MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3532, 2 April 1901, Page 4

MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Mackenzie County Council was held yesterday. Present—Messrs Gillingbam (chairman), Rutherford, Hamilton, Burnett and Wreford. Air McLean sent an apology from Hanmer. Mr J. Bain, poundkeeper, Fairlie, waited on the Council to explain his refusal to refund 10s collected by him Mr "Milne for the use of the pound yard for sheep after a sale. The chairman -said the Council agreed with the Saleyards Company that the latter should have the use of the pound yard, if necessary.—Mr Bain said there was nothing abou4 that in his agreement. In this case the yard was not used by the Saleyards Company, but by a buyer after the sale, and they put the sheep in the yard when he had impounded sheep there. Councillors agreed that this was a private use, and that the Council could not demand that the money be refunded. It was also- agreed that it would be fair if the Company handed over half the fees to the poundkeeper for the use of the pound yards. Mr Bain also complained about people attending the sale tying horses to the pound yard fence, and breaking it down. He did not think he should be expected to repair the fence when damaged in that way.—lt was suggested that a notice be put up against the practice, and that if horses are tied on the road they can be impounded. Mr Bain also complained of the frequent breakages of the padlocks on the pound gates, the gates needing " stops " to prevent them having a ioug swing. Mr A. Cowan waited on the Council about surrendering his lease of the dwelling at Burke's Pass, but the Souiicil again declined to accept a suilender. Mr Strnthers also waited oa tne Council to offer tot buy the old drays they intend to sell, at a valuation. The clerk and engineer reported as follows : —Since last meeting the Council's men have been occupied in shingling and surfacing on Gosling's road. Over 50 chains of shingling has been done, besides a considerable length of the road surfaced. The work has now been finished, and; the men are employed in repairing the road to D. Angland's section on Albury Settlement. The promised work of forming road to Mr Connor's section, Aibnry Settlement, will afterwards be put in hand. The work applied for by Mr Orbell at Coal Creek is now being done.*' Ji T. and H-. Strnthers wiil commence work on their contracts on Camp Valley road, and road to Albert Smitn's this week. Tenders should be called for a supply of horse feed to be in by next meeting. A. Bain's appointment as ranger of the Ashwick Flat water-races expires on 15th May next, and H. F. Kobinsen's appointment as ranger of the Three SpringsFairlie water-races on Bth May." It was agreed that tenders for horse feed be called for, and also applications for the two rangerships at the present fixed remunerations—£s a year for Ashwick, and £4O for Fairlie. Some conversation took place on the work to be done next by the Council's gang. In reply to Mr Wreford, the engineer said Mr Elliott's crossing had not been made as it was a bad place, and he would see Mr Elliott and recommend him to shift his gate. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: The caretaker reported that the Fairlie races were fully supplied and in good condition, except on a few heavily stocked small sections, where the race gets trampled in. He complained also of the" practice of people tying horses on the race at the saleyards. The caretaker, Ashwick races, also reported these in good condition. —A notice to be put up and the Saleyards Company written to respiting tying horses.

Mr John Wilson requested attention to the road to his farm, Kimbell.—Engineer to report. The Secretary for Agriculture forwarded a circular re slaughtering licenses.—The clerk stated that the Department took over the matter henceforth, the Stock .Department undertaking the inspection. He understood that there was no provision for smal Hicenses under the Act. Mr W. S. Short, the Commissioner appointed, wrote that he expected to be able to hole? the enquiry respecting the OpuUa bridge very probably early this month. From the Lands Department, approving of proposals for shingling work on the Fairlie-Pukaki road, and of the deletion of the co-operative contract clause; asking for a return of the planting done during the past season; stating that the proposed purchase of land for a homestead site for Mr Kidd could not be approved; and a. return of the various works on which the £464 14s 4d paid over to the Council last year had been expended; that the purchase of a quarter-acre at Silverstream to give access to one of the Punaroa sections was under consideration; and that the request to take over the Pukaki Hotel had been referred to the Government for consideration. From Dr Mason, Chief Health Officer, a circular re plague precautions. From, the Levels County Council,; in-., •voting-this Ckjuncilto send three delegates to a conference re width of tyres," small birds' nuisance, and contributions for main loads, at Timaru on 24th inst. —The chairman, and -Messrs Butherford and Hamilton' ■were appointed to attend the conference. The Harbour Board sent notice rq election, and asked for a statement of the rateable value of the county. The Receiver of Land Revenue advised payment of £l2l 9s lid, thirds and fourths accrued. The Treasury notified payment of £lO3 15s 4d for work on Limestone and Camp Valley road, and £7 5s 6d as subsidy on tea beaks. Mr G. Barclay, chairman of the Waimate High School Board of Governors, asking for some information regarding the Board's property in Albury township. Jfichol Bros., InvercargUl, wrote that the road machine ordered for the Council was shipped in the Indramayo last January.

Tenders were accepted for two contracts. —Shingling at three points on Fairlie-Pu-kaki road between Silverstream and Lake Tekapo, E. and G. Connor (St. Andrews), £163 Is 6d. Five other tenders ranged from £233 to £306. Formation Kidd's road, Mount Nessing, E. and G. Connor, £6O. Two other tenders were £92 and £125.

Mr Wreford drew attention to the need for some work at Pareora crossing, Canaington.—A local settler to be asked to do the work. Mr Rutherford asked for some water at Winscombe be let off the road; there is a stock-bridge, but merinos would not face " the bridge.—Engineer ito-'-inspect-and -re?' port. _.-.._ - : _■"-. '.--'.'•_-.,-. - said "He Mof : no^'reported :on"Jhs ihffigling'. -of: the boundaryrotid, because^ : hewisnecl;to see thVLe?&.engineeE" ' Hs>* estimate jb.r it, : £.60......;, ."J_ ' -Jfr "Hamilton -wafted" on the Council to": ask for a readjustment of the Fairlie waterrace charge. He had a private waterrace, and this was a ground of exemption under the by-law.—To be reported; on and dealt with at next meeting. j Accounts amounting to £lls 14s 8d were passed for payment.