CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 199, 3 May 1878, Page 7

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

.:i " v " A^firJeMat* meeting;' of the Clutha %'Cqnncil was held" in the , Courthouse

j li^e qn^^ida^ J ]•• -.o'clock fore- - noon.,^ ± Is\pts, a were _ ; ,presen t. : v Messrs -j M'Neil fp.bflirman.), •Jo witk : A vson , > Pallas; I^ JenkinsohV:Jand Capt. Macy lcejazje. V !'<-. ' i>.:i '.i--” ■■>■}■■ i~ Ej^'CTIO^N VOk SOUTH , MOLYr ' T ' 3 5 « c:■ NEUX. Cljerk oi&ad a letter from the Re* ; turmno^Officer^ intimating: the election of %lttJ, B a Jenkinson for South Molyjie^XjßiHlno'. ::. . . : '••' Oapt.i: Iw acrenzie said that before Cprocefedijigj with"- any business he wished to tfifer tqVJa iftatfer' he tiad . mentioned at last mep/j;no*t-rY.iZi» that there were no

| 'electojealajolls ins.existence within the I Dofinty/j^nd therefore no election could | legally take place ip. South Molynpux | -or any osnW Riflingl : If: the -Returning: jp Officer b|rcj acfeju 1 cohtj-arv. to or outside | the law, itn en be should be oronght to f -"_T)oolc|, Asjtbff {patter, could riot begone |a "snto at toe~ special meeting", he moved I : ihat tjiat|rppetingbet adjourned till after f the J^anfiia.] Meeting 1 ," so that the quesi* tioniof the. legality of the election might I l)e decided before , any business was I 'gone,iintO;:.-< <~> ... , . i

| There^^as.no^seconder, and the mo- | lion^C(p\il^^(Q^ ( th^r, ( pfor(e\b^ (i put. „ | • Capt.'"^TApiCßNZiß,. asked that the | "motion^mighfcbe lriinuted. | MrrJE]tfKl"NfsVW6bjpct*pd. As it had |; not been.l^et^n'ded.Ht.: had* rpally never I . been before the. meeting. The matter fi : Tvas :i in v ftb > er.same ; ;posinon > as if it had p never/been^ brought forward, and thereB- ibre could npt T be .minuted. He would g be as^a^jpns^as^anyi one to have the p of the officers inquired into p -wheni.necessary, ; and to have the busip Tiess 'carried 'but in a : proper and legal H manner, but in the f present case there § was npt^in^.before'.the meeting. | Oapte iMackenzie said he objected | "to the time of Councillors being longer I wasted. , t He .did not care a straw I whither^, his ."motion were minuted or |: : T)Ot. '- : I- - . ■ ■ | BUSINESS OF THK MEETING. | The Chairman explained that the |i business : of the was the con- | of a resolution passed at last I -special^meeting — '-'That a portion of % the Waipahi Ridingjeast of Waipahi, % and bounde(i by the Pomahaka and | Clinton Riding-s, be constituted a new i Riding, and that a member be assigned I; to it under the' name 1 of Wairuna Rfdat the' next .general election, and g that then Molyneux shall have | only ope/member."

I Mr JteM-kiNsoN. naqyed— " That -the ■; resolution be not confirmed^ being, contrary to; the i opinion of. the •' majority of -the members of the Council." He had h various, reasons upon which he might rsnpport; the motion. One was because : of the §unm,ng : and st.ratgetic mnnner : .;"in which the. resolution was passed at Jast meeting:, when one member for ; "South JVTpjvneux Riding' hod just died, :; "and his v sp'at eonspquentlv was vacant, f and when a number of the m"tnhers l_ were kept absent from thp meeting by ?; harvest '., operations. Tf motions upon ; 'important, subjects, were allowed to be % brought forward and passed under such ■circumstances thi« would lead to great Injustice and, irregularity. If the re-•■■-■solution had bpen to appoint a ComCinittee to .examine into and report upon 'the whole, jnatter of the boundaries of Ridings it would have had his support, he .could not support such an unjust alteration without the knowledge and approval of the majority of the " members. Another reason was because ; the erroneous basis upon which the resolution was founded. Before altering the boundaries, it would bo necessary to procure a map of v the County, so that the members might know what ;: the present boundaries really were. But the hasty manner, coupled with the peculiar circumstances under' which the resolution had been- parsed, \vere sufficient reasons why it shonld not be coniirmed. . Mr DXtltr^^ec^n'ded the motion. - Mr JowiiT-fc considered the resolution ' moved at last meeting; should not have found a seconder, orjf it were seconded it should 6 j riof; v haye J been accepted by ;.;. the Chairman. 'The motion, of which ;l notice had been give f n, was merely to ; Iske the bpundarres of Ridings into con- ;, "sideration,^jiereas the motion actually ; ; moved wfts for l an alteration of the re"r I>resentati6n l , virhich 'was quite a different ■ ;: ~ matter, "and ? Was dealt witli 'in a different r : clause of the Act. The. resolution was ;; /therefore of the /nature ".of a surprise, althoupphsi.tJdidjhot i surprise i him when ; lie read it as .he-had-'ample experience :-"' of the g<mefosity, -^ood taste, and usual '; of the mover.--t r {Laughter). „ He^adbeen present at all the meeMWs ■pT > 't^e T Qduncn. except the lastspecial one^wlncb He could no c attend ;. ;"i iad^^hefinotrojft of which, notice had f, heen gi^en;, .beeni carried ,he could -no t I :; nave complaihedii- It iwas ungenerous fe wid bad Jasteof'the mover^o move the | : Tesolnrlon in the absencejOfJ tbe memlir hers from SoutTi.Noljneux, when, he | Iwew tb#one Wd j"ust "died, and there \ : - Li liad not been time to fill his place. ; He fesaid thea-smem^ers J of South Molynenx lE^id not deserve such treatment^ which tt ne^ could characterise ;by a Uurid red *5 adJectives^Btft^ifmigh^be 1 better to fe- % strain tii a( in^nation u tjh[is ; respect. I Capt. Mackenzie had .at a i former meetjj ing told them he was a man of war, and | lie supposed~he held that all^was fair in; I^ar.>; fife fllMxwititi Tjelonged to: the ! fi; peace nartv, and did not agree in. -this..

The Captain also seemed to consider that in all eases the ends justified the means, but he (Mr Jowitt) could not say that the action of Captain Mackenzie in the matter was not strictly honourable.

Capt. Mackenzie said he was quite well t aware from the gentlemen who were present at the meeting" that the resolution would not be confirmed, and therefore had nneto e t intended to waste time over it, but he had been attacked ' by one member for South Molyneux and another old friend, who he could not recognise as a member of Council, and therefore it was- necessary for him to defend himself. He contended that the resolution had nothing to do with South Molyneux Riding or its members. The Ridinir he represented was double the size of the South Molvneux Ridin" 1 , and the latter had double the representation of the Wavpahi Ridin<r. It was simply to remedy this injustice and equalise the representation that the resolution had been passed. FTp. had been accused of having brought forward the resolution with undue haste, and of having; taken advantage of the absence of the members for South Molyneux to get it passed. "But what, he asked, was the line of action pursued by the members that day ? He had asked the postponment of the special meeting in order that a decision miarht be arrived at with refei'ence to the legality of the late election, and the members for South Molyneux had taken the advantage of the absence of several members to prevent this being done. His motion for postponment had not evea been seconded. They also took advantage of the same circumstances to refuse to confirm the resolution passed at last meeting. As to the insinuations that had been made of dishonourable conduct, he had lived too long in the world and bad had too much experience of the value of such insinuations to take the slightest notice of them.

The Chairman explained as to calling* last special meeting and the procedure that had been adopted.

Mr Jenkinson said Captain Mackenzie had not given a very lucid excuse for the course he had pursued at last meeting. As to the recent election he did not feel particularly ambitious of the honour of being a County Councillor ; and if it were found that he bad been illegally "elected he would at once retire. Captain Mackenzie's object in' the whole matter evidently was to secure a preponderance of representation at the ofher side of the County Capt. Mackenzie : To have the meetings at Clinroo. >■ Mr Jenkinson : Jusc so : the q-entie-man is self convicted ; he adopts under-' hand means to obtain a certain end. If the resolution had bpfin fairly given and fairly discussed he (Mr Jenkinson) would have been prepared to abide by the result, but as it was he would do his utmost to prevent the resolution being- confirmed. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously, Capt. Mackenzie declining" to vote. This concluded the business of the special meeting. ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting was then held, the same gentlemen being 1 pi*esent. minutes. The rninutps of previous general meeting; and a special meeting were read and confirmed. THE SOUTH MOLYNEUX ELECTION. Capt. Mackenzie formally moved the adjournment of the meeting in order to enabje him to call attention to the recent election for a member for South Molyneux Riding. He read section 75 of the Counties Act, referring to the authority of the Council over its officers, and also sections 42 and 44. 0 f the Local Elections Act bearing upon the subject. He asked supposing the election were found to be illegal, whose duty it would be to prosecute. The. Chairman said it would be for the Council to do so. Cap£ Mackenzie said those who took part in the election were liable to a penalty of LSO eaph, so that would be some benefit to the Council. He wished to know upon what roll or guidance the Returning Officer acted at the election. If the County Clerk had supplied a roll purporting to be a roll of the Riding, he had done wrong. He (Capt Mackenzie) had informed the Returning Officer, prior to the election that there was no legal roll, and therefore he had knowingly done an illegal act. He hoped the Returning Officer would be called to attend the meeting to explain his conduct. .The Chairman explained that the Returning' Officer had proceeded to no election by his instructions. On Mr Hendersoa's resigning his seatfor South Molyneux Riding the Councilinstructed the Clerk to supply the Returning Officer with a roll. ; This was done, and upon that roll Mr Brugh was elected, and took his seat without any objection being raised. Mr Jenkinson said. he had read the I reports, of the meetings of Council, and he. found the actions of the. officers were being, constantly questioned' by the councillors. That constant nag-nagging could > hot be pleasant to the officers. He thought the question raised by Capt. Mackenzie should, be enquired, into, so that the officers might be placed in a proper position with regard to their duties'.! , : ". „

M*r Dallas said tbe;| Clerk bad by instructions of the Council, supplied the Returning 1 Officer with the Road Board rolls, upon which Mr Brujrh was elected, and no doubt he had used the same roll at the recent election. The original County roll was made up from the Road Board rolls, and it was no doubt intended to be continued until a new roll was prepared. He believed, however, there was ample room for lawyers to cavil ovfcr the matter. The Chairman refen*ed to sections 48 and 49 of the Local Elections Act as showing 1 the course prescribed in case of disputed elections. Capt. Mackenzie said the difficulty was that the roll being 1 illegal," there ' were no electors to object. He held that by sections 40 and 52 of the Counties Act the roll ceased to exist so soon as the Counfies'Act was brought into operation. *He contended that there were no electors within the County of Chit ha at the present time, and there would continue to be no electors till a new electoral roll was compiled. The Chairman said he believed it must have been intended that the one roll would continue in force until another one was made to take up its place. The Clerk having been aslred, explained that the election of Mr Brugh was conducted upon the Road Board rolls, supplied to the Returning Officer by him at the request of the Council. He presumed the recent election had been conducted upon the same rolls. Capt. Mackenzie repeated that he had informed the Returning' Officer that these rolls were illegal, and that he would act upon them at his own peril. Mr Jenkinson said the mountain Captain Mackenzie had raised was gradually being reduced to the dimensions of a mole hill. Unless there were some charge to be brought against the Returning Officer, he thought it would be unnecessary to bring him to the meeting-. After some further discussion, the motion for the adjournment was not seconded, and the subject dropped. WArPAHr TO KELSO RAILWAY. The following letter was read from the Colonial Secretary : — Public Works Office, Wellington, April 6, 1878. Sir, — 1 am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th of January requesting that for the present the terminus of the Waipahi-Tapanui railway may be fixed at Kelso, and in reply to inform you that the Minister has given directions that your request shall be complied "with. — I am, &c. , J. M. Knowles, Under-Secretary. Chairman Clutha Council. The letter was received. MATAU BRIDGE. A letter was read from tbo Clerk to the Bruce County Council, forwarding the following resolution passed by that Council: — "That the Clutha Oountv Council be written to, asking if they are willing to take over the control find management of the Matau bridge from the Bruce County Council." After some explanations and discussion, it was moved by Mr Jenkinson, seconded by Mr Dallas, and carried — " That the Council take over the bridge, the, Bruce Council to band over to the Olutha Council the balance of fnn.ds in their hands for repairs to said bridge." DOG TAX. A letter was read from Mr Inspector Thomson, acquainting the Council that it it was desired ih?t the Constabulary should continue to collect the dog- tax, ir. would be necessary to obtain the approval of the Commissioner in Wellington. The letter was received, and consideration of the matter deferred. AUDITOR FOR SOUTH JIOLY.VEUX ROAD BOARD. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary asking the Council to nominate an Auditor for the South Moly-. neux Road Board in room of Mr Brugh deceased. The Council nomintated Mr J. H. Jenkinson for the office.ROAD BOARD RETURNS. Returns of amounts of ratps collected were received from the Uerks to the Olydevale, Matau, and Pomahalsa Road Boards, KAITANGATA PUNT. A letter was read from the Clerk to the Matau Road Board requesting the Council to take over the control and management of the Kaitangata punt. The request was declined. The Council then adjourned for luncheon. AN EXPLANATION. On resuming, the Chairman read a telegram he had received from Mr Scobie, expressing his regret that private business prevented him attending the meeting. COUNTY M.4.PS. The Chairman read a letter from i the Chief Surveyor, forwarding a map of the County. engineer's report. The following reports by the Engineer were read : — April 5, 1878. Mr Chairman, Clutha County Council. Sir,— Having reported to the meeting of Council held on, the 29th of Mai^ch the number of surfacemen then under the employ of the Council, and where employed, also in regard to the work being carried out by day labour at Clinton, I j have now the honour to supplement that report by stating more specifically jbhe quantity of work done at Clinton, and. the amount of wages due for last month. Number of chains formed rat; Clinton,

23 ; number of chains metalled at Clinton, -A ;-- estimated quantity of metal quarried but not carted out, 4Q yards ; total amount of wages due, LBS 16s ; amount of wages due to surfacemen on the Main South Road, L2l 7s ; amount of wages due to surfacemen on Catlins Road, Ll6 16s. I have sent in to the Treasurer the accounts for the above sums.

The roads at present are in good condition for traffic.

I will advertise again for tenders for Contracts Nbs. 2, 3, 5, and 0 ; these contracts being, with the exception of No. 6, for providing maintenance metal for the Main South Road, which is urgently required before winter. .

Will you be kind enough to instruct me whether I am at present to call for tenders for Contracts Nos. 14 and 35, Catlins Road.

I would beg to bring under your notice the necessity of having general conditions for contracts legally drawn out and printed, so that a copy might be attached to each specification ; also, a proper form of contract drawn out and printed, for contractors to sign, binding them to complete their work to drawings, specifications, and general conditions. — I am., &c. , Matthew Pateeson, . Engineer to County Council.

April 25, 1878. Mr Chairman, Clutha County Council. Sir,— -I have the honour to report that, according to instructions, I have called for tenders for road works on Green vale Road, namely, 37 chains of formation and gravelling. I have also advertised again for tenders for Contracts Nos. 2, 3, 5, and 6, Main South Road.

In regard to expending the sums voted at last meeting for works on the Main South Road near to Mr Corbett's place and between the Waiwera mill and Mr Mackenzie's place, I found that after making enquiry, the work ' was not likely to be tendered for on the conditions that it was to be completed within two months. I resolved to proceed with the work by day labour, and expect to overtake the forming and metalling of the worst portions of the road on the places mentioned. There are 12 chains near to Mr Corbett's place formed, and the metalling of it is begun.

The works at Clinton will be completed shortly should the weather be at all favourable. There has been considerable difficulty in obtaining horse labour for these works.

In regard to alteration of railway crossing at Clinton, I beg to attach correspondence thereon.

Owing to the very unfavourable state of : the weather lately for levelling purposes, I have not been able to complete the survey of the works on the Mataura Road. I beg to recommend that the money voted should be expended in opening up the proper line of road between Block XV., Waipahi, and Blocks IT., V., and VI. , Kuriwao Survey Districts. With the exception of that portion at Stewart's Creek, the work may be proceeded with during the winter season.

Mr Pollock is carrying out his contract, for the supply of maintenance metal west of Clinton. I am nob aware whether Anderson and Timmens have begun their contracts. The formation where Anderson has got to metal is being put in repair so that he may proceed with his work. Neither Melrose nor Ohirnside have begun their contract. Falconer and Co. . have begun Contract No. 16 on road to Catlins, but even should they put down and break the metal the road is nob likely to be in a fit state to receive it before the spring. I would suggest that I might bo allowed to alter the contract so far that I might instruct the contractors to put down the metal for two or three chains on the formation as it is carted, and break it on the surface. By doing that the worst places may be kept passable during winter. — I am, &c, Matthew Patebson, Engineer to County Council. Kaihiku, April 4, 1878. Sir, — I am instructed by the Chairman of the Clutha County Council to request an alteration of the crossing where the railway intersects Bury-street. town of Clinton. I enclose a sketch of that part of the town, and have traced with blue the line of formation requested. The present line and crossing is marked red. I may state that the present formation whore the railway intersects Bury-street was formed in error, and it is very desirable that it should be placed in its proper position. Should you agree to this, I will be glad to furnish you with the levels, so that the cx-ossing may be formed to correspond with the street. — I am, &c, Matthew Pateiison. The Hailway Engineer, Clinton. Public Works Office, Dunedin, April 12, 1878. Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 4th inst. , addressed to the Resident Engineer, Clinton, I have to request that you will kindly state the grounds on which you ask the Government to make the deviation. The crossing was made on the original road, and I do not see why the Government should be called on to bear the expense of the proposed deviation and to part with a portion of the railway reserve as well. — I ->am, <fee. , J. A. M. AuTSim,, For District Engineer. Matthew Paterson, Esq. Kaihiku, April 18, 1878. Sir, — In reply to your memo, of the 12th inst. , I beg to state the following grounds for requesting the alteration of the railway crossing at Clinton:— l. That it be made on the proper surveyed street. (See survey of Clinton by C. B. Shanks). 2. By placing the crossing where re-: quested it will ;bring Bury-street and Inyercargill road in a somewhat direct line with one another, which will be a great convenience to the public. ' 3. That as the Government have agreed to alter the gradient of the present crossing, should ■no alteration take place the difference of cost in , constructing a new one will be trifling. ..'... I may only add further that the Government by making the alteration is not re. quested to part with any pox'tion of the railway reserve.-rl am, &c, :: • : Matthew Patersof, Engineer to County Council/.; 1 ' The District ■'' Engineer, Dunedin. „>', / The . reports were adopted, and^; f he ;

Enginee's suggestions with 1 refer ft nee to! Falconer's contract on Catlins River road were agreed to. . . ! Mr JowrrT said the season was now so far advanced that he was afraid tba* ir would be simply a waste of money t*» proceed with more new contracts til! spring. COUNTY ROADS. Mr Dallas, according to noMnp, movftd— 4 ' That the road throng! ■ the Ashley Down district from Southern Trunk Road as far as Pomahaka ford he declared a County road." In support of the motion he pointed^out that in the meantime the Pomahaka Road Board had to keep up the road referred to, while the traffic upon it, was chiefly h'ora the Clvdevale Road district The traffic was large as it* was from an extensive district. Three or four miles of the road had already been formed and metalled, so that the^Counfcy. would not be put to any very great expense by taking 1 over the road. Capt. Mackenzie seconded the motion. He considered it quite reasonable that where a road through one road district had to be maintained for the traffic from another road district it should be declared a County road. Mr Jenkinson would oppose the motion, as it was striking at the root of the Road Boards ; it was performing the work they were established to perform. There were itnany roads exactly in the same position as the one referred to, and if the Council were to go on constantly taking over such roads, this would deprive the Road Boards of their functions and ultimately do away with them altogether. These Boards had done an immense amount of useful work, and had carried it out economically, j and he objected to any interference with them, It was no doubt a case of hardship that one Board should have to maintain roads to sustain the traffic of another district, but such cases should be met by the Council voting a sum to assist in the maintenance of such roads. The roads, however, should be left in charge of the Boards, and all moneys | should be expended under the supervision of the Boards. j Mr Jowitt said that on a previous similar occasion Capt. Mackenzie objected to any other than main roads being declared County roads, and suggested grants-in-aid instead. Now he had seconded Mr Dallas 1 s motion for declaring a district road a county road, while Mr Jenkinson advocated the course .previously adhered to by Captain Mackenzie. He (Mr Jowitt) would much prefer to leave the district roads under the control of the Road Boards, giving grants-in-aid in any special cases of hardship. He would oppose the motion. ■

The Chairman pointed out that since a steamer had 'been placed upon the river much of the traffic, which the road hitherto had to maintain, would be diverted to the river. He also would much prefer the system of votes in aid, and asked what works were to be left to the Road Boards if such roads were taken over.

Capt. Mackenzie : Let the Boards die out.

Tbe Chathman : The Boards had done much good, and ought to be supported instead of attempting 1 to do away with their functions and destroy their usefulness.

Mr Dallas in rfply, referred to the notion of rhe Council in Taking over the road to Catlins River, which, beyond Puprua was solely required for the traffic of the road district through which it passed. Yet the Council had declared it a County road and were expending'lame sums of money upon it. He then opposed taking over any roads except main roads, but the Council adopted another principle and he wished that principle applied to his district so that it might, have pqual justice with others- It was equally necessitous with the Catling road, and n? the one had been taken over so should the other. The motion on being* put to the meeting 1 was carried, the voting- being Ayes, Dallas, Mackenzie, and Ayson, "and the Noes, Jenkinson, and Jowitt. Mr Dallas then moved " That the road through Te Honka from the southern trunk road as far as the junction of roads on top of hill on west side of Kaihika stream, be declared a County road. Capt. Mackenzie seconded the motion fro forma. Mr Jowitt opposed the motion on the ground that the Council had no funds a* its disposal for the maintenance of such roads. The Council had already more roads than it could attend to. He would prefer giving- a grant of money to assist with any roads now under the control of the Boards. Tf any good reason could be shown why this road should be a County road, it could be taken over at any future time, but if once taken over the Council could not again divest itself of ihe responsibility of maintaining it.. -. " ' Mr Jenkinson also opposed the motion, and . argued that the Council should lay down some principle for its guidance in such matters. At present they were guided by no principle whatever ) they, had started" iipoh a' very adventurous track and the sooner they paused' the better. Capt. Mackenzie .said it seemed to him-some Councillors adjusted their arguements and their principles according; to; the locality the; mptiqnj would affect. I If it were to benefit their own ■'.particular locality they found, no prin-

ciple violated, and they argued in .its favour. But if the motion applied to any. other district a contrary course was adopted. The course pursued by the two South Molyneux gentlemen showed the necessity for an adj'istmpnt of the representati-m. Me would have the County divided into nine ridine-s, each represented by one member and thus prevent one small cobTerir of persons returning two members for n larye Widiutr. As to the principle to be applied in taking over roads, he thought that when one Road Board was obliged to- maintain a road for the traffic of another Road District, that road should be declared a County road. Otherwise a grant-m---aid should be given. So long as the Council is constituted as at present it would not be wise for the people to trust to securing grants-in- aid, if they could by any means get their own little arrangements carried out.

The Chairman said if they were to take over such roads as the one under consideration they should resolve to take over the whole district roads at once and let the Koad Boards cease to exist The road was simply a small bit of a district road leading- to nowhere. It had a farm on each side and after a few miles, terminated. The river was also close by and a steamer was plying to accommodate the traffic of the district. He always considered only the main roads should be taken over by the County — those road that previously had been maintained by the Government.' If the present motion were carried then a petition might at once be forwarded to the Government to abolish the Road Boards. Mr Dallas having- replied, the vote was taken when only the mover voted for it. h was therefore lost. ESTIMATE OP EXPENDITURE. Capt. Mackenzie having obtained a stispension of the Standing Orders, moved — "That the Clerk prepare against next meeting 1 an estimate of the proposed expenditure of the County for twelve months, shewing 1 suras available, additional sums required, total rateable value of rateable property on valuation roll, and the rate thereon necessary to raise the money required in terms of section 107 of the Counties Act." He said he feared the Council was getting into deep waters. They were paying salaries, authorising 1 large works and incurring heavy expenditure, while he did not know nor did he suppose any of the Councillors knew their exact financial position. 1 Mr Jknkensout seconded the motion which was carried. THE RIVER-BANK ROAD. ! Mr Jenkinson wished the Standing Orders suspended to enable him to move a motion with reference to the stoppage of the nver-bank road from Balclutha to Port Molvneus. This was objected to and Mr Jenkinson said he would hand a notice of motion upon the subject to the Clerk before next meeting. The meeting then adjourned. . NOTICES OF MOTION.

By Mr Dallas— "That a special meeting of the Council be held at 11 o'clock on 31st May to consider the boxxndaries of Ridings and the representation of the same, with a view to their more equitable adjustment."

By Capt. Mackenzie — " That the engineer be instructed to inspect the surveyed road from Waikoikoi bridge to the coal reserve, near M'lntyre.'s homestead, and ascertain whether" any deviation from the surveyed line be required, and if so So specify the s;ime." By Capfc. Mackenzie — "That the Chairman apply to the Attorney General for his opinion as to whether it is legal to hold an ordinary election, accept nominations, and declare a person elected, after the Counties Act has been brought into force, and before electoral rolls have been formed in accordance with the provisions of the Counties Act.

By Mr Ayson— "That tenders be called, at per head, for the collection of the Dog- Tax."

By Mr Ayson — "That a special meeting; of the Council be held on May 31, to take into consideration the framing- of Bye-Laws, to regulate the fee for Slaughtering Licenses.