SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1819, 19 December 1879, Page 2

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Selwyn County Council met at 10.30 this morning. Present—Mr E. J. Lee (in the chair), and Messrs Wilson, Perryman, McMillan, Mathias and Dr. Turnbull. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman then made his usual statement containing an epitome of the business, BITER HALSWBLL. In reference to cleaning the river Halswell, correspondence between the Spreydon Road Board and the Council was read, arising out of a motion by Mr Perryman at last meeting that “ the Council, under authority of section 70 of tho Public directs that the portionjof the river Halswell situated in ;the Spreydon road district be placed under the control of the Spreydon Rond Board ” This motion,which had been postponed from last meeting, was now seconded by Cr. Wilson, and carried. PROPOSED CEMETERY. A report was read from Mr Eiteo, engineer to the Board on the question of draining reserve 110 on tho Lincoln road, required by tho Cemetery Board for the purpose of a now cemetery. He reported that the reserve could be drained to a depth of 6 feet from the surface, with a good fall. It was resolved that the chairman communicate with the Spreydon Road Board, and if there was no reason to the contrary that he be authorised to take the necessary steps to have the reserve dealt with as requested. SLAUGHTERHOUSE, HOHORATA. The inspector reported on the Hororata slaughter-house mentioned in connection with Dr. Nedwell’s report to the Board of Health. The inspector mentioned that in this as almost every slaughter-house in the country, pigs were kept in tho slaughter-house yards, which added to the offsnsiveness arising therefrom. On proceeding to Mr Palmer’s slaughterhouse, after Dr. Nedwell’s report, he found that the suggestions contained in the report were being carried out, and that the yard was being removed. He then proceeded to state what steps ho had taken in relation to the nuisances at the slaughter-house at different times. With regard to another portion of tho health officer’s report—" That a number of cases of fever had occurred within half a mile of the slaughter-house,” he wished to point out that about halt a mile from the slaughterhouse was the most thickly populated part of the district. • The Chairman was of opinion that the slaughter-house had less to do with disease in _ the district than defective drainage caused by the low-lying nature of the country. Dr. Turnbull thought there was no doubt the Inspector had been faulty in more than instance. At least his ideas, os an old resident, as to what was requisite end proper in regard to the conduct of slaughter-houses might not be correct. Mr Wilson regarded the Inspector’s report as a fair and reasonable explanation by which ho had cleared himself of a suspicion of neglect. The question whether the Inspector ought to lay information on hearsay evidence was considered, opinions being different. Mr Wilson said there was evidently a strong feeling against Palmer in the district, and they should take care not to allow him to be persecuted ; they must deal with him as the law allowed, and ho (Mr Wilson) thought it was a good thing that the case of Palmer was dealt with by an independent magistrate, who was not likely to be biassed. After some further discussion the matter was permitted to drop, the chairman undertaking to confer with the inspector on the subject. BAXAIA GORGE FERRY. Correspondence was read in respect to the leasing of the Rakaia Gorge Ferry, but the present lease not yet having expired no definite action was taken. COUNTY MAPS. On the motion of Mr Wilson the tender of Messrs J. T. Smith and Co. for lithographing county maps was accepted. ADDINGTON POUND. The question of proclaiming the pound at Addington yards, and appointment of poundkeeper, was left in the hands of the chairman. HAOLBY PARK. It was resolved that the footpaths in Hagley Park should be proclaimed paths within the meaning of the Public Works Act. A report upon tho progress of work on the Park roads was then read. MALVERN WATER RACE. Reports from the resident engineer, Mr Ritso, and the consulting engineer, Messrs Dobson and Son, were considered in committee. It was ultimately decided to hold them over till next meeting. TENDERS. Tho tender of Messrs Scott Bros, for sluice gates was accepted. For contract No. 4 J. B. Gcbson was tho successful tenderer. EXTENSION OF MALVERN WATER RACE. On the report of the committee on the best line to be adopted is taking the race through the Springfield district: Mr Mathias moved—“ That tho report of the committee and tho arrangements made with Captain O. G. Parker for the passage of the race through the township of Springfield be adopted, and that the chairman be authorised to take the necessary steps to acquire the land.” Seconded by Mr McMillan and carried. SLAUGHTERHOUSE INSPECTION. The report of the inspector of slaughterhouses was road, in which he gave a detailed account of the condition in which he had found the various premises mentioned on his visits of inspection. He also appended remarks on the various applications for slaughterhouse licenses. ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts were passed for payment. The Council then adjourned.