COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 302, 12 April 1877, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

0 . The monthly meeting of the Waitaki Council was held at the temporary offk-e, Tync-strest, to-day. Tlie whole of the members were present, with the exception of Mr. W. Young. The Hon. Robert Campbell, Chairman of the Council, was in the chair. MINUTES. Some discussion ensued on the motion for tlio confirmation of the minutes, Mr. Duncan Sutherland, proposing, and Mr. Wheatley seconding, that the minutes should be confirmed, with the exception of that portion of them relating to the appointment of the Road Inspector. After some discussion, the Chairman stated that, from what he had heard, he thought it would be better that members should have an opportunity of re-consider-ing their decision in regard to the appointment of Road Inspector. Mr. Duncan thought that if there was anything against Mr. Douglas it would be better if it were stated. Mr. Mcjecotx claimed that an open breast should be made of the affair in justice to those Councillors who were in ignorance in the matter." ° Mr. Johnston thought it would be better to adjourn the matter for a month, in order that Mr. Douglas might. have an opportunity of being lizard. After an irregular Mr. Sutherland's motion for.the confirmation of the minutes, with the exception of the appointment of the Road Inspector, was put and carried. • . - COETvESPONEENCE. . The inward correspondence was read and received, and outward correspondence approved. REPORT OF INSPECTOR. The following report on the various roads in the Waitaki County from Mr. Barron, the Inspector of Roads pro tern., was then read : Hampden Eiding.— Two surfacemen have been employed on the roads in this riding during the month, clearing the slips and watertables. On the road to Port Moeraki, I have instructed the surfaceman to fill up the subsidence caused by the late floods. The roads in this riding are in fair order. Expenditure, £l4. Otepopo Eidhig.—One man. has been employed surfacing in this riding. I have had the damage done to the Island Stream Bridge repaired. The road is in good order. Expenditure during the month, £7. Kakanui Eiding.—On the 9th April I placed a surfaceman to repair this portion of road at the Bail way Crossing, and will have the watertables cleared out as soon as possible. I would recommend that the pitching be replaced round the Kakanui Bridge piles, and light piles be driven round the outer so as to prevent them being displaced by the scour of the water at flood. Papakaio Riding.—One of the bridges on this road, referred to in my last report,

broke down during the month, causing a slight accident. I have had it thorougMy replanked and strengthened. An-*-W one, equally unsafe, I have had repah. \n the same way. I would recommenc\ that the remaining three he done withou' aa they are unsafe for heavy traffic. zExpeudi, ture, £ls 3s. Awamoko Riding.—l have had the damage done, at the Awamoko Creek, repaired, and the pitching gravelled. I -would beg to re. commend that the formation of a portion of this road, referred to in my previous reporc, be done before tiie w'.titer. Otakaiki Hiding.—There are ten men at present employed in this riding, forming and repairing the roads. I have discharged seve. ral of the inferior hands. Twelve chains of formation, gravelling, aud ditching have been done at a swampy place near the Kurow Str.. sion; also forming and ditching near the ferry. I have had the roadway raised over the bridge at Cairns' Creek, so as to ease the gradient and improve the bad bend in the road there. A good deal of work has been done in forming, ditching, and gravelling beyond Cairns'." I have given instructions to have all the large stones taken off the road beyond this part. Expenditure, £llß 4a. 6d. Ofcamatakau Riding.—Seven men are employed forming the road over the saddle. I have given instructions to have all the loose stones taken off this road also. Expenditure, £sl 12s. Ohau Riding.—Bailey and party (four men) are at work, forming and ditching, on this road at Hindis' Pass. I estimate that it will take till about the end of May before this road is put into passable repair. Expenditure, £Si 12s. In an interview with Mr. T. C. Hill lie requested me to repair that portion of road leading to and past his station before the road party left. I beg for instructions. POUXDKEEPER. AT KUKOW. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Little asking if he would, accept the position of poimdkeeper, provided the Council obtained the necessary ground from Mr. Christian Hill. POVNDKEEPER AT OMARAMA. Mr. J. S. M'Phcrsou wrote stating that he was willing to act as poimdkeeper at Omarama on the condition that he received the feer*. The Council decided to appoint Mr. M'Phevson. KUROW FERRY. Mr. Christian Hill applied for a renewal of his lease of land at the Kurow Ferry. After discussion, it was decided that Mr. Hill should receive a renewal of his lease for five years, terminable on six months' notice being given, at an annual rental of LI, subject to certain alterations in the scale of charges, and to the approval of the Government. DOG-TAG. A number of applications for the col- ! lection of the dog-taxes in the county 1 were read, and, after consideration, it was decided that the oiler of Mr. Alexander Macaalay, to collect the same at 10 per . cent, on £SOO, and 20 per cent. for.all over that amount, was accepted. VALUATION ROLL FOR HASrPBEN. A letter was read applying for £2 2s. for preparing a copy of valuation of the Hampden Road District. —The account was passed for payment. ■ -> FREE PASSES. A letter was read stating aSV v the Government would grant a r ,ass on the railways of the district to the Chairman of the Council, also to the members when travelling to and from meetings of the Council. FINANCIAL. A telegram was road stating that the Government had authorised the sum of £11,355 9s. G<\. to be placed to the credit •of the Council at the bank. % . OFFICES. Messrs. Slirimski and Moss wrote stating that they would bo prepared to provide the Council with offices in their new premises. A letter was also read from Mr. James Hassal offering to erect offices for the Council if they were required. The Chairman and Messrs. Craig and Duncan were appointed a Committee to inquire into the matter, with power to aot, the term of the lease to be subject to-the approval of the Council. I'OI'XDS. The following sums were voted for' pounds in the different ridings :—Kakanni and Otepopo (combineil), Ll5O ; -Papakaio and Awamoko (combined), Ll5O ; Moeraki, L7o ; Kurow, L2O. SALMON. Mr. vYheatley moved, " That the sum of LSO should be voted for the introduction of salmon." His reason for so doing was that it would be a source of revenue to the County, Mr. Duncan briefly seconded the motion, which was carried. Messrs. Duncan and Wheat-ley were entrusted with the expenditure of the money. AUDITOR. On the motion of Mr. Dltncan, seconded by Mr. Mu.scott, Mr. Juocke was appointed Auditor at a fee of L 5 os. the balance-sheet. It was decided that a special meeting, for the purpose of considering the balancesheet, should be held at 11 o'clock on the second Thursday in May. ratepayers' rolls. The following were fixed as the places at which the rolls for the different ridings should be kept:—Otakaiki, Mr. Christian Hille's ; Otematakau, Mr. Macpherson's, Omarania; Ohau, Mr. Middleton's;_Papakaio, Pukeuri School-house ; Waiareka, Cave Valley School-house ; Kakanui, Office, Totara Station ; Otepopo, Postoffice ; Moeraki, Post-office, Hampden ; Awamoko, Mrs. Flicker's, inspector's report. The Inspector's report was then taken into consideration. .

f!.i' 4'i' stion being put with regard .f i ring out of certain works pro- \[ i:>:orr said he would strongly 'Hj jse works performed on ... *k- at present pnrscred. Pie j..., t t 4 ' tiiese works done by tender. ! : ;AriiMA>' pointed out that it i c best to decide whether tlie work be done or not. and thuy could ien decide as to the way in which it lol i li.l be carried out. _ Aii-ur some discussion the report was dopted. [Left sitting.]