WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7929, 21 July 1887, Page 4

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of this county council was held at Palmerston yesterday, when there were present: The Chairman (Mr A. I). Bell) and Crs A. Fraser, E. S. Hay, J. M'Kenzie, A' M'Laren, W. M'Leod, J. A. Robertson, and m! Toud.

DKWJ'I'A'noN.I. Mr W. Kubertson appeared to urge some repairs or protection works to stay the encroachment of tho Shag river nt tho footbridge opposite bis property. At the present time the approach trom the south end was impassable, and he pointed out that a few pounds spent now might be the means of saving hundreds thereafter. He asked the council to inspect the place and satisfy themselves as to the nature of the complaint. Cr Roiikktson said he knew the place referred ,o by Mr Robertson, whero the river had encroached during the last two floods, and if another Hood took place considerable damage would be done. He understood what Mr Robertson wanted was tbo river confined so as to prevent it encroaching on his land. He moved—"That the matter be referred to a committee, consisting of the chairman, Cr M'Leod, and himself, to be accompanied by the inspector, to examine the same and roport to the council," Cr M'Kunzie had much pleasure in seconding the motion, as ho considered it as well to examine the damage done by the river It would be a pity to lose the bridge. Cr M'Laken did not object to the motion, but remarked that he considered the inspector was the proper person to examine and report on such matters. _ Cr M'Kenzie pointed out that in this ease the inspector was interested and it was better to appoint a committee. The motion was carried. PETITION. A petition from nine ratepayers in tho Goodwood riding was read requesting the couucil to let the contract for forming road leading to the village settlemeut at the Goodwood Bush, as they were suffering great inconvenience iv not being able to get building material on to the ground, lhe petitioners also pointed out that it was over 12 months since they had taken up the land, aud that they were still without any means of communication.—The petition was received and its consideration deferred with until tenders were opened for the work.

FINANCE. The Finance Committee recommended the X?S Nt of aocou"ts for the month-amounting £307 2s 7d, of which £10S 14s Od is repayable Irom Government votes.

INSPECTOR I JIEPOKT. Bushy Riding.— The inspector reported having visited aud examined the coal seam opened up by Mr M'lntosh, at Shag Point, whicii he represented to be a good, clean, hard coal, sft thick Tbe work of opening up was being carried on by five meu. The road to same was very wet anil swampy and would entail an expenditure ol something like £300, formation aud gravelling.—The report was received and the matter ordered to stand over. Goodwood Killing.—The damage done to the bridge in this riding by the late floods had been repaired, and if some timber for beams and new planking were supplied the structure would last lor some time. A heavy break on the west side ot the river above the bridge had forced the water to the east side, thereby causing a heavy scour.—Heceived, and the action of tho inspector approved. Dunback Hiding.—To drain olf the water at the Dunback township the inspector recommended the bank of the lagoon reduced to the j level ot the surface of the ground and the road gravelled where the water left Glover's paddock to prevent it crossing tbe road. Stones had been carted to repair the ditch, but owing to the flood the work had not been carried out. He ' hoped, however, to havo the matter attended to. Heceived, and inspector authorised to have the work carried out. Green Valley Riding.—The road referred to by H. fraser had been made by the Waihemo Road Hoard, and from time to time improved by the county surfacemen. Cattle had, however, destroyed tho water tables soon after being cleared out, and he suggested that gravel should be used iv repairing the road instead of metal. Ihe extent of the repairs were given at 20 chains, and the total cost £50. A culvert had also oeen washed away on the Green Valley road—Report „-'ceived, and its consideration postponed until the member for the riding was present. Macraes Hiding.—The Nenthorn and Macraes roads had been repaired since the ilood, and were now passable. Teviotdale's road had considerably subsided, and wa.s being attended to by the surfacemen. The Taieri river crossing at Horseburn had silted up and was beiug attended to, and the fence referred to by Or Hay was receiving attention.—The report was received aud the action of the inspector approved. I'OHBKSI'ONBENXI". From the managers of the Colonial Bunk and Bank ot "New Zealand, Palmerston, forwarding declaration of tbe quantity of gold purchased (luring the past month.—Reoeived. From the Treasury, Wellington, intimating that gold duty amounting to £9 3s 4d, and goldfields revenue £1 lis, had been remitted to the I Colonial Bauk, Palmerston, to the credit of the ' counqil.—Received. From the Property Tax department, Wellington, enclosing declaration of balance of subsidy due the council for rates collected to 30th June last.—Received. From the Railway department, Dunediu, as to haulage of material for repairs at Muddy creek.—Received. From Messrs Oakden and Begg, Dunediu, on the same subject, and offering to forward the material on receiving the requisite information. Received. Prom Mr W. Smith, Palmerston, applying for permission to erect swing gates on the northwestern boundary of section 81, block I, Hawksbury, until he could make it convenient to .ence the same.—The application was granted. From Mr H. B. Crawford, Oamaru, enclosing copy of bye-laws, Waitaki County Council, regulating the width of tires.—Received, aud referred to the chairman. From Messrs Kenyon and Hosking, Dunedin, desiring to be informed whether the negotiations re closing of road line through section 39 block I, Hawksbury district, had been given effect to, aud if so, what decision bad been come to by the couucil in regard to their application.—The letter was received, and the clerk instructed to supply the information. From tho secretary to the Dunedin and buourbau Financial Reform Association enclosing a copy of tho objects of the association, and expressing a bope that similar associations would be started in the Waihemo county.—Re ceived.

From Messrs Findlay and Co., Dunediu, iv reference to sawn and hewn timber for the Shag river bridge, and desiring to know if the substitution could be made.—Letter received, and the matter left in the hands of the chairman.

From the Chief Surveyor, Duuedin, returning, duly approved, plans aud specifications for coutract 83, to open up run 210.—Received. Frora Messrs Anderson and Paterson, Goodwood, applying for permission to erect a gate on tho road known as Swallow's, at the boundary of section <S, block VII, Hawksbury.—The application was granted.

COUNTY RETRENCHMENT. Resolved, on the motion of Cr Fbaskb, seconded by Cr M'Laues—" That any councillor uot being present at the meetings of'the council until after 1 o'clock shall not be entitled to his travelling expenses." A motion proposed by the Chairman to add that tue chairman be fined £2 2s, on the same condition, lapsed in tho absence of a seconder.

Resolved—" That the wages of the surfacemen employed by the council be reduced by lid per day from the lst September next, paviui; them 5s 6'd instead of Gs."

The Chairman pointed out that the two adjoining counties were paying less than the Waihemo county, and that it might seem a hardship, cut the council must either do this or resort to further taxation, which the settlers could not afford to pay. He estimated the council would during the present financial year sustain a loss of something like £SOO from outside revenue, and pointed out the necessity of reducing expenditure whero it could be done. ' Cr Hay moved as an amendment, which Cr Fraser seconded:—"That the wages of the surlaceman in the upper ridings be retained at Gs per day, and that those in the lower ridings be reduced Gd per day." The increased cost of living was given as the reason for the proposed difference.—The amendment was negatived. SEAT OF COUNTY GOVEIiNJIENT. Cr Hay, after some discussiou, withdrew his motion re the removal of county ollices to Dunback, and gave notice of the following motion for next meeting:—" That after the expiry of the lease of the present counoil chambers the couucil either lease or erect a building for county purposes at Dunback." The Chairman gave notice of motion for next meeting:—" That the council take iuto consideration the question of fixing the size of tires to 1 be usod by curriers and others on the county | roads." I

Tho council then adjourned.

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