WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 528, 10 January 1878, Page 2

WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Council was held to-day at the County Chambers. There were present—The Hon. R. Campbell (Chairman) Messrs. Duncan, Craig, Todd, Murcott, Johnston, and \V. Sutherland. Mr. O'Moagher (Solicitor to the Council) and Mr. Barron (Inspector of Roads) were also present. DEATH OF MR. WHEATLEY. The Chairman, before proceeding to the business of the day, took the opportunity of expressing the regret which they had felt at the absence from the Council table of Mr. Wheatley. He concluded by proposing the following resolution :—"That the Waitaki County Council has heard with deep regret of" the sudden death of Mr, James Wheatley, who ever sinqe the initiation of County Government has been a member of the County Council, and who has rendered great service to the Council, and that this resolution be recorded on the minutes of the County Council." Mr. Murcott seconded the motion, and expressed his regret at the death of Mr. Wheatley, who was not only a valuable member of the Council, but a good public servant. By his death a vacancy had been occasioned, which would not easily be filled. Mr. Duncan also expressed his regret at the death of Mr. "Wheatley, He doubted if they would ever find a man in Waitaki who would fill Mr. Wheatley's place in all his multifarious capacities. Messrs. Todd and Johnston concurred in the remarks of the previous speakers. The resolution was then passed. MINUTES, ETC. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved. WIDENING KOAD AT PAPAKAIO. A letter was read from Mr. F. Fulton, in reply to one from the Council, asking foi one-eighth of an acre, being the northeast corner of section 66, block 11., Papakaio, for the purpose of widening the road. Mr. Fulton wrote that, if the Council could arrange with the tenant, he would offer no objection to the land being taken on certain conditions. It was resolved that the sum of Lo be offered to Mr. Fulton in payment of all demands, in addition to the fencing of the land. GOLD DUTY. A letter from the Treasury was read, intimating that the sum of L 24 lis. 2d. gold duty had been placed to the credit of the Council in the bank. It was resolved that tho Chairman be empowered to make inquiries as to the basis on which the gold duty was distributed, and with regard to the granting of mining and timber licenses. VALUATION. The Clerk of the Hampden Road Board wrote, intimating that the Board would avail themselves of the valuation of the district made by the County Valuator, MECHANICS' INSTITUTE VOTE. A letter from the Secretary of the Mechanics' Institute Committee was read, thanking the Council for its vote of L2O, and requesting that the Council would forward a cheque for the amount, as the Committee wished to order a number of books, etc. —The money to be paid.

A similar letter was read from the Waiareka Public Library Committee.—The money was ordered to be paid over. The Secretary and Treasurer of the Awamoko Public Library also wrote to a similar effect. The matter was ordered to stand over till next meeting, as there was no definite information as to the number of libraries in the riding. APPOINTMENT OF RANGER. Mr. A. Pirie, Clerk to the Otepopo Road Board, intimating that a ranger had been appointed for that riding at a salary of L 25 for six months, and asking the Council to place the county roads in that riding under his control for impounding purposes, and to pay half the ranger's salary. It was decided to pay LlO towards the ranger's salary for the half-year. APPLICATION FOR VALUATION. The Clerk of the Otepopo Road Board applied for a copy of the valuation roll for that riding.—lt was decided to comply with the request. MONEY ■WANTED. The Clerk of the Otepopo Road Board wrote asking the Council to vote sums to be expended on the following roads : Breakneck Road, the one leading to the Herbert railway-station past the school, from Eraser's hut to Kakanui, Davis' crossing to Island stream crossing. Island stream crossing bridge to Kakanui Port, the cross road between All-day Bay and Pleasant Valley roads. Mr. Todd moved, and Mr. Murcott seconded a motion to the effect that the request should be not complied with. Mr. Craig moved, as an amendment, "That the sum of LSOO be voted and expended on the road from Maheno to Kakanui Mouth, and LIOO for the road from the main road to the Herbert railway station." He did so because the riding had a large sum to its credit. The amendment was not seconded, and the motion carried. PURCHASE OF LOGS. An offer from Mr. G. Sise for the purchase of three Oregon beams taken out of the old Douglas bridge, near Hampden, was declined. OTA3IATAKAU BRIDGE. The successful tenderer for the erection of the bridge over the Otamatakau river (Mr. W. E. Stratford) wrote stating that he was unable to cany out the work. The letter was referred to the Council's solicitor for his opinion. MAEREWHKNUA BRIDGE. A letter was read from Mr. J. Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works, in reply to a communication from the Chairman of the Council, announcing that the Engineer-in-Chief had been instructed to survey the site for the railway bridge over the Maercwhenua river with as little delay as the circumstances will permit. APPLICATIONS FOR ENGINBEttSHIP. The applications for the position of Engineer of the Council, four in number, were then opened and considered, the choice of the Council fell on Messrs. Barr and Oliver, their terms being L 230 per annum, and 2 per cent, on all works over L4OOO. [Left sitting.]