MOSGIEL QUARRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20964, 1 March 1930, Page 11

MOSGIEL QUARRY.

A DISSATISFIED COUNCILLOR. At last meeting of the Taieri County Council exception was taken "by Cr to the leasing of the quarry to the Neuchatel Asphalt Company, or rather to the manner in which the transaction had been carried out. He gave notice of motion at that meeting to rescind the resolution as follows: —“ (1) That the motion carried at the last meeting—viz., ‘ that the lease of the quarry bo granted to the Neuchatel Asphalt Company on the terms of the chairman’s minute, and that the solicitors be instructed to prepare the agreement,’ be rescinded. (2) That tenders be called i for the sublease of the quarry for one year, or for the full term of the council’s lease from Messrs Young Bros.’” “ In moving this resolution,” said Cr Stevenson, “ I am doing so as a protest against the way the resolution carried at last meeting was brought about. I consider all representatives of the ratepayers on this council should know what is to be done and that should be done around the council table. Every member of this : council has an equal right with the chair- I man away from this table to transact any 1 business he likes, and take the risk of the council endorsing his action. Take the motion that was carried—“ That the Neuchatel Asphalt Company be granted a lease of the county quarry, and that tie county solicitor be instructed to prepare a lease.” No mention is made of conditions, and further, no mention is made of the lease being returned to the council for its perusal and approval, and, further, no mention is made of how the lease has to be signed. The county has to pay Young Bros, a minimum rent of £75 a year, or 4d per yard royalty up to 4000 yards, and 4d per yard over that, but the maximum rent in no year to be paid by the county shall be than £2OO a year. There is also a sum of £25 annual charge for use of siding. 1 understand the Neuchatel Asphalt Company put in two tenders for this contract, and the second stipulated if the stone could be obtained from the county quarry its tender was in the vicinity of £IO3O less than its other tender. Surely the Taieri County is entitled to some share of the £IO3O. The clerk, Mr Logan, has informed me verbally that we are to receive some of the money, but he has not told me from whom. If this is correct, I have no desire to push this motion. Wo should receive some benefit from our quarry, and I wish now tor point out to this council that this quarry should be in a better position for all the work that has to be done by the Highways Board on the Mala Highway from Mosglel to Balclutha by 6s per cubic yard over other

quarries, Cut as already stated, all -1 wish to see is that all tb,e council business is done in a legal way, and that it is all done around the table. If it should happen that some unforeseen thing should arise we should all be consulted. Most of us are on the telephone, and if not can be got by telephone. If the chairman can give me some assurance fhat what I suggest will be carried out in the future I shall be satisfied, and, further, I suggest that the lease of the quarry be gone into to-day, and some business proposition adopted, as to the perusal of the lease, and who are the councillors authorised to sign it. I shall then be pleased to ask the council's permission to withdraw my motion/' Cr Stevenson gave reasons for his attitude, and assured his fellow-couucillors that his only desire was to that the ratepayers got the best bargain possible. Cr Findlay said be was sorry the chairman was not present, but he felt that Cr Stevenson would be consulted on all future occasions. The notice of motion was then withdrawn hy the unanimous consent of the council, the chairman remarking that he was glad to sec a happy ending to the incident.