VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 944, 21 May 1880, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Vincent County Council was held on Wednesday tho 19th inst., in the Council Chamber, Clyde. There were present—Vincent Pyke, Esq. (Chairman), and Councillors Jolly, Cololough, M'Ginnis, Naylor, Pitches, Fraser, Masters, and Stronaoh.

The balance-sheet for the year (as published in our advertising columns) was laid on the table, and after cons idei able discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Cololough—That the Council, at a special meeting held for that purpose in accordance with the 134 th section of “ The Counties Act, 1876,” on the 19:h May, 1880, having considered the balance-sheet and statements prepared by the County Treasurer, and the reports of tho Auditor thereon, do now finally settle the same as set forth ou tho said balance-sheet and statements.

An adjournment was now made for lunch, and ou resuming the business of tho general mooting was proceeded with. The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting were read and confirmed.

Schedules of inward and outward correspondence were read and confirmed. The Chairman said amongst correspondence laid aside for consideration were those concerning “The Rabbit Nuisance Act.” It appeared the Ranger under the Act was illegally giving certificates for do,s, exempting them from taxation, and now a claim was made ou the Council requiring them to keep the Commonages clear of rabbits. It appeared to him that the Council ought to take action, or “The Rabbit Act” would prove a very ’expensive matter to the County. He then explained the Act referring to the power of the Rabbit Trustees to exempt dogs. After discussion.

It was resolved—That the Police be instructed to collect the dog tax as heretofore, and to summon all defaulters except they are exempt under “The Rabbit Nuisance Act.”

The Chairman said the next question was what means should bo taken to keep down the rabbits on the Commonages. Resolved - That the question ho adjourned till Cr Jolly’s notice of motion on the same subject is brought up. Correspondence from the Government re forcing to the surplus land revenue of Canterbury, also from other Counties concerned, and the replies, in all some dozen, were read.

Constable Voung wrote resigning the office of Inspector of Slaughterhouses, and Constable Farrell was appointed in his stead.

Cr Pitches asked if the Council had made themselves responsible to Messrs Briscoe and Co. for any monies on account of the Alexandra Bridge. The Chairman said “ Ho.” The question of the site and cost of the Lauder Creek Bridge was brought up, and it transpired that the estimated cost of the bridge is about L7OO, and of the roads between 1.400 and LSOO. Cr Jolly rose and said he had to call in question the action of the Council at its last meeting in agreeing to an increased expenditure on the Alexandra Bridge. He said when the contract was let it was distinctly understood that the alteration now agreed to was not to bo made. He regretted the question was brought up when both Cp Colclough and himself were absent.

The report of sub-Committee appointed to deal with the claim of contractors of the Alexandra Bridge for extras for concrete foundation of pier on east side of river was read.

Tho Chairman, who was on tho Committee, explained that tho contractors asked L 4 per cubic yard and the Engineer was only recommending L2 10. He said after evidence of experts the Committee had decided to recommend L 3 Os.

The reports of Engineer on contracts and roads were read, on which the following resolutions were passed— That a sum not exceeding LIOO be expended in gravelling approaches and retaining wall at the O’Connell Bridge. That a horse track only be formed to Hawea Bridge. That LSO be expended on completion of piece of road Leaning Hock Creek to Halfway house.

That Lls be expended on Burnt Cottage Road.

Cr Fraser took exception to tho report on roads, as no mention was made of roads in bis riding. He said it looked as if the Hawea Riding, though its revenue was by far greater than that of any other riding, was neglected. Ho should hopo that in

future it would receive equal attention to others.

The Engineer’s report on ferries was read.

In reply, the Engineer said the Lindis ferry would be shifted down to Perriam’s by when the Quarto-reef Point Road was completed, and that ho thought would be about the middle of June.

The Rate Collector and Ranger's reports were read.

Mr Dickie, in reply, said the number cf cattle registered on the two commonages was 588.

Cr Masters asked if it was intended to proceed with the erection of the two chairs over the Nevis River.

It was explained that the Council refused to accept the lowest tender for the work. Afterwards, however, the tenderer was informed that his tender was accepted, and that he as yet had not intimated what he purposed doing. The Council then adjourned till 7 30.

On resuming, Accounts for current expenses incurred during the past two months were laid ou the table and passed for payment, and the sum of Lls petty cash was agreed to. The Chairman rose and explained that the result of the Conference between the Chairmen and Councillors of this and Maniototo Counties was that a deputation consisting of tho Chairmen of the two Counties, as representing their .respective Counties, Cr Cololough, representing Cromwell, and Mr de Latour, M.H.R. for the Mount Ida District, should be sent to Wellington to advocate the immediate construetion of the Otago Central Railway, also to discuss the land question. He said that he had communicated with the Dunedin Corporation, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, also the Taieri County Council, asking each to send a representative as part of the deputation, but as yet had received no replies except from the Dunedin Corporation, who acceded to the request. He had but little doubt tho Taieri County would send a delegate, as the Chairman, Mr Roberts, had from tho first taken a very lively interest in the line. However, regarding the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce be expected but little support nr encouragement, as it was generally understood many of the members, the Chairman especially, was against the line. It was merely a formal matter. Ho would ask, however, for the Council to express its approval of what had been done.

After a very great deal of talk as to the exact advocacy of the deputation, it was resolved—That tins Council approve of the action taken by the Conference, and that Cr Colclough’s expenses be defrayed by this Council.

The Chairman said he had great hopes that the deputation would have good effect. It will fairly represent every district likely to be benefited by the line. The Council then adjourned till 10 a.m. the following day.

May 20th. On resuming the same Councillors as on the previous day being in attendance. The notices of motion on order paper were proceeded with—To consider the making of a rate of la in the £ on the value of all rateable property within the County. Resolved—That a rate of one shilling in the £ be made for the year, ISSO-81.

Adjourned Motion. Cr Jolly moved—That £ls 10s be voted to John Fcrriam for removing sediment off the VVanaka road and otherwise rendering the road at the Lowborn tit for traffic after the September floods.— This insignificant item created a deal of talk, but eventually was agreed to. Cr Fraser moved—That the sum of £ls be voted for repairing road from upper Albert Town Ferry to the Jlawea bridge agreed to. Cr Jolly moved—That this Council adopt such measures as will best tend to destroy the rabbits infesting the commonages under its control.—The discussion over this item was fast, and furious and brought oat the advocates of the different systems employed “shooting” and “poisoning ’ for exterminating the pest. As against the shooting, it was urged the great oxpenco and, that the Council would have to turn skin dealers, whilst against the poison it was agreed that the settlers’ cattle and poultry would cat it and get poisoned.

Cr Masters as adocating shooting, said a very great deal too much was said about the expense of shooting, he had ha I to shoot away during the past year or two, a great deal of powder and shot, and he found the cost per shot was under a half-penny, regarding the poison he had it on the best authority that cattle, horses and sheep that have been stubble fed will wherever they come across it pick up single grains of wheat, and consequently are apt to bo poisoned. Cr Pitches thought it bettor to got rid of the Commonages if they were going to bo so expensive.

Eventually it was decided that poisoned wheat should be used, a careful steady man to be employed distributing it. Cr Jolly moved—That a sum not exceeding L be sot apart fur the purpose of erecting a bridge over Boundary Creek, head of Lake Wanaka, and otherwise making the track along the Lake fit for traffic. Resolved— That a pack bridge bo erected over tho Boundary Creek at a cost not exceeding LIOO, and that LlO he expended on this track.

Cr Colclongh moved—That a day-man be put on the Limlis road during tho winter months—agreed to, and that Mr M'Phail bo instructed to supervise tho man in is work.

Or Colclough moved—That this Council take necessary steps to establish two nurseries for the growth of trees for distribution within the County—one at cither end of tho county.

Resolved—That this Council take steps to farm a nursery with ths view of raising forest trees for distribution in some part of the County most suitable. The Councel then adjourned till 2. 30 p in. Afternoon Sitting. d otes as asked for by the Engineer as under were granted. Schedule of votes required by the Engineer for the months of Juno and July : Alexandra to SpringvfJe, L 23 ; Rocky Point to Hawea, L 12 3 :; Clyde to Cromwell, LSO ; Rocky Point to Peniam s, Ll3O ; Cromwell to Wanaka, LI 00, —Total L42.L Messrs Grant and M‘Keller’s offer to erect two chairs across the Nevis river for L 79 was acceptodCr Colclough was deputed to sign County cheques during the Chairman’s absence at Wellington for tho Session.