SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1778, 1 November 1879, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Selwyn County Council was held yesterday, when there were present—Messrs Lee (in the chair), Enys, McMillan, Mathias, Peryman, J. L. Wilson, and Dr. Turnbull. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman’s statement. The Chairman made his usual statement as follows: Gentlemen, —The following items of business for your consideration to-day have accrued since our last meeting. Of letters received there are—From J. G. Colson, offering his services to construct protective works on the Selwyn. From committee of the unemployed, asking that the Council would put in hand such works as may he convenient to give occupation to those suffering from the slack times. .Replied that we are not engaging in any works of moment, but that the several Eoad Boards within the county should be communicated with. The answers from several of the Eoad Boards to the circular sent are upon the table, and show that to a large extent work has been found by these bodies in alleviation of the distress existing. From Heathcote Eoad Board, to the effect that contract for the repairs of the swing bridge had been let for the sum of £845, and requesting the Council to pay the amount voted towards this object. The matter was directed to stand over for the meeting of Council to -day, but a subsequent letter has reached me "urging a progress payment of £3OO at once. A cheque for this sum has been paid to them, for which I will ask for authorisation at your hands. From Mr Hickman, asking for consideration cf his case. From Colonial Treasury, notifying payment of the second portion of the subsidy, but at the same time, making claim for a larger deduction for charitable aid than we were led to expect. This has necessitated a recasting of the account, showing the sums distributed amongst the different Eoad Boards in the county. The amended list is laid before you. From Messrs Scott and Phillips, regarding claims to compensation for injury to land by the road to the Eakaia Gorge bridge, and offering to submit the same to arbitration. By advice of our chairman, Mr J. T. Ford has accepted the office of arbitrator, has been (approved by the above gentlemen, and is now occupied in investigating the cases. From G. J. Cooper and from Courtenay Eoad Board, as to establishment of Greendale.public pound. I will call attention to the opinion of the legal adviser to the Council on the points raised. From Messrs Dobson and Son, as to the appointment of clerk to the works at Glentunnel bridge. With your sanction, I will arrange with Messrs Dobson the appointment of a fit person for this work. From Mr O. G. Parker, agreeing to let the Council tike such land as should be required for the water race through his freehold on sufficient compensation being made. From Mr H. J. Hall, as to oversight of Hagley Park roads by the Eiccarton Eoad Board. From Spreydon Eoad Board, asking that the Council will take steps to have the Heathcote and Halswell rivers (above the control of the Drainage Board) cleared of watercress. From the general Crown lands office, notifying permanent reserve of 123 acres (No. 2418 in red) as a recreation ground. This is for Templeton district. From Messrs Dobson and Sou, notifying the completion of repairs to Lower Selwyn and Bluff bridges. In the first instance the estimate has been slightly exceeded, and in the second there is a small saving upon the estimated cost. Several letters have been received from the Eoad Boards relative to the gravel reserves, upon which I will ask your advice. With regard to ferry reserves, a letter has been received informing us that the reserves have been vested in the Council, and it is accompanied by a “ Gazette" containing the notification. A letter has been received from the Heathcote Eoad Board, requesting that a fresh appointment of poundkeeptr may be made. The clerk of the Ellesmere Eoad Board has written, forwarding a petition for a public pound in Southbridge, and endorsing the prayer of the petition. In accordance with the provisions of the Counties Act, an abstract of receipts and expenditure for the half-year ending 30th September is laid upon the table; and in accordance with the Counties Act, section 54, we shall have to hold a meeting on the fourth Monday in November, for the purpose of electing a chairman for the ensuing year. It will bo convenient, perhaps, to appoint that day for our next ordinary mooting. Specimens of dog collars for issue during the ensuing year have been purchased for your approbation. Several amounts have been piid since our last meeting, under the general authority given to the chairman for salaries, Ac. I shall be obliged if you will duly validate these payments by resolution to-day, and will pass for payment the several further accounts to be laid before yon. In connection with the report of the Inspector of Slaughter-houses, there are one or two points which require attention at your hands. Two new applications for licenses have to bo considered. The now map of the county now completed is laid on the table for your inspection. It requires to be certified by the chief surveyor as correct. When this is done, I should like to have authority from yon to pay the price agreed upon for the work by our chairman, and in the meantime a cheque will bo presented to yon for a farther payment on account. The report of the engineer upon the Malvern water race is before you. Yon will not be able to give full instructions upon the work proposed, as Messrs Dobson and Son have not fully endorsed the plans, Ac., bub I think it will answer the purpose it you will authorise the necessary work to be gone on with as far as advertising for tenders, Ac., as soon as we receive Messrs Dobson’s report. In reference to the replacing Lattor's Bridge with a concrete structure, a deputation waited on the Council. Dr. Turnbull moved —“ That 'towards the construction of Latter’s Bridge, over the Hoathcote, on Colombo street south, ,£IOO ho set aside, £2OO to the Heathcote, £IOO to the Halswell, and £IOO to the Spreydon accounts, out of the money already placed to the credit of each Road Board oat of subsidies.” Tho consideration of work in connection with a awing bridge over the Heathooto was deterred. SLAUGHTER-HOUSE INSPECTOR. The Inspector of Slaughter houses presented to tho Connell his customary report. His recommendation with reapoct to granting two

licenses was acted upon. In other respects the report was satisfactory. engineer's report. The report of the resident engineer was as follows : To the Chairman, —Sir,—l have the honor to submit the following report:— 1. I submit plans and specification for the reinstalment of the portion of the race damaged by tbe groat flood. Owing to Mr Dobson’s absence from Christchurch those have not yet been in their completed form. Ho;has, however, generally approved of tho works shown on tho plans, and I would recommend tho advertising for tenders for the works, on their being approved by him on his rctnrn, so that tho tenders may he laid before the Council at their next meeting. I recommend the Council to obtain separate tenders for the Portland cement, and also for tho sluice gates, and to supply them to tho contractor for the work. An estimate is attached to tho plans. 2. I have examined the npper works, and find them generally in good order, except that tbe scouring sluices have been severely ent by tho shingle, which has also cut away tho nndor portion of water cushion and tho retaining wall. There is no immediate danger to tho stability of the work, but in three months’ time, when the river will ho at its lowest, advantage should be taken to repair the damage, and the slnioe-gates could bo lowered in accordance with the recommendation of Messrs -Bell and Dobson. :l. In regard to the continuation of tho race, either through Sheffield or round at tho base of the Little Racecourse Hill, I have been nnnble thoroughly to go into tho matter as yet, but I may state that I believe, in view of the fact that there is a_ large amount of timber remaining from tbe old timber falls, that a timber fall through Sheffield would bo tho most economical method of carrying tho water. I propose to have definite plans for the continuation of tbe race ready for tho next meeting of the Board, ■I. The care-taker of tho upper works has been engaged since October Bth, in putting the stone pitching, which hud been distnrbed in the upper channel, in order. Tho timber along the lower race has been collected and carted to Mr Brown’s timber yard, Sheffield, bnt I have sent one load to tho upper works, so that tho care-taker can employ himself in building a small addition, the present place being only !lft. by Bft., not sufficient to live in. I would suggest the exchange of a small portion of tho timber at Sheffield for weather boards, door boards, and galvanized iron, sufficient to complete a room 9ft. by 12ft., and with the labor of tho caretaker to do the construction, there will bo no more outlay required for tho additional room. I have, &c., Geo. F. Ritso, Resident Engineer. Mr Enys moved—" That the report from the engineer as to the works proposed on the Malvern water race be received, and that upon Messrs Dobson’s approval of the plans and speoifications, the engineer be instructed to advertise for tenders for material and construction without delay. The motion was seconded by Mr McMillan and carried. mr hickman’s case. In reference to a letter of application from Mr Hickman, Tho Council resolved that with respect to the late clerk of works on the Malvern water race tho chairman bo authorised to pay him the sum of .£lO, and to give him a certificate of efficiency as asked for. POUND AT GBEENDALE. Correspondence in relation to the ponnd at Greondale was read. Mr Enys moved, and it was agreed to—" That the chairman in Wellington he furnished with a copy of legal opinion obtained as to tho position of the pounds in tho county of Selwyn, and that his attention be also directed to clause 209 of the Counties Act in reference to this subject. _ GLENTUNNEL BRIDGE. The chairman was authorised to arrange with Messrs Dobson as to the engagement of clerk of works at the Glentunnel bridge. OFFER OF LAND. A letter from Mr O. G. Parker was received, agreeing to let the Council take such land as might be required for a water race through his freehold. On the motion of Mr Mathias, it was resolved that the engineer be instructed to inspect and give his opinion on the best line to be adopted for the water race through the land of Mr O. Q. Parker. CLEARING RIVERS. A letter was received from tho Spreydon Eoad Board, requesting that tho Council would cause steps to be taken |to have the Heathcote and Halswell rivers, which are not under the control of the Drainage Board, cleared of water cress, &c. The clerk was instructed to reply to the effect that steps would be taken to place those portions of the rivers in question under the control of tho Board. GRAVEL RESERVES. Several letters from Eoad Boards were received in reference to gravel reserves. Mr Mathias moved —“ That the chairman be requested to furnish tbe Eoad Boards with particulars of reserves already let, with Mr Joynt’s opinion as to the terms upon whioh they may bo let in future, and to get from him a general form of lease drawn up for the use of all tho Eoad Boards. Seconded by Mr Peryman and carried. HEATHCOTE POUND. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Wilson — “That Mr B. A. Berry be appointed poundkeeper for the Heathcote pound, in accordance with the recommendation of the Heathcote Eoad Board.” ANNUAL MEETING. It was agreed to hold the next ordinary meeting on the day of tho annual meeting, the 26th of November, 1879. DOG COLLARS. The offer of Mr Dunbar to supply dog collars for the ensuing year was accepted. ACCOUNTS. The Chairman stated that several payments had been made on account of salaries, Ac., since last meeting. The action of the chairman was confirmed, and further payment authorised. PARK ROADS. It was resolved —"That a committee of the acting chairman (Mr tee), Mr Wilson, and Mr Mathias, be appointed to ascertain the yearly cost of the park roads, and what proportion, if any, each district should pay towards their maintenance.” NOTICES OP MOTION. Notices of motion were given for next meeting of the Council as follows: Mr Peryman—" That the Council, under the authority given to it by see. 170 of the Public Works Act, directs that the portion of the river Halswell, situated in the Spreydon district, be placed under tho control of the Spreydon Eoad Board.” Mr Peryman—“ That the sum of £4O be granted to the Lincoln and Prebbleton Cemetery Trust out of subsidies allocated to tbe Lincoln district.” The Council then adjourned.