TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2116, 13 September 1894, Page 17

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

"fourths" accrued during the period .from January 31 to April 28, 189*. A circular from tfte Lin wood Borough- Council, embodying proposals for the solution of the unemployed problem, was laid on the' table. The Land Tax Commissioner forwarded a circular suggesting that the valuers Appointed by I the council, when valuing for local rating, be instructed to show the value of improvements separate from the value of the land in return for the use of the maps' and section lists belonging to the department, and inquiring if a copy of the valuations would be supplied to the department for the cost of copying same.— The Chairman stated that a reply had been sent to the effect that the council had already appointed a valuer, and that the terms of the appointment could not > now be varied.— The reply was approved. The ITnder-secretary of Public Works wrote intimating that the council's letter applying for payment of grant of £100 for improving the Henley-Berwick road had been referred to the Lands and Survey department, to which the administration of all matters connected with road undertakings had now been entrusted. — Received. The Clerk of the Waste Lands Committee of Parliament wrote forwarding a copy of a petition which had been presented to Parliament, praying that the boundaries of the Taieri, Waikouaiti, and Waihemo counties be altered so as to include portions of the Taieri and Waikouaiti Counties in the Waihemo County.— lt was resolved that the chairman be authorised to vigotomly prosecute the council's opposition to the proposed alteration of the county boundaries. The Resident Engineer of New Zealand Rail' ways wrote making suggestions with respect to the drainage of the streets and railway premisea * at Middlemarch —It was resolved that no action be .taken in the meantime.

A circular was received from the Taranaki " County Council embodying a resolution passed by that body urging the Government to contribute a.' fair proportion of the cost of making the assessments, and asking the council's co-operation in the matter. — Received.

Mr M. Joel, on behalf of the Productive Manure Syndicate, wrote applying for a return of the rateable value placed on the manure' works at Wingatui. — Referrad to the chairman to roport. Constable Carmody wrote accepting the appointment of dog registrar in the Outrain district.— The appointment was confirmed. Mr R S. Stephenson wrote applying for a slaughtering license for premißos at Mid'dlemarch. .—Consideration of the application was' adjourned until next meeting. Mr Thomas Burton, on behalf of Mr M'Gregor's trustees, wrote agreeing to abide by the arrangement already made with the council with respect to the sale and exchange' of roadlines at Silverstream if the coun cil could arrange with the present tenants re fencing, the cost of which' (not to exceed £18) tobe retained out of money payable > by the council to the trustees in. exchange for the road.— Referred to the chairman to see Mr . Burton about the matter.

Mr W". D. Mason wrote denying the statement 1 made at the council that he had planted willows in tUe bed of the Taieri river above Cottesbrook bridge.— Referred to Cr Roberta to report at next meeting. The Manager of the Henley Company wrote pointingrout the desirability, of carrying on the formation of the B drain road as soon as possible, so that it might get consolidated before next winter. — It was resolved that tenders be called' for the formation of the road. _ » Mr W. L. Simpson wrote pointing out the necessity that existed for something in the way of protective works being constructed in the Taieri river at the end of the Cotte3brook bridge to protect the»ro»d and portion of- the Garthmyl estate. — It was resolved that the inspector interview Mr Simpson with reference to the rnattei and report to the next meeting of the council. Mr James Carruthers wrote drawing attention to the dangerous state of the bridge on the road at Mr Gordon's residence, Maungatua. — Referred to the inspector to act. Mr Alexander Smith wrota bringing under the notice of the council the necessity of repairing some of the metalled roads in North and Ease Taieri ridings, especially those leading to the North Taieri Post Oflica.— The inspector reported that the matter hal been attended to.

Mr Thomas A. Watts and 14 other ratepayers wrote requesting that the road leading along Kirk'adrain from the utakia road be formed and opened for traffic— Referred to the inspector and Cr Chisholin to report to next meeting. Mr Robert Neill and 22 settlers in StrathTaieri petitioned the council, requesting that a road from Midolemarch to Blair-Taiori village settlement be intide passable for traffic. — The secretary was instructed to reply tbat the funds of the council would not admit of the work applied for being proceeded with in the meantime, but if those interested would subscribe towards the work the council would favourably consider the question of grantine a subsidy. The Green Island Borough Council wrote re. quoting that the council pay half the coat of theformation of footpath inside the railway boundary, fronvßurnside railway station to Dall street.— ltr was resolved that half the cost of the formation up to £6 be granted. . . Mr K.'M'Keagg wrote requesting that the sizeof the water opening in the new culvert at the junction of Duke and Riccarton roads be reduced.—Referred to the inspector to act. Mr William Cormack and 26 others wrote calling attention to the state of the road to Suddle Hill from Grade's property to Kennedy's gate.— Referred to the inspector to report. Mr W. Fleming forwarded subscription- lists amounting to £27 2s 6'd, and;, applying for the council's eubsidy on that amount for cleaning the* drains in the Henley drainage district. — It was resolved that the subsidy be paid on the inspector, being satisfied that the work is properly com* pleted.

DEPUTATION. Mr Blackie waited on the council and asked that a footpath' be formed fiora' the Mosglel Borough boundary to the East Taiexi School.— lt was resolved, provided the pwties interested sub,- , scribe £3 103, that, a subsidy of a.like amount . would be granted. . > THE NOXIOUS WEEDS BILL. The committee appointed to report on tile* Noxious "Weeds Bill reported that in their opinion the bill now before Parliament was quits unnecessary and - would' be unworkable- in ita present form. Clause 6 would be unneceßsarily. harassing and irksome in its operation, as the seedß of the weeds specified in the ichedulewere spread by winds and floods at any time of theyaar. Clause 7 interfered with the working of farms in exposed situations where fences were planted and required, for the purpose of shelter. Clause 8 was quite impracticable and the moat objectionable clause ia tha bill. Altogether the bill would press very heavily oa the farming community in the Taieri district, and in the opinion of the committee legislation to the extent proposed was quite uncalled for.— lt was resolved that the report be approved and that a copy be' forwarded to the member for the district.

TENDERS. The following tenderß were accepted :— Supply of 100 yds of gravel, <fee, at Berwick— Alexander Hamilton, gravel la 2d, clay 6d, sand 9d ; supply of 50yda of metal, Centre road, Baet Taieri — James Spence, 4s lid per cubic yard ; carting metal and clay at Brighton— Donald L. M'Coll, metal 113 d, clay B£d.

FINANCIAL.

The bank book, which was laid on the table, showed a debit balance of £4332 19 a Id. Accounts amounting to £496 100 4d were passed for payment.

Mrs G. M. Snelson is to be asked to contest the mayoral election for Falmerston North. The Auckland Star, a Government organ, considers the amount to be advanced annually to farmers. (£1,500,000) is too large, and doubts the wiidom of advancing, as proposed, to two-thirds the gross value, including improvements, upon freehold properties, and half the value on leaseholds.It goes on to say : " Agricultural improvements under negligent management Boon disappear. A farm that has been exhausted and' allowed to lapse back into weeds, gorse, briar, &c, is more worthleis than original virgin land. Three-fifths of * fair ralaation should be the utmost, we think, to whioh the State •hoold gv in its advances at a low tftto ol^ jnfce^es^ upon jmch^agurifciesVi