WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL

Western Star, Issue 1313, 19 December 1888, Page 2

WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL

Saturday, 15tk December. STATUTORY MEETING,

\The nnmml meeting of the Council, adjourned from the 28th ult., was attended by ah the member*. The Clerk, Mr Fullarton, presided,'and > after reading the minutes of the last statutory meeting, quoted the section of the Act relating to the election of Chairman.

Mr A. , McPherson, ,tho newly elected member for Qropukij said'dt Rave him much pleasure tOpropose that Or Walker be elected ohainnan for the ensuing year. While enlogiaing Or Johnston for the manner in which hpihfcd presided over the Council, he (Mr McPherson) thought the chairmanship should be a-rolling office, and ho felt satisfied Or Walker would make an excellent chairman, Mr Johnston said he had great pleasure in seconding the nomination. He had no desire to again fill the chair. Mr Basstian supported the nomination and explained the reasons which induced him at the former meeting to leave the Council chamber; he considered the local press had gone a little out of its way to attack himself and the other members who had so acted.

There being no other nomination Cr Walker was declared duly elected. Mr Walker in taking the chair thanked the members of the Council for the honor accorded him. He said he could not be expected to do as well as the last holder of the office, who had carried out the duties with B‘nct impartiality. ■ ORDINARY MEETING. All the members were present The following appointments were recommended in connection with the Charitable Aid Board;—Mr Hamilton as member of the Southland H. and C. A. Board; Mr Basstian, member on Southland Hospital Trust; and Mr McPherson as trustee of Wallace Hospital. CORRESPONDENCE. Referring to enquiries made regarding vo. p for Blackmount Hill a telegram was read from Government stating that a grant had been made, but it had been decided to let expenditure stand over for some time.—On the motion of Mr Johnston it was resolved to request that the amount be made available at once. . . , , Mr t. R; Seddon, Avondale Station, wrote as follows I am in receipt of yours of the 12th inst. , with resolution of the Council regarding my letter of Bth November. As I cannot altogether understand the tenor of the resolution I should feel greatly obliged if the Council would kindly answer the following questions ;—l. How is it that the riding is not- sufficiently in funds to do a small amoimt of work amounting altogether to only a few pounds, and at'the same time the Council consider it quite proper to make it share in the expense of putting up abridge over the Aparima which will cost at leas* some hundreds, and in the end will not benefit a larger number of ratepayers than the* work I pro* posed, and those not even in the riding. X # am quite willing to accept this part of their .resolution, .provided the rates of the riding are justly distributed and put to proper usb, but I cannot allow the muds of so large ratepayers as this station to be expended in the manner proposed, except under the strongest protest. X trust the Council will see the propriety of reconsidering their-former ievolution on these points if they wish to retain the confidence of the ratepayers. 2. Will the Council kindly explain fully the meaning of the latter part of their resolution ? and which runs as follows : “ And further, that it is incompetent for him to close the track referred to in his letter.” I must confess I am entirely at a loss to understand the drift of the resolution. In the first place I did not say that I was going to close the track, but that I had been directed to give these settlers notice that the track was to be closed. As these directions were from Messrs Rowley and Hamilton I presume the Council intended to say that it was not competent for them to close this tracK; but as the track referred to is entirely unsurveyed, and not even near a surveyed hack, and was originally made entirely for the firm’s benefit and through their private freehold property,the settlers being only allowed to use it for the past fe w months as an oblige ment to them as they had no other outlet since the fences were put up. I must still hold to the resolution contained in my former letter and cirry out the instructions I have received, leaving those settlers who ar» interested to protect themselves as far as they are able, unless the . Council can give me fuller and more satisfactory reasons for altering my intentions than the rather arbitrary and, at the same time, mengre directions contained in the above portion of their resolution.

Mr Johnston moved that the letter be received, and Mr Seddon receive full explanation as desired. He could assure the Council that the ratepayers were very dissatisfied in regard to the proposed erection of the Dunrobin bridge, and it was more than likely that, Councillors would be sued for the money it so expended ; the bridge whs not on a road , line and the expenditure would bo illegal; such being the case, he hoped the erection of the bridge would be deferred to allow members a fair opportunity of considering the question.—Mr Basstian said he could not let the statement of Mr Johnston pass when he said the bridge was not on a road line. It was on a roadliue on one side, while on the other there was no road at all, but one was being surveyed by the School Commissioners.—The letter was received. The Scottish and N, Z. Investment Society wrote, drawing attention to the impassable state of Hogan’s road, Bayswater estate. —It was resolved to inform the company that the riding had no funds available for the work. Mr James Taylor, on behalf of five Chinamen, requested permission to remove 10 chains of the corduroy track, and make new track in lieu thereof.—Mr McPherson asked that the matter stand over, and he would make it his duty to see the proposed diveisiou and report on same.—Matter held over accordingly. Jesao Whipp applied that road from Section 7, block 4, Long wood, be extended so as to allow him access to his section.— Resolved that work not to exceed £3 be done under the Supervision of the member for the riding and the Engineer. From F. McCoy, asking permission to plough road pppo'sico Section 42, Wrey’a Bush.—Request granted. From H. H. Port, asking leave to take water race across corduroy about five chains from bridge over Hill’s creek.—Granted, subject to approval. From Waioola estate, requesting that road from Woodiaw bush to railway siding be put in repair.—Mr Johnston said ho and Mr Forde had boon over the road lately, and they did not think it required much doing to it. Ho moved that Mr Fordo and the Engineer inspect road, and, if necessary, put on a surfaceman for a few days.—Carried. Wm. Flint, Fairfax, asked that two gates on road line leading from his homestead be removed. —As the erection of the gates had not been sanctioned, it was resolved that the owner bo instructed to remove them. The Southland H. and C. A. Board wrote requesting payment of third quarterly instalment amounting to £127 17s lid.—The amount was oidered to bo paid at once.

Henry Mofiat wrote applying for the sole right to cut lias on the banks of thoAparima ami Otautau rivers, offering the Council a royalty of 5s per ton on tho manufactured article. —Mr Mofiat. who was in attendance, stated that if the request were granted ho would commence operations at once. —Mr Hamilton thought that it was a matter that required careful consideration; although he would bo glad to see such an industry as proposed started, ho was, against tho flax being cut in tho liver beds; there was no doubt whatever that but for the flax the floods would do far more damage than at present.—Mr Johnston said they had no authority to give such a right as tho one asked; however glad they might bo to assist tho object in view it was not in their power to give permission to cut tlax in tho river bods. .Ho moved that the Council not having jurisdiction in the matter, the request be refused. Seconded by Mr Mackinuon and carried.

From Henry Moffat re Scott’s Gap road, which vras stated to bo impassable. The Engineer to report. Messrs Johnston and Fordo gave in thenreport on the roadlinos at Waicola, which was adopted unanimously. James Kirkton, Orepuki, wrote enclosing amended account, which was passed for payment.

Tho application of Mr Geo. Jones, miner, Orepuki, to divert water race, was left to the member for tho riding and tho Engineer. In reference to Mr A. Salton’s letter, complaining of the state of gorso fence on Mr McKay’s section, Raymond’s Gap, road at last meeting, it was carried on the motion ox Mr Crouch that notice he given to Mr McKay

to have the gorse cleared at once, otherwise the work would be done at his expense.

THE RATEPAYERS’ MHBTtNOS,

MrJ. Lumsden, chairman of meeting of ratepayers at Drummond, and Mr D. MeHardy, chairman of meeting at Calcium, wrote enclosing copy of resolutions adopted at the meetings, having reference to County affairs. Mr Johnston thought that the resolutions should have some consideration. It would seem that some of the ratepayers take an extraordinary view of the overdraft. As regards the overdraft it must be remembered that £2622 was expended in building a bridge at Thornbury, and they were all aware how the Government constructed a railway but persistently refused to build abridge at Fair fax so as the settlers could make use of that railway, the consequence being that the Council had to erect one at a cost of £2167. Now, these were the principal works for which the overdraft was first incurred. Very few of the then members of the Council were now sitting, but he was sure the settlers would yet give Mr Mackintosh credit for opening up the country which otherwise would most likely have been abandoned. The resolutions he considered to be in exceeding bad taste, and after the Council doing all in their power it was very hard to ! have such odium thrown at them. He could not help saying that if the matter had been put fairly to the ratepayers they would hardly have sent in such resolutions as had been received. The Chairman said thai both he and Cr i Hamilton were at the Calcium meeting and j ied to explain matters but they were not listened to.

Mr Hamilton had not a word to say against the meetings; they were under a great misapprehension as regards the state of affairs. Ho must, however, say that they want a little too far. The resolutions were received. engineer's reports. The Engineer reported that the estimated cost of repairs to road in Taringatura district, as petitioned for by Reid Bros., would amount to £27 10s. Re road from Diptoh to Castlorock, the necessary worts would take about £s9—there is some £6O of d. p, money available for the work.—The report was received. It was recommended that the following works in the Centre Hill d. p, blocks for which moneys are available be proceeded with as soon as possible:—Hayes’ road, £29 8s 8d; Fleming’s road, £35 2s; Prendable’s and Clifford’s road, £23 12s.—On the motion of Mr McPherson it was resolved that the members for the ridings and the Engineer allocate the moneys and that the works be gone on with. List of roads on which it was recommended to expend moneys accruing from Native lands:—Native reserve, Riverton; road line section 184, Longwood; road N.E. section 185, Longwood; road line between sections 16 and 17, Longwood; road line south of section 10, Aparima Hundred; road lino west of section 33, Aparima Hundred.— Consideration held over. ORDER PAPER, , Mr Walker moved, That steps bo taken to protect the road at Ringway. Ho said that unless some steps were taken traffic might at any moment be stopped through the whole width of roadline falling into the river. There had been a former vote of £8 towards the work, and he would ask that an additional £8 be added to this, and that the work be proceeded with.— Mr Mackinnon agreed that the work was one of urgency.— Motion carried." Mr Mackinnon moved that the sum of £SO be voted for forming and gravelling east of sections 9 and 11, block 3,, Centre Hill, and to be charged to d. p. grant. —Mr Basstian said it was necessary that some information should bo given in regard to the vote. Ho failed to see the necessity of spending £134, which was the original amount of Whitelaw’s tender, on the work If it had not been that Or Hamilton happened to see f h : s tender the money would have been spent without the knowledge of the members for the riding. When he heard about the tender he asked the Engineer about the work and he said it could be withdrawn. That was the way. the business of the Council was conducted —tenders accepted without the knowledge of the members, and when an explanation was asked, they were told that it did’nt matter, the tender would be withdrawn. In point of fact Whitelaw's tender was taken to please one of the six who signed a requisition against the Dunrobin bridge, and the sum would have been spent had not his attention been drawn to the matter by Or Hamilton.—Mr Mackinnon explained that the sum of £134, deferred payment money, had accrued to the block and could only be spent in works in that particular block.—Mr Basstian said he was aware that the sum would have to be spent on the particular block, but what he (Mr Basstian) objected to was that the contract should be let without the knowledge of the Counoil, especially when the expenditure is not wanted. He would ask that the Engineer be called to give some explanation in regard to the vote. —(Mr Dorbridge gave some particulars os to the roads on which it was proposed to spend the vote). After further dienssion the vote was passed. Mr Mackinnon moved, Mr Basstian seconded, and it was carried, That the sum of £l7 be voted for forming and gravelling through section 1, block 8, Centre Hill—to bo charged to d. p. grant. Mr Hamilton moved, Mr Playfair seconded, and it was carried. That the sum of £7 3a be spent on road to Otaitai Bush in. maintenance gravel—being d. p. money. " Mr Hamilton moved, Mr Playfair second, and it was carried, That the sum of £9 19s be voted for works at Danieltown—being d. p. money. Mr Hamilton moved, Mr Playfair seconded, and it was carried, That the sum of £ls be voted for culverts at Waimatuku, being d.p: money. Mr Walker moved, Mr Johnston seconded, and it was carried, That £lllos be voted to com el etc works on Hardwick’s road and Mclntosh’s lignite pit road, Mr Johnston moved, Mr McPherson seconded, and it was carried, That the sum of £9O be voted for formation and gravelling at Orepuki, to be charged to d.n. grant. Mr Walkor moved, Mr Crouch seconded, and it was carried, That the sum of £ls be voted for gravelling at Waicola Swamp, to bo charged to d.p. grant. Mr Crouch moved, Mr Mackinnon seconded, and it was carried, That the sum of £25 4s 7d, to the credit of d.p. blocks, and £lO 7s lid, to the credit of perpetual lease lands, Waiau district, be expended in forming roads to sections entitled to above amounts.

DUNBOBIN BKIDG3. Mr T. S. Miller’s report on the Dunrobin bridge was as follows: —“ In accordance with your instructions by letter of t 1 e 12th November last, I visited Dunrobin in company with Mr Durbridge, and made a further examination of the site of the proposed bridge. We also made a thorough examination of the river banks to ascertain if any other site existed for some six mil s below. With rogar.i to site of bridg we mentioned in the lust report that under the altered condition of the rirer bank the site of old suspension bridge eoul not be recommended for a new bridge owing to the bank on the north side having been carried away to the extent of one chain and the shingle b nk left being unsafe for supporting the pillars and anchorage of a suspension bridge, unless considerable work were done in buil ling retainin wall &c. As the cost of such protective works would be considerable, it was thought advisable to reI'oramend the erection of a wooden bri tgi, on piles, at a point below the outcrop of the rock. The south side of this site is well pretax tod by a natural groin, being the rock on which the pillars of the oil suspension bridge stood. On (he north side, however, the object'd! raised wit h regard to the old suspension bridge she holds gool here, viz , that the shingle bank, in the no . altered stile of the river, is exposed to the act on of the current which might neoe.-sitate the lengthening of t e bridge north»aids. On the north side of the river, some 70 feet above the anchorage of the old suspension bridge, the river bank is rock bound, as shown on plan, an t would form a good foundation for febe pillar# of » suspension

bridge. The span fr >m rock to rock is 204 e feet, but ns a suspension bridge could be con- 1 structed hero in much the same way with re- i gard to details of truss See., as the old one, the < material from the oM bridge could nearly all < be made use of. New cables would he re- i quived, considerably stronger, but nil the iron ' truss work lattice work, iro i pillars, An. would ! be available, though requirin'? to be overhauled before bei g used again. This would re-luc' the new truss work, platform, &e. to 84 feet. A stone or concrete pier would require to be built from rock foundation, on the north side, to support the pillars, and th • pillars would require to be made higher on account of the extra length of the span. We estimate the coat of this bridge at £350, and it is for th council to decide, seeing that this site is so suitable for the purpose and the only one on ihe river whore the banks arc rockbound on sides ah such « comparatively small width whether or not it would be advisable to adopt this instead of the proposed wood *n bridge which might, from reasms above mentioned, from time to time, necessi ate ex'n expenditure over first cost, while not being so per manent as regards the materids of its composition.” Mr Hamilton moved that consideration of the report he postponed till n>xt meeting pending reply from the Government, re road to the Laics. Mr Bnsstian with Mr Hamilton, and seconded his motion which was carried. Eetrbnchmbnt Proposals. THE CLERK’S SALARY. M r Walker moved that the salary of the Clerk and Treasurer be reduced by £SO per annum. In moving the resolution, Mr Walker said he was sorry that the Clerk’s salary was the first that had to ho touched, but as the Council had very little money to spend, and as everything had to be carefully looked after, he had no alternativebntto propose the reduction. Mr Playfair seconded the motion, and said that by only reduaing the salary £SO it was equivalent to an expression of satisfaction at the manner in which Mr Fullarton had performed his duties. No one, he was sure, would have the slightest idea of reducing the Clerk’s salary were it not that the Council were in a manner regularly cornered. Mr Mackinnon moved ns an amendment, that the salary be reduced by £3O The Clerk was fully worth what he was getting, but in view of the present emergency some reduction was considered necessary, still, he thought, the amount he proposed would meet the case

Mr Johnston sooonded the amendment, and commented on the efficient manner in which Mr Fullerton had carried out his duties. He thought the Clerk was doing his work at present very cheaply, and as thn stoppage of works would lessen his labors rery little, the reduction as proposed by Mr Maokinnon would bo quite sufficient. Mr Basstian agreed with Mr Johnston that the clerk was a rery valuable servant, and while the office of chairman was a rolling one, Mr Fullarton was almost indispensible. It had always been his (the speaker’s) pride to pay well worthy officers, and it grieved him to think that it was nec ssary that anything should be taken off the clerk’s salary. Mr Hamilton said thequestion of reduction was one that bad to be faced. In connection wjth the matter he regretted hd had to mention one thing and that was that when the Clerk’s salary was raised only a few members of the Council were made aware of the increase. It was increased at a hole-and-cori ner muring and ;t was not until nine months after that he, although a councillor, heard anything about it. [Messrs Basstian and Maokinnon considered Mr Hamilton’s remarks about a hole-and-corner meeting quite uncalled for; it was nothing of the sort, and if Mr Hamilton had been present at the meeting he would have beard the matter fully discussed.] Mr Hamilton continuing said he would be sorry if his remarks were offensive to an? members and be would say this, that the Clerk deserved well of the members of the Council.

On being put Mr Maokinnon’s amendment was declared lost, the original motion being carried by sto 3. The voting was as follows: —For Mr Walker’s motion : Messrs Hamilton, McPherson, Playfair, Forde and Basatian. For Mr Mackinnon's amendment: Messrs Mackinnon, Johnston and Crouch. THE ENGINEER’S SJIIiART. Mr Walker moved, That the Engineer be paid at the rate of £l5O per annum, with a proviso that he will be at liberty to do any outside work.

Mr Playfair, in seconding the motion, said as they had so little money to spend he did not think it necessary that the Engineer’s time should bo fully occupied. Mr McPherson moved, as an amendment, that the Engineer’s salary be £175 a-year, with £25 travelling allowance. He was sorry he bad to mention such a small sum, but seeing the state of the County finances it was necessary that expenses be brought down to the lowest limit.

Mr Hamilton seconded the amendment fro forma. Mr Basstian said ho was sorry ho could not express himself in regard to Mr Durbridge in the same manner as when speaking of the Clerk. He would call the attention of the Council to certain charges he had made against the Engineer, and similar complaints to those he had made wore heard repeatedly all over the County. A committee was appointed to investigate the charges, but the matter was smoothed over in a way he did not approve of. [Mr Basstian read the charges he made and also the Committee’s report on same.] Mr Durbridgo was not an engineer, and it was well known that the Council could have had proper talent for the same sum as paid Mr Durbridge, or even for very much less. Ho would ask the Council was it advisable to retain Mr Durbridge’s services or not; he considered that to the Engineer was due the unfortunate position the Council was placed in, and if all the ridings wore treatod in the same manner as Mararoa it was little wonder the County affairs were in the state they were.

i Mr Crouch said the Councillors were more to blame than the County servants for the I position of affairs. There wore only a few i months in the year that works can bo gone I on with with any profit to the ratepayers, and these works are put off and put oft until winter sets in, and an expenditure of perhaps £SO is incurred whore £2O w s sufficient had the work been taken in hand at the proper season. If private individuals spent their money in the same way they would soon find themselves in a very queer position. Mr Mackinnon proposed as an amendment that the salary of the Engineer be reduced £75. Ho could not agree with the original motion that he bo paid £l5O with a proviso that liberty be given to do outside work. To take a common sense view of the question, if the Engineer is only to get £l5O a year it practically means that ho would receive about 30s a week, as it took at least £7O to £BO for travelling expenses. Could the work be done for that? It would be impossible to got a man for £l5O, even if there was no work going on—there wore emergency works to bo undertaken, and the deferred payment money accruing which has to be spent. Ho could not help remarking that he was afraid many of them approached this retrenchment proposal with feelings of animus, but ho hoped the question would not be decided in that manner; what they wore now going to do let it be done in a cool, calm and deliberative spirit. It was impossible for a man to do all the work in the summer months over such an extensive area; it was 100 miles to Te Anau, and altogether there was upwards of 80d miles of road.

Mr Hamilton rose to a point of order, contending that no second amendment could be proposed until the first one was disposed of.

Mr MoPheraon asked leave to withdraw his amendment, but his seconder objecting it was put to the meeting and lost.

Mr Johnston seconded Mr Maokinnon’s proposal that the Engineer’s salary bo reduced by £75. That was a very considerate reduction and after all the blame and blunders that had been attributed to the Engineer he considered he bad done very well indeed; he ha ] directed the expenditure of £97,000 and that amount, evw at 5 per cent., would par his

salary for 16 years, whereas he had only bee. 11 years in the Council’s J V oee * sidored his services had been „hV "° Ilf °° n * over his charges egainst the BagiEr ter! minutely and ho would onlv with Messrs Playfair and b *V mittee appointed to invostiWn ( tb ecom. had go». into tho ehlr™ f* f „• ft?*" 1 ), tothoir bout ability. B Some of itT"! 7 " nd mado related to orenu ik”, . ll “ ” h *nt*a years ago and haTo^k^K-d l^ .X“ }■ *«• and despite his Conn , carried oul his duties ij w*?, ® K ,ne,r h “ very creditable manner Co " n, y • * justify the reduction of B’how#re 8 ’ how#rer * therefore supported the .ml ? an <f he Mr Hamilton was s„ u Dtganled the finding 0 f «T. B p ßtmn . re * that sat to invest!*./ h V ° omn,itto « made by him, j n 8 th. th ® char * w > had. The committee did “ anner h * thing favorable or imf." 1 *° make the deavored to make rorab,e ! they «• agreed with the remarlrI GP °f rt Vr He quiU that Councillors worn k ° f t Mr Croucl » as to the position of affiSl % b, “ B ® sidered their Engineer _« ?° eon * man 4 »r 5 years ago, and thafT* members bad been i that the country Durbridgewas on/of S X with him - * men that could not J‘ Bd haartad and it has been said ha h 7 hard 0D ftn 7 one, up to tho standard • this ? 8 n paßßßd 5 0r ks net to go abroad but we the ™ * S' 00 f * flin f C TrM , T“ oßttobia “cou^ i ° f th# .nd «* •« * Mackinnori; Johnston Mapl *° r ,t: Meters Fordo. The «S±f b f^ D l CTOUeh ’“ d original motion. ”■ 6Bfc then became the reducedto£3o2 J h * * alar 7 be Lost by sto 3‘ ' ' Mr P M*«r seconded. services bo B dipebs^tith ß6 i h * ED *[ ne « ,, « time had arrived He bought the •« Bngiuoor at .1 ff were carried out onlr L j Cro ? ob 8 Tl ®we few months of the ye£? 1?. W .° rkß duri ”K • engineer would not V er , Tlc “ ot only be a liftlo ; . tber e would culvert to pufi i n t fi ev ?*. to do •* if ‘be™ w« a of Mr Howard n tW i th * gineer, to go by. I n C ° nnt 7 Bn* remarks that w!m to Mr Johnston’s Christian and vindw* 8 n ? nn* 'was nevera j; n d te! e ' heo °^ M fely„y h . ston said he would uj’ am *—[Mr John* if ther worn . d withdraw any remarks m he (Mr fc,i?LV d,ri S d |**"“f thing. to Bav to h tbnf W ° U f bar * bad some* Mr Zlv 3 that Rontleman. motion pro W*d °° l t 1M t Pa,at,, ®’f; account' *° ** ki •bdnfc-’ai j »ao for aTS^, I rf“J! d d thal a* MMMi to Invercargill 3^e the dama S ed material i seemed to*be lent sn^- n fi B v BB tba ® onneil benefit. Ipt specially for the Engineer’s

p ”‘ -

It was

TEAVEIiIiiuG EXPENSES that the member.' £ ri n T Meß be rednced one-half. , j .ohnston, as the oldest councillor rembers a of thel that h ®^ did nofc thi “k thi memoers of the lower ridings should exneet VtSSSZ ”" 8 - Hamilton, in seconding the proposition *> should be JET “ put’ H L h n I™ h ' S p . ocket * but Btill he thought p h ensS! hapS ° UC mlf would meat actual ft?

%' de moved, that the amount of tr*. veiling expenses bo two-thirds of the present sum, or nmepenco a mile one way.-Ewa. not seconded.; y *nwwa«

suggested as a moans of re. tronchment that, the Council only meet once l m three 1 months. < I Z “ ? ;5* Mr Johfiston pointed out that account* could not stand over that time. ; Mr Walker’s motion was then put and lost.

„ OTHER BUSINESS. The following Committees woreappointed • J[ essrs Mackinnon (Chairman! Walker, McPherson, Playfair and Johnston! Contract; Messrs Hamilton (Chairman?! Walker and Playfair. v u -'» Dog tax collectors were appointed as fol. Wneon otaUtaU ’ G ’ Gilchrisfcj Oropnki, P.

i M . r if any information was received as to how the Charitable Aid Board allotted the County contribution. The ! Chairman said the only way that could be seen was by the published balance sheet: no doubt if requested the Board would furnish the Council with particulars as to how the money was expended. Accounts amounting to £26b Os 4d (Or. tober and November) were passed for rav* mont. , ~ . . . Mr Johnston said he desired to make an' explanation regarding a voucher that had come before the Council. The voucher was for £4,145, and wan for travelling, expenses now he had boon attacked in the newspaper ’ for this account, and it was made to appear that the amount was for one trip. He wished to explain that the amount was for three trips, and the amount was reduced to £i 3s , t 0 br ing it within the amount .of the al. lowance to the Chairman. He would ask Mr Hamilton to take notice of this and withdraw what he had written. .*/ , / ,

In reference to the ford at Brown's, |f r Hamilton said ho had inspected the ford which he found to be very dangerous on account of a large hole in the centre of the nvor; he thought it would be wise to have a load or two of stones put in. The road lead* mg to tho ford was also impassable. He would more that the ground be visited bv tha members for the riding and the Engineer, and report be brought up at next meeting.