WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Western Star, Issue 903, 6 December 1884, Page 2

WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, at noon, when all the members were present; Mr Basstian, Chairman, presiding. The Clerk read the returns of the late County elections as follows: —Aparima Riding, Messrs J. W. Hamilton and J. MTntyre; Mararoa : Messrs C. Basstian and R. Mackinnon; Orepuki: Mr A. McPherson; Otautau: Mr J. Walker; Waiau: Mr J. C. Ellis; Wairio: Messrs W. Johnston and F. Williams. The Clerk also stated that the cost of conducting the elections was £2B 7s, as against £4O at the last elections. The minutes of the previous annual meeting and of the last ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The election of chairman of the Council for current year was next proceeded with. Mr M'Kinnon moved, That Mr Basstian be elected Chairman. During Mr Hirst’s absence in Wellington, Mr Basstian had temporarily filled the chair with honor to himself and dignity to the Council. He therefore thought it needless to say anything in commendation of that gentleman. Mr Hamilton had much pleasure in seconding the motion. From what he had seen of Mr Basstian during the time he (Mr Hamilton) had been in the Council, he thought him well qualified to take the position of Chairman. Mr Hirst had filled the office with credit to the Council, and he believed that in Mr Basstian they would find a worthy successor to their late chairman.

Mr Williams proposed Mr Johnston. The mover said Mr Johnston was well and favorably known to all the members, who were no doubt better acquainted with his qualifications than himself (Mr Williams); and he deemed it unnecessary to say anything in favor of the candidate. Mr MTherson seconded. He had known Mr Johnston for a long time, and he thought he would make a very suitable Chairman. A vote was then taken which resulted in the return of Mr Basstian by 4 to 3. Mr Basstian in returning thanks, said that as it had fallen to his lot to occupy the chair, he would consider it an indispensible part of the duties of the office to judge of all matters that came before the Council in an impartial manner. It was perhaps a rather invidious position to become Chairman of a Council without capital, and it might frequently be his unpleasant duty to oppose money votes for works while the Council had such a heavy liability. They could however rely that while in the chair his decisions would be given with impartiality. He thanked the members for the confidence they had reposed in him.

ELECTION OF COMMUTES. The Chairman, Messrs Johnston, M’lntyre, MTherson, and Mackinnon were appointed members of the Finance Committee for ensuing year; Mr Basstian (County Chairman) to act as chairman of committee. Mr Johnston moved that the Chairman, Messrs Hamilton, MTntyre, and the mover be appointed a Contract Committee ; two to form a quorum; Mr Johnston to be chairman, and Mr Hamilton deputy-chairman of committee, —Mr Mackinnon seconded.—Mr M‘ln tyre said a considerable amount of dissatisfaction had been expressed by ratepayers as to the manner in which tenders had been dealt with by the Contract Committee, and be believed it would be much better if tenders were opened and considered by the whole Council. —Mr Johnston said it had frequently been found very inconvenient to postpone the opening of tenders until a meeting of the Council could be held, and it was much better to appoint members who lived a short distance from the County office, and who were always accessible to open lenders.—Mr Hamilton supported the motion, as the system had been found to work well, and he believed that tenders had always been fairly dealt with by the Contract Committee. —Mr Mackinnon felt assured the Council bad every confidence in ‘the Committee appointed. —Mr M'lntyre explained that he had no feeling in the matter himself, but that dissatisfaction had been expressed by outsiders as to the manner of dealing with tenders. —After discussion as to the number required to form a quorum, the motion was put and carried. The Council was then adjourned till 5 p.m. to allow members to attend the W. D. A. and P. Association’s cattle show. BALANCE-SHEET. After resuming, the balance-sheet for £-year ending 30th Sept., showing a debit balance of £10,632 2s 6.1, was laid on the table.—The County Treasurer explained that the statement had not yet been audited by the County Auditor.—On the motion of Mr Mackinnon the balance-sheet was adopted, subject to its being certified to by the auditor. CORRESPONDENCE.

A letter was received from the Public Works Office, Wellington, in reply to communication from the Council applying for grant of £3OOO tinder the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. The Government intimated that an advance for the works asked for could only be made by way of loan.—Consideration of letter deferred till next meeting. From Mr John Hall, manager Rihgway estate, applying for culvert and outfall through 70, Aparima Hundred. The County Engineer had estimated that the work would cost £lB or £l9.—Mr Hamilton said ho had since seen the Engineer, and they had ascertained that the work could be done for about £l2, and as it was an urgent work he moved that tho Engineer bo instructed to have it carried out; the cost to bo charged to the Aparima Road Board.—Carried. From Mr M'Davitt applying for a lease of five acres of gravel reserve at Hamilton Burn, Centre Hill district.—Deferred, to ascertain whether or not tho reserve had been vested in the Council. From Ashburton County Council enclosing following copy of resolutions passed by the Council relative to the present sheep tax, with the hope that the Wallace County Council will co-operate with it by suggesting to the Government the advisability of adopting the reduction of the tax : —l. Thai in as much as tho revenue accruing from the sheep tax is very considerably in excess of the expenditure in connection therewith, it is manifestly unjust to sheep owners to continue such an imposition, as by doing so, it becomes nothing more or less than a class tax, and consequently not within the spirit of equitable legislation. 2. That the Government be requested to take the necessary steps to reduce the tax by one half or to such an amount as will be sufficient to cover the expenses of the Department. —Mr MTntyre moved that tho letter be referred to the next meeting to enable them to enquire into the matter and make whatever suggestions were considered necessary regarding the reduction.—Mr Walker seconded. —Mr Johnston moved that the Council cooperate with tho Ashburton County Council in asking Government to make a reduction in the sheep tax.—Mr Hamilton seconded. He had always looked upon tho tax as a very unfair one, and was very glad that stops were being taken to try and get it reduced. —After further discussion the amendment was carried.

From Mr Tinning, manager Bellemont station requesting Council to make portion of road at Grassy Creek, on road from Bltu-km-mnb to Otautau, psssable. A portion of the old track had been fenced in and it would be impossible to get wool down this season unless some.hing was done to make the road there viable for dray traffic. The Engineer’s report on said road was raad, which stated that the work would require an expenditure of £l9 15s.— On the motion of Mr Ellis, the Stan ling Orders were suspended, to allow of a motion for money vote to be put. —Mr Johnston moved that the Engineer be instructed to have the work carried out immediately.—Mr Maekinnon seconded.—Messrs Hamilton and M’lntyro were opposed to voting msnor for this work, unless it was actually indispensable. Messrs Johnston, Ellis, and Maekinnon testified to the urgency of the work.—Mr Hamilton moved as an amendment that tenders be called foy in (he way.—Mr Jobnetpn

added to Ilia motion, That the Engineer be instructed to expend an amount not exceeding t2O on it. The amendment was carried. From F. Sutton, stating that he declined to keep the offer to sell land for road lino open any longer.—Received. From Finn and Rattray, on behalf of J. W. Forde, requesting payment of the sum of £l2 8s 4d, being progress payment with interest added of a contract performed by him.—Mr Johnston explained that the matter had been settled by the Finance Committee, who paid Ford £lO in satisfaction of his claim.

Prom Mr Bathgate, representative of the Waicola Company in reply to offer of £4 per acre made by the Council for G acres of land for road in that district. The letter stated that the price of the land would be £5 per acre.—On the motion of Mr Hamilton, Mr Bathgate’s offer was accepted. From Mr Bathgate, requesting that a now road be opened leading to Waicola Junction railway station. The Waicola Company would give land for the purpose should the Council decide to form the road. —Mr Johnston moved That the Engineer be instructed to inspect the proposed road and report to next meeting. He was of opinion that the work would cost much more than the riding could afford at present.—The motion was seconded by Mr Hamilton and carried. From Mr Dartnall, District Engineer, requesting permission to lay 2-inch pipes through Denbigh and Dover streets, Hirstfield, for gravitation water supply for railway purposes at Orepuki.—Granted. Prom Public Works Office re application of Council for £llOO for district roads. The communication was accompanied by directions for taking poll of ratepayers, &c. —Mr Hamilton said he had a petition from the ratepayers that no further action be taken in the matter. He moved that the letter be held over till next meeting.—Carried. From Maniototo County Council, request--1 ing information as to salaries paid to County officials, &c.—Letter held over. From Mr Jas. Gardner, requesting permission to erect 12ft double swing gate on road-line, Linton to Nightcaps.—On the motion of Mr M'Kinnon, seconded by Mr Johnston, it was resolved that Mr Gardner’s i application be granted on the condition that not less than 6yds of gravel be placed at the gateway; and that all future applications bo dealt with in a like manner.

From Mr Thomson, Otautau, enclosing account for damage to crops by the public making a road through his property.—The Engineer said he -was not aware that any arrangement had been made with Mr Thomson for the use of his land for a roadway.— Received.

From Aparima Road Board, enclosing resolutions re overgrown state of hedges on portions of roadlines unde l- the Board’s control ; and recommending that the Council pay £2O to the Wallace and Fiord Hospital out of the Road Board funds.—lt was agreed to accede to the request that the triangular corner of section 23, block 9, Jacob’s River Hundred, be leased to Mr Officer ; and that the recommendation of the Board re donation to Hospital be given effect to. From the County Engineer, reporting as requested by the Aparima Road Board re drain across road line between sections 23 and 60, block 6, Jacob’s River Hundred, cut by Mr M‘Callum, thus cutting off communication between Mr Fleck’s sections. He recommended that a 12in stoneware pipe drain bo put in at an estimated cost of £3 10s. The natural outlet for the water was from the lower end of Mr M'Oallum’s land.—The report was adopted. From the Treasurer of the Wallace and Fiord Hospital applying for the Council’s usual donation to the funds, and enclosing Dr Grabbam’s report in reference to the institution.—On the motion of Mr M'Kinnon, consideration of the matter was held over until the rates were collected. PETITIONS. Mr M'Kinnon presented a petition from a number of contractors for County works requesting that the rate of deposits required to bo lodged by tenderers be reduced from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, the old rate. A deputation representing the petitioners was introduced by Mr M'Kinnon, and heard in support of the request. They submitted that the present high rate debarred them from tendering for more than one work at a time.—lt was explained that the rate of deposits was raised on account of several contractors preferring to forfeit the 5 per cent deposit rather than go on with their contracts. Mr Hamilton thought 5 per cent deposit quite high enough, and gave notice of motion to move at next meeting that the rate of deposit bo reduced to that amount. Mr Williams presented a petition from a number of deferred payment settlers of Wairio riding requesting that all moneys accruing from d. p. iand be expended upon road-line extending from end of present formation between sections 113 and 111 to the Wairio schoolhouse, and from thence to Wairio village.—On the motion of Mr Johnston it was agreed that the prayer of the petition be granted as far as practicable. Mr Johnston presented a petition from settlers in upper d. p. block, Wairio, requesting the Council to take the necessary steps to continue the new road that is being opened through sections 12, 37, and 144. If carried out the new road would cut off about five miles between their farms and the nearest railway station and bring gr.aveh within an easy distance for road-making purposes.—lt was fagreod that the Engineer be instructed to inspect the road and report at next meeting.

VOTES FOR ROAD WORKS. Mr Johnston moved and Mr McKinnon seconded, That a sum of £57 be voled to open roadline through section 7, Wairio district.— Carried. Mr Johnston moved and Mr McKinnon seconded, That a sum of £3B be voted for tile culvert, formation, &0., on roadline between sections 147 and 148, d. p. block, Wairio.—Carried. Mr Johnston moved, That a sum of £2O be voted for culvert, formation, Ac., on roadline between sections 55 and 56, d. p. block, Wairaki district.—Carried. sjlt was moved by Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr McKinnon, and carried, That- a sum of £SO be voted for culverts, forming, &c., on roadline between sections 61 and 64 ; fascinand blinding south of sections 103 and 104; culvert and repairs on sout of sectio 53, d. p. block, Wairio. Mr McKinnon moved and Mr McPherson seconded, That a sum of £37 10s be voted for Orcpuki-Waiau road, through section 1, block 15; the amount having accrued under deferred payments.—Carried. Mr Johnston moved, That £124 be voted to complete works on Wrey’s Bush and Nightcaps road, the amount to be charged to deferred payment account.—Mr McKinnon seconded.—Mr Hamilton would rather have seen Mr Williams, the other member for Wairio riding (who had just left the room) present when money was being voted for this road.—Mr Johnston had no objection to postpone the motion until his colleague was present, although that gentleman had received the usual notice of it.—Vote deferred. Mr Hamilton moved, That the sum of £35 be spent on road leading from main road to Templeton’s on Waimatuku ; that the sum of £l2 10s be spent on cross road between Mr Lindsay’s and Mr Stevenson’s, Limestone Plains; the amount to bo charge I to the Aparima Road Board.—Carried. Mr Johnston moved. That a sum of £34 11s bo voted to open roadline through sections 167, 168 and 170, d.p. block, Wairio district. Seconded by Mr MVcldnnon and carried. WAIMATUKU BRIDGE. Mr Hamilton said that Mr Baldy, a member of the Southland Conn y Council, had asked him to call the attention of the Council to the state of the Waimatuku bridge. It was breaking down, and was very unsafe for traffic. Mr Bakley suggested to him that the Engineers of the Wallace and Southland County Councils should pay a visit of inspection to the bridge, and report thereon. A resolution, moved by Mr Hamilton, giving effect to Mr Baldy’s suggestion so fur as the Wallace Council was concerned, was passed, UNFINISHED CONTRACTS. Mf Jlamiltou pointed out that several pen-

tracts, notably the works on Trig E. Road' bad been left over from last year in an unfinished state, and were not yet being gone on with. Tlie summer weather was passing over, and there was no appearance of anything being done to complete those works.—The Engineer stated that the contractor for fille I’rig E road had intended starting to complete his contract on Monday last, but on account of the pit being full of water he could not get gravel out. .Mr McNaughton would, however, resume work before the end of the week. engineer's report. The Engineer’s report as follows, was laid on the table and read : I have the honor to submit the following report re roads and bridges : Orepuki Riding.—At last meeting I was instructed to report on roadline between railway station, Hirstfleld, and upper township, Orepuki. The road in question will cost a considerable amount of money, as you will see by the appended estimate. There are several water races crossing the roadline at different places, and in Sandy Creek, owing to the gully having been sluiced away, the embankment will he some 12 feet deep, the material for which will he taken from cuttings on each side of gully. X may state that this is the only roadline between the two places. By referring to the map you will see that this is a work of necessity, as if the road is not done, the people in the upper township will be out off from the railway. The road used at present is partly through private property andCown lands, none other having been surveyed only the above-mentioned one. —Estimated cost, £317 18s 4d.

Aparima Riding.—Riverton-Wallacetown road.— The small bridge opposite Mr Strang’s place is in a very rotten state, and requires replacing with a new one. Several parts of this road want maintenance gravel, which I would recommend doing.—Cost, £6O 15s.

Wairio Riding,—(l), roadlines deferred payment blocks, Wairio and Taringatura districts. —Roadline between sections 12, 152, and 153, £3B ; (2), roadline between sections 7, 155, and 156, d.p., £23; (3), roadline between section 167, 168, and 170, d.p., £34115; (4), roadline between sections 115, 116,49, and 117, d.p., £2l 12; (5), roadline between sections 239, and 240, d.p., Taringatura, £7O sa. I cannot recommend section 5 being done, as it will be used mostly by settlers in the Southland county, hut would suggest that the money he expended in gravelling roadline between sections 237, 238, and 239, Taringatura district. (6), roadline'between sections 122,123, 124, and 131, d.p., Wairio 'district, £658 12s 6d; (7), roadline through Wairio Village to schoolhouse, £528; (8), roadline into goods-shed, Nightcaps, £Bll2s.

Waiau Biding.—(9), Eondline between sections 67, 69, 70, and 77, d.p., Waiau District, £ls 6s 8d; (10) Grassy Creek, Blaokmount road, £19155. Mararoa Biding.—(ll), Boadline from Murrell’* to Plains, £31155; (12), Roadilne between sections 4,5, 7,9, and 11, Centre Hill, and roadline 321, 319, 131, 318, d.p. block, Upper Taringatura district.—! cannot give any detailed estimate of this. There is another roadline through section 18, block 1, Centre Hill district. Either one or the other will have to be opened to give the d.p. settlers on the east side of Hamilton Bum access to the main road. In conclusion I may state the works included in the above schedule are very necessary, and would recommend their being done as soon as possible. BUBFAOING. Mr Hamilton gave notice that be would bring up the matter of calling for tender* for surfacing at next meeting, and moved. That the Engineer be instructed to prepare a plan for dividing the several portions of the County requiring surface work into districts. —Agreed to. BO AD BOABD BATE. Mr Mclntyre moved, That notice of intention be given that theusual rate of id in the £ be levied by the Aparima Road Board for the current, year. GENERAL. The accounts for the lata County elections were passed for payment. Mr MTntyro moved, That By-law No. 6 re width of tires be referred to next meeting.— Mr Walker thought the matter should be considered at »nee seeing that they were about to call for tenders for surfacing. If the by-law were given effect to it would make a considerable reduction in the amount of the tenders for that work. —Mr Johnston was opposed to consideration of the matter being put off any longer.—Mr Hamilton thought the roads were cut up more by road contractors than anyone else. —Mr Mackinnon moved, That By-law No. 6 be referred back to the Tires Committee to revise, with a request that it be submitted to next meeting.—Seconded by Mr MTntyre and carried. Two telegrams were received from the Public Works Office, Wellington, to the effect that the allocation for main roads had not yet been made but would be done when the Minister for Public Works returned. He was expected in Wellington before the end of the week. Tiio Council then adjourned till 7th January.