CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 204, 7 June 1878, Page 7

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meetihgfbf the Clutha County .^ Oolihralf was. held in, the; Courthouse here x.-;ori ]£aday- ilast,t-at 11- a. to. There were • present : Messrs (Chairman), : M f Kenzie^fi Jenkinson, Dallas, Ayson, Jowftit, Sc6hie,*and Scott. '' i . BOUNDARIES lOF RIDINGS. Th«j Chalrman explainedthat the meeting had tieen called to consider motions of notice had been given by Messrs ; Dallas anfl'Aysbii. TheJOomicilthen went into Committee to r consider Mr Dallas' motion as to the altera- : laqi^.df the boundaries of Ridings. A disv -cußsion ensued, and continued till 1.30 ;p.m^'when v the Bpecial meeting was adjourned till; the close of the ordinary i meeting. . »: The business of the special meeting was Tesuihed at !S p.m., when Mr Dallas moved the following resolution j-— .-;_ ■; '.' ; That; the'; boundary of the South Molyneux JMding be altered to include: the eastern portion ; «f Bragh RidiDg as far as the Waiwera Stream ; 7 thence along the Waiwera Stream as far as the Southern, boundary \of run 90; thence in a westerly direction along the southern boundary - of the said run 90 to the western boundary of the Bragh Riding. '• '• Vast a; new Biding be created called the Wai- : xuna sßidingjibounded towards the west and north^by the Waipahi Rivier and ,by the Poma- : hoka, towards the east by the Wairuna Stream to the western' boundary of the Clinton Riding as ; fat as, the Waiwera Stream ; thence along the '--: "Waiwera - Stream to the. southern boundary of Tan 90;. theneo along the southern boundary of said run 90 to the Waipahi River. That the" Clinton Riding bo altered so as to "'.■ include the northern portioa of the Pomahaka i 'Riding, bounded towards the north by the present Txrandary ofj.the .County to i he Clutha River; thence along the Clutha River as far as the 'western boundary lfne* of sectibu 36, Block 1., Pomahaka-iSurvey "rDistriot ; thence along the westerndxrandary. of said section 36 to the Pomahaka River ; thence across the Pomahaka river and along the road known as Pomahaka Ford Road t» the old boundary of the Clinton RidiDg ; thence' in an easterly direction aloDg the said. boundary, to the western boundary of the Clutha SurveylDistrict ; thence along the said western boundary of 'the i Clutha Survey District to the houndary of Block HI., Warepa Survey District ; thence in a westerly direction along the said boundary line; of Block III. ; thsnce iu a southerly direction aloDg the western bouodary of said Block HI., to the boundary of the South Molyneux Riding; thence in a westerly direction along the boundary of the South Molyneux Rid- . wg, and bounded towards the west by the present boundary of the Clinton Riding as far as the Wairuna Stream.;;, thence along the Wairuna Stream! WihePemahaka River.. Thatthe'Pbniahaka Riding be bounded towards the -west -by-. the Clinton Riding, the other boundaries' remaibing as at present. . That ths Richardson Riding be bounded on the west by, the Clinton Riding, the other boundaries Tcemainihg asat present; That the Waipahi Riding be bounded towards the south by- the Wairuna Riding, the other boundaries remaining as at present. , Mr Jowitt seconded the motion, which "was carried by 4 to 3 votes. REPRESENTATION OF RIDINGS. Mr Dallas moved that the representation of the several Ridings be as follows : — " South Molyneux, two members ; Richardson, two members ; Pomahaka, ; one member ; Clinton, two members ; Wairunay one member ; and Waipahi, one member. Mr Jenkinson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Dallas moved — "That a special meeting ' be 1 held at the close of next ordinary' ineeting (28th June) to confirm the above resolutions. Seconded by .Mr Jenkinson, and carried, BYE-LAWS. Mr Ayson, according to notice, moved — " That the Bruce County Bye-Laws relating to slaughter houses be adopted for this County." Seconded by Mr Dallas. Mr Jenkinson moved and strongly urged that the license fee should be 5s instead of L2 los. His amendment did not find a seconder, but it was agreed to reduce the fee to L2, and the motion with this amendment was carried. This concluded the business of the special meeting.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held on Friday afternoon, the same gentlemen being present. * MINUTES. The minutes of previous ordinary meeting and a special meeting were read and confirmed.- ■■■'-■ LOANS. A circular was read from the Wairarapa County Council, forwarding the following resolution passed by that Council, and asking the co-operation of the Clutha Council in the matter : — " That this Council is of opinion that the Government should be strongly urged during the next I session to make provision for raising loans I for County purposes by a central Board of Works, with authority to distribute such amounts among the Counties requiring loans on a definite basis, ' taking security on local rates > as ; such a body would unr doubtedly be able to raise loans on much more favourable terms than can be done \ V isolated local bodies." ■'. Consideration of the matter was deferred fill next meeting. RESERVES. # The Tuapeka County Council wrote asking the consideration and co-operation of the Clutha Council in the following resolutions: — 1. Resolved — That in the opinion of this Council all Reserves -.within! any County Disliicfc should he -vested in the County- Council ; and, if necessary to legislate upon the matter, that the <3ovevnment ta requested to take action during the next session of Parliament to enable them to give effect to the same. : 2._ Besolved— Contingent upon the above being carried, that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the various County Councils, and the contemplated Coufereuce asking their consideration and cooperation in the matter. . The CHAiKMAiff said "all reserves" vottld include Municipal Reserves, School •Reserves, Reserves for the Board of Conservators, etc. He was afraid there might : w opposition to this. . After a brief discussion consideration : was deferred. . ] COJOPERENCE ©I" COUNTY COUNCILS. | A circular Was read from the Westland ( County Council suggesting a conference of ;' County Councils in Wellington, and re- ; questing the views of the Clutha Council : upon the-Bubject: 1 The' matters suggested . to he brought before the conference were \ those relating Wtlie maintenance of main | roads, the construction., of large bridges, X and other pubUc^works,, which properly | Bhould deyolye oiltiie County, the various i -■■ affecting the finance and revenues | of Counties, and the support of charitable | : institutions, etc. S- The Chairman said he believed the

conference had already been agreed to, and would be held towards the end of June. Mr Jenkinson, believed many matters affecting the County required consideration, and a conference of delegates who had experience in the working of the County system might • tend to beneficial results. If Capt. Mackenzie would agree to attend, he would no doubt have great influence at the conference. He would be able to make valuable suggestions, and a much improved County system might result. He moved that Captain Mackenzie attend the conference as a delegate from the Clutha Council, he paying his own expenses. Mr Dallas seconded the motion pro forma. . In reply to the Chairman, Capt. Mackenzie said he would require some time to think over the matter. THE VOTE FOR CATLINS KOAD. A telegram was read from the UnderSecretary of' Works asking information as to the amount of tenders that had been accepted for works on the Catlins River road. The Chairman reported that he had replied to the telegram on receipt. Action approved of. MATAU BRIDGE. The following letter from the Matau Road Board was read : — ! Jnch Clutha. May 15, 1878. | Sir, — By direction of the Chairman of the Matau Road Board, I have to inform you that a resolution was passed at last meeting of the Boatd -instructing me to apply to the Clutha County Council for the balance of money voted by the Clutha County Council, and which was ppid to the Bruce County Council for repairs to Matau Budge, and which has again been paid back to the Clutha County Council. The original sum voted for repairs to the Matau Budge has not been expended on the bridge, and I am instructed to make application to your honourable Council for the b^laDC? to finish the approaches on the Inch Clutha side of the bridge, or otherwise the Council to make the necessary repairs and place the approaches to the bridge in a finished condition. — I am, &c, James M'Kint,,ay, Clork Matau Road Board. The Chairman Clutha County Council. The Chairman said there evidently existed some missapprehension upon this subject in the minds of the members of the Road Board. He observed Messrs Inglis and Mosley present. He thought it would be well to hear them upon the subject. Messrs Inglis and Mosley were accordingly heard, and explanations ensued bei tween them and the Council, which api peared to be satisfactory. It was explained by the Chairman that the Matau bridge was still under the charge of the Bruce County Council, and that no funds voted for it3 maintenance had been paid to the Clutha Council. When the balance was received the bridge would be attended to. A letter was also read from the Bruce County Council, agreeing to hand over the bridge to the Clutha Council, and pointing out that it now rested with the latter Council to make application to the Minister/of Works to have the \ control and management of the bridge transferred. The Clerk was directed to make the necessary application to the Minister of Works. INSPECTORS OP SLAUGHTERHOUSES. A letter was read from Inspector Thomson, recommending that Constable Wm. Warring, Balclutha ; Wm. Strean, Clinton, and Charles Dunnett, Tapanui, be appointed inspectors of slaughterhouses. The recommendation was adopted. A letter was read from Constable Strean requesting to be furnished with a copy of bye-laws re slaughterhouses. The Clerk to reply that bye-laws not yet in force. GLENSHEE.. The following letter was read : — Glenkenich. March 28, 1878. Sir,— -I am requested by a number of the settlers in the Gleushee and Waikoikoi valleys to lay before you the urgent necessity of making the road through those valleys passable for at least horses and light traffic. There would be about fifteen culverts wanted, but stone is convenient for their erection. We are williug to subscribe about L4O lowaids doiDg the work, and if you could see your way to supplement it to the same amount, it would make the worst places passable. We would beg to call your attention to the direction of the road np the Waikoikoi valley. 'We think it should ruu along the south side of the stream to its junction with the Gleushee road. The settlers affected would decline to give anything if it is to be taken as at present surveyed. Hoping you will see fit to grant our request, I am, &c, Robeht Simmers. The Chairman Clutha County Council. Capt. Mackenzie pointed out that this was the most important road within the district ; that it would be the leading road to the railway station ; that a large number of settlers had now taken up land in the district, and that they were completely shut in till the road was made. In the meantime it was quite impassable, aud the settlers had either to cany their stores upon horseback or upon 'their own backs. It being in an outlying district the road was a county one, and no one but the Council could interfere with it. He believed the inhabitants of the district would contribute liberally towards the cost of its formation. (On the motion of Captain Mackenzie, the Standing Orders were suspended). He moved — "That the road from Waikokoi bridge to M'lntyre's be constructed by the County ; that the Engineer be instructed to furnish an estimate of the amount required for the same, and that Capt. Mackenzie be empowered to ascertain what amount the settlers in the locality are willing to contribute towards the work." Mr Scott seconded the motion, which was carried. THE COUNTY SUBSIDY. The following letters from the Pomahaka and South Molyneux Road Boards were read : — Te Houka, April 37, 187S. Sir, — I am directed by the Chairman of the Pomahaka Road Board to acnokwledge receint of your letter in re subsidy, and to inform you that any County subsidy that may be paid to the Ro.°.d District T?uod»Account will be handed over to the" County Council. — lam, t&c, Wm. Dallas, Clerk Pomahaka Road Board. W. Henderson, Clerk Clutha Council.

Port Molyneux, May 30, 1 878. Sir, — In reply to your letter dated April 23 to the Chairman of the South Molyneux Road Board re subsidy, I am instructed to forward to you copy of resolution passed by tho Board at a meeting held to-day, which I herewith enclose. James Shtels, Clerk S.M. Road Eoard. W. Henderson, Clerk Clutha Council.

[Resolution.] That the "Board considering all the circumstances'are willing to forego all claims to the said

portion of the subsidy; hut the Board cannot find any authority in the Ordinance under which they ara constituted hy which they can Laud over to the Council that portion of the subsidy paid by the Government to the Board's account ; but to meet the views of the Council,- the Board is willing to pay for any work done by the Council in the South Molyneux Biding during the last half of tho financial year or that is at present in course of b»ing done, provided that the same does not exceed the amount paid to the Board by the Government on account of subsidy, j namely, Lll2 19s 6d. The Clerk to forward to ] the Clutha County Council a copy of this resolution. The letters, which were considered very satisfactory, were received. SUBSIDY TO OUTLYING DISTRICTS. A telegram was read from the Government, asking who the Council would recommend to receive and expend the share of the County subsidy allotted to the outlying district of Waipahi. The Chairman explained that ho had replied recommending Mr M. Paterson. Action approved of. -RETURNS. The Clerk read a return he had sent to the Government of the valuation and amounts collected by the several Road Boards within the County for the year ended 31st March last, as follows : — Poinahaka Road B»ard. on rateable pvope>Ly valued at £8595 ... £327 3 9 Cl vrtevtfe Road Board, ditto £6901 174 1 0 Mahu Road Board, ditto £3757 ... 156 13 0 Clutha Road Board , ditto £5511 10a 275 1 1 6 Clinton Road Board ... 329 19 0 South Molyneux Read Board, ditto £7395 289 3 3 Total collected as above shown... £1502 11 6 TENDERS. Two tenders by J. Chirnside for maintenance metal for the main south road were accepted — the metal to be supplied within a mouth. ENGINE W S TtEPORT. Tlie following report by the Engineer was read :— r Sir, — I have the honour to report that I have inspected the surveyed road from Waikoikoi bridge to the coal reserve near Mr M 'ln tyre's place, and I am of opinion that a deviation is not required. I beg to inform tho Council that the proprietor of Conical Hill Estate is fencing the west side of the road leadiug from Waipahi to Tapanui by Glenkenich ford, and that a portion of the road where it intersects P. 11. at " Wattie's hut." and a.ljacent to sections 14 and 15, Block VIII., Waipahi. will require to be formed. There have been unusually high floods during 1 ihe present month, but with the exception of some trifling slips of earth in cuttings aud tho washing away of paH of a culvert and embankment on the flat near to Pomahaka Bridge, Tapanui road, no great damnge to the roads has been done. A temporally wooden culvert had to be erected to keep the road passable for traffic until such time as the culvert can be repaired and the embankment mado up. The ro-id works in progress by day-labour as well as those let by contract have been kept bi'ck by the weather duriog the early part of this mouth. In regard to works being carried out by daylabour, I have to report that the metalliug of portion of main road through Clinton town has been completed, apd the laying down of maintenance metal from Mr Wallace's gate to Clinton is beini pioceedcd with. The worst portion of the road at Mr Corbett's place is metalled. The woi ks there and at Waiwera mill are being carried out. It will be necessary to provido some maintenance metal for the main road at Carterho'pe and at Kaihiku bridges. 1 intend to fill the ruts on the road near to the Waiwera Hotel with gravel from, the Waiwera stream. I may remind the Council that tenders have beeu twice called for the supply of maintenance metal for these places. In regard to contracts, I have to report that Mr Simmers has the formation work on his contract at Glenkenich flat well advanced, but I do not expect that it will be in a fit state to put gravel on this winter. Messrs Anderson have laid down about the half of the metal on their contract at Waipahi, but seeing there was little probability of the road being in a fit slate to receive it, I have requested them not to put down any more in the meantime. Mr Pollock has nearly completed his contract for the supply of maintenance metal at Clinton. Mr -Melrose has a quantity of stonequarried, but helms not pub down any on his contract yet. Mr Chirnside, the contractor for the work on the hill west of . the Four-mile' Creek, Port Molyneux road,: is well advanced with his contract. Mr Morton has nearly completed his contract for the' supply of maintenance metal at Somervillo's flat, Port Molyneux road,' but he has not begun his contracts for the supply of maintenance metal at Downie's placer- yet, or the metalling of portion of road near to Whytook's Hotel. Falconer and Co. have stopped work on their contracts on Oatbns road Until the spring. They have applied for a progress payment. I beg to recommend that they be paid 75 per cent on the work done. Schedules were attached showing the estimated quantity of work done by day labour during the month of April as L2BB 17s 6d, and from Ist to 20th May, L167 Os Id. COUNTY ROAD, INCH CLUTHA. Mr Ayson said, at a recent meeting the Council had declared a road on Inch Clutha a County road. This had been done on the suggestion of himself and his colleague for that Riding. It appeared the members of the Matau Road Board did not approve of their action in the matter, and wished some other road declared a County road in room of the one selected. The Chairman of the Board, Mr Inglis, and Mr Mosley, had attended the meeting as a deputation from the Board with a view to having the one road substituted for the other. He therefore introduced the members of the deputation. Mr Inglis produced the map of the Road District, and explained that the road that had been declared a County road led down the Matau branch as far as Smaill's, and was only used by a few individuals, as the settlers on the lower portion of that branch carted their produce, &c. , to the railway station at Kaitangata. The Board, therefore, desire that the road leading down the centre of the river be declared the County road. This road would be used by a large number of settlers, as it was central for those situated on both branches of the river, and would have to sustain a heavy traffic. That was their reason for wishing it declared a County road. Mr Mosley concurred in the statements made by Mr Inglis, and explained that a considerable amount of money had been expended by the Board upon the centre road. The Matau branch road had been declared a County road without the knowledge of the Board or inhabitants. A member suggested that the Board should request the Council again to hand over the control of the road to the Board. He had no doubt the request would be complied with. The Chairman pointed out that that would be a hazardous course for the Board to adopt. They might then be left to maintain the whole of the roads on the Island. He suggested that they should apply to have the one road substituted for the other. At the same time, it would be more satisfactory if the deputation had

come to the Council with a resolution passed by the settlers upon the subject. Were the Council to agree to the substitution asked, then they might at next meeting have a deputation from the settlers disapproving of the action. Mr Inglis said he had seen a good many of the settlers, and their opinion was in favour of the centre road being the County road. After some further discussion, it was agreed to defer giving a decision upon the subject till next meeting, to enable the Road Board time to obtain the opinion of tho ratepayers upon the subject. ACCOUNT,^. A few small accounts amounting to Lls 18s 6d were passed for payment. DOG TAX. A discussion ensued as to the best mode of collecting the dog tax. It was pointed out that a large number of dogs throughout, the County had never been registered, and thus a considerable amount of revenue was lost. It was ultimately considered the best mode would be to call for applications from parties willing to collect the tax at a commission of 10 per cent upon the amount collected ; that all owners of dogs should be once called upon, and that in the event of the taxes not being paid on or before a fixed date the whole be summoned, the collector to receive 10 per cent upon the fines. A motion that tenders be called for the collection of the rate was passed. KO AD — BALCLUTHA TO POUT MOLYNEUX. A letter was read from the Seci'etary of Public Works expressing his regret that as no vote had _ been passed for the river bank road — Balclutha to Port Molyneux — the Government was unable to provide funds for its formation. Mr Jenkinson moved " That the sum of L4O be voted to assist the South Molyneux Road Board , with this road." He entered into long explanations as to the present position of the road. Part of it had been washed away and it was necessary to purchase a piece of ground for a road at that point. Instead of going round the impassable and circuitous bend at Griffiths', _ parties have been in the habit of going over his ground. This was now fenced and under crop and Mr Griffiths had stopped this road till he was compensated for the damage done to his crops. This portion of road was situated in the Waifcepeka. subdivison of the Road District in which there were only eight ratepayers and the amount of rates, some L34. It was, therefore, manifestly impossible for them to undertake the whole expense of having the road opened up. He also pointed out that, the road, although within the Waitepeka subdivison, was not used by the ratepayers of that subdivison. but by those of other subdivisions of the Road District and the. general public. He thought that by giving the assistance ho asked the Council would only be carrying out its legitimate functions in relation to such exceptional cases. If his motion were agreed to he would undertake to lay the whole arrangements proposed to be made by the Road Board in the matter before the Council for approval before any money was paid. His present object was simply to enable the Road Board to enter into negotiations to have the river bank road opened up, any proposed arrangements to be submitted for approval of the Council. Mr Jowttt in seconding- the motion, reminded the Council that an application had previously been before them to i have this road made a County road. This was refused, and they now simply asked a small vote-in- aid, a course in favour of which most members of Council had previously expressed themselves. Mr Dallas considered it a perfect farce to have a subdivision for only eight ratepayers, and whose rates only amounted to L34. If the ratepayers in that subdivision had no interest in the road in question, then the subdivisions interested should contribute towards the expense. A general rate could be spent over the whole road district. He would not oppose the motion, but he could not help feeling that the South Molyneux Road Board had no great claim. Capt. Mackenzie thought it somewhat anomalous to be asked to pay for a road washed away. In the meantime the Council did not know what funds it would have at its disposal, . and should exercise economy. A heavy expenditure was necessary in connection with the main roads. The Chairman spoke in favour of the motion, which he considered very reasonable. Mr Ayson also supported the vote. After some further discussion Mr Jenkinson replied, and the motion was carried unanimously. PLACE OF MEETING. Mr Jenkinson pointed out that the present place of meeting of tho Council was extremely inconvenient. The accommodation was quite inadequate. There was no space at the table for Councillors making a memorandum or examining the documents laid before them. Besides, the Council had no place to keep its maps and other records where members could have access to them at any time they wished. He had spoken to Mr Lloyd regarding a place of meeting and he was quite willing the Council should use his hall for the purpose. He would also give a room to be used exclusively by the Council for records, etc. He, (Mr Jenkinson) therefore, moved " That the Chairman and Clerk see Mr Lloyd with a view to securing the hall for the meetings of Council, the rent not to exceed L2O a year. He, Mr Jenkinson, said he was in no way prejudiced in favour of Lloyd's hall and. if any Councillor could point out a more suitable place he would accept of it. Mr Dallas said the Athenseum was. at one time spoken of, but he did not know whether it were suitable or available. He would, however, second the motion and enquiry could be made as to the most suitable place. The Chaxrman said the Courthouse was by no means suitable, and as they only held it on sufferance they did not know how soon they might be turned out. The Athenieum hall would, if it could begot, be .very suitable for their meetings, but there was no room they could have there for papers and records. / Captain Mackenzie did not regard the Courthouse as so very unsuitable as had been attempted to be made out. They had managed to conduct the, County business in it for some time, and had felt no great inconvenience. Mr. Jenkinson. v^as i only a new member of Council", and he ]

— '■ 1' " ■ ■ ' .11 thought he ought to be the last to complain. He (Capt. Mackenzie) hoped they would ? be able shortly to erect substantial and suitable County buildings in Balclutha, but till their finances were in a more favourable position, he thought they might very well put up with the accommodation they had. — The motion was carried. SO TOOL ytOAO, WAIRUNA. Captain Mackenzie moved that the road from Irvine's crossing to the Wairuna schoolhouse be repaired. This road, he explained, was in an outlying district, and had therefore to be maintained by the County. It at present was in an impassable state, and was dangerous for the children attending the school. Mr Scobie seconded the motion. He said the children at present had to leave tho road and pass through paddocks, they having dangerous creeks to cross. Such wns the condition of the road that the children really had their lives endangered in going to school. Mr Scott strongly supported the motion. Mr Dallas said the road.ref erred to was evidently a bye-road. It was very hard that the settlers within the Road Districts were to be doubly taxed to keep up such roads in outlying districts, where the settlers paid not a farthing of rates to make roads in their own districts or any where else. They refused to establish Road Boards in order to avoid taxation, and came to their neighbours who were already doubly taxed to make roads to let their children get to the school. It was not a road for general traffic but simply a local school road they wanted other people to make for them. This he considered a very great hardship. He thought those requiring the road should put their hands in their own pockets, instead of other people's, and make them. There was provision in the Act for levying special rates upon outlying districts, and if such roads were wanted a special rate should be levied. Mr Scobie explained that although the road in question was in an outlying district it was the settlers within a road district who paid rates that wanted tho road. ' Captain Mackenzie said he thought he might fairly claim Mr Dallas' vote. He, Mr Dallas., wanted a certain road declared a County road at last meetng, and he, Captain Mackenzie, then gave his vote and assistance. He therefore now claimed Mr Dallas' votemreturn. — Motion carried. ROAD TO CATLINS. Mr Jowitt moved — "That the Engineer be requested to lay off work on the top of the hill near to Jackman and Co.'s mill, G-len-omaru." He explained the necessity for the work. The cost would be earthwork, J LlO ; and metalling, L3O. The cost could be paid out of the subsidy now in the hands of the South Molyneux Road Board. Mr Jenkinson seconded the motion, which wa3 carried. ESTIMATES. The Clerk laid on the table estimates of incomo and expenditure for the ensuing year, and the same were ordered to be published as by law required. A RATE. Captain Mackenzie moved — " That a rate of one shilling in the pound be levied and be payable on or before July 31, also that the clerk take all necessary steps for carrying out the same." Mr Jenkinson seconded the motion. Mr Ayson moved an amendment — " That the rate be sixpence in the pound." He referred to his road district which had already levied a rate of Is 3d in the pound. It would be monstrous to tax these settlers 2s 3d in the pound. One shilling and ninepence would surely be enough, and special rates could be levied on outlying districts to meet the cost of works there. Mr Dallas seconded, as the one shilling tax would press heavily and very unfairly upon those already taxed in the road districts. If the outlying districts were not satisfied with a sixpence rate they could either establish road districts or levy special rates. Mr Jenkinson said the Council could deal with outlying districts in another way. When they wanted any works done, the Council could decline to carry them out till the inhabitants subscribed a certain proportion of the cost. Mr Dallas pointed out that in that case the County would lose the subsidy. Captain Mackenzie had no doubt Mr Dallas and others were settled in the Clutha long before Road Districts were formed or taxes levied. Their roads were made for them by the Government. It would be very hard that new settlers who were struggling with fencing, &c. , should have to go into road making. They could not do it, and they should have some assist- I ance similar to that. Mr Dallas and others had got at public expense. These new settlers were not in a position to pay, but let them have a little time and they would be as able and willing to establish Road Districts and pay taxes as others were. The motion for a shilling rate was earned. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. Capt. Mackenzie moved, " That a deputation consisting of Mr Scobie and the mover, be appointed to wait upon Mr Thomson, M.H.R., and Mr Bastings, member for W aikaia, to request their assistance and co-operation in obtainng from the Legislature a money vote towards the maintenance of the main south road from Balclutha to Clinton. " In support of the motion he referred to the fact of the County having to lieep up the road referred to, to sustain the very heavy through traffic from Dunedin to Invercargill during the winter months. He thought the Council was entitled to some consideration for this. He also mentioned that during last session Mr Bastings had obtained a vote of L6OOO for a main road in the Tuapeka County, and also a vote of Tj4ooo for the purchase of an old rotten bridge at the Beaumont. Mr Dallas seconded the motion which was carried. NOTICES OF MOTION. ' Mr Dallas.—" That the sum of L3O be voted to the Pomahaka Road Board to be spent on the main district road through the Te Houka subdivision." Captain Mackenzie.—" That the Engineer be requested to report upon the road from Kelso bridge by section 71, block HI. , to section 20, block n. , Glenkenich, and furnish an estimate of cost as soon as possible." Mr Ayson. — "That upon the request from the Matau Road Board the, Council agrees to substitute the road down the ..middle of the island in place of the riverbank road, and that the said middle road Ibe declared. a County road. | The meeting then adjourned at 8 p.m.