VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1187, 28 November 1884, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The first meeting of the newly-elected Council was held on Wednesday, the 26th insfc. Present—Crs W. Fraser, Dunstan Riding; M. J. Macginnia, Earnsclough ; J. Pitches, Manuherikia-, 3. M‘earthy, Hawea; R. Sheppard, Matakanni; H, Tobin, Oiutha ; and J. C. Anderson, Garrick, Cr Fraser occupied the chair by virtue of being the Chairman of the late Council, and in opening Hie meeting said the first duty was the election of-Chairman for the current year. ■ _ V Cr Anderson rose and said i Being a new member of the Council hie had nothing to guide him but the reports of the proceedings of the old Council. By them he concluded that the past Chairman, Cr. Fraser, had given every satisfaction in the performance of the duties of the office, and he •would have great pleasure in proposing that he be re-elected to the office. Cr. Pitches had pleasure in seconding the motion. . . . , There being no dissentient voice, the motion was put a>'d carried. Cr Fraser briefly returned thanks for the honour done him in again electing him. He said if there' was any credit due for the manner in Which the duties of the office of •Chairman had been performed during his term of pffice, the credit was dae more to the Conned than to himself, as by their experience be had been guided aha assisted, and he trusted that during the present wear he'should continue to receive a corres-ponding-assistance as daring the past. He had ever endeavoured to do his duty, and in thanking the Council for the honour conferred on him would but express the hope that on the expiry of the term of office the same cordial spirit would exist as did at the present The Acting Cleik, Mr J. S. Dickie, then read theminntes of previous meeting, which were confirmed. Schedules of mward, and oatward corres■pondence.were read, and the following were -dealt with. From Chairman of the Bannockburn Progress Committee stating that the selected •site for the bridge across Smith’s Creek opposite the -School Reserve, was the best -in the general interest of the district.— ■Received. From Mr J.Kurchm, Invercargill, offering to undertake the duties of clerk and road inspector at a salary of L 3 per week, on trial.—Received. From "h lr Harvey ? solicitor, to the effect ■that if his account was not paid proceedings would be instituted for the recovery of same. —Received. From the Ashburton Borough Council embodying resolution of that Council in favour of petitioning the Government to reduce the sheep tax on the grounds of same Being a class tar, and asking this Council to SU Th°o Chairman, said the Government, having now taken over the cost and charges incidental to the Rabbit Nuisance,, he thought this Council would be justified in supporting the petition. Before the Rabbit.Nuisance called uoon the Government for aid, the Sheep Department -was a most profitable one, and left in the Bands of the Government a large surplus, hut now it was very questionable if the Department paid itself. After discussion, it was resolved, as an amendment—" That this Council does not see its way -clear to recommend the Government to reduce the tax,” From the Lake County Council embodying a resolution in favour of vhe control of all forests, rivers, and lakes within the respective Counties, being vested in the ■Councils of same. Cr Maoginnis strongly sympathised with ■the Lake County in regard to the oonsevation of the fish in its lakes and rivers, and was strongly in favor of the resolution. He aaid the system of poaching now carried on for want of local supervision, if not checked would soon denude the streams and likes -of every fish. From what he could see iu his own d’atrict it was necessary for the Councils to step in and protect the streams from poachers. In America, Scotland, and Ireland tho fish industries were a great source of revenue. a"d he saw no reason why in this country it should not be a means •of general revenue. Cr. Anderson said he had no sympathy & with the resolution, as its object was appar- ■ *ntly to take the revenue from the Acclimatisation Society after all the trouble and expense it had been at and give it to the county. . After discussion the letter was received. From Government notifying that in terms of letter from Mr Pykc. the Clyde Oemetary was vested in the County Council. A general expression of dissent against the Council undertaking tho duties having been expressed, it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the Chairman to confer with the leading residents of the t«wn on the subject. From Vincent Pylco, E'q., M.H.R., otating that Mr Usher, of the Public Works Department, would shortly inspect the Cromwell Bridge, and report on same.Received. -. From Mr R. Stewart, manager of Wanaka Station, stating that he was willing to shift the station ptint across the Hawea River to n higher site, conditionally on the Council making the approaches and working same.— Agreed to. From Mr J. McArthur asking for the expenditure of L 5 in making good the road from his farm to 'tho Alexandria, road.— Agreed to. *• - ’'

Cr. Maeginnl's said, though he would not oppose this vote, be hoped it would be the last of the kind. All votes of the Council; especially money votes, should come through the member for the riding. From Mr C. T. Marie, asking for a reduction of rates. Resolved—That Council has no power to accede to the request. From Secretary of the Bannockburn Library Committee, asking for a donation to enable them to liquidate the debt on their hall, and explaining that the county had had the use of the hall for election purposes free of charge. Cr. Anderson explained that if donation was not given, a charge in future would have to be made for the use of the hall at all times the county might requite it. It was resolved—That as the funds at command of the Council did not warrant a vote to all the public libraries in the county, and as a vote could not be given to one committee without giving to the others, the request must ho declined. Or. Anderson then withdrew a motion made during the discussion that the sum of L 5 5s be donated.

The Chairman stud; that oT the matters delegated to him at the last meeting he had to report—That he had temporarily appointed Mr Dickie to the clerkship, bat the Council would have to'confirm the appointment. That in consequence of the. continued trespassing of Mr Cowan’s sheep from off his run on to the commonage, he bad caused him to be summoned for breaches of the depasturing regulations, that, on Mr Cowan stating at the bearing of the case, that he proposed erecting a boundary fence, he had asked for the infliction of the lowest possible fine. This fence was now being erected accordingly, the trouble hitherto experienced in work-ng the commonage would be removed. That he had ascertained from the Engineer that the bridge authorised to he constructed at the last meeting over the Manorburn creek at a cost of LlO, would cost from Lls to L2l), he therefore had deferred its construction until this meeting. That he had ascertained from the Minister of Justice that the clerks uf courts who acted as clei ks of the licensing committee’s coul-1 resign these latter appointments at will. ‘ That he had written to the Government and Vincent Pyke, Esq., several letters re the Waikaia bush road, and during the past week he bad received intimation that the Council could proceed at once with the expenditure of the vote L2OOO.

Cr. Macginnis proposed—That plans and specifications of the work be at once prepared and tenders called for next meeting. In support of the motion, he said great credit and the thanks of the Council were due to Mr Pyke for the interest he had taken In this matter.—The motion was carried.

Resolved—That the clerks of licensing committees be paid L 7 7s each per annum for thr-ir services.

Resolved—That tenders be called for the erection of a footbridge over tho Manorburn at a cost not exceeding L 25 ; the Chairman to accapt tenders. The Council then adjourned tjl! 8 p.ra. On resuming, the Chairman said he had conferred with several of tho leading residents of Clyde, who had expre:sel their wil'ingness to act,as trustees of the Clyde Cemetery, and he woul I see rJingly submit their names to the Government. A return of all roads in the County as asked for at last meeting, was laid on (he table, by which it appears that of main roads there were 87- miles surveyed, 235 mi unsurveyed ; district roads -24 snr veyed, 80 unsurveyed ; bye roads—-223 surveyed, 45 nusnryeyed ; making a total ot 695 miles of road in the County to he overseers • and reported on every two months. The Engineer s report bn contracts' was read and received. Regarding contract approaches to Lauder Bridge, the Engineer reported that the work was progressing vei y slowly and badly, and that an extension of eight weeks was asked for.—The extension was granted on the condition that contractors in meantime keep the creasing of the creek in good order and repair. The report on roads were read, and the following recommendations of the Engineer agreed to tr-That L 25 he expended on road Clyde to Parcril’s ; LlO on road Cromwell to Wanaka ; an 1 010 on Lindis road. The report on bridges and ferries was read, and the following agreed to—That L2O be spent on Albert Town punt, and LlO on Luggate punt , Cr Pitches asked whether the Council had not a very valuable iron punt somewhere. and whether that could not be utilised instead of patching up the old ones. It was explained that the cost of removing the iron punt from Alexandra would be above the means of the Council at the present time, while the repairs to be effected would make the boats last a long time yet. The report of Ranger of Clyde Commonage was laid on the table, embodying application for depasturing 162 head <>f great cattle, bringing up the total to 300 head now depasturing. The Chairman again referred to the actions brought against Mr Cowan for trespass, and said as the small fines would not nay the Ranger for expenses incurred, thought some allowance should be made him.

After discussion, it was resolved that the sum of L2 be voted to the P,auger. An application by MrOliver >o depasture 50 sheep on the Commonaue, was icfused on the grsund that it was understood that no sheep were to be depastured on the Commonages.

Appointment of Treasurer.—Or. Maoginms proposed Cr. J. Pitolies as Treasurer for the current year. He said Cr Pitches was now the senior member of Ihe Council, end he had little doubt bu t that be would fill the office with cred t to himself and the satisfa’tion of the Council, rte said Cr. Pitches’ career in the Council had ever been marked with more than ordinary common sense, and that he was eminently fitted for the position. Moreover than that, he looked upon the office a« a rollingone, and should move from Councillor to Councillor. He had held the position for O ’er a year, and some other of the Council should relieve him of the office. Cr. Pitches thanked Cr. Macginnis for the kindness in proposing him, but must de dine the honour, as living so fir from the county offices he would be unable to devote that amount of time to the office ns he should wish. Cis. Tobin and Anderson having each been asked to take the office and declining, Cr Macginnis was elected to the office.

The Chairman, Treasurer, and Cr. Pitches were annointed to sign cheque*. The Treasurer laid on the table his financial statement for the period, which showed at date a debit balance of LIOSB, of which L 750 was due by the Government under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act.” A statement of rates far th« year was laid on the table. Total rates for the year ... L 2415 12 7 „ „ paid ... ... 1687 15 2 Total rate? unpaid L 727 17 5 In reply to question, the Bilinear reported that the rate of wages paid'to daily labourers throughout the County was 8s per day. Schedule pf accounts were laid on the table and passed for paymentThe following • tenders' w6re dealt with

Slid reported on as follows ; Ne. 118. O, N. Botcher- accepted. No. 124. W. Allan—accepted. No. 125. P. M'Donal t—accepted. The Council now adjourned till 9.30 a.ra, next day.

On the Council resuming at 9.30 a.m. on the 27th iust, same Councillors present, Letter from Mr Marie,the consideration of which was adjourned from last meeting,was brought up, and aftor discussion the Council resolved to remit the whole question to the Chairman and Cr. Anderson, with instructions to fully report to next meeting. On the question of re arrangement of departmental expenditure of the county, adjourned from last meeting, the Chairman sai.l he had thought the matter over carefully, and siw no reason to alter the opinion expressed by him at the last _ meeting. As to tha advisability of employing a road inspector in lieu of an engineer, the difference in salary would be no saving at all by the end of the year. According to the Counties Act it was absolutely necessary to have a clerk to perform the clerical duties and to do the other work pertaining to the office, and it must bo borne in mind, to properly perform these .offices, he must not only be able to keep books and carry on the correspondence, but must have a thorough and intimate knowledge of all laws relating to counties. An engineer could doubtless be found to do all this and the engineering as well, but he would not bo able to do the road inspecting. The only real direction in which economy could be attained was by extending tha areas of the counties, and then one set of officers could manage where now it takes two or three. He contended there was no use talking about clerical assistance, as no one would be found willing to take the responsibilities of the office when the books were kept by an assistant. By getting the Engineer to perform the duties of cleik, he would require a road inspector, but it was a grave question whether the public would not occasiomlly suffer some inconvenience, and the real saving would not exceed LIOO or so. As he had previously argued, economy without efficiency was not economy. He referred to the work about to he undertaken in the opening up of the Waikaia Bush, and said the extra cost, if special engineering skill had to be called in, would more than cover any saving that was to be effected in the proposed changes. In conclusion, he said he did not consider it would be advisable at present to disturb the present arrangement of officers Or Anderson guid it was the very gehera'ly expressen opinion amongst ratepayers that a reduction in the expenditure was needid, and when it was considered that out of a total revenue of L7OOO or LBOOO there was a departmental expenditure of over L2UOO, he thought it was only to be expected that Councillors would try to effect a saving. As to the Waikaia Bush road, that would necessarily require the services of the Engineer, but when that was fin-shed he could be dispensed with. The Chairman pointed out to Cr. Anderson that his figures were entirely false, as instead of the departmental expenses being over L2OUO for the year, they were only L 940 The balance-sheet from which Cr. Anderson had obtained his information was doubtless misleading, but it had been explained afterwards in the local papers. Cr. Maoginnis said at last meeting he had supported retrenchment, and he saw no reason to alter his opinion. With a reduced revenue, and no more large and expensive works to he undertaken,indeed, the revenue now preclu led anything but small wo ks and the mere maintenance of rpadshe saw no necessity for the retention of an experienced engineer. He was of the Opinion that some arrangement might be made with, adjoining Counties for one en-_ gjneer to do the wo. kof the whole. In the old Provincial days he sail one engineer was quite sufficient for ail Crntr 1 Otago, and he failed to see why one should not s-ffice now, Perhaps it was prem iture to discuss the question further until the i coal Government measure promised by tho Government was befote them and he only hoped the Government would have strength enough »• fraon a measure without consulting the peoples to be effected. The present Counties all along were too small, and were made to suit certain persons, and it was to be hoped the Government would be firm enough to act independently. The ciecumstancea .under which the County found itself were peculiar and embarassinp, while on tha one hand it was admitted that the present staff was not required; on the other it was not known what might crop up in a few months. While being determined to look the difficulty fairly and honestly in the face, he jet felt inclined to think that until the n w Local Government Bill was out it would be unwise to alter present arrangements. The Chairman commented on remarks of Cr. Maoginnis as to the work done under the old Provincial system, an-* said it was to he borne in min.l that the Engineer had not 700 miles of road to inspect as had their engineer.

Cr. Pitches sai l, at last meeting when same subject was under discussion, it was stated that the ratepayers -Were clamoring for retrenchment, the results of the late local elect ions had prove ! such was not the cas ■, as the chi -f mover of the question was not to be f tund now at the table, while those who were only half hearted, and others who were opposed were there, having been returned unopposed. He failed to see that any saving was to be i ff-scted by substituting a road inspec'or for the Engineer. This constant hai ping at their officets was most likely to pro luce inefficuncg than result in good. It was argued by some that there were no further large works to be undertaken, that was a fallacy, there was the Waikaia Bush road, and after that would follow a new bridge at Cromwell. C’s. McCarthy, Tobin, and Sheppard having spoken in favour of the existing stale of alf drs, it was resolved on the moti n of Cr. Macginnis—That the question of rearranging the departmental expenditure be deferred till the new Local Government measure is before Council, and that Mr J. S. Dickie be elected clerk till the Ist of June next.

The question of Mr Dickie’s bail bond was left to the Chairman.

Report of Engineer on letter from manager Morven Hills Station for lapsed voto of L3O was read. Cr. McCarthy sail he would bring the matter np again at next meeting by notice of motion. The notices of motion were dealt with as follows : Cr Macoinxis moved -That the sum of L2l be expended on improving the road leading to the' reefs. Old Man Range,— Carried. Cr Macoinmis moved—That the system of voting money on application by letter from ratepayers be dircoorinaod.—Carried. Or Macoinsis moved —That it is desirable to assist in keeping the roads and bridges in repair, that ail those following the occupation of carriers be licensed, and that bye-laws lie prepared and brought ntn operation for that purpose. This m tion created a deal of talk, some Councillors holding that the tax would only prove an extra burden on the consumer*, others saying that, carriers viewed the question-favonvably, because it would have tbaeffeofcof keeping off the reals farmers who only came up ooaatry in Uw wool

season with produce, and took down wool in rstnrn. The question, however, did not meet with favour, and accordingly the motion was lost.: Resolved—That the travelling allowance and aftendaoee fee as usual be paid to Councillors. -’■••• * • 'V • - Bnolved—That the honorarium .cofrith* Chairman for the current year be LI 00. It was generally expressed that the payment was low, but in tbe crippled state of tha finances it could not be increased. . . In reply to Cr. Anderson, the' Chairman stated that nothing was being done in the matter of road from Upper Nevis to Nokomai Bush, . .a , The meeting then closed.