MURCHISON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13381, 2 April 1912, Page 7

MURCHISON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The ordinary monthly meeting of the * Council was held on Saturday, March t 23rd. There wore present: Crs J. i Brown (in tho chair), A. J. Rogers, R. Win, Gco. Thomson, John Badoock, and ' A. G. Monahan. ' *' In accordance with a previous resolution business relating to the Maruia * Hot Springs was taken first, and' reso- * lutions were carried as follows :— That the Government ho asked to - vest tho Springs Reserve in tho Council as soon as possible, to enable the Conn- i cil to appoint a caretaker. ' That Messrs Tyrco and Robison ho asked on what terms they would isit > tho Springs to take a series of photo- ' graphs of tho Springs, bath houses, ai;d < attractions around tho Springs. That all hotels and accommodation houses in the country bo asked to send in photos of their respective establishments, with information as to tariff, scenic attractions, and moans-anil trust of locomotion to visit tho samo ; this ?n----form-ation to be forwarded to tho Inquiry Bureau of the Government Tourist Department recently opened in Nelson. That the Councillors report to the next meeting on the scenic attractions in their respective ridings, and the means, etc., of getting, to them. That the Director of the Tourist De-' partment be asked to visit tho Springs as soon as possible as the Council is anxious to improve tho present conditions before next summer. That tho Chamber of Commerce . in Nelson bo notified that tho Council is collecting information as requested. That application for authority to spend item 650 of the appropriations ivy 1912, £200, bot made to the Public Works Department, the application to be sent through Mr Colvin. Mr A. G. Monahan and 19 others petitioned the Council to assist them to secure a telephone extension from Fern Flat to Parenga. Cr Badcock moved that the Telegraph Department bo asked what subsidy would bo required fro mthe Council for the proposed extension. Seconded by Cr Win and carried. Mr A. Goodyer wrote complaining of excessive heavy traffic passing over his gravelling on tho Lower Maruia road, and stating that unless the trouble could be stopped he would bo compelled to throw up his contract.— It was resolved that the carters most likely to use the road be written to about the matter, and that Mr Goodyer bo written sto accordingly. Messrs H. J. Hodgson and Co wrote asking for permission from the Council to erect a verandah over the footpath m Fairfax street on new butcher's premises shortly to bo erected. —Resolved that the permission be.granted. Mrs Tomlinson and Messrs F. and I). Edwards wrote drawing,the attention of the Council to the bad state of the roads near Lake Station, especially in Black Valley. It was rosolved that Cr Win and tho overseer should visit tho Jocality as soon as possible to see what could bo done, .and that the writers bo notified to this effect. Tho Mount Owen Mineral Company wrote objecting to tho valuation lists from the rateable value- of their property at £15,000, on tho ground that the value was loss than the amount amount stated in the valuation list. Cr Badcock moved that Messrs Watson and Donald Mathc'son be appointed as tho Council's representatives in the Assessment Court, held to deal with all objections to the valuation lists. — Seconded by Cr Monahan and carried. Mr J. McGavin wrote submitting a price for an acetylene gas arc lamp, in front of the new Post Office—Resolved that the offer to erect a lamp and to supply gas for same be accepted if satisfactory terms can be agreed upon. ■ .. Mr John Thomas wrote asking for sorr.3 information in connection Avith th:> cortracts recently cancelled by the Com: cil. The Clerk reported that the information had been supplied. Mr W. J. Roberts wrote re the condition of Grey street.—As Mr Roberts had not yet apologised to the Council as requested by a former resolution, it was resolved that the1 letter could not bo received. Correspondence was also received as follows:— From the Prime Minister, inviting tho County Chairman to be present at the laying of the foundation stone of f benew Parliamentary Buildings in Wellington on the 23rd March. From Mr S. Blomfield, Secretary to the Nelson Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board-, asking the Council to 'forward :i balance of 1911 and 1912' levy.

From tho Commissioner of Crown Lands at Nelson, ro vesting a reserve in the Council as a site for offices, etc. From the Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts rtv Maruia Hot Springs improvements. From the Public Works1 Department ro Nnggety Creole road; also an Order-in-Council declaring the JJullor river road (from O'Sullivan's bridge to the Four River Plain road) a County road; also re a 'proclamation taking land for a road through sections 3, block xii, Burnett survey district. From Mr C. 11. Foil, re raising of loan, and suggesting that the Chairman should wire to Mr Colvin.to communicate with the Minister. From Mr E. Rawson, S.M., enclosing letter received from the Department of Justice re the Council's proposal to erect offices for the Council and Courthouso. After a brief discussion the question of providing more suitable and convenient offices was dropped. Applications for prospecting subsidies of £1 per week per man were received from the following: G. A. Swanson, A. Terrill, J. Murray, T. Ninnis, A. Johns j and Moriarty. The Clerk was instructed to telegraph to the Mines Department, submitting the first five names as suitable prospectors. Cr Badcock suggested that the Council should take advantage of the provisions- of tho Local Bodies Loans Act and borrow sufficient money 'to put all the main county roads in proper order and repair, lie would like the Council to instruct the Overseer to prepare an approximate estimate of the cost of the work, with a view of taking a poll of the ratepayers on tho question of raising a loan. After some further discussion tho matter was loft in abeyance for Councillors' further consideration. Cr BadeorA'moved that the rates shown as unroß-ectablo in, the return of rates outstanding at 31st March 1911 be written off.—Seconded by Cr Rogers and carried. The Clork was instructed to write to Mr Colvin re tho grant for the Matin rivr:- road (bank). Cr Badcock moved that the Maruia South Riding contribute £10 towards npr.iring the Matakitaki road. —Seconded by Cr Monahan. Cr Win' moved an amendment that £20 be contributed.—Seconded by Cr Rogers. Tho amendment was defeated and the motion declared carried. Cr Thomson moved that the Overseer spend £30 on the Matakitaki road. —Seconded by Cr Win. Cr Badcock moved an amendment that £20 be spent.—Cr Monahan seconded. • The amendment was earned by the Chairman's casting vote. Cr Monahan asked the Council to have the water-tables cleared on the ■ road above Peasoup Creek. —It was resolved that Cr Monahan have tho work carried out. ; Rosolved that the next ordinary meeting be hold at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27th. .: Cr Rogers moved that accounts as read be passed for payment.—Seconded ) by Cr Thomson and carried. Tliis concluded the business.