VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 988, 25 March 1881, Page 2

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The customary two-monthly meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chambers, Clyde on Wednesday last tho 23rd instant, at 2 p m. Present:—V. Pykc, Esq., Chairman,and Crs. Jolly, Fraser, Naylor, Pitches, Stronach, and M’Ginnir. An apology from Or Masters was read and accepted. Tho miuutes of the previous meeting were read aud confirmed. The Chairman said, before the business of the meeting was gone into, ho desired to draw the attention of the Council to a doubt of tho legality of tho resolution passed at tho last meeting regarding the amending of the depasturing regu° lations, more especially he was ot the opinion that portion of the resolution, debarring the owners of miners’ rights, agricultural leases and other privileges from the right of running great cattle on the commonages in virtue of such rights without fee, was illegal He did not pretend to say that he was infallible in his opinion, but thought before tho amended regulations were gazetted a legal opinion should 1 e obtained. Mr Colelough said there could be no two opinions on the subject, tho Council had the right to do as they had done. Cr Jolly said ho had a memorial from certain residents in tho Cromwell district on the same subject, and he would ask that the further consideration of the question be postponed till the memorial was considered. Agreed to. The Chairman said he had also to refer to the action taken since last meeting regarding abating the rabbit nuisance ou the commonages. The men engaged at the rate per skin (2d) agreed upon, had given up, saying they could not make wages ; for ooisoning the Cromwell commonage he had accepted the offer of Mr Willmott. of Mt. Pisa station for the sum of LSI), an 1 he felt assured it would be properly done —it will be remembered he said that last year L6O was paid for keeping down the pest on the commonage. Cr Colclough could not understand how it was that men could not make rabbitting pay on the Clyde Commonage, as he was inf wined that a few boys (9) had gathered 2760 skins in three days ou tho Ardgour run adjoining the commonags. Discussion ensued as to the policy of tho County keeping tho control of tho commonages, Crs Fraser, Stronach and Pitches maintainiuing that not only were they a source of much trouble, but an actual loss. The Chairman said the Council had but to instruct him to resign his delegated powers, and the evil complained of would be soon remedied. Schedules of inward and outward correspondence was read. Cr Colclough asked by (what authority the Clerk had written to Mr Mauson, of Garrick range, demanding payment of Billiard License for the year endiug 31st December ; he said in the Licensing Act tho Billiard license was referred to as an Annual License, and he contended there was no special date of expiring, excepting it was one year from the date of application being granted. The Cb drman explained that the printed forms issued by the Government expressly stated the date of expiry to be 31st Decem - ber in each year, aud consequently the Clerk was only doing bis duty by following the printed form. The Council ho said was no place to deal with the question, the i Resilient Magistrate was the person to api ply to for redress. j Cr Colclough would maintain that it was ; illegal, and said though he had the money in his poket to pay for the license, he J should decline to do so exceptng the li--1 cense was made to expire one year from ■ tho date of granting. Councillors agreed in saying that Cr Colclough had no right from his seat at the Board to argue against its interests, and air his legal opinions. Cr M’jjinnis said it was scandalous for Cr Colclough to waste tho time of tho Council over such questions. Correspondence from Jas. Dawkins and Jas. Holt, asking the Council to open up roads leading to their respective e isehold properties, was read. It was explained that the obstructions referred to were fences erected long before tho leases were surveyed. After discussion, it was resolved—That the Engineer be instructed to remove all obstructions from surveyed roads —Letter from the Wairoa County Council, asking the co-operation of Vincent County to two petitions to Parliament, respectively praying for elective instead of nominee Land Boards, and for County Endowments, was laidou the table. —Circular from Mauawatu County Council was laid on tho table. —ln reply to Cr Fraser the Chairman said it was imperative that all monies received from the Government oil account of Deferred Payment leases should he expended on the blocks from which the money was obtained. Engineers report on contracts was read and received: Cr Jolly presented memorial from residents in Cromwell district, praying the Council to re-consider decision arrived at last meeting to increase depasturing fees from three shillings to five shillings per head. The whole question of last meeting’s action was brought up, and, after discussion, it was resolved to obtain’the opinion of the County Solicitor, Mr P.J. Wilson, as to whether tho County had tho power to demand fees from minors and other holders of rights under the “ Mines Act,” for depasturing cattle on tho commonages. At a later stage of tho meeting tho opinion of Mr F. J. Wilson was read to the effect that holders of any privileges held con tinuously from before the coming into operation of the “Mines Act” were entitled to run free ; subsequent rights could he charged. Cr Jolly argued at some length in favor ot the memorial showing, by figures, that the Commonages were not the losing affairs other Councillors would have them to be. Cr Colelough interrupted, saying the ing the discussion had gone quite far enough. The prayer of the memorial was for rescinding a motion passed at hist meeting, and that could not bo done. The Chairman, he said, should have raised the point before. The Chairman said ho was aware of the point raised, aud accordingly must rule any discussion on the question out of order, but denied that it was his duty to raise points of order. Engineers reports on Ferries and Bridges and roads were road. The recomraemlations for the expending certain small sums of money on the roads were not agreed to. Cr Colclough said at last meeting of tho j Council it was resolved that all arrears of 1 rates bo sue 1 for. Ho was informed that in one instance a defaulter at Bendigo, to tho extent of 5a had been summonsed and had to pay 19s costs, while his neighbor had received a polite note requesting payment. He would like to have an explana- ; tion. At a later stage of the meeting Mr i Dickie, the Rato Collector, reported that ! tho party written to had been away from tho district a long time, and no notices had been served £>a him, whereas the party

sued had been in the district all along, and had received notices. The explanation was co i a dired satisfactory. Or Colclough put the case in the reverse way. After discussion, it was resolved- -That tenders bo called for the purchase of the bridge at Rocky Point, also the foot budge at B acts, tenders to bo opened at next meeting of the Council. The Chairman said he had accepted the tender of Mr 0. Pierce to collect the Bog Tax in the Northern Ridings at Is ;i I per head, and of Mr W. Beattie for the Southern Ridings at 9d per head. The Council now adjourned till 7‘30. EVENING SITTING. Ou resuming, the reports of Ranger, Collector, Valuer, and Inspector of Hawkers' and Pedlars’ Licenses, each embodying a mass of figures, were read and received. Cr Colclough asked it the Co-operative Store, Bannockburn, had applied for a hawkers’ license. Reply in the negative. He also asked if it was intended to tako any action against vendors of fruit, milk, broad, or others for not having hawkers’ or pedlars’ licenses. The Borough of Cromwell, he said, intended to test tho question. The Chairman said any person could sell his own produce or manufacture without a license After discussion, applications for dopasturing 460 head of great cattle ou Cromwell Commonage and ISO head ou Clyde Commonage were granted. Treasurer Jolly read his usual report, which showed that at date there was a debit balance of J. 805 3s Id, and the total liabilities were L9SUB 12s 9J. Cr Colclough characterised the report as one-sided, and sa>d it was prepared with the view of frightening tho Council into the proposed Llrt.ooo Joan, and moved that it be not adopted until the probable revenue was embodied. Cr Jolly repudiated the attack made on him, saying the report was no different to any ever laid by him before the Council. The Chairman said, so far as the revenue was coaoernecl, Cr Colclough, as well as evers other councillor, knew that it was about LBOOO a year. The report was adopted. Accounts amounting to LSO 3s 8d were read and received. Adjourned Motions. Cr Rvke moved :—That the Council resolve itself into Committee of the wholo to consider the advisability of raising a Special Loan of LIO.OOO for the construction of necessary public works. The Chairman caused letters to bo read, which he had received from various members of the County Council in response to circulars asking what w r orks were mostly required in their respective ridings. He said lie had only received three answersThese were read. The first was from Cr jolly, who said there were no works wanted in his riding, but the Luggate bridge. The next was from Cr Fraser, who considered the Boundary bridge, and road on the H awea flat was most important. Tho other came from Cr Stronach, who said he did not know of any works in his riding that were urgently required. The Chairman said he had prepared a schedule of what he considered the most desirable works. He had done so in accordance with the resolution ot the Council, but he thought it would be better to raise a loan for paying off the existing liabilities, and allow the in-coming Council to appropriate the current revenue as they thought best. However, he had done his best, and he would read the schedule lie had prepared, only remarking tint neither the Council nor the ratepayers would be committed to tke expenditure exactly as proposed, It could bo amended or altered in any way. All he contended for was that the Ratepayers should be allowed to say whether a loan should be raised or not. That was his motion. If the Council chose to act despotically and refuse to the Ratepayers the power of having a say in tho matter he should be sorry, for in "that case the members of the Council would arrogate to themselves an authority which the law and Parliament never intended to confer upon them. Due other thing he must reßr to, namely, tho false statements made and repeated in the Cromwell paper that a loan meant “increased taxation.” This was utterly untrue and wilfully false. There was no power to levy additional taxation because of a loan. A loan only meant 10 years deferred payment for urgent necessary works. He would submit the schedule of works : Road to Waikaia Bush ... £200(1 ~ ~ Nevis Bush ... .. 6'H» ~ and Bridge, Earnsoleugh .. 550 ~ Chatto Creek to Tinkers... 1000 ~ Ida Valley .. 500 Approaches to Alexandra Bridge 300 ~ Lauder Bridge ... 250 Roads, Hawea Flat ... ... 800 ~ Bannockburn to Nevis... 600 Reducing gradient of hill at junction of Makorora and Fish River ... ... 500 Boundary Creek Bridge ... 150 Puut at.Luggate Creek .. 1000 Towards Bridge in continuation of Rocky Point and Cromwell Road. Li addition to which the material of the Bendigo Bridge, or the. money received, therefrom could bo appropriated equal to £3OOO ... 2000 In reply to Cr Colclough, the Chairman stated 10 years was tho term over which he proposed the Loan should extend ; and iu reply to Cr Stronach, that the rates would be the security, Cr Pitches said if the proposal was to borrow L 30.000, he mi-gilt agree to it. Cr Jolly said the security to the bank for existing overdraft was general revenue. Cr Colclough said, by tho Treasurer’s annual statement of ways and means and estimated receipts and expenditure, the rates were already pledged for works in hand or agreed to. He therefore failed to see how' the rates could be pledged a second time. He would aak if the proposed loan was a special one ? The Chairman explained at some length (quoting from the Counties Act) tho nature of the proposed loan, explioity defining the powers of tho Council as to tho levyiim i’ T f the rates, ho said it had been industriously* circulated that a special rate would have to be levied if tho proposal was agreed to. No such a thing was contemplated, nor was it possible, the “Counties Act” only provided for a special rate to be levied on any particular locality or riding for any special work, a loan was raised for. Tho proposed loan though in the words of the “Act” a “ special loan ” was for works throughout the County, consequently was a “general loan,” and for which the rates would bo given as security. He would repeat that he had no more interest in the proposal than tho welfare of the County, and it was for tho Council merely to say whether or no they would give, the ratepayers an opportunity of vetoing or sanctioning it. Cr Colclough said ho must vote against the proposition for one reis-iii, that the cost of obtaining the views of the ratepayers would be equal to a genera! election, and as the term of olijiy of the p ueut

Council expired bo soon, it might safely he left to the general election, ile wan disappointed at the schedule of works proposed to be carried out with the proceeds of the loan, no single one being urgently required. The whole thing was a cunning novice of the Chairman’s. Ho then took seriatim the works on the schedule, characterising them all as being at the present unnecessary to the general welfare of the County, and the most of them as mere afterthoughts. To provide for sinking fund and interest it would look up of the County funds at least LI2OD a year, and for the glorious privilege of . getting these works done it was not worth it. Accordingly he would vote against the motion. Cr Jolly thought, rather than to incur the liability of a loan, it would bo better to curtail the princely expenditure that had been indulged in. Another matter increased liability means increased taxation, and though the Chairman said “ No,” ho thought differently; and he was perfectly assured the ratepayers in his riding would agree with him in voting against the motion. At the last meeting of the Council, when the question was mooted, he g looked upon it somewhat favorably, think- * ing there would be some chance of getting thereby direct communication between the east and west banks of the Clutha. The schedule of works proposed, however, cut the ground from under his feet, and he must now vote against the motion ; he was sure it was of no use going to the ratepayers o f his riding. Crs Stronaoh, Fraser, and Pitches spoke against the loan for the works stated. Cr M'Ginuia would like the question relegated to the ratepayers for their opinion. Their opinion would also be given on the charge of extravagance levelled at the Council. The question simply was whether really urgent and necessary works should bo proceeded with, or whether things were to remain quiescent for two or three years. Of the works proposed to be constructed, ho would only refer to those in his own riding:, The bridge across the Earnsoleugh was a recognised necessity, as its construction was already agreed to by this Council ; as was also the read to Wiakaia Bush, for which an amount was placed on the Supplementary Estimates oE the last meeting-of the Provincial Council, and but for the abolishing of the Provinces would have been made long ago. The Waikaia Bush was a most magnificent one, the which he had visited with several gentlemen from Alexandra only two or three weeks since, and it but required the road to be opened to it to give a great impetus to every industry in the lower portion of the County. The upper ridings were blessed with plenty of timber, which had done more for its mining, its agriculture, and its commerce than any thing else. It was evident that some Councillors would vote for the loan if the whole or better part of it was expended in the ridings ; but as gn equitable .distribution was proposed, |hay were against it. He would support the motion. Cr Naylor could mtjge why the ratepayers should riot hsVeaiv'oice in the question. The cost of raising the loan and interest would be as nothing to the advantages to he derived. [We regret that our space forbids us giving the Chairmans explanation and the ■other speeches at greater length ] The motion was then put and Inst on division ;—Ayes—Naylor, M’Ginnis, Pyke. Noes- Pitches, Stronach, Fraser, Jolly and Colelough. The C, uncil then adjourned till 10 a.m. next day. THURSDAY, MARCH 2-1. Adjourned Motions. On resiummg, the same members were in attendance. Cr Fraser moved :-That tenders be called for gravelling eighty chains of the Ilawea Flat road. Resolved—That the Enginer he instructed to repair the worst portions of Hawea road. Cr Fraser moved That tenders he called for the construction of the Boundary Creek Bridge. Lost. Cr Naylor moved That Ll5O be expended ou repairing ami continuing tbc road from Clyde to the head of Waikerikevi Valley. Lost. Cr Jolly moved That the snm of (L—) he voted for the erection of either a punt or chair over the Clutha river, below the junction of the Lusgate. The word “ punt ” was struck out by leave. The motion was then put and lost, Crs Pyke and Naylor urging a punt, saying that a chair would not meet the requirements of the district. Motion. ■Cr Colclouoii moved That a Committee consisting of the Chairman, Cr Jolly, and tire mover enquire into the demand of - M‘Lachlan and M'Phcrs'm for a sum of 1.45, alle.-ed balance due to them on purchase of punt, and report immediately to the Council. Lost. The Council then adjourned.