MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1661, 15 January 1895, Page 3

MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

■ ♦ — ■■ The ordinary monthly meeting of the Mackenzie County Council was held at FairHe yesterday. Present— Messrs E. Richardson (chairman), J. S. Rutherford, J. McGregor, M. McLeod, and J. Ross. Mr Hope sent an apology for absence. On the minutes coming up for confi; Imation, Mr Rutherford protested against the passing of a bonus to the late chairman, as forming a bad precedent. It was pointed out that this question could not arise on the question of confirming the minutes, and the matter dropped. Mr McLeod objected to a record that he had dissented from a resolution respecting the acquisition of a road. He did not think it right that a member should be singled out for special mention m that manner. .The chairman himself ought rather to have had a note made of his inconsistency on that matter.— The chairman said that tin; record was made, he thought, to comply with Mr McLeod's own wishes, as he said he dissented from the resolution. — Mr McLeod said it was on auother question that he wished to have his dissent recorded. He wished the record he referred to to be deleted.— Other members said that it had been usual to record dissent expressed.— No action was taken. The chairman drew attention to two or three matters of interest to the Council. A letter had .been published — without signature an«i therefore he did not answer it— referring to a remark ho made concerning Mr McLeod's nomination of Mr Ross for the chairmanship. Pie wished it understood that while chairman he would take no notice of newspaper correspondence. If any ratepayer wished for any information he could always obtain it from the proper quarter, and the ratepayers have a right to be present at the Council's meetings and hear all that was done. As to the remark that Mr McLeod's nomination of Mr Ross was a farce, Ue did not say that with any sort of feeling, but because Mr Ross had promised to support him (the speaker). The Council's business had grown so much that thej must conduct the meetings more methodically, and he would ask for permission to get forms printed for resolutions, and then let members write out their motions and amendments themselves, and so avoid disputes as to whether the clerk had taken down their motions correctly. Another point was that the rule should be observed, that no important business should be brought forward without notice of motion, or at least mention of it to members at a previous meeting, so that the councillors and ratepayers concerned could consider the matter. The rules also provided that petitions should be presented by a member of the riding whence the petition came. If this weir done time would be saved. — It • was agreed that the motion slips should be printed. Mr McLeod replied justifying his nomination of Mr Ross, on the one ground he mentioned, a ground made much of by the proposer of Mr Richardson, viz., proximity to the office. Mr Ross said he thought nothing of the expression which someone had taken the trouble to write about. He had no ambition to be chairman. The clerk and engineer's report was read. The surfacemen had been engaged separately m the three ridings. In Tekapo, on the main road Tekapo to Pukaki, and Mistake road ; they were now on the Lilybank road. The" roads m this riding were generally m good order, except between Burkes Pass and the dog kennels, which was badly cut up by traction engines travelling m wet weather. In Fairlie a number of small promised works had been carried out, and the Silverstream side track put m good repair. In Albury general surfacing had been done ; a number of roads still need overhaul. The waterworks at Burkes Pass were completed, a good service available, and the agreements had been signed by householders using the water. The Ashwick Flat races had been overhauled and were m satisfactory order. The Opihi diversion at McMillan's was completed, and would be safe unless a fresh comes before the willows are rooted. Other small works attended to were mentioned. Ribbon netting was now being fixed on the Tekapo plantation fence, and arrangements had been made for clearing the plantation of rabbits once a month. It was not advisable to accept the offer of J. Keefe, surfaceman, to provide a horse for road work for an additional 2s a day. Tworthirds of the piles for the Pukaki bridge had now been driven. The driving is hard, but the bottom is suitable for bridge piles. With regard to the application by Mr C. Boutcher, for a stock bridge over the Opihi, an examination of the site showed that it would be impossible to erect a bridge at a small cost. The river could be confined tOf say, four chains, by an embankment, but this, to be made secure, would be an expensive work, and the bridge itself would need to be of heavier type. The cost he estimated roughly at £740. All outstanding rates for the past year exceeding ss, had been collected, £728 0s 5d had been collected since last meeting for the current year. Cheques had been signed as arranged for December wages, £81 7s 3d ; for Ashwick Flat race, £9 12s. Mr Rutherford complained that the Tekapo gang had not done the work they should have done on the Mistake road, and said this road had never had justice done to it. In the time of the late chairman the surfacemen did not.go beyond his door. — The chairman demanded that this remark be withdrawn as a grave charge of self-seeking that should not be made by one member against another. Mr McGregor said the road beyond hie place was better than on this side of it. Mr Mcleod urged that the Council should do something with the sand on the road at Tekapo, the state of the road was a disgrace to the Council. They sent up a scoop, and expected teamsters to clear the road themselves, without even having an example set them, oi being shown how it could be done. — Mi Rutherford suggested that one deep dip which fills with sand can be advantageously filled up with shingle.— After s discussion it was resolved on the motion of Messrs McLeod and Rutherford thai the road gang clear out the sand or their return from the Lilybank road anc again whenever they are passing the place.— The engineer stated that there was reason to expect that the heavj sand drift would presently be clear o: the road. There had been some talk o: planting sand-binding plants, but th( sheep would prevent them from gettinj a footing.

The clerk stated that the piles at tin Pukaki went down very well, with har< driving, till near the bottom, when roeki or big boulders appeared to be me with, which threw some ol the piles oui of plumb, but they were veiy firm. On the question of the Opihi stool bridge it was agreed that the cost puti the work out of the Council's reach. Tenders were dealt with as follows :— For supply of dog collars, m three sizes:— C. Dash, Waimate, sd. 4*d, and 4d (accepted) ; T. Caskey, 6d, sd, 4d W. McKeown, also W. J, Hughes, 6d sd, 4*d; G. H. Brewer, 6£d, 6d, s±d: J. H. Price, 7d,6d,5d. For collection of dog tax, separate commissions for 10s and for 2s 6d dogs : — H. Manaton (accepted) 6d and 5d ;G, Hazlehurst, B£d and 7id ; D. McKenzie, Is and 6d ; W. H. Smith, Is tod 6d. A discussion took place upon the absence of check upon the return of 10s dogs as 2s 6d ones. The dog tax was fixed at the same rates as last year. Six tenders were received for trimming two plantations of 16 and 20 acres,' and removing trimmings, to facilitate destruction of rabbits. The tenders were considered too high for the result to be attained-, as the tenants are responsible for the rabbits ; and it was resolved on Mr McLeod's motion that no tender be accepted. Correspondence was then taken : — Mr H. Welsh wrote (Sept. 7th) correcting a statement by Mr Rutherford that he had been misled by the engineer regarding the camp-hut contract. — Mr Rutherford said this was different .from what Welsh said to, him. A circular inquiry was received from the Colonial Secretary's office regarding cost of two last local option polls and licensing elections.— -A reply had been sent:— cost 1891, £6 15s; cost 1894, £17 6s 7d. The Controller and Auditor-General returned the balance-sheet for the September half year, certified as correct. Under date Dec. 20th, Mr Thompson, stock inspector, notified the Council to destroy rabbits on section 2586 (plantation reserve, Ashwick Flat).— Overseer to see that something is done. The Treasury forwarded voucher for £375, advance of 75 per cent, of the subsidy payable for 1894-5. Also advising payment of £850, the loan for the construction of the Pukaki bridge. —The overseer suggested that application should be made tor the Government grant for the bridge. The Commissioner of Crown Lands acknowledged receipt of proposal re road access to H. Kidd's section, of which the Land Board would probably approve. Also approving of the proposal to borrow thirds accrued on other sections, for the purpose of acquiring road access to R. Guthrie's section, provided that the other sect iond have good access, and the lessees give their consent m writing to the borrowing, for such period as may be necessary for repayment from the thirds accruing on Guthrie's section. — The clerk to ascertain from the books what sections have a substantial balance available for such purpose, obtain the consent of the lessees, and forward particulars to the Land Office. Mr O'Callaghan, of the Lands Office, waited on the Council, and remarked that the loan would not be required long, it could be repaid m three or four years from the thirds coming m. In reply to a question respecting Welsh's road, Mr O'Callaghan said thirds must be spent only, on roads for the sections providing the thirds, unless the lessees specially asked for some other disposal of fhe funds. Mr O'Callaghan was also consulted respecting other roads. Me that asked for by W. Fraser, he agreed that it would be wasteful to spend a large sum of money m acquiring a road ? when the applicant has full permission to cross his neighbours' lands.— lt was agreed that a sum not exceeding £50 be expended on Welsh's road if it can be borrowed from other sections. The Timaru Harbour Board notified that an election of a member to represent the county on the Harbour Board must be held on February 11th. — As this ) date interferes with the Council's meeting, it was agreed that if a poll has to be taken, the meeting shall be postponed for a week. Mr G. F. Clulee, as attqrney for L. A. McPherson, asked the Council to proceed with the necessary steps to cany out the proposed water supply for Melville Downs. In order to avoid the delay of following the statutory course exactly, he suggested that the Council should push on the work at once with their own funds, he paying the interest upon it. — It was agreed that this suggestion be acted upon, and tenders be called for the work, on an undertaking being giv.'n by Mr Clulee that the interest will be paid on the amount advanced until the loan money is raised. The IS ,Z. and A. Land Company gave a formal fencing notice re reserve 1694 —The tenant to be notified that he must fence at once or lose the allowance of £5 made him for the purpose. Mrs M. Gormley asked for a few loads of shingle on road opposite Morgan's store. — Overseer to attend to it. The Timaru Chamber of Commerce's petition against reduced rates for railing rozen meat for long distances, sent by the Harbour Board, was according to the request of the latter, signed by the members of the Council. Mr C. G. Tripp wrote that £9 14s 9d half cost of the Bill for the annexation of a portion of the Mount Peel district, would be forwarded.— The clerk said he had received the amount. The clerk stated that as there had been several applications for leave to cut cocksfoot on the road, he had therefore asked for tenders, and had accepted one at £1 for cutting on the main road. The Council adjourned for lunch, and on resuming, A notice of motion by Mr McLeod was brought up—" That as Mr Chaffey has entered into several contracts for wool carrying throughout the county, his permit to run his engines be extended to the end of the wool season, but not later than 31st March. 1895." The chairman said he must rule this out of order, as it traversed a resolution passed at the previous meeting, that no further licenses be issued. The resolution must be rescinded before the motion could be taken, and notice must be give* to rescind. Mr McGregor supported this view. The chairman said Mr Chaffey had sufficient notice, and referred to a resolution passed m March last that no further licenses would be granted to traction engines. Mr McLeod thought the chairman had found a mare's nest. The licenses referred to were licenses for trucks; no licenses being issued for engines, but permits only. He had nothing to say about licenses but asked for an extension of the current permission to run the engines to the end of March. He had a private letter from a solicitor that what he desired could be done m some other way, but he preferred the straightforward course. They were all inclined to stop the traction engine traffic, and the question simply was, it appeared, which member should have the privilege of gaining this end. As their solicitor said they could do what he wanted done, he would ask that the question be referred to him before being finally ruled out of order. Mr Tripp was accordingly sent for, and m the meantime Mr McGregor moved — " That Mr Chaffey be given notice that the Council will proceed against him under section 138 of the Public Works Act, for any excessive damage done to the. roads." Mr McGregor quoted the section, which reads as follows :— " 138. Where it appears to the authority which is liable or has undertaken to repair any road, whether a main road or not, that extraordinary expenses have been incurred by such authority m repairing such road by reason of the damage caused by excessive weight passing along the same, or extraordinary traffic thereon, such authority may recover m a summary taaanner, from any person by whose

order such weight or traffic has bee conducted, the amount of such expense as may be proved to the satisfaction ( the Court having cognisance of the cafi to have been incurred by such authorit by reason of the damage arising fror such weight or traffic as aforesaid." j proviso to the clause provides that an; person liable thereunder may^agvee witl the^authority for the payment of a com position to save proceedings. Mr Me Gregor mentioned portions of the road which had been badly damaged by th traction engines going over them m ba< weather, .; the shingle had been cv through, and the formation ploughe< up. The section of the Act of coursi applied also to damage done by heavj horse wagons. This was a new 4et, am members would do well to look into it. The chairman supposed that tin Council did not wish to spring a surprisi upon Mr Chaffey, and at his suggestioi the mover added to his motion "afte: lias date." The latter said there was n( need to v give any notice at all; it was only a matter of courtesy. Mr Rutherford seconded the motion yet defended the use of traction engines as they had brought down, the price o carting considerably. In that way thej had been a great benefit to the district and he did not see that they had dont much harm to the roads. In gooc weather they improved them ; and as for frightening horses he did not thini they were so bad as bicycles. Thew were, however, some of the councillors who had been bitterly opposed to the engines all along. JJJJThe chairman considered they were justified m condemning them when thej saw what damage they were doing tc the roads, at the cost of the ratepayer? generally, for the benefit of only a few; who could defend them for selfish reasons. The • ratepayers should not bf called upon to pay extra rates to help the engine owner and bolster up his industry. Mr McGregor's motion was declared carried. Mr Tripp was now present, and aftei seeing the two resolutions on the books, of March and November respectively, he was of opinion that a motion to rescind them must be carried before Mr McLeod's motion under notice could be put. The chairman ruled that notice must be given to rescind, and the motion could therefore not be taken at this meeting. -Mr McGregor remarked that the time would then be gone and the motion would be useless. ; ■ ■ - [The meeting was not concluded when the train left Fairlie.]