COUNTY COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 797, 11 January 1877, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

BELWYN. Wednesday, Januaby 10. The adjourned meeting of the Council o •the county of Selwyn was beld at the Pro viucial C-mucil Chamber. Tbe following members were present: — Mr Wui, Rolleston (chairman), Hon John fHal! Dt Turnbull, Messrs H. J. Tancred, ■H. J. £lathi£9, D. McMillan, and A. J iMawdon. COUNCiIJj OFFICES. The Chairman said that in accordance •with the resolution of the Council he had ■comnauuicated with the General Government hs to the me by the County Council of tha Provincial Council Chamber and two offices taJioini'-K. In reply a telegram had been received sanctioning the use of the chamber aud oflioee as requested,

CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr Hurst, the lessee of the Bakaia Gorge Ferry, stating that £'oo per annum had been granted by the late Provincial Government as a subsidy towards the maintenance of the ferry, ami ■*-\q nil !ng what subsidy the County Council y- s,:vya would be inclined to vote toward;-' silt keeping up of the f<.rry. He had also written to the Ashburton County Council on She same subject. A letter was read from the manager o ? tb? Sank of New Zealand, stating that he would be prepared to offer liberal facilities for the conduce of the banking business of the county if the Council selected that Bank. HARBOR BOARD ELECTION. The report of the committee appointed to consider the mode of election of the two members of the Lyttelton Harbor Board to be returned by the Council, was brought up and read. Hon John Hall moved the adoption of the clauses seriatim, which were carried without amendment. On the first clause, relating to the voting for the candidates, being read, Dr Turnbull said he desired to ask the chairman whether there was anything in the Act which would enable the Council to throw out the whole of the candidates who might be proposed ? Were they bound to elect them simply because they were proposed 1 The Hon John Hall pointed out that- the Act provided that every member must vote on a question before the Council. The Chairman said the point raised by Dr Turnbull whs an entirely new one, and Ua ; did not feel competent at the momerv'c to give a reply. The matter then" dropped, p.~u the report 88 a whole was adopted. The chairman BaifLva'accordance with the at last meeting it would now be'necessary for the Council to proceed at once fco the election of two members. He would therefore request some member to propose candidates. Under the regulations just adopted each candidate would have to be proposed by one member, and seconded by another. Mr Mathias said he had very great pleasure in proposing the Hon John Hall as a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board. There was no occasion for him to make any remarks in proposing Mr Hall, as the fitness of that gentleman was known to them all. Mr McMillan seconded the nomination. Mr Tancred proposed Mr R. J. Harman as a member of he Lyttelton Harbour Board. Dr Turnbull seconded the motion. There being no other nominations the chairman declared the Hon John Hall and Mr R. J. 8. Harman duly elected by the County Council of Selwyn as members of the Lyttelton Harbor Board. STANDING ORDERS, The report of the committee appointed to draft standing orders for the regulation of the business of the Council was brought up and read. The Chairman said that under clause 183 of the Couutieß Act, any bye-laws such as standing orders, &c, must be made at a special meeting, of which seven clear days' notice had been given. He thought, therefore, that it would be as well for the Btand ing orders as drafted by the committee to lay on the table until the required notice had been given, when they could be dis cussed at a special meeting. Hon John Hall thought that pending the disposal of the resolution given notice of by Mr Tanored with regard to the Act, it would perhaps be as well to hold over the standing orders. It would be very ewsy if the Council decided going into active work, to hold a special meeting ab which they might be passed, Mr Tancred moved—" That the report of the committee on standing orders be received, and that the same do lie on the table." Mr McMillan seconded the motion, which was carried." BBAL OF THE COUNCIL. The Ohairman said that as a certificate had to be given under the hand of the chairman and sealed with the seal of the Council as to the election of the two members of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, he had ordered a rubber stamp until the permanent seal of the Council could be procured. The action of the chairman was approved. Dr Turnbull moved—" That the chairman be empowered to procure a seal for the Council having on it the words ' Seal of the County of fcielwyn;' and that the same be the seal of the county until further provision be made. Mr McMillan seconded the motion, which was carried. FINANCES OF THE COUNCIL. Hon John Hall, pursuant to notice, moved —" That a committee be appointed to report od the financial resources of the Council. That the committee consist of the chairman, Dr Turnbull, and Mr McMillan." It had occurred to him that it would be exceedingly desirable that the Council before taking any steps as to works should have before it a clear statement of what its resources were likely to be. In addition to loans and rates which he took it, the Council would have to deal with, it was entitled by law to subsidies from the Colonial Government, some of which were stated in the Act, and some in others. It would also be entitled to license and other fees, and therefore it was very desirable that they should have some idea of what their financial resources really were. The Council was also entitled to a share of the surplus revenue of the provincial district after payment of the revenues chargeable under the Financial Arrangement Act. He also thought it was entitled to share in any balance remaining in the provincial chest at the end of the financial year. Clearly therefore, it was necessary that they should know what these various sources of income amounted to, and to have the information, put before them in one clear statement. He ventured to think also that they should have it before they discussed the resolution respecting the adoption of the Act given notice of by Mr Tancred : at any rate before they came to any final decision upon it. It was a question in his taiud whether the motion for the appoint meut of a committee was the right way to get at that information ; it might perhaps nave been prepared by the chairman alone «'ith less trouble than by a committee. However, he left the matter iu the hands of the Council, and it was for them to say it ■\q course proposed by him was the best one >r not. He now begged to move the reso'ufiion of which he had given notice. Dr Turnbull seconded the motion. Mr McMillan hoped the Hon Mr Hall vould substitute another name for his on he committee. The distance he resided from own made it very inconvenient, mor eiipecially at this season of the year, to attend the meetings of the committee,

Hon Mr Hall would, under the circumstances mentioned by Mr McMillan, beg to substitute the name of Mr Tanored. He might say that if it wa3 thought bettor to leave the matter in the hands of the chair man to bring up the information, ho would be willing to accept an amendment to that •■fleet. The Chairman aiid he would be only too happy to do what he could to lay before the Council a statement such as intimated in the motion, if the Council thought it bettei ,han remitting the matter to a oomnMfct'ee. Dt Turn bull, for one, must prot '6t kgaiust this being dene. It was highly necessary for a body such as the Council to hav9 a tinunne committee. The course proposed by Hon Mi Hall was one which had always been followed in the past, and he saw no reason for introducing an innovation upon it. After some further discussion, the name of Mr Tancred was substituted for that of Mr McMillan, and the resolution, with the addition of the words "two to form a quorum," was agreed to. SHEEP DIP AT WAIAU. Hon John Hall moved—" That a' committee be appointed to report op tb'e steps to be taken for the expenditure of the sum entrusted to the Council ior a sheep dip at the Waiau. The committee to consist of Messrs Mathias. Fitzroy, and the mover." In placing the motion before the Council, it •"would perhaps be necessary thai: l>c should say a few words to expl&Yu' how the matter stood. During the session of the General Assembly the operation of tne Canterbury Scab Act was extended from the Hurunui to the Waiau. The consequence was that no sheep were able to be crossed at the Waiau without being dipped. A dip existed at the Hurunui, but none at the Waiau. Practically, therefore, the removal of sheep was impossible, except those belonging to flockowners having runs on both sides of the river. This was clearly not the intention of the Legislature, and the late Provincial Government, with the consent of the General Qovernm nt, put aside a sum of money for the erection of a dip, fencing yards, &c, and to provide a reserve for the sheep to rest between the two dippings. An arrangement was made by Mr Rolleston, as agent of the Geueral Government, for the purchase of a very convenient piece of laud for the dip, aid it now only remained for some authority to give effect to the intention of the Legislature. There would remain sufficient of the vote to provide for the cost of the dip, for the erection of the necessary fences, &c, and for the providing of yards. It appeared to bim that the authority to carry this out should be not even partially interested in scab If it was entrusted to the Amuri County Council it would have been in the hands of representatives to a great extent—and he did not Bay it offensively—of scab. This was the case, because beyond the Waiau the greater part of the runs were infected with scab. The idea of the Legislature was that the dip should effect the greatest possible amount of good, and be made most efficient. It had appeared to the Government that it would therefore be better to put the matter in tne hands of the rielwyn County Council, which represented both the largeand small sheep farmer. He didnotthiuk that the motion would entail much work on the committee, as the services of the inspector of sheep would doubtless be at their disposal, and all they had to see was that ihe dip, yards, &c, were properly erected, and that all things were done to cany into effect the provisions of the Act. Mr McMillan seconded the motion.

Dr Turnbull would ask by what special enactment they were empowered to enter into another county for the purpose of carrying out this work ? He thought they should be perfectly satisfied that the Amuri County Oouucil would not be in a position to say to them that the belwyn Council had no right to enter the boundaries of another county. If they were going thus to cross their boundaries they might bo doing what they had no right to do, and might be told that they had no business there. The Chairman would point out to Dr Turnbull that the question was, not whether they had authority to go into another county or not, but as to what steps they intended taking with regard to the erection of a dip, the money for which had been placed at their disposal by the General Government. The terms upon which the money was placed with them was that the General Government should have a voice ultimately in the matter. What they wanted was an expression of opinion Horn the Council.

Dr Turnbull would still desire to aek the question whether they had power to go into another county and execute the whole of a work ? They might be able to do a part, but he did not think they could all of it. The Chairman—l don't think that question is raised at all in the resolution before U 3. Mr Mathias thought it was open to the Council to hand over the dip to the Amuri Council.

The Chairmau was of opinion that the Council might give the management of the dip either to the Amuri Council or the General Government to carry out. Hon John Hall said, if Dr Turnbull would allow him to say so, this was a provincial work. No doubt the Council would take care to steer clear of any legal difficulties. The motion was then put and carried, BANKING ACCOUNT. Mr Mathias moved —" That the Council proceed to decide at what bank its account shall be kept," Mr McMillan seconded the motion, which was carried. It was resolved that the chairman be requested to ascertain from the several Banks in Christchurch upon what terms the account of the Council would be taken. MALVERN WATER SUPPLT. Mr Mathias moved—" That the chairman be requested to obtain information from the Government as to the present position of the Malvern Water Race." Mr McMillan (seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Chairman said he had received an interim report from the engineer, which he would read, It was as follows: " Christchurch, Jan 9th. 1877. " Sir, —In reply to your memo of the 4th instant I beg to furnish the following particulars of the present position of the Malvera water supply works, " The present contract is let at a schedule of prices for the sum of £13,194 16s, and comprises two miles in length, including the construction of the dam across the Kowai river bed, the tunnel 46 chains in length, and the other works at the head, and 114 chains of open race, together with concrete ;apki3. " Of this work the contractor has executed about 12 chaine of mining, the partial ex-

cavation of the dam and tail race, and the completion of 28 chains of open race. He lias also commenced biioktnaking and other works in connection therewith.

" The contract time for completion is the 30th Heptember, 1877, and I aee no reasos why the work should not be completer! within the time if the contractor ia famished «t once with the modified plans of the r.ice •'This portion of the work has been delayed for some considerable time, waiting 4 ;n'e approval of the nlans by Mr Carmthers " The sum of £IB9O, being 40 per cent as uer contract, has been paid to Mr Fraser on nccount of work done, and materials and plant on the ground. " The contractor has to maintain the works for twelve months after certificate of completion, i: With reference to the future extension of the works, eight miles of additional race, or as far as the Sheffield township, have been surveyed and marked out on the ground, and conveyances obtained from the owners of land through which the race passes. Plans have been prepared, and the estimated cost of which, based upon Mr Eraser's contract schedule, is found to average £BOO per mile, bringing the total cost for the first ten miles to £19,594 16s, and there is no reason why this portion of work cannot be put in hand at once, on the schedule rate of his present contract. " Preliminary surveys and contour levels have been also taken foe some distance byond this point (Sheffi.li), and the assistant engineer. Mr Eitso, is at present engaged in laying off the line of race towards Hoverdon junction. " Some of the lines of preliminary levels have been run as far as Kirwee railway station, " G. Thornton, " Engineer in charge. " Assistant Secretary Public Works." Mr Mathiiiß would like to ask the chairman if as agent of the Government he knew whether it was their intention to hand over the whole control of the Malvern water supply to the Council. The Chairman said he could not answer that question directly. The Government wished that the couuties should take over local works so far as possible. By claußu '277 of the Public Works Act, and following clauses, there was a provision handing over water-races, &c, to the Couuty Councils. He did not think, however, it had been before the Government in the shape put by Mr Mathias, RAKAIA GORGE FERRY. Hon Mr Hall asked to what period the subsidy paid by the Provincial Government on account of the Rakaia Gorge Ferry extended ? The Chairman said it had been paid up to the end of December, and the next payment was due a', the end of March. Hon Mr Hall—Then the ferry will be continued in any case until the end of March ? The Chairman —Yes, Mr Mathias pointed out that the Asbburton Couuty Council had a sum of £6OOO or £7OOO at their credit for the building of a bridge over the gorge. If this were carried out the ferry would not be required. Hon Mr Hall thought that under these circumstances no action need at present be taken regarding Mr Hunt's letter. ADJOURNMENT. On the motion of Mr Tanored, the Council adjourned to Friday, January 19th, at 10.30 a.m.