SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2674, 1 November 1882, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the above Council was bold this morning at halfpast ten o’clock. Present —Mr E. J. ~jeo (chairman), Messrs H. W. Peryman, F. Jones, W. Dunlop, H. J. Mathias, D. McMillan, R. Wostenra. An anology for non-attendance was received from Mr J. D. Enys. The Chairman stated that alternative plans for a bridge over the Pakaia at Dobbin’s Ford had been sent to the Ashburton County Council for its approval. The fordsman was granted the use of the reserve on the bank of the river for his horses.

The Woolstou Town Board wrote, asking what license foes or other funds wonld be paid over to the Commissioners for the current year. The consideration of the matter was deferred in order to obtain information as to the state of the law on the subject. The Chairman announced that as chairman of the Council I’,.‘ had been appointed by the Government a member of the newly-constituted Domain Board. A map was produced of the road which it was proposed to stop running through rural sections Nos. 371 and 3GS, in the Heathcote district. The standing committee reported that the requirements of the Public Works Act had boon complied with, and recommended that the road be stopped, as requested by the ratepayers at a public meeting. Agreed to. A letter was received from tho City Council, forwarding a resolution re the West Coast Railway, and asking the County Council to appoint two of its members to represent it on the proposed Railway League. The Chairman said no doubt the West Coast line would he of considerable benefit to Canterbury, but its advocates took an unduly depreciatory view of the East Coast line. Ho did not think they really know the circumstances of the country. He professed to he intimately acquainted with the land in that part of the world, and there was no comparison between the two lines as far as the quality of the laud was concerned. As to the the East Coast line going through private property, he did not see that they had anything to do with that, if the construction of the line would benefit the community. He supposed that any delegates going from the Council would he expected to support the West Coast lino. Mr Westenra, for one, would object to attend the conference on the understanding that he was hound to support one particular line.

Mr Peryman—So would I. Mr McMillan thought it would be quite right for the Council to appoint delegates to consider the best way of spending the .£IBO,OOO, but they should not be bound to support a certain line. The Chairman thought that if a delegate gave his opinion against the "West Coast line, he would be “bonneted,” or otherwise ill-treated. It would perhaps be necessary for the Council to instruct its delegates. Mr Dunlop was of opinion that the money would be partly wasted if it were spent on either of the alternative lines, but of the two he would prefer the West Coast line.

After some further discussion’ as to the position which the delegates should take up, Messrs Westenra and Jones were appointed to attend the meeting of the proposed railway conference to bo held on the Cth inst.

Mr Westenra desired it to be understood that if on attending the meeting he found a determination to discuss only the West Coast lino, he would decline to act.

The Chairman thought that was a proper position to assume. v Mr Jones would go to the conference prepared to consider all the evidence that was offered on both sides, but he confessed that he was rather in favor of the West Coast line.

It was decided to apply to Public Works Department for a reserve ar Uirwee, on such terms as might be agreed upon, the land being required in connection with the water-race, and as a site for .the caretaker’s house.

A letter was read from the Burnham Industrial School, complaining of the inadequacy of the water supply from the Malvern water-race, and asking that the flow might he made permanent. The matter was referred to the waterrace committee. The report of Mr Davis on the Malvern water-race was road and considered. The state of the works was decided as satisfactory. Several matters were ordered to ha dealt with hy the committee. Mr Dobson’s report on the Hororata water race was read. On his recommendation an extension of time was allowed to the contractor, and progress payments were passed. lie reported that the race was working very well, and stated that the flow was 204,000 gallons every twenty-four hours, which was sufficient to supply the whole of the country between the Hororata and the Eakaia, provided no water was lost by percolation, &c. Reports were road from the caretaker’ of the race, who took charge on the 13th October, as to the progress made by the contractor for the cottage, and the state of the works generally. The Minister for Lands wrote asking for plans and information as to how tire water race would .affect Crown lands in the district.

A letter from Mr Cordy, asking for permission to connect water troughs with the Hororata water race was referred to the committee.

Tenders for the extension of the two branches of the race were opened, and that of J. Scanlan, £ll6, was accepted. A deputation, consisting _of Messrs Stavely, Osborne and Rennie, from the Ellesmere district, appointed at a meeting held at Southbridgo, with reference to the proposed bridge over the Rakaia at Dobbin’s ford, waited upon the Council and asked that in conjunction with the Ashburton County Council it should take the necessary steps to have the bridge constructed under the provisions of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. The Chairman said the cost was estimated at £3o,(Jfeo .Could Mr McMillan from his knowledge of affairs in Wellington say whether the Government would be likely to advance the one-fourth of the cost as provided under the Act referred to ? Mr McMillan said there had been such a rush upon the Government funds sot aside for these purposes under the Act that he was afraid there would not he sufficient. Of course the district would get its proportion pro rata, and it might apply again next year for the balance. The Chairman had hoard that seven millions had been applied for under the new Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Mr McMillan did not think that the Government would advance the threefourths on the security of tolls, as suggested by the public meeting. They would require the security of the rates in the district.

The deputation wore informed that the Council would act in the direction required, in conjunction with the Ashburton County Council. A letter was read from the ranger with regard to the mode of collecting the dog tax, and suggesting that he should be furnished with funds to enable him to prose-

uto. It was decided not to alter tho preent arrangement. The tender of Mr R. Moore, of Kaiapoi, for tho supply of dog collars, was accepted. . A letter was received from Mr John McDonald, of Green Park, stating that tho Springs Road Board had declined to remedy defective drainage on his land, and asking the Council to interfere in the matter. On the motion of Mr Mathias, it was resolved to forward a copy of Mr McDonald’s letter to tho Springs Road Board, with a request for an explanation. It was decided to postpone the rebuilding of tho culvert on tho Riccarton ■ road until after the races, as accidents might occur if part of the road were closed up. In reference to the letter of the Woolston Town istrict in regard to the allocation of license foes, an opinion by Mr Joynt was read, and the Council decided that they could not recognise any claim on tho part of the town district to a part of the county funds. Accounts were passed for payment to the amount of .£633.

Mr Peryman moved —“ That the moneys raised in the several ridings from in the county the various licensing fees he allocated to tho ridings, less 20 per cent for collection.” The ridings could then apply to the Council for assistance as a right. By “ allocated” he did not moan absolutely handed over. Mr Jones seconded the motion, which, however, should only he applicable to tho current year. Mr Peryman had no objection to that alteration. In answer to Mr Mathias, The Chairman said this revenue was all tho income the Council had. Mr Westenra said that being the case, it would not he wise to pass tho resolution. He would he inclined to move the postponement of the matter until next meeting so as to get further information as to their receipts and expenditure. Mr Peryman thought the principle was a fair one that tho moneys raised _ in the different ridings should be spent iu those districts less the cost of collection.

The debate was adjourned until next meeting. This concluded the business, and the Council adjourned.