SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2212, 29 March 1881, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Selwyn County Council was held at tho Council Chambers this morning at 10.30. Present—Messrs E.J.Lee (in the chair), Messrß H.J. Matbias, McMillan, H. W. Peryman, J. L. Wilson, Dr Turnbnll, and tho Premier. The Chairman read the following statement : A letter has been received from Messrs E. G. Wright and R. J. S. Harman, thanking the Council for their election to the Harbor Board. From the latter, pointing ontthat the expression of opinion by the Council as to the necessity for reduction in wharfage rates, 4c, upon grain bad been given effect to at the recent meeting of the Board. A letter has also been received from the tilesmere Road Board, pointing out that objections have been raised in various instances by owners of land on the line of the proposed new drain on Boggy Creek to parting with freehold for the making of the drain, and suggesting that a water right should be acquired. 1 think it may be the best course to pursue that the power of the Council in such a case should under clause 170 of the Public Works Act, 1876, be delegated to the Road Board, and that they be authorised to make such arrangements as may be necessary. Mr Peet's Claim for Extras on Contract for Hororata Water Race—Mr Dobson has reported upon this, and in consequence I have wiitten to Mr Peet that there appears to be no just reason for the claim made. Malvern Water Kace—Transfer of land from Mr Clinton is not yet oompleted._ With rogard to reserves which it is thought desirable to acquire for the purposos of the race at Springfield and elsewhere, our legal adviser recommends that plans and descriptions Bhould be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, with request that such reserves be confined to the county by Order in Council. This course, which seems the best to adopt, will involve delay, as the alteration of purposes in some cases would have to be submitted to Parliament in the coming session. The Couxtenay Road Board wrote to Bay that a Snblic meeting will be hold on the 14th April, to iscnsß the question of the distribution of water from the race, and invite suggestions from the Counoil on the subject. The engineer's report contains interesting remarks upon this question. Hororata water race —Tenders for work authorised at our last meeting lie upon the table for consideration to-day. The Heathcote Road Board explained that the culvert at Monck's is npon the main road to Sumner, and was originally built by the Provincial Government; also, that the Hills road from Colombo street has always been considered one of the arterial lines of road through their district. Under these circumstances, I presume that the Council will make the grants in aid a.-kad for. A letter from the Colonial Treasurer has been received in explanation of the deductions for hospital and charitable aid; as far as can be judged, the deductions are correct. Ellesmere Domain Board wrote for a grant in aid, £6O, to complete the planting, Ac, of the reserve for recreation purposes. Park Roads —The Colonial Secretary has written an _ answer to our request that Bt ?P. R . , might be taken to define the responsibilities of the several local bodies held to be interested, but sees no way in which he can interfere. I think it well to bring this matter again before you, as I consider this Conncil should not bear the whole burden of maintenance, especially as very serious expenses may be Bought to be placed upon us in the future. I would recommend that some period be fixed after which we decline more than a fair share of present expenses and future responsibilities. Report of standing committee on road divisions will be laid before you touching the road Bought to be stopped and done away with by the Avon Bsad Board. The committee Bee no ground for refusing the request of the Board. Since our last meeting his Excellenoy the Governor has paid his first visit to Canterbury, with the assistance of auchmemberß as were on the spot. I had the honor of presenting an addreSß of welcome on behalf of the County of Selwyn. Fines under Dog Registration Act—There seems to be a difficulty in the R.M. Courts in awarding a portion of the fines inflicted for offences asainat the Act to those who are instrumental in securing conviction. It will be well, I think, that I should bo authorised to pay in all cases one fourth of the fine after duly satisfying myself as to the cases dealt with. Authority to sign cheques—l will ask you to pass a resolution authorising me to sign, in conjunction with Dr. Turnbnll, the authority undrr which I have been acting having been only temporary. Letter from Mr Mitchell suggests reserve 1310 as a recreation ground for Bingeland and New Brighton. A circular from the Manawatu County Council as to conference of delegates of local bodieß will be laid before you. On the motion of Mr J. L. Wilson, it was decided to delegate the powers of the Selwyn County Council under the Public Works Act, 1876, to tho Elleumore Road Board in the matter of the drain at Boggy Creek. It was agreed, on the suggestion of Mr Mathias, that intti notions be given Mr G. F. Ritso to attend the proposed meeting at Courtenay re the distribution of water, and that he afford the meeting every information on the subject. The question of acquiring reserves in connection with the Mulvern water-race at Springfield and elsewhere was referred to the standing committee. On the motion of Mr McMillan, seconded by Hon. John Hall, it was resolved—" That the sum of £I2OO be allocated to the Hororata and Rakaia water- race out of the sums set apart for expenditure in those districts." Tenders having been opened for further works being prosecuted on the Hororata water race, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr h. W. Peryman —" That the tender of Mr J. T. Brown for tho first seven miles flumiDg on No. 4 contract for £1552 12s be accented." At this stage, Mr E Dobson waited npon the Council by request, and gave full particulars as to the expediency of sinking coi ere to tanks at intervals on the line of water races. It was decided that any decision as to letting the remaining portion of tho work tendered for be deferred till after Mr Doboon's next visit to the race, when the question of sinking tanks of either concrete or iron will ba[also considered.

On the motion of Mr J. L Wilson, it was resolved —" That the sum of ,£IOO for culvert near Monet's, »iod the sum of J2IOO for bridge over the Heathcote, on the Hiils road, be granted out of the fund allocated to the district."

A deputation of the Avon Bead Board, viz., Messrs W. Monro and Coop r, sen., waited upon the Council requesting the grant-in-aid of the Bingsland recreation ground, and also to urge the erection of the bridge across the River Styx. Mr Munro said a wrong impression prevailed about the conditions on which tbe proposed grant from the Selwjn County Council would be paid over. The Chairman explained that two sums had been voted, viz., XGOO and .£l5O, and the payment of the total was contingent oa the district raising the sum of .£l5O. Mr Munro also anted that a grant should be made for the New Brighton road similar to the grant made for the Summer road. He would also urge that the proposed bridge over the t tjx should be coastructed, as it would prove a. groat convenience to the residents. The Chairman asked that a written apolication he sent in to the Counoil re the New Brighton road, and stated that the question of the bridge would shortly he considered. The deputation having thanked the Council for its courtesy, then withdrew. A second deputation, consisting of Messrs. B. Hale, Wm. Wilson, and others, then inter"viewed the Conneil, urging that a. saving of half the distance would be effected aB regarded access to 900 acres of land, ot which they were trustees. There wore3(JliO acres of freehold and 2000 acres of reserves tbat would be opened up to readier bczcbb, nnd it was hoped the work would ho put in hand as soon as possible. The I h lirmnu having replied in similar terms to the reply given the first deputation, The second deputation thanked the Council for its attention and withdrew.

Tho Park road qnestion wu fnlly discussed, the Chairman expressing tbe opinion that f urthur conference on the matter waa useless. On the motion c.f Mr McMillan, seconded by Mr H. J. Mathias, it was resolved, " That notioo be given to tho Biccarton lioad Board and tho City Council that after the Ist Juno, 1881, the Selwyn County Council will not hold themselves robpoaaible for cost of maintenance, *o., of any of the roads known as tho Park raids."

At this stage the Conneil adjourned for halfan hour.

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