VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 928, 30 January 1880, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual two-monthly meeting of the Con .cd was held on Wednesday the 28lh just., in the Council Chamber, Clyde. 'I lure were present—Vincent Pyke, Esq. (Chairman), and Councillors Jolly, Colei, nigh, M'Ginnis, Naylor, and Pitches.

'I In absence of Cr Stronach, the newly e’c' ed member for Matakanui Riding, it ..s explained, was caused through a serious accident happening him as he was starting for the meeting. The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting were read and confirmed.

Schedules of inward and outward correspondence were read. In answer to question re Muddy Creek Bridue, the Chairman said no definite arrangement ha'l yet been come to with the Maniototo Council. That body wanted tlie bridge boil about a mile higher up the creek than Hie present crossing ; to do this would give this Council an extra mile and a half of road to construct and maintain. He had written that the Council would not consent, but had not yet received a reply. Cr Colclou;.li asked if any correspondence had been received from the Batiks regarding the County account. The Chairman said the Banks had been written to, asking them if they were disposed to tender for the account. This course had been pursued, he explained, because he was informed that the Banks had euteied into a compact not to tender for any business, and that in the face of that understanding it was no use asking them directly to tender. It appeared, however, that this compact was broken through, as replies had been received from the Colonial Bank, the Bank of New Zealand, and the Bank of New South Wales, expressing their willingness to tender if supplied with ueO; aary information.

Cr Jolly said the Banks could obtain all information on application.

Ora Cololough, Pitches, and M ‘Gin nis thoughtLhat all information should be supplied them. Or Colclough said from the information gleaned by the Committee appointed to investigate the County finance*, it was apparent no money would want to be bo" rowed, though there appeared to be a difference between 'Councillors a to whether the limit should be L3OOO or LSOOO. A discussion here ensued as to the labours of the Committee referred to, and their report was asked for. The Chairman explained that only three out of four of the Committee met, therefore there was no report ; the question, however, had been fully gone into by those who attended. It was ultimately agreed that the Committee should bring up their report during the present meeting, anil that the consideration of the banking account should he afterwards dealt with by the Council in Committee of the whole.

The Chairman said the greater publicity given do the Council’s transactions the better, as it would be shown that the strictest economy had been observed. He would he prepared, when the discussion came on, with statements of the whole of the transactions of the County. He would here state that from the beginning of 1877 the County had received as interest over LIOOO, the like of which he did not expect to get under.any new arrangement that would he made.

Cr Pitches : We shall not have the same money to handle as we have had.

The Chairman : I cannot say so much for that. We have now nearly L4OOO to onr credit, which will be increased in a few days by the laud revenue to L9OOO Letter and demand by ownu'S of Alexandra punt, for expenses in tools required to keep approach to punt good.—Granted, on condition that tho tools be handed to

the I 'ouuty. Resolved—That the Chairman, as representative of the County, be empowered to confer with representatives of the neighBiroughsand the Hospital Committees on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill.

The resignation of Mr Harvey as Inspector of Clyde Bridge was read and received, and it was explained that Mr Macgeorgc would undertake the duties.

Cr Jolly said he was pleased to say that tlie Carrich Range Water Race was so far c mipleted that tho water was turned into it on Monday last. The Chaii man explained all difficulties had been surmounted, and that the deed, embodying a clause enabling the County to baud the race over to the Company again, was in the hands of tho Government for

execution. The Engineer’s Reports on Contracts, Roads, and Bunts were read, but called for

no particular comment. Letter from Trustee in estate of Mr Crombie, Nevis, asking that permission be granted Some Chinese to work ground contiguous to the new pack bridge at Lower Nevis ; also Engineer's report on same was i read and received. Aftera long discussion leave was refused. The valuation lists for the year 1880-81 were laid on the table and accepted. The following is a table showing the » assessment for the years 157950 and | 18S0-S1 ;

The Chairman said in all probability the subsidy would cease from the 31st March next It was supposed, however, its pquiIM'* valent would corns from some other source, probably the Property Tax. He wished to direct attention to the fact that no subsidy would be paid on nates collected after

the 3Ut March, and so as to ensure everything possible he would suggest that the Collector be empowered to sue for all unpaid rates ; for 1878-79 there was L 34 16s, and for 1879-80 Li7o 18s unpaid. Unsolved—That the Collector, Mr J. S. Dickie, bo authorised and instructed to sue for all unpaid rates ; also to at once proceed against all unlicensed pedlars and hawkers.

Cr Colclough questioned if a hawker, having paid a license within the Provincial district of Otago, could be compelled to pay for another any more than an auctioneer.

The Council went into Committee to consider tenders, and on resuming reported —That no tenders for contract No. 63, chairs over Nevis Biver, bo accepted, and that the ten ler< of Messrs Edgar md Masten be accepted for contracts Nos. 73 and 74, bridges on Quartz Beef Road. The Council then adjourned.

On resuming at S p in , The Chairman said the next business to proceed with was the Order Paper, hut as Cr Fraser was not in attendance the motions standing in his name could not be dealt with. Cr Fraser, however, at the next meeting, hy consent oj the Council, could bring them up then. The schedule of monies, as asked for by the Engineer as follows, was then passed : £ S. D. Preliminary expenses 100 0 0 Track east si le Lake Hawea (Dray Road) 34 0 0 Albert Town to head of Lake Wanaka SO 0 0 On the motion of Cr Colclough, the sum of L2O was vote 1 as a bonus to the widow of the late James Taylor, who was the contractor for the County Buildings, Clyde, and at the time of his death was Inspector of the Hawea Bridge. In reply to Cr Colclough, the Chairman said that notice had been served on the owners of a building on Ihe Cromwell Bridge Reserve to remove same ; also that both roads leading to the Carrick were under repair. The Clerk said that about LlO9 of the vote for the Pipe-clay Sludge Channel was still unexpended. Cr Colclough thought the Council was paying money on this channel for nothing, as for aught ho knew the work was stopped. Cr Jolly was astonished that Cr Colclongh, who was supposed to know what was going on in his district, should say what ho had. All the monies paid on this work had been paid on the cer'ificato of either the Engineer or one of the inspectors, ami was for labour done.

The Chairman said such was the case, as some of the'claims made had been refused as on inspection the work was not as represented. There was very little doubt the

work was being carried cm slowly but surely, but the Council had no power to push it on.

The meeting then adjourned till the fol lowing morning at 10 o’clock.

On resuming on Thursday morning, The following report on the financial condition of the County hy the special Committee appointed to consider same was read and received Report.

Your Committee having investigated the financial position of the County have much pleasure in reporting that it is in a thorough Sound and healthy position, as will be seen by the following figures, viz.— Present credit balance in Bank after paying all Cheques that have been issued—L33ol l(j sterling. Anticipated revenue till 31st Eecember 1389 L2U.885 sterling, thus making a total of L 24, ISO Ids. Contracts in progress at present date—--1.24,215 14 7d, including maintenance of roads, bri iges, and ferries. Estimated amount requited to December 31st, 1880—L15,483 7s 7d sterling. Estimated excess of revenue over expenditure, less salaries and cost of supervision—L 5703 Ss sd. Amount expended in public woiks since January Ist, 1877 to the present date L 50.453 Bs.

Your Committee would, however, recommend that no further works of magnitude be undertaken until the works already in progress are more advanced.

Your Committee also beg to report that taking into consideration the salaries paid to County Officers in other Counties, and also, the fact that the cost of living is about 20 per cent, higher in the interior of Otago than on the sea coast, and having also in view the amount of supervision still required on County Works they arc of opinion that no reduction con judiciously be made at present, but they anticipate that after another year material reduction may bo effected without impairing the efficiency of the County Service. VINCENT FYKE, Chairman. Charles Colclough ) Members MJ. M'Ginn is £ of Benjamin naylor ) Committee.

A discussion ensued on the question of the appointment of Inspectors of Bridges, some Councillors maintaining that though the cost ot inspection was great, at the same time the County was fully recoinpe- sed for the outlay by the better quality of work performed.

Resolved, on the motion of Cr Jolly— That an Inspector he appointed on bridges and other works in the northern Hidings of the County. He said there were throe br ill < ;es now under weigh, with a fourth contemplated, in those ridings, and he thought it most desirable that their construction should be under the inspection of an officer of the County. Cr M‘Ginids objected to the appointment of a permanent Inspector, and suggested that the Engineer should have power to appoint such an officer, and that power should be given bim to discharge said Inspector when ho deemed it necessary.

By consent of the Council the proposition was amended so as to read “Temporary Inspector,” and that advertisements be inserted in the local newspapers. Resolved—That tenders bee died for approach to Blacks Bridge, and that the Chairman deal with same.

Cr Jolly brought up claim of Mr Perriarn for L2O, repairing road near his residence. Resolved, after discussion—That the matter cannot be dealt with without notice of motion.

The Council then went into Committee. On resuming, it was resolved—That every information he given the Banks to enable them to tender for the County account.

The Treasurer’s report showing a balance in hand of 1.3175 4s 81 on 3lst December, 1879, was read and received.

Petty cash for Sub-Treasurer, LI a, was voted.

Accounts for incidental expenses were passed tor payment. Before closing the meeting the Chairman said he desired to thank Councillors for their kindly expressions of him at the last meeting during his absence, and for the honour done him iu re-electing him as Chairman. He felt sincerely and truly grateful. The meeting was then adjourned.

Il.awea 1870-80. ... £0785 1880-81 £0777 Dunstan .. 6003 6065 Manuhcrikia .. 5432 5533 Matakamii ... 3882 4205 Earnscleugh ... 3735 3653 Clutlia ... 3258 3535 Limlis ... 3163 2068 K awarau ... 2565 2524 £3 ... 2230 2200 £11003 £41450