WATHEHO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 11

WATHEHO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Wai- i hemo County Council, held in the Council I Chambers. PaJmerston, on the 20£h inst., was attended by Crs Jas. Boss (chairman), T. i Mnir. D. Ross, D. M. Phillip, T. Stenhousfe, B. Afetheson, H. O'Neill, J. O'ConneU, and G. Clark. MOTOB BT-LAWS. Letters were received from the Southland, M4niototo, Clutha, Bruce, and Taieri County Councils re the proposed motor by-laws. All the conncils, with the exception of Southland, expressed approval, and the objection raised by the last-named body was that the by-law would not give th« protection to the travelling public that was necessary. — It was ! resolved to have the by-laws advertised , previous to their confirmation. RATING MINING PBOPBATTES. The County Clerk (Mr W. B. Gkdlaway) reported to the council the steps tha-t had been taken in-, regard to getting information re £he council's powers to rate mining property. In the estimate for the year the sum of £100 was included in the probable receipts from this source, and he suggested that if a valuer was appointed such rates could be collected for the current year. — It was resolved that the council take the necessary steps to levy and collect rates on miningr property in the county, and Mr T. Pilling (Lawrence) was appointed valuer for the purpose. COBHESPONDEKCE. James Russell and 23 other ratepayers in Goodwood Biding petitioned the council to have trees on Mr J. Kennedy's property, Goodwood road, removed, as they shaded the road and kept it in a damp condition during winter. — The Inspector considered that it would be necessary to have the trees removedl — It was resolved to notify all owners of property having trees overhanging roaddays to have the same removed, and that the inspector supply a list of the localities where trees were overhanging. The Department of Health forwarded a departmental circular re the intention to establish a hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases in and for the Otago district, and setting out the local bodies which will be called upon to contribute towards providing and maintaining such an institution. The circular stated that a meeting of- local authorities interested, or their delegates, would be held in the Town Hall, JDunedin, on Tuesday, July 30, at 3 p.m.— Received. The Treasury Department forwarded memorandums stating that sums amounting to £S9 6s had been paid in to the council's credit. — Received. "W. and G. Donaldson, of the Golden Point mine, Macraes, wrote requesting that any moneys paid by them as goldfields revenue be impounded, to be spent on roads as they might direct. — Received. W. King, patentee of a bird trap, wrote with reference to the most approved method of working the traps which the council had ordered. — It was decided to obtain an additional trap, making eight in all ; and also that two wages m-en be employed by the council to work the trapß in the high and low levels of the riding. A statement of " thirds" and " fourths for period December 3, 1906, to February 23, 1907 was received and acknowledged. The Southland County Council wrote approving with slight amendments, of the model by-laws, and asked the Waihemo Council to co-operate in urging upon Parliament the importance of enacting such by-laws this session. inspector's bepobt. The Inspector reported as follows: — '• Bushey Riding. — I have repaired different parts of the roads in Bxishey Riding with gravel. Shag Point road, from the flat at the station to the schoolhouse at Shag Point, needs repair. It is eight years since anything was done to the road referred to, and 'it requires from 600 to 800 cubic yaran To meet the requirements of motor traffic. I suggest that the gravel be put on thicker and wider. Some curves in the road require widening."— Tenders to be called for 600 yards of gravel. '• Blue Mountain Riding.— A large tree lying across the road in this riding requires remo.val. as it is dangerous to traffic. ' — Resolved that the inspector be authorised to remove the obstruction. • Goodwood Riding.— Goodwood read from Wright's gate at the homestead to W. Chisholm's homestead requires widening and banking up to give it a permanent grade. The curves also require straightening. ' — Inspector to report as to cost at next meet- " Macraes Riding.— l accompanied Cr O'Connell to Taieri River, and the surfaceman was instructed to fix up the part of the road from the ferry -to the ford. The contract is approaching completion The other roads axe in good order throughout the county." — Approved. THE CHINESE I.EPEB. The TH?trirt Health Officer (Dr Ogston), under date 17th July, wrote issuing instructions that the body of the Chinaman Sin Tack, who died fTom leprosy, be buned as soon as possible, the body to bo sprinkled with quicklime after being placed in the coffin, and that the hut. with all contents and belongings, be destroyed.— The Clerk stated that immediately the note was received instructions xvere given to the police, and to the undertaker, to have all precautionary measures taken, and the Health Officer himself, being in the district, saw that the requirements of the Health Department were . carried out, and the hut and its contents had all been destroyed by fire. — The action of the clerk was approved, and it was resolved to apply -to the Government for a refund of all expenses in connection with the case. GENERA!.. Accounts amounting to £225 6s 4d were passed for payment. The following tenders were accepted: — ■ Contract No. 4&4, formation of 30 chains on iloonlight-Nenthorn road, William Dodd, £27. 'On the motion of Cr Phillips, seconded by Cr Matheeon, it was resolved that the rate for the year be gd in the pound, payable on September 1, instead of October 1, as formerly. In reference to a communication from the School Commissioners, it was resolved that the member for Blue Mountain Riding visit and report upon a road deviation, and report to next meeting of the council. THE REARRANGEMENT OF ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES. The Chairman moved, and Cr Clark seconded — " That the council regrets that the Boundary Commissioners, when making provision for the increase of representation of the North Island, were compelled to cut up the Waikouaiti electorate, throwing the south part of the district into Chalmers and the northern portion into Oamaru. As -there is no community of interest between Shag Valley and surrounding districts and the town of Oamaru, the council respectfully asks Parliament to give effect -to the suggestions of Mr T. Mackenzie that two additional members be allotted to the North Island, and

■that the Sooth Island he allowed to retain the esime number oi representatives as ai present." — In. support of the resolution the Chairman mentioned that a petition protesting against the. cutting- up of the electorate was in circulation in the district, and was being largely signed everywhere it went. The - effect o£ the cutting up of . th«^ electorate, as proposed, would be that the farmers and settlers would be practically disfranchised. The motion was adopted, and it was resol"vcd to forwsurd » co Py to tHe Prime Minister and to Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.E.