CLUTTTA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 143, 6 April 1877, Page 6

CLUTTTA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of tlie Clutha County Council was hold in tho Court house here on Sat-

xirdivy last

: There wore present : Messrs J. M'jSTeil Jb-Avitt, Henderson, Scott, Daila.s, Ayson, Hcobie. andCapt. M s Kenzie

Before confirming th.s minutos Capia'n M'Kenzie wished to know upon what footing the members were there that day. At the previous masting it had boon agreed to meet again on the 30th, but ■ instead of that they had met on the 31st. He held this to be an informality, and that in consequence all they might do that day would be illegal. The Chairman explained that when tber had agreed to moot on the 30th, they had overlooked the fact that that day was Good Friday. So soon as lie had found that out ha instructed the Clerk to intimate to tiiG members that the meeting would be held on 31st. Several members spoke in favour of the action of the Chairman, and pointed out that the meeting was strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The matter then dropped. The minutes -of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. COKBESPONDSNCE. i The following letters were then read : — Police Station, D»nedin, 20th .March, 1877. .-.. Sir,- lam instructed to Hscfrhmi if you are desirous that the Poliiv-- should continue to collect the dog tax in the Clutha County as hitherto ; if so, the matter will accordingly be attended to until you make other arrangements. ! Your early reply is respectfully requested.— l have the honour to be, &c, T. K. "Weldox, Commissioner of Police. -To the Chairman Clu.ha County Council, J3alclui.Ua. Public Works Office, "Wellington, : Oth March, 1877. Sir, — I am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to inform you that it has been decided to grant the Chairmen of County Councils passes over the railways within their respective counties, and to County Councillors, passes when travelling to and from the meetings of the County Counci.s to which they respectively belong. Will you be good enough to send in to the ' traffic manager, at Dunedin, a list of the members, comprising the Couniy Council of Clutha in . -order that passes may be sent to yourself and them. If you will kindly inform the manager hereafter, as often as any change in the Council takes place, corresponding passes will be issued. 1 have the honour to be, &c, John Knowles, TTnder-Secretary for Public Works. "The Chairman Clutha County Council. Clydev.ile Station, Waiwera, Sth February, 1877. Sir, — At a meeting of the Clydevale Road Board, held here on the Ist inst., attention was called to the great inconvenience arising from the -road district being placed in t« o count ies. I h-.tvp /•= -been ■ instructed to bring this \mdev your notice. and to in orni you that it was v a iiniou-ly agreed by the Board" to lequest you to petition the Governor to have the boundary between Tuapeka County and Clutha County, as it runs through the ' district, changed to the liourtclary of this district, in terms of section 2, clause 30, under the Counties Act, so as to include the Avhols of the Clydevale Road District in Clutha County. I The district is separated by natural obstacles! from all relations with Tuapeka County, com-i mercial or otherwise, and the present Oountjl boundary (which is ill-defined, and divides see^ ' tions and properties) as it passes through the dis- ■ trict, includes in Tuapkeka County a portion of the district which is separated from Tapanui - (in which Hiding it is placed) by the Blue Moun- - tains, over which no road exists. It is the desire of residents and owners of properties lying in this district, but included in the Tapanui .Riding of the Tuapeka County, to be included in Clutha County, they having no connection with Tuapeka County, and all their business being carried on in aud through Clutha • County. I have therefore to request, on behalf of the Eoard, that you will petition his Excellency the • GoA'ernor as desired, and do what you can in the •matter, which is for the satisfaction of all con- - cerned. — 1 am, &c, John Angus, Clerk to Clydevale Road Board. The Chairman Clutha County Council. Balclntha, 31st March, 1877. Sir,— -As mail contractor between Balclutha "arid Mataura, I wish to c.ill your attention to the fact that I have, ia order to be able to get - through, been obliged to employ labour to renew broken culverts on the 3lain South Ro^d. As this was a case of absolute necessity, 1 hopo your -Council will take steps to reimburse me for my ' outlay, amounting to £7. I also wish to call your attention to the entire ■ want of provision for jnaiut nance of this main i road' during the ensuing winter, aud state to you * my convictioE that unless some immediate steps • are taken, traffic in many parts will be practically :■ impossible. — I am, &c , It. B. WILLIAHS, Mail Contractor. r - The Chairman Clutha Countj r Council. A letter was also read from the Secre- .. tai'y for Public Works, intimating that the tools lately in uss on roads, &c, withiii tlie County would be handed over to ■' the Council. -A! letter was also read from Messrs Reed and Fenwick, asking the Council to in- . struct its Secretary to forward reports of the meetings of the Council for publication. THE DOG TAX. The Clerk Avas instructed to acknow- ' ledge receipt of Mr Weldon's letter, and in reply to acquaint' him that the Council desired the collection of the dog tax to re- ' main in the hands of the police as hitherto. RAILAA'AY PASSES. The Clerk was instructed to acknow- ■ ledge receipt of Mr Knowles 3 letter, but it was pointed, out that the passes would be of no avail for the members in the meantime, as there Avere no railways opened '"within the County. ALTERATION OF COUNTY BOUNDARY. Mr Dallas pointed out the unfairness ' of the representation of the various ridi ings ; that the Pomahaka had only one member, AVhile it had a valuation roll of L 14,000, about double that of some of the other ridings which Avere represented by two members. Should the request of the Clydevale Road Board be given effect to . this inequality Avould be still greater. He ' therefore thought that, while considering an alteration of the boundaries of the 'County, they should equitably adjust the representation of the various ridings. Captain M'Kestzie said that the only -matter before the meeting was the request of the Clydevade Road Board. He knew the, part of country referred to very 'well, and he could not conceive of the present boundaries being adopted except through ignorance. The boundaiy proposed by the Clydevale Board was a much better one, and he believed the Tuapeka - County Council AA r as quite prepared to assist in having the alterations made- He -therefore, moved, "That the Clerk com--:munic,ate with the Tuapeka County Council with a vieAV to a united petition being

sent to the Governor, praying for the proposed alteration being given effect to." Mr Scott seconded the motion. Carried. KOAT> FROM BALCLUTHA TO MA.TAT.TRA. lie. Mr Williams' letter, it was pointed out, that the Council had no fixnds out of which they could reimburse him. After some discussion, Mr Scott moved, " That the letter be referred to the Clinton "Road-Board." Seconded by Captain M'Kenzib, and carried. KEJ3D AjST> FEITWICk's RI3QTJEST. Request refused, ib being considered as scarcely Avitliin the province of the Council to instruct their Clerk as to reporting for the Press. workmen's tools. The letter of the Secretary for Public Works to be acknowledged with thanks. THE COUNTY BASfK. Mr Dallas moved the motion standing in his name — that the motion appointing a County bank — bo rescinded. The CiiArRMAN pointed out that the motion was incompetent, as the Council had simply appointed a committee with power to appoint a bank. The rescinding of that resolution would simply dissolve the committee, Avhich already was dissolved ; it could not affect the action of that committee, which was the appointi ment of the Bank, as authorised by the Council. After some discussion, Mr Dallasamended his motion to — " That the appointment of a Count}*- bank be rescinded. " Seconded by Mr Suoxt. The Chairman ruled the motion out of order, and a somewhat accrimonous disou^sion emvied. Messrs Dallas, Scott, I Henderson, and others hejd that the Council had no power to appoint a bank, not having adopted the whole Act, that the former resolution of the Council waa therefore -ultra vires, and it was a matter of moonshine whether it wore rescinded or not. The matter was allowed to drop. RETURNS. The Clerk read the following " Account showing the total amount of all rateable property in the Clufcha County upon which rates have been levied during fche year ending 3.lst March, 1876, and the total amount of all rates actually received during the said year" : — Ann. Value. Amt. Reed. £ s. d. £ s. d. Clutha Road Board - 5374 10 0 2^7 18 0 Pomahaka Road Board S4S3 0 0 282 15 6 Clinton itoa<l Board 6600 0 0 326 3 0 Inch Clutha Subdivision of Matau Road Board - - - 30S8 19 0 1U 6 0 CiyJevale Road Board 5821 15 0 288 15 0 South Molj'neux Road District - - 6636 8 6 331 10 7 £36,010 12 6 £1609 8 1 clerk's salary. The Chairman reported that the Committee appointed to fix the amount of salary to be paid to the Clerk had failed to agree upon the subject, and therefore referred back the matter to the Council. A conversation ensued, during which various sums were proposed, but ulti- , mately, on the motion of Mr Aysost, seconded by Captain M'Kenzib, it was agreed that in the meantime the salary be at the rate of £50 per annum. DISTRIBUTION OP FUNDS. Captain M'K.ejstzie called attention to sub-sections 2 and 3, section 31, of the Financial Arrangements Act, to show that the distribution of the funds required to be done at the first meeting of the Council, or an adjourned meeting, and argued that as that was neither their first meeting or an adjourned meeting, the Council were now debarred from making any distribution of the funds. After a long discussion, the Chairman ruled that it was quite competent for the Council to proceed and distribute the subsidy. He, however, pointed out that as they would now hand over the whole of their funds to the Road Boards, they would have no monies at their disposal for twelve months, although they might within that time consider it better to bring the whole Act into orjeration. Mr Henderson said that by handing over the funds to the Road Boards there would be the more to expend on the roads, as there would be no salaries to pay out of it. Captain M'Kenzie said Mr Henderson seemed to imagine the whole of the County was included in Road Board districts, btit such was not the case. The inhabitants of Brugli and Waipahi were quite willing to be taxed, and if the Council would bring the whole Act into operation, and tax them, then there would be a larger amount to be expended upon the roads. They could have £1000 from Waipahi and the outlying districts were the whole Act brought into operation ; but they would not let the people pay the taxes they were Avilling to pay. Mr Henderson said the only way the outlying districts could either pay taxes or get a proportion of the subsidy A\ r as by constituting road districts. By adopting the Avhole Act they would have £1000 to pay in salaries. Mr Dallas pointed out that supposing they had adopted the whole Act they could get nothing from the Brugli or Waipahi, as the subsidy was to be given upon rates collected for the year ending March 1876. Mr Joavitt suggested that the subsidy shoxild be distributed to the several Road Boards in proportion in which, they contributed rates. Mr Dallas said this would be a monstrous thing, as some of the Road Boards had no main roads to maintain, and therefore should get none of the subsidy payable to the Council. Mr Henderson said the Road Boards could only expend the sum apj)ortioned to them upon the main roads. The Chairman said the Road Boards could expend the money as. they chose, as the Council had no control Avhatever over them. Captain M'Kenzie said the money could only be expended upon main roads, and it was for the Council to consider Avhat. portions of roads most required the money. Mr Henderson had no doubt that, the Road Boards would expend it upon main roads where most required. After further discussion, Mr Jo witt moved, "That the subsidy be divided amongst the Road Boards in proportion to the amount of rates collected by each." Mr Henderson seconded, the motion. He was aAvare this would do injustice to some districts, and he would therefore be prepared to support any alteration or amendment of the motion that might seem

better calculated to meet the case, -and do justice to all. . ... -..„ ./ .'.-: Mr Soott moved as ; an amendment,--! "That the funds be distributed to the, following Road Boards to be expended upon the roads named : — ... Clinton Road Board, £100— Road Clinton to Matauva. ■ ■ . . , , : Do., £300— Road Clinton to Waipahi. Do., £<JOO- Clinton U> "W.xiwera. Pomahaka Hoad Board, £300— Waiwera to Kaihiku. Matau Road Board, £100— Balclufcha to Inch Clufcha. Clutha Road Board, £50— Balclntha to Puorua Bridge. ; South Molyneux Road Board, £250— Puerua Bridge to Catlins River." Captain M' Kenzie seconded the amendment, -which he considered the only.practical, common-sense motion made that 'day. The motion to distribute according to rates collected he characterised as simple robbery. The price of the lands sold in the outlying districts had been appropriated to make roads in the Clutha, and noAV that a subsidy Avas giA r en to continue the roads in those outlying districts, it Avas to be taken and expended Avliere good roads had already been made, leaving the deferred payment settlers and others without any tiling. It Avas monstrous, and quite illegal. Mr Henderson ■ contended that the amendment Avas quite out of order. The Council could not ' appropriate funds to certain roads ; they could bimply hand it over to the Road Boards, and lot them expend it whore they considered it most required.

Mr D at/las disagreed with both motion and amendment. The motion would be most unfair, as the subsidy was given to be expended upon main roads, and the motion would hand it over to Road Boards that had no main roads to make or maintain. His objection to the amendment was that it proposed to distribute exactly £1800, while they would not have that amount to distribute. He would therefore move as a further amendment that it be distributed upon the principle of per centage somewhat as follows : — Clinton Road Board - - 55 per cent. Pomahaka do. - - - 10 „ Clubha do. - - 7 „ Matau do. - - - 5 „ South Molyneux do. - - 2i „ The result would be something the same as Mr Scott's amendment, but put in a practical form. Mr Dallas's amendment did not meet with a seconder, so fell to the ground. Mr Ayson spoke in favour of Mr Scott's amendment, but strongly urged a larger sum being given to the Olutha Board, 1 as it had the road to Port Molyneux to maintain. A considerable portion of it was newly metalled, and would require considerable attention for some time to prevent it getting out of order, thus losing the benefit of the money that had been expended upon it. It had heavy traffic to bear, and must be maintained. Mr Jowitt pointed out the importance of the Ahuriri, Oat] ins River, and Owake districts, which might almost be said to be without a road. The road to Port Molyneux was a good metalled road, and the money should be expended on the Oatlins River Road. Captain M'Kbnzie thought £50 was a i large sum to give to the Port Molyneux , road, a road which was metalled, in thorough repair, and had to sustain very little traffic. If the £50 was found insufficient, the Road Boards could easily supplement it. The Catlins road had been neglected, and it was the duty of the Council now to do it some measure of justioe. Upon being put to the meeting, there voted for the amendment Messrs Scott, Scobie, M'Kenzie, and Ayson. It was therefore declared carried. Captain M'Kenzie pointed out that according to the Act, the Council required to nominate some one to expend the money in Waipahi, it being an oxitlying district. He moved that Mr Matthew Paterson be nominated for the work. Seconded by Mr Ayson, and carried. ELECTION OP CHAIRMAN. „* On the motion of Mr Jowitt, seconded! by Mr Scott, Mr M'Neil was appointed^ chairman for the ensuing year. $J The Chairman returned thanks for If renewal of the confidence they had re-' loosed in him by electing him as chairman. The proceedings then terminated, the meeting having occupied from noon till 0 p.m., with an interval of an hour for luncheon.