COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1240, 8 April 1880, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the County Council was held to-day, when there wero present—Messrs. D. Sutherland (Chairman), Duncan, Falconer, Todd, Murcott, Johnston, and W. Sutherland. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. Intimation was received from the Treasury that the following amounts had been placed to the credit of the County : Subsidy for half-year upon rates, L 2,585 13s 8d; gold-fields revenue, L 6 4s. Mr. G. H. Amos wrote asking for permission to erect a bridge over the drain opposite his section at Meadow Bauk and to cross the footpath to gain admission to the same. Permission was given, the work to be done under the supervision o£ the Engineer. Mr. E. Wakefield, Chairman of the Royal Commission on Local Industries, wrote stating that the Commission would be glad to receive from the Council any information with reference to industries or manufactures cc in the district of Canterbury," together with any suggestions that may occur to the Council for the establishing new or promoting existing industries.

Mr. John M'Gregor wrote stating that the Government had given L 2500 to the Upper Waitaki Bridge Commission, being one half of its contribution. The writer also> stated that the other half would not be> paid until the two Councils have paid their final balances of LSOO each. The Commissioners account was overdrawn at the bank and more funds were required to meet progress payments, etc., to the contractors, He therefore asked that tho. Council would place its balance of LSOO to the credit of the commissioners, and would get the Waimate Council to do tho same. As soon as these contributions were expended on the bridge the Commissioners would apply to the Government for the balance of its contribution, L 2500.

On the motion of Mr. Murcott, seconded by Mr. W. Sutherland, the monoy waa ordered to be paid. A memorial signed by six residents waa read praying that the matter of the steep embankment between blocks 16 and 1?, Kurow District, might be looked into, with a view to its removal. The matter was referred to the Engineer for his report. Mr. J. H. Lowe, Resident Railway Engineer, wrote stating that he had had a gate erected at the new County road crossing, Maheno station, and forwarded an account for L 32 153, the oost of the work. Some surprise, was expressed at the largeness of the account, some councillors* saying that the gate was a very expensive! one, and that it must certainly ha silver-lined.—lt was decided that the account should stand over until next, meeting, and that the Engineer should report upon the matter. During the discussion of the matter, Mr. Duncan suggested that in future no bridge should be erected less than 16ft, in width, as reapers and binders were coming into very general use, and they could not be got through smaller gates. Mr. J. Q'Meagher wrote pointing out that when he was appointed solicitor ta the Council he understood that all legal business of the Council should be tran* sacted by him. He now ohserved that the County Ranger, without reference or consultation with him (Mr. Q'Meagher) had taken proceedings in the Magistrate's Court for offences coming within the scope of his authority. He pointed out that he was debarred from defending offenders as he was the Council's aolioitor, and he was therefore shut out from ap* pearing on both sides of the case. He therefore asked that the matter might ha brought under the notice of the Council, and suggested that a sum should bo votod by the Council annually as an honorarium or fee for retaining his services. Thia would compensate him for any loss he might sustain under the circumstances.— It was decided to inform Mr. O'Meagher that the ranger referred to was not a ranger under the Council. Some discussion then took place upon the matter, during which it was pointed out by aotwa members that it might be well to adopt the suggestion and decide upon a fixed honorarium, while others thought it would be better to pay for the work done. It was ultimately decided to inform Mr, O'Meagher that the Council declined to vote a fixed honorarium, and preferred paying for the work done. It was resolved that the roads through blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8, M&erewhenui Survey Distriot, and block 3 Awamoko Survey District, be proclaimed closed.

Mr. J. Burton wrote asking that the Council would have the road commencing at the Great Western Road on the Waitaki Plain, between sections 5 and 6, blook 3, Awamoko, fenced to its full width, and pointed out that there were a large number of families now settled on the road, and that the traffic over it was likely to bo considerable. It was pointed out that the road was within the Waitaki Road Dig. triot, and the writer was referred to tho Road Board.

The Secretary to the Treasury wrote forwarding q, form to be filled up with certain information to be placed before Parliament. The following is the concluding portion of the letter :—"At the same time I am to bring under your notice the intention expressed by Government last session to discontinue the payment of subsidies after the expiration of the then financial period—a proposal which met with the approval of Parliament. While, therefore, a form is sent to you as heretofore, to enable you to supply the information required by law to be furnished to the Treasury» it is not to be taken as t\n indioation that provision will be made during the approaohing session for the payment of any subsidy to your County." It was decided to supply the information.

[Left Sitting.]