VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 789, 1 June 1877, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

—o — A special meeting of the Council was held in the Town Hall, Clyde, on Monday, the 22th ult, at noon. Present Vincent Pykc, Esq., M.H.R., (Chairman), and Councillors Fraser, Pitches, Masters, and Cololough. The Chairman opened the proceedings by explaining that the meeting was a statutory one, in accordance with Section 134, Counties Act, for the purpose of considering the balance sheet, showing all dealings with the County funds for the year ending March 31, and considering the report of the Auditor. The Chairman first read the declaration of the Returning Officers of the election of Mr W. W. Masters and Mr C. Colclough, for Nevis and Hawea Ridings respectively. The Chairman then laid on the table the balance sheet, from which he read the Auditor’s report, and congratulated the Council on the very handsome balance in hand L 3672. Cr Colclough remarked that the expenditure for tools appeared a very large item. The Chairman explained that the tools v'ere given to the County by the Govern--1 ment, that they appeared on the balance sheet as an asset, and that the amount was what they were valued at by the Government. Proposed by Cr Colclough, seconded by Cr Pitches, That the balance sheet and report be finally settled as read. Carried. The Council now adjourned till 2 p.m., for the transaction of ordinary business. Gn resuming at '2 p.m , all the members present at the special meeting took their seats. The minutes of {previous meetings were read. Cr Colclough asked it any remarks on the minutes other than as to their correctness could be made. The Chairman said No, but that the minutes in part or whole could be dealt with by motion. The minutes, on motion, were then confirmed. Schedules of inward correspondenc, numbering 47 letters, and outward, 111 letters, were then read. Cr Colclough asked that the letter from the Chairman to the Colonial Secretary in the matter of a petition for Separation of the County and reply be read. The letter was read as follows : Vincent County Council, May 7, 1877. Sib,— lam informed that a petition has been, or is about to be, submitted to his Excellency the Governor, praying that a portion of the Vincent County may be ■erected into a separate county. No public notification, such as is contemplated by the “ Counties Act,” has been made; and I have reason to believe that it has been signed by persons not entitled to sign, and also that the requisite number of County electors for the districts comprised in the proposed new county have not signed such petition. I have therefore to request that, prior to the exercise by his Excellency of the discretionary powers vested in him by Section 14 of the said Act, the petition may be referred ito the County Council, or that an enquiry may be made, as provided for by ■Section 18. 1 have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedt. servant, Vincent Pyke, Chairman. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. [Reply.]’ Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, May 17th, 1877. Sir, —I am directed by the Colonial Secretary to acknowledge, the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, No. 225, requesting that a petition which you understand has been, or is to be submitted to His Excellency the Governor, prating that a portion of the Vincent County may be constituted a separate County, may be referred to the County Council prior to the exercise by His Excellency of the discretionary powers invested in him by Section 14 of the Counties A et; or that enquiry may be made as provided for by Section 18. In reply, I am to inform you that no such petition has been received, and that if it is received you may rely upon every step be- | taken to see that all provisions of the |) aw have been complied with before its prayer is granted. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obdt. Scrvt., G. S. Cooper. Cr Colclough asked on- what authority the Chairman had written such a letter. The Chairman said he had written the lettor on his own authority, and in the interests of the County. As member of Parliament, and by virtue of other offices he had the honor wf holding, he had a right, it was his duty, to acquaint himself with ■every thing that affected the County. Cr Colclough said he disagreed with the letter. Ho thought it was unbecoming, to Sa y the least of the Chairman, to write letters in his "official capacity, giving his private views on any subject that had not been before the Council. He thought it would be unwise f<*r the Council to make a precedent by sanctioning such a thing. He would propose—That this Council considers the Chairman has exceeded his authority in writing officially on matters of which the Council was not cognizant, nnd that such correspondence should have been of a private character. ” Cr Fraser said ho would second the motion pro furma, to enable him to express his opinion. In the first instance, he said, if there was any blame, he was ns guilty as the Chairman, as after consulting, ho had agreed the letter should be written. He, owever, could sec no blame. To tio tho hands of the Chairman, as suggested by Cr Colclough, was simply preposterous. In this particular instance the Chairman had not overstepped his duty. It would be a far different thing if the Council was bound to anything by tho letter, which was not tho case.

Cr Colo'ough said the letter was a slander on the promoters of the Separation Committee. On being put to the vote the motion was lost. Correspondence between tho Council and tho lessees of the Bannockburn (Kawarau Bridge) was read: From Council, asking information ns to terms of purchase, and for particulars of lease. Reply to same declining to [discuss terms of sale until tho Council had decided to purchase, and saying that copy of lease could be obtained from the Superintendent’s office. From Council to Colonial Secretary, asking for copy of lease. Prom lessees, stating they are prepared to take L 7600 for the bridge,,and forwarding abstracts from lease. The Chairman said he was of the opinion, that there was a clause in the lease which enabled the intended purchaser to withdraw from arbitration if they considered the amount too high, and would suggest that no action be taken till copy of lease was obtained from the Government. Proposed by Cr Masters, seconded by Cr Pitches “That any further dealing with the question of purchasing the Kawarau Bridge stand over till this Council is in possession of all information from the Government. Cr Colclough would like a decided expression of ,opinion, as to .whether the Council, if they have the power, intend to purchase. In fairness to the lessees such an expression of opinion should be given. Cr Fraser said he did not think it necessary to express anything until they were in possession of all information ; he could not see how the lessees were affected, and was quite at a loss to understand what the public had to do with them. After further discussion the motion was carried. Letters as follows were read and dealt with :—From Mr J. F. Kitching and Mr Turnbull, objecting to pay rates for certain pastoral lands, on the ground that they have no title to same. Legal opinion was also read, that as no appeal was made both parties are liable, if it could be proved that notices had been served. From Mr T. S. Hill, Long Slip Station, enclosing amount of rates, and asking for a refund of part of the same. Resolved—That this Council have no power to refund any portion of rates. From Mr G. S. Stewart, Makarora, asking that Lls be expended in making a track on his run.—Declined. From J, M’lntosh and others, asking that road from their farm be put in repair. From certain residents>t Blacks, asking the expenditure of money on certain tracks in their neighborhood.—Referred to the Engineer for a report. Cr Colclough thought all petitions should be presented by the Member of the Riding, otherwise not dealt with. Cr Fraser considered the duty of the Council was to spend the County revenue on County roads, and suggested that all district roads that are only used by one or two persons should be dealt with in the way of subsidy. The Executive’s report was now read as follows : 1. The desirability of affording increased facilities for communication with that portion of the County which is situated on the east hank of the Clutha River, above its junction with the Kawarau, has engaged the attention of your Committee, and the County Surveyor was instructed to inspect the locality with a view of forming a packtrack from Quartz Reef to Rocky Point. The Surveyor’s estimate was a sum so large (LISOOO to L 1800) that your Committee have decided to recommend that such packtrack he not formed but that in lieu thereof, a traffic bridge be built across the Clutha at or near the site of the present puntsuch bridge to be free of tolls. The estimated cost of such bridge is from L 2500 to L3OOO, and your Committee recommends that tenders be at once called for same.— Adopted. 2. A deputation from Bannockburn has interviewed your Committee, requesting that the Council would assist in constructing a sludge-channel iu Pipeclay Gully.— Your Committee recommend that the gully should be inspected, and the proposed channel reported upon by the County Surveyor. That the channel (whiehit is estimated will cost about L 1600) be subsidised by the Council iu the proportion of £ for £, the proportion contributed by the cairn-owners to be in money and not in labor. That all gold found in the race during its construction be appropriated in reduction of such contributions and subsidy iu equal proportions, and that the claim-owners agree to waive all claim to such gold. That the water companies be requested to assist by granting the use of water without charge for sluicing the channel whilst it is in course of construction. That the sum of L4OO beappropriated as a first instalment for the above purpose, such sum to be expended under the direction of the Executive Committee when definite and final arrangements have been completed.—Adopted. 3. The County Surveyor has applied for temporary assistance whilst the existing contracts are in comae of progression, and your Committee is of opinion that the Council will exercise a wise economy by acceding to this request.—Adopted. 4. Your Committee recommend the following appropriations :—Repairs to Makarora road, LBO ; Knobby Range and Little Valley roads, L3O; East Hawea road, “ This is a work much needed, and your Committee recommend that tenders be called for, and that the Committee be authorised to occept a tender not exceeding LSO” ; Bannockburn and Quartz-ville road recommended to be repaired by day labor. Amended. 5. Your Committee recommend that a sate be purchased for tho Council at a cost not exceeding L3o.—Adopted. 6. This clause of tho report dealt with the proposed merging of the borough of Clyde into tho County, and recommended that the Council decline the proposal a

present, on account of the difficulty of getting information from tho Banks ns to time to bo allowed for payment of the debt due on the Clyde bridge. Recommendation adopted without discussion. 7. Congratulated the Council on the healthy position of the County funds, there being at present a credit balance in Bank of L 3.672. On clause 2 of tho report considerable discussion took place, Ur Colclough disagreeing with the Committee’s recommendation in toto. Ho contended that the whole cost of the channel should be borne by tho Council, and that the Council should have fall and absolute control. He further said, that by carrying out the recommendation of the Committee they would be creating a most fruitful source of litigation, and making a thing over which everybody and yet nobody would have any right to. An annual or other washing-up of the channel would, he was sure, soon pay the cost of construction. Irrespective, however, of that, the Bannockburn Riding was justly entitled to the full expenditure in return for the very large amount of revenue it gives to the County. Cr Fraser said he should ever oppose the spending of money in a riding merely because it contributed largely to the County. He presumed, before any money was expended, such an understanding would be come to that the channel, when completed, would not be the fruitful source of litigation supposed, nor a bone for every hungry dog to have a growl over. Clause 4. Cr Colclough objected to the road Bannockburn to Quartzville being repaired by day labor. He urged the importance of the road, and contended that mere patching by day labor was so much money thrown away. He proposed, as an amendment, that the road be properly formed, and the work be done by contract. The Chairman pressed the recommendation of the Committee being adhered to, pointing out that specifications could not possibly be prepared for five or six weeks, and tenders not called for at least two months. Cr Masters protested against the system of day labor, and hoped the contract system would be always adopted. He would second the amendment. Cr Fraser said he was informed by local men that L4O or LSO expended would do all that was required. The throwing out of the recommendation of the Committee would delay The work till after the winter. The amendment was carried. Cr Colclough questioned the justice of vote of last meeting, viz., 1.50 as subsidy for repairing road from Bendigo to Logantown. He said the road was one of importance, not only locally but to the C'ouuty, as it led to the Bendigo reefs, which contributed largely to the County revenue. Ho would urge that the road be dealt with as all other County roads. • The Chairman said the Council were thoroughly alive to the importance of the road, and on the estimate of expenditure for the year LIOO was set dowu; the LSO wag voted as a subsidy to the Cromwell Quartz Mining Co. He ruled (hat the vote could not be rescinded without a motion. Cr Colclough said he would table a motion for the next meeting. Cr Colclough asked for separate return of revenue from each riding. The Chairman and Or Fraser agreed in saying that it could not be supplied. Cr Colclough asked how it was the Banking account had been shifted from Cromwell to Alexandra without notice of motion, as the Cromwell agency was the one agreed to by the Council. Cr Fraser said, as T easurer he had done so on his own authority, and to suit his own convenience, and he had been upheld in what he had done by the Council. The Chairman said he had been averse to removing the account. Cr Colclough, however, was wrongly informed as to the Cromwell Bank being appointed the Bank by motion ; the wording of trie motion was— That the Executive ascertain terms on which Banks will take the County* account, and in the meantime all monies be paid into the Bank of New Zealand, Cromwell. The Executive’s report recommending payment of accounts amounting to LSS Is was read. Cr Colclough asked if all the accounts had been examined by the Committee, and if it were customary to pay monies without the sanction of the Council. The, Chairman said it was not customary to expend monies without the sanction of the Council. Cr Colclough carefully scrutinized the accounts, after which the report was adopted. Cr Pitches brought up the following motions, tabled at the last meeting:—That a bridge across the Poolburn, on the road from Blacks No. 3 to German Hill be erected, at a cost of L2s.—Agreed to. That L3O be expended in repairing of road from German Hill to Ida Valley Station.—Agreed to. Notices of Motion. By Mr Masters—That the sum of L 450 be voted by this Council for the construction of a dray-road from Nevis to county boundary. By Mr Colclough—That tho Executive Committee undertake only such duties as shall have been confided to them by the Council; and that no moneys shall be paid before the vouchers shall Lave been approved by the Council. By Mr Colclough—That the resolution of this Council to subsidise the Cromwell Co. towards keeping tho road to Welshtown in repair be revoked, and that the said road be kept in repair by the Council. By Mr Cololough—That inasmuch as the Council consists of seven members only, there is no occasion for an Executive, and that the same be abolished.