KAIKOURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 800, 18 December 1894, Page 6

KAIKOURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SATURDAY, DEC. 15, 1854

Present: Councillors Collins (Chairman), G. Eaton, A. Ingles, G. Taylor and C. Wood.

Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed.

Crs Brown, Curtain and Keenhan were granted leave of absence. Correspondence read included letter from Colonial Secretary respecting adoption of rating provisions, which in Kaikoura's case were governed bysection 4 of ths 1894 Act.—(This means rating here is still based on the capital value). Also circular from Colonial Secretary asking for information regarding cost of Licensing Elections as between old and new methods.—The return prepared by the County Clerk showed that previously (1891) the cost was £lO 18s 6d, in 1894 it cost Kaikoura £24 7s 9d, with a probability of £4 additional there being various items still in dispute between the Amuri County Council and the Returing Officer. The County Clerk pointed out that the cost of administration, which includes travelling expenses, was now much heavier than formerly.

Use of South Bay Course. The Secy. Hack Race Committee wrote asking for permission to use the South Bay Codrse on Boxing Day. —Application granted. The Clerk stated that horse owners wanted to make use of the course for training purposes, but the lessees of the Reserve objected to this as it disturbed their stock.

Cr Wood thought no notice should be taken of trainer’s in the matter, there being nothing formal before them. Stock should not be disturbed. Training could be done elsewhere. Cr Taylor thought owners or trainers of horses nominated for events at the forthcoming meeting were certainly entitled to consideration, not every horse owner who wanted to have a spin on the course for amusement. Permission could be given by the Clerk, who would supply a trainer’s order on the certificate of the Secy to the Races. The course would only be used early in the morning.

It was agreed to allow trainers the use of the course for a week prior to the races. Reserves and Endowments.

The Chairman stated that learning that the leases of several reserves in the County would shortly expire, and that as they would be relet, he had, from information given by the County Clerk, taken steps to see whether such reserves could not be obtained as County endowments and the rents accruing therefrom paid to the Council. The following telegram was sent to the Commissioner of Crown Lands by the Clerk:— * Chairman wishes your Board defer dealing with Reserves in this County until Council meets with view to endeavour to get them as endowment.’ Councillors heartily approved of the action taken, and it was agreed that the matter should be further advanced. County Clerk and Inspector Reported for period ending Dec. 15 as follows :

Surfaceman. — Renwick has been engaged in general repairs to Hapuka-Pui Pui road, and in Suburban district.

Have had ford on Red Swamp road altered and ditch along Mr Collins’ section leading to culvert running across road into Mr Brougban’s cleared. This box is too small and is choked with fine shingle. Think it would be better to substitute open ford for culvert, as larger pipes might get choked, as there is not sufficient fall to allow water to scour away gravel. South road.— Sent man down to clear track in Conway from Mr Bullen's gate to The Towey. Cribb creek and Lynton were gutted out badly ; they will be put right today . Mt Fyffe road. — Ditch near Mr Clemett’s has been paved with stones and an outlet made for water complained of by him. Ditches on each side of this road along Mr J. Wallace’s sections are gutted out badly in places. It would be good

plan to fill up these holes with large boulders to prevent further scour.

Contracts. —J. Buyd is progressing slowly with his metalling contract; J. Templeman will finish bis work within time; Yaxley has not commenced his contract on Poole's road.

IFtoy.—Turner is progressing with his contract at wharf; 5 piles now driven, another in today.—Found it necessary to get another rope for pile driver ; old one was much worn, having seen lot of rough work.

Mr Laidlaw shipped mob of sheep on 13tb, and whilst getting them iuto sheep yards one of his dogs and one of sheep were lamed through a lot of old iron, tins, and broken glass lying on reserve opposite yards. This rubbish will be removed, but 1 would once more call attention of householders to by-law which provides ’that anyone depositing rubbish of any description upon any road or in any public place (which includes the beach and reserves) renders himself liable to a penalty of £2,’ and that I shall take proceedings against any person whom I may find doing so. South road and Govt, grant.— According to instructions I wrote Lands Dept, for information re the ‘ grant in aid ' for completion of main road, but have received no reply.. Would your Council appoint a Committee to advise me, should reply come before next meeting. Dog Tax.— lt will be necessary to fix Dog Tax for year 1895, and to arrange for supply of collars. Wharf road to Peninsula.— Mr Slater has been over proposed line of road, and thinks it would be better to make a breast cutting through bluff behind Mr Sandos' whare and then follow line of street. This would obviate taking Mr Rolfe’s land, also that be could get a grade of 1 in 10 by altering the route at the top. This would be more likely to pass the Chief Surveyor. Improvements on South Road.

Cr Ingles (in support of the Inspector's request that a Committee of Advice be appointed to determine what should be done on the road between Lynton and Greenburn) urged that Mr Bullen be put on the Committee. Mr Bullen, who had considerable interest in the matter, was averse to leaving Bell’s line.

The Clerk said the line was considered a bad one for the road; Mr Slater held that view. Cr Wood said the Commr. of Lands was surprised at such a line being adopted. The cost of culverts alone on it would be about £4OO.

Cr Ingles said Mr Bullen pointed out that Mr Bell had spent a lot of time, and had taken a lot of trouble, over the matter before determining the route.

It being pointed out Mr Bell adopted a grade of 1 in 25—a railway line, The Chairman rejoined: Exactly. He (Bell) favoured a good line, of road regardless of cost. We must adopt something less expensive, not haring sufficient means to accomplish what we would like. Cr Taylor said Cr Wood’s statement about the cost of culverts showed that Bell’s line was beyond them. Cr Ingles said that was not the question presented to him. Mr Bullen was largely interested in the question and it would be courteous to ask him to confer to ask him to confer with a Committee of the Council. Mr Sim might also be asked. Cr Wood: He will be very busy over shearing. It was agreed, on of Cr Taylor seconded by Cr Eaton, that Councillors Collins, Ingles and Wood be appointed a Committee to confer with the Inspector, and that Mr Bullen be asked to meet them.

miscellaneous. It was agreed that Mr Slater should be instructed to lay off a new line of road from the Wharf to the top of the Peninsula so as to meet Government requirements.

Cr Wood urged, and it was agreed, that the boulders cropping up along tbe Quail Range road should be removed. The Dog Tax for 1895 was fixed at the current rates, and the Clerk authorised to arrange for supply of collars. Cr Wood said he bad been asked to see whether a track could not be opened from the Red Swamp Road to the Kohai. It would shorten the distance 6 or 7 miles for a number of people. He told those who put it to him that it was not in his Riding.

The Chairman supported tbe suggestion. It was ou the railway line, and with proper precautions no danger would be created.

Cr Taylor held that the River banks would not be endangered in any way. Cr Eaton concurred, and the matter met with approval. Cr Taylor advocated that tbe thistles on the road sides should be cleared, to prevent them spreading on to adjacent land.

Cr Wood said it was a big question. Farmer’s Clubs at Home wanted this done by local authorities, but tbe order whs viewed as a large oae. With such a small Council they should pause. Cr Eaton thought the suggestion a good one, and giving effect to it would not mean much.

Cr Taylor disapproved of delay. He moved that tenders be called for next meeting for the clearance of thistles from off Mt Fyffe, Rorrison’s, School House and Mill roads. Were the tenders too high they need not accept. Seconded by Cr Eaton and carried. The Pay Sheet and Accounts having been passed, the Council adjourned until 2 p.m. on tbe 19tb January.