CLUTHA COUNTRY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 8

CLUTHA COUNTRY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the' above council was held on Friday; present — Messrs John Johnston (chaiijman), W. Hay, J. R. Mitchell, D. 'A.' M'Lachlan, A. C. Saunders, J. M'Keil, J. Clarke, D. Robertson, and J. Cumming.

CORRESPONDENCE,

The Under-secretary Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, wrote stating that the voucher for the half-cost of approaches to Waiwera bridge had been passed for payment. Some doubts had existed as to whether the approaches could be charged against the vote. A road to give "Ccess to a bridge could not be considered as an approach, but in the case under notice the approaches were apparently so close to both ends of the bridge that they might be considered part of the bridge itself. — Cr Robertson remarked that the department was drawing a very nice, distinction. — Cr Mitchell: They have arrived at a very satisfactory result.—^Received.

The Valuer-general forwarded list of alterations made in general valuation roll, and authorising the council to alter its roll accordingly. — Cr Robertson said the thing was somewhat muddled up. John Kirk's property was Glenkenich, not Greenvale as stated. — The list being read through it was received.

The Chairman Ohinemuri County Council forwarded a circular asking the co-opera-tion of the council in urging the Government to transfer to the local authorities the duty of carrying out the licensing election, on the ground that the cosj; was excessive. His council considered that the local authorities could reduce the cost by at least 50 per cent. — Cr M'Lachlan. moved that this council co-operate with i the Ohinemuri County, and that the clerk write to the member for the district, asking him to use his influence in .the direction indicated. — Seconded by Cr Robertson, and carried.

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

Mr Robert Christie, Puerua, wrote enclosing payment of general and charitable aid rate, and stating that lie refused to pay the South Molyneux special rate of 11s 2d. He considered this rate should be paid on the present value of his property, and he was quite willing to pa;; on that. — The Clerk explained that the whole question was whether the original valuation stood good till the expiry of the loan, no matter how property might alter in value, or should the rate be amended and levied on the present valuation. He instanced the case of the Puerua Hotel, property which for the purpose of this rate was still valued as an hotel, though it had lost its license, and the building had been removed years ago. — Cr Robertson thought the clerk's view was wrong. — Cr Hay said if what the clerk said was correct the council should strike a separate rate instead of the special rate. It was very unfair to the old ratepayers that they should bear the full amount of the interest while those that settled aftervrards got off scot free, and at the same time got the benefit of roads that the old settlers had been paying interest on for ' 16 years. The same thing arose in connection with Crown lands at Catlins. The new settlers contributed nothing towards this loan. — Several councillors concurred as to the unfairness of the existing state of 'matters. — The Clerk said the original valuation, on which the rate was struck, of the area affected, amounted to £140,910, giving a revenue of £97 17s' lid. The present valuation was £230,000. He took it that if a separate rate were levied it would have to be expended on roads. — Cr Saunders mentioned the case of a settler at Catlins who took Crown land aince the rate was first levied, and who objected to pay this rate. — Cr Clarke said the difficulty was accentuated in the Catlins district, where so much Crown land, had been taken up.— The Clerk said the aiieation

was always arising. As he read the matter the rate stood till the expiry of the loan on the old valuation. He thought a test case would ba the only way to settle the question. — Cr M'JSTeil said a test case would show whether the council had power to rate settlers who took up land since the rate was originally struck. — Cr M'Lachlan said they could not go against their solicitor's opinion. He held that they should taka the opinion of the solicitor on the question before doing anything. — Cr M'Neil moved that the clerk sue Mr Christie for the rates. — Seconded by Cr Mitchell.— Or Hay moved that the chairman take the advice of the solicitor oa the matter, and be guided thereby: — Seconded by Cr dimming. — Amendment carried by five votes to four.