COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kaikoura Star, Volume I, Issue 71, 5 July 1881, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Kaikoura County Council was held in the Court House on Saturday last. Present—Councillors H. Ingles tChairman), Harnett, Arher, A. Ingles and G. F. Bullen. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman stated that he had written Mr Seymour, enclosing an extract from Mr Saunders' letter, respecting the Dog Tax, and asking his views on the matter. Mr Seymour bad replied to him (the Chairman), in a private letter ; but, as it contained a clerical error, he had written Mr Seymour again. Mr Seymour evidently was of opinion that shepherd's dogs should be exempt from taxation. Cr Ingles: Probably his idea means the practical exemption of all dogs, the property of small fanners having sheep ; two dogs being allowed for every thousand sheep at home, and this might also be allowed here.

The Chairman informed the meeting that he had written Mr Collins, respecting the desire of the Council to obtain land near the wharf, forwarding the resolutions of the Council. Mr Collins replied, stating that he would be glad to assist the member for the district in hi'Jj-fforts to obtain, a grant for, a dray "road SQUKR.* Respecting the land near the wharf,t he asked ' for further information, “ on tfhe condition of the harbour and the advantages which are expected to accrue to the public should they be vested in the County Counciladding, “ I will give the matter earnest consideration, and, if I am able to agree with the views of the Council, will certainly be happy to forward them, either by bringing in a Bill, as requested, or by supporting it if brought in by your member. The Chairman stated that he had replied to Mr Collins, informing him that the Council desired to acquire the land as a site for probable wharf extension, and the erection of a shed when required. Also, advising him that application had been made to the County Council for a timber yard at the wharf. Further, as meat freezing was coming in vogue, Kaikoura would be an outlet for a large quantity of such a commodity. Mr Collins had since wired, stating that Mr Saunders and he were bringing in a bill to meet the case.

The Secretary to the Road Board wrote, stating that he was instructed to inform the Council that, in the opinion of the Board, it would be a benefit to the district were the Council to pu chase the monkey and engine offered by Mr James Davidson.

The Chairman stated that he had visited the Woolshed creek bridge during the course of its repair, and. in conversation - with Mr Maddock, the Board's overseer, ’ he (Mr Maddock), stated that in his opinion the one offered was as much too / one * n u,e was to ° light. He (the Chairman) did not deem it advisable to expend such a sum as £3O in the man - ner proposed, when it could be more judiciously spent in other directions. Cr Ingles said the arguments used appeared to be something like that of the woman who purchased a coffin, because it would be useful some day. It was agreed that there was no immediate necessity for such a pile driving machine s that offered, which was too large. Wb one was required, a machine suitable district's requirements could be obtained Mr Harnett said it would be handy, in the event of additions being mace to the wharf. The Chairman replied that any additions would probably be constructed, of concrete. It would be a pity to buy an unwieldy machine, for which there wa« no work just now. The work at the Woolshed creek was as heavy as would be done in the district for some time, and no difficulty had been found in driving piles there.

Ci- Ingles proposed that, until further evidence of the utility of the pile-driving machine be placed before the Council it wou'd be unwise to purchase it. Cr Bullen, in seconding the motion, remarked that if the Council wanted one they could give cost price for such an article, and obtain one to suit their purposes. Motion carried.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Blenheim, wrote, stating, that the Telegraph reservation had been removed from section 340, Kaikoura suburban, and that the Land Board had decided to defer the question of reserving the section as a site for a pound, until Mr Ingles attends the Board meeting. The Chairman stated that he had purposed attending on the 4th inst., but he bad been prevented doing so, in consequence of the steamers not running to suit. The balance sheet, duly audited by the Government auditor, was laid on the table. An entry in it, not appearing clear to Councillors, it was. after considerable discussion, resolved that the private opinion of two local experts should be obtained. The Secretary to the Road Board, by instructions, requested the County Council to vote a sum to defray the cost of rebuilding the Woolshed creek bridge, pointing out that in the present state of the Board’s funds it would fall heavily upon the Board to meet the liability without Cr' Ingles an unforseen accident that had caused the' outlay, and the repairing of the Bridge was an urgent work, the performance of which was of great benefit to the district. Though the Road Board had no claim on the Council, still as assistance had been granted in other cases, the same should be done in this instance. The Chairman remarked that the County Council was not only an active but a distributing body, and that when the Board found themselves hard up, they came to the Council. lie however, admitted that they had precedents to support them in granting assistance in such a case as that under discussion. Cr Bullen thought it was a work that should be done by the Council. But he pointed out that while the Road Board received the whole of the rates raised, they came to the Council when all their money was expended. Cr Harnett supported the application. Cr Arber suggested that the matter stand over for future consideration. lie did so in order to put a stop to this continual borrowing (Cr Ingles: It’s giving). Yes, giving! The Council agreed to grant the sum required. The Council agreed to do several works on the Greenhills road at the Cribb creek cutting, and another portion of the South road. Tenders to be invited for one section, the remainder to be done by day labor The state of the North bridle track caused a few remarks to be made on its condition. It being stated that a report was current that the contractor was not keeping it in order. The Chairman rejoined that since tin?*” postman complained, through the columns of the.STAa, he had heard no further complaints, the roadman having attended to the matter. He (the Chairman), had made enquiries from several who were in the habit of travelling over this road, and had done so for years past, and all were agreed that the road was now exactly as it always was, and that no improvement could be made without the expenditure of a considerable sum of money. Mail contracts were taken and the state of ths roads well known, therefore no one should complain under such circumstances.

Cr Ingles remarked that the Council should see that the contractor was performing his duty, and not drawing his money without doing the work. It was stated that the dog tax would probably realise over £4OO. The Registration officer had been instructed to notify in the Star, that proceedings would be taken against the owners of all unregistered dogs after the 23rd inst. The request of the Library Committee that Messrs W. Adams and G. Renner be added to the management of the Institute was acceeded to. The Council then adjourned sine die .

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