WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 8

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the' Waihemo County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Palmerston, on Saturday last, when there were present —The Chairman (Mr T. Muir), and Crs M. Isbister, D. Kennedy, R. Matheson, D. Ross, J. Ross, and J. Stewart. FINA.NCE. Accounts for the month, amounting to £1342s 9d, were passed for payment. inspector's reports. Tho Inspector reported as under: — Dunback Riding —That he had not been successful in obtaining anyone to carry out the late Mr D. W. Philip's contract, the contractors who carried out such work being fully employed on other contracts, and they did not feel inclined to go so far out in the meantime. —The Council decided tc call for fresh tenders for the contract by next meeting. General —The contractors throughout the county were all a little behind their time, not bo much from neglect as on account of the unsettled weather. Some of the old culverts, through decay, had given way, but as a supply of new timber had been obtained the necessary repairs would be proceeded with as soon as the weather permitted. —Received.

Government Grants — The Inspector aho reported that the chairman and he had interviewed the Hon. the Minister for Lands at Palmerslon in reference to the grants for the Hyde bridge and the Main road, DunbackSwinburn. That gentleman took certain data with him, and promised to look into the matter when he returned to Wellington and see what could be done. — The action of tho chairman and inspector was approved.

COKBBSPONDENCE. The Clerk Waitaki County Council wrote slating that the council had for years past been using tho best methods for tho destruction of small birds ; that they had distributed poisoned grain among the farmers over the whole county during the winter and spring months ; that in order to do this they got the storekeepers in the townships, or some careful farmer or member of a riding, to take charge of the grain, so that it could be delivered without any trouble to those in want of it ; that this wag done free of cost, and that the bill for poisoned grain last year was £92 6s 2d. In hatching seasons and during summer months all tho members and clerk bought eggs, and for pome years heads of birds wore also bought, but during last season this was discontinued. The egg bill cost tho council £99 2s 2d, representing 198,000 eggs.— The letter was received.

The Secretary to the Treasury, Wellington, wrote intimating that tho sum of £13 2s, goldfields revenue, had been remitted to tho credit of the county fund at tho Bank of New Zealand, Palmerston. — Received.

The Secretary to the Charitable Aid Board, Dunedin, forwarded quarterly statement of persons in the county in receipt of out-door relief, whicli was approved.

The Secretary to tho Department of Agriculture, Wellington, wrote stating that it was contemplated bringing section 5 of " The Dairy Industry Act, 1899," into operation so far as the inspection of dairies and cows from which the public milk supply was drawn, and transferring the powers at present held by the local authorities as the Local Boards of Health to the department, which would henceforth issue regulations, etc. It was claimed that by doing this a more uniform and thorough system of inspection would be inaugurated and carried out by qualified Government inspectors, the services of Government veterinarians being utilised as far as possible. It was not anticipated that the cost wpuld be greater. — Received.

OTHKB MATTERS.

Cr Stewart, after referring to the accident which befell Mr D. W. Philip, and which led to his death, moved — " That the deposit of £1 15s on contract 365 be returned."

Cr J. Ross seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Kennedy moved and Cr labistor seconded — "That a letter of sympathy and condolence be sent to Mrs Philip from the council, and that the chairman and clerk bo authorised to draft the same." — Carried.

Attention was drawn to the fact that some months ago the inspector of slaughterhouses was instructed to send in to the council a monthly return, us was the case in other counties, and the clerk was instructed to write to the constable drawing his attention to the matter, and to his non-compliance with tho request of the council, and asking his reaeou for not complying. The chairman was instructed to obtain £ha

opinion of the county solicitor as to the liaj bility or otherwise of the Inch Valley Gold I Dredging Company to register and take out a I gold mining license. " Certain unrecoverable rates were struck off, and the clerk was instructed to take steps torecover all outstanding rates. The tender of Hugh Walker, jun., for contract 371, lussocking road to Highlay Hill, at £5 15s, was accepted. There being no tender for contract 372 — gravelling portion of Goodwood road — the council decided to re-adver-tiso it, tenders to be lodged by next meeting: of council. I The council then adjourned.