SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 3446, 7 July 1879, Page 2

SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Council was held on Saturday. Present — Mr Shanks, M.11.R. (chairman), and Messrs McCauglian, Richardson, Smith, Kinross, McGibbon, Baldey, and Thomson. A rate of one shilling- per pound was made for the year from t:ic Ist April, 1879, to 31st March, 1880, payable on the Ist September. A resolution of the Maniototo CountyCouncil adverse to Chinese immigration, which had been forwarded to the Council for the purpose of obtaining their cooperation in taking steps for its prevention, was read, and followed by some discussion for and against the proposal. Councillor Richardson moved " that the above resolution be endorsed." lie held strong opinions on the subject. The Yankees were finding that they could not hold their own in competition with Chinese labor, in a number of branches of industry, and he did not know that it would £>3 different with the colonies. The evil was growing-, and threatened to bo a serious one ; and ho therefore proposed the motion. Mr Kinross seconded. Mr McCaugban opposed the motion, and moved as an amendment — " That the request of the Maniototo County Council to accede to their resolution be declined, and that this Council considers that Chinese immigration has been beneficial to this part of the colony." The amendment wis seconded, pro forma, by Mr Smith. On a division the motion was carried, the only one voting for the amendment being the mover. A letter was read from Mr Feldwick, M.H.R., stating that he would do what he could in support of the resolution of the Council of 29th May last, relative. 'to obtaining from the Government a site for County offices. Mr' (xordon, secretary of the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club,' wrote requesting, the cooperation of the Council in pressing on the Government the necessity and utility of a drainage scheme by Mr Thomas Murray, of Mount Stewart. The letter was ordered to lie over. f i The County Solicitor, wrote, giving his on the question asked.as to the right I. of the Municipality of Campbelltown to payment of certain rates laid on previous to its formation as a borough, and indicated that, r yvith such a right it would also be liable for a proportional part of the relative debt. ' ' T»e Chief Surveyor forwarded a detailed opinion as to the proposed closing of the 'roads through sections 6 and 20, Waimutu Hundred, ,and the dotted lines of. roads on the map through blocks V and VI, Invercargill Hundred, -indicating as' to the, former that the expediency of it would be 1 doubtful, while as. to the latter he could see., nonobjection, if the settlers Avere agreeable". The Councillieard a deputation from Mr. Thomas Buxton and others in support of .' memorials by residents praying for the conversion into county roads of the two district" roads, the main north road from the ,Junction Hotel to Winton, and the road 'from 'the ' east comer 1 of block 111, 1 New llivev Hundred, to, its junction with the

main north road. The matter was ordered to lie over for further consideration. A letter was read from the National Bank of New Zealand a3 to financial arrangements with the Council, and the rate of interest chargeable on advances, which was referred, to the Finance Committee. An application by James McLachlan, per • Thomas Perkins, for permission to lay down a tramway at the crossing at BiuftInvercargill road, at Greenhill's township, to connect the railway with his quarry ; was. granted in terms of the request, subject to the approval of the engineer. ; A letter fi-Dm Mr Russell, clerk of the Makarewa Road Board, was read asking payment of the money laid out by that Board about two years ago on county roads, viz.:— Awarua Riding^ £S7o ' 10s • Wallacetpwn Riding,, £Bl 2s 6d; auri Winton Riding, £3 16s .;■" total, £455 8s 6 j. ' A committee,: composed of Messrs Baldey, Thomson, and .Smith was appointed to investigate these claims, and to report to ; next meeting. U • ' v - A report of the Switzers' ; Commonage' Committee ' was read.- - ; It recommended that the annual rate of depasturing should be 103 per head for horned cattle, and 203 per head for horses; that Mr Braithwaite should be appointed Ranger at a salary, of £50 per annum ; that the destruction of ; rabbits should be gone on with, and that the rate of payment for this to ths contractor, should be 30s per thousand, Ihe contractor to keep the skins. The report was approved of. • " The report of, the Finance Committee, recommending payment of claims to the extent of £1779 Gs lid, was read and approved of, and the amounts passed for payment ; as also the sum of £12 to I. S. Simson for obtaining signatures to petition as per agreement. The standing orders having, on the motion of Mr Kinross, seconded by Mr McCaughan, been suspended, the following motion re the Seaward Bush Railway, which was introduced by a few remarks in support of it by Mr Kinross, was unanimously adopted: — "That in the opinion of the Council the Sea-.vard Bush Railway could be cheaply constructed and profitably worked, aurl would prove beneficial to the colony by rendering a supply of valuable timber available for public works and other purposes; it therefore respectfully requests the Government to proceed with the construction of the line as soon as circum stances will permit." A copy of- the resolution was directed to be forwarded to the Minister of Public Works. The Chairman being about to proceed to Wellington for the Assembly the necessary arrangements werrf made in view of his absence, and in case of any meetings of the Council having to be held previous to his return.The Council then adjourned till '2nd August.