Meeting.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1016, 7 October 1881, Page 2

Meeting.

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tho general two-monthly meeting of the above body was held in the 1 minty Offices Clyde, on Wednesday last. Present—The Chairman (V. Pyke, Esq.), Crs Pitches, Naylor, MacGinnis, Colclough, Eraser, Jolly, Masters and Stronach. The minutes of the previous meeting wore read and confirmed.

A STATEMENT. The Chairman expressed a desire to briefly recount to the Council what he had done for them whilst in Wellington. Regarding tho memorial touching the Alexandra bridge, he interviewed Government about it, and at first he had sanguine hopes of getting a sensible and favorable answer from them ; more especially did he expect that to be tho case because ho had asked for the money ns a loan, not as a gift. However, on the matter being referred to the Public Works Committe for their consideration, they decided that it would not be advisable for Government to comply with the terms of the petition ; but they recommended that increased borrowing powers should be given tho Council. Government had promised to give them a subsidy of £1 for £1 on all rates collected, and that would mean an extra £2,000 to the funds of the Council this year. One thing councillors would be glad to hear, ami that was that the flood loan had been wiped out, and there would be no more trouble about that matter. (Dear, hear.) Government had resolved to obtain six diamond drills, and he hoped the Council '"ould decide to obtain one, and thus help to open up the mining resources of the country, and prevent loss of time and money. CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters were read— From the Inspector of Police, Clyde, recommending the appointment of Constable Murdoch to the position of Inspector of Slaughterhouses. —The Council confirmed the appointment. From Mr J Dawkins, asking the Council for the sum of £3 for making two crossings to his property.—The Engineer reported favorably on the application.—Cr Jolly had visited the work in question, and saw that the crossings were urgently needed. Ho moved that the sum asked for be voted to him.—Crs Colclough, MacGinnis, and Fraser spoke against the motion, and a wordy warfare ensued.—No one seconding the motion, the Clerk was ordered to inform Mr Dawkins that the Council had made no order in the matter. From Mr James Holt, asking the Council to re-consider the mining dispute between he and Mr C. T. Marie.—The Chairman fully explained the matter to the Council.— Various opinions were expressed by councillors on the subject, some recommending that harsh measures should bo adopted to bring about a solution of the difficulty.—Cr Colclough suggested that an exchange of roads should be made.—The Chairman said that would be a stupid move, because before that could be done meetings of ratepayers should bo held, and their consent given to the proceeding.— Ultimately itwas resolved that the Engineer should survey the road in dispute.

From the Manager of the “ Otago Central Leader,” asking fora share of the Council’s advertisements.—Cr Colclough objected to the granting of the application, on the ground that tbe “ Leader” was not a purely local paper, it being printed partly in Roxburgh and partly in Dunedin, and sent on to Alexandra by coach.—Councillors concurred with Cr Colclough’s view of the matter.— The letter was received. From Mr W. Johnstone, asking to bo appointed Returning Officer for Limlis Riding.—Letter received.

On the motion of Cr Fraser, Jas. Murray was appointed Returning Officer for Hawea Riding.

From Mr Wilmott, re the dispute between he and the Council over C, 000 rab-bit-skins.—Some time since an arrangement was entered into between the Chairman and the manager foi .Mount Pisa Station, having for its object the extermination of the rabbits on the Cromwell Commonage. The Conncil undertook to pay the wages of the men employed in the work. After the destruction of the rabbits, Mr Wilmott sent in a bill to the Council, charging 2ns per week as wages for each man, and Id per rabbit skin, instead of which lie was to pay the Council for the skins. Mr Wilmott wrote, asking for the settlement of the account. Cr Maoginnis moved, and Cr Stronach seconded, that the account be paid, less the value of the rabbit-skins. Crs Jolly and Colclough strenuously opposed the motion, and, by some abstruse calculation, pointed out that the sum under discussion bad been credited to the Council. —Finally, the motion was carried.

The meeting then adjourned till 7-30. engineer’s report. On the Council resuming, I he Engineer’s report on roads was read, and the following orders made:—That a man be employed one week on the road from Clyde the boundary at the upper end ; that be expended on the road from Spring Vale to Rough Ridge, £5 from Cromwell to Nevis ; that a deviation of the road through Block ’til, Tarras, he made, on consideration of those interested paying half the cost of the survey ; that a man be engaged for two weeks to repair the Hawea Flat roads ; that the Waste Lands Board be recommended to grant an exchange of land for the road from Alberttown to Hawea, and that £lO be expended on the same road ; that £6 be expended on clearing scrub and levelling the road leading to Mr Grae’s section, Hawea F’lat; that £5 be expended in clearing snow out of the deep cutting on Nevis Range ; and that £2O bo expended on the Upper N?vis Road.

It was resolved that the Rocky Point Road surfacemen should repair the approaches to Lindis River.

The Engineer’s report on contracts was read. In connection with this matter, a letter was read from Mr Blair (to whom the subject was referred), in reference to the dispute between Mr D. McKeliar, the contractor of the Clyde bridge, and the Council, to the effect that it would be necessary for him to have oral evidence from Mr B. D. Macgcorgo. In reply to Cr Colclough, the Engineer said the amount in dispute was £270 odd. The Engineer was authorised to proceed to Dunedin to confer with Mr Blair on the matter.

The Engineer’s report on bridges and ferries was read, and it was ordered—That £l2 10s be expended in erecting timberbreaks at Hawea Bridge ; that the Council pay half the cost of putting the Alberttown punt in repair to the extent of £22 I Os, provided that the i unholders pay a similar sum. ‘ '

The Engineer’s report and estimated cost of the Buggate punt was road, and No. 1 site, to cost £370, was decided on. W. Howjohns applied by letter for compensation for loss of his situation as worker of the Clyde punt. Councillors thought there was no hardship in Mr Ilowjohn’s case, especially as ho had more than ordinary notice that his services would bo dispensed with on the completion of the Clyde bridge. To admit a claim would be establishing a bad precedent, and opening the door for every servant of

the county, on his services being dispensed with, making a similar application. It was admitted that Mr Howjohns had satisfactorily performed his duties, and in consideration thereof it was resolved that ho be offered the working of the Luggate punt after its erection.

Cr Jolly said no mention was made of the Cromwell bridge in the Engineer’s reports. It was a fact patent to every one that the bridge was getting very insecure, and ho thought if nothing could be done towards strengthening it, periodical surveys should be made to ease public mind, who were getting alarmed. Under the old regime, before the counties were established, it was done, and there was now the greater reason for it —Resolved accordingly.

Cr Fraser suggested that, as the Lowburn punt required tarring and other repairs before tho wool season commenced, it would be well to shift the Clyde punt up there whilst the work was being done, and so as not to stop the ordinary traffic. He argued that, as tho Clyde punt >•-. ; + 0 lie placed at tho Luggate, little ;:ts would be entailed by dropping it at Lowhurn on

its way, whilst all parties would bo accommodated.—Referred to the Engineer. The Treasure’s report, shewing (including balances due on contracts) a debit balance £9,719, was read. The Chairman said it was not fair to include in the debit balance the amounts due on contracts, as it would be some time before all would have to he paid. The position of tho county, when taking into consideration that over £I,OOO of rates was still uncolcolected, and that the subsidy on rates was now £1 to £l, and still further when it was considered the £IO,OOO loan from Government was wiped off, the actual debit balance he looked on it was but a trifle, if any, over £2,000 (Hear, hear). A letter from Maniototo County Council and account for £277 15s 3d, half cost of the Lauder bridge, was read. Exception was taken to the item in account, £4 16s 6d, under head travelling expellees of Engineer, and it was argued that if the item was allowed, the travelling expeuces of our own Engineer would have to be made.— Resolved that the amount be paid, less £4 16s 6d. Correspondence from the Commissioner of Lands, accompanied by a statement of m meys due the county from deferred-pay-ment leases ; also, recommendation of Engineer as to which roads the money should be expended on, wore read. At a later stage of the meeting it was resolved—“ That the Engineer’s recommendations be approved.

The Council went into Committee to consider applications for the Rangerships of ■Cromwell and Dunstan Commonages. On returning into Council,' the report of the Committee, that Mr A. Robertson be appointed Ranger of Cromwell Commonage and Mr Win. Masters of Dunstan Commonage. was adopted. The business on the order paper was now proceeded with. Cr Fraser moved—That the Government bo requested to apply the scheme of constructing roads through land to be sold to Vincent County, seeing that a large area in the same will shortly be available for settlement.

Cr Pitches seconded the motion, and it was carried. Cr Stronaoh moved—That the road between Sections 23, 2d, 28 and 29, Block I, Tiger Hill, be opened for traffic at a cost not £3O. —Seconded by Cr Colclongb, and carried. Cr Fraser moved—That Government be requested to improve the Haast Pass track, as the Council have no funds at their dis posal to do it. He said Government had expended a lot of money in making a track from Hokitika to the south, for a certain distance, but it was useless to the people on this side of the range, and would be until ir, was made right through. He thought if the matter was fairly represented to the Government, they would complete it. A track right through would open an outlet for the cattle and sheep on this side the range o ,and it would be a mutual benefit to the growers on this side and the consumers on the other aide of the ranges. 'fhe motion was seconded by Cr Cololough and corried.

Cr Fraser moved—That the Engineer be instructed to report as to the feasibility of removing the Rocky Point bridge to the Lindis River, constructing a bridge over the same therewith.—Seconded by Cr Colclough, and carried. Cr Fraser moved—That the Engineer he instructed to keep the roads in Hawea Riling in repair during the months of October and N"'-emher, should any revenue be avaß hi ■ for firing so. —Seconded by Cr Mas rn . and ' , ■ A.-ci ... , a. . :r.i ' r .<A r. 3 gd were passed for payment, Schedule of applications for depasturing licenses on the Cromwell andDnnstan Commonages was laid on ■tire table, and applications granted. The Council then adjourned till Thursday. The full Council was in attendance at the morning sitting. The Chairman said lie would like to hear the opinion of the Council as to the advisability or otherwise of obtaining a diamond drill. He explained at length what had been done by Parliament at the last session, it having agreed to obtain six of the machines, and to enquiries as to cost of management and its uses gave information. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Jolly, seconded by Cr Naylor—That the Minister of Mines be asked to supply Vincent County with a diamond drill to test the various deep leads and lodes in the county. —Carried. Cr Jolly said he understood that the system of letting the boring apparatus was not giving .satisfaction, and cited an instance whore an application was made for the rods to boro for coal in the neighborhood of the Luggate. Engineer said the application had been withdrawn, or the matter would have been referred to by him in a report to the Council. Engineer was instructed, when only one application was in for the machine’ to at once lend it. The business of the ordinary meeting then closed.

Special Meeting. The full Council in attendance. The Chairman read from the order paper as follows :—“ Business for consideration at special meeting, convened by Crs McGinnis, Pitches, and Naylor—“That tho number of ridings in Vincent County be reduced to eight; and that for this purpose the Ridings of Nevis and Kawarau be amalgamated under the name of Carriok Hiding; and that the Council order thereon.” Cr Jolly laid on the table a letter from Chairman of a public meeting held at Bannockburn ; also a copy of a resolution passed at the meeting—which were read. Cr Jolly rose to a point of order : That motion could not ho dealt with, there being no mover’s name to it, and referred to a former decision of tho Council when it was ruled to be out of order. Cr MacGinnis contended that it was perfectly within the power of the Council to consider the question. The Chairman ruled that tho special meeting, being convened by three Councillors, the subject matter of debate did not require any particular sponsor, and that the Council would be in order in dealing with the question before it.

Cr MacGinnis said as he was the leading spirit in convening tho special meeting, he would first speak to the question. Before doing so, however, he desired to refer to an

article which appeared in a late issue of the “Cromwell Argus," and in which it was inferred he was not the originator of the motion. Councillors objecting to reference to articles which may have appeared in any newspaper, and the Chairman requesting that no further reference bo made to it. Cr MacGinnis said he would bow to the wishes of the Council. Ho, however, could not but say that he and ho alone was the prime and only mover in the matter. 110 reviewed the action taken by the Council in 187S increasing the number of ridings to nine. The Committee (of which ho was a member) appeintod to lay down the boundaries of the now ridings took into consideration, the difference in revenue from rates between the upper and lower ridings, which then stood at £I,OOO and £OOO respectively ; and it was deemed that the weight of power should be in favor of those ridings contributing the largest amount of revenue Since then, however, things had considerably changed : the revenue from the two sets of ridings now stood at £IO2O and £1,010; therefore, he said the main ; reason forgiving the extra riding there does , not now exist; and, he, with others, thought the time had arrived for a balance of power. He then read a return of rates for the past three years from the upper and lower ridings as follows 1877-8, upper, £1,007 ; lower, £077 ; 1878-9, upper, £1,439 ; lower, £I,OOO ; 1879-80, upper, £1,020 ; lower, £l,OlO. These figures, he said, showed that the time was most opportune for a reconstruction of the ridings—not alone from the fact that the revenue was equal, but from the great possibility of the lower ridings, if they continued to increase in wealth as they had done, immensely overtopping in revenue the upper ;property holders also demanded consideration, the lower division having the majority, the numbers being—Upper 402, lower 409. On this ground, also, it was favorable to a balance of power. Still another reason was, population, which by the last census returns stood—Upper 1030, lower 1919. The three points he had raised, he thought, should tend to convince the Council that the motion was a reasonable one, and hoped it would be accepted. When the question of increasing the number of ridings was first considered, the lower gave way without demur. For his own part there was no idea of getting an advantage. He sought merely the proper balance of power. He had pleasure in moving the resolution, hoping that in arguing it the Council would refrain from putting one district against the other, or in raking up old sores. Cr Stronach,- in seconding the motion, said after the able and lucid explanation of the member for Earnscleugh, he had nothing to say. Cr Masters said he had listened attentively to the arguments in favor of the motion, but he did not think the making either population, property, or revenue a fair basis-of representation. If the rule was established poor and thinly-populated districts would be absorbed by their richer neighbours, and thus virtually deprived of the benefits of representation. It was quite true that the population of the Nevis was small, but it was isolated. Only a local man could look after its requirements, and to merge it into the Bannockburn, with which place it had nothing in common was to deprive it of the benefits of the county laws. He hail expected better.things from Mr MacGinnis,whom he had assisted in carrying many important measures.

Cr Cololough said he should vote against the motion on public also on legal grounds, and thought that if councillors had not made np their minds to listen to argument, he might be able to guide them. The speaker then, at length, quoted from the Counties Act, and endeavored to show that tiie Council had not die power to carry out the motion, even if it was-agreed to by a majority; concluding with an appeal to the Council, saying the very isolation, of the Nevis should prevent them from altering the boundaries.

Cr Bitches said Cr Colclough, during hi remarks, had, in referring to the gold revenue, stated that the upper ridings contributed by far the largest quantity. He (Cr Bitches) said that was not the cause, as each was about equal. Though he had not made up his mind when asked to sign the requisition calling the meeting, after Cr MacGinnis’s speech he was quite satisfied. There appeared to him to be a great deal too much made of the motion. The House of Representatives had at the last session altered the boundaries of the electoral districts, and he did not see why the Council should not if they could do so without doing any injustice alter the boundaries and ridings. He would support the motion.

Or Fraser, though he would vote against the motion, could not but say that Nevis was too small for a riding, and he thought the day was not far distant when the Nevis would be merged into the Kawarau ; but at the same time he thought the upper ridings were entitled to five members. He did not agree with all that Cr MacGinnis had stated ; so far as he could learn the meaning of the resolution was that the lower members were afraid of being outvoted.

Cr Jolly said he was astonished at members even signing the requisition, but after what he had heard he would bo astonished at nothing. The mover vaunts one fact—that lie is the father of the motion ; ho hoped no other member would have the audacity to say he had anything to do with it. He trusted to the good sense of the Council, and hoped they would not tamely submit to the proposed change. A very decided expression of opinion was given by the Bannockburn residents, and if time had been given an equally strong dissent would have come groin the Nevis. He hoped to hoar the Chairman speak to the question. Cr Naylor said if the action was legal, ho saw nothing so radically wrong in tho motion, and Cr MacGinnis had shown tho reasonableness of it. When he signed the requisition, he had not given the subject any consideration, nor did he say which way ho would vote. Up to the present, Nevis had been a kind of go-between. As the present member would not again hold the seat, things might he different, and it was well to he prepared. He would move—That the following words be added : “ One member to be returned for each riding.” Or Pitches seconded.

Several points of order were now raised, but overruled by the Chairman, who reserved the right to take legal opinion on his ruling and tho points raised. The Chairman was very sorry to see so much genuine feeling displayed. He thought the motion to be quite right, and believed no harm would be done either tho Nevis or Kawarau. He would take an opportunity of ascertaining the feelings of his constituents on the subject. He would vote for the motion.

Cr Jolly was serry that it had to come from him, but as all hope of justice to the upper ridings was now lost, ho hoped that soon tho county and electoral boundaries would be the same, and the name of Vincent County wiped off the map. Cr Colclough proposed—That the proposed new riding have two members.

Seconded by Cr Jolly. Crs Jolly, Colclough, Fraser, seeing they were outnumbered, here left their chairs and tho Chamber.

Cr Pitches drew attention to the fact, and said the amendment must lapse. The motion, as altered, was carried. The proceedings then terminated.