County Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 229, 15 July 1902, Page 3

County Council.

A special meeting was held yesterday, present —Messrs J. F. Douglas (chair), Lyall, Havdie, Walker, Ross and Rhodes. Flood Damages.

A deputation consisting of Mr 0. Faulkner and three others waited on the Council to point out that the Waihao river had diverted from its channel and was now running into Mr Faulkner’s land. They asked that the Council’s Engineer be allowed to advise, and offered to provide labour for diverting the creek to its old channel if the council provided the necessary materials. The Council acceded to the request. It was decided to visit Sandy Ford on Wednesday.

It was decided to put a level crossing and accommodation for foot traffic over Tavistock Creek, pending erection of a bridge. On the suggestion of Mr Lyall it was decided that the District Engineer be written to pointing out the bud condition of the upper portion of Pareora No. 2 road known as Smithson’s. A resolution was passed asking the

Hon. W. J. S‘e'■ .rd to look into the matter of a grant for Waimate, Kapua, and Paroora roads which had been rais-named,' Finance. A long discussion then ensued on the question of finance. Mr Walker put in a statement showing the amount which would be raised by certain rates on the various ridings. He said under the proposed allocation Deep Creek would receive .£3lB less than it was entitled to. They were entitled really to more than their share, for their were five railway stations, all requiring heavy carting, besides all the converging traffic. They should get £SO from Makikihi, £l5O from the general fund, and H 209 from Waihao, Mr Rhodes said if the Council took over certain roads as main roads it would get over Mr Walker’s difficulty. The chairman said ho suggested such a scheme two years ago and almost had it carried.

The Engineer was instructed to communicate with the District Road Surveyor requesting him to examine and approve the expenditure (£246) upon the Waihao and Morvon railway station road, and recommended the payment of the money. A rate of 7-3ths of a penny in the £ was struck on the rateable value of the County. Small Birds. The question of destroying small birds was brought up. Mr Walker favoured a special rate being struck to deal with the nuisance and thought men should bo put on to lay poisoned grain. Mr Ross’ opinion was that farmers did not take enough interest in laying poisoned grain ; when grain was sent to their nearest station they would not bother to got it. He thought they should be compelled to take action. MrLyall said enormous numbers of birds had been destroyed by poisoned grain at St. Andrews. It was decided to distribute poison. Appointment of Assessors. A petition (held over) asking that a valuer having local knowledge be appointed for each district was brought up. Mr Lyall said the request was a reasonable one. It was decided to send the petition to the member for the district. Tenders. Tenders for making a race and for gorso cutting through McNaughton’s (Waihao) were received as follows : McKay Is Bel per chain, Connell Is 3d. O’Brien Is 2d, (accepted) Woods 2s.