SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1876, 27 February 1880, Page 2

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Friday, Febbitaby 27. The usual meeting of the Council was held at 10.30 a.m. Present—Mr E. J. Lee (in the chair), Dr. Turnbull, Messrs Mathias, Boys, McMillan, Wilson, and Peryman. The Chairman said—The Hon. J. Hall ha» sent in his resignation as chairman, and it will be our duty to-day to appoint his successor. The conveyance of land from Anton to the Council for gravel pit in the Biccarton Road Board district is now completed, and the deeds are in our possession. Hospital! Bill—The committee appointed to consider this Bill are not yet prepared with % report, and request extension of time till n ;xt meeting. Water supply Bakaia and Selwyn —The terms of Messrs Dobson and Son have been accepted, and the plans for a commencement of the work are now in hand. Letters hare been received since our last meeting from Malvern Boad Board asking that our engineer may prepare plans and specifications for a bridge over the Kowai, and that the Board may be furnished with a copy of the same. From the Coleridge Boad Board, asking the Council to allot them the available balance of eumi in hand for the construction of approaches to the Upper Bakaia bridge, for the purpose of making approach from the westward. From G. P. Williams, C.E., offering his services as consulting engineer to the Council. Cemetery Board reports that Beserve 106 in the Spreydon district is suitable ground for a cemetery, and that the position is central for the dis. trict; and ask that the nece<sary steps may be taken for acquiring the reserve for this purpose, and vesting it in them as trustees. Slaughterhouse—We are advised that in the case of Bull's slaughterhouse, directed to be enquired into at the last meeting, the premises are not within the jurisdiction of this Council. The report of the inspector for the past month is before the Council. Bealey Ferry—This matter is still unsettled. I think it will be well to-day to move the Government to change the purpose of the reserve to a ferry, and place it in our hands to deal with. Meeting—lt will be desirable, I think, to alter our day of meeting from Friday to Tuesday in the week, for several reasons. The last Friday in March, is Good Friday. I would suggest that we next meet on Tuesday, 30th March, and henceforward on the last Tuesday in the month. The engineer's report upon the Malvern water race, with specification, &c, for the continuation of the race through Sheffield, is laid upon the table. Several accounts will be laid before you for authentication. I will ask authority to purchase a safe for the Council, the need of which we are experiencing.

Mr Enys moved—" That Mr E. J. Lee be elected as chairman of the Selwyn County Council, in the room of Hon. John Hall, resigned." Dr. Turnbull seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. On the motion of Mr Wilson, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Hon. John Hall for his zeal and ability as chairman of the Council. The Chairman said that he had to ask for an extension of time to be granted to the committee appointed to report on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board BilL

A letter was read from Messrs Dobson and Sons, stating the terms upon which they would undertake the superintendence of the construction of the works for water supply between the Bakaia and the Selwyn, for which a sum of £3OOO had been voted.

The Chairman said he had accepted the offer of Messrs. Dobson and Son for the superintendence of the work. It was resolved that the engineers be requested to forward the tenders called for to the Council for their information.

A letter was read from the Malvern Boad Board, asking the Council to allow their engineer to make an estimate of the cost of a bridge required across the Kowai to the bush and to furnish the Board with a copy of the same.

Mr Enys moved—" That the Council regrets that the time at the disposal of the engineer is too limited to allow of their granting at present the request of the East Malvern Boad Board. The Council, however, will not lose sight of the matter, and when more at liberty will instruct the engineer to draw out plans for a ford across the terrace." Mr McMillan seconded the motion.

mi*** Onnneil Hum xr«nt into committee to consider an application for the post of consulting engineer from Mr Qt. P. Williams. On the motion of Dr. Turnbull, it was resolved that the appointment of a consulting engineer be deferred for the present. A letter was read from the Lake Coleridge Boad Board with reference to the allocation of money for the approaches of the Upturn Gorge Bridge remaining unappropriated. It was resolved—" That the Lake Coleridge Boad Board be informed that the Council will communicate with the Ashburton County Council on the subject of their letter. The Council, however, would suggest that the Board should at once furnish an estimate of probable cost of the work desired."

A letter was read from the chairman of the Cemetery Board, stating that he had inspected reserve No. 106 in the Spreydon district suggested for a cemetery. The site appeared to be most suitable for the purpose, and the Cemetery Board requested that the Council would take the necessary steps to have the section transferred to the trustees as a public cemetery. Mr J. li. Wilson moved—" That the necessary steps be taken by the chairman to have reserve No. 106, in the Spreydon district, conveyed to the trustees of the Public Cemetery Board for a cemetery for the district on the weßt side of Christchurch."

Mr Peryman seconded the motion, which was carried.

The monthly report of the InrpectDr of Slaughterhouses was read, stating that circulars had been issued to the holders of licenses to make the improvements considered necessary by the Council. Several applications for licenses were dealt with.

The question of the alterations requested by the Council in the slaughterhouses was brought before the Council, and it was pointed out that a number of butchers had made no preparation to comply with the request made in the circular. It was resolved to let the matter stand over.

A letter was read from Mr Gammack relative to the refusal of his license. Ultimately it was resolved that Mr Gammack bo informed that there was no intention of removing his license if he complied with the conditions of the' Council. The Chairman brought under the notice of the Council the question of the Bealey Ferry Reserve, and pointed out that tho one wanted by the Council was a stock-driving reserve. It would, therefore, be necessary to apply to the Government to change its purpose to a Ferry Reserve. Mr Enys moved—" That the Government be requested to change the purpose of Reserve No. 394 from a stock-driving reserve to a ferry reserve, and that it be attached to the Bealey ferry and placed under control of tha Council."

Mr Wilson seconded the motion, which, was agreed to. It was resolve! that the next meeting be held on Tuesday, March 30th, at 10.30. a.m. The report of the engineer upon the Malvern water race was read, forwarding plans for contract No. 5, extension of the water race. Mr Mathias moved - " That the Council accept the plans of the engineer for the No. 5 contract, extension of Malvern water race, and instruct him to advertise for tenders without delay." Mr McMillan seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Mr Wilson moved—" That the Malvern water race committee have power to deal with all details connected with Mr |Ritso*» work, and also to deal with all owners of land required for the race, and if they are not able to agree with the owners, to give the requi.-ito notice, and put the same under the Public Works Act."

Mr Peryman seconded the motion. A letter was read from the contractor for the Glentunnel Bridge, asking for one month's extension of time for completion. It was resolved to grav.t the request. The Chairman was authorised to obtain a safe for the documents of the Council. The Ohairman moved—" That a sum of £IOO he granted from the fundi allocated to the Eilesmere district for the purpose o£ erecting a public morgue in the district. The sum so granted to he placed at the disposal of the Cemetery Board." After some discussion the motion was with, drawn.

Accounts to the amount of £&4B 14a 3d were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned,