TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 5

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The adjourned annual statutory meeting of the Taieri County Council for the election of a chairman was held on Friday, and attended by Crs Snow, Graham, Chjsholm, Roberts, Andrew, Ca'mcon: Todd, and Nichol. Of SAji^o'N proposed that Mr J. CJraham be chairman' for the eftsuirig yerir. Cr Nichol seconded the m6t?oif. Cr Rd'nERTS said he would su^ptot the rtjotion, but not because be wished to cast any reflection upon the business capacity of the chairman,' who had occupied the position for so many years. He was sure that Mr Snow had always occupied the position he had held in a very creditable way, and in a way that had given universal satisfaction. The reason that he supported the motion was that he thought it was desirable in all these public offices that they should not be continuous ; and he should hold himself perfectly free, this time two years, to move that there should be a new chairman. Cr Snow stated that he had written to Cr Grrahani asfeing if he would be willing to be nominated for the chairmanship, and he had replied refusing to be nominated. He should have liked to propose Cr Graham himself if ho had not got a refdsal from him!. Ors Chisholm and Andrew also spoke in support of the motion, which, on being put by the county clerk, was carried unanimously. Cr GRAhaif then took the chaJr, arid returned thanks for the confidence that had been plaied iri him by electing him to his new position. He did not desire to be placed in that position, and he wrote to Cr Snow telling him so ; but as a number of ratepayers considered that it was not a personal matter, but a matter of public duty, he consented to occupy the position.

ORDINARY MEETING. An ordinary meeting of the council was then held, and attended by those who were present at the previous meeting. inspector's report. The Inspector of Works reported that the contracts in hand were progressing favourably, and the "thirds" and " fourths " works were being pu«hed on with reasonable speed. The cattle nuisance was Very bad at present, the good grass on the roads being so tempting that people would run the risk of having their cattle impounded rather than let it go to waste.— lt was resolved that in future the driving fees for impounded cattle be paid into the county funds, and that the surfacemen report to 1 the inspector or clerk all cases of habitual trespassers. engineer's report. Mr R. Hay, county engineer, reported that the contract in hand by Matheson Bros , for opening up the small grazing runs from Mount Allan railway station towards the Silver Peaks, was progressing fairly, and should be completed in about a month. The contract at Billies Ridge was completed, but a further extension would be necessary when funds irom the "thirds ' atsd "fourths" accruing in the district were available.—The report was received. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr G. W. Pogson wrote requesting permission to erect a rabbit-proof fence across the road at Cottesbrook, in terms of section 5 of " The Rabbit Nuisance Act 1890."— The request was granted. The Surveyor-general wrote informing the council that in the New Zealand Gazette, No. 84, of November 10, was published an Order-in-Council vesting certain quarry reserves in the council. — Received. Mr Thomas Burton (on behalf of Mr M'Gregor's trustees) wrote agreeing to accept the council's offer for the purchase of a road through the Silverstream estate.— The letter was received, and it was resolved that Mr Hay take steps to have a survey made and get the road transferred to the council. The clerk of the Bruce County Council wrote urging the necessity of effecting necessary repairs to the approach to the Taieri Mouth punt.— lt was resolved to notify the Bruce Council that the Taieri Council would not continue to contribute towards the maintenance of the punt. The Clerk of the Green Island Borough Council wrote asking the council's co-operation in getting the railway authorities to form a footpath alongside tMe railway from Dall street to Burnside station.— Referred to the chairman and Cr Samson to act in conjunction with the Mayor of Green Island. Mr Robert Winkfield wrote calling attention to the bad state of the road from the Main road, Lookout Point, towards Costorphine, at the boundary of the Caversham borough. — It was decided to forward the letter to the Caversham Council. A letter was received from the Henley River Board embodying a resolution of the board to the effect that unless the council agreed to contribute the additional cost of making the river embankment a roadway from B drain to the site of the old Henley bridge, the River Board would, without delay, complete their work.— lt was resolved that a subsidy of £50 be granted to the Henley River Board on the understanding that the council does not undertake to protect the embankment from floods. Mr James Dow wrote calling attention to the road leading from Cuddle's creamery to the West Taieri Church, and offering to contribute towards the formation of same by ploughing the sides of the road. It was decided to authorise the inspector to get the work done by the surfacemen. Mr P. N. Peters, jun., wrote offering to contribute £6 towards the formation of Olive avenue, Middlemarch. — Referred to the member for the riding to report. Mr E. Cameron wrote complaining of the state of the road leadiDg to his property at Middlemarch. — Referred to the inspector to report. PETITIONS. Mr James Matheson and 19 settlors in Mount Hyde district forwarded a petition to the council requesting that the road between parts of sections 6 and 8, block XI, Mount Hyde district, be formed so as to afford access to the bush reserve, on sections 3 and 18, block XVI, in the same district. — It was decided to inform the petitioners that the council had no funds available for the work. " Mr Donald Reid and nineteen ratepayers and residents of North Taieri riding petitioned the council to construct a bridge across the Silverstream on the Wingatui road. — Cr Andrew moved that the engineer be instructed to prepare

■bimts and specifications for the work, but the motion ftiwad no seconder ; and it was resolved on the motion! of Cr Roberts, seconded by Cr Samson—" That this cplmo'l fully recognises the necessity of the work, but regrets that the council's financial position is such as So prevent the work being carried out at present. s.h<? matter will, however, receive the attention of the council later on." THE WAIPORI BUSH ROAD. Cf s Snow and Chisholm having reported on the Waipori Bush road, it resolved that the matter be referred to the inspector to report as to the Cost of sheet piling ana reinstating the old road to reliVv'c the settlers interested ; and also to report on cost of making a cut through Lawson's reserve. DOG TAX, ETC. It wa3 r^solyed that the dog registration fse for the year ending December 31, 1894, be fixed at 2s 6d. It was decided to call for" tenders for the supply of dog collars, and to make arrangements with the police to collect the dog tax on the same tetms as last year. SLAUGHTER LICENSES. It wae resolved that the existing slaughter licenses ha renewed on application, and that the commutation fees payable be fixed at the same rate as in former years— namely, Samson and bons and Garden Watson, £10 ; the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, fi2d. THE COUN<Mt S FINANCES. Cr Sa-MsCn said he would like to refer to the quodtion of the council's finances. He thought they would ?<H admit that their finaGcos were in a very bad state ; rind He also thoxight that he could suggest a means whereby a little saving could be effected. With tins* onA in view he would move at next meeting — (1) ' That the motion carried iv September 5, 1890, repayment or members' expenses, be rescinded." (2) ' That offers be called for the amalgamated office or engineer and inspector." (3) "That the clerk be instructed to" prepare a retura showing the gross income of each tiaidg, and the gross expenditure within each riding, carried forward from as far back as ascertainable." (4) "Tliaß the inspector be instructed to prepare a schedule of all roads, bridges, ferries, &c, intended to be constructed and maintained out of general county fund, in accordance with clause 145 and subsections of the Counties Act" (5) "That separate accounts be kept for each riding, and in accordance with clause 146 of the Counties Act." TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted :—Reduction of Fetrie's Hill, Berwick -Joseph Bryant, £28 10s ; road formation, Hutching's to Lee Creek (.Henley-Berwick road)— Jamfis King, £43 19s; gravelling, Henley-Berwick road— A. Johnstone, Is per cubic yard ; formation, Henley-Berwick road— B. Overton, £146 ss ; contract No. 290, formation. Lee Stream to Hindon— James Casey, £135 4s 4d ; contract No. 297, road formation, Lee Stream to Hindon— James Casey, £58 3s (accepted on condition that the tenderer is not paid until the money for the work is available). FINANCIAL. I The bank book, which was laid on the table, showed a debit I'alanse of £3794 17s 3d. Accounts amounting to £IH9 lOs 8d were passed for payment.