Meeting Etc.

Dunstan Times, Issue 998, 3 June 1881, Page 2

Meeting Etc.

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The twenty-sixth (a statutory) meeting of the Council was held in the Court-house, Cromwell, on Wednesday, the 25th May, 1881. Present:—Crs. Vincent Pyke (Chairman),Naylor, Jolly, Pitches, Stronach, M’Ginnis, Coklough, and Prasor. BALANCE SHEET. The balance-sheet and statement of the treasurer for the year ending March 31st, 1881, and the audit or’s report thereon were laid on the table for consideration ; and to finally settle the same in accordance with Section 134 of the Counties’ Act, 1876. Cr Colclough took exception to the item LIO -Railway Commissioners—and said as the item had not been passed by the Coun cil. the balance-sheet could not be properly approved and passed by the auditor.

The Chairman explained the item was for coach fare to Dunedin in connection with the appointment of the Commission, and not, as was assumed by Cr Cololomdi, for his personal expenses when accomnanyino the Commissioners through the country. He would take the opportunity of stating that not one farthing of his private expenses during the tour had been charged ; they had come out of his own pocket. As to the item it was passed for payment at the last meeting of the Council.

Cr M ‘Ginnis asked for an explanation of the item—Clyde town race, L2O. The Chairman said it was of the conditions of the agreement of me-ger between the late borough of Clyde and the county that this item was to be defrayed by tbcounty. The Council had to remember that a large revenue was derived direct from Clyde, and he would most assuredly advise the people of Clyde to reconstitute themselves a borough if any attempt was made to saddle them with the item. He further explained that on the merger all the liabilities and engagements of the lato borough, as a matter of course, reverted to the county.

Crs Stroaach and Colclough strongly objected to the item, the Utter gayirn* that it was unauthorised.

The Chairman objected to Cr Colclough making statements utterly false, Cr Colclough objected to the Chairman’s remark, which was only fit for the vagabond in the street.

The Chairman said he must call upon the Council to support him from the unwarranted attacks of Cr Colclough Cr Colclough referred to the item postage and telegrams, saying that it was extravagant, and hinted that the Chairman’s own private telegrams anil those on Land League business were debited to the county. The Chairman, while indignantly denying that such was the case, agreed that the item was high ; and, in reply to Cr Pitches, said no book of postage and telegrams was kept.

Cr Colclough said that that only showed that the accounts were audited without examination.

t-rs Stronacb and Pitches disagreed with Cr Colclough. Cr Eraser, while not agreeing at all times with the detractors of Cr Colclough, could not ,'n this instance agree with him. Cr Jolly thought a little more economy might be exorcised, and that letters in many instances would do just as well as telegrams.

After further discussion, Cr M’Ginnis proposed, and Cr Pitches seconded —That the balance-sheet be settled in accordance with the Counties Act.

Cr Colclough propose I as an amendment -That the auditor lus not cortifie I that ho has examined the documents explaining or supporting the vouchers, and for that reason the statement he not declared nettled as provided by Section 1 if) of the Counties Aet.

Cr Jolly said the motion was not in order, as the auditor was not a servant of the Council. It was m ire than impertinence to reflect on a Government officer. Cr Pitches said the Council table was no place to pass any strictures on the auditor. IE Cr Colclough imagined that the auditor had not done his duty, he should write to the Government. The amendment not being seconded, the original motion was carried. RATS BOOK, BTC. The rate-hook was laid on the table, and the making of a rate on the value of all rateable property in the county was considered. It was resolved that a rate of Is in the £ be made. At a later stage of the meeting, the Chairman and Crs Jolly and Stron-eh were authorised to sign the rate-book. ORPIN’ART MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Council was then opened by the minutes of the last usual meeting being read. Cr Colclough said he must object to tho minutes in their presmt form being confirmed. By the minutes as read it appeared that tho resolution of the Council m respect to the proposed loan was that it was not desirable to submit the question to the ratepayers. He maintained that no ro< ence was made to the ratepayers, and ~ it was simply resolved “ that it was not dosirable to borrow £10,000.” The Chairman said as it was utterly impossible to bring all the papers out of the county offices up to Cromwell, he was unable to say whether the minutes were correct or not ; but, to save time in fruitless talk, he would suggest that the further consideration of the minutes as read be deferred till the next meeting. The minutes of the special meeting held on April 27, were read and confirmed. Tho meeting then adjourned till 7,30 p.m. CORRESPONDENCE, On resuming, shedules of inward and outward correspondence were read. A letter from Mr Willmott was read, in which a claim was ma lo for L6O, being L3O in excess of the amount agreed upin for clearing tho Cromwell commonages of rabbits. After discussion and long explanations, it was resolved—“ That the demand be paid, on condition of Mr Willmott handing over to the Council 8.764 skins or the same number of pence, tho value of same.” Letter from Mr C. T. Marie, in reference to road line near his coal leases, was read.

The Chairman explained that tho Council, at its last meeting, was wrong in dealing with this road, as it had been decided in tho Be-ident Magistrate’s Court that, according to “The Public Works Act,” no road existed at tho time ; however, since then a road had been surveyed, but ho would suggest that the Council have nothing further to do with it, as the evil, in due course, would cure itself without their in. terference. Ho had visited tho ground and seen for himself that the road as surveyed was impracticable, and would interfere with tho coal workings, and with Mr Marie’s garden. Further, there was a question of compensation in connection with tho road.

A letter in reference to tho expenses of the Railway Commission was read.

Th« Chairman said the entire expense was a little over L9O, of which Vincent County had to pay one-third at present ; however, Taieri County refused to recognise their liability, and Dunedin declined to contribute anything. A letter from Messrs Meston and M'Connn.'hie, contractors for approaches to Clyde bridge, complaining of being unable to get their vouchers signed, was read. Cr Colclough said this was the outcome of a paragtaph which appeared in the Dunstan Times, to the effect that the county had stopped payment, and he would like to know how the secrets of the county got into the columns of that paper. The Chairman did not know if the letter had any reference to anything that appeared in the Dunstan Times, neither did he knew how the'conductor of the Dunstan Times got his information ; the whole matter was this : the engineer had received instructions to issue no more vouchers till further ordered, and he had in obedience with such instructions refused to make out a voucher for Meston and Co. when asked. Since then, however, they had been satisfied. He must, however, decline to be made to father anything and everything Cr Col■clough may please to lay at his door. He denied having seen the paragraph of which Cr Colclough complains in The Dunstan Times. It appeared in the “Cromwell Argus,” and afterwards in the “ Daily Times.” It was perfectly true there was a paragraph in the Dunstan Times alluding to the stoppage of the county works for the

want of funds. A letter was read in reference to the duties of rangers of commonages, who also are poundkeepers. After discussion.it was resolved that any action taken by the rangers In impounding cattle outside the commonages will he at their own risk. Cr M'Ginnis asked that all correspondence in reference to the payment of rates to councillors, and the repaymeht of the same to the collector, be read. A number of letters were read, and explanations made, from which it transpired that Councillor Jolly, by authority of the collector, and Cr Colclough, in the usual course of business, had received rates from ratepayers living in the out-districts, and that through some laxness some of the amounts had not been handed to the collector before he took proceedings. (Jr Jolly defended himself, saying that being authorised to receive any monies offered him by ratepayers, the collector should have enquired if he had any monies before he commenced proceedings. Cr Colclough said he had told the collector that he had monies on hand, but had from time to time neglected or forgot to pay it over. Cr Fraser asked for correspondence referring to the construction of races over roads. A letter from MrD. M'Kellar, making a claim for monies due on contract re-erection of Clyde bridge, was read, and referred to engineer for his report. petition. Cr Stronach presented a petition from the miners of Tinkers’ Gully, asking the Council to subsidise them LI to LI to the extent of from LBO to LIOO for repairing sludge channel.—Received. The meeting then adjourned till 10a.m. nest day. Thursday, May 26. On resuming, the engineer’s reports on roads, bridges, contracts and ferries were read and laid on th( table. It was ordered—That the engineer keep Lindis road open, and that the engineer furnish at next meeting a detailed report of progress and expenditure in connection with the Alexandra bridge. The collector’s report was read, and returns laid on the table. COMPLIMENTARY. _ It was resolved— I That this Council desires to record its satisfaction with the manner in which Mr J. T. Dickie, collector, etc., has discharged his duties during his connection with the county. FINANCE. A letter from Mr Dickie was read, complaining of insufficiency of notice being given him that his services were no longer required. It was resolved—That a bonus of one month’s salary be given to Mr Dickie. Accounts amounting to were passed for payment. A schedule of the cheques paid away «ince last meeting was laid on the table. ferry returns. The following returns for March and April, 1881, were laid on the table :

RESIGNATION - . A letter from Or Jolly was read, tendering his resignation as hon. treasurer. The whole subject was discussed, and he was asked to reconsider his decision. NOTICES OF MOTION. Cr Stronach moved—“ That the sum of £5 he voted to chip a road from Upper Urybread, past the cemetery to the school.” Carried. Cr Pitches moved—“ That a sum of £3O be voted for the erection of a parapet wall on the west side of the approach to the O’Connell bridge, Ophir, and that tenders be called tor the same.” The motion was lost, APPOINTMENT. Cr Pitches explained that Mr Christie, Tieturning Officer for Manuherikia riding, had left the district. Resolved—That Mr Bishop be appointed in his place. The Council then adjourned for lunch. FINANCIAL. On resuming business, Mr Pyke moved—“ That the financial condition of the county be taken into consideration with the view of devising means to meet contingent and current liabilities.” The Council went into committee on this question, and reported—That having considered the correspondence produced, the offer of the Bank of New Zealand be accepted, and the Chairman and Treasurer be authorised to complete the arrangements on the basis proposed. Cr Jolly here withdrew his resignation. NOTICES OF MOTION. Cr Masters moved—“ That, in consequence of the large extent of unoccupied Crown lands within the boundary of the Vincent Rabbit District, and the alarming increase of rabbits on such land, it bo an instruction of this Council to the Vincent Rabbit Trust to exempt from tbs operation

of the dog tax (in accordance with the terms of 'The Rabbit Nuisance Act’ now in force) reasonable teams of dogs kept solely for rabbiting purposes.” Or Masters moved—“ That the present action of the Rabbit Trustees in discountenancing all other means except phosphorus poison for rabbit destruction is calculated to foster the farming of rabbits to the great detriment of the county, inasmuch as a great part of the year when feed is abundant rabbits cannot be effectually destroyed by that means." Cr Masters moved—“ With a view of encouraging the continued destruction of rabbits through the county, two depots be established for the purchase of skins : one at Nevis township, and one at or near Cromwell; the price to be paid not to he le"s than 2Jd for winter skins, and 2d for summer skins ” The consideration of the above motions was deferred till the next meeting of the Council.

Cr Jolly moved—“ That a chair he erected on the Clutha River near the site of the proposed Luggate bridge, at a cost not exceeding £60.” Cr M'Ginnis proposed as an amendment, and Cr Fraser seconded - That the engineer he instructed to inspect the Molyneux River in the vicinity of Luggate Creek, with the view of placing the Clyde punt there at a cost not to exceed £3OO.

On division, only the mover and seconded supporting the amendment, the motion was carried, Cr Jolly moved—“ That the services of the inspector for the Alexandra bridge he discontinued forthwith, the work of inspection to be carried out by the engineer.” This motion was amended by the diletion of the word “ forthwith,” and “ on completion of masonry” substituted, and carried. CLYDE BRIDGE The engineer’s report on Mr McKellar’s letter re Clyde bridge was read, and afterwards it was resolved - That the matter be rcferredfto arbitration. Mr Blair, Government engineer, to be county arbitrator, cost of arbitration to he equally divided. The meeting then’-closed with the customarv benediction.

c c s Feeet. © to D 3 a* 1 a >» & tx to 3 cq Waggons. 'fc. ci tt .s a 02 1 Great cattle. Sheep. 1 M Clyde 1048 556 67 37 23 38 A 1476790 12127 35 31 20 524 M Lowburn 865,662 6435 1186 3500 A 741 642 8317 1179 M Albert Town 768491 45 17 8 12 9 A 506 415 46 3 6 8 72 M Ditto, station 64 12 A 34 3 16