VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 823, 25 January 1878, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

—o— The ordinary two-monthly meeting of'the Council was held in the Council Chambers, ■Clyde, on Wednesday list, the 23rd inat., ar 12 noon. Present —Vincent Pyke, Esq., (Chairman), and Crs. Jolly, Colclough, Pitches, Masters, Greenbank gild Daxidson. The minutes of last ordinary meeting, and of two special meetings were read and confirmed. Schedules of correspondence—inward and ohtward—were read. Of the correspondence the following were considered. Correspondence : From the Manager of the Pipeclay Sludge Channel Co,, accompanied by account, Ll2 2s, for printing aud advertising in connection with forming the Channel into a Company, and asking the Council to pay a proportion of same. The Chairman said the Council never contemplated such charges ; the understanding was that the proprietary of the Sludge Channel were only to be subsidised on monies paid for work and labor done, and not for incorporating tho Channel into a Company. Cr Greenbank thought the whole of the money was paid to a Company. Cr Jolly said a simi'ar item would not come up again, and it might be paid. Cr CSlclough said, as the Council had'entered into an arrangement to pay LBOO towards the Channel, and as the Council would not pay any more, the amount asked for might as well be paid, and he would propose— “ That the amount asked for bo paid.” Afterlooking over the accounts he asked leav’e to withdraw his proposition, saying, that as the Chairman remarked, such items of expenditure it was never contemplated subsidizing. After further discussion Cr Davidsoh proposed, Cr Masters seconded —'‘That the printing and advertisingaccount of the Pipeclay Sludge Channel be'not subsidized by this Council.”—Carried. From Mr J. C. Chappie, asking for copies of County Surveyor’s report on Memorial from him, presented at tilt last meeting, aud some other information relative to the Bald Hill Flat and Muddy Creek contracts. Cr Colclough thought, from what appeared in the local press, Mr Chappie had a grievance, and ho should have every 'information accorded him. Further consideration of the letter was ordered to stand over till the Surveyor's report was read. From Mr M'Cormick, contractor, asking for return of the deposit paid on his contract, lie having found sureties for the due ; performance’ of • his contract. Request agreed to. From Mr J. Drummy,' contractor for two small bridges, one in Matakanui Riding, and one in Maiiiiherikia Hiding, asking for extension of time to complete contracts, on the grounds that he was unable to obtain timber. Ordered to stand over till Surveyor’s'report was read. From Mr R. MTntosli, farmer, Tiger Hill, stating that road leading to his farm was in a bad state, that it would take LlO. or Ll2 to repair it, and asking the Council to subsidize him one half of cost of doing the necessary work to put’it in order. Resolved—That Lsbe voted, to be spent subject to the approval of the Surveyor. "Cr Masters handed in application from -- Caniingham and Mah Iloey, contractors for road works on Nevis, for extension of time for completion of contracts.—Granted. At the request of Cr Jolly, correspondence -between H. Campbell, Esq., Wanaka Station, and the'Cliairman of the County was read. Memorials. Cr Colclough said lie had had placed in his hands a Memorial from Mr J. C. Chappie, for presentation to the Council. Ha understood, likewise, that nearly every other Councillor had been similarly favored ; he, however, from the fact that the Memorial had been published in several of the local papers, did not intend 'to present it. He considered that the publishing of the memorial was an insult to the Council. Cr Pitches said ho 'had a copy, which lie declined to present. Cr Jolly presented a Memorial from ratepayers at Cornish Town, praying the Council to build a foot bridge across the Kawarau River,'to connect Cornish Town with Cromwell, so as to give them and their children a safer and easier mode of transit than the existing one -a wire rope and basket. The Memorial was received and read, nnd Cr Jolly asked leave to suspend the Bye Laws to table a motion respecting same. •, After Some considerable discussion, during which Cr Colclough said, though opposed to the site selected by the memorialists, he did not oppose the building of a bridge in a good position. The Chairman said, the site referred to in the Memorial he would not agree to, and suggested that Cr .Tolly make a notice of motion for next meeting on the subject, 'which was agreed to. Cr Pitches presented a Memorial, signed by some hundreds of people, residents of Alexandra and othe>- places, praying the Council to take steps to erect a traffic bridge over theMolyneux, at Alexandra. The Memorial was received and road. Reports. Report of thd Committee appointed to consider the claim of Messrs M ‘Lachlan and M'Pherson, owners of the punt crossing the Olutha, at Wakefield, for compensation in consequence of the building of'tho bridge across the Clutha River, recommending that they he granted the Sum of LIOO in consideration of their keeping the punt open at the present rates till the bridge is completed, was read. Cr Masters proposed—“ That the matter he referred to a Committee of the whole.” Cr Greenbank proposed, as an amendment —“ That the report he adopted, and the recommendation therein contained ho given effect to.”—Seconded by Cr Colclough. The motion was carried. Report of County Surveyor on Memorial from Mr Chappie, was read. It characterized the most of the statements in Memorial as without foundation, and that where there had been any deviation from the specifications it had been with his (the Surveyor’s) Cr Colclough here said he would propose • “That Mr Chappie be supplied with a copy of Surveyor’s report, and that he be informed that the Council will adhere to its former resolution.”—Seconded by Cr Joliy, and carried. The consideration of the above incited discussion, during which the Chairman referred to the letter published from “Our oxvn'Correspondeut,’' in the Cromwell Argus, and characterized the writer as a—quoting from Shakespeare—“ Measureless liar.” He said, this correspondent, in one of his contributions, had written that a culvert on the Muddy Creek contract was falling down through faulty structure. Now he (the Chairman), strange to say, had, before this letter had reached his eyes, examined this Identical culvert, and instead of finding it falling down through any fault in the building, had found that an attempt Lad been

made to pull it down ; and he could come to no other conclusion than that there was but one man in the district who would be guilty of such a dastardly act, and he would ask the Council forleave to issue a reward of LSO for the detection of the scoundrel. Cr Pitches said he considered it necessary to make an explanation. In one of these letters he had been accused of withholding a tender ; he could only say that such statement was a base fabrication, and a gross scandal on him as a member of the Council. Regarding the culvert, he had examined it, and wouldhave but little hesitation in saying that the injury was wilful. Or Masters proposed—That advertisements be inserted in the local newspapers ; also in the Dunedin Daily Times, if considered necessary, offering a reward cf LSO for the apprehension of the person who maliciously damaged the culvert at Muddy Creek —Seconded by Cr Pitches, and carried. A rrnriil 2 r- 1 1 nf .liapiinclmi fnnlr nl*nn o T7hl ' this matter, and considerable feeling exhibited. The Engineer’s reports on the Clutha •Bridge, and all other contracts were read, the recommendations being that, in the cases of M'Comiochie and Tohill’s contract on Wanaka read ; and in Drnmniy’s contracts for Bridges that the fines for non-com-pletion within specified time be enforced. A lengthy discussion ensued on the question of contracting, it being the generally expressed opinion that contractors should adhere to contract time, and in all cases where there was a breach that the fines should be enforced ; it was argued that to give time after time to contractors was a pernicious system. Resolved—That Carraiugham and Mah Hoey, Nevis, be granted four weeks extension. Resolved—That, in the cases of Messrs M'Connochie and Toliill, and M' Drummy the decision of the Council be withheld till contracts are completed. It was resolved, on the recommendation contained in Surveyor’s report to expend LICO, on road Tinkers Gully to Main road, Tiger Hill. Resolved—That 1.120 he expended on road Lauder Creek to Drybread. Resolved—That tenders be invited for bridge across the Nevis, at the township. Resolved—That this Council take no action at the present time in respect to either a traffic or foot bridge across Muddy Creek. The Surveyor reported that he has not, as yet, had time to make any estimate relative to the bridge across the Nevis, at the Lower Crossing. The Council now' resolved itself into Committee of the whole. On resuming it was resolved—That the recommendation of the Sub-Committee to grant Messrs M‘Lachlan and M‘Pherson the sum of LIOO be adopted ; also, that the salary of Mr Harvey, Road aud Works inspector, heL5 per week'; and that the Engineer prepare plans for traffic bridge across the Manuherikia River, at Blacks. The resignation nf Cr Fraser, mOmberfor Earnscleugh Riding, was read and accepted. The’Chairman said, with the resignation of Cr Fraser, a vacancy occurred in the Executive Committee, and the office of Hon. Treasurer became vacant. Resolved—That Cr Jolly be appointed Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee. Cr Jolly returned thanks for the honor conferred on him, and said the duties'appertaining to the offices should receive his attention. The Chairman said it would he necessary to make Bye Laws under the Slaughterhouses Act, 1877, also, to appoint inspectors ; he had communicated with the police, who had consented that members of the force could act, and suggesting the appointment of the undermentioned 'for the divisions of the County set opposite their names Constable Toliill, Clyde; Constable Bndgeman, Cromwell'; Constable Brown, Blacks ; Constable M‘Leod, Alexandra. Resolved—That the above be appointed inspectors of slaughterhouses under the Slaughterhouses Act, 1877. After discussion, during which it was arranged that two classes of licenses should he issued, viz, one for small, and one for large eattlo. It was decided that a special meeting of the Council he called for March 4 to accept the Bye Laws, aud a further special meeting on April 3 to confirm the same. On the suggestion of the Chairman it was decided to proclaim the main roads in the County as two chains wide instead of one chain, and that the necessary information he at once given to the survey department of the alteration. Mr Pyke tosC and said the Only other matter ho had to bring forward was the desirability of forming a County Museum. His idea was to procure a cabinet at a cost of about LIO, to form a nucleus, lie thought a collection of mineral specimens from the County would be likely to prove of great benefit. Resolved—That the sftra of LlO be expended in a cabinet. A letter was received from Mr Moore, asking to he appointed the Countv prospector, xvas laid on the table. It was thought that as the Gox'ernment, during the last session, had voted a large sura cf money for rewards for prospecting, the Council could not stir in the matter. Cr Colclough asked, if in order, for !eax r e to move for plans to be prepared for a bridge over the Haxvea at the junction of that river v, .:h the Clutha. The Chairman 'aid he and the Engineer purposed between this and the next meeting visiting that district, and if possible, going over to the West Coast, When they would look out a site, and asked, Cr Colclough to leave the matter over till the next meeting. In answer to questions, the Chairman said --That the management of the Comttiohages in the County was to devolve on the County, and he daily expected to see the notification in the Gazette.—That the Council had no desire to he saddled with the Carrick Range or any other water race. (Cr Colclough said at the present it was paying L7O a week and was a good nroperty. j The County had no power to affect the width of waggon wheels, they could only look on and express disgust. Accounts amounting to L 67 17s 6rl, accord in" to schedule 2.2 resd 'were repayment. Notices of Motion. The Chairman vacated the chair to move two notices of motion standing in his name, Cr Jolly meantime occupying tho position. Cr Pyke moved—“ That tho sum of 1 1.4500 be voted by the Council for the 'purchase of the Kawarau (Bannockburn) Bridge—such sum to he in addition to the subsidy or L 2500 granted by the Government for that purpose.” Ho said he had obtained from the Govemmffiit L 2500, and the L 4500 he asked for made up L7OOO. the amount asked by the lessees for the bridge. All interests were interested alike in the purchase of this bridge, and he hoped there would ho no opposition. By the purchase of this bridge and throwing it open to tho public free." the building of the Clutha Bridge, and the purchase of the Clyde Bridge, he looked upon it the people i n

the County would be henefitted to fully LIBOO a year. Cr Colclough said ho had great pleasure in seconding the motion . Carried on the voices. Cr. Pyke said he would propose the second Notice, not that he considered it would be wanting, but it xvas as xvell to he prepared-—“ That, with the Viexvof preventitg delay in this business, tho Council do proceed to nominate an Arbitrator for the approval of the Government to act in the event of the offers of the Council and Government being refused by the Leasees.” Mr Pyke now resumed the Chair, and said in the event of an Arbitrator being required he had obtained the consent of Mr Horace Bastings to act. Carried. Councillor Pitches moved “That the resolution passed by the Council on the 2Gth September, determining the contract of Messrs M‘Connocihie and Tohill (No. 1) he altered, and that the recommendation ot the County Surveyor ‘ That a reduction of L 3 per chain, or L 133 be made from the contract amount ’ be adopted.”—Carried. Moved by Cr Pitches “ That the sura of one guinea per day be voted to defray the travelling expenses of Councillors coming from a distance to attend the meetings of the Council.” ' Ou this Motion there was a lot of talk, Councillors being equally divided in their opinion, the Chairman in giving his vote in favor of the Motion, said—He always thought when the same subject xvas mooted 'there was a lot of virtuous humbug talked—he thought all laborers xvere worthy of their 'hire, more especially those xvho contributed that valuable commodity, “brains.”— Carried. Cr. Jolly asked that the Motion stand • ia his name, re Hospitals, ha alloxved to stand over till next meeting. Cr. Jolly moved :—“ That a sum, not ceeding LIOO sterling, he voted to construct ■a cutting ou Round Hill, situated about one mile from the base of the hill leading to the Rise aud Shine Gully ;a!so, that four surface men be employed on the road between Rise and Shine Gully and Drybread, to put the same in repair.” Carried. Cr. Masters asked lea\ r e to move without notice “ That a sum of L3O be expended in cheap foot bridges over the Deep, Sproles end Commissioner s Creeks, Nevis. Granted and carried. Cr. Colclough asked leave to mox-e xvithout notice : —“ That the Surveyor be 'instructed to form and gravel toad from Johnson’s farm to Low burn Creek. Carried. The Council then adjourned to the following morning. January 24. On the opening of the Council at 9, a.in., the same Members as on previous day being present, the Council resoU'ed itself into a Committee of the whole for the consideration of tenders aud other matters. On the resuming business in open Council the following report xvas brought up, read and adopted : That the following Tenders be accepted. Messrs Callaghan and Torrle—Road, Kirtlebiirn to Cardrona —L27O. Mi J. Perriam—Road to Logan Toxvn— L9G IGs Bd. Mr J. Drummy—Road near Saul’s Accommodation House—LG4. Mr S. N. Broxvn—Advertising Notices pertaining to the Ridings of Haxvea, Kaxvarau and No vis, and Mr G. Eaehe— Advertising Notices pertaining to tho Ridings of Matakanui, Manuherikia and ■Earnscleugh, at the current rates as ad. vertised in their respective Newspapers. That the consideration of Tender for the erection of a Traffic Bridge across the Manuherikia ha deferred, and that it he further considered and dealt xvith at the Special Meeting to ha hold on March 4. The Chairman brought up and read a letter he had received "from Mr M'Kersie, owner of the Alexandra punt, offering to rent tho punt for the purpose of making it free to the County for a term not {leas than e years at L 338 per annum, the County to keep the Punt in repair. The Chairman said ho did not expect that any definite expression of opinion xvould be given on the letter at the present Meeting, but as it was a matter of great importance, ho hoped between now and tho next meeting it xvould receix'e that consideration it demanded ; alao, that the Council at the next Meetingx\-ould he prepared with some definite proposal—ho pointed outthat within a few xvecks the Clyde Cridgo xvould bo free, and said, unless tho Alexandra Pnnt was also free, a griox-ous xvrong would ho done the residents at that end of the district. After discussion it xvas Resolved—“ That the matter he deferred till ttle next Special Meeting, March 4. Messrs Samson, Theycrs and Cameron, ns delegates from Alexandra, now entered tho Chamber. The Chairman said the Council desired the presence of Mr Samson in his capacity of Mayor of Alexandra, to explain to him the position they xvere noxx r in xvith respect to the traffic bridge across the Manuherikia; he explained that only one tender had been received, and that that xvas some L30I) over and above the money provided, it therefore devolved upon tho Council to ask Mr Samson if +he Alexandra Corporation would find this extra shin of money, or he xvilling to fall back upon the original intention, a pack bridge. An perhaps Mr Samson xvould like time to weigh- oxrer the matter with his colleagues, he xvould ask the Council to adjourn till 2 p.m. This Was agreed to. On re'uming at 2 p.m., Mr Samson said lie had consulted xvith his colleagues, xvho thought with him that 'it was outside their duty to come to any definite conclusion, and would accordingly ask the County Council to defer the further consideration till a future date. On being shown the resolution arrived at that the matter be dealt xvith at the next special meeting, Mr Samson said that would suit, and then withdrew. Mr Greenbank rose and said, before the meeting closed he had a proposition to make and the felt assured it would meet xvith their approx’al. Cr Fraser, during his term of office, had boon most zealous, and had spared neither time or money to the duties of tho office, ot occasions having travelled from Dunedin to attend meetings of the Council, xvith great pleasure ho would propose—“ That the Council have received, xvith i egret, the resignation of the late Hon. Treasurer, Cr Fraser, and accord to that gentleman a vote nf thanks for the services he has rendered in the past.” Cr Masters, in seconding the proposition, desired to endorse wliat had fallen from tho previous speaker. Cr Pyke said it afforded himgreatpleasurc in putting the resolution to the meeting, and after speaking in eulogistic terms of the retiring Councillor, put the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The customary vote then concluded the meeting. j