VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 837, 3 May 1878, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting o£ the Council was hold in tho County Offices, Clyde, on Friday last, the 26th instant, at which was present the full Council. The Chairman opened the meeting by stating the business of the meeting was the making of rate, consideration of report of Committee appointed to consider the question of re-dividing the County into ridings, the building of County offices, and other important business. Resolved, That a general rate of Is in the £be made on all assessed property in the County for the year ending 31st March, 1879. The report of the Committee (consisting of the Chairman and Crs Colclough and M'Ginniss) appointed to consider the redividing the County into ridings was now read. The Committee recommended that the County be divided into nine ridings—that Eamscleugh, Kevis, and Kawarau remain as at present, that Hawea riding he divided into three ridings, to be named Hawea, Cliitha, and Lindis ; that Matakanui and Mauuherikia ridings be formed into three ridings to be named Matakanui, Manuherikia, and Dunstan, and that such ridings return one member each at the next general election. Cr Greeubank failed to see the necessity of any change in the ridings, and considered the particular part of Hawea riding for which an extra member was recommended had received every consideration at the hands of the Council. Cr Davidson did not see the necessity of considering the question. • Cr Colclough, while admitting that the Hawea riding had been fairly treated at the hands of the Council, and that perhaps no particular reason existed for taking the step at the present time, yet it was acknowledged as necessary, and he thought the present time was the best to act. Cr Masters thought the fact of tho very large revenue that had been derived from the Hawea riding and the very large a-ea n the riding were reasons sufficient why the question should be considered and the rilling sub-divided and given another member. After further discussion it was proposed, That the report he given effect to. Upon a division being taken, Crs Jolly, Masters, M‘Ginnis and Pyke voted with the ayes, and Crs Pitches, Davidson, and Greenbank with the noes. The proposition was accordingly declared carried. On further consideration of the question of erecting County offices, held over from last meeting, and on the report and resolution passed at last meeting being read, Cr Colclough proposed, That the matter stand over till after the next election in November, He thought as the ridings had been re-dis-tributed and that no pressing necessity existed for taking the matter in hand at the present time, it should stand over for the advice of tho new Council. Cr Jolly, in seconding the proposition, said ho had hoped Some other Councillor would have seconded it. The sum of LSOO, mentioned in the report, was too small for building proper offices. The Council as yet had not been sufficiently long in office to warrant them in laying out so large a sum of money for such a purpose, and thought in justice to the ratepayers, their successors, and themselves, the question should not be proceeded with. Cr Davidson said at the last meeting he had voted against the expenditure, but as he now saw that it was not so much the question of building of offices as to where they were to be, he would oppose the proposition. Cr Pitches thought it was the lamest possible excuse the leaving the question to their successors. His desire was to set them a good example, and by putting them into respectable offices would be a good one. Cr Masters thought the Council held a very undignified position in being under an obligation to a petty municipality for offices,, and that the present was the proper time for going on with the erection of a building of their own. The acts of the Gounod were being very closely scanned, and their action over this subject was viewed by many as derogatory to ths Council There were plenty of reasons why the building should be proceeded with, the least not being that they had plenty of means available for the work. Cr Greenbank said be voted against the vote at the last meeting, but being now convinced members were shirking the point and endeavoring to gain time so as to defeat the recommendations of the report he should oppose the proposition. The question with some members was not whether offices should he built, hut where they should be. As the Council in its wisdom had thought proper to give an extra member to Hawea and thus give tho northern division of the County a preponderance of votes, they should exercise their votes on this question, he understood that the present chambers were held at the discretion of the people of Clyde, who at any time could give them notice to quit, hence the necessity of having a building of their own. Cr Colclough replied. Cr M'Ginniss proposed, Cr Fitches seconed, That the recommendations in report be adopted, and that County offices he built at Clyde. In support of his motion said it was very doubtful if the trust in whose hands the building they were now using as offices would fall into after the completion of the merge of the town of Clyde into the borough, would continue to hold them as tenants. The Counties of Maniotnto and Lawrence had built offices, and he failed to see why Vincent County, which was by far the richer, should be

paying a high rent for most inconvenient

and uncomfortable quarters. Regarding where the offices should be built, Clyde was

(ti> Hill VLd I uy (111 UUpiKJIUUUUtI JJCUJJiC Ito the centre of the County and the most suitable, and could not but think if the question was further deferred the Council would show a very poor spirit. Cr Pitches said, up to the present time it had been a moot point where the meetings of the Council were to bo held, and he thought that now it should be settled once and for all. Gr Colclough said it was recognised that the ridings were not Derfect, consequently the representation was defective, and maintained that it would not bo honourable to take advantage of a majority under such circumstances. When the new Council was elected would be time to consider the question and not before,

The amendment was then put to the vote and declared carried. Cr M’Ginniss proposed, That the sum of L 750 be voted for the erection of County offices. Ho thought the sooner they were erected the better, and thus put an end ; once and for all to the bickerings as to where offices are to be erected. .Seconded by Ur Davidson. Or Colclough thought there might be some buildings that could be converted into suitable offices and that could be purchased at a small cost. He would propose, as an amendment, That a Committee be appointed to make enquiries. Cr Jolly agreed to second the amendment as a matter of form. Cr Colclough, 1 object to have my propositions seconded as a matter of form. I withdraw it. The proposition was then carried. The Council now went into Committee to consider the appointment of combined offices of Collector, Valuator, Hanger, &c. On resuming, the following report was read, That the Committee recommend that the offices advertised be amalgamated, and the officer appointed shall, in addition, perform such other official duties as he may from time to time be required to perform by the Chairman, and that Mr J. S. Dickie be appainted at a Salary of L 250 per annum. The report was adoqted. The Committee recommended that the following tenders be accepted : ■ J. Hnckran, contract 3, Cromwell town boundary to Gravelly Gully, Newcastle road, LflO. Ah Kew, contract f, Gravelly Gully to Newcastle, L9O Grant and MacKellar, bridge over the Mannherikia at Alexandra, L 971 10s, conditionally, on the Alexandra Corporation giving security for payment of Ll5O in addition to LIOO already paid by them. Agreed to. Resolved, That tenders be called for maintenance contract road Nevis to Upper Nevis. Resolved, That Mr Campion’s account, LlO, for repairs to Kawarau Gorge road, be gassed for payment. Resolved, That the arrangement made by the Chairman for the purchase of a portion of Mr A. A. Oliver’s freehold property for road purposes bo confirmed. The following reports of the Engineer were now read and adopted That a sum of 145 15s be paid for extras on road Nevis to Upper Nevis on Kernaghan’s contract. That portion of road, Nevis to Upper Nevis, be pitched and gravelled for six chains, at a cost not exceeding L 9 per chain. That terms of contracts for bridges across Pool Burn and Tinker’s Gully Sludge Channel be adhered to The Chairman intimated his intention nf proceeding to Wellington between tMs and the next meeting of the Council on business connected with the County. The Chairman drew attention to penalty in clause 8 of Bye-law No. 4 being in excess of Council’s power, and suggested that the penalty be reduced from L2oto L 5. Agreed to. The meeting then adjourned.