VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1087, 30 March 1883, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual two-monthly meeting-of the Gounod was held on Wednesday, the 28th in?t., in the C uiicil Chambers, Clyde Present: Crs M. J. Maegianis {Chairman), Jolly, Vt'Kaltar, Welsfocd, Pitches, Sixmach, M‘Phial, and Onlclough. The minutes of previous meeting we e read and confirmed. , Schedules of the inward and ou 1 ward corre3|iond‘>nce was read, of which the fol lowing were ordered on. From Vincent Pyke, Esq., regardi'ig the purchase of specimens in the museum.— resolved that they be purchased. Prom residents, relative to devia f; ou of road at Poolhnrn and Engineer’s report thereon.—Referred to the Waste Lam s Board. From A. Suter, claiming £lO, damages done to his vehicle through ha I state of t ie road in Ida Valley.—Claim cannot bo considered. Letter from Mr 0. Pierce,late Dog-Tax Collector, covering account for travelling and other expenses incurred during the time he hold office.—Agreed to. From contractors of road, Cromwell to Perriams, asking for settlement of contract, together with engineer’s report.—Ordered to stand over. From A. .1. Roberison, lata ranger of the Cromwell Commonage, asking for balance of £5 due for registering cattle.—Held over. Prom Alexandra Boron ;h, asking the co-operation of the County in getting the vote of last session of £2OOO for road to op;n un the Waikaia Bush expended.—Agreed of. From S. H. Turton, on behalf of several contractors of road avorks, Cromwell to Quartz Reef Point, asking settlement of contracts and interest on moniesunpai I. Referred to engineer. From W. i 'ids and W. Masters, contractors, respectively, for keeping the Cromwell and Clyde Commonages clear of rabbits, to the effect that they do not consider the County had p over to treat contract in the manner as done and claiming compensation. After a long discussion,' during which it was explained that the Chairman had broke the contract on the 29th January, it was resolved that the County will be willing to take and pay for all skins at the old rate the contractors had on hand on the Ist March on condition they sign a paper holding the Council free from any further liability. Cr Welsford proposed that the sum of £lO be granted to each by way of settlement. The meeting then adjourned till 7.39. On resuming, the Chairman said that it will be remembered that at the last meet ing it was agreed to apply for £3925 for the construction of works under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, and that since then, a reply had been received from the Government that the sum of £1482 was granted and would be paid on certificate of County Engineer that the specified works had been constructed. The Engineer reported that the most urgent works in the county to lie constructed with the vote were: —Boundary Creek Bridge, gravelling Hawoa Flat, Fraser River Bridge, and Western approach to Clyde Bridge.—The report was adopted. The Chairman said he had been spoken to by several of the residents inClvde regarding the water snpoly, with the view of the Council taking some steps to remedy the causes of complaint, which were that the supply was irregular, and extreniely dirty. He said he had made himself acquainted with the agreements between the old Borough Council and Mr Holland also with the County, and from what ha could glean he thought it was the duty of the Council to take some stops in the matter. After a lot of discussion it was eventually resolved that the question stand over till the next meeting, by then all concerned would have made themselves acquainted with the whole

■ particulars, and that in the meantime the . County Engineer consider the whole qu -s----tion and report to tbo next meeting the quantity and quality of water supplied to the town, and if other sources of supply are available and at what cost. The Chairman sai I the next business was the financial business of the county, lie said he and the Treasurer had opened up communications with all tbo Cromwell banks as to doing the county business, and as the position of affairs were far sounder than they had been tor years, ho thought there would be keen competition. lie di 1, not propose that the whole business should be discussed in public, but lie thought it would be well to have the circular letter ho had addressed to the banks read.—The letter was then read and the adjournment into committee made. On resuming, the Chairman reported that the question stand over tiff, tomorrow. In reply, the Chairman said be had obtained the opinion of the County Solicitor as to what action could be taken by the county authorities to abate the nuisance created by thepiggery at Drybread, which was 10 the effect that the e unity could only bring a criminal action, and he the Chairman questioned the ad visibility of taking such a step. Resolved—That the residents of Drybread be informed that the Comity Council does not see its way clear to take action at the present time. The fists of defaulting ratepayers was now gone through with the view of decid- : ing on those, who were to be sued, this havI ing been done the Council , adjourned till 9.30 the following m -ruing. Thursday, 29tii. Letter from A. Miskell, embodying demand of £25, damage done to waggon and harness through its capsizing in a gully on the Cromwell road.— Referred to the engineer, who at a later stage of the meeting reported that he had no recommendation to make.- It was then resolved that the letter be received, and that A. Miskell be informed that the Council cannot consider his claim for compensation. The engineer’s reports on roads, bridges, contracts, and Ferri a were read, and amongst the various recommendation! agreed to. it was ordered that planking lor Cromwell Bridge be obtained at once and same laid down. The Chairman said now that the question of Cromwell Bridge was under view it was as well to consider what steps should be taken towards having it rebuilt as there was not the slightest doubt it would have to done and that quickly. He said everything should bo done to bring the the matter under the attention of the Government. Two members of the Government, in the persons of the Hon. Mr Rolleston and the Hon Mr Johnson, had already been interviewed on the subject ana been-’shown its defects, and if the Hon. Mr Whittaker came into the district he should al=>o be wailed on, Mr Pyke, Member for the Dunstan District, was at the present time in the Chamber, and he should be interviewed, Air Pyke, by consent of the Council, stated that during the last session of Parliament both ho and .Mr Fergus the Mem her for the Lakes, had waited on the Government and the Minister of Public Works, who quite agreed that the County fun is could not bear the strain of so heavy a work and bad agreed to set aside monies neoesiary for the work. He had aske I at the time if the bridge would stand another year ; the Council could rely upon it, therefore, that it was merely a matter of tun--. The Chairman said the engineer had compiled a report on the structuio, also prepared drawings, showing the state of the bridge, and he would ask that same be read. The rep- rt having been read, which not only dealt witu the structure, but a's-i ~-ave brief descriptions of two classes of bridges | suitable for the pkicc, and the same having j been freely aiseusse>‘, it was resolved— That the report as read, together with the j drawings, be forwarded at once to the Government, accompanied by letter praying that th same be given immediate effect to. The total estimated net cost of one structure—an iron one, as proposed by the engineer, was L 7223. and of the other, a wooden one was L 5161. Cr. M'Kellar said he did not quite agree with the motion. However, ho thought a vote of thanks was due to the Engineer for his very able aad exhaustive report, which evidenced tha. ho had taken a great deal of trouble, and he thought it was but right he ■should bo made aware of the Council’s recognition and appreciation of same. Schedule of works proposed to be constructed under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act to the extent of Ll2 132, was read, an lit was resolved that same be forwarded to the Government, together with an application for the money. The Treasurer brought down his financial statement, which showed a debit balance, after paying all liabilities, and realising on ■ill assets, of some LIUoO. A good deal of uisenssion took place, Crs M'Kellar and ','olclough must unmercifully pilling the tatement to pieces, and attempting to urovo that the actual oeficie cy was some LISOO. 1 he Treasurer defended him self, and said it was i e:ther fair or just to be assailed as he had been. Cr. M'Kellar said the presentation of he Treasurer’s balance sheet was a kind of washing up of the County’s financial affairs, and the Treasurer sh-ndd not take it personally. He would ask the Chairman, why, whan there was a cash balance in hand of hundreds of pounds, that advan tage had not been taken of it, ami all vouchers possible handed out. The Chairman said there were none placed at a greater disadvantage than others, his motive in keeping a balance in hand was with the view of getting beirer terms with the bank, he said the position had doubtless been a trying one and some were bound to suffer. The Council then adjourned till 2.30 p.m. On resuming, the question ot paying premium on county Clerk’s howl was brought up and eventually it was agreed to pay it. Cr Colclongh, however, said it must be understood that it was not given because it could be demanded, but more in the shape of a ■ bonus. Cr Colclongh asked whether, wh- u the r iad from Cromwell to Quartz Reef Point was finished, if it was the intention of the Council to close the Lowburn punt, lie said he had been induced to ask’ the question, as on its answer decided whether a school would be erected at Lowburn. Cr M'Kellar said there was plenty of time to discuss the question when the road was finished, however, m small communities there were some who were bound to suffer when large and important road deviations were made, lie should bo averse to keeping the punt open. The Chairman said he know some'king about the question, and thought the Council should not act with injustice to anyone, lie. while not agreeing to keep a man on regularly as at present, should support keeping the punt there and giving some local person a small sum to look after it, Ur Welsford would support keeping the punt open. The Council now wont into Committee to consider the banking question and other matters, an 1 on resuming the following report was read :—That the banking business be done with the Bank of Now Z a-

land. That C, Shaw mid T. M'Kay ho dog registrars for Vincent County; and that the following persons ho allowed the following sums as opposite their respective names, in full of ah demands ; -0. Pierce, L 45 10s; T. Dnnstan, L 4 IDs; li Partrid go. 1,22; P. Cahill, L2L; M. Reddin, L2O 10s ; D Hutton, L 315. Accounts amounting to LlO3 13s lid, avero passed for payment. (Jit. Wrlsford moved —That the sum of (£3O) thirty pounds, be ox pended on road between (Jonnew’s Gully and Eagle Farm. Loft in hands of Engineer to deal with. Cr. Welsford moved.—That the sum of (£SO) fifty pounds, bo expended for the improvement of road on West side of river and near Clyde Bridge. Withdrawn. Cr. Colclough moved That whereas the sura of £6OO was voted by the Council as a residuary payment to Messrs Drtiminy and Co., on their Alexandra Bridge Contract, and in full of all demands therenp n; and wheiens the said m dion remained on the records of the Council for some months before being rescinded, thereby leaving the contractors to believe a final settlement was .arrived at, it is hereby resolved that the terras of the original resolution be adhered to and that the same be sanct.Oued by the Council. Seconded by Councillor Welsford, and after a long discussion was carried by the vote of the Chairman. Cr. Pitches moved That this Council records its thanks to Vincent Pyke, Esq,, M.H.R., for his services in behalf of this County during the last Session of Parliament. Exception was taken to this proposition by Crs. Jolly, M'Kcllar, and Colclough, who said to pass it would he to cast a slur on Mr Fergus the memlier for the northern part of Vincent County, who had g ven as much assistance to the County from bis seat in the House as had Air Pyke. Cr. Pitches said he was willing to add Mr Fergus’s name. This, however, was objected to by the same Councillors, who asked the motion be withdrawn and another brought up at next meeting embodying both names. Cr. Pitches obj-'cted to withdraw the motion, and on it deing put to the meeting was lost by 5 to 3. The meeting then ad j mrued till 7 30. On resuming, Cr. Mackellar moved—That considering the Chairman has announced his intention of resigning Ins office before the next Oidinary Meeting in May, and the even division of opinion re the appointment of permanent Chairman, the question be referred to a plebiscite of the County Ratepayers, to be taken as early in the month of May as may be found expedient. That a Sub-Committee, consisting of be appointed to arrange the conditions under which such plebiscite shall be taken, and that the Councillors, or a majority of them, agree to abide by the result of such plebiscite, and to, at the first meeting of Council held after such result is known, give effect to such plebiscite by electing lie Chairman so decided upon. This motion was negatived, but at +he late hour at which the Council rose, we are compelled to withhold the arguments pro an 1 coti till next issue. With the vote to the Chair the proceedings terminated.