CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11798, 30 July 1900, Page 7

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the above council m= hold on Friday; present—Messrs Jolm Johnston (chairman), W. Hay, JT. K. Mitchell, D. A. M'Lachlnn, A. C. Saunders, J. M'Neil, J. Clarke, 1). Robertson, and J. Cumining. CORRESPONDENCE.

The Under-secretaiy Department of .Lands and Survey, Wellington, wrote stating that the voucher for the kah-cost of approaches to Waiwern bridge had been passed for payment. Somo .doubts had existed as to whether the approaches could be charged against the vote. A road to give access to a bridge could not be considered as an approach, but in the case under notice the approaches were apparently so close to both ends of the bridge that they might be considered part of the bridge itself.— Cr .Robertson remarked that the department was drawing a very nice distinction. —Cr Mitchell: They have arrived at a, very satisfactory result.—Received. The Valuer-general forwarded list of alterations made in general valuation roll, and authorising the council to alter its roll accordingly.—Cr Robertson said the thing was somewhat muddied up. John Kirk's property was Grlenkenich, not Greenvale as stated.—The list being read tiiiough it wa3 received. The Chairman Okinemiiri County Council forwarded a circular asking the ec-opera-tion of the council in urging the Government to transfer to the local authorities the duty of carrying out the licensing election, on the ground that the cost was excessive. His council considered that the local, authorities could reduce the cost by at least 50 per cent.—Cr M'Lachlau moved that this council co-operate with the Ohinemuri County, and that the clerk, write to the member for the district, asking him to use his influence in the direction indicated.—Seconded by Cr Robertson, and carried. AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. Mr Robert Christie, Puerua, wrote enclosing payment of general and charitable aid rate, and stating that lie refused to pay the South Molyneux special rate of 11s 2d. He considered this rate should be paid on the present value of his -property, and lie was quite willing to pay on that-.—The Clerk explained that the whole question was whether the original valuation stood good till the expiry of the loan, no matter how property might alter in value, or should the rate be amended and levied on the present valuation. He instanced the case of the Puerua Hotel, property which for the purpose of this rate was still valued as an hotel, though it had lost its license, and the building had been removed years ago.—Cr Robertsou thought the clerk's view was wrong.—Cr Hay said if what tho clerk said was correct the council should strike a- separate rate instead of the special rate. It was very unfair to tho old ratepayers that they should bear the full amount of the interest while those that settled afterwards got off'scot free, and at the same time got the benefit of roads that the old settlers had been paying interest on. for 1G years. The same thing arose in connection with Crown lands at Catlins. The new settlers contributed nothing towards this loan.—Several councillors concurred as to the unfairness of the existing state of matters.—The Clerk said the original valuation, on which the rate was struck,. of the area affected, amounted to £140,910, giving a revenue of £97 17s ll'd. The present valuation ' was £230,000. He took it that if a separate rate were levied it would have to be expended on roads.—Cr Saunders mentioned the case of a settler at Catlins who took Crown land since the rate was first levied, and who objected to pay this rate.—Cr Clarke said the difficulty was accentuated in the Catlins district, where so much Crown land had been taken up.—The Clerk said the question was always arising. As he read the matter the rate stood till the expiry of the loan on the old valuation. He thought a test case would be the only way to settle the question.—Cr M'Neil said a tost case would show whether the council had power to rate settlers ' who took up land since the rate was originally, struck.—Cr M Lachlan said they could not go against their solicitor's opinion. He held that they should taki the opinion of the solicitor on the question before doing anything.—Cr M'Neil moved that the clerk sue Mr Christie for the rates.— Seconded by Cr Mitchell.—Cr Hay moved that the chairman take the advice of the solicitor o.i the matter, and be guided thereby.Seconded by Cr dimming.—Amendment carried by five votes to four. x EOApS AND WORKS. The Engineer, in his monthly report, stated that since last meeting contract 573, on Port Molyneux road, had been completed. There were 40 yards more metal than contract quantity and the surplus metal was not required on that road. He.recommended that the council take it over, provided the contractors carted it to where it was required on the Main South road. On contract 874, 168 yds of metal had been supplied, being 32yds short, but at this season of the year the contract might be regarded as completed, the shortage being deducted. He had inspected closed road .line beco'oo^ 6?! o*lo0*10^ 1' Wock 83' aßd section 11,- block 82, Clutha Survey District. Had the land w-\ i eqn!ll value Per acre to tllat of Mr Wright s property, he would have simply.taker Government valuation of his property as the value of the closed road; but it was "not. He valued the closed road at £3 :ios an acre: total' £7 7s. He had written to Mr Carl ton re pulling logs on Waikawa. road line, and had had a report from the surfaceman on the matter. The latter stated that Mr Carlton had pulled so jjo logs across the formation near his sawmill, and that Mr Carlton had cleaned out the Z Z £ GS-, The surfaceman had informed Mr Carlton that it was not allowable to draw logs on road formation,. and Mr Carlton had replied that he would not do so again. In regard to memo, from Land Board re Quarry rtserve, Warepa, he stated that there was stone on the crown of the ridge, and if a practicable road could be got northwards on to the Clin-ton-Puerua road it would be advisable for the board to reserve two acres. He would ask the Doarcl to let him know when ih'ey would send a surveyor to make a survey of the land so that he might confer with him in regard to the place to be reserved for a quarry and road thereto, ihe chief surveyor wrote stating that he had now authority for the expenditure, of £150 on the road Rankleburn Creek towards Clydevale, and asking to be supplied with the approximate time of commencing and finishing this work. .Una. information was required before local bodies were supplied with the actual authorities. The inspector of telegraphs wrote with reference to a nuisance complained of at Owaka -Lost Office, that he would endeavour to visit Owaka. at an early date. He had been exceedingly busy of late, and this had prevented him seeing into this case before now. Cr Mitchell moved that the engineer take the necessary steps to have works on RankleburnUydovale road put in hand at a suitable time probably m the spring, and advise the chief surveyor accordingly.—Seconded by Cr M'Lachl*n, and carried.—The engineer's report was then adopted

The Chairman moved that the engineer report upon the present state of the metalled roads within the county with the view of keeping them in repair.—Seconded by Cr Hay and carried.—The Chairman said it. was a big question : the repairing of them could not be done out of rates.—Cr M'Neil said in some ridings they had been allowed to get so bad that they would require renewing instead of repairing

FINANCIAL. The Finance Committee's report, recommending the payment of the monthly paysheet. amounting to £427 ss, was adopted. Cr M'Lachlan moved that the council go into committee to consider the matter of its finances with regard to " thirds " and " fourths " and other matters.—Crs Robertson and Hay thought it would be better to wait till next' meeting, when they would, be more than likely to have the auditor's.report.—After a conversational discussion, it was decided' to hold a special meeting hsvlf an hour before the next ordinary meeting to consider the question. Cr Saunders moved that a separate rate ot la m the pound be levied in the Catling Kiding.—Seconded, and carried.