COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 273, 8 March 1877, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

A. meeting of the County Council was held in the Road Boards Office, at noon, to-day. Present : The Hon. R. Campbell (Chairman), and Messrs. W. Murcott, J. T. Duncan, Duncan Sutherland, J. Johnstone, J. Wheatley, W. Craig, W. Sutherland, and the Clerk (Mr. W. Johnstone). MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, acknowledging receipt of the Council's letter, stating that it had been resolved to bring into force the whole of the Counties Act. From the Minister of Public Works, stating that the District Engineer had been conferred with as to the state of the Phoenix Mill dam, and had reported it to be in a dangerous condition. The letter suggested that the owner of the dam should be compelled to remove a quantity of water from it. From Mr. Macassey, who had been consulted as to whether the Council had power to compel the owner to remove the danger, replied, after giving a month's notice, they could compel him to do so. From Mr. J. Barron, accepting office as Inspector of Works ; and Mr. O'Meagher, accepting office as Solicitor to the Council. From Mr. Macassey, in reference to selling the collecting of the dog-tax, expressing the opinion that the Council had no power to do so, and advising them not to follow that course. The Chairman stated that he had acted upon this opinion, and had taken no further steps in the matter. From Mr. Macassey, in reference to auctioneers' licenses, stating that they had no right to sell in all parts of the County unless specially licensed by the Council.From the Colonial Secretarj'', stating that the Government could not see its way clear to handing over the control of the immigrants' cottages. From Mr. Macassey, in reference to rates, stating that any rate madeVu. one part of the County, and not meant to apply to another, would have to be made by request of the ratepayers in the district so rated, and would only be available for special purposes. From the Government, stating that it had been decided not to extend powers to the County Councils to frank letters, &c. No reply had been received as yet from the Government to the request that members of the Council might be allowed to travel on railways free of charge. From the Inspector of Works, giving various details of the amount of damage done by the late floods, and the means adopted, and at what cost, to remedy the same in the several districts of the county. (Left sittiwj.)