Wallace County Council.

Southland Times, Issue 9164, 12 March 1886, Page 3

Wallace County Council.

•+■ Thursday, 11th March; The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was attended by tho chairman (ilr W. Johnston) and Councillors McPneri son. Mclntyre, Hamiltoo, Walker, McKinnon, and Ellis. An intimation waa received from the Government to the effect; that the chairman had been appointed Conservator of Forests for the county. The Invercargill Cbambcr of Commerce wrote enclosing a copy of a letter forwarded by them to the Government urging the advisableness of making an arrangement for the landing of the direct Bteamars' mails at the Biuff, and requesting the Coancil'a co-operation.— On the motion of Councillor Mclntyre it was resolved to heartily support the Chamber's j represeutatione, and to wtite to the Gov- ! ernment to that effect. A couple of contractors were granted extensions of time in which to complete their works. John Birrell and others wrote that they had no proper means of access to their deferred payment sections in Morley village. —The Chairman stated that some deferred payment money bad accrued on the sections held by the persons signing the petition, and thpy wished to have it expended on improving the north side of the road. — Referred to the members for the riding. J. P. Young wrote asking re-considera-tion of his application for a fe-f und of the deposit he had made on contract No. 153. He bad completed the work according to the specifications, but to his astonishment he found that the Engineer had advised that the deposit be forfeited. — The Engineer explained that one of the conditions had been that tho road should be maintained for six months after the compktiuncf the wo k,tla wi h ihat condition the contractor had not complied. — Aftor reference had been made 10 the specifications it waa resolved to simply receive Mr Young's letter. A communication was received from the Government stating that as the Aparima Road Board had not merged, the Cjunty oould not be treated under the Local Bodies Finance Powers Act as a district in which tl^re were no Road Boards.— The Clerk explained that some of the members had thought that as the Rjad Board bad not .struck a rate for tho year the provisions of the Act referring to counties where th*re were no road boards would apply, and therefore an application had been made to the Government for subsidies onlhe rates far the whole of the County. — Several members expressed the opinion that the application should have been granted, as the necessary steps to merge the Road Board wore being taken, and the thing had been virtually done.— It was resolved to ask the Government to re-ooneider their decision, and to request the members for the distriot to support the Council's application. la reply to a letter from the Council asking the Southland Charitable Aid Board to arrange for the support of the leprous Chinatnao at Oaitai Bush, the Secretary of that body asked for information as to how the patient had been treated and maintained. — Information to bs forwarded. Richard EngHah wrote -asking for work to be done on the road from Dipton croßaing to Caroline Bush. — The Engineer stated that as tbe cost would be email be had arranged to have the necessary work done. E. B. Hill wrote that some of the worst places on the road to section 4, block 2, Centre Hill, bad not been gravelled, and he was thereby prevented fmni getting a threshing mill to his property, and from Bending his produce to market. — The Engineer stated tbai only four or five chains of gravelling was necessary. — Letter received. R. Scobie and others complained that while persons holding hawking licenses for Southland traded in Wallace, they (the writers), who held licenses for Wallace, were probihiied from doing business in Southland. — Rnferred to the Finance Committee to report. J. H. Smith, Biyswdter, wrote that the last flood had rendered the road near his place worse than before, and if another one came coon there would be no road at the ford for the public. — Referred to the oomruittee previously appointed to consider matters in connection with this road. An application from F. Guys for work on a road at Wild Bush waa referred to the Engineer to report. Councillor McKinnon reported that at a meeting of ratepayers it was resolved to close certain roads, and open otherß in the Mararoa riding.— The decision was approved of, and it was decided to take the uaual steps to effect the necessary exchanges. The committee appointed for the pur pose reported endorsing the Engineer's action in withholding the final payment on a contract executed by G. Howells. — Adopted. A petition was received asking for works to render passable the road past section 28, Oraki. — Referred to the Engineer to report. Six Chinamen asked for permission to remove about 150 yards of corduroy work which interfered with their claim at Round Hill. — Request granted, subject to the approval of the Engineer. The Engineer reported (1) that lie would have plans and specifications of a footbridge over Jacobs River at Dunrobin, prepared for coopi ieration at next meeting; (2) that the culverte referred to by the Otautau Road Board were being repaired ; (3) that, with a few repairs the bridge over tbe Otautau might stand for a few mootbß longer ; and (4) that the various contracts were being pushed on and would, be thought, be completed before thd winter Bet in.— Adopted. Councillor McKinnon (in the absence of Councillor Williams) moved - (1), That the sum of LBO be voted for works on the road between sections 239 and 23J, Taringatara ; (2), that L 25 be voted fqi gravelling and culverta in the Hundred line along sections 74 and 75, Wairio district; and (3), that ttieium of LI OO be expended on the Hundred line west oi the railway above Oiautau, ;to be charged to the doferred payment gr|nt for Soott'i $ftp,WTJjO motion yfs9 * f?pQQ4ei bj

\ _ CoancUlor^-HAttiilton and Walker, and carried. "" * Councillor Hamilton moved, seconded by Councillor Walker—" That the resolution making the deposits on contracts 10 per cent, be rescinded, and the rate toe 5 per cent on the amount of tender.?'— After come discusEion the motion was- put and negatived, the mover and seconder alone voting for it. • \ x Councillor Johnston moved— (l), That L4O be voted for metalling road 'line through section 7, Wairio district ; and (2). that L3O be voted for', repairing the roa^ running north from boundary line of Hundred to deferred payment section 151, through the centre of the deferred payment block between Opiho and Jacobs River. — The motions were seconded by Councillors Etlis- anch McKinnon, and carried. 1 " ; .'. On the motion of Councillor McKinnon the usual sum oi LSO was voted to the chairman as remuneration for the year. Councillor McKinnon moved, seconded by v Councillor Ellis, that , the necessary keps be taken to open up abroad iiotn the River'on road to the new Moesburn railway station. He stated that only a few chains would require to be made. W. Johnston was granted permission to eroct a swins? gate across the road above section 11, Wairio. ■ * ,- Accounts amounting to L 932 12s 2d were passed for payment, and The Council adjourned.