COUNTY COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2236, 28 April 1881, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCILS.

SBLWTN. The usual monthly meeting of the above took place thii morning at ten o'clock. Present—Messrs B. J. Lee (chairman), Peryman, McMillan, Bnys, and J. L. Wilson. The Chairman read his statement, which was as fallows ;—ln accordance with your instructions at our last meeting, I have arranged a re-deposit of funds with the National Bank. Letters have been received from the City Council and the Biocarton Boad Board in answer to our communication, in which we gave those bodies notice that we will not be be responsible for maintenance of the Park roads after Ist June next. They both refuse to recognise responsibility in the matter. The Bicoarton Boad Board applies for the purchase of land in their district as a gravel depot. The solicitors acting for Mr Feet, the contractor for a portion of the Hororata water race, writes to give us notice that they advise him to follow up his claim for extra work. They have been misinformed on some points, as I propose showing them. Their letter has been submitted to the engineers for their remarks. Letters have beoa received from the Ashburton County Council, thanking us for the maps of this county, and promising theirs when completed, and from Stevens and Co., offering to supply us with improved boring apparatus. 1 will ask you to appoint a special meeting on our next ordinary meeting day, to consider the balance sheet and annual acoonnts of the Council. The usual monthly report of the Inspector of Slaughterhouses is laid upon the table, also the report of the engineers of the Malvern water-race. I understand, that, at the recent meeting of ratepayers to consider the mode of distributing the water, a committee wal appointed to confer with the Council on the subject. In reference to the communication from the chairman of the Biccarton Boad Board, the Council resolved—“ That in compliance with the request of the Biccarton Boad Board, the purchase of sub-sections 118 and 119 of B.S. 188 for a gravel reserve, be completed oat of funds allocated to the district, and that the Board be informed that the Council is unable to comply with the further request to purchase part of B.S. 697 and 102 for a depot for stacking gravoL” A letter was road from Messrs Izard and Loughnan re Mr Feet's claim for compensation.

Further correspondence on the matter was read, and the chairman woe authorised to see Mr Izard and state that the Council were not prepared to depart from their present position in the matter. From J. T. Stevens and 00., of Invercargill, a letter was read on the subject of boring, and offering their services to the Council. The letter was duly acknowledged, Mr Peryman asked under wbat part or section of the Public Works or Counties Act bad authority been given (if any) to the Tramway Company to lay down rails and run tramoars on the Lower Lincoln road from the Christchurch borough boundary to Addington ; also, if power had been given, what was the agreement ? The Chairman said the matter had been submitted to the Council, who had said they had no objection to offer. Mr Pe.-yman —lt seems, however, this Council have declined to be responsible for that road, and certain local bodies have taken up a similar position. The Secretary said he knew the matter had come before the Council; but he did not think the Tramway Company need come to them for authority. He believed the Tramway Company had an Order in Council giving thi m the necessary power. Mr Peryman explained hie reason for raising the question. He pointed out that there was a wide ditch on one side of the road, from the Hospital to the belt. If the tramway was constructed in the middle of the rood it would be dangerous to human life, and if this Council had any authority he should suggest that they might exercise it to have the tram placed to one side of the road in question. The Secretary referred to the minutes, and found that when the question came before the Council they decided that they would take no steps to oppose the extension of the tram in the direction indicated.

The matter then dropped, Mr Peryman eaying he should make further enquiries ae to the powers of the Council. Mr J. h Wilson moved, in accordance with notice, the following resolution :—“ That this Council will support the Manawatu County Council in recommending to the Government the first clause of their circular, namely, the reservation of money out of sales for making roads.”

Seconded by Mr Perytnan, and carried. The Chairman moved—“ That the sum of £6O bo granted to the Ellesmere Domain Board out of funds allocated to the district, for the purpose of completing the planting and laying out of the Eecreation Deserve.” Mr Peryman seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was decided to hold a special mooting on the 3let of May next, at twelve o’clock, for the purpose of considering the annual report and balance sheet.

A letter was read from the Cemetery Board re the formation of the road to the Public Cemetery. The Council instructed the secretary to write to the Cemetery Board for plans as to what they proposed. With regard to the questions of rating and borrowing in oonnneclion with the water race,

a letter was received from the Council's aoKsitor, Mr Joynt. After discussion, the Council resolved tans the chairman communicate to Mr Hall their opinion that, instead of separate Acts for each race, a general Act should bo introduced applicable to the whole colony. , The Chairman intimated that ho had received a circular from the Rangitikei Uounty Council ar-:d Rangitikei Highway Board (who met in conference), making suggestions as to legislative reform. . . It was decided to acknowledge receipt of

the circular in the meantime, and consider it at the next meeting of the Council. QPje report of the Inspector of Slaughterhouses was road and adopted. A report on the Malvern water race from Mr Ritso, giving details of the work done since last meeting, was road and approved. A committee report on the same subject Was also road. . Eeaolv. d—“ That the committee be authorised to advertise for tenders for completing the race as per engineer’s revised estimate.” The engineer to the Council reported as follows : The supply of water from the Hororata Creek is ample for the wants of the district between the Bakaia, the Selwyn, and the Honthcrn railway, for nil purposes but those of irrigating the land provided it is received and stored in tanka;

but it would be totally inadequate to supply a number of constantly runni-ig streams. It is, therefore, an essential feature in any scheme of distribution that the private branch race shall bo connected with tanks, which can bo filled, when requisite, by the water being turned on from the main race by the race-keeper, and shut off as soon as the requisite quantity has been delivered. The private races may be either wooden Y-shaprd gutters, or plough farrows, but the tanks, of whatever construction, should bo watertight. T his system of supply may bo called the intermittent system. It will, however, in many cases, be convenient to the consumer to have tanks raised above tho ground. To these a constant supply may be given without wasting tho water, by laying a small pipe from’ the tank to a wooden service box, fixed under the

flume at such a level on the latter that tho water will rise to the top of the tank, and keep tho latter full without overflowing. Tho some principle may bo applied to drinking troughs and watering places for sheep. A similar arrangement may be made for filling the tanks for public use at a moderate expense, with a fall nf 40ft per mile 20 chains of pipe would be sufficient to throw the water 10ft above the ground. This might in some respects be better than forming concrete tanks underground, from which the water would have to be pumped. A stock of six 400-gallon tanks, from which watercarts might be filled by a hose, would ho sufficient to keep up a rupply during the times when tho water in the main race might be drawn off to fill private tanks, or might be turned down another main race.

I would suggest that the erection of public tonka and watering places might be undertaken by the Eakaia Bead Board. I think it most important that the races should go along the public road, and not across private property. In the former case, as cultivation and settlement increase, either open races for intermittent supply, or pipes for constant supply, may be laid in wherever a new homestead is created. In the latter case it would be impossible to lay on the water without purchasing a right-of-way across the property, through whi"h the public race is laid. With a system of open private races, the constant attendance of a race-keeper will be required to turn on and shut off the water, while consumers’ tanks are being filled, but by a constant supply from pipes the racekoepfir would have comparatively little to do with the distribntionof the water, and his duties would be chiefly those of maintenance. The latter system, therefore, is that which 1 should recommend to be introduced as far as practicable ; but under either system the services of a race-keeper will bo necessary. I may also state that I think the water from public tanks and watering places should be free to all ratepayers, but that water supplied to private tanks rhould bo charged for, either at per 1000 gallons if delivered into tanks from open races, or at an annual charge per homestead for a constant supply by pipes. A. Dobson, C.B. Consideration of the above report was deferred. A deputation from the Papanui Domain Board (Messrs Thomas and Oresswill) waited on the Board, asking for a grant of £IOO towards planting and laying out the District Becreation Ground. The Chairman informed them that the Council would consider tho matter.

The deputation t.-.en withdrew, Mr Wilson gave a notice of motion—" That £IOO bo paid to the trustees of the Papanui Becreation Ground for the purpose of improving the said grounds.” Mr McMillan gave notice to move at next meeting—“ That a grant of £ for each of the following recreation grounds be made, viz.— Sheffield, South Malvern, Coalgate, Glentunnoll; also, a grant of £ to each of the following cemeteries, viz.—Kowai Pass, Waddington, and South Malvern.” Sundry accounts were passed for payment. The Council then adjourned.

AKABOA.

A meeting of the above Council was held at tho Council Chambers, Duvauohelle’s Bay, on Saturday, 23rd instant. Present—Messrs J. Dalglish (chairman), J. B. Barker, W. Coop, J, Gebbie, J. Hay,- O. McDonald, W. Williams, and Rev. R. R. Bradley. The following correspondence was read : —From tho Manawatu County Council (telegram), stating that the resolutions contained in their circular (read at last meeting) were receiving almost universal support from the other local bodies in the colony. On the motion of Mr Williams it was resolved, “That this Council give the circular received from the Manawatu County Council its best support, and that a copy of the circular containing the resolutions bo forwarded to Mr Montgomery, M.H.R. for the district, and ask him to support them when the question was brought before the House of Representatives.” From Mr

suunegomory, m. n.xv., aoanowiouging roompu of petition to be presented to the House of Bepresentatives by him next session re landed endowments for County Councils. From the same, covering copy of Fencing Bill which passed through the Legislative Council last session, but which was not in time to pass the House of Representatives, and, as it would most probably be introduced this session, be would be glad to receive any suggestions from the Council regarding the Bill. Proposed by Mr Gebbie, seconded by Mr Bradley, and carried, “ That a committee be appointed, to consist of the Chairman and Messrs Barker, Coop, Hay, McDonald, and Williams, to consider the provisions of the Fencing Bill, that will probably be brought forward in the House of Representatives next session, and ■»anni*h f.Ko nnw f-. mnoflrwt r\f fliia riniini'il * *

Prom the Colonial Secretary, stating that the alteration of the boundary line between the Pigeon Bay and Port Levy Road Districts (as recommended by the Council) would necessitate the abolishing of the two Road Districts at present existing and to reconstitute them as desired, and asking whether it was worth while to go through this process, involving as it does fresh elections for the two Road Districts for the sake of so slight a rectification as the one ia question. It was moved by Mr Gebbin, seconded by Mr Bradley, and carried —" That a copy of the letter received from the Colonial Secretary re the proposed alteration of the boundary line between the Pigeon Bay and Port Levy road districts, be forwarded to each Road Board interested, ond ask themto write to the Council whether they consider the matter of sufficient importance to justify the firooeao mentioned in the Colonial Secretary’s otter.” No objection having been received from the owner of the land through which the continuation of the Bolguerio road passes, and the necessary time required under the Public Works Act having expired, it was proposed by Mr Gebbin, seconded by Mr Bradley, and carried —“That this Council forward a memorial ond plan to his Excellency the Governor, praying that he will d6clare by proclamation that the land (described on the

plan) required for a continuation of the Balguorie road has been taken for the purpose of the said road under the 2oth section of the Public Works Act, 1876.” From the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board, forwarding plan of proposed site of land for a public pound at Duvauohelle's Bay. On the molion of Mr Gebbie, it was resolved —“ That the plan received from the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board bo forwarded to His Excellency the Governor, asking him either to change a portion of the road reserve abutting on Mr Libeau’s property, Duvanchelle’a Bay, required for a public pound, to a pound reserve, or, in the event of his not doing so, to allow the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board to erect a pound on the reserve until such time as the reserve may bo required for road purposes. Mr Williams pointed out that the contract for the plate-laying of the Little River Railway did not extend to the end of the formation, and that there was a gap left in the ballasting of the line. He would therefore propose, “ That in view of the early completion of the contract for tho Little Bivor Railway this Council urge upon the

Government .the desirability of_ calling for tenders for completing the ballasting required to make the line fit for traffic, and that a copy of the foregoing bo forwarded to Mr Montgomery, M.H.R., for the district, asking him to urge the same upon the Government.” Mr Gebbie stated that where the present contract for tho plate-laying ended it would be practically useless, as it ended just at the edge of Like Ellesmere, where the ground was several feet higher than the level of the railway, and he thought that the lino should be continued to the end of tho formation about two miles further. After some discussion, Mr Williams’ motion was put and carried. After passing some small accounts, the Council adjourned to May 28th.