COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1218, 12 March 1880, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

\ The following is the conclusion of our report of yesterday's meeting of the County Council:— _ Mr. Jonn Borton wrote asking for an alteration of the road-line through his land at Maerewhenua.— It was resolved, "That the matter be referred to the Engineer for his report at next meeting, as ft wa3 of importance that no public interest should be interfered." The folio win e letter forwarded by the Chairman to the Waste Lands Board was " Oamaru, March 1, 1880. "To the Chief Commissioner Waste Lands, Dunedin. "Sip m I gee by the papers that Mr. W. J. Cain has opplied for 50 acres at Upper Ferrv, Kurow, " As this" is the only camping ground for horses and bullocks near to the pro.posed railway terminus at the new bridge, I would look on any alienation of land near here as a public calamity, and hope the Board will not grant it. As the Waitaki Countv Council does not meet until the 11th in3t, (at which time I will bring the matter under their notice), I write this to delay the matter for a time. " I have, <tc. "D. Sdtheri^nt), "Chairman, Waitaki County Council." Mr. Murcott thought the thanks of the Council were due to the Chairman for his action, and moved, " That the Council trusts that no land, not gazetted, shall be sold without the Council being apprped before hand, «o that lands wante/J for roads or other county purposes shwdd not be alienated ; and that land lying between the bridge and the be re. served for County purposes." Mr. W. Sutherland seconded the motion, which was carried. The following report from Mr. Baron, the Inspector, was read : " In the Otepopo Biding nothing more has been done toward* finishing the contract on road to the raSws? station. I would suggest that a man be put on to finish the work, in order that the road may be properly surfaced before the gram t season begins. The metal contracts m the Waiareka and Papakaio Ridings are in progress. I would beg to recommend that the metal on the new road at Elderslie be blinded; Mr. Reid has offered to five the gravel free ol .charge. I would also suggest that all the wooden bridges on the "County roads requiring it be painted before the winter." l The several matters mentioned in the report were dealt with as follow :—Re the road to the Otepopo railway station, the Inspector's recommendation was ordered to be carried out. Tenders were ordered to be called for the metal referred to. In reference to the painting of bridges, separate tenders were ordered to be called for the painting of bridges in the several Ridings. . , , T t. An application was received from John Locke for appointment as collector of the doe tax. . The Chairman said the question for the Council to consider 53s whether the tax should be collected by the pojjce or appoint a collector for each Riding. 3lr. Murcott said that in view of the fact that there would probably be many men out of employment, he would move, " That alternative tenders be invited for the collection of the dog tax, either for the whole County or for any separate Riding." This was seconded and carried. It was also resolved that number labels should be supplied by the Council, and the Clerk was instructed to obtain a supply of collars. Mr. Huah Wallace wrote, preferring a claim for L 27 ISs for detention he had suffered in regard to a contract. —The Council declined to recognise the cjaim, and no action was taken upon the matter. Mr. Murcott then, in accordance with notice given at the last meeting, moved " That the land fund from the sale of Crown lands in the County be divided between the riding 3 on the basis of ratable property." , Mr. Todd seconded the motion, which was carried after a little discussion. Accounts to the amount of L 650 Is lid were passed for payment. Mr. Todd moved, " That the road from the County road to the railway siding at Whitstone be proclaimed a County road, and that tenders be called for its formation. The Chairman, Engineer, and Clerk were appointed a Committee to open the tenders with power to act, "The motion was seconded by Mr. Duncan, and carried. Mr. Murcott gave notice that at next meeting he would move that the sum of L2O be voted by the Council in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Institution. Tenders were ordered to be called for the surface labor required on the County roads in the Moeraki riding for the ensuing year. The Engineer was instructed to report upon the gravelling of the Beach road, and to prepare plans for gravelling a mile of the North road towards Hilderthorpe. The Council then rose.