TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7125, 15 December 1884, Page 4

TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL

The abovenamed body met for the transaction of business in the Council Chamber at Liwrence on Friday last. The following members were in attendance—viz.: Messrs Bennet (chairman), Oudaille, Clayton, Michael, ' Camorou, Smith, Cotton, Fraser, and M'Farlane. CORRESPONDENCE. J. Sutherland and J. Cowan, Waitahuna, requested that tho road recently laid off through Livingston's land be formed and made passable for traffic before- haiveat' time. — Referred to the Public Works' Committee for consideration.

Mr Copland, solicitor, on behalf of a party of Chinese, made application for permission to mino for a distance of six chainß on the Bungtowu road, on Wetherstones Flat. — Referred to the engineer for report. W. Trimble and others, Waitahuna, asked that the road leading to their properties be made available for traffic. —The engineer reported that it would take £250 to form tho road.—Resolved that £100 be expended on the improvement of the road in the meantime.

Divid JFraser, Tuapeka West, applied to have a sum of money expended on the road skirting hi 3 farm —Reßolved, on the motion of Cr Clayton, that £50 be spent on the work,

J. D. Herbert tendered his resignation as poundkeeper at Tapanui, and begged to nominate Mr W. Cullen as his successor. —Resignation accepted, and Mr Cullen's appointment approved. J. Ryan and T. Scott (contractors for the bridge at Hopkins' crossing, Evans' Flat), wrote objecting to the county engineer taking over the ironwork of the bridge, as their sole profit depended on the ironwork.—lt was decided that the ironwork be supplied by the Council,

E. Pilling (as secretary of a public meeting of ratepayers held at Swift Creek) brought under notice the desirability of making approaches to the Heriot bridge, and of gravelling the main street of the township as far as Shanks' road. —The engineer reported that tenders had been called for these works.

Thos, Hands drow attention to the necessity of constructing a new ford leading through the creek in block X, Miller's Flat.—On the motion of Mr Smith, the engineer was requested to expend £10 in forming a new crossing through the creek referred to. G. S. Hall (Tuapeka Mouth) asked that the road leading through that township be repaired.—The engineer was ordered to get the work done by day labour. Mr Douglas (chairman of Lake County Council) requested the Council's co operation in the direction indicated by the following resolution —viz. : " That in view of a local government bill being framed during the present Parliamentary recess, the Council requests the mombar for tha district to urge that power be therein given to county councils to supervise and manage all forest lands, lakes, and rivers within their boundaries, and to respectfully insiet that the revenue derived therefrom become county revenue ia future."—Consideration deferred, pending receipt of the local government measure. Hugh Ross applied for permission to occupy the quarry reserve near section 81, block IV, Tuapeka East, for grazing purposes.— Granted.

Mr Mainwarning (clerk of the Ashburton County Council) desired'the Council's co-ope-ration in the direction set forth by the following resolutions: — "(l)That, inasmuch as the revenue accruing from the sheep-tax is considerably in excess of the expenditure in connection therewith, it is manifestly unjust to sheepowners to continue ■ such an imposition, as by so doing it becomes nothing more nor less than a class tax, and consequently not within the spirit of equitable legislation. (2) That the Government be requested to take the necessary steps to reduce the tax by onehalf, or to such an amount as will be sufficient to cover the expenses of the department."— The Chairsan mentioned that the tax was two shillings on every 100 sheep or portion of 100, These taxes were - becoming simply obnoxious, and the one in question was a most iniquitous tax. —Mr C<»MBBON moved —"That the Council co-operate with the Ashburton County Council in the endeavour to get the sheep tax reduced."—Mr Cotton seconded the motion, which was declared carried. W. Quin (clerk of the Tapanui Borough Council) wrote pointing out the necessity of amalgamating the Tapanui Borough and Tapanui Licensing Committees.—The Chaibman moved—" That Mr Qain be informed that the amalgamation of licensing districts is not in accordance with law (vide section 3 of 'The Licensing Act Amendment Act 1882.')" — Carried.

George Moore (Berwick) complaiMd that he had been wrongfully assessed by the' Tuapeka County Council for 518 acrea of land situated in Bruce county. —Resolved, on the motion of Or Ocdaillk—"That the amount of rates paid in error by Mr Mooro ba refunded." . W. and N. M'Cormick (contractors for Heriotburn bridge) stated that thay were unable to get suitable stone within less than three miles of the bridge, and asking to be allowed an additional 43 per cubic yard for cartage. They also desired permission to enter Mr David M'Kellar's land at Muddy Creek for the purpose of procuring the stone necessary for the bridge.—Or M'Fablane moved— "That the Council accede to tho request preferred by Messrs M'Cormick, subject to the engineer's approvsil; the Council to give tho necessary permission to take the stone from M'Kellar's land."—Carried.

M. Whelau offered to complete tho two flnfinished sections of the Bungtown road at the same rate aa scheduled iv his contract for the Waipori section. —There being no funds available, it was deoided to allow the letter to stand over for further consideration.

Mr M'Ladowney wrote asking the Council to allow him something extra on contract No. 194, road to Waipori bush, as owing to the wet winter the banks had slipped, causing him a good deal of extra work and expense. He had been compelled to make the road 2ft wider than had been specified, and as this was a permanent benefit he trusted that the Council would make him some consideration. —The engineer was instructed to inspect the road, and report thereon to next meeting. TKNDEBS. Tenders wore accepted for the following contracts: — No. 208, —Formation and metalling of 40 chains of road, township of Heriot—J. Crawford. No. 209.—Formation of 10 chains of road at Kalso—P. and R. Anderson. The tnnder of Mr James Moir (Dunedin) was accepted for the supply of 500 dog-collars, at the rate of s£d and Gd each. STANDING COMMITTEES. The following Committees were appointed for the current term :— Finance. —Messrs Bennot, Clayton, Cameron, Oudaille, and Frasar: three to form a quorum. Printing.—Messrs Cameron, Clayton, Cotton, and Fraser. Depasturing.—Messrs Fraaer, Smith, Oudaille, and Michael. Public Works.—Mesßra M'Farlane, Smith, Michael, Oudaille, and Cotton: three to form a quorum. GKNEKAL BUSINESS. Accounts to the value of £22SS 9a 4d were passed for payment. It was decided to establish a public pound at Waipori ; applications to be invited in time for next Council meeting. Or Bennet moved—"That the engineer make arrangements to protect a portion of the main road leading from K.ie'a Junction to Tapauni from being destroyed by the flooding of the crack."—Carried. Cr M'Fablane moved and Or Smith sncondeii —" That this Council co-operate with the Ciutha County Council in ui-Ring Government to erect a railway-bridge at Kelso, on the proposed Gore Keleo railway, and to make same auitablo for traffic." Cr M'Farlane moved and Cr Smith seconded—" That this Council tako steps to , get a bridgo erected, under the provisions of j the Roads and Bridges Construction^ Act, f over the Pomalmka River, near the railway- j station."—Carried. Cr Oudaii/lh moved and Cr Ootion

seconded—" That tenders, to the extent of £30, be called for the improvement of the road from MountStewart to Round Hill railway tunnel, the work to be done out of deferredpayment nwney3."—Carried. Or Cotton moved and Cr Clayton seconded -"That the engineer be requested to report on tha state of the roads in Waipori riding, with the view of having same repaired before tho winter season sets in " —Carried. Cr Clayton moved—"That the engineer bo instructed to inspect and report by next Council meeting as to the state of the road from Bulfins to Tuapeka Mouth."—Carried. Cr Smuh moved and Or M'Faklane seconded—" deeing that £2000, voted by Parliament for the completion of tho road from Beaumont to Miller's Flat, on the east side of the Clutha River, is available for expenditure, this Council would suggest that the work be gone on with as soon as practic.ble."— Carried.

Or M'Farlanb moved and Cr Michael seconded —" That the Government be asked to undertake the survey of all works being constructed by special vote." —Carried. Cr M'Fablane moved and Cr Oudaille seconded — " That the deferred - payment moneys due to block VIII, Kelso, be expended on the improvement of the road in said block."—Carried.

Cr M'Farlane called the attention of the Council to the state of the bridges over Crookston and Flodden Creaks, and also to a vory dangerous bole in the road opposite the Presbyterian manse at Tapanui.

The Council adjourned at 10 p.m. to interview Mr Vincent Fyke, M.H.R,, on the subject of the erection of the Beaumont and Roxburgh bridges.