COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14842, 6 December 1913, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

OXFOR*D. At the annual meeting of tho Oxford County Council there were present— Mesrs xi. Campbell, J. Cross, A. Baxter, A. "Meyers, J.- McCormack, and J. Wells. Mr Campbell was re-elected chairman. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, the members of the Council, and clerk. The ordinary meeting was held on Tuesday last. Present—Messrs H. Campbell (chairman), A. Baxter, A. Meyers, and J. McCorroack. It was resolved to call tenders for labour for the erection of tljree small concrete bridges, and to order gorse to be cleared from' roads. Tho following tenders were accepted:—For dog collars, A. E. Orange, at 7jd and 8d; for Contract 24 "H. Askew, 2s per cubic yard. A ratepayer, for ploughing the side o? n road without permission, was ordered to work it down level within seven days or the Council would have it done at liis expense. Complaints were again made of cattle being allowed to grace on the roads. Also complaints of the water race ranger neglecting his duties. The clerk -was instructed to notify him that unless more attention .was given his services would be dispensed with. Itwas decided to allow the Sports Committee _to cut down trees from the plantation for the chopping competition. The surveyor was authorised to peg out sections on the Ashley Gorgo-Snowdale road for contracts. The New Zealand Counties' Association wrote regarding the Rating Amendment Bill. It was resolved to request the local members of Parliament to oppose the section regarding the rating of pastoral lands of the Crown. The inspector of the Canterbury College Reserves wrote regarding assistance in the erection of protective works in the River Eyre. Tho Council declined, but offered to carry out the work at the Board of Governors expense with an addition of 5 per cent, for supervision.

EYRE. At the monthly meeting of the Eyre County Council there were present— Messrs Evans (chairman), F. G. Horrell, Dixon, and Wright. Leave of abr sepce was granted to Mr H. J. Horrell, and the clerk was directed to write to him, thanking him for services ren-Jgred in maintaining law and order. Letters were read from, John Lancaster, giving notice of alterations to be made on the valuation roll of his property. Agreed to. New Zealand. Counties Association regarding alterations for rating Crown lands. It was resolved to agree with the Association in objecting to the proposal, and that the member for the district be requested to support the objections of the Association. F. G. Reid, offered to supply dog collars for 1914. Resolved, that a sample collar be obtained, and the chairman and clerk bo authorised to deal with the matter. John Lydster, complaining of stock wandering on tho roads. Referred to the ranger. The clerk was directed to see if 31r Albert Rice will allow a drain to be cut on his land along the road fronting the Kaikainui creek, and, if so, to have the road widened fronting Rico's house. It was resolved that Robert Ward be offered Reserves No. 1546, at 5s per annum, provided he cleared tho gorse and delivered the reserve up at the end of four years, clear of gorse and broom, failing that the reserve to be fenced, and planted next season, and that the amount owing for rent be written off. The tenders received for clearing willows, gorse. and broom of Reserve 367, were declined. At the adjourned annual meeting, Mr Richard Evans was re-elected chairman. The half-yearly balance-sheet was received, certified as correct by the Audi-tor-General, and adopted.