COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1299, 18 May 1878, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

SELWYN. Friday, Mat 17. A special meeting of the Selwyn County Council was held at 10 30 am. Present— Hon. John Hall (chairman), Messrs W. Holiest on, McMillan, J. D. Enys, H. J. Tancred, E. J. Lee, and H. J. Mathias. The business before the meeting was the reception of the yearly statement of accounts, as provided by clause 132 of the Counties Act. The accounts, duly audited, were sub* mitted. Mr Enys moved—“ That the balance-sheet and statement of accounts, as now presented, bo approved, and finally settled by the Council ” Mr Lee seconded the motion, which was agreed to. This terminated the business of the special meeting. ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Council was then held. Present—Hon John Hall (chairman), and all Tie members. chairman’s statement. The Chairman said— I have called this meeting in compliance with the understanding arrived at our last sitting, that I should do so immediately upon the receipt of an answer from the Government respecting the Malvern water race. Upon the 11th April, as directed by you, I stated to the Government that the county would undertake the management of this work, and repay the sum of £723 16s 3d, over-spent by the Government, on condition that the Government would release to the C uncil the balance of the fund set apart for 'his purpose, and now Ling in the Bank of New Zealand, The reply just received states that further claims have arisen to the amount of £365, and that if this further sum is allowed to be reserved the Government will release the remamder. I trust you will be able to come to a decision on this subject without delay, as the work has now been at a standstill for a considerable period, and it is very desirable that the means which are available for its prosecution should bo utilised as speedily as possible. Should you decide upon accepting the Government proposal, I would suggest the appointment of a committee to co' sider and report upon the present position of this important undertaking, and the steps which it will be desirable to adopt for carrying it on. Withholding of County Funds—Since our last sit tii g I have rec eived from the Government an answer to my letter, requesting the rceons deration of their decision to withhold the county funds until the Ist July next, and giving misons for this request. The Government declines to alter their decision, and doe® not reply to the reasons which I urged, I cannot learn that any part of the land fund withheld from the county, on the ground that it is payable to the Road Boards, has been so paid. I still believe the conduct of the. Government in this matter to be contrary to the intention of the Legislature, and actually illegal, and that upon an appeal to the Court® of law it would be declared to be so. We are, however, without funds to carry on any such appeal, and the difficulty and delay attending any legal proceedings against the Government would be so great that I cannot recommend them being undertaken. It will be for you eo consider to what extent, unde? these circumstances, it will be practicable or desirable for us to attempt to carry on the work of a County Council. Some of the duties imposed on us may be got through without the aid of funds, bat in most instances the inability to pay for professional assistance and to meet other necessary expenses, brings us to a standstill, and will in diet much public inconvenience. It must be borne in mind that although certain revenues are said to be payable by Tie Government to tbe county after the Ist July'next, the experience of the past shows it, to bo a matter of great uncertainty when land revenues will bo actually pi id. Further Accounts respecting Charges upon Land Fund.—A reply from the Treasury dated 13th inst., to my request for further information with respect to the distribution of the Canterbury land fund, has been received, and will be found interesting to the County Councils and Road Boards in this Provincial district. You will perceive, however, that although the land fund from the Ist, January to 30th Juno, 1877, is now accounted for, the only information given with respect to the last six. months of the year is, that a sum of £300,000 has been distributed on account. As the whole of the land revenue to the 31st December, 1877, should by law have been paid over by the 31st March last-, this statement cannot be considered satisfactory. You will notice in the year 1577 £31703 os the Canterbury land fund has been paid to the counties of Waitaki, Vincent, and Late in the provincial district, of Otago. Proposed Conference of County Councils. —I have received a letter mvai the chairman ol the county or Westland, proposing the holding of a conference of county councils. I shall feel oblig 'd by your instructions as to the answer winch I snail send to this communjead ion. Should you agree in the expediency o* such a conference, it appears mo that the most convenimt time and r-W-e for holding it, would be Wellington during the sitt ii g of the Ars. mhly. Proposed Conference on Sh op and Forming Rills. —The chairroap of Tie Ashburton Countv Council ?c»< forwarded to m- ;• •c«o------lotion of that body, suggesting a conft-’-etin? on the. sm' J cfc ot the proposed Sheep, end iv.ni.jng Bills, which have b -en referred to County Councils and Road Boards tor their opi ion. The committee appoint<d to report, n these H 11-, as well a- thr commuter un re- n ia ne County, w 11 r, qui>-e an i xtension ot time •or hniigL g ujt Tun.- repm-t.. In the latter case, the conn ilatton of u hT of »hc r.-serre® his proved to be a work of considerable labour, and bus only recently been comiT-fed. In compliance with your wish, 1 ham t ken steps for obtaining corrected copies of the

mops of the several Bond districts in the County, and n quest your authority for the necessary payments. . _ , , Pounds. —The Heathcote Road Board has applied to me for tlio establishment of a pound in that district. Upon my explaining that the Council had no funds available for that purpose, the Board has expressed Us ■willingness to provide them, on condition that the revenue arising from the pound is paid to the B a'd. Slaughter-houses. The S aughter-houses Act, 1877, imposes on County Councils the duty of issuing licenses for slaughter-houses, of making regulations for their proper management, and of providing for their inspection. The inspector is to bo remunerated by fees to be paid by the owner of the slaughter-houses. As several applications for licenses have already been sent in, immediate steps should he taken to carry out the Kw, which fortunately can bo done without incurring any serious expense. Drainage. —Application has also been made to me for the exerci e of the powers in respect of drainage, ve-ted in the County Council by the Public Works Act. As the Council bas no funds wherewith to pay for professional assistance, I do not see what it can do in the case, except avail itself of the authority given in the Act to delegate its power to the Road Beards. Stlwyn Bridge—The resident railway engineer has pointed out that the combined road and railway bridge across the Selwyn, on the South bridge line of railway, is in need of repair, and that the road portion of the bridge is in charge of the County Council. X have been compelled to reply that, owing to the action of the Q-overmm-nt, the Council is without any funds applicable to this purpose. Ferries —The Government has referred to me for payment out of county funds accounts for subsidies to the Rakaiaand Waimakariri ferries. As the Government is itself disposing of these funds, this proceeding seems to me somewhat inconsistent. I have suggested that such accounts can only he paid by the body which has the county funds at its disposal. Road Diversions.—Applications have began to cmio in for confirmation, under the provisions of the Public Works Act, of the pro ceediegs of Road Boards in the matter of road diversions. As cases of this kind will no doubt be numerous, it will be desirable for the Council to provide for the manner in which they should be d-alt with. I would suggest that a standing committee should be appointed to whom all such applications should at once be referred for a closer examination than it will be possible for the Council itself to make, and whose report on each case should be laid before the Council before it is call' d upon to decide it. El ctoral R-dls —The electoral rolls for the sever’d ridings in the county, with the exception of that for the Upper Waimakariri, are now ready, and I request you will, as required hy the Act, fix the places in those ridings at which they shall be open for inspection. Office Accommodation. —In exercise of the authority which you conferred upon me, I have made arrangements for temporary office accommodation in the premises of Messrs Jameson Bros, and Co., for which I request your approval. I also request your authority for the payment of au adequate gratuity to Mr Jameson for his services as clerk to the Council previous to the whole of the Counties Act being brought into force. Mode of Authorising Payments.—l shall feel obliged if you will lay down some regulation as to authority under which payments on account of the Council shall be made by the Treasurer. As a general rule it may be desirable that every separate payment shall be authorised by the Council, but there may be cases where the delay which this would entail would be productive of serious inconvenience, and on such instances it may be desirable that payment should be made on the authority of three members of the Council to be named by us, when the service for which payment is required has been duly authorised, and the charge appears reasonable. Lyttelton Domain Board—This Board has applied for a reconsideration of the decision ot the Council, by which it was excluded from any participation in the vote for Domain Boards. This was done, I understand, under the impression that this Domain wis in the County of Abaroa. It now appears that it is within the municipality of Lyttelton, and as the Christchurch Domain has shared largely in the gram for this object, you will probably think that the claim now presented deserves consideration. MALTKRN WATER EACE. The Council then proceeded to consider the question of the Malvern water race. The Chalmae said that a request bad been received from the Government, requesting that £723 16s 3d should be paid over to the Government out of the funds at the Bank on this account. He hud in compliance with a res' lution of the Council, written a letter to the Government, slating that the Council had no objection to this sum being paid to the Government if the remaining balance were paid over. To this an answer had been received from the Government, that as claims for compensation, &c., were coming in, the Government declined to hand over the balance unless a restive were made from the funds in the bank to meet any probable claims. The letter was read by the clerk. The Chairman said it appeared that the longer the money remained in the bank the less they were likely to receive. Mr Tune-red moved—“ That this Council agrees to the further sum of £365 being reserved as requested by the Government from the sura now lying in the hank to the credit of the Malvern water rac'% and that the balanc" of that sum be paid over to the County Council in terms of the letter of the Under Secretary for Public Works.” Air Rolleston seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Chairman said that this brought them to the consideration of what the Council should do with regard to the work of the Malvern water-race. The money for its prosecution would be in the hands of the Council in a few days, and ii was now for them to decide what should be done. Mr Rolleston would move— !< That a coin o mittee be appointed to inquire into and report upon the present position of the Malvern water-race, and the steps it may be desirable to adopt with regard to the future prosecution ot the work. Such committee to consist of Messrs Tanered, McMillan, and Mathias, Mr Tanered to bo chairman ; two to form a quorum, to report at next meeting.” Mr Lee seconded the motion. The Chairman said that what the Council wished to ascertain was the actual condition of the work, and what was the position of the contracts. Air Mathias pointed out that the Council were aware of the distance which had been traversed by the race, and they were also aware that the feeling of the district was unrnistakeably in favour of its being pushed on. The motion was carried. COUNTS' SUNOS. TheChairmm s ea that the next question was the consideration of the question of ci unty muds Tin- letter from the Government ■» s a very short one, \vl i.-l» s- i 1 : bat. the Government, after taking advice, &c., d'” idea to pay the money over to the Road B <»nis. It vas at.? hi t ly imp, s-ibie, under these eireuuisf.v ces, to undertake large works, and it was r.i-o ice ssary •teat, tiny should j l.ice on record I he ic smi or their . ot doing so. The pu'dio would thereby sec that it, *uß i ot the fault of the Council, but the action of the Government, which prevented t hem carrying out any worts it, the county of any mug nit rule. Ut tier these circumstances it was 1. r the Council to say whit resolution should bo arr v d at on the subject. Air L e moved, ‘ I hat, in consequence of the posit on in which this Council is pi iced bv the withhold!' g < f i ( s funds by the Colo ni-1 Government, it is ire xp< dit i t for it to enter upon any duties wh ctr mao involve ex penditure, or upon any oilier duties which if may not oe under a legal necessity to undertake.” Mr Mathias seconded the motion, which was agreed to, COUNTY ACCOUNTS. A statement was laid upon the table, which had been forwarded by the Government, giving so wcowjt of tbo wpoaditure of ttto

land fund of the provincial district by the Government. The following is the correspondence on the subject:— Christchurch. April 16th, 1878. Sir, —T have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the -Mh instant, _ forwarding statern-nt of receipts and ex enditurc on account of the County of Selwyn to 31st December 1 st. [ beg to thank you for the prompt manner in which the request of the County Council for information on this subject has been met, but at the same time desire to p int out that the statement does not coutan much of information which the Council is naturally anxious to obtain. The bulk of the revenue which has accru d to the county fund has been its share of the land fund of the Provincial district of Canterbury, and judging from the figures given in your statement this revenue has been subject to very considerable deductions before it has boon paid over by tho Colonial Treasurer It is as to tho character and extent of these deductions that the members of the Council and the several Road Boards interested are without any particulars, and wi'h regard to which I am instructed by the Council to request y>u will be good enough to have them supplied, with detailed information. I h vc, &c., John Hall, Chairman. Tho Hon. Colonial Treasurer. Treasury, Wellington, 13th May. 1878. Sir, —Complying with the request contained in your letter of tbo 16 h April, I have the honor, by direction of the Honorable the 1 olouial Treasurer, to enclose statements of i art i u avs of the barges made upon tho land fund of the Provim ial di.-trict of Canterbury, to tho 3'»th June, 1877, and a statement showing the ap-portionu-ont of the sum of .2300,000, received and distributed since that cate. I have the honor to bo, Sir, Your most obedient servant, C. T. Batkin. Secretary to the Treasury. The Chairman Selwyn County Council, Christchurch. Statement of the Receipts and Disbursements of the Land he venue of the provincial district of Canterbury, from Ist Jan. to 30th June 1877,under the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876. Receipts— £ s. d. £ s. d. Laud tales, &c... 433,628 6 5 Disbursements— Interest and sinkfund permanent debt, as per statement herewith ... 3,596 14 10 Interest on railway expendiditure... ... 18,661 3 9 Crown Linds Department ... 646 10 1 Receiver of Land Revenue ... 175 0 0 Surveys 9,553 15 4 Subs dies to local bodies ... 7,867 14 9 Education ... 20,990 4 2 JH capitals and Charitable institutions ... 3,867 12 3 Aluseum ... STS 0 0 Pensions... ... 166 13 4 Grants in aid of higher educational institutions 1,906 9 0 Under section 53 Financid Arrangements Act 1876 175 0 0 Canterbury College reserve account ... 380 0 0 Ellesmere and Fursyth reclamation, &c. 1,312 0 0 Surplus .£363,451 17 11 Divided amongst the counties thus : £ b. d. Ashley 64,164 3 7 Selwyn 109,353 11 1 £ karoa 14,341 15 7 Ashburton 43,821 2 5 Geraldine ... ... 90,606 8 2 Waimato ... ... ... ... 21,810 19 4 Waitaki ... ... ... ... 9.612 7 2 Vincent ... ... 6,617 14 7 Lake ... ... ... ... 3,096 16 0 .2363,454 17 11 Statement of the permanent debt of the Provincial District of Cautcrbur , aucl of tho interest and sinking fund charged thereon in the annexed statement of account for tho six months ending 30th June, 1877.

Statement of the moneys expended in the construction of railways in respect of which interest at the rate of 2 per cent per annum is charged against the hand Fund of Canterbury in the annexed statement of account. .£ s. d. Net expenditure for railways in Canterbury to 30th June, 1877 1,228)819 4 1 Proportion of net expenditure of Public Works Department to 30th June, 1877 ... 10,893 0 0 Proportion of charges and expensea for raping loans for railway purposes ... ... .‘>0,908 0 0 Value of the railways takeu over from the province ... 731,759 0 0 .22,028,379 4 1 Deduct— £ a. d. Middle I.E. Fund ... 113,260 S 10 Contributions f rom the province for branch railways ... 49,000 0 0 All 800,118 15 3 2 per cent, for six months -218,001 3s 9d. Distribution of the sum of .£300,000 under the 9th section of tiic Financial Arrangements Act, 1876, on account of the surplus Imd rcvinue of the provincial district of Canterbury for 1877-78 £ s. d. Ashley 51,521 8 3 Fol-yn 8.0,112 5 1 Akaroa ... ... ... 13 066 17 5 Ashburton 42,372 * 5 Geraldine ... ... ... 70 559 7 1 Waim ito ... ... ... IS'2B 4 7 V 7 dtala ... ... ... 7,42" 15 6 Vincent ... ... ... 5 >62 411 Lake 2,550 8 9 ±’3UO,OOO 0 0 Treasury, Wellington, 4tb prili 1878. Fir, —T h ive the honor, by direction of the Ho ora6lo t e Colonial treasurer, to acknow ledge the receipt of your litter of the 28tb i) t,brio, end, in compliance wi h the reque-t contained therein, to > nclose her- with a statement » f leceipts and disbursements on account of the cuunfy of elwyn up to ih '3lst of Do ember. I have t‘ic honor to t>e. Sir, lour most obedient arrant, C. T. BatVIN, Secretary to the Treasury, Xhs Chairman, Sepryjj County Council; I -■

Statement showing the moneys carried to credit of the separate account of the Comity of Selwyn under tho 106th section of the Counties Act, 1876, the charges made thereon, and the division ot the balance amongst the several Road districts, under tho 31-t section of the financial Arrangements Act, 1876. MONETS CARRIED TO CREDIT. Subsidies— , £ s. d.la £ s. d. a s. d. Half-year ended June 30, 1877 3402 3 0 Deductions for hospitals and charitable institutions ...1341 13 6 Tear 1877-78 (Ist moiety) 3508 10£8 Deductions for hospitals and charitable institutions ...1308 2 9 2200 7 11 T.OCAI, REVENUES. From Ist January to 31st December, 1877. Dog foes ...16/8 0 0 Publicans’ li-cens-cs, Ac. .1422 18 6 Auctioneers’ licenses ... 80 0 0 Stage carriage licenses ... 1 15 0 Sale of horses Ira iio unding Act 24 U 0 Fines Public Works Act ... 13 10 0 3220 17 6 *Tess received Jau. 1 to Feb. 28, not credited to Separate Account 521 10 0 SURPLUS LAND RRTTKUE, For 1876-77 ... 109.353 11 1 For 1877-78 ... 85,412 5 I Total ... 201,723 3 1 CUIROES THEREON. Ele tion expenses £35 13 6 Advertising Licensing Court 1 17 0 Moiety of subsidy— Rak: in Gorge ferry, March quarter 1877 12 ,10 0 Waimakariri Gorge ferry March quarter 1877 ... 18 15 0 6R 15 6 Balance divided amongst Road districts, vide statemeat annexed, £201,654 6s 7d. James C. Gavin, Accountautto the Treasury. Treasury. Wellington, 3rd April, 1878. • This sum, less £4l 12a Bd, election expenses, was paid over to tho County Fund Account. PAYMENTS TO BOAD DISTRICTS, £ 8. d. Avon 6,019 12 6 El-carton 6,(49 12 7 Heath ote ... ... ... 6,019 12 7 Halswell ... ... ... 6 049 12 8 Springs 16,132 7 1 Courtenay 28 231 12 1 Ea-t Malvern 10 082 14 h Rakaia ... ... ... ... 30,'-48 3 0 Templeton ... ... 6 019 12 7 Spreydon 6,049 12 7 Lincoln ... ... ... ... 8 066 3 7 Hlesmero 22,181 7 Malvern ... ... ... ••• 12.099 5 1 South Malvern 12 099 5 1 Lake Coleridge 20, 65 8 7 Upper Waimakariri 6,0'9 12 7 Total 201 654 6 7 PROPOSED COUNTY COUNCIL CONFERENCE. A letter was read from the chairman of the Westland County Council, requesting that the Selwyn county would co-operate in holding a conference of County Councils at an early date, [The letter has already been published in the Press ] The Chairman said that he desired to have the instruction of the Council on the subject. It was for the Council to decide first whether it was expedient, to join in the proposed conference, and, secondly, whether the place proposed for the meeting was one which was generally acceptable. There was this to he said, that in conferences of this kind very useful amfndmentsto Acts were often brought fonvard. It was felt that tho session of the Assembly would be the best time to hold it, and that Wellington for that reason was the best place. Mr Lee moved—“ That the Council concurs ; n the desirability of a conference of County Councils being held to consider the subjects mentioned in the letter of the chairman of tho Westland Com ty Council and others affecting the interests of County Councils,and suggests that the most convenient place and time for holding such conference would be the city of Wellington during the next session of the General Assembly.” Mr Enys seconded the motion, which wa« agreed to. SHEEP AND FENCING BILL. A letter was read from the Ashburton County Council, forwarding a resolution passed by the Council, suggesting that a conference should bo held of County Councils to consider the Fencing and Sheep Bills, forwarded hy the Government for consideration by County Councils. The Chairman said, so far as he understood after conversation with the chairman of the Ashburton Council, that it was intended that the conference should include only the Councils in the provincial district of Canterbury. Mr Mathias desired to bring under tho notice of the committee appointed by the Council to consider these two Bills the advisableness of also considering the subject of an Impounding Act. I he Chairman pointed out that the committee were not appointed for this purpose. The reference to the committee was to consider the Sheep and Fencing Bdls, and not the subject mentioned by Mr Mathias. It would, therefore, be necessary that an addi tion to the reference, should be made if Mr Mathias’ idea was to he carried out. Mr Matthews moved—“ That the proposal of the Ashburton Council to hold a conference of representatives of tho County Councils in the provincial district of Canterbury, on the subject of the proposed Sheep and Fencing Bills, be approved by this Council.” Mr Rolleston seconded the motion, which was agreed to. EXTENSION OP TIME. On the motion of Mr Mathias, an extension of time for a fortnight was granted to the committee on tho Sheep and Fencing Bills to bring up their report, TRESPASS OF CATTLE ORDINANCE. Mr Mathias moved—“ That the committee on tho Sheep and Fencing Bill be instructed to also consider the provisions of the Trespass of Cattle Ordinance, as at present in force, with respect to any alterations which may be deemed nee ssary.” Air Rolleston'seconded the motion, which was agreed to. COUNTY RESERVES. The Chairman said that he had several maps of tho road districts made, which were now before the Council ; also a schedule of reserves. It was resolved that an extension of time be granted to the committee of reserves to bring up their report, and that the chairman be authorised to pay certain expenses connected with the preparation of the schedule of reserves, and certain maps of the road districts. POUND IN THE HEATHCOTE DISTRICT. A letter was read from the chairman of the Heathcote Road Board asking that the County Council would establish a public pound in the Heathcote district. At present the nearest pound was in Waltham, and therefore great inconvenience was experienced in tho district. A letter in reply from the chairman of the Selwyn Cmin'y Council was rend, stating that, as the Government pe-s sted in paling away t’ne money of the C -urn ii io R ad Boards, the Council hid no funds available to comply with the request of the Heathcote Board. A reply from the Hr at boot e Board was also read, undertaking to secure a site and erect the pound, provided the revenue arising therefri m was secured to the Board, A'fer some little discussion, Dr. Turnbull moved —“ That the application of the Heathcote Road Board tor a pound he acceded toon condition that the Boaid unde take the erection of the same, and that the rove' ue arising therefrom bo paid over to the Road Board ” Mr Rolleston seconded the motion, which was agreed to. SLAUGHTERHOUSE LICENSES. The Chairman said that under 23rd clause of the Slaughterhouse Act of 1877 ho had r< ceived several nppl cations for the gran'ing of slaughterhouse 11-enaes. The Council he might, gay would have to {appoint an inspector, make by-laws for the regulation and good conduct of the licensed plaugbterliouses, and also fix tho fee* t > bo Ail wf* tba» lijif v

mile from the boundaries of any borough within the county became vested in the County Council, and they would have to attend to the various objects spoken of by him. He might also say that a letter had been received from the Akaroa County Council, stating that they had had this subject under consideration, and desired to know what steps the Selwyn County Council intended taking in the matter. Mr Enys moved —“ That a committee be appointed to consider the question of framing by-laws, the management of slaughter-houses, issue of slaughter-house licensee, and the fixing of fees to be paid for inspection, such committee to consist of Messrs Tancred, Enys, and Dr. Turnbull. Mr Enys to bo chairman. The committee to report at next meeting of the Council.” Mr Lee seconded the motion, which was agreed to. DHAINAGB. The Chairman said that under the Counties Act he had received several applications as to public drains within the county. Clause 70 of the Act provided for the handing over by public notice of the powers of the Council as to drains to the Rond Boards of the district. The letter with reference to the drain came from Mr Stanley Edwards, whose land was in the Halswell Road Board district. As the Council had no funds whatever to devote lo this purpose, the best way of dealing with the question would be to exercise the powers given under cl mse 70, and delegate the power to Iho Road Board. Dr Turnbull moved —“ That a public notification be issued under clause 70 of the Counties Act, that the delegation of its powers as to a certain drain has been made to the Halswell Road Board, this course being rendo ed necessary by the action taken by the Government in withholding the funds of the county.” Mr McMillan seconded the motion, which was agreed to. SBIWTN BBIDOB. A letter was read from the resident enginear, calling the attention of the Council to the fact that the combined road and railway bridge over the Selwyn, on the Southbridge line, required repairs. As the railway bridge was about to be repaired, the engineer suggested that the work might be done by him on behalf of the County Council. The Chairman said he hid replied to this by pointing out that as the Government had persisted in oppropr ating the revenues of the comity lo Road Boards they were unable to undertake the work referred to. Mr Tancred suggested that perhaps they might delegate the powers of the Council to Rond Boards. Dr. Turnbull thought there was something in this, as the Heathcote Rond Board had to pay for the maintenance of the Heathcote swing bridge. SUBSIDIES TO FEBEIES. The Chairman said he had received correspondence from the Government respecting the Rakaia Gorge and Waimakariri Ferry, asking the Council to pay the subsidy due thereon, the Minister of Public Works, under the Ssth section of the Public Works Act, having delegated the powers relative to it to the Selwyn County Council. He had answered that it was impossible for the Council to comply with the request, inasmuch as the Government hid appropriated the funds of the Council to the Road Boards of the Provincial District. He had also received a letter from the Ashburton County Council, asking for half share of tne subsidies payable for the Rakaia Gorge Ferry to bo paid by the Selwyn Council. He had replied that, whilst admitting the justice of the charge of half the subsidy paid to the ferry, the County Council of Selwyn would desire to refer the Ashburton Council lo the Color.ial Treasurer, the Government having withheld the revenue of the county and promised it for distribution amongst the Road Boards. DIVERSION OF EOAD3. A letter was read from certain Road Boards with reference to the confirmation of certain road diversions. Mr McMillan moved—“Thatastanding committee of the Council be appointed, to whom all resolutions of Road Boards with reference to diversion of roads shall bo referred for confirmation, such committee to consist of the chairman, Messrs Tancred, Rolleston, and Dr. Turnbull.” Mr Enys seconded the the motion, which was agreed to. <r ELECTORAL boils. The Chairman said th it the rolls of the various ridings of the county had been prepared, and it was now for the Council to decide where the rolls should be deposited for inspection. s . It was resolved—“ That the rolls for the various ridings should be deposited at the several Road Board offices throughout the county.” OFFICE ACCOMMODATION. The action of the chairman in regard to office accommodation was approved. GRATUITY TO CLERK. It was resolved —“ That the sum of £2O be paid to Mr Jameson for services rendered ns clerk to the Council prior to thejbringing of the Act into force.” PAYMENTS, Mr Rolleston moved—" That; where services are authorised by the Council, the payments be made by cheques signed by three members of the Council in cases where delay would bo inconvenient; but that, as a general rule, all payments should be submitted to the Council.” Mr Mathias seconded the motion, which was agreed to. LYTTELTON DOMAIN BOARD. The Chairman said it had been brought under his notice that the Lyttelton Domain was in the town of Lyttelton, and not, as thought by the committee when distributing tire grants to Domains, in the County of Akaroa. It would therefore be seen that the matter fairly came before them for reconsideration, the more so as the Domain had been carefully managed under Mr Putts. Mr Rolleston moved—“ That the sum of £6O be paid to the Lyttelton Domain Board out of the vote for Domains at the disposal of the Council.” Mr Lee seconded the motion, which was agreed to. NON■ PAYMFNT?OF FUNDS. Mr Rolleston thought that the Council should take some notice of the non-payment of moneys under the Financial Arrangements Act. A clause was put in the Public Revenues Act at his instigation, making the piy merit in ninety days from its passing. As they were now delegating many of their powers to the Road Boards having no funds themselves, they certainly had an interest in the Road Boards having funds to curry out such functions. He would move theiefore—“ That as the Government declines to pay over to the county the revenues claimed by it under the Financial Arrangements Act, their attention be directed to clause 16 of the Public Revenues Act, 1877, and that they bo requested to pay over to the Road Boards the revenues so directed.” In doing so, he desired to draw the attention of the public to a most dangerous precedent, viz., the Government deliberately breaking the law. After some little discussion the motion of Mr Rolleston was emended as follows : “ That the Government be requested at once t o pay over to the Hoad Boards of this county t 1 e sums by la w payable on the 31st day of March last, under the 16th section of the Public Revenues Act, 1877, and that a copy of the resolution be sent to the road districts interested, » th a requ st that they will move the Government in the same direction.” Mr Enys seconded the motion, which was agreed to. ADJOURNMENT. Notice of motion having been given, the Council adjourned fora fortnight.

Principal. Rate for Interest & Sinking Fund. Interest and Sinking Fund for six mouths. £ s. d. per c. £ s. d. New Zealand Loan of 1856 ... 51,230 15 5 5 1,280 15 4 Consolidate cl Loan Act, 1867 561,680 15 4 6 16,850 8 6 L. and C. Railway Loan Ord., I860 53,793 6 2 8 2,151 13 10 Canterbury Loan Ord. 1862 15,784 12 4 7 552 D 2 Lyttelton Harbor Works Loan Act, 18713 100,000 0 0 6 \ 21st Mar. to 30th June, 1:77 l) 1,664 7 6 New Zealand Loan Act, 1876 11,000 0 0 5 1 1st. Feb. to 30th June, 1877 229 3 4 Proportion of the sum of 6212 5s 3d credited to Auckland and charged against the other provinces in respectof theNew Zealand Loan of 1856 76 10 7 Deduct 22,805 8 3 Interest at 51 per cent for six months on £731,769, value; of the Canterbury Railways taken over 10,208 13 5 £3596 14 10