COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 607, 12 April 1878, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

* After the usual adjournment for lunch at the meeting of the County Council yesterday, the following business was transacted, Mr. Duncan being present in addition to the members named in our report yesterday : • INSf UK'TOft's HKI'ORT. The usual report by the Koad Inspector was read, detailing the work that had been done during the month. He also recommended that an additional 600 yards of maintenance metal should be put on the portion of the mad in the Waimuka Hiding between Weston and the Junction of the Main North. Koat'i, as that quantity would be required to put the road in good order The attention of the inspector was drawn by Mr. Craig to the condition of the sides of the road from OtepopotoMaheno, where the earth had been removed for boxing gravel and holes left in the roadOn the motion of Mr. Mureotfc, it was decided to call for tenders for the supply of GOO yards of metal to be placed on the road 1 in the Wa'auka Hiding, as recommended by 1 the Inspector. It was also resolved that the Engineer prepare plans and specifications for gravelling the road from Pnkeuri Point to the commencement of Papakaio Pre-emptive 1 contract, and to reduce the hill at the Point to an easier grade, if the Engineer deems it necessary. '• TENDERS. • The following tenders were opened : —For the maintenance of country roads in Moeraki Riding.—Section No I > IT. M'Lood, L 9 Is '■ per month ; Andrew Stewart, hi Ids (accepted). Section No. 2 : G. (Jreen, L 7 16s : I{. Cameron, L 5 10s : Andrew Stewart, L 4 lis (accepted). Contract No. 12, Otemai takau Bridge—Bignell and Knight, L-o'2 7s ■ 6'd ; Richard Barry, L 247 2s 4d (accepted). For contract No. 32, formation of. road in Block 1., Moeraki, only one tender was re- ■ ceived, and this being in excess of the Eu- ■ giueers' estimate, fresh tenders were ordered to be advertised for, to bo sent in by the next meeting, REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE. The Clerk read a statement of the estimated row nuc and expenditure for the year ending March, 1579, and it was ordered to be printod. THE RATE. Some discussion took plaoe with reference to the rate to be levied for the year. Mr. Muroott moved, and Mr. Johnston seconded, that a rate of 3d. in the pound on the valuation be levied. Mr. Duncan proposed, as an amendment, that the rate to be levied be Id,, in the pound. The amendment was seconded by Mr. W. Sutherland, and carried. KOAD FROM MAHEKO TO KAXANUJ MOUTH. Mr. Johnston, in accordance with his .notice of motion, proposed that the resolution declaring this road a county road be recind'd. The motion was seconded by Mr, W. Sutherland. Mr. Craig proposed an amondment confirming the previous resolution of the Council, and said that the deputation which had waited upon them that day had told them nothing now. Tho opponents of the action of the Council had apparently been afraid that if tho Council took over the road in question they would be taxed specially for it. The Chairman had set the deputation right concerning that matter. The Council should take an independent c/njroe, a,nd not be guided in everything by the Uoad Board, when a majority of the ratepayera wished for an alteration. Mr. Thomson, in seconding the amendment, pointed out that it was not until tho Council spoke of taking the road over that any money had been spent on it. Messrs. Murcott and Duncan supported the amendment. The Chairman said that from what had fallen from the deputation it appeared to him that, having heard that the Council had no intention of making a special rate, they would not only bo glad to hand over thia road, but would hand them as many roads as they wished. Mr. Johnston said he did not wish, \a press his motion, as he wa.? o{ opjnion that after hearing the Chairman's remarks upon the matter, the deputation from the Otepopo Board had altered their views. Mr. Craig's amendment was then carried, and the resolution, declaring the road a County road, confirmed. THE LAND FUND. Mr. Murcott moved, " That the Chairman request the Council's solicitor to at once apply to the Supreme Court for a calling on the Colonial Treasurer to pay over "forthwith to the Waitaki County Council all moneys due to it from tlie terbury land fund, in accordance with the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876." He expressed his regret that the Chairman, in whose hands tho matter had been placed, was not present.

Mr. Duncan seconded the motion, which was carried. THE DOO TAX. On the. motion or Sin 'Duncan, the clerk was instructed to writ* to the Commissioner of Police relative to the collection of the dog tax. . !.'■■.■'■' THE MAERKWHENUA BRIDGE. . On the motion of Mr. Murcott, the Clork was instructed to write to the Government,, inquiring when tenders would be called forthe erection of tins bridge. ; UPPER WAITAKI BRIDCJR. On the motion of Mr. Craig, tho clerk was instructed to write to the Waimato Council, asking what steps had been taken by that body witli reference to tho proposed bridge over the Upper Waitaki. ACCOUNTS. Accounts, amounting to L6IB 7s. Id., were pasßod for payment, and the Council rose.