WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10058, 28 January 1909, Page 4

WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The monthly meeting of the above : Co^jncilwas _ held 1 . on Wednesday, 27th. inst., when there were present : > Councillors»Rhodes .(cHair), Lyall, "Walker, Bitchener, Elworthy, "White, Hart, and Miine.

'The, minutes of the previous meeting wei-e.- read: - and confirmed. The. Engineer reported as follows on Southern, 'ridings':— —Deep. Creek Riding.— Waimafce-Waihao Forks Road.—Your committee, visited and examined! the gorge section of this" line to suggest workHio absorb the balance of the • Government •grant, and their recommendations are embodied in a contract prepared and endorsed by the Road's Department, which will' be duly submitted' for. your t approval and adoption. Contract No. 681, North Bush Road (Garland's Crossing) forming and metalling) was let on the 16th, and commenced immediately after, and should be completed by the end of the month. A conditional authority was obtained from JVIr Jas. O'Connor to enter on and form the road through the portion of his land (about half an acre) in the Wadmate Creek bed, which he would like the Council to acquire at any reasonable assessment they may offer for it. Estimates of the following works of which directions were given at last sitting are supplied for the Council's information. Mitchell's road formation ' extension Poindester's bridge to Claridges. Hook Road. —Guard fences at Herron's culvert. Half chain branch road to Hannaton, Melton's and) other frontages. Overhanging willows obstructing the road at Wxllowbridge 'have been, cut back so as to open up the view along the side width of the road reserve. In connection with Mr W. G. Paul's application on the Urutane road, the work suggested is a diversion, cub to take road drainage from the ground he proposes building on, and there can be no objection to granting his request, providing the Council accepts no liability "for construction nor maintenance in the matter.

—Waihao Riding.— Contract No. 665. —Waihaorunga top and back roads are satisfactorily finished, and will be taken over upon completion of the stone breaking, and repairs on the homestead frontage outlined in last month's report have also been performed. Contract No. 672, Takitu road (metalling) Government grant-, is on the point of completion, and final payment recommended to be made. Until recently three men were emplbyed on the work. Contract No. 678, Shearer's Hill road (fencing), Government grant, was commenced on the 14th inst-., and is making good progress. Contract No. 679, Hakataramea Gorge road, thirds account (widening, formation, etc.). The contract was let on the 16th inst., and the contractor commenced operations on the 9th instant with a full staff of men, and is now occupied on the salmon hatcheries end at the proposed new bridge approach. Your committee inspected the centre port-ion of Wallace road, and ascertained the requirements of local settlers using the line. It is proposed to meet immediate requirements by widening sections of the present track for harvest traffic, and later oil to apply to Parliament to finish the line throughout, and metal it. The road is one designed by the Government for subdividing the Waikakahi Estate, but was only partially formed when the land was thrown open for settlement. The County Council teams and grader are available, and this work could be done by them if the Council approve of this course being taken. A hired team is employed rectifying flood damage in the back roads of the riding, and was recently repairing the Mayers Pass and back roads of the Waihaorunga district. The points complained of on the Waiwaraa road, via. Deep Creek, were cut back and curves flattened for the pas sage of wool -and other heavy traffic teams. This work is chargeable to the accrued thirds account of Mr Menzie's run. Pressure of other work on my time during the month did not allow of further information being obtained of the proposed deviation of the Black Spur road, but it is expected to have this ready for the February meeting. Protective works on the Gum Tree Flat road finished for the present, the willow planting recommended as part of proposals being deferred til! the autumn 'or spring, as circumstances may suggest later on.

—Hakataramea Riding.— Contract No. 674, Hakataramea Bridge, Hatcheries Crossing.—The contractor has put down the concrete pier on the east side of the river, and hopes to have his timber and other materials on the ground in Mav to proceed with the erection of the bridge. I would remind the Council of Mr Sutton's application for a bridge over the Deep Creek on Te Akatarawa road, the consideration of which was held over from last meeting. A team and assistance' has been engaged in this riding during the month about the Downs and branch roads, and is now doing work applied for on the Te Aka line on the clifF side of Windy Point. It is proposed to put a. protective fence along a section.of this line abutting on the Waitaki River, and where its encroachment endangers traffic. .Materials for the purpose are available to hand when the roadmen can spare time to erect them. Mr Beer, of MoTven, waited upon the Council in connection with the road-line adjoining the properties of himself and ?\lr Cooney.—A committee, consisting of Messrs White, Hart, Bitchener, Lyall, and the Chairman, were appointed to inspect the properties and report to next Council meeting. A list of the proposed alterations to the Gorire road was read and the estimate given, discussion then arose in regard to the sharing of the expense of same between Waihao and Deep Creek Ridings. An agreement at present existing between these ridings to share expense of maintenance on the road was mentioned. Councillor Hart (Waihao) objected to Waihao being charged, as the proposed work was not maintenance.—lt was decided to hold the matter over until after lunch, when an amicable settlement might be arrived at.

Mr Corbett waited upon the Council and requested that a clay road leading to his homestead be reformed and metalled in places, as it was almost untrafficable in wet weather. —Councillor White was appointed to arrange with Mr Corbett to inspect the road in company with the Engineer, and report. Mr Harrison, farmer, Waihao Downs, waited upon the Council and complained about the class of fence that was being erected on his property bordering on the Shearers' Hill deviation road by the Council. He maintained that the fence in course of construction was not up to the standard of his other fences, which was compulsory under the Act.—After discussing the matter, the Council informed Mr Harrison that they were of the oninion the fence under discussion was in every way satisfactory, and if complainant was dissatisfied he woidd have to take other steps. It was agreed, on the motion of the Chairman and Councillor White, that a donation of £lO be given toward the South Canterbury Jubilee celebration expenses. Correspondence was received ps follows :

From Department or Lands agreeing to Council's proposal for expenditure on R. A. Smith's nroperty, near Cannington. From Mr C. S. Forbes, Waihao Downs, asking if the work agreed l upon between the Engineer and himself would be carried out immediately on completion of fence through property.—lt was agreed that the Engineer consult Mr Forbes cn the ground. A letter was received from N.Z. Insurance Co. reproviding for additional compensation under the Workers' Compensation Act, 1908. From Stock Department, Timaru, stating that the clearing of Californian thistles from Waihao Riverbed had been attended to.

TVom Walter Hogsr and others, asking that a stock bridge be erected over Hakataramea River at Dip Creek road.—The member for Tiding to inspect the locality shortly.

From Adamson and Waters, repeating their application for roadfine through Station Peak run to their property.— Committee to inspect and report. - From Sir W. J. Steward, acknowledging receipt, of Council's letter re itemdisallowed and balance-sheet, and saying that he would' do his utmost to have it rectified.

From Mi' J. Simmons, asking for road repairs on Hook Bush road.—Engineer to report.

From W. Hardwick, complaining about state of drain leadin" from Mr Milsom's brewery.—Engineer to report?

The doctors forwarded notices of cases of infectious disease.

J. Hicks, Sanitary Inspector, reported having fumigated three houses during the month. .

J. Hicks, rancer, reported impounding anu releasing stock as follows:—Deep

Greek Riding—lmpounded 6 head of cattle and 2 and released 69 head of cattle and 38 horses. Waihao Riding —Released 22 uead of cattle and 9 horses. Makikihi Riding—Released 71 head cati'±e and 20 horses.

D. V M., Camp t bell, ,-St. p Andrews, revolted having-, impounded-10 head of cattle and 5 horses', and released; 22 horses and 16 head of cattle.The Council endorsed the action of the committee in accepting the following tenders on January 16th: —Contract .No. 679—Haka Valley roaid—J. Fogarty, £250 (accepted). Contract " No. 680— -Howell's and Motukaike roads—R.-.White, ■'£llß 9s 6d (accepted); A. Cochrane, £l2O 13s. Contract No. 681-5-fNorth Bush, road—R. White, £46 18s (accepted) ; T. W. Crowe, £64 19s; W. Hawke, £74 8s 9d.

It was resolved, on the motion of Councillors Walker and Bitchener that the Council take the necessary steps to acquire the land on Mr J. O'Connor's frontage section No. 1 Part R.S. 4313, block 14, Waimate S.D., about half an acre, and' have the area proclaimed as a public road, Messrs Walker and Dohrmann to, arrange the price of purchase with Mr O'Connor.

It was agreed to again adopt -Thursday afternoon as statutory half-holiday for shops and 1 offices in the county. The following accounts were passed for payment on the motion of Councillors Hart- and White.

General Account £llO9 13s 4d; Lower Waihao Water Race Account, £44 12s sd; Lower Waihao Water Rase, interest, £139 Is lOd; Lower Pareora, interest, £.48 156 lOd; Lower Pareroa Water Race, interest, £4B 15s lOd; contractor's deposits, £3O; Land! Fund, £7255; total, £1444 8s sd'.

Some discussion -took place over the matter of the Council Engineer receiving a donation of £lO from the Waihao Water Race Committee for services rendered. Mr Walker strongly objected to Mr Bremner receiving any money from such sources. If he worked ,for outside people during his working hours the money should be handed over to the Council. Several members approved of the Engineer receiving the amount mentioned on the principle that if a man worked doubly he should be doubly paid. Mr Lyall, on behalf of the South Canterbury Education Board, asked that the Engineer be allowed to supervise the carrying out of protective works in the vicinity of Springbrook School. The. proposed protective works were in the interests of the Council in that the road was also threatened. On the motion of Councillors White and Hart- the request wns granted. It was agreed to hold over the matter of alteration to the' Waimate Gorge road until next meeting. It was decided to erect a sign-board at each end of the Gorge, drawing the attention of the public to the "motor" bylaw, which gives horsemen and those in vehicles the right to take the safe side of the road in- the event of their meeting motor-cars.

It was agreed that Messrs Bitchener, Walker, Dohnnami, and the Engineer be a committee to peruse the plans of proposed alteration of Council Hall bo as to improve acoustic properties, the committee to call for tenders at next meeting, if they deem advisable. THE HUMTLY MINERS. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, January 27. Some hitherto unpublished facts in connection with the Huntly coal mining trouble, throwing a good deal of light upon the causes which led to a settlement, were explained by the Hon. R. M'Kenzie to-night- to a New Zealand Times reporter. The Minister of Mines immediately after succeeding by his businesslike and commonsense methods in bringing both sides to a compromise left- for Wellington, where he arrived to-night. To the congratulations extended to liim upon the success of his trip he simply answered :—"I was very lucky. There were a number of \V est Coast miners among the Huntly men. I knew them well, and felt at home at once. The officers of the union I found to be commonsense men, who had thorough control over their members."

Matters were very strained when you arrived at Huntly? "Y r es, it was just getting towards the acute stage," replied Mr M'Kenzie. "At my first meeting with the miners they told me they were trying to arrange with the Miners' Federation of New South Wales to prevent any coal being sent from Newcastle to Auckland, and they were also negotiating with the waterside workers in Auckland not to handle any New South Wales coal if it were sent over. The position was critical, but the men were in good temper. I never met a finer crowd of men in my liffi, but some of them were beginning to get a little cross. Y"es, they were really fine felfows," repeated the Minister, evidently recalling his experiences of them with much pleasure. "When I got to Auckland the directors of the company wanted to interview me there and then, three of them waiting upon me, but l said I was not going to be interviewed until I saw what was the position at Huntly, and I went off to the Waikato that same evening. When I arrived at 8.30 I had a meeting with the executive of the Miners' Union, which lasted till 11 p.m. I got them to lay their complaints and put down their terms in black and white. On the following day (Saturday) I attended another meeting from 11 o'clock until 4. The executive saw me during the afternoon, and I got the president and secretary to go with me to Auckland to consult the" union's solicitor, who by the way, happened to be Mr F. E. Baume, the member for Auckland East-. He defined the legal position to the men, and I was then ready for a- conference with the company's directors on Monday." What was the legal pdSition, Mr M'Kenzie?

"It- was that the men were locked out-," was the unexpected answer. j.hat was Mr Baume's opinion, and there was not much doubt about it. The company sent a letter to the men on December 61, when they knocked off work for the holidays, which was worded in such a way that it actually created a lock-out. They intimated that unless he was medically examined no man would be allowed to work. You caimot dismiss men in that way, for they are entitled to 14 days' notice."

So the employers made a mistake? "Yes, and 1 so did 1 the men," said Mr M'Kenzie. "Their expulsion from the union of the four men who submitted to medical examination was quite illegal. I pointed out to the union that it passed the resolution of expulsion without bringing any charge against the four men — simply passing it without making any investigation. They were still legally in the union at that time. I told them it was no use being unreasonable about the matter. It wasi a tough case, and they would have to handle it properly." To the directors yon put the logic of the legal opinion? "Yes, but they denied that there had been a lock-out. I got them to put their terms into writing, and then I realised that not much difference existed between the two sides. To the men I pointed out that the four assistant deputies had only done what other unionists all over the Dominion had done in submitting themselves for examination, not a word of objection being heard. I persuaded the men to go to work with the four assistant deputies; and, having placed the men's terms before the directors, I asked for something reasonable, so as to make it worth my while to "O back to Huntly. The result was the document which has been published, embodying the terms of settlement." How did the men receive the directors' offer ? "When I got back there was a meeting which lasted three hours," explained the Minister," and' another meeting was held next day, lasting two hours, when the following resolution was put to the meeting and carried' by 170 votes to * 83: — 'Resolved' at a special general meeting of the Waikato Coal Miners' Union," held at Huntly on the 26th day of January," 1909, that the. Waikato coal miners accept the terms recommended by the Minister cf Mines at the request of the directors of the Taupiri Coal Mine Company as an honorable settlement of the union's difference with the company, and' that the. president and secretary be authorised to sign the document containing such terms on behalf-of the union.'"

"The men started to work this morning-' (Wednesday),'' continued the Minister, "arid! the directors, undertook to pay them to-day for the time ttiey were idle, an arrangement which, I have no doubt, has been carried out to the letter. I found the directors very friendly and well disposed towards the men, and, as a matter of fact, the men lhadi no personal grievances against them. " They were both fighting for a principle," con-' tinued Mr M'Kenzie, in that candid style

which, served Eim well among the Huntly miners, "it was not worth, a strike. Better to have given the four men £IOOO apiece to clear out rather than to have had a dispute which could easily have cost £IOO,OOO had it been prolonged. During .the. week I. was.. in. Auckland Tsjooo tons ol*'coal-'came, in from "Newcastle. 1 It was said that the wharf' laborers would-'- have, struck' had the importations continued; and, apart from the heavy losses of the company and the men," the Railway Department's revenue dropped by £IOOO intone" week in consequence of the stoppage of coal traffic."