VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1221, 24 July 1885, Page 2

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The above Council met In the County Offices, Clyde, on Wednesday, the 22nd Inst,

Present - - W. Fraser, Esq. (Chairman), and Crs Pitches, Stronaoh, Tobm, Steppard, Butler, and M‘Carthy. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The financial statement for the year ending 31st March was then laid outho table. The Chairman said the statement before them had been duly audited, it but contained the Information given by him at the last meeting. By a reference to it Conn* cillors would see that the finances of the County were in a healthy state, and he would ask the Council to accept itResolved- -That the balance sheet for the year be approved, The Treasurer read his statement of receipts and expenditure up to date, which was received and approved'.* Schedule of inward and outward correspondence were read, and the following considered :

From the Colonial Secretary, asking the Council if they would consent to take over the management of the Clyde Cemetery. The Chairman explained that in accord* auce with previous resolution of the Council he had already informed the Government that the Council were unwilling to take charge of any one cemetery, but would take over all cemeteries in its boundary, on the understanding that the Council had the appointment of trustees, either of their own body, or of residents in the vicinity of each cemetery. From Vincent Pyke, Esq., M.H.R. (telegram), asking if the Council would undertake the supervision of expenditure of Gpvernment grant towards construction of road via Haaat Pass to West Coast.

Resolved • That the County undertake same, and that the Chairman telegraph to Vincent Pyke, Esq., to that effect. During discussion on above, the general expression of opinion was that if the money to be expended on the road to the West Coast were devoted to the reconstruction of the Cromwell Bridge, it would give more satisfaction.

From Mr T. Clark, of Nevis (in reply), stating that the planks he was charged with taking away were his own property. Several other letters on the same question wore read, from which it was gleaned that Cr, Anderson, who had brought the matter under the notice of the Council, had been misinformed, and it was resolved that Mr Clark be informed that the Council upon ordering the letter to be written to him were under a misapprehension. „ From Mr Forrest, asking for some renumeration for looking after the Alexandra put. The question was deferred till the Engineer’s report on ferries was read.

From Mr C. Manson. asking that the mountain road from Roaring Meg to Cardrona be put in repair. No resolution was arrived at, but It was understood that when the proper season arrived that the track would be put in repair. Lists of application to depasture on Clyde and Cromwell commonages were read and approved of. The Council then resolved itself into coin* mittee tn consider a telegram from Vincent Pyke, Esq, M.H.R. ?e Cromwell Hrilge, the Hospi al and Charitable Aid Bill, also the Counties Amendment Bill.

On resuming the" Chairman reported—that this Couued beg to report ; 1. Se CrofhweU Bridge.—Tnat Messrs Pyke and’. Fergus, M.H.R.’s, be .telegraphed to, that this Connell consider that tbe Cromwell Bridge is not a work towards which it should be asked to contribute, especially seeing that tbe Government are re-erecting Beaumont and Roxburgh bridges without any eo itribution from Tuapeka County ; moreover, i romwell Bridge, when the county system was initiated, wis in a decaying state. The Council, while willing to undertake the supervision of the work, cannot afford to contribute.

2, isTiiat Messrs Pyke and Fergus, M.H.R.’s, be telegraphed to that the Council are unanimously of opinion—lst, That the present system of audit is preferable to that by elected auditors—2nd, That the Chairman should be elected by Councillors, except in cases where the members ot Council is even and no agreement possible. The reason that the unnecessary expense is without any adequate result. 3. That contributions from counties under the Charitable Aid Bill should not fall exclusively on landed property, but ou all property alike without any exception, as voluntary contributions will inevitably cease

Toe Engineer’s reports on Bridges and Ferries was read, and the following recommendations agreed to : That L 7 be expended in repairing damage to Luggate font bridge ;L8 to repair Luggate punt. Regarding Albert Town punt, the Engineer said it was anything but safe, and it would have to be replaced by a new one in the coarse of a few months. In the matter of this punt a letter was received from the puntman stating that it was quite impossible to work the county punt, also the station punt, unless his wages were increased. The station punt stages being so heavy, he had to employ labor and pay same out of his pocket to shift them on every rice or fall of the river.

Resolved—That the Manager of Wanaka Station be informed that until such time the station put the punt in a workable condition, the Council decline either to work same or take any responsibility. Re Alexandra Punt. Resolved—That Mr Forrest be allowed LlO for past services, and be paid in future 10s per month for looking after the punt. Councillors expressed the opinion that it was high time the punt was shifted and utilised ; and Mr Macgeorge, the Engineer, in reply, said that in his opinion the best place for it was at Lowb'nrn, as there was no doubt but that there would be a large r " traffic over there shortly, it being merely a matter of time when the Cromwell Bridge would have to be closed.

The report on roods and contracts was read, and the following recommendations agreed to: —That Lls be expended on road Chat o Creek to Chappie’s ; LlO on road Mr Glass’s farm, Ida Valley; LIO on Spottis Hundred ; L3O Cromwell to Wans aka, west bank of river ; Ll2 Nevis road ■ L2OO Hawea Bridge to Block V., Lower Wanaka, and block 111., Lower Hawea ; Ll2 10s Hawea Bridge to Haast Pass ; L 7 Rocky Point; and L6O on Lindis Valley Road.

The report on contracts, among other matters, dealt with Mr J. Richie’s cont act on Hawea road, and stated that Mr Richie, after doing a certain amount of work, had thrown it up. Tho report recommended that the contract be closed, and the deposit forfeited, but payment to be made for work dono.

Be jetty at head of Lske Wanaka.—The Engineer said, in reply, that though tenders had been called twice, there had been only one sent in, and that was above the estimate. He suggested that ho be empowered to expend his estimated amount on the work, and this was agreed to. °

The statement of monies dne from deferred payment lands was laid on the table, and it was decided W expend it on the

roads as selected by the Councillors interested,

Tbe Chairman said the question now before the Connell was the making of the rate,hearing read the notice given in terms of the rating Act. He said by the balance sheet that had been assented to at a previous stage of the meeting, it was to be seen that the funds of tbe County were in a healthy and satisfactory position, and aa that daring the past year the Council bad, besides carrying out all the works that had appeared necessary, they had been able to off an overdraft of a few hundred

founds, and also pat a balance to their credit of LI7OO odd. _ There was no necessity to keep up the ‘heavy rate that had been paid since the initiation of the County system. He suggested that the motion made at the last meeting to.reduce the rate to id be now verified, and would ask some Councillor to move to that effect. Cr Butler moved that the rate for the current year bo id in the L, payable in one sum on the Ist of September next. Seconded by Cr Stronaoh. Cr Pitches said he for one would oppose any reduction in the rate, In the face of the very general . depression, and the wretched state of the roads hroughout the County, suoh a step would be wrong. Had C .uncillors during tbe pass year done their duty, and insisted on necessary works being done, the credit balance and LIOOO more would have been spent, and many now suffering from the depression would have been relieved- He could see that he was alone in his views,- or he would move an amendment that the old race be adhered to at all events for another year or two. He, however, wished it to be distinctly understood, and hoped it to be recorded, that he was against the reduction. Another question that must not be lost sight of was that the present Government measures propose a subsidy on rates, and the repealing of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act and other Acts that provided with monies, accordingly tbe passing of the resolution in the present shape meant a loss of revenue of LIOOO of rates, and at least another LIOOO of subsidy. The Chairman said after what had fallen from Cr. Pitches, ho felt constrained to express his views. He entirely disagreed with Cr, Pitches aa to its being the duty of the Council to relieve the general depression or find work for the unemployed, he held that the sole duty of the Council was to levy rates sufficient to meet estimated expenditure, and to expend those rates iu a fair and legitimate manner, and not in finding work for the unemployed. Cr. Pitches had spoken of the bad roads, be could but say that he had been all through the lower ridings lately, and his opinion was that considering the extremely wet season they were never better, as an evidence he had gone from close to Alexandra to near Tinkers in twaaud ahalf hours, the roads therefore conld not be very bad. The rate falls principally on to the shouldei s of a class who were but little able to bear it, and if only in justice to that class the rate should be lowered. If it were meant to reduce the expenditure he might fall in with Cr. Pitches views, but such was not the case, as the carefully prepared estimate of proba* ble necessary expenditure, and which had been laid on the table at a previous meeting, showed. He then proceeded to show that from the very first, when the shilling rate was struck, it bad been promised that a reduction would be made, and the present motion was but a fulfilment of that promise. As to the proposed Government measures and the sav.ng of or losing L2OOO was not to tbe point. He maintained that it was not the duty of the Council to raise monies to be expended in luxuries or to build up a large credit balance. Ho was perfectly aware that the eighteen penny ratepayer ohj eted to the reduction, it mad e no difference to them, but to the class who paid the moat of the rates it made a deal of difference.

Cr Pitches did not think they paid any more in proportion to any other ratepayer. The Chairman said be was not of that opinion, because being only the tenant he derived no benefit from the good roads or bridges, if there was anyone benefited it was the landlord the—the Government. Cr. Sheppard said he had not beard one word against the reduction in his riding.

Cr. Stronaoh supported the Chairman’s views. ...

Cr. Pitches in reply said he had but to repeat that the roads were never so bad as they now are, he was no advocate for luxuries, but considered it the duty of the Council to keep the necessary roads in res pair. The motion was then put and carried, Cr, Pitches being the only dissentient. The Chairman and Cra Pitches and Stronaoh were appointed to sign the rate book.

The application of James Smith, puntman »t the Luggate, for some assistanceitowards building a house, was considered. Resolved—That the Council cannot see its way clear to grant the application. Notices of Motion. Cr Anderson to move--That a Forest Tree Nursery be established within the County; preliminary steps to be taken without delay. In the absence of the mover, Cr Butler said he thought the matter should be taken up, as the necessity of growing timber was becoming more urgent every day. Cr Stronaoh could see no advantage there was to be derived. He had but one voice and he should oppose it most strenuously. Growing trees was a luxury the Council comd well dispense with. The Chairman said he did not agree with those who might treat the matter lightly. Taking into account tho destruction of the forests in tho country, he was of opinion the Counties would be forced into it. He regretted that Cr Anderson was not present to press his motion. Cr Anderson to move—That the County engineer he instructed to prepare plans and estimates for extension of Smith's Creek Bridge,—Lapsed through absence of the ffitJver.

Cr Sheppard moved That the road Tinkers to Devonshire Gully be repaired at a cost not exceeding L2s.—Carried. Cr Sheppard moved—That a culvert be erected in a gully near Wm. Holland,s house oh the survey road running east and west from the Blacks road, at a cost not exceeding Lls. Carried, subject to the approval of the Engineer. Cr Pitches moved—That the sum of L3O be voted for forming street by sections 6, 7, 17, 18, block i., and sections 6, 7, block u., town of Ophir.—Carried. Cr Sheppard moved That the cutting made by Messrs Laidlaw and Crawford, thereby diverting Spottis Creek, having been effectual in preventing flooding of road line, the Council refund the amount expended in cutting said channel through leasehold. There being a doubt in the minds of Councillors as to whether the Council made themselves liable m any way through the cutting of the ditch, it was rieci Jed to withdraw the motion pending the County Solicitor’s opinion. The Council then adjourned till 9.30 the following morning.

July 23< 9.30 a.m. Same Councillors present. By consent the following motions were dealt with without notice. Cr McCarthy—That the Engineer ho in* structed to prepare by next meeting eati-

mate of cost of putting in repair about 1J miles of road from tbe hea iof Lake We,oak a up the Makarora Valley. Carried. By Cr. Butler—That the Engineer prepare plans and specifications for pitching and gravelling the worst parts of road from Coal Creek to Gorge Creek, and call for tenders for next meeting. Cr. Stionach said the road was in a wretched state.

Cr. Pitches had heard many complaints of this piece of road, and suggested that L2OO be expended on it. Motion was carried.

By Chairman—That a further sum of L 35 be expended on road Alexandra to crossing of tbe Manuherikia. He said the amonnt voted at last meeting was barely enough to form and drain the worst part, Cr Butler said the road was even dangerous for horsemen, and demanded attention. The Engineer was instructed to pat the road in repair. By Cr Sheppard—That planks be placed across the Spottis Creek and Sludge Channel for the convenience of children going to school- Carried.

Cr Tobin said the vote of last meeting for widening the cutting at Sandy Point had not yet been expended. Cr Pitches asked the Engineer, through the Chairman, the amount unexpended of the sum voted under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act for the road Lauder Creek to Muddy Creek. The Engineer was understood to say about L3OO.

The Council then went into Committee, and on resuming reported that the tender of Mr James Simmonds for contract No 138, be accepted, and that accounts amounting to L3O be passed for payment. The report was adopted. Resolved—That Councillors be empowered to expend in their ridings in cases of emergency sums not exceeding LlO. Resolved-That all unpaid rates be placed in the hands of the County Solicitor for collection.

The Chairman was instructed to place himself in communication with the Govern* ment with the view of having the whole County divided into two licensing districts. The meeting then closed.