VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1053, 23 June 1882, Page 2

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thk annual ata u*ory niee ing, anti a special meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chambers, Clyde, on Wednesday and Thursday last, the 14th and 15th inst.

PresentCrs. Colclough (in*’the chair). M'Kellar, Jolly, M'Phail, G'Ginnis, and Welsford.

Crs. M'Ginnis and Welsford both pro. tested against the business being proceeded with with Or. Colclough in the chair ; they deemed it hut courtesy to the Council to be in attendance, and personally explain that their protest against the business proceeding was not in the spirit of opposition or factiousness, but from them heing'finnly impressed in the belief that ns the Council was not properly constituted the proceedings would be irregular, and legal. They then rose from|the table and retired.

During the two days meeting matters mere brought up and adjourned from time to tim e for further considerations and other adjourn, menls were made. Il'e do not purpose fol lowing in and out throughout all these wincades, but follow on each subject matter as if then and there dealt with. By adopting this plan, we. think our report will be, as well as being mure plain and intelligible, mure cicccplnblc to our readers.

Statutory Meetino. The balance-sheets for the year ending September 30, 1881, and for the year ending March 31, 1882; also statement of assets and liabilities, etc. were laid on tha table and read, and after some remarks were settled, and ordered to be published. This terminated the business of the statutory meeting. Special Meetino was now opened by the Clerk reading the minutes ot previous meetings which were confirmed. Correspondence was now considered as follows: From Mr. M’Dougal, Secretary to the Pembroke Progress Committee, asking the co-operation of the Council in procuring a three weekly mail to the Haastand Jacksou’s weekly mail to Makarora Valley, and a Bay settlements, and as the amount of the contracts would greatly depend upon the state of the tracks and roads that the Council have all same within its limits put in good order.

Cr. M’Keliar said it was the beginning of a very great work, namely the opening up communication between the East and West Coasts, and toward which their late Chaii man, Vincent Pyke,bad so strenuously worked. He only wished the Council could see its way clear to give material assistance towards subsidizing a contract, but in the existing state of the County’s finances he did not think that possible ; but as it was highly desirable that direct communication should be opened up he would move that letters be written to both the Government and the Westland County on the subject. Carried.

From Maniototo County Council, accompanied by iMr. De Lautour’s Goldfield’s Mining Deserve Bill.—Deceived. Prom Mr. C. T. Marie, owner of a coal lease, Cooper’s Gully, to the effect that he would hold Council liable for all damages done to bis property. After discussion is was resolved : That the Council visit Mr. Marie’s property, and deal with the whole subject at the next meeting.

From Mr. M‘Kerzic, owner of the Alexandra punt, saying that he had received a letter from the County Engineer to stop running punt after Ist June, and asking as all previ. us communications to him had been from the Council, whether he ,has to obey the Engineer’s instructions.

Resoved : That ihe Council uphold the Engineer in the course taken by him. Prom Counties’ Railway Commission, accompanied by Bill ~f Charges, and asking payment of Councils share of same.

Resolved : That the amount he paid, hj om Ah. G. Macfarlai.e, accompanied by' account aim demand for damages sustained by him tbruith his waggon and team of bullocks 1 aliii g over the road embankment up C'onioy’o Gediy, through the same giving w ay.

The engineer reported that the accident arose through carelessness, as the roail at the sj ot wasjSft. wide, and that after the accident ami before the road was repaired several eight horse Wiggons, loaded, had passed both up and down without injury, Ordered that lettn be received.

From Diummy and Co., asking for six wei k's extension of time for the completion of the Alexandra Br’dge. Rtsolved : That the consideration <f the letter he held over till the final settling of the contract.

From Mr Jos, Oliver, asking exemption of two dogs from rabbit tax.

Applicant n ferred to Rabbit Inspector. From Coroinamiel County Council, asking that this Council, together with the gold fields counties, aid in having present tax on mining properties abolished

Resolved ; That as no special tax is named this Council is unable to move.

From Antimony Company, Garrick Range, asking for road Loin Perseverance Claim to their mine be Mtiveyed hy County Engineer, A second letter, to the effect that as the road was wanted immediately the Company had commenced making the road, and ask ing for a subsiily.

Toe Engineer reported that he had visited the mine, and had ordered in lieu of subsidy that road from Bannockburn Flat cu Perseverance clam be put in repair. With regard to surveying the road,he explained that that was no part of his duty, such work having to be don- either by the Government or a private suiveyor.

Resolvid : That the County Engineer be allowed to make terms with the Conniany for (he survey of the load ami that his action re lepaiiing th- road he endorsed liy the Conn d.

From Rev. Mr .Tenner, re the establishing of an \grieultmrl College in Otago.

■ he.solved : that a petition, to be signed by he Caairman, I e presented to Parham nt ■y Messrs V. Pyke and T. Fergus, M. H.R.a. urging upon Government tire necessity lor the establishment of an Agricultural College for Otago and Southland. From Mr A. Mel’hail, asking to ho allowed £2) for forming and making roa i from the sheen wash to Lunds Pass. Agreed to.

From Mr J. Beattie, collector of Dog Tax for Southern Riding foi 1881, asking to bo allowed head money on all dogs exempted. Resolved ; That the Clerk be instructed to ascertain amount due and that same be paid.

From Ashburton County Council asking co operation of the Council in getting the Cover ment to enact a law whereby pioper grain statistics be obtained. Letter received.

From Mr F. J. Wilson, with copy of Amended Depasturing Regulations, Ordered, that same stand over for notice of motion by Chairman to lix amounts in blanks.

From Government, embodying number of questions and asking replies to same. The following are the questions and the replies ns agreed to.

1. Should County Chairman be elected as

Mayors are!— Yes. 2. Should Counties be enabled to split up or amalgamate, or otherwise alter their boundaries, without the consent of Parliament, as is now required!—No 3. Should the mad districts in each county form the ridings of the county!— Not necessarily. There are no Hoad Boards in Vincent County 4. Would you suggest any alteration in the mode of electing the Councillors!— No. 5. Can you suggest any new duties which should be imposed, or new powers which should be conferred, on counties, more especially as to power of making bye-laws! —We have none to suggest. 6. Should the Counties be enabled tocreate new road districts or alter existing ones on their own motion, or only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers? —No answer. 7- Should the Counties or the Road Boards have the power of altering the divisions and the numbers of the members of Road Boards? —No answer. 8. What rating powers should Counties have?— The present rating powers are satisfactory. See no reason to alter them. 9. What rating powers should Road Boards have?—No answer. 10. If the operation of the Counties Act is suspended in any County, should Road Boards be enabled to exercise any of the powers of the County, and, if so, which?— No answer. 11. Should Road Board [members hold office for a fixed time, and, if so, what, or should a proportion retire every year!—No answer.

12. Should RoadJßoard'cbairmen be elected as mayors are?—No answer. 13. Is it desirable to allow of Road Board •elections being held in open public meeting, like those of School Committees, in districts where the Road Board, by special order, adopts this plan?—No answer. 14. What alterations do yon suggest in the Rating Bill as sketched in the circular enclosed That it is desirable that Crown Lands be rated.

15. Please state whether the provisions of the Roads Construction and Crown and Native Land Rating Bills would suit your ■district, and, it not, what alterations would you suggest which would make these measures more useful?—No answer.

16 Have you any suggestions to make generally on the matters dealt with in the ■circular in which this ; s enclosed?— Not di • reotly interested ?—That in the event of the present sources of revenue being by law taken away from the Counties or varied, the Government should substitute Grant-in-Aid from Colonial Revenue equal to such loss, and this Council further expresses a very decided opinion that in no case should the County stand in a worse position with regard to its annual revenue than it did at the inflation of the Counties Act. This suggestion is made as on faith of remaining in its original position with regard to revenue, this County incuurred liabilities to the extwft of nearly £30,000 which would not have been undertaken had it been known, for instance, that the Land Revenue and ■subsidies would have been taken away. From Mr G. ' lark, County Clerk, asking for two weeks leave of absence on account ■of illimalth. Granted. The Engineer reported that as the Carrick Range Water Race Company had fulfilled their part of the agreement entered into with the Council, that he saw no reason why the Company should not be handed over the title of the race. After long discussion agreed to. The Engineer's report on bridges, roads, •contracts, ferries, on road from Crmwell bn Ige to Lowbnrn were read and received. The following recommendations agreed to That the sum of £166 be expended in re .pairing Cionnwell bridge.

The recemmen' , ation that the sum of £SO tie expended in blasting rocks at Luggate Ferry stand over till next meeting. '1 he report on road Ciomwell bridge to ILowbiinn, and report on closed roads on ■Cromwell Commonage were ordered to stand •over till next meeting.

Resolved : That the report on Alexandra Bridge stand over till settlement of contract account*

Resolved: That the Engineer lie instructed to arrange for a deviation of road Liudis to Hawca, to the north of block VII, Tarras, •whilst the Chief Surveyor is in the district. Cr. McKt-llar moved: That the Dog Tax he 10s per head, and the exemption of two dogs for bona fide shepherds resident in the County. Sec. by Cr. McPhait. Or. Jolly moved as an amendment: That all th“ woids after 10s he deleted.

The amend meat was carried by the casting vote of the chair.

Accounts •'.mounting to £129 10s 9d •were passed for payment. Ur. M ‘Kellar referred in strong terms to the charges made in connection with the licensing elections, and said a scale of fees ■should he made.

The following motions, notice of which had been given at previous meetings, were ralt with. By Cr, Olclough : That a foot bridge be erected across Bendigo Creek, not to exceed £ls.—Carried

By Cr. Jolly : That £2O be expended on road, Lowhurn, to Burnt Cottage.—Carried.

By Cr. M'Phail: That £2O be expended •on bridle track, east side of Lake Hawea.— Carried,

By Cr M‘Kellar: That £250 be expended on road, Upper Nevis, to Bush. He said there was some little difficulty in the matter as part of the road would be in Southland County ; he would ask for it to stand over till next meeting, the engineer in the meantime to survey track, and to report as to how many miles are in this and how many in Southland County. By Or. Cololongh That all fences across surveyed roads on Cromwell commonage be ordered to be removed.

Cr. M'Kellar said in doing some little good to the few, a tremendous amount of

harm would be done to the many; persons agrieved had their own remedy without coming to the Council.

By Cr. M'Fhail: That the sum of £IOO he expended in building a bridge over the Boundary Creek, Lake Wanaka. It was explained that a vote for this work was already passed, and when funds permitted the work would be done.

The Chairman produced the agreement between the County, and the Carrick Range Water Race Company, and it being read Cr. M'Kellar said the responsibility would rest between the Chairman (Cr. Colclough) and Cr. Jolly if the race was handed over before all the conditions were fulfilled. He decidedly understood that a principle condition was that the race was to be extended to the right branch of Coal Creek, though it was not distinctly stipulated. Cr, Jolly urged that the race he handed over, saying that the company had a claim against the County for not carrying out their part of the agreement; the company having done their part as by the Engineer’s report. The Chairman said the agreement was most decidedly not a reflex of what was understood by the Council at the time.

After further discussion it was resolved: That the race be banded over to the Company. The Treasurer laid on table the estimate of receipts and expenditure for the current year. After examination it was resolved: That the statement be approved of, and that a rate of Is. in the £ for the current year be made.

Cr. Jolly said a memorial from the Council to the Government praying for some assistance towards the cost of the Alexandra Bridge was last year presented but turned out, he thought that the subject should not be lost sight of, and he felt fairly impressed with the belief that if the matter was fairly put and strongly supported by both Mr Vincent Pyke and Mr Fergus, who might be considered members of Parliament for the County, that a substantial sum would be obtained, Eesolvee: That a memorial to Parliament asking for relief, be drawn up and handed to Mr Y. Pyke and Mr T. Fergus for presentation.

On the motion of Cr. MoPhail, the Engineer was instructed to visit and report on best line of road through Block r, Tarras, in the direction of Oamaru. The meeting then closed.