VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1213, 29 May 1885, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary two-monthly meeting of the (Council was held in the Council Chambers, Clyde, on Wednesday. 27th inst. Present s Crs. W. Eraser, Dunstan Sid ing, Chairman ; J. Pitches, Manuhe.rikia ; H. Tobin, Clutha ; R. Sheppard, Mafakakui, Treasurer; J. Anderson. Garrick ;J. Stronach, L'nlis;J. McCarthy, Hawea ; and J. Butler, Eamscleuah.

The Chairman introduced the newly elected member for Earnscleugh, Mr J. Butler, (vice MrM.J. Maoginius, deceased). The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Schedules of inward and outward corres pondence were read, and the following considered.

from Mr James Smith, the newly appointed pun'man at Lnggate, asking assistance from the Council towards building a house for himself and family. Cr. Anderson said it had to be borne in mind that the request of the residents of the district was that a married man should be appointed to the position. Discussion ensue i, during which some Councillor’s thought if any concession was made in favor of one punt all others would seek the same. Others again were of opinion that a certain sum should be granted, and in the event of the applicant being removed or discharged, that the Council take over the house at valuation. Eventually it was decided to allow the question to stand over till next meeting. From Mr C. T. Marie, proprietor of coal lease in Cooper’s Gully, asking, or rather demanding that a roadway hounding his coal lease, and on a section he had applied for. be closed.

The Chairman explained that a report from the Engineer on the question would be read during the meeting and suggested that the letter and report be considered together. Agreed to. (■ From Mr F. Hunt, claiming damages for injuries sustained to his buggy through the bad state of the road between Cromwell and Lowbnrn.

It was explained that Mr Hunt had taken an old abandoned track, and that the Conn cil, accordingly, were not responsible, and it was resolved that Mr Hunt be written to that, effect.

From Messrs Chapman and Strode being their opinl n as to the liability of the Connty for claim of M r Holt for water supplia 1 to the town of Clyde for 3J years, amounting to LlO5 The opinion was that the Council was not liable

The Chairman said, though while dealing with this claim of Mr Hop's and the opinion of Messrs Chapman and Strole, it was to be remembered by the Council that it did not deal with the whole question of the water supply to the town of Clyde. Since the merger of the town of Clyde into tbo County, the revenue received had

been L 2524 10a 10d, wtile the expenditure had only been L 902 15a 3d, the actual balance in favor of the town of Clyde there* fore was, L 1722 la Id. Be farther explained that the claim of Mr Holt’s had always been a dispate I on* oy the Council, as in August, 1883, Mr Holt had been informed t by letter that the Council disclaimed Any responsibility. After discussion it was resolved that the Council see no reason to alter the resolution arrived at in August, 1883. ' Prom Mr T. Sims, oollecter of Dog Tax asking for a bonus on account of the good work he had done. Resolved s— That in justice to the un successful tenderers the Council did not see its way clear to grant request. Or. Stronaoh ashed if .any steps bod been taken to get the parties locally nominated as a Licensing Committee for Hawea riding, gazetted' The Chairman said be was not aware of any names having been submitted, he would, however, make enquiries of the Resident Magistrate. Cr. Anderson read a letter from the Nevis School Committee to the effect that two planks, the property (of the Council, had been disposed of by Mr S. Clark, and requesting that the Council order same to bo returned. The Chairman was instructed to write to Mr Clark on the subject. The question of Mr J. C Chappie's application to the Waste Lauds Board for

riyhfc of grazing at a rental of sections in Tiger Hill district came up and it was resolved—That that Chairman inform the Waste Land Board that this Council object to the granting of the application on public grounds. Cr. Stronaoh asked if Ihe Council had power to order in the matter of persons fencing in reserves. The Chairman thought not, tho party agrieved being the one to act. Cr. Stronaoh said he would bring the question up at next meeting, when he would be possessed of fuller particulars. The Engineer’s report on contracts was read, wherein'refereuce was made to cons tractor for contract No. 132 not having commenced woik. A general discussion ensued on the liability of a contractor not commencing work within a certain time. Jit haying been explained that a clause in the general conditions provided that the contractor should commence woru within a certain time of sinning hia tender, it was resolved : That Contract No. 132 be cancelled, and fiesh tenders be-called for if the work is not commenced within a week from date. The report was received. The report on bridges and ferries was read and received.

Report on roads were read, and the following recommendations agreed to : -That H132, cost,of .repairing damage to road Clyde to Cromwell, be vot d; L3O on roads leading to school reserve, Ida Valley ; LSO on road' Blacks to . Tinkers ; Lls Bendigo to Cromwell Company’s mine; L 35 Lowburn to Rocky Point; LID Albert Town to. Hawea Flat; Lls Hindis Downs Road; L2d on roads through Block 1., Tarras District.

The Engineer was authorised to have road from Ida Valley to turn-off road to Serpentine .put in ' repair at a moderate cost. , I’o-rV.■■

The Council then adjbunled till 8 p.m. On resuming; the Engineer's schedule of works proposed to. be constructed under the Rea-1 a and Bridges Construction Act, amonnting in all to H6666 13s4d, was read and agreed to. , ,

The Engineer’s report on disputed road question between- pane’s and ..Holt’s coal leases, embo lying- two recommendations as follows, was read I.’ That the surveyed line of road to the north and west of sections 114 and 115, and on section 119, bo adhered to, and that a wooden roadway and culvert be erected over the open cutting leading into Mario’s coal mine- 2. That another road be made on section 119 leading to Mr Holt’s lease. The Chairman explained that the main diffiim ty by adopting either recommendation would not be got over, as the Council in the first place had no power to close a road, that power resting entirely in the hands of the County ratepayers, of whom a poll was to be taken ; and secondly, Marie claiming the right to section 119, would object to it being cut up by roads. Eventually after discussion the matter was left in the hands of the Chairman.

The Chairman said at the present meeting the annual balance-sheet should have been passed, but as it had not been audited it could not be done, but it would be necessary to agree to the striking and fixing a rate for the ensuing year. As the usual annual balance-sheet was not audited it could not be discussed. He had, however, prepared statements which might be relied upon, an' l from which the Council could be possessed of ail necessary information. He then read and explained statements prepared, from which we gleaned the following:—

The Chairman then said : By the state ■ menta read it was shown that after carry* ing on the affaiis of, the County, and in providing tor all wants, there was the substantial balance in hand, or rather of re» ceipta over expenditure, of L 1606, and as there waa nothing demanding an ex'ra expenditure for the current year, and moreover, as it could not be garnaayed but that the rates for the past had bleu a heavy strain upon the chief ratepayers,h" thought »nd Suggested that the rate now to be

struck should be reducer! to [ I Jin the £.' Tho matter was, however, in the bands of the Oi uncil' Councillor Pitches failed to see that any one class of the ratepayers felt the burdetf more than another. Councillors Stronaoh and Anderson sup ported the Chairman's views. After discussion, it was decided to deter the farther consideration of the matter until to-morrow’s meeting. The Council now went into Committee to consider the appointment of Clerk and tenders. On rising, the following report was read and adopted That Mr J. S. DKkie be appointed Clerk at a salary of L 250 per anuum j that the tender of Messrs Peatherstone and Steel for contract No. 133 he accepted ; that fresh tenders bo called for contract No. 134; and that the offer of Mr Mackellar for the Rocky Point Bridge be not accepted. The Conncil then adjourned till 9 a.m. on the 28 th inst.

On resuming on the 26th inst., A letter or report from County Engineer suggesting that in future the maintenance of all roads in the county, excepting main roads, be contracted for was read. After consideration it was resolved that the suggestion of the Engineer be adopted. The schedule of works proposed to be constructed under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act was read and agreed to. The question of rates for ensuing year was again resumeu, and after discussion it was resolved—That the rate for the current year be J in the £. Or Pitches alone opposed the motion, arguing* thatyth'iugh the County for the present was in funds and had a cred J t balance, there was no telling when a strain might be brought to bear on the finances of the County, and the amount now voted away by the reduction of the rite be mnch needs.l. He could see that he was in the minority, Hut he desired that his opinion should be known.

The notices of motion as follows were then’ considered : i . '■

Cr Fraser moved—That the sum of fifty (50) pounds be expended in forming and gravelling the street at the back of sections 15 to 53- block XXtII,, old Borough of Clyde.—Seconded by Cr. Strouach and car a ned.

Cr Tobin moved—That a sum not exceeding five (5) pounds be voted for the erection of a footbridge at Deadhorse Creek. Wanaka road, for the convenience of children attending the Luggate school.—Seconded by Cr. Anderson and carried.

Cr Tobin moved—That a sum of money be voted for widening the Sandy Point cutting. Wanaka road.—Seconded by Cr. Stronach and carried

Cr, Tobin moved—That the County Engineer be instructed to make provision for two or three extra culverts on M'Nulty and Bethune’s contract. Seconded by Cr. Stronach and carried . Cr Butler moved —That a snm not exceeding (20) pounds be expended on repairing road known as Poverty Beach road from Roberts’ Como arm to Alexandra Bridce. —Seconded by Cr. McCarthy and carried. Or Stronach moved—That the County Engineer be instructed to prepare plans a-'d estimate of cost of construction of a traffic bridge serosa the Hindis River at or near Weiler’s crossing.—Seconded by Cr. Tobin and carried.

Cr Stronach moved -That the County Engineer be instructed to repair the road from Rise and Shine to Hindis River —Seconded by Cr, McCarthy and carried. Cr Sheppard moved- That the marls New Town to Tinkers, Tinkers to Drybread, and the road known as Donnelly’s Gully Ro id be repaired at a cost not exceeding twenty (20) pounds.—Seconded by Cr. Tobin and carried. Cr Sheppard moved—That the road Tinkers to Ophir, opposite section 15, block I-. Tiger Hill, S. D., be repaired at a cost not exceeding seven (7) pounds.—Withdrawn.

Cr Fraser moved—That a sum of thirtyfive (35) pounds be expended in forming and repairing road from Beck’s brewery to Jackson’s coal pit on the main road from Alexandra to Ophir.—Seconded by Cr, Butler an i carried.

Or Fraser moved—'’’hat the road from Clyde Pound to Wai Keri Valley be repaired at a coat not exceeding ten (10) pounds.—Seconded by Or. Tobin and earned.

Or Fraser moved—That the sum of twenty-five (25) pounds be paid to each of the following institutions as a donation from the County, viz—The Benevolent Institution, the Cromwell Hospital, and the Dunstan Hospital. Seconded by Cr, Anderson and carried.

Cr Pitches moved—That the sum of twenty five (25) pounds be voted for repairs of road from Ophir to Mr Jones’ mill.—Seconded by Cr - Sheppard and carried. The Council now went into committee, and on resuming rccoommed that accounts amounting to L 36 9s 4d be passed for payment. The Council then adjourned.

Total amount received from all sources, during the year ending 31st March, including L4I1 7s 6d,' as assets of the previous year ... £ 9,390 S. D. 3 0 Expenditure. Maintenance of roads and departmental Contracts Under Roads and Bridges Construction Act Bank overdraft 31st March, 1884 a- s. 4,945 11 587 3 1,597 9 242 0 D. 9 5 9 2 £7,372 5 1 Balance to credit 1.606 10 6 Average gold duty for paat 8 years ... ... £ 8. D. 2,492 16 8 Raid duty received for 1883 4 Gold duty received for 1884-5 1,778 11 2,017 8 3 0 Excess foi the year 1884-5 ... £238 16 9 Average goldfields revennefor past 8 years 1,292 9 7 Gold duty received for 1883-4 Gold duty received for 1884-5 1,208 1,294 3 3 0 8 Excess for year 1884-5 : £86 0 8 Amount of taxable property ■' for County for 1881-5. ...£943,425 0 0 Rates for 1884 5 at J in f ... £2,325 6 0 Rates for same period under the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act.. £469 0 7 —