SELWYN COUNTS COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9222, 29 April 1908, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTS COUNCIL.

♦ The Seiwyn County Council held its monthly meeting this morning ; present — Messrs "W. Dunlop (chairman), G. Witty, M.P., G. Bedford, D. M'Millan, R. H. Rhodes, M.P., J. Wolfe, K. Wilson, J. Storry and G. Scott. The clerk reported that Mr J. Storry having been the only candidate for the vacancy on the Council caused by the resignation of Mr W. M'Millan, he had been elected to represent the Ellesmere riding. The Hospital Board wrote, asking the Council to appoint a representative to fill Mr M'Millan's place on the Board. Mr Witty proposed that Mr Storry should be appointed to the position. The motion was seconded by Mr Wolfe and carried unanimously. The Harbour Board and Domain Board wrote in similar terms, and Messrs D. M'Millan and J. Wolfe were appointed to the respective positions. The Heathcote Road Board wrote, stating that it wished to poison its own grain in future, as the grain that had been purchased had not been satisfactory. Mr Scott said that the Board wished to do the work as an experiment, as tbo grain purchased had not been useful. Mr Witty said that the Riccarton Road Board had a building erected for poisoning, and it would be a good thing for all the grain to be done there. The Heathcote Road Board's request was granted. The Riccarton Road Board wrote, stating that it was willing to pay £42 10s, half-cost of a metal depot section in Hagley Street, providing the Council granted the title. It was decided to have the title prepared. The hospital and charitable aid contributions, amounting to £2285 7s and £17_y 6s respectively, and due on May 1, were asked for by the Boards. Mr Witty said that the Road Boards should pay their contributions direct to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, and he moved that a resolution should be sent to the Government asking it to amend the Act in the direction indicated. Ho considered that tho representatives should be elected direct by the ratepayers. Mr Witty's motion was seconded by Mr Wilson, who said that the Boards should be elected by the people, and the revenue should bo a charge on the Consolidated Fund. The motion was lost. The rate for hospital and charitable aid contributions was fixed at seven-sixty-fourths of a penny in the £. A discussion took place regarding the extermination of small birds, and a motion that the rate for the ensuing year should be one-twenty-fourth of a penny in the £ was carried. Messrs M'Millan and Wilson were appointed delegates to meet the Ashburton County Council and confer as to tbe best means of destroying small birds. Mr D. M. Westenra wrote, complaining of an insufficient supply of water at Lowlands. Mr Wilson explained the state of affairs, and it was decided that the engineer should report on the matter. The Ashburton County Council wrote, regarding repairs to the Rakaia Gorge Bridge. The engineer said that he had examined the bridge, and the matter had been dealt with in his report. The engineers' report, which dealt with routine matters- wa « a-danted.