WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11399, 17 April 1899, Page 2

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

' The ordinary meeting of the Waihemo County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Palmerston, on Saturday last, when there were present—The Chairman (Mr T. Muir), and Crs M. Isbister, D. Kennedy, R. Matheson, D. Ross, J. Ross, and J. Stewart. HNANCK. Accounts for the month, amounting to £134 2s 9d, were passed for payment. i.vspector's reports.

The Inspector reported as under: — Diinback Riding—That he had not been successful in obtaining anyone to carry out tho late Mr D. W. Philip's contract, the contractors who carried out such work being fully employed on other contracts, and they did not feel inclined to go so far out in the meantime.—The Council decided to call for fresh tenders for the contract by next meeting. , , General—The contractors throughout the county were all a little behind their time, not so much from neglect as on account of the unsettled weather. Some of the old culverts, through decay, had given way, but as a supply of new timber had been obtained the necessary repairs would be proceeded with as soon as tho weather permitted.—Received. Government Grants—The Inspector also reported that the chairman and he had interviewed the Hon. the Minister for Lands at Palmerston in reference to the grants for tho Hyde bridge and the Main road, DunbackSwinburn. That gentleman took certain data with him, and promised to look into the matter when he returned to AVcllington and see what could bo done.—The action of the chairman and inspector was approved. CORBESrONDENCE. The Clerk Waitaki County Council wrote stating that the council had for years past been using tho best methods for tho destruction of small birds; that they had distributed poisoned grain among the farmers ovgr the whole county during the winter and spring months; that in order to do this they got the storekeepers in the townships, or some careful farmer or member of a riding, to take charge of the grain, so that it could be delivered without any trouble lo those in want of it: that this was done free of cost, and that the bill for poisoned grain last year was £92 6s 2d. In hatching seasons and during summer months all the m__nbo<-8 and clerk

bought eggs, and for some years heads o£ birds wero also bought, hut during last; season this was discontinued. The egg bill cost the council £99 2s 2d, representing 198,000 eggs — The letter was received. The Secretary to tlio Treasury, Wellington, wrote intimating that the sum of £13 2s, goldfields revenue, had been remitted to the credit of the county fund at the Bank of New Zealand, Palmerston.—Received. _ The Secretary to the Charitable Aid Board, Dunedin, forwarded quarterly statement ot persons in the county in receipt of out-door relief, which was approved. The Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, Wellington, wrote staling that it was contemplated bringing section sof me .Dairy Industry Act, 1899," into operation so l.ir ns the inspection of dairies and cows from which tne public milk supply was drawn, and transferring the powers at present held by the local authorities as the Local Boards of Health to the department, which would henceforth issuo regulations, etc. It was claimed that by doing this a more uniform and thorough system: of inspection would be inaugurated and carried out by qualified Government inspectors, the services of Government veterinarians :being utilised as far as possible. It was not anticipated that the cost would be gi eater. —Received. - '

OTIIEII MATTERS. Or Stowart, after referring to the accident, which befell Mr D. W. Philip, and which led to his death, moved—"That the deposit'of , £1 15s on contract 365 be returned." Cr J. Ross seconded the motion, which was carried. Cr Kennedy moved and Cr Isbi'sler se- , conded—" That a letter of sympathy and&on-' - # dolenco be sent to Mrs Philip from the couii- . cil, and that the chairman and clerk be authorised to draft the same."—Carried.

Attention was drawn to the fact that some . months ago the inspector of slaughterhouses was .instructed to send in to the council a monthly return, as was the case in other counties, and the clerk was instructed _to • write to the constable drawing his attention to the matter, and to his non-compliance with « the request of the council, and asking his reaBon for not complying. The chairman was instructed to obtain tne opinion of the county solicitor as to the lia- . bility or otherwise of the Inch Valley GoW . Dredging Company to register and take out.a... gold mining license. . ■ ■ ~ Certain unrecoverable rates were struck off, and the clerk was instructed to take steps .to recover all outstanding rates. . . > - The tender of Hugh Walker, jun., for contract 371, tussocking road to Highlay Hill, at £5 15s, was accepted. There being no tender for contract 372—gravelling portion of.Good^ • wood road—the council decided to_rc-adver- . tiso it,, tenders to be lodgod by next meeting' of council. .

The council then adjourned.