WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Western Star, Issue 404, 25 December 1880, Page 2

WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the County Council was held on TuesUav, commencing at 11 a.mT im Chairman (Mr H. Hirst), Messrs Cut»bert-on, Johnston (Wairio),Mclntyre, Johnston (Aparima), and Capt, Hankinson were wwent. The minutes jvere, mdtrod confirln»3COJWBWOKDBNC*. . From the Colonial Secretary, encloeinf statement of amount duo on deferred pe>y»e»* land refund account.-Received. , From the General Crowa Lands U«ee>. throughout the county had been set apart as gravel reserves.— Received. . . -,- _.._ From the Treasury, intimating -that ***» 6s subsidv, aiid £67 10s for cutting tra*k t* Longwood k had been placed to the credit of the Council., , ■ . ■ • HABABOA BIDIJTG. » Capt. Hankinson presented a petition from settlers in the Mararoa riding, requesting a road be made on east bani; of river. He referred to the; bad state of > the ford,, which in times of flood was only crossed at gre«t nek. In accordance with notice of motion he moved that the sum of ''£4oo"be." voted for the work, wbich Was absolutely" necessary* He did not ask but demanded .£4OO at once, and when re* quired would ask far £6OO more. In support of his, claim he pointed eut that the Mamroe. riding always had been; in some other ridings were in debt. The Upper ■ e*ord had been washed away by. recent floods, end as it formed an approach to,"se imany stations, it was abso'iitely,necessary that' something should be done tbikeep the traffic open, and allow the season's wool to. le brought Aown, He only'asked £4OO in the meantime, when he knew that to complete, the work £IOOO would be necessary.- ; He took that course because whin shearing' and harvest were over labor would be 'cheaper. - : Mr Johnston (Wairio) seconded the motion. Unless, the motion-was; carried, a large traot of country would be cut off froracomjouaiea* tiOn with the rest of the world. AitUourk the iumasked forwashot sufficient to. comthisjwork it' would-do in the meantime. 'T^he'Chairman and Mr Cuthbertson *up» ported the-mWtioh/whioK-Wasput and carried. .:• In acebrdance'With-Mdlice, Mr Outbberteon moved, That £350 be voted for works om road between Merrivale boundary and Feuhan Creek.' The road had recently been ft-nced on both sides,, and in. consequence the traffic was now confined to the "Wad''.'line; and draye could not get through the swamp. The amount be asked for was barely sufficient fee* the work, but it was' ridiculous to expect the present state of ;the county finances th*6 everything necessary could be done. Captain. Hankinson seconded the motion, and Mr Johnston .(Wairio) supported it. Mr MTntyre asked if passing such large ▼otra would prejudice the. Council's financial position, while a rate'had'not yet been struck. He would not lifce to oppose the vote, bit* would like to learn that the Council was in a position to pass it. The Chairman stated that the overdraft at bank was not so much by £SOO Wat previous meeting. J The motion was put and carried. GBABSY CKEEK BOAD. Mr Cntabertson moved, That £SO be voted to complete the works now being carried cut on this road. Capt. Hankinson seconded. —Carried. BSGUNSBR'S BEPOBT. The following report from the County Engineer was laid upon the table I In presenting my report I have to draw attention to several v«srv necessary works that ••equire te be done, this summer, the following of which I would recommend to your eonsidorution. " 1. Riverton and Limestone Plains Kced, —This road requires forming and grare!Ht»g about sixty ch-iina (60) in continuation nf that portion that whs formed and gravi-lM last year. I estimate the cost at about £»00. There are several portions of this road fH*n whs formed last summer, which now reqtlir* gruv-lling. This work lie* between M«t»r« Clark and Bainl's. The cost of .this will be about £l5O. The gravid can be obtained from Mr Laidlaw's, Waimatuku flat. " 2. Otau.tau and Waian road.—There are several portions of this road that rrquires immediate attention, the portions referred te wele in a very bad state last winter, viz., fro*n Otautau to Wrey's Bush road to the upper Bridge, also from the end of new road to Blackstock's, and pbriion through Merrir»l<-. To do ihese works 1 estimate them to nosti about £BOO.

"3. Otautm, Wrey's Bush, and Opi« roadr--r vroul I reuommeiui that a sum of £SOO be voted to do several necessary work on the above named road, forming and graveling 80 chains from northern.corner of section l l .thencef,Boutb, to corner sec. 89, D.P. and 60 fchains from northern corner of section 42, B.P. block, thence towards the Opio. I may state that a considerable amount of | traffic is on this road, the settlers using it as thionly means, of procuring their coal. 4. "Wrey's Bush to Mararoa Plains.—Use works at tW Hamilton" Burn are progressing satisfactorily. I beg to draw your attention rii the fact that the Upper Ford, Miraro* |iiyer, has been destroyed by the recent floods. On'my last visit,"! rxav state two waggoaw Were prevented", from crossing owing to the state of the Ford, which will necessitate a new line of road being laid off down the e*»t bank of the river; by taking the road this way there will be no necessity to cross the river, and to make this viable I estimate the cost to be £Boa . ',' 6. Riverton and Orepuki road.—Contract* have been let for the various works on this ■ Road.., The works are progressing in a satisfactory manner. "6. Orepuki and Waiiu Valley road.The contracts . on this line of Rood are all completed to my satisfaction and I have passed same. 7. Wairaki and Grassy Creak. The works on this are prog res Mnj fairly, I would recommend that, a sum "f £75 in addition to that already vot«,i be expended. Considering the fact thi»t there ar» 11 miles of road to be don«, the amount previously voted was voty small in comparison to the work required to be done. DOG KEGUBTRATIOS ACT, 1880. The Chairman drew attention to the Bop Registration Act, which comes in force on lsfti January next. If properly taken in hand, the registration of dogs could be made • source of revenue to the county, and would prevent hordes of dogs prowling about rbs> country destroying sheep. With that vi«w registrars would require: to be appointed at different centres. He hoped trustees of rabbit districts would exercise due caution in granting exemption certificates. Mr Johnston (Wairio), as a trustee of '•« rabbit district, was of opinion that no exemptions should be granted, and a recommendation to that effect should be forwarded U> the various rabbit trustees in the country. It wos most djstrcsing; the way in which sheet were destroyed by dogs. From that c;.us* one settler near hi in had nearly the whole of his flock destroyed. Air Cuthbertson said the Government wore recommended to abolish exemptions altogetherin the new Act, but for some reason or obhe* that was not done. Ho found during a recent muster more damage done to his sheep than he had ever observed before, and that did not account for those that were killed, only those that wore maimed. His (Mr Cuthbertson's) experience ahowtd that the way in which the dog tax used to be collected was a farce. Mr Johnston moved, That the Chairman be authorised to appoint registrars at Rivertou, Orepuki, Otautau, Waiau, Mararoa and Wrey's Bash, aud that the cooperation of rabbit trustees be asked towards getting exemptions abolished. Mr Cut hbertson seconded. Mr M'lntyra said the Aparima Trustees had limited exemptions to holders of not less tlian 40 acres, who wars a'.lownd oae dog onl/.

- Bettlero wmiid feel aggrieved if they were •compelled topay a rabbit rate and be taxed for their dogs as Weil Many settlers were ■oott)]pelled t'o employ dogs to keep down the ttibbits. f r - • .. ■ Mr Johnston (Aparima) considered there "were too maiiy dogs about the country, but «t the same, time rabbits could not be got ./ nt in every place with poi.ion. Settlers:in small " imshes could not cope wjth the .rabbits witheut the aid of dogs. ■' The motion was put atjd earned. r . StTBBXDIEa To cotrarriss. M* Cutbberteon said the great difficulty •with respect to the financial position of the ■County was. owfrg to the discontinuance of payment of the 20 per cent, land revenue and subsidies. He condemned the action of the Government in generalising the land fund, . find urged the Council to agitate and ask the co-operation of other Councils towards its restoration. Hitherto the policy of New Zealand Governments had been localising expen- j ' diture of money locally raised.. But now the lflis menus was lumped together, and by ! «stß« process of sleight-of-hand work-doled out throughout Ifew Zealand. Any motion having for Its object the restoration of the land fund would be supported by those counties which had any land unsold, and would •doubtless be opposed by those that had none; -hut he that if a strong Mid united effort-were raade 4 it Would be successful. He Wed;, That, this Council protests in * most-emphatic manner against, any Goveniirenti "system of local finance which inTolfM4h»- generalisation of the 20" per cent, land 'fund hitherto granted to counties jf and tliis resolution be forwarder! to ibe'Golonial Treasurer. Mr Johnston (Wairio) seconded the motion, and, thdujrhfc* it a' yery desirable one. No 'doubt a petiticm sent from the various 'counties that had"any land left, would induce the "Cploniai Treasurer to alter his proposals. .-., ■ ■■•'■-' ''Mr M < lntyre<bad great-pleaiiure in supporting the motion. It waß a most'wanton act to ' sweep away the land fund and subsidy. ;The agitate strongly for the restoivl'jration of these sums, includinethose for the "iyear'they were withheld. The Chairman explained the action be took in his place in Parliament towards the eon- " "of the land fund aad-subsidy, and "• -'considered the Government were wrong in withholding them. 'Meat" session he would again vote for the re-instatement of payment -of fund, and would le jjjkd to co-operate with . -other bodies to that end. Mr Johnston (Aparima) -supported the •notion, which on being put wasearried untfni'snoudly. ;; <,"Mr Cuthberteun moved, That a copy of the 'foregoing resolutions regarding the restoraiion. ««f the 20 per cent, land fund to the counties . he forwarded to the various counties in Otago i»nd Canterbury which have hitherto benefited thereby, >and their cooperation invited in memorialising the Goverament upon the subject. Mr-Johnston seconded. —Carried. ■', '":'■• ADJOtrEKSIKMT. ■■■' The meeting here adjourned for lunch. *©n resuming at 2 p.m., Messrs Mackintosh end Basstian took their seats, in addition to the members present in the forenoon. ....,_.. •ctwirar boab. TheA'parJmaßoad Board wrote, requesting that the road leading from Fairfax railway station to BTPbee's, Limestone 'Plains, be pro--claimed a county road. Mr Mackintosh moved, That the request be •complied with. ;. ■ Mr Cuthbertson leoonded the motion pro Several -members expressed their opposition <4o the motion, which on being put, the mover •only voted for it. OTatrTAP-WAIAU BOAT). Mr Cuthbertson moved, That a sum. of £4OO ■he roted for grovelling from main road to •upper Otautau bridge, and for works at Bates' and M'Kav's, one-half to be charged to Waiau and "one-half -to Gtautati Tiding. The mover referred to the bail state of this road,. unci the nei-essity of the expenditure. Mr Basstian seconded th" andtion. Capt. Ellis and Mr Macplierarm waiter! -upon the Council in reference to this; road, •and represent«-ii t;hi> dnnger of traffic being stopped unleos it was nut in repair. A nisruiwioti of eoiraideruMe length ensued •*n the question; Mr Mackintosh fohteriited ' '•.' that the expenditure Although in the Otautau riding, oi.ly (benefited the settlers in the, , 'Waiau riding,, arid in cotrsequeitc* the whole it -of the expense-should be borne by the latter. - A return was called for Ttnd luid the table, showing the financial position of each •riding. Those having a debit balance were—- ' Aparima, 3SISSB; Otimtau. '£l63o| Orepuki, .£371.. The tilling.? in cfre«lit were—Wtfirio, £'3146; MtiTUroa, ;£i!3B2; Wnia.il, £2185. Mr C-iihhi'ftson agreed to amend the motion, sin the direction that Waiau riding be chareed with three fourths <cos*. of -the work, the "balance to he charged toOtautau riding, As amended'th# motion was carried. • , JIBKTIHGS 01» COtmCUi. Mr Mackintosh withdrew his motion that 'meetings of Council be held every month. TBNDIES. -Mr Mackintosh -moved that all tenders be •opened Atmeetiiigs of'Council. The motion was negatived by four In two. ' (Mr- Cuthbertson iheris refcifed.) BATB lflM-81.. The Chairman explained that through an 'informality, the notice of intention in June last tostrike arate had not been given effect *tc, end the Council would have to cemmenoe 'dswateo. ," Mr Mackintosh said it was a/question to. whether it was necessary to strike a rate this ."year. A great (portion.-pf the di'triet was in f the Aparima'Koad disti-iet, win-re a rate was already levied. They should " pull i*p " for; •one year and sea what Parliament wire going 'to do next session in the way of subsidies.: , : Mr BacsUan moved that the Council, approve of the estimate of receipts and expenditure, and-give notice to si rise a ratn of one -shilling in the >pounl for the year'lßßo-81,-jpayable on March neat. •Captain Hankinoon seconded. Mr Mackintosh moved that the amount be 'sixpence.in tha £. ' ■ 1 • TJie; Chairman pointed out that the question had been fully discussed at a former meeting, when it was found that nothing less Uhan one -'shifting'would be sufficient. Mr Johnston (Aparima) seeonded the amendment. He was of opinion that ashillinff rate was far too high. Mr Mclntyre moved a further amendment, That no rate be struck by the Council this financial year. The rate would make very little differenee'to tbeCouncil, as there would bsj no subsidy payable <«n 'it, and in the de'preened state of the district, a rate would fall •heavily upon the settlers. . Mr Mackintosh withdrew his amendraent'in tfayor of Mr Mclntyre's. "The amendment was put, and lost by three to four—Messrs Mackintosh, Mclntyre, and -Johnston <(Aparima) voting for, and" Messrs Hirst,-Johnston (Wairio), Basstian, and Capt. Hankiason against it. An amendment by Messra Mclntyre and -Johnston (Aparima) that 4d in the pound be levied was blso negatived—the voting being the same as on tbe previous amendment. Mr Mackintosh moved, That a rate of ninepence in the pound be struck. He hoped the Council would not press for a shilling -rale at 'the present time. Mr MeSntyre seconded tbe'amendment, and Mr Johnston (Aparima) supported it. The voting on this amendment was thesame as on tbe previous ones. The motion was therefore carried by four to three. BAILWAT TIME TABLE. Mr Basstian drew the attention of the Council to the present inconvenient time table on the Western Railways, which ouly permitted ■of atwo hours stay in Riverton Considerable fliffererce of opinion was evinced by members as to the most suitable hours for the running of trains. Nothing definite was done in the matter. oTKSSriow op jacob'b biysb. Mr Mackintosh said the committee recently -appointed at a publie meeting held at Otaa-

tau, to devise means for checking th<s ovfrflow of Jacob's River at Double Cabbage Tree, had communieated with Mr M'Caughan, and that gentleman and himself had visited Dunedin the previous week to interview the Minister of Public Works on the subject. Mr Oliver had agreed to moke another survey of the place, and communicate the result. He (Mr Mackintosh) moved, That the County Eng'neer be requested to visit the locality, and report to the Council at next meeting an estimate, of, the cost of preventing such overflow. If tiie'Couneil were prepared to pay one half the cost, the Government might pay the other. The Chairman explained that the first session he went to Parliament he put a notice on the order paper with regard to this matter, and the reply he received was that the work would be eone on with. But a hitch took place. The Minister of Public Works sent for & report to the District Engineer, and the reply was to the effect that the work was not reqairod; "' The motion was carried; after which the Council adjourned till 26th January.