TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2102, 7 June 1894, Page 14

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Taieri County Council, held on Friday, was attended by the Chairman (Mr Graham), Crs Chisholm, Snow, Samson, Andrew, and Todd. inspector's report. The Inspector of "Works reported that 150 yards of metal were required for the Main South road between Look-out Point to Walton, and 100 yards of metal for the Kaikorai Valley. The Whare creek had been very high and had caused a little damage to the road below. There were a great many boulders at the ford adjoining the new part of the road which blocked the water and caused an overflow. A little more banking would have to be done. The box at Bicoarton was not finished yet, the flood having stopped operations. There was a great flow of water at this place on account of the Silverstream bank being out of repair. Something should be done to prevent the gravel from coming down, as the bed of the stream was fast filling up, and the result would be that the stream would make a new course for itself through Sutherland's paddock, towards Duke's road. Cr Chisholm suggested that before the council proceeded to deal with the report they should consider the estimate of revenue and expenditure for the year. The Chairman said he had an estimate of revenue and expenditure made from May 1, 1894, to August 1894. This showed the revenue to amount to £1865 5s and the expenditure to £1926 11s 3d, there being a debit balance of £61 6s 3d. The bank overdraft on May 3 was £3668 15s 4d. Without incurring anything for new work they would exceed their present overdraft by £61 6s 3d at the end of August, when they anticipated that a new rate would be available. It would be advisable to keep back any new works until then. At the same time he was pleased to see that the council's funds were in such a favourable condition. They would be well within their statutory limit, and by studying economy they could meet the new rate very fairly and be in a condition to go on with new works at the end of August. Cr Snow said they are making too much of their financial difficulty. He did not see any difficulty at all. If they did not do as the law allowed them to do — that was to anticipate their revenue— he thought there was not any use of them sitting at that table ; they might as well let the clerfc run the whole show. It was suggested that only £68 15s should be spent in his riding ; but if he had to attend 10 or 12 meetings to get that amount spent he would certainly be better employed staying at home. It was all folly to talk about retrenchment. In a bad season like this when there had been a bad harvest and men were requiring work, it was the duty of the council to find employment for some of these men if they could. He would rather see another £1000 spent. The council's finances were in a very healthy condition. He did not think any body in New Zealand was in such a healthy way as they were. Cr Chishoi/m thonght that before they went on with any new woiks they should reduce their overdraft to the utmost. He moved— "That the question of tbe allocation of funds be settled before we proceed to the other business of the council." Cr Todd seconded the motion. Cr Samson movtd an amendment to the effu: b that tbe council proceed to deal with the inspector's report. Or Akdrew seconded tbe amendment. He thought the council should refuse to do as many now works as possible, but should maintain tbe roads already formed and the bridges erected. The amendment on being put was carried. It was subsequently resolved (as recommended by the intpectoi) that tenders be called for ILO yards of maintenance metal for the main sou'h road between Lookout Point and Walton ; also that 100 yards of machine-broken metal for the Kaikorai Valley road be obtained. ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE. The Chairman and Cr Chisholm submitted f stimatea of revenue and proposed expenditure

for the year ending March 1895. The estimate of the chairman showed the revenue to be as follows -.—General rates, £3885 18s Id ; Governi ment subsidy, £500 ; licenses, &c, £452 10s ; goldQelds revenue, £70; refund (expenses to licensing committees), £46 10s 4d ; Government grant (Henley-Berwick road), £100 ; — total revenue, £5054 18s sd. Expenditure: Salaries, £455 ; engineer's commission, £150 ; incidental expenses, £25 ; printing and advertising, £60 ; postage and telegrams, £18 ; legal advice, £25 ; tools, materials, &c, £50 ; travelling expenses of members, £80 ; repairs to office and fencing £20 ; interest and exchange, £300 ; audit, £6 ; insurance, £7 15s ; collection of dog tax, &c, £40 ; expenses licensing committees, £72 lls lid ; county roads (new works as per schedule), £136 5s ; maintenance metal and gravel, £384 13s 4d ; six surfacemen, £564 ; maintenance timber for bridges, £60 13s 2d. Works in ridings (£I6OO, divided pro rata) : North Taieri riding, £156 10s 9d ; East Taieri, £168 9s 8d ; Kaikorai, £213 103 ; Otakia, £185 18s; Outram, £221 4s 4d ; Maungatua, £219 Is ; Deep Stream, £219 3s ; Strath-Taieri, £215 17s 3s. Total expenditure, £4054 18s sd, leaving £1000 available for reduction of overdraft or contingencies. The schedule of proposed expenditure on county roads and bridges for the year ending March 31, 1895, referred to in the statement of estimated revenue and expenditure was as follows : — New works : Green Island to Taieri Mouth, 600 yards of gravel at Is lOd per yard, £55 ; Grey town to Berwick, 600 yards of gravel at la 6d per yard, £45 ; Clark's to county boundary and Allan's to M'Fadyen's, 300 yards of gravel at Is 9d per yard, £26 5s ; 80 chains of formation, £10 ;— total, £136 ss. Maintenance metal and gravel : Caversbam to Taieri Mouth, 300 yards of metal at 4a 6d per yard, £67 103; Green Island to Taieri Mouth, 150 yards of metal at 4s 6d per yard, £33 15s ; Riccarton to West Taieri bridge, 300 yards of gravel at Is 9d per yard, £26 si ; Halfway Bush to Muir's, 300 yards of gravel at Is 6d per yard, £26 10s; Outram to Berwick, 600 yards of gravel at 2s 3d pvr yard, £67 10s ; Outram to Berwick, 300 yards of gravel at Is 8d per yard, £25 ; Greytown to Rock and Pillar, 300 yards of gravel at 3s 3d per yard, £48 15s ; Kaikorai Valley road, 200 yards of metal at 4s 6d per yard, £45 ; Centre road, Taieri, 150 yards of metal at 4s lOd per yard, £36 15s ; Centre road, 200 yards of gravel, at Is 2d per yard, £11 13s 4d ;— total, £384 13s 4d. Bridges : Maintenance timber, £60 13s 2d. Cr Chisholm's statement, which was laid on the council table at a* previous meeting, has already been published. With the leave of the council, he now withdrew the statement. Cr Samson moved — "That the chairman's estimate be adopted," the motion being seconded by Cr Todd. Cr Andrew moved, as an amendment — " That the estimate lie on the table for a month." The amendment was seconded by Cr Snow and lost, the motion being subsequently carried. CORRESPONDENCE. The Receiver of Land Revenue wrote intimating the payment of £175 lls 3d to the credit of the council in respect of "thirds" and •'fourths" revenue accrued from the period From October 30, 1893, to January 27, 1894.— Received. A letter was received from the United Districts Charitable Aid Board forwarding an account for £610 lls 9d, as the amount of the contribution required from the council for the maintenance of charitable institutions in the district for the year 1894 5. — It was decided to pay the amount in monthly instalments. A letter was received from the Hospital Board, who forwarded an account for £297 153 9d, the amount of contribution required from the council for the maintenance of the Dunedin Hospital for the year 1894-5. — It was resolved to pay this amount by monthly instalments. Me William Thomson (Moss-side) and Mr Richard M'Keag wrote objecting to the proposed diversion of water from John Findtay's land into the Mill creek ab Findlay's corner. — Mr Alexander Smith also wrote in support of the application of the church trustees for the council's sanction to the proposed diversion. — It was decided to inform the church factor that it would be necessary for him to arrange with the objectors to the diversion before taking any action in tbe matter. Mr William Thomson, Myrtle Bank, wrote renewing his application for a small box in fche main drain of his farm to protect him from the water diverted from the box at Ha^tie's reserve. — It was resolved that the council agree to supply a valve if Mr Thomson construct a box and put it in po ition. Mr Alexander Thomson wrote calling attention to the draiu opposite his property, and asked that something be done to prevent his land being flooded. — Received, Messrs Alexander Carnie, John Deans, and Peter Murray wrote asking that the road from Leestream School to the corner of section 17, block VIII, Mount Hyde district, be formed so a3 to allow of children driving to school — Referred to Cr Nichol. Mr John Peat wrote requesting that the ruts on the road near the Deep Stream bridge be filled, and that the bridge be kept clear of dirt. — The letter was received. Mr Patrick O'Brien wrote offering to lease the grazing right of the Woodside quarry reserve for £1 per annum, and agreeing to fence the portion that was now unfenced.— lt

was resolved that tenders be called for the lease of the grazing right of the reserve for one year. Messrs Smith, Chapman, Sinclair, and White wrote returning cheque for £75, being the purchase money of road through M'Gregor's Silverstream estate, which the chairman had instructed them would not be completed at present. — The letter was received. Mr J. A. Kinskoff wrote applying for work at clearing scrub on the roadlines in BlairTaieri township. — Received. Mr A. C. Thompson wrote intimating that lie intended to apply to tbe council at next meeting for a slaughtering license for premises at Otakia, and asking for a temporary permit in the meantime. — Permission to slaughter was granted to Mr Thompson till the council considered his application. Messrs Mitchell Bros, wrote drawing attention to the drainage in Downs farm, Outram, caused by the blocking up of a watercourse and culverts below the Buckeye Rise. — The letter was received. Messrs J. and A. Wilson wrote objecting to the large size of the culvert being put in at Duke's road, at Riccarton crossing, and requesting assistance in cleaning out the ditch on Duke's road below Gladfleld road. — It was resolved that the carrying capacity of the new culvert be reduced to the same size as the old one, and that nothing be done in the matter of cleaning the ditch. FINANCIAL. The bank book, which was laid on the table, showed a debit balance of £3776 17s Id. Accounts amounting to £530 0s 9d were passed for payment. RATES. It was resolved — "That the council notify its intention of making a general rate of f d in the pound and a charitable aid rate of |d in the pound on the rateable value of tbe property in the county for the year ending March 31, 1895, at next regular meeting, to be held on July 6, 1894." TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted : — Supply of 200 yards of gravel on Woodside road, A. J. M'Leod, Is 9d per yard ; 150 yards of metal on the Owhiro road, James Spence, 4s 4d per yard ; 200 yards of gravel, Centre road, Strath-Taieri, John Ryall, Is 8d per yard.