SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2259, 29 June 1881, Page 4

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council me'. at 10 30 am. yesterday. Presont-Mossra E. J. Leo (chairman), J. D. Enya, H. Peryman, McMillan, Mathias, J. L. Wilson and Dr. Turnbull; The Chairman said— Wu decided at. our last meeting to cor aider to day tv circular from the Bangitikoi County Council «« to | improvement in tho mode of local government, and from the Wallace County Council os to the moving for the resumption of payment to counties of 20 per cent, of land fund. I suggest that under the circumstances wo shall now not take any stops in those matters, as the delegates have ere this mot in Wellington, and sent in their report to the Government. I have seen the chairman of the Public Cemetery Beard as to a letter, asking the Council to expend £IOO in giving aooeos to the cemetery, which was laid before the Council at our last meeting. It seems that the expenditure asked for will bo of general service, and there appears to bo so prospect of obtaining money from local bodies held to bo interested in the work, a condition which was attached to the proposed rant from the Council in tho first instarce. presume that the deputation on the subject of tho Governor’s Bay road will again interview the Council to day. I have looked into the matter since our last meeting, and find that we have no power to deal with tho reserves pointed out to us in the manner suggested. The Templeton Cemetery Board write for a grant of £IOO to purchase land for a oemstery, the present reserve being unsuited for tho purpose. In this case I may remark that the reserve now in their hands wsa made to them at their own request, and that funds have been voted and expended by them for fencing, planting, &o. The Avon Boad Board writes to ask for a grant of £SO towards clearing tho Styx, In conformity with your directions I have addressed tho Colonial Secretary on tho subject of the toll gate at Otira, who replied that tho matter will be enquired into. Letters have also been sent to the Ashburton and Grey County Councils on the same subject. The Ashley County Council have complied with our request in furtherance of the wishes of certain ra v epay era in tho Waimakariri road district, to be cut off from the Ashley and incorporated in the Selwyn county. A petition to the Governor will be loid before you for signature praying for the alteration of tho boundaries. Deeds of covenant with certain landowners and occupiers in connection with tho Malvern waterT»oe will be laid before you for authorisation. A report from a committee of ratepayers as to the distribution of water, and petitions from certain inhabitants outside the present boundaries to be included in the water-race district, have boon referred to the standing committee, who will report thereon. Tho chairman then went on to refer to the other items of business before the Council.

With regard to the request received from the Central Cemetery Board for a grant of £IOO toward* the coat of forming a road to the Central Cemetery, Mr J. L. Wilson said he should oppose this grant being made, ae the Avon Bead Board were spending a large amount of money in the vicinity on roada. Besides, he considered that £IOO would be totally insufficient, and as the other local bodies had declined to contribute when asked, he thought tho Council ware not justified in making the grant, particularly as the road proposed would only be for the benefit of one individual. Mr Mathias thought that the CIOO might be granted. After some discussion, the following motion was agreed to—“ That £IOO be granted to the Bublio Cemetery Board, to be expended on tho approach to the cemetery, according to the plan proposed.” The Templeton Cemetery Board applied for £IOO to purchase additional land. It was resolved to defer this application. Tho sum of £SO was voted for the purpose of clearing the Biver Styx, to be taken from the fond appropriated for the purpose. Tho chairman was authorised to sign the petition to the Governor, asking that a portion of the Waimakariri road district be included in the Belwyn County, and not as at present in that of Ashley. Ur Stanley Edwards waited on the Counoil with reference to the request made as to the improvement of the Governor’s Buy road. The Chairman said he had consulted the Commissioner of Crown Lands as to the diversion of the reserves for tho purpose of widening the road, and bis opinion was that the Government would not agree to the course. Mr Edwards asked whether they could not get a local Act passed, as the reserve for the quarry was one which would not be used. The Chairman pointed oat that neither of the reserves were under the jurisdiction of the Council. Mr Morshman was very positive that tho Government would not consent to tho diversion of the two reserves as required. Mr Edwards then retired. A lengthy correspondence with the Government as to the passage of the Malvern water race through Government and railway reserves was read, and ultimately it was resolved to accept the terms proposed by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Mr Mathias brought np the report of the standing committee on the Malvern water race with reference to the resolutions of the Courtenay ratepayers as to the supply of water to the district. The committee recommended that tho district bo divided into suitable blocks for distributing the water, and that owners pay for such distribution according to by-laws adopted by the Conncil. The work of distribution to be supervised by the engineer to tha Council. That a rate should he levied on the whole water district on a valuation of £2 per aero, and that no outlay on branch linos be gone into until the main lines are completed. Mr Wilson moved—“ That the report of the committee be received,” which was agreed to. The report of tho engineer for the Malvern water-race was read, reporting upon the present position of the works in connection therewith. It was resolved authorities be authorised to use the water of the Malvern water-race at Barfield, Sheffield, and Eirwee stations in accordance with the terms proposed by the assistant engineer.” It was also resolved—“ That the standing committee be empowered to call for tenders and carry out various works proposed by them.” On tho motion of Mr Wilson it was resolved —“ That the chairman write to the chairman of the Courtenay Boad Board, asking permission to run the distributing channels of the Malvern water > race along tho unformed portion of the roada in the district.” A deputation from the Avon Boad Board, oomprising Messrs Dunlop, Flesher and Cooper, waited on the Council with reference to the erection of a bridge over the Styx on the canal reserve, and submitting plans proposed for the same. The bridge was to bo 132 feet long. The Council approved of the plan as submitted.

Mr Dunlop said that the Hoad Board had instructed them to ask for a grant of £125 towards the maintenance of the North road, and £75 for the Now Brighton road. The Council promised to consider the matter. A deputation, consisting of Mr Ploshor and another member of the Bingsland Domnin Board, waited on the Council to ask for a grant of £IOO, in aid of the fencing and planting of the Bingsland reserve. The Council undertook to go into the question. It was resolved —" That Mr A. MoNae be appointed as Registrar of Dogs for the Upper Waimokariri District.” The report of Messrs D ibaon and Son, the engineers to the Hororata water-race, was read and considered. The engineers were authorised to carry out certain alterations suggested by them. The report of the Inspector of Slaughterhouses was read and considered, aid two applications for slaughtering licenses granted. Pursuant to notice, Mr Wilson moved—- " That a sum of £IOO each bo granted to the trustees of the Bapanui and Bingsland recreation grounds for the purpose of improving *nd planting the same.” This amount would coma out of the £IBSO already allotted for the purchase of recreation grounds in the Avon district. The motion was seconded and agreed to. - Mr McMillan moved—“ That a sum of £SOO be granted for the purpose of planting drown lands within the county, and that a committee, consisting of Messrs Mathias, McMillan, and the [chairman, be appointed to •elect the various sites to be planted and carry out the work.” Mr Feryman moved as an amendment—- “ That the name of Mr J. L. Wilson bo added to the committee.” This was not seconded, and the original

motion was then put and carried, Mr Perymon dissenting. Mr Mathias moved—" That the sura of £730 bo voted for tho purposo of making distributory channels of the Malvern water ’■acs.” Mr Enys seconded tho motion. Mr Peryman moved as an amendment — “ That tho sum of £350 be granted for the completion of the distributing channels of the Malvern water-race, on condition that £350 be paid by tho Courtenay Boad Board.” Mr Wilson seconded the amendment, Mr McMillan thought it would take at least £IOOO to complete the work, and he would like to see the Council vote £SOO, on condition of the Courtenay Boad Board contributing £SOO. Mr Poryman agreed to alter his amendment as suggested by Mr McMillan. Mr Peryman’s amendment as altered was then put, and three voted for and three against. The Chairman gave his vote in favor of tho amendment, which was carried. After passing several accounts the Council adjourned.