ORDINARY MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 12

ORDINARY MEETING.

The ordinary meeting of the council was then «eld. inskectob's ebpohts. The Inspector reported in reference to Macraes Riding that a small portion of the road and part of the sheep dip on Mrs Hay's jrun was on the surveyed road line. He had Diet the lessee of the run in Palmorston, and bad asked her to call at the county office and arrange about getting a few feet off tho corner of the sheep yard, but she alleged she had not time, and asked him (the inspector) to lay the matter before the council and agreed to his suggestion. He then instructed the surfaceman to form the road, when the lessee requested them to desist until she had consulted her solicitor, which they did. He (the inspector) then went up and put the men on again, instructing them not to injure the dip in any way. This bhey had done, and the pipes could now be laid flown on the level, as they were iron ones, and |fc waa necessary to carry the water across the road, which was only 13ft at this point;, the remainder being occupied by the dip and sheep ifard. He had not taken the Bft off the corner of the sheep yards, which the lessee agreed to give, and the property bad not been injured in any way as represented by- Mrs Hay. Mm Hay wrote stating that that portion of the Horee Flat road, which bad been formed, passed close to the cheep dip, and the pipes whioh were nsed for supplying the same with water had been removed by the surfacemen and ; thrown aside. She asked to have the pipes j replaced, as it interfered with the supply of water to keep the dip in repair being stopped, and when required would oause her a good deal of inoonvenienoe. She asked to have a culvert; placed across the road to enable traffio to pass over it, and bo as not to damage or interfere with tho pipes. Cr Hartstonqb explained that the matter of this road had been brought before the council some time ago, and it bad then been decided not to interfere with the then existing rights of Mrs Hay, as they had no wish to subject her to any inconvenience, whioh would have arisen if the connoil had instructed the inspector to open the road the full width and on the surveyed line. He desired to make the explanation, as he had been accused, of wishing to interfere with Mrs Hay's rights. He suggested as a compromise that a deviation should be obtained from Mrs Hay taking the road clear of the dip. He moved — " That the council make arrangements •with Mrs' Hay for a deviation, and that any expenses in connection therewith be defrayed by her." Cr D. Ross seconded the motion, which was Carried as against sn amendment proposed by Cr Clabk to plaoe a culvert across the road to carry off the water. PETITION. Five ratepayer! in the Blue Mountain Riding petitioned the council to place a plank aoross the Shag River opposite Mr Isbister'fl yards, Inch Valley.— -Tha application was granted. j FINANCE. | Accounts for the month amounting to £321 f s lid were passed for payment. COEBESPONDENCB. The Seoretary Charitable Aid Board and Benevolent Institution, Dunedin, wrote re the election of trustees.— Reoeived. The Chairman of the TaranaH Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote plaoing before the Council the growing demand for charitable aid md the unf air eyitem of nearly 58 per cent, of the revenue being a direct tax on land, whioh JreEßed very heavily on small farmers. He lao pointed out that capital invested in any ijther pursuit but land and land Improvements entirely escaped charitable taxes. The board were of opinion that the whole revenue required tor charitable purposes should be a charge on the consolidated loads of the colony, so that fivery person would bear an equal share towards the unfortunate who required relief. The Bounoil'floo-oper.atlontr»B Invited,'— She circular fefts received;

Mr P. M'Leod, Waiherao, wrote expressing surprise that the me noy standing to the oredit of small grazing- ruus in the Highlay and Swiuburn had been incorrectly given, arid enclosing statement showing the alleged figures in connection with the matter. — Mr M'Leod to be informed that all the money from the small grazing runs <in question had been spent ou roads leading to the runs on the approval of the Land Beard, exocpt a umali ruoi of £85, and that a eontraot wss now being l»-t. Mra Agnes Crawford, Inch Valley, wrote drawing attention to the action of the county ranger in taking an old mare from her door to tho public pound and charging her 13s 6d fees, &0., which she considered exorbitant. She also accused the ranger of favouritism, and asking for a refund of what she considered an overcharge. — The Ranger explained his action in the matter, and denied tho imputation of Mrs Crawford, The Secretary All*ndale Coal Company, Shag Point, wrote drawing attenlioa fco the expiry of the license granted by the council to the company for crossing some of the county roads with their line of railway, and making application for a renewal of the same under "The Private Tramway* Atnou-imeuL Aot, 1891," for a term of 10 years.— Toe ulerk waa instructed to take the »nece«6ary steps in the matter. The Resident Engineer, Railway department, Dunedin, wrote intimating that he had instructed Mr Matheson to arrange a meeting with the county inspeotor to fix the Crossing at Inch Valley on the old Mte, and if a gate was I erected across tbo road it should be some two or three chains from the railway line t» allow sheep and cattle to get clear of the crossing, and ! the department would r&iae no objection to the ' gate being so placed. — Received, and referred to the inspector. j Mr W. Cochrane; Spring Bmk, wrote explaining that all the necessary arrangements in connection with the sale of the land required by the c .uncil leading to the dairy factory had been completed. — Received. Mr J. Green, Waitati, wrote agreeing to act as the council's delegate for tho election of trustees of the Otago Benevolent Institution and, the Dunedin Hospital, and thanking the couucil for the honour conferred. — Received. The Treasury, Wellington, wrote intimating that goldflelds revenue amounting to £57. 10s had been remitted to the credit of thu counoil at the Bank of New Zealand, Palmersfcon, — Received. OTHER MATTERS. On the motion of Cr Hartstonge, seconded by Cr Clark, the insptctor was instructed to place a plank across the Stoneburn River to enable the miners to cross. He was also instructed to bind the gravel ou Station Hill, Mafiraes. The chairman was authorised to interview the Minister for Lands re bridging and roading the Shag River at the new settlement at Dunback, formiDg part of the Grange estate. The clerk was instructed to apply to the proper authorities for information respecting the gold revenue received from gold mining leases, and the names of the lessees. He was also instructed to write to the Minister to ascertain if the money was now available for improvements to the Pigroot road. The council decided to pay the usual prioe for birds' eggs and heads. The council also decided to invite fresh tenders for eontraot 318. Cr Matheson tabled a notice of motion for next meeting — "That the expenditure on all roads leading through small grazing runs be credit to the land fund derived from the same." The council then adjourned.