MURCHISON NEWS

Nelson Evening Mail, 30 March 1916, Page 6

MURCHISON NEWS

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Council was held on Saturday, 25th insfc. Present : Crs. Win (chairman), J- Brown, J: Badcock, G. Thomson, A. Rogers, . A. Monahan, and J. Whitham. The chairman reported that the contract for the Glengarry Bridge had 'been let to Mr M. E. White, for £6O. Mr Greenough waited upon; the Council, re the Howard Goldfields and the Warden's Court.—Resolved that the Council prepare a petition urging the Mines Department to allow the Murchison Warden's Court jurisdiction over the whole of the Howard Goldfields. Mr D. Whitford wrote asking for access to his property, section 11 .block 1 Hcpe; the chairman stated that Resident Engineer of the Public Works Department understood the Department had the matter in hand.—Resolved that the letter be referred to the Public Works Department. From Messrs Fell and Atkinson and J. Colvin. M.P., re the Howard Goldfield and Warden's Court- —Received. From Mines Department, that the prospecting subsidy may be increased from £1 to £1 10s per week per man. —lt was resolved that no further prospecting be done in the county for the present. . From Minister Public Works, re slips, stating- that authority for expenditure of £3OO ..had. "been issued on the Ist March. v From Department of Internal Affairs, re National Provident Fund.—Deferred for further consideration. Mr A. O'Rourke asked for permission to erect a, fence and gate across the road to the Buller Ford at a point where he broke his fence to allow traffic to reach the new ford.—As the public would be better served with this gate permission was granted subject to the Council's pieasure. From the.Nelsou Recruting Association asking for £5. as pari of the expenses in visiting Murchison. —Resolved that the amount be paid. From the Waimea. County Council, . asking if the Council "would contribute at the rate of £5 of each £IOO required for expenses of the Nelson Recruiting Association.—Resolved, that the writers be informed that this Council intends to .'o the recruiting in; this district and *|jay all expenses incidental- thereto. Resolved (Chairman—Cr. Brown), that •i public meeting "be called at 8 p.m. on April Ist to form a- local Recruiting Committee. ■ From Mr H. F., Sutherland re thirds, the clerk to reply as. to the -positon. The clerk informed- the Council that tho Minjstgr - *of- Defence passed through Murchison last Sunday and expressed surprise that the Chairman or members of the Council did not meet him. As the Council had no intimation that' the Hon Minister was coming throng Murchison, it was resolved that a letter be sent to the Minister stating that at any future time "when he is coming to Murchison Councillors will be pleased to meet him if advised that he is coming. •OVERSEER'S REPORT. The Overseer's report was read and adopted. Arising out of the Teport, Cr Thomson moved that the works referred to as urgent in his riding, _ viz., new anchors for Warwick Junction Bridge QVdr the Maruia, a new piece of road near Frog Flat,' and a ditch to ;divert water'"* off the road, Ibe carried out.— Seconded by Cr Whittem and carried. Cr Monahan mentioned that there was a broken plank in a bridge on the Maruia road {"near Bredbury Bros., and moved that the Overseer attend to- it. —Seconded 'by Cr Thorn and carried. A discussion ensued on the question of rates that were collected on properties that were entered ori the. Government Valuation Rolls as rateable, when they were Teally exempt. The chairman said lie thought that in equity those who had paid rates before they were legally collectable, shopld' be allowed credit against future rates due. As the other Councillors were of the. same opinion, Cr Bradcock moVed: That all ratepayers Who had paid rates before they were legally due, be given, credit for the amount over-paid against rates" due in subsequent years.—Seconded by. Cr Whittem and' carried. Mr P. O'Connor applied for a remission i,of one year's rates covering the •period he had been at the front. —Cr Rogers moved and seconded by Cr Monahaii, that the remission be granted.— Carried unanimously. , Cr Whittem referred to Mr O'Connor's offer of half-an-aore gravel teserve, oh condition that the Council remove his dwelling on to a new s'te.—Resolved that the clerk write Mr O'Connor with a view to having;an exchange for the acre. . " , ■ , Resolved (Cr Whittem) that the Public Works Department be urged to make the road to the Gowan Block. Resolved (Cr Rogers) that' the attention of the Land Board ■ be drawn to the foxglove on a section on- the Matakitaki. Cr Brown moved, seconded !by Cr Monahan, that the next ordinary meeting of the,; Council be held on the last Saturday in May.—For : the motion 4; against 3. ' . iCfr fßad'cpclc -moved an amendment that the next meeting be held on the 29th April.—Seconded by Cr Rogers. For the amendment 3; aeainst 4. The motion* was declared carried. . _ Cr Brown moved, seconded by Cr Thomson, that the chairman "be authorised to pay all accounts before next meeting. The motion was carried, Crs Badcock and Rogers dissenting. ' Accounts as read were passed for payirent, and a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting ■ •