SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4345, 28 March 1882, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Selwyn Council was held at the Oouncil Cham* her, Hereford ttreet, at 10.30 a.m. to-day ; present — Messrs E. J. Lee (Chairman), F. Jones, D. M'Millan, H. W. Peryman, H. J. Mathias, J. D. Enys, B. Westenra, and J. Dunlop. chaibhan'b statement. The Chairman made the following statement.—"The Committee appointed at last meeting have communicated with the Government on the subject of the maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions. The letter has been acknowledged, but no further information is yet to hand. A letter has been j received from the Colonial Secretary, for- i warding descriptions of the proposed boundaries of the Avon and Biccarton districts, and asking if they meet the views of the Oouncil. I have received a letter from the Minister of Public Works, on the subject of petitions received in connection with a proposal to change the name of the Doyleston Railway Station. The Akaroa County Council ask us to co-operate with them in obtaining a report as to the best means of lowering the water in the lagoon at Ahuriri through which the Halswell rans. An application has been received from the Malvern Boad Board for a grant for the purpose of reduoing the gradients en two cuttings on the West Coast road. Mr Davies has resigned his appointment as registrar of dogs for the Lincoln district, and the Boad Board recommend the appointment of Mr F. W. East as his successor. The Heathcote Boad Board recommend the appointment of Mr Walter Wade as poundkeeper, in place of Mr A. Burrows, whose term has expired. The amended designs for the bridges on the Park road have been prepared, and are now on the table. In accordance with the wish of the Council, Mr Dobson hag again visited the Hawkins, and sent in a supplementary report on the subjeot of obtaining a supply of water from that river for the Greendale district. Mr Danock, who agreed to convey a small piece of land required for the Hororata water-race, wishes the Council to give him a guarantee that tanks will be placed on his land. By-laws for the race have been prepared, and will be considered at the special meeting to be held to-day. The East Malvern Boad Board ask the Council to erect a a watering trough for horses at the crossing over the Malvern water-race at Waddington. The Burnham Industrial School apply for a head of water. A fixed deposit of £3000 falls due to-morrow. As funds are required on current account, I do not recommend that it be renewed. I have received a letter from Mr Menzies, Napier, offering to procure any loans the Council may require. The Bpreydon Boad Board request the Council to take steps to alter reserve 110 from a gravel pit to a reoreation ground. A similar application, made in June, 1880, was approved by the Council and submitted to the Government." AVON AND BICCABTON DISTBIOTB. The Chairman stated that the alterations in the boundaries of the above districts had been approved by the Boad Boards concerned. As they were satisfied, he thought the Oouncil would also be.

The boundaries were agreed to by the Council.

DOXIBSTON BAIIAVAY STATIOK.

The Chairman explained the circumstances in connection with the proposal to change the name of the Doyleston Railway Station to Ellesmere. A petition and counter petition had been received on the subject by Government, and referred to him to enquire as to genuineness of signatures, &c. It had been suggested to change the name of the present Bllesmere Station to Meadow Bank. He had found that several of the names on the counter-petition were those of persons not in the district, and considered that the petition was entitled to twice as tnuch weight as the counter-petition. He had replied to Government to that effect. 1A«OON8 AT AHTXBIKI. The Chairman stated that he had written for further information on the subject of lowering the lagoons at Ahuriri. He thought it was hardly a matter for the Council. "WEST COAST HOAD. The application from tho Malvern Boad Board for a grant in aid of lowering the gradients of two cuttings on this road was considered. It was stated by the Clerk to tho Boad Board that the work would cost £320. A brief discussion enaued on the question, which some members were in favour of deferring until the Council knew what the Government was going to do in the way of subsidies. The Chairman pointed out that if no subsidies were forthcoming it would be necessary to levy a rate for such works. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Weatenra, to defer the application for the present. APPOINTMENTS. Mr F. W. East was appointed Registrar of Dogs for tho Lincoln district. Mr Walter Wado was appointed Poundkeeper for tho Hoathcote Pound. PA UK BRIDGES. It was agreed to forward tho amended designs for the bridges on the Park road to the Biccarton Boad Board for their consideration. GBBENDAIB \TATBB SUrPLT. Mr Dobson reported that, in company with Mr McMillan, he had inspected tha Hawkins above Racecourse Hill, in order to ascertain the best position for an off take. They had found a suitablo site about a milo below tho bridge. Below Racecourse Hill the water disappeared in tho ehingle, which was dry in summer. It would bo well to get tlio consent of the neighbouring proprietors bofore laying out tho race, which would coßt, in round numbers, £170.

It was decided to send a copy of the report to tho residents of Greondalo, who had petitioned tho Council for a water-race.

HOBOBA'

'A -VTATBB-BACB.

Mr Danock's letter re conveying a piece of land required for the Hororata water-race was roferred to the Road Board interested.

KALYEBN "fITATBB-BACR,

Permission was given to the East Malrern Road Board to orecfc tanks for tho purpose of watering Btock on the Jlalvern water-race at Sheffield and Waddington, under the direction of tho standing Committee. BB3EETB NO. 110. The Council approved of the roquest of tho Spreydon Koad Board that reserve No. 110 Bhould bo altered from a gravel pit to a recreation ground, and it was decided to tako tho necossary steps for tho alteration, ur.d to ha«'o tho reserve vcstd in tmstocs appointed for ihe purpoao.

COUNTY BOTINDABIEB. . ' It was resolved that the alteration of boundaries between the Akaroa and Selwyn Counties from Cooper's Knob to th» Halswell river, as recommended by the Chief Surveyor, be approved. HOBOBATA WATEB BACH. A letter was read from Mr H. M. Lee, of Southbridge, on behalf of persons interested in the oxtension of tho Eororata water-race in the direction of Hesterton and Killinchy, enquiring how soon the Council would be in a position to supply water to that side of the Great Southern Bailway ; also as to the conditions on which the water would be supplied. A discussion ensued on the question, in the course of which Mr Westenra expressed his fear that tho whole race would be a failure. It was ultimately reßolved, on the motion of Mr Mathiaa, seconded by Mr Enys— " That as all the water from the present take-off of the Hororata may be required to water the distriot for which the money was voted, the Council cannot entertain any application for water outside of the district at present. SPECIAL MEETING. At 12 o'clock a special meeting of the Council was held, for the purpose of considering the by-laws for the regulation and management of the Hororata water-race. It was deoided— " That the by-laws be referred to a Committee, consisting of Messrs Mathias, Enys, M'Millan, and Westenra, the Committee to report at next meeting," SiAUGHTEB HOTTSBS. The ordinary meeting was resumed, and the report of the Inspector of slaughter houses was laid on the table. Some applications for licenses were granted. ABHBUBTON. A letter was reoeived from the Ashburton County Council, requesting tho Chairman and members of the Selwyn Council to be present at the opening of the Ashburton and Bangitata water-race on Friday next. The letter was ordered to be acknowledged with thank*, and it was agreed that those members whose business engagements would permit of their attending the opening should do bo. MALVEBN WATBB-BACE. A report was read from Mr Davies on the condition of the Malvern water-race. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Peryman, seconded by Mr Jones— "That the officer in charge of the Malvern water-race be instructed to take proceedings against the owners of stook damaging or interfering with the race."

• IIGHTINQ- BICOABTON BOAD. Mr Dunlop brought forward the question of the desirability of providing a few gaslamps on the Biccarton road, which would be especially needed in view of the opening of the Exhibition. The distance he proposed to light was some 70 chains, from the Hospital to the Biccarton Hotel. It was at present unsafe in some places after dark. Five lamps would be sufficient. They would coit £5 each at first, and £8 each per annum for maintenance.

Mr M I'.hias objected to the Council adding to their annual expenditure. He thought the residents on the northern part of the Biccarton road might contribute to the cost. Messrs Peryman and Jones spoke in favour of the proposal. The Ohairman suggested that the question shouU be deferred.

It was pointed out that the Standing Orders could be suspended by (unanimous vote of the members present, to allow of the introduction of a motion on the subject. Mr Dunlop moved— "That this Council erect five lamps on that part of the Park road between the Hospital and the Biccarton Hotel."

_Mr Mathias said he wonld exercise his right of voting against the suspension of the Standing Orders. Mr Dunlop would give notice of hig motion for the next meeting. JINANCB. Mr Dunlop moved the resolution of which he had given notice—" That the Council proceed to allocate the amount deducted from the County on account of hospital and charitable aid amongst the Boad Boards, on the basis of population." He considered that the present mode adopted by the Government of charging the expenditure was unfair to the suburban Boad Boards.

The Ohairman asked if Mr Dunlop was prepared to go into the matter at once. He thought that the suburban districts would find that they were not charged so unfairly in proportion to the number of patients they sent into the Hospital. He knew that very few persons indeed wero 'sent there from his neighbourhood, and also from other outlying districts.

After some further discussion, Mr F. Jones seconded the motion. He considered that it was unfair that two of tho districts should contribute nine-tenths of the cost.

Mr Weßtenra suggested that the matter should be deferred for the present, at least until they saw what the proposals of the Government on the subject were. It would not make much difference, as there wero no funds that could be allocated at present. Mr M'Millan objected to the proposal. It was merely opojing up a question which had already been dealt with by the Oouncil.

The motion was then put and negatived. After passing accounts the Council adjourned.