVBR CROSSING. The County Clerk, Waibemo ' County, wrote that hia council was willing to bear the necessary expense ''in; clearing stheford at Mardliog'e, and that the inspector had been instructed to proceed with .the work when the river is sufficiently shallow to employ a dray and remove the large boulders from the river bed.—Received. THIRDS AND FOURTHS. The Secretary .to .the.Laud Board forwarded a statement of the thirds and fourths accruing to this county, amounting to £264 9s7<L MINING TIMBER. Messrs J. and A. Roberts, Hamiltons, made application for the use of Blabs lying at the rear of the County Offices for'tunnelling purposes at Hamilton. Moved by Cr Logan, and seconded by Cr Johnstone—That if any slabs are available they be granted to Messrs J. and A. Roberts, Hamiltons, subject to suitable, guarantee as to return. WEDDKRBUBN. - Mr P. Shea, Wedderburn, notified the oancil that it was his iuteution to fence in his section, and asked the council, as the fence would take in about 12 chains of road, to take steps to enable him to fence. Moved by Cr Logan, and seconded by Cr joratn—That Mr P. Shea's letter be received, 'and that the matter be delayed to enable the chairman to ascertain the respective costs of forming' the road line, and re-acquir-ing the old road.—Carried unanimously. CLOSING ROADS. •Cr Guffie, as chairman of the public meeting held at Gimmerburn, on Friday, December Ist, 1893, to consider whether the road running between sections 17 and 18, block V. Maniototo district, should be closed, submitted the following resolution and amendment thereon : -

Moved by H. M'Clby arid seconded by M. Roberts—That this meeting requests the county council not to close the road between sections 17 and 18, block V, Maniototo, as applied for by Mr John Blakely. As an amendment, John Blakely moved, sad J. W. Blakely seconded—That the application of John Blakely to close the road leading between sections 17 aud IS, block V, Mfcniototo,~be—recommended to the favourable consideration of the county council."

The amendment was put and lost.' The motion was carried by 21 to 2. Moved by Cr Guffie,' and secondedby Cr ; Coram—That as the meeting of ratepayers held in Gimmerburn school (as advertised) U opposed by 21 votes to 2, to the closing of of the road between sections 17 and 18, block V, Maniototo, as applied for by John Blakeley, this council declines to close the road in question.—Carried unanimously. Moved by Cr Johnstone, and seconded by Cr Forrester—That the engineer be instructed to see that all surveyed roads- in block XIII, Blackstone Hill, be opened for the use of the public. Carried unanimously. XTEBDRN. - 'Moved by Cr Logan, and seconded by Cr Laverty—That the engineer inspect the road leading to Mr Murdoch's, homestead, Kyeburn riding, and make the same passable by ditching, provided the cost does not exceed £s. Carried unanimously.; Moved by Cr Logan, and seconded by Cr Johnstone —That the engineer's attention be drawn to surfacing contracts in Kyeburn' riding—contract No. 465 and contract No. 466 (road; Kyeburn to 'Naseby).— Cariied unanimously. -.:-• > HAMILTON. Moyed by Cr Coram, and seconded by Cr Logan—That the engineer inspect the road at the back of Howell's leading to the Hamilton tailings, and call tenders for repairing the same, and that the money expended be taken from accrued land funds owing to that district.—Carried unanimously.-' SPEC GULLY. Moved by Cr Guffie, and seconded by Cr Forrester—That the engineer be instructed to expend the sum of £8 on the road leading from Paradise Gully to Spec Gully for the purpose of giving access to miners residing in that locality.—Carried unanimously. THE POUND. Moved by Cr Forrester, and Seconded by Cr Coram—That the clerk, bring up.tit next

meeting a report, of the fees receiv ed by the "piinndkeepcf, and also" tlie'amount received by sales of feed for the year ended on 31st December,'lß93. —Carried unanimously. T __ . ENGINEER'S REPORT., ' /■" The engineer teported as uiiden:—. "' During the month of December surveys have been—made - and - plans pifpared, wheie" required," for the following contracts : .. .

-' ' SWfNBURN BLOCKS. Government. Votes. ~ /■. Contract 478.-76 chains of formation, culvetts, &c., opening up jection* 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11, block "VII, Swinburn. ! Contract 479. —90 chains of formation (as per plan) 65 chains of gra\el 'and 54 chains uf'lighf formation, 7 pipe"cnlverts, fronting sections 28, and 29, block IT, and sectioks 5, 11, 12, and 13, block VH.

With 'reference to: these contracts, which will be charged partly to vote £200,' Swinburn blocks, and partly to vote i£2BB, Swinburn Faiin, Homestead" block's, I would recommend that these vote 3 be amalgamated, 'and the expenditure carried on as under one r vote. , . '_ HYDE ROADS. . Contract 480. —27 chains of forn-ation and 32 chains of gravel near Ryan's Hotel. Coutract 481.—Widening road, near Hyde, 31 chains to be widened to 24 feet. Contract 482.—42 chains of footpath, small bridge and- road widening, 4 pipe culverts.

Tenders will be invited for further works on the Swinburn blocks as soon as possible. The report was received. pocndkeeper's report.

The poundkeeper reported that during the month; commencing on Nov. 22nd and ending on Dec. 22nd last, nine bead oi cattle were impounded. All' were released except one bull and one horse, which were sold. The sums collected were :—Fees, 16a 6d ; food, £4 9s 8d; driving, £1 18s; advertising, 7s, total, £7 10s 6d.—Received. POUND INSPECTOR'S; REPORT. The Ponnd Inspector reported that-the state of' the county pound continues satisfactory, no ■ complaints having reached him reflecting on the management.—Received. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The report of the finance committee was. read, and adopted on the motion of Cr Guffie, seconded by Cr Coram. APPOINTMENT OP VALUER. The chairman brought tinder the notice, of the council the Rating Acts Amendment Act; 1893, which provides for the local body making its own valuation of property, annually or' triennially at "its option"—Deferred for' cbhsideratioriT GOVERNMENT GRANTS. Moved by Cr Logan, and seconded by Cr Johnstone—That the chairman apply for the following Government grants, vis,:—Gimmerburn and Naseby, £400; Blackstone to Lauder, £400; Maniototo, £loo.—Carried unanimously.

maniototo. Moved by,Or Guffie, and seconded by Cr Forrester—That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for improvements to the road near sections 24,' 25 ■Bad 13, block VI, Maniototo, on road leading from Gimmerburn towards Hamilton bridge. Cost of same to come out of accrued land f uud} —Carried,unanimously. NOTICES OF MOTION. Cr Logan moved the motion, notice of which was given at last meeting, viz.—That the sum paid to councillors in lieu of travelling expenses be a fixed sum per meeting' of council, -irrespective Of the leugth of 'such meeting. Seconded by Cr Johnstone prnfarma. After discuesion die motion v;aß put. Ayes Crs Logan, Burnett, Johnstone and Coram. Noes Crs Laverty and Forrester. —Motion carried.

COUNCILLORS' TRAVEIjLTITG EXPENSES.• i Moved by Cr Logan, and seconded by Cr Coram—That the sum paid to councillors for travelling expenses be Is 6d per mile going to council meetings, with a minimum payment of £1 Is. -On the motion being put there voted : Ayes—Crs Logan, Coram, and Burnett; noes—Crs Laverty, Johnstone, Forrester and Gufficir—Motion lost.

iMdvedby Cf LogaDj and seconded by Cr Coram—That the sum paid per meeting be one and a-half guineas, '"."..'; Cr Laverty moved as an amendment—That the travelling expenses of councillors be fixed at £2 10s per meeting for members residing beyond three miles from the County Chambers, and that no councillor be.paid who absents himself during the sitting of,council without the permissiou of the chairman. Seconded by Cr Johnstone. On the amendment being put there voted : Ayes —Crs Laverty, Forrester, Johnstone andGuffie; noes—Crs Logan, Coram, and Burnett.—Amendment carried ; motion lost. The amendment becoming the motion, Cr Logan moved, and Cr Coram seconded— That the sum paid to councillors be two guineas per meeting, provided that no payment be made to any councillor who is absent, from any portion of the meeting without; leave of the council. Ayes—Crs Logan, Coram, and Burnett;noes—Crs Laverty, Guffie, Forrester, and Johnstone. BBOAD ITOKS. On the motion of Cr Guffie, seconded by Cr Logan (in the unavoidable absence of Cr Turnbull) the consideration of the motion referringto broad tires was further postponed until next meeting. COUNTY SOLICITOR.

Cr Johnstone, with the permission of the council, wichdrew his notice of motion referring to the county solicitbrship, and would substitute the fnllowiug—That this council make no appointment as to county solicitor, but leave the matter of obtaining legal advioe in the hands of the chairman. Seconded by Cr Forrester, and carried unanimously. FINANCE. , A statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for the year ending 31st March, 1894; was read and laid on the table. . Moved by Cr Logan, and seconded yCr Johnstone—That consideration of the financial estimate be adjourned uutil next meeting.—Carried unanimously. The sum of £22 Is was passed for payment, on the motion of Cr Forrester, and seconded by Cr Laverty. '-" "

,: NOTICES OF MOTIONS. pi-Logan gave notice that at" next meeting he would move—That this council meets at noon in- future. Also that the council takes into consideration the advisability of approaching Govnerinent with a view of having a light traffic bridge erected at Ryan's Grossing, Taieri River.

ROUGH MINUTES. The rough minutes having been accepted as read, the council rose.