TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1319, 10 March 1877, Page 7

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The above Council met on the 2nd in the Court House, Outram. Present— Messrs F. Fulton (chairman), Roberts, Allan, Shand, Driver, and Charteris. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ASSESSMENT COURT. The Chairman stated that Mr Watt had been appointed Judge of the Assessment Court, and that Mr M'lndoe had been appointed valuator. FINANCE. Mr Roberts said that he had been able only to ascertain what the propable receipts for the tolls had been during the past month. They were as follows : — Green Island, £92 3a 4d; East Taieri, £21 5s 9d - West Taieri, £28 8s 6d ; Wakari, £27 10s j total, £169 7s 7d, or equal to an ! annual revenue of £2,032 11s. He believed that Mr Sperry had a proper return made up, showing what licenses belonged to the County, so for future there would be r.o difficulty in collecting them. The Finance Committee had not been able to prepare a detailed statement of income. Mr Sperry's returns would soon be to hand, and the committee would be in a position to lay & full statement of the probable income of the County before the Council at its next meeting. REPORTS. Reports were received from the Engineer in reference to the state of tho East and West Taieri bridges, those over the Silver Stream, and in reference to a certain culvert at Otakia. Mtßobbrts proposed: "That the engineer be instructed to call for tenders for earthworks to replace the Eastern approach to the Outram bridge. The work to consist simply of earthwork to enable dray traffic to use the bridga. The work to be done on as cheap a scale as possible. Specifications and tenders to be submitted and decided on by the Chairman." Mr Charteris seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. In the matter of the East Taieri bridge, Mr Driver moved, " That in the meantime the necesjary planking be kept by the Derson in charge, with instructions to repairthe top when required, as may be directed by the Inspector, and to report at once to him if the bridge become unsafe for use." From the discussion which took place, it appeared that the bridge was situated between the Taieri and Bruce Counties, and that an arrangement had been made to the effect that the two Counties should jointly bear the expense of the bridge, but that the j Taieri County should have charge of it. ! Mr Shand seconded the motion, which was put and carried. Mr Charteris proposed : "That the engineer be requested to consult with the mover regarding the Mosgiel bridge over the Silver Stream, and to devise some inexpensive mode of repairing the same. Specifications to be made up and tenders called for. The lowest tender to be accepted, provided that the amount does not exceed £100." Mr Roberts seconded the motion, which was put and carried. "WORKS CO3IMITTEE. On the motion of Mr Driver, it was resolved that a Works Committee, consisting of the Chairman and Messrs Shand, Allan, and Charteris, be appointed. It was decided that the question of repairing the North Taieri bridge, and also that of the culvert at Otakia, be referred to the newly-appointed Works Committee. In the latter instance the Committee to have power to act— in the former to report only.

' BATES. Mr Roberts suggested that the Council should take the above question into consideration. Mr Allan thought it was too soon to deal with this matter, as they should wait until they would have a statement of the financial affairs of the Council bsfere them. The matter then dropped. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Public Works Office, Wellington, informing the Council that Mr Arthur had been instructed to hand over to if; the tools which had been used on the public works in the district. Mr E. C. Strode wrote applying for the position of solicitor to the Council, He pointed out that he was the oldest solicitor practising regularly in the district. On the motionof Mr Driver, seconded by Mr Allan, Mr Strode was appointed. It was said that he would be paid only for the work he might do, and one member expressed the hope that Mr Strode would not grow fat upon all the business the Council would have for him to do. Mr James Davidson wrote, accepting his appointment of Inspector of Works noon the terms proposed by the County Council. DRAINAGE. Mr Shand said that he wished to bring this subject under the notice of the Council. The Chairman thought Mr Shand should give notice of motion, considering that the matter was of so important a nature. - Mr Allan drew attention to section 153 of the Act, and said that he thought it was imperative upon tue Council to prepare a drainage map as soon a3 convenient. Mr .Roberts said that it would be no use in taking up this subject unless they had first received petitions from the different districts asking that it should be done. Consideration of the matter was deferred. A COUNTY/ MAP. On the motion of Mr Driver, it was resolved that the Finance Committee be requested to obtain a detailed map of the County at a cost of not more than £20. ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts were passed for payment. NOTICES OP MOTION. Mr Shand gave notice that he would move at next meeting—" That the Engineer be instructed to prepare a drainage map of Outram, Maungatua, and East Taieri ridings, laying off proper and efficient drainage for taking off the flood waters from the Taieri River, Lee Creek, Silver Stream, and Owhiro." Mr Roberts gave notice that he will move at next meetiag— " That a rate of Is in the £ be made for the year ending 31st of The Council then adjourned.