MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19476, 11 May 1925, Page 15

MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tho monthly meeting of the Maniototo County Council tvaa hold on Thursday at Nascby, when there were present—Crs Morgan (chairman), Nicolson, j.'. Aitkcn, T. Hall, P. Bleach, H. W. Davis, T. A. Lewis, Hon. R. Scott, T. Ramsay. The engineer’s monthly report was received. The ranger’s monthly report, showing 52 cattle impounded and 12 head released, was also read and received. The Laice County Council wrote suggesting a conference of local bodies at Queenstown, and the Vincent County Council also wrote on the same matter, proposing Clyde as being central, to which the former county was agreeable, and the date was fixed for May 13.—The chairman and Cr Atikon were appointed to attend., Tho Waikouaiti County Council wrote stating that it was in favour of fixing the maximum fees for motor lorry licenses. — The Chairman pointed out that whore roads ran parallel with the railways and motor traffic competed with them, it was fair to charge the full license fees, but he considered that where the main roads were aeiing as feeders to the railways some consideration should be given, and be was in favour of a reduction. —A general discussion showed that tho council was inclined to the same opinion, and a resolution was passed that the delegates to the conference at Clyde.- should discuss the matter there, with a free hand to agree to a reduction ot license fees if necessary. The Department of Agriculture forwarded copies of proclamation declaring sections 5 and 6 of iho Impounding- Act to be oirerutivo within the County of Maniototo as from April 1. The Counties’ Association forwarded a copy of regulations approved by the Wain Highways Board providing for standard signposts and mileposts. The Audit Inspector sent a copy of a ruling by the Auditor-general on tho matter of councillors’ travelling expenses. It was considered that the method of fixing these did not make an adequate allowance for country districts, and il was decided on'tho motion of Cr Nicholson, seconded by Cr Davis, that the delegates to the conference at Clyde should bring the matter up. there. A long circular letter from Mr E. Whitcombe, of Pahiul-.-a, which suggested arrangements between owners and local bodies for fencing dangerous roads for tho protection of travelling public was received. Complaints were made in a number of letters by Mr E. Bingham that the driving fees wore excessive, and that the clerk bad instructed the ranger and poundkooper to make these excessive charges. The clerk’s replies to these letters were also read, intimating that it. appeared that the poundkeeper had actually undercharged, and not charged the foes according to the scale laid down by the Act.— The Clerk reported that ho had drawn tho attention of the council and of the poundkeeper to the matter. Borne feeling seemed to he shown on the matter in the correspondence received, but tho owners had really been receiving the benefit, in order to convince them ho had communicated with all tho neighbouring counties, and their replies showed that his action, based on previous experience, was right, the Tuapeka, Lake, Vincent, Tniori, and Waitaki Counties all charging the same scale and system. Ho had also applied to the Counties’ Association for a telegraphed opinion, and this again upheld him. A petition was also received hy post that morning from Mr E. Field on the same matter. —This was read to the meeting, but the chairman pointed out that petitions shotild be forwarded through a councillor. In this case it was too late for consideration, and was not presented by any councillor. —Some discussion followed, the majority of the councillors holding that the clerk was right in his interpretation, though there might bo hardship in some cases. —Cr Bleach moved that the matter he deferred, and the clerk he instructed to write to the county solicitor for his opinion on the following clauses of the second schedule of the Impounding Act —-viz. : (I) If any county ranger or any other person can charge Is per mile to each owner for driving cattle to the pound. (2) If released hy the owner while on the road to the pound, should tho driving charges be the full mileage to the pound or to where the cattle were released. (3) Do tho words “provided -that in no case shall the charges for leading or driving exceed the sum of two pounds mean for each individual owner. -The question of charges to be made in the meantime arose and a motion by Cr Nicolson, supported bv Cr Davies, that the old system of charges be made until the solicitor’s opinion is received was lost; an amendment, moved and seconded by Crs Scott and Lewis, that the fees remain as at present being carried by five votes to foui. . 'The Mcdieal Officers of Health siibmi.led amendments anti additions to proposed bylaws, and those were referred to Lie By-laws Committee. ’I he Health Inspector also forwarded for information copies of requisitions served upon several owners to carry out certain repairs to premises. The Kiwitea County Council sent, a copy of a commission’s report on an inquiry into admission into hospital of _ a patient, and urging that the administration of lux pitals should he gone into with as little, delay as possible.—The matter was referred to tiio Ho°pital Board. The Solicitors to the A.M.P. Society forwarded debenture for the loan anil other papers, which were authorised to bo scaled and signed hy the chairman and clerk. '1 ho Otago' Expansion League wrote explaining proposals for a levy on each local authority in the province, this- county being assessed at £l5O. —’I he matter was deferred until next meeting ponding further information. The formal resolution adding 10 per cent, additional to all unpaid rates after May 30 was passed. The clerk’s report was read and received. Cr Scott moved—“ That, the Finance Committee meet and prepare estimates for tho ensuing year, to he submitted to the next meeting of the council. The clerk was instructed to advise tho police, to keep a look-out for motor drivers without licenses and also to communicate with the Valuation Department and Iho Mining Department to have the valuation rolls cleared of properties were miners’ rights had lapsed. Tile engineer was instructed to call for tenders for the erection of a motor bridge over Eden Creek, Gimmerbnrn. Various other works wore instructed to be carried out or reported upon. Attention was drawn to the, serious growth of gorse on several roads, and it was decided that owners should bo called upon to have these roads cleared in front of theii properties. Tenders for contract No. ICO, erection of Pigbnrn bridge, Patearoa-Waipi-ata road, were received, O. Cambridge £441, and J. Lothian £396, the latter being accepted. Accounts totalling £IOB7 Is 2d wore passed for payment. The Chairman, in presenting his annual report, expressed his thanks to the councillors and staff for their assistance during tho year. Councillors congratulated the chairman on the able manner in which he had conducted the business of the council and the keen interest he had at all times exhibited with fairness and equity to every riding.