WAIMAITE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, 29 October 1898, Page 7

WAIMAITE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above "was held on Monday in the Council Chambers ; present — Messrs Elworthy (chair), Lyall, Douglas, Walker, Henderson, Bhodes, and Studholme. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was resolved that the County rangers be paid 7s per day, for attendance at court, and all expenses be obtained from defendants if possible. Correspondence was read as follows :—: — From Hunter Morris, Bourndale, calling attention to the bad state of the road between Groostry's house and Wright'a gate. Overseer to attend to matter. From the Hon. W. I. Steward, saying that, in his opinion, the title of the land bought to give access to Mr Clement's run would have to revert to the Crown, and sxiggesting that the best way out of the difficulty was for the Council to obtain legislation to enable the Crown to transfer the land to Mr' Clement for a nominal consideration.' This would save cost of forming and maintaining a road. The circumstances of the case were iully gone into; and finally it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Bhodes, seconded by Mr "Walker, '- That the suggestion made by Major Steward, that the land bought from trustees of the Waimate Estate be handed over to the Crown, who 'will transfer it to Mr Clement, be acceded to, subject to the stipulation that the road now surveyed be closed, and bo further demands made on this Council for roads and fencing concerning Mr Clement's property." The request of a ratepayer for extended time to pay her rates was acceded to. From Mr J. Morton, Holden Station, asking for refund of money wrongfully paid for rates. Eesolved to obtain legal advice, and ii request were lawful to grant it. ' ' From Key. Thos. Farley, Terauka, asking to Kaye supply of water cut ofl from his property- at St. Andrews, as i 1 was supplied by natural springs. Bequest not entertained. From Mr Bobert Cameron, complaining of excessive valuation* of bis'^property. To be referred to JCouriciTs solicitor claim to be allowedif -just: --"• - From Departnaent£f\Dandß' and Survey asking for paxticularsgsa to bridge ,'ahc road proposed, JidjCbe^'made- at u Haka teramea. Overseer to report on jaaatter.

TSrona Mr James iMills .and (Others asking that the road befcween.'Skeyktgton's .and Hakataramea,, passing .Mr JVLulaock's , house, be opened. and foimed. Overseer to report. The county xanger -waited upon the and rejx>rted that the roads were much clearer -since' he had summoned several owners x>f cattle. He also askad information regardhjg.his fee for. attending cases. From Owen iM'Kee, pomplaining of cattle breaking down^his fences and that the ranger had passed the cattle and nat impounded them, .-although he JiadJbeen spoken to on the subject. These-statements the -ranger ,-denied. > A discussion took plaoe 1 and members agreed that the cattle nuisance .must .be stopped. The present system^was unsatisfactory and' simply amounted to "fanning" the roads. The ranger had stated he -was working against himself if he .kept the roads clear. It -was suggested that to encourage the ranger, to, keep the cattle off the roads, a bonus should,be..given for every conviction, -and it -<was agreed to give him j>s. From -G. pPatk, *Glenavy, complaining of dampness to his property, caused by the wateivrace which ran_by, juad .asking .Council to have it-concreted. Beceived. From the Lower \Waihao !Water-raee Committee, reporting a^meeting on the 21st at' Glenavy. The races were in satisfactory condition. ~lt had been reported that £hej:anger for the Pareora district >was in Blenheim shearing, and that cattle wandered freely •on the roads. Messrs Lyall and Ehodes were appointed tcr enquire into the matter "and appoint another ranger, if necessary. _Jt,was stated that it-was mecessary for - the 'Council to vote a sum of money to '•the hospital, in order to have the power of electing trustees, .and it was decided .to vote £5. , From Mr T. W. Broderick, ciistridt •surveyor, statmg ,that> J9lOO had been Voted by the Department for widening the. drain from the Kapua Settlement, i and asking permission to encroach upon the road, Council to bear cost -so ,as-to .allow drainage works to'ibe'.caaaried,out. Mr Douglas thoTjgnt;the^road needed widening, ,but icare^ Should be taken tkat the i < wateri did not ,scour away the road. . The overseer was directed,,to -<sonfer ,with Mr BrpSerickiori fflie subject, and if any "thirds^were-accaruing and'the-Goyem-.ment vbuld^sanctiAn,<3be expenditure, it '"sflould be sp^ent^bn^blasting-tibio 1 rocks and t thus wideniagjthe r r6ad. - 1 'i .>>" - The ayerseer's report showed -that the - roads iwere in fair, repair. < JHe found? that Ut t j7ould;iiojti, be advisable to' spentianoney <bn /theT roads ,askedsfor Jby Mv ;iGoHier. ;& 4andl ,be^ acr from.aneighbouni>glandbwnel 4 , v so yards * could be^-Bugt ■^ISP^j&rV^"'^ VwLwl-' ; -'' ■ \> %; % ' > ' * ->•?■

He had waited on Mr Hayman with regard to fencing across the road and the obstruction had been removed. The gorse on reserve at Redcliff was almost cleared ' off. Had fenced off the North Bush bridge. Suggeste'dthat steps should be taken to have gravel pits reserved on the Waikakahi estate for use when roads had' been formed. Suggested two fords •should be made in regard to Mr Copeland's application for drainage road at Makikihi. Could not procure suitable rails for foot bridge at Waihao and had to reduce the width of bridge. ,It would be quite sufficient for foot passengers and for sheep in single file. - A petition was received from Mr W. H. Beckett and seven others, protesting against the idea of a ford being made at the North Buah instead - of a bridge. "A ford would be no use. Messrs Walker and Studholme had examined the bridge and they did not ithink it would be necessary to buildj a fresh one. The overseer had expressed the opinion that aiord could be made. * The matter was held in abeyance. Mr JWalker said that a resolution had "been passed that work ov«r £10 should be tendered for, and yet he saw by the pay sheet that two teams had been employed by day labour, and received more than fliese sums. The whole thing was drifting into a system of day labour, and lie objected to this. He admitted that there might be urgent cases where tenders could not be called. This month over £30 was spent on these two teams. It was resolved to call tenders for fords asked for by Oopeland and others. Mr Walker, speaking to his notice of motion re small birds and eggs, said, that the sum paid was not sufficient. Boys would not gather unless -it were made --worth their while. Small birds were increasing fast, and he moved that the resolution re price to be paid be rescinded. This was carried. Mr Walker moved, and Mr Douglas seconded, and it was • carried, that the price, paid for small birds' eggs and heads be 2s per 100. < , „ It was decided to supply copies of 'the Counties' Act to members of the Council. Mr Walker gave notice of; motion-that no roads Jbe taken over in future -unless formed and shingled. , _ • •->- r - Tenders were' opened as follows, the lowest tender being accepted in each case :— • ■■'•-.' Contract No. 324.— T. Crone, .£169 19s 8d; R. White, £172 10s; J. Cochrane, £177 10s ; J. : Hardy,,'£2o2 10s. , r \ , Contract No.-325.-rJ. Ansel,- £99 '15s . A. Hollamby, £101 'Is ; , D. McKenzie £12L6s. /'W ' Contract No. 326.-rC, Wilson, £20 ; A* Hollamby, ,'£2o- 15s; D. McKenzie, £23 155. '*".-,. ■ ->'!? ;.?,-; , • Accounts »motuiting to-* £B6B*l6B vlld were passed, and |he f mejBting<ehded.- I , _