WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 723, 11 July 1878, Page 2

WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular monthly mooring of the Council was held to-day, at the Council Chambers. There were present —The Hon. R. Campbell (Chairman), Messrs. Murcott, Johnstone. W. Sutherland, Duncan. Morton, Todd, and Thomson. J. W. Oliver (Engineer), and Mr. Barron (Road Inspector) were also present. The minutes of the last general and a snecial meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved. The Chairman mentioned that he had interviewed the Hon. the Premier, and the Hons. Messrs. Ballance and Macandrow, with reference to the distribution of the land fund of Canterbury, and had pointed out that not only had the Council not received its share of the fund, as entitled to do by law, but that large deductions had been made from the sums handed over, on the alleged ground that the Council had beeu over-paid. The Government promised that they would sanction no distribution of the fund except, in strict accordance with the law. A complete statement was being prepared, and the Waitaki Council would receive whatever amount if, was legally entitled to.

The Councils Solicitor (Mr. ()'Meagher) wrote stating that ho h;id consider, d the objection "f the Government to a chins-' ill the Slaughterhouse "Hye-laws. a;.d stated that the law adviser of the Gov ■ .- meiit was in error ns to ilie see-ion un >ei which the bye-law in qiiesfio:! was made. Ho suggested that the maximum tine ii: the section should he reduced to L 5.

This su-L'( -itiisii was agreed to, and the the bye-law amended. The Colonial Secretary wrote statiiiu that the Government must decline to allow tiie police to continue to collect tin dog tax, as the police were liable to neglect their legitimate duties in order to obtain the additional pay derived from the collection of the tax.

Tlie Chairman was requested to bring the matter of the collection of the cloutax under the notice of*the Conference of Gonntv Councils.

The*letters from Messrs. Cook and Son. solicitors to Messrs. Allan Brothers, raising objections to the construction of tinShag Point Coal Company's proposed railway, haviiiLr been again considered, the folfowinir resolution was carried on the motion of Mr. Murcott. seconded by Mr. Morton :-

1. That this Com.c:' is of opinion that the ■onstruction by tin; Shag Point Coal Com puny of a b:aueh line of raiiwav, or t:-:i-n■ ivav. froiii their coe.hield. to the main ;iiu :vr 'l' .hihiwicaki. would bo a boon to the

onbhr. hv enabling ilcm to get a more ri gltlar .-r:.'! .•;:■•;!•..•!• ,;:: ;:ly of '.-. M.i than :. mes-git: and '.ln- Con. ci! v=:u.;i.[i:]'y n

•pn-sv-; tin- i'iovoi-nnnv.r, to t :ke Mich action in cha ma::lm-as to thru, may .-coil lit, so as to imah'ie the ab.,vu Company to a.t once prooi csl with, tin; above wo: Us. 2. That a e .pv of the above resolution ]■•■ forwarded to the !!oii. the Minister or Public hv the Chairman.

A roqinsr. from 31.-. Burnett, Assiaiani "Railway Engineer, with reiVroneo to the erection of a. fence on the lino at Richmond's Crossing, was complied wiih. Tiie Clerk of liir: Wainivka ilo.-td Board wrote! asking whether it was the intention of the Council ti) take over the road-line known as No. 2 M->in District Road, as sue;.!,'. sted V>y the Board in response to a query from the Council as to what roads the Board wished the Council to take over.

Mr. Todd remarked that tho Board had expended a. v< rv large sum of money upon this road. ;u;d now found tli.it it was unable to lnainbr'n if, properly any longer. Ke moved " That the Council fake over the road leading from the Countv road at 'Whitstone to the junction of the'five roads in section 22. block 111.. Kauroo District, and proclaim it as a Countv road."

The motion v.-as seconded by Mr. Thorn son.

The Engineer stated that to put the road in a fit state for heavy traffic would cost LIOOO. Mr. Morton moved as an amendment that consideration of the matter should stand over until next meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Murcott.

On Hi.- cui'-sti'iu lieiiiL' put, tlie amendment was lost, and the- oriyiiuil motion carried.

Tl.u Clerk of the Kakauui Tlo.id Bd.ud wrote asking what st.rp.s tl;c Council had taken with regard to the erection of a bridge at Isbind Stream.

Messrs. Thon;S"n and Morton were appointed to inlervi.ov :iu owner of land required f>r an approach to Mm proposed bridge, and report, to Mm Council. Mr. Iferlvrt Morrison's application for a renewal of his license for a slaughterhouse on section 31, block 2i_). was granted.

The Clerk of the Waitaki Ttoart Board wrote asking that the Council should take over the raads loadiiiLf from the County road to the railway stations at. Uxbridge and Awamoko Junction. On the motion of Mr. Duncan, ssconded by Mr. Johnston, it was agreed to take the roads over. [Left sitting]