Vincent County Council.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 423, 2 June 1904, Page 5

Vincent County Council.

The quarterly meeting of the above mentioned council was held in the Council Chambers, Clyde, on Wednesday, 25th ult when the following mentioned councillors were in attendance : —Crs Laidlaw, Kane, Butler, Heaney, Pitches, Rutherford, and M'Whirter,

The clerk read a telegram from Or Horn (chairman) to the effect that through indisposition he was unable to attend the meeting. Cr Horn conveyed an expression of regard to the council.

Cr M'Whirter v moved—That Cr Butler take tho chair. Cr Rutherford seconded the motion.

'Or Butler begged to be excused taking the position, tie (Cr Butler) would much prefer to see Cr Laidlaw in the chair. Cr Butler moved in this direction, and it was seconded by Or Kane.

Or Laidlaw, in taking the chair, expressed the opinion that Cr Butler should have accepted the position as he, was longest in office as councillor. He (Cr Laidlaw) thought the position of chairman should follow priority in office. However, he would defer to the opinion of the council and thank them for the temporary appointment. The special meeting was adjourned on the motion of Or Laidlaw seconded by Cr M'Whirter. ORDINARY MEETING. The clerk read the minutes of the previous ordinary meeting, and these were confirmed on the motion of Cr Pitches, seconded by Cr Rutherford. CORRESPONDBNCE. From the Secretary of the Cromwell Gold Dredging Company, enclosing amount* of deposit for use of Oounty boring rods. —Received ; consideration deferred, From the Land Board re wash-out on road at Pipson's property.—The matter was referred to the Solicitor. General for an expression of opinionFrom Distriet Engineer Usher with reference to Muddy Creek-Lauder Railway Station roads.—Received. The Secretary Sailor's Bend Dredging Company wrote thanking the council for its prompt attention to demand for subsidy to formation of road to dredge.—Received. W. Faulks wrote stating that he agreed to give £ for £ up to £lO by way of subsidy to expenditure on the TaraweraHutt road,—Received.

From Mr W Fraser. M.H.R., re votes to roads d the county.— Received.

Memo from the Department of Justice re jury's rider to verdict on remains of man drowned by falling into the Manuherikia river near Laask's —Received ; jury's suggestion being already acted upon by the. council fencing the road near Leasks. The tenants occupying the county buildings at Cromwell wrote regarding the state of the buildings. Or M'Whirter said those buildings should be sold as they were absolutely of no use to the council. They were kept as a polling place for the Lindis Riding, bub they were in a dangerous situation and should be sold -by the council.

The clerk, in reply to a councillor, said that the county had no title to the property.—Consideration deferred, John Wilson, Lauder, wrote asking the council to undertake the formation of- the road to Lauder Railway Station. Mr Wilson also asked the closing of a certain road line. He forwarded a map showing the line of road referred to.

Cr Laidlaw explained the position of affairs referred to by Mr Wilson, He (Or Laidlaw) was entirely in sympathy with Mr Wilson. The County Engineer should be sent to have the necessary work done.

Cr Butler: I understand that Wilson has an understanding with Mr Macgreger, who surveyed Lauder township regarding the expense of closing this road, It is not the duty of the council to take the initiative in this matter.

Cr Kane: Why does not Wilson approach the council re giving land in exchange for the road he proposes us to close. This question ia occupying too much attention at the council table since there is absolutely no public duty to be served by attending to it so regularly.—Received, J L Scott wrote stating that he had not received his voucher for two days' work done. The clerk said the voucher had not been cashed. He had written Scott anent the matter. — Received. . Me Government Valuations councillors thought it was strange that ratepayers should object to values made by such a disinterested partyj] County officers did not value properties other than mining, Tho clerk said he had written to Wellington about certain valuations, and awaited a reply,

Reiolved—That expenses under the Licensing Act, amounting to 10s, be authorised for payment. Circular from the Olutha County Oouncil, asking co-operation in demanding increased Government subsidy on rates-

Or Kane thought the suggestion was a good one, unci it should certainly secure the support of this couneil.

Hesolved That this council is in sympathy with the suggestion of the Olutha Oounty Oouncil to the effect thut it is desirable that the Government subsidy on rates be increased. Kijiott Bros wrote enclosing account of £l2 10s,-amount of deposit on contract 489. The writers further stated that they desired to be relieved cf the position of day laborers to the council. —Received.

A Oliver wiote asking the council to permit him to take head of water from the town race, His right waß

prior to that of the council's right. Or Pitches would object to the permission being given Mr Oliver. He (Or Pitches) would oppose tha grant being given.

To be continued next issue.