Waitaki County Council.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6167, 24 January 1895, Page 3

Waitaki County Council.

The usual meeting of the County Council was held to-day, when there were present —Messrs D. Sutherland (chairman), Isdale, Borrie, Falconer, Hall, Stringer, M'Kerrow, Shaw, and Thomson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was approved. Mr Sutherland, in returning thanks for his re-election as chairman, remarked that it was a matter for regret that the Councii was unable to adhere to its resolution, made some time since, to keep out of debt. The annual expenditure for maintenance was increasing, and they should endeavor to limit the expenditure to the income. He advocated keeping down the expenditure so as not to have to pay interest. The Council had been in existence 18 or 19 years, but had only just began to feel the pinch of shortness of funds. They must endeavor to keep down the r.ites, and in order to do so only undertake works that were most urgently necessary. Mr Isdale referred to the condition of his riding, and said that no money had been spent that was not absolutely necessary. I Mr Thomson remarked that it would be to the interest of the settlers to make uecessary roads, rather than let the money lie idle in the bank. A general discussion ensued, the chairman saying that he noticed that the rates of one county council were more than half absorbed in paying interest on overdraft. Mr Borrie remarked that the Taieri County Council had congratulated themselves upon being able to reduce their overdraft to below LSOOO Mr Falconer said his riding had yet a good deal of necessary work to do although it was not in funds. It was pointed out that the general fund of the County had not been overdrawn and the matter then dropped. Mr Paterson, Ngapara, waited on the Council with reference to the land required for road near Mr Gillies', and to explain the matter referred to in a former letter to the Council. Mr Paterson's explanation was deemed satisfactory, and, on the motion of Mr Hall, ii was decided to take the road over. Accounts amounting to LllO9 3s 7d were passed for payment. L 136 19s lid of this was for birds' eggs for two months amounting to 187.700. It was decided that no more birds' eggs be paid for after Monday. 28th inst. Treasury vouchers advising the payment of L 419 16s lOd into the Council's account were received. Slaughtering licenses were granted to Messrs E. P. James (Enfield), R. C. Wilson (Maheno), A. Wilkie (South Oamarn). H. Morrison (Herbert), Jas. Halkett (Kakanui), and the New Zealand Refrigerating Company. Mr R. C. Skeet, for Mr T. C. Deunison, gave notice to give up the room in the County Chambers at the end of the month. It was resolved that the offices be advertised to let. Mr F. Freeman, Friston, wrote objecting to the road applied for at last meeting by Mr A. Malcolm, and pointing out that it would he a private one for leading to Mr Malcolm's house only, and it was unreasonable to expect the writer to trim the gorse on both sides of a private road. He suggested the road being closed or a gate being put on. All the settlers in the locality are opposed to it. This matter is dealt with in the Engineer's report. Mr John Porter (Awakino) wrote calling attention to Mr W. B. Cairns' having altered the course of the Awakino stream about the coal pit. The writer said, in the case of flood, that the river would do serious damage to his pit, and it also affected the ford. On the motion of Mr Stringer, it was resolved that the obstruction be removed and the river allowed to run in its original channel. Plans were received from the Lands' Department (Dunedin) showing where expenditure on deferred payment roads would be allowed. Mr Shaw wanted to know if the small grazing runholders were paying up. The Chairman replied that they had paid their first instalments Mr Thomson said there were instances where the men took up these runs, paid no rent or rates, but let the land for sheep grazing. Mr M'Kerrow said this was an infringement of the law and that the Land Board knew nothing of it. On the motion of Mr Thomson, seconded by Mr M'Kerrow, it was resolved to write to the Land Department, pointing out that the Council had not received the thirds and fourths for the whole of the Maerewhenua run that it should have received. Messrs Hislop and Creagh wrote re the Employers Liability Act, giving the opinion that the definition of employer is sufficiently wide to include a county council, and that it appeared clear that a county council is bound by the provisions of the Act and its amendments. Mr Borrie pointed out that it was not likely that the Council would be affected by the Act, as they carried on no works of a dangerous character. Sergeant O'Grady wrote calling the Council's attention to section 9 of the Shop and Shop Assistants Act, 1894, and asking that the Council would take steps to fix the half-holiday. The Clerk read the sections of the Aofc bearing on the matter, and the Council could not see that they had anything to do with the matter, as no provision was made in the Act for the Council's guidance. Mr Shaw, in accordance with notice, of motion, moved an alteration of the day of meeting, and it was resolved to meet on the fourth Friday in each month. The Secretary to the "Waitaki High School wrote stating that Mr Elder hed no objection to the road in Education Reserve, 2 of 46, being closed, as applied for by the N.Z. and A.L. Co. Mr Shaw still objected to the road being closed, unless- in exchange for another one. Mr Thomson again urged that the Land Company was always ready to meet the Couticil in any way. No notice to rescind the previous motion was given, so the road will remain open. Mr Falconer suggested that the County cut the gorse on the deviation at places in his riding this time, but not after. It was pointed out that this would create a dangerous precedent. Mr Isdale said there were places in his riding similarly situated to those spoken of by Sir Falconer. No notice was taken. The Engineer's report was read as follows: In accordance with instructions, I have inspected the road. between sections 29, block xi., and 1 and 2, block xvii, Oamaru district, and find it is fenced across about a quarter of a mile from its junction with the Five Forks Road. As Mr Malcolm has applied to have it opened, Council has no option in the matter, bnt must order removal of the fence. The traffic on the road will be very small and there would be no objection to gates, if adjoining proprietors are agreeable. I have taken section for road along the east bank of the Maerewhenua River, from the end of the embankment at the Duntroon bridge to the Duntroon to Livingstone Road in section 9, block vi., Maerewhenua, but would like to go over the line with Mr Borton, before reporting on it. I think, however, it would be advisable to take the road through Section 9, Block VL, Maruwenua, if a satisfactory arrangement can be made with the proprietor, Mr Sutherland. The area of hind required is only about acres. Unless the road is taken through Mr Sutherland's land a portion of it will be below flood level.

Considerable damage is being done to some roads by sledge traffic. This is especially the case in Port Moeraki, where stone was lately laid. Sledge traffic should not be allowed on metalled or gravelled roads. Indeed, it should not be allowed on any road which is fit for wheeled traffic. Tenders for maintenance material, as per last month's report, should be invited next month. In addition, I would recommend that about 200 cubic yards of gravel be got for Kakanui Beach Road, in and near Kaka--nui township. With regard to the first item, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Borrie, seconded by Mr Stringer, that no action be taken at present. With regard to the exchange of land at Duntroon, it was resolved that the member for the riding see the owners. With regard to the sledging at Moeraki, it was pointed out that persons sledging on the public roads were liable to be prosecuted. The tenders were ordered to be in for the March meeting.