MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 55

MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL.

NASEBY, July 0. The monthly meeting of the Maniototo County Council was held at the Council Chambers at Naseby on Wednesday, there being present Councillors T. Ramsay (chairman), N. Nicolson, H. W. Davis, E. Morgan, T. A. Lowis, the Hon. R. Scott, T. Hall, and P. Aitken. The engineer’s report was read and received. The ranger’s report, showing a total of 34 head of stock impounded and fees amounting to £9 l6s 4d, was received. Arising from the engineer’s report, Cr Scott expressed the opinion that the deviation of the Sanatorium road would need to be legalised.—Decided that the engineer report on the matter to next meeting. The clerk was instructed to write to the dog tax collector to complete the registrations as quickly as possible. The Chairman reported having attended the conference at Dunedin regarding heavy traffic licenses and control. Cr Morgan also supplemented the report, having attended with the chairman. The clerk was instructed to urge tne holding of a conference of the five counties to arrange the allocation of last year’s fees, and also to discuss the by-laws. The Dunedin City Council submitted a report of the conference on motor traffic, which had appointed that body as distributing authority under the regulations. Mr G. Lindway, Wedderburn, wrote asking permission to put a fence on a road line back, to enable the watering of stock at a creek.—The engineer was instructed to inquire into the matter, it being reported that adjoining owners had fenced as far as the creek, and it appoared to be a reserve. Mr E. Williamson Blackstone Hill, wrote drawing attention to the danger of a big slip occurring on a bend at Williamson's Hill. The road was on his ? razing run, he alleged, and it was unair to be required to pay rent for land the council used. He asked to have the position made clear. —Engineer was instructed to interview Mr Williamson on the matter, and inspect the alleged slip and water-course, ana report to next meeting. The Naseby Welfare League forwarded copy of a letter received from Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. O. J. Hawken), stating that the department did not intend to continue the work on the Spec Gully area, but merely to maintain the present nursery. The league considered this a contradiction of the commissioner’s reply to the council, and sought the aasiatuficc of the council in obtaining

continuance of progressive work. —It wag decided that the Minister in Charge of Forestry be communicated with, asking him to define the exact position in regard to the Naseby.nursery and plantation. Mr M. Cameron, Hyde, wrote asking the council to widen the bridge over the Taieri River at Tiroiti, towards which work he was prepared to contribute £IOO. He had also written to Waihemo County on the matter, his property being on the boundaries of both counties. Mr Cameron and Mr Arthur waited upon the council in support of the applictaion.—Decided that the engineer confer with the Waihemo County’s eugineer on the matter and report to next meeting. The Maniototo Hospital Board submitted revised estimates, referred back from last meeting, showing the levy was reduced from £2600 to £l6lß 14s.—Estimates be approved, it being pointed out that the amount would necessitate an increased rate of rroin 8-32nds to 9-32nds of a penny. The Engineer submitted a statement of car expenditure showing the cost had exceeded the allowance bv £64, and requested the council to allow the excess and take over the running of the car.—lt was decided to pay half the extra cost and expenses.—Cr Hall voted against the extra payment. Mr T. Dowling, secretary of Hyde Cemetery trustees, submitted the names of Messrs H. M'Auley, W. L. Bruhns, and M. Kinney as new trustees in place of two deceased and one removed from district. —Approved. The Otago Expansion League invited two delegates to a conference on July 13 to discuss the establishment of a college of agriculture in the North Island as against the retention of Lincoln College.— The clerk to forward a letter expressing sympathy with the proposals, and the opinion of the council that the expense of establishing a college in the North Island was unwarranted, and that Lincoln College was suitable for all requirements for some years to come. A petition from 32 ratepayers requesting the provision of a culvert on the Ran-furly-Patearoa road was received.—Cr Hall explained that flooding on the road prevented people passing.—Engineer to report to next meeting on the best methods of overcoming the trouble and the approximate cost. The Chairman reported having submitted a remit to the Counties’ Conference requesting that auctioneer’s fees be paid in the counties in which they operated.—Action approved. Cr Davis stated that lie had been asked by ratepayers of grazing runs at Highfield to be placed in Gimmerburn Riding, instead of Idaburn Riding. He asked that the matter of readjustment of boundaries be kept in view.—The Clerk indicated that matters of adjustment of boundaries would be considered in January. Cr Scott moved that the clerk write the Department of Agriculture on the matter of noxious weeds, and ask what were the proposals concerning these on Crown lands, etc. Moved by Cr Scott, seconded by Cr Hall, that details of all casual labour be supplied to each councillor every month, \ —Carried. Considerable discussion arose on the matter of rating.—The Clerk presented a statement of receipts and expenditure for the last financial year, and also estimates for the current year, and pointed out that ridings were not keeping within the limit of revenue, as required by the Act. It would probably mean an increased rate, or being tagged for the increasing debit balances. Several councillors were strongly opposed to an increase in rates. —The Engineer added that only essential works were included in the programme, and it was difficult to keep within such a narrow margin.—It was decided to give notice to strike a Id rate in all ridings at next meeting. It was also decided to make the hospital rate 9-38nds of a Id. These will be formally passed at next meeting. In regard to drainage at Ranfurly, the Clerk reported that the definite area for, special rating had now been prepared, l-sth penny on a loan to cover present expenditure and the proposed extensions. Failing this, it would be necessary to make a 6d rate to recoup the expenditure. —Decided that the matter be left in the hands of the committee to arrange petitions with the ratepayers concerned before next meeting, so that the rate could be arranged with the general rate next month. —This was agreed to. # j One tender for renewal of Lower Swift* ( burn bridge was received but being much \ in excess of estimated cost, was declined, j and matter deferred. Accounts totalling £2373 2s lOd were passed for payment.