The Reporter

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 15, 14 July 1894, Page 8

The Reporter

SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. Friday, 13th July.. 1 he monthly meeting was attended by Mr T. Green (Chairman), and Crs. McQueen, Fraser, McCallum, Hamilton, Ward, Ray* mond and Dunlop. Referring to the encroachment of the Winton stream at the north boundary of section 42, Benmore Estate, the Engineer reported that no serious damage had been done. There were eighteen yards of road, yet available, and, owing to the excessive cost, he did not think it advisable to protect the banks —it would be better to purchase the necessary laud.—Limehills - BenmoreRiver Board to receive a copy of the report. The following letter was read from Civ Hast: —“ As an effort is again made by the Waikaia settlers ,to have the RiversdaleSwitzers railway completed, and as a few of the people are still of the opinion that I was the cause of the completion of the said line being delayed, I herewith resign my seat as member for Waikaia Riding in Southland County.”—Gr. Raymond moved—That the resignation be held over till the August meeting ; meantime the Chairman, Crs. McCallum and Dunlop and the mover -to wait on Cr. Hast and endeavour to induce him to reconsider his present determination. In moving the resolution, which was seconded by Cr. Ward and carried unanimously, Cr. Raymond referred to Cr. Hast’s long and value :l services, and expressed surprise that he should have noticed the action of a rowdy section of the ratepayers, who had been nagging at him for some time.. Nine-tenths of the ratepayers were satisfied with his action,, and if there were an election to-morrow Cr. Hast would be at the top of the poll.—The Chairman endorsed the remarks made as to Cr. Hast, whom they regarded as the “Father of the Council,” and hoped the efforts of the committee would be successful. Robert Sands applied for the position of ranger and poundkeeper for the Winton and Orcti Ridings.—Held over till next meeting. D. A. Cameron and eleven others petitioned for the completion of the road-lino in block 1, Mabel Bush. —To be attended to in the Spring. It [.was decided to erect a small bridge on. road leading to section 791, Hbkonui—cost not to exceed £lO.

The Southland and Ocean Beach Freezing Companies asked the Council to reduce the slaughtering fees charged, these being excessive as compared with those imposed elsewhere.— Referred to the Finance Committee fO, ~ , . On the motion of Cr. Raymond, the chairman was empowered to sign the agreement re the Wyndham drain, on behalf of the Council; and on completion thereof by the Wyndham Town Board, and the payment of £3OO, that the Engineer prepare plans and speciflcationß of the said dram,, and have tenders called for the work It was decided to inform the [Board accordingly, and that the Council will accept repayment of balance required less a subsidy o T r toward the work—m sums not less than LoO per annum, extending over three years v ]yr. O’Brien, Secretary of the Winton A. and P. Association, intimated that that body had passed a resolution to the effect that it was the duty of the Council to deal with the bird pest, and to supply poisoned gram to the ratepayers free of charge. —Received. T Jeffcoatc asked the Council to make an approacli to his section in block 1, Oteramika Hundred.—lt was stated that the application should be made to tha Oteramika Road

Crs McQueen, Ward, and the chairman were authorised to take all necessary steps to defend the interests of the Council at the inquiry to be held at Gore on the 18th inst ;> re the erection of a traffic bridge over the Mata Reporting on the protective works above Mataura Island, the engineer recommended that the present groins be strengthened, and it was decided to obtain 150 yards of stone for the purpose. • , „ ~ The Engineer reported that the Wyndham and Owere bridges (Tois Tois Riding) were unsafe for traffic, and recommended the erection of new ones.—Plans and specifications to be prepared. It was decided to buy an acre of section 14, block 9 Oteramika Gorge, from W. Young, for gravel purposes. In connection with this matter the Engineer suggested that an effort should be made to get the railway charges for haulage of gravel and road metal reduced. At present the minimum charge was Is 9d per ton for 12 miles. It was resolved to bring this matter under the notice of the railway authorities. . , E Attwood wrote that as the license had been refused for the Commercial hotel, Eortrose, he considered the rateable value ox the property to be £250, being half the amount at which it was previously assessed. Referred to the Finance Committee, with The secretary of the Southland Acclimatisation Society (Mr B. Tanner) wrote that the Borough Council of Norta Invercargill was moving, through Mr Felly, M.H.R., o secure control and use of the road reserves on the South bank of the Waihopai river, below Biles Road, for the purpose of excavating gravel. He pointed gout that the walk along the river was much used by fishermen andfothers, and asked the Council, in the interests of anglers and the public generally, to prevent the reserves being interfered with in the way proposed. —On the motion of Cr, Dunlop it was decided to notify the IS orth Invercargill Council that the thoroughfare in question is a County road, and reserved for that purpose only, and that the Council will object to any proposal to mterefere therein Cody and others in Limehills township urged that immediate cleaning out of a ditch running through the place.—Member for, Winton Riding to see petitioners. It was decided to infox’m Gr. Elder, who forwarded resolutions passed at a meeting held at Waikaka, that the Council would give all the assistance possible to the Gore-Kelso' railway committee in getting the line authorised, as the relief to the County roads bv such a railway would be very great. “ Accounts amounting to L 2295 4s 3d were passed for payment. J. J. Weavers objected to the rates on the pronerty lately known as the Edendale Hotel, annow used as an accommodation house. Referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act. . Subsidies (£1 for £1) for the destruction ot small birds were granted as follows :—Tuturau Road Roard, £7 ; Kuan dale Road Board, £7; Waikawa ’Valley Farmers’ Club, £3. T. Powell forwarded bis resignation as Inspector of Works.—Accepted, the chairman to make a temporary appointment if requisite.

Cr. McQueen moved that the chairman procure £SO worth bird, poison, to be distributed at the different centres on or before Ist August. This was lost in favour of an amendment by Cr. Raymond holding the matter over till the August meeting. It was decided to make a general rate of three farthings in the L and a Hospital and Charitable Aid ratfe of an eighth of a penny in the L for the period ending 31st March, 1895, pavablc on the Ist September, 1894. It was agreed that in future the halfholiday be “altered from Saturday to Wednesday. , . After a discussion on the Noxious Weed * Bill, the Council adjourned to the second Friday in August.