VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 815, 30 November 1877, Page 2

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Council was held in the Library Hall,- Clyde, on Wednesday last the 23th instant.

Present Vincent Pyke, Esq., (Chair, man) and the full Council.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Schedules of inward and outward correspondence were read.

Letter from Mr J. C. Chappie, asking for full particulars of contracts, amounts paid on same, copies of vouchers, &0., let to Messrs M'Connochie and Tohill, and reply to the same from the Clerk were read.

Cr. Fraser said—To give such information was out of the question, it would require the services of a lot of extra clerks, and that the Clerk was justified in refusing to give the same.

Letter to Mr Drummy, asking him what steps, if any, he is taking with his contract for a foot-bridge across the Manuherikia at Alexandra. A heap of disjointed talk ensued, from which it was gleaned that nothing had as yet been done—that the people of Alexandra wanted a traffic bridge instead of merely a pack bridge ; that the County Surveyor had estimated the cost of a traffic bridge at about L 750, irrespective of cables to he found by the County ; that Mr Drummy refused to give up his contract without compensation, but that he was prepared to build a traffic bridge for a further sum of, L 2."0 beyond the present contract-price, .1,293. Letter from Mr .icffiey, Bailiff R.M. Court, Cromwell, asking for permission to occupy the lata Engineer’s quarters at Cromwell, as a dwelling-house.

The Clerk was instructed to say that the Council required the building for County purposes. A letter or memorial from Messrs M‘Connochio and Tohill, asking for a reconsideration of decision arrived at by the Council in reference to determining Contract No. 1, Muddy Creek. Cr. Colclough said the memorial is to the effect that the work was done in a proper manner, and in accordance with specifications, whereas there was evidence to the contrary, and ho failed to see that the Council could alter their decision.

The Chairman questioned the legality of former decision, and thought before anything was definitely done that a legal opinion should be obtained, as he felt sure that Messrs M'Connoohio and Tohill would fight the matter in a Court of Law.

Resolved—That the opinion of Mr Wilson be obtained, and that the further consideration of the question be referred to a Committee of the whole Council.

Memorial from Mr J. M‘Cormack, asking for an extension of four months to complete bridge over the Clutha at Wakefield.

Granted. Memorial from Messrs M‘Lachlan and M'Pherson, owners of the punt on the Clutha at Wakefield, pointing out that the bridge now in course of construction, when completed, would render their punt valueless, and asking for compensation. Cr. Colclough supported the application, and proposed that a sub-committee be appointed to inquire into the equity of the claim, and report to the next meeting.

Cr. Jolly seconded the proposition. Cr. Pitches thought it purely a waste of time to deal with the subject. However, if there was any reason in the demand there was time enough when the bridge was built. He most decidedly never contemplated such a thing as compensation when he gave his vote to expend over L4OOO on a bridge. He would propose, as an amendment—That this Council decline to entertain the application.—Seconded by Cr Masters.

The motion was then put and carried, Crs Pyke, Jolly, and Cololough being appointed the Committee. Memorial from Mr J. C. Chappie, praying that the manner in which certain contracts at Speargrass Flat and Muddy Creek had been carried out by Messrs M'Connochie and Tohill, the contractors ; and the conduct of the County Surveyor in passing the work, be considered. Cr Fraser said, the onlc course to pursue, as reflections were cast upon one of the officers of the Council—the name of another was also mentioned—was to refer the document to them for a report. Cr Colclough said rumors were decidedly abroad respecting these contracts. It had reached his ears that monies had been paid to these contractors, though, at the last meeting a proposition was carried that none should be.

The Chairman and the Treasurer . indignantly denied that such was the case, Cr Fraser saying, however, that it was beneath the dignity of the Council, either individually or collectively, to pay any heed to these “ Man in the street ” tales.

Cr Colelough was pleased to receive the assurance that the rumour was without foundation.

The memorial was referred to the County Surveyor for his report. Letter from the County Surveyor asking to be allowed to make a survey for the Cromwell Athenasum.—Granted, Letter from Messrs Grant and MacKellar in reference to small bridges at Deep Creek, Nevis, and the Lnggate Creek was referred to the County Surveyor. The Engineer’s reports on the roads and on contracts were read, and the following recommendations were adopted :—That tenders be called for putting the road from Kirtleburn to Cardrona in repair. That the offer of Air MTntosh to make mad in Ida Valley, near his farm, at L 3 12s per chain be accepted. Cr Pitches drew attention to the fact that people were in the habit of riding and driving over the footpaths in Blacks township.

Resolved—That sub. see, 5, section 87th Public Works Act, be put into operation so far as the township of Blacks is concerned.

The Council now resolved itself into Coir, mittee. Upon resuming business the following report was read. That the following tenders he accepted Contract No. 26, road from Alexandratoboundary, T. Crawford, L 226 6s ; contract No. 27, road Nevis to Upper Nevis, S Camaghan, L 320 9s ; contract No. 28, road Nevis to Upper Nevi°, Mah Moey, Ll7O 8s; contract No. 29, bridge, Ida Valley, J. Dummy, L 45 5s ; contract No. 30, bridge over Tinkers Sludge Channel, J. Drumniy, L7B 15s ; contract No. 31, road Cromwell to Wanaka, hoar to Andersou’s farm, M ‘Connochie and Tohill, L3BO 12s sd.

That this Council vote a further sum of L2OO, in addition to the sum of L 293 already voted for the construction of a traffic bridge over the Manuherikia, at Alexandra ; that tenders be called for the construction of the above ; that fresh applications he invited for the office of valuator ; that a special meeting be held within fourteen days to deal with the above.

The Chairman stated that the prescribed time allowed the Governor to disagree with or otherwise the Bye Laws of the County, six months having elapsed, it was as well, therefore, that as no objection was made to them that they should he printed —Agreed to. Resolved—That a sum not exceeding L4O, ho expended in furnishing the County Offices at Cromwell.

The following accounts were passed for payment : —C. P. Beck (collector’s commission), L 3 13s 4d ; Dunstan Tuiks, LC 6s ; Cromwell Argus, L2 2s ; A. R. Livingston, L33s 6d ;J. U. Cambridge, L4l9s ; County Surveyor (travelling expenses)' L 5 ICs 8d ; Petty Cash, J. 15. .

The following sums were, on the recoin. meation of the County Surveyor, voted : Clyde and Cromwell road, LSCO ; Clyde to

Lauder Burn, L4OO ; Cgpmwell to Wanaka, L2O ; Cromwell to Kirtleburn, LIOO ; Blacks and Ida Valley roads, L 8 11s; dam and flood channel, Blacks, L2; road Tiger Hill to Tinkers, LI 00. > The following motions, notice of which had been previously given, were now dealt with.

By Cr Masters, That the County Surveyor be instructed to select a site of a bridge across the Nevis opposite the Post office, and report to the Council as to cost, etc.— Carried.

By Cr Masters, That the County Surveyor report as to the desirability of and the best manner of constructing a breakwater and extending tho present bridge at the Nevis Crossing.—Carried. By Cr Pyke, That the Government take immediate steps to purchase the Kawarau Bridge, in accordance with terms of lease. Cr Celclough spoke against such a course being pursued, arguing that if the principle was admitted by the Council that it was desirable to purchase and throw the bridge open to the public free, the more direct course of action was to go •straight to the owners of the bridge and deal with them, and not to go the round-about way proposed. The mover of the proposition had a desire doubtless to do a something for his constituents, but he (Mr Colclough) could not but think he {Mr Pyke) took a strange way of doing it, in fact it looked to him as if there was no intention. He would propose, as an amendment, “ That immediate steps be taken to purchase the Kawarau bridge. This proposition was deemed irregular, it being exactly similar to one negatived at the last meeting. Cr Jolly proposed, that the Council go into Committee to consider the question.— Lost.

Cr Pitches said, from the persistent manner Cr Colclough urged upon the Council to purchase this bridge, it looked as if he was either whole or part proprietor. Cr Pyke in moving the proposition had stated that the Government were contemplating, and in fact was in communication with him in reference to the purchase, and he (Cr Pitches) thought that to deviate from the course proposed in the motion would tend to defeat the object sought for, and that was for the Government to purchase the bridge. Cr Fraser explained that by the motion, even if arbitration is commenced, the County, Government, or whoever might be the contemplating purchaser, would not be compelled to abide by the arbitration, whereas, by adopting the course proposed by Cr Colclough, if arbitration is once entered upon, the decision of the arbitrators would be binding on both parties, the benefits of the motion must therefore he apparent. He fully saw the advisability of having the bridge purchased, and recognised the great advantage a free bridge would be to the ridings of Kawarau, Hawea, and Nevis, but he would never agree to enter upon an arbitration for the purchase of it where that arbitration would be binding. Cr Pyke, speaking in reply, said the arguments of Cr Colclough affected him nothing. The most obtuse, however, must see that his proposed course of action was the quickest, for example, if the Government agree to purchase, all the preliminaries can be arranged in a few minutes, whereas it it is the County who has to treat, months would elapse before the jCrms [of deed of submission would he agreed to. The motion was then put and carried. By Cr Davidson—That LlO be expen led on road from Matakanui to Drybread.—Carried,

By same—That the Surveyor report to next meeting cost of putting road from Lauder Creek to Matakanui Station in repair.— Carried.

By Cr Creenbank—That a bridge be erected over Thomson’s Creek, near to the Schoolhouse, at a c*.st not exceeding Lso. Carried.

By Cr Pitches—That salary of Chairman for ensuing year be raised to L4OO. Mr Pyke here left the chair, and Mr Fraser occupied it

The Council then went into Committee of the whole, and on resuming reported that the salary be L3OO per annum. By Cr Pitches—That the County Surveyor report on adaptability of site for, and estimate of cost of traffic bridge across the Manuherikia, at Blacks lower crossing.— Carried.

By Cr Pitches—That asum, not exceeding L3O, be expended on the road from German Hill to boundary; that L2O on mad through Blacks No. 3 ; that L4O on road across Ida Valley ; that LISOon continuation of Blacks street and street leading to the Conrt-house he expended (all carried); that LfiO be expended in the erection of a bridge across Muddy Creek.—Referred to County Surveyor for his report. Cr Fraser said be had no objection to Members bringing up these small and separate items, but thought it would save time if members would draw tho attention of the County Surveyor to and get him to report on them.

By Cr Jolly—That tenders be invited for gravelling half-a-mile of road from Cromwell Quartz Mining Company’s Battery to Logantown ; also, for construction of stone culvert over Sandy Creek, near Saul’s accommodation house.—Carried.

By Cr Colclough—That the County Surveyor be instructed to gravel and drain half-a-ir.ile of road Cromwell side of Maidmati’s Hotel. Carried. By Cr Pitches, That the bye laws in force relative to hawkers be carried into force. The Chapman said it was recognised that hawkers being allowed to exercise their calling everywhere and anywhere on payment of one license fee was vexatious ; however, under section 23 of the "Financial Arrangements Act, such was the case. Ho had drawn the attention of Government to the fact, and a promise was given that it would bo amended. The matter then dropood. By Cr Pyke, That the sum of LI 0,000 bo deposited in one of the banks at interest. In moving the proposition Cr Pyke said he had figures to quote in support of his argument

that it would be as well to keep from tho public. Ho would thereforo ask that tho motion be discussed in Committee.

The Council then wont into Committee, and on resuming reported that the motion was agreed to. Letter from V. Pyke, resigning his position ns Chairman, was read. Mr Pyke then said it was for the Council to elect his sno. cessorl

On the unanimous vote of the Council Mr Pyke was re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

Congratulatory and eulogistic speeches were then made, When the Council broke up, the hour being 2,30 am., November 29, 1877, the sitting having lasted, with but two or three short intervals for refreshment, since noon the day before.