INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 2 April 1880, Page 2

INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular monthly meeting of the County Council was held at the Cbambery, on Wednesday last. Present: The Chairman, and Messrs Williams, Gallagher,,Treirnery, M'Gaffip, Caples and Byrnes. ,' The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. . r . ■> The clerk' read copies of all correspondence despatched since the last meet-, ing of the Council CO^BJISjQNJpNCB. From Colonial Treasurer, re payment of subsidies. From Eichard Beeves, , M.H.B-, re Ministerial visit. From' Under-Secretary Public Works, intimating that Dr Skeye had been ap--pointed by the Government to inspect all Hospitals in receipt of Government sub« sidy, and expressing a hope that every information would be afforded to Dr Skeye on his visit to Beefton.— Matter J referred to the Hospital Committee. From the secretary Grey Count? Council, stating that as the Government had handed over the Big Grey bridge to the joint care of the Grey and Inangahua County Councils, it was necessary to fix a point on the bridge* Where the responsibility of each County ceased in the matter of maintenance.— The Engineer was instructed to make an appointment with the Engineer of the Grey Council, and decide upon the limits of the main* j tenince of each County. From M' Arthur Brothers, stations holders, Lake Guyoo, requesting to be informed when the Maruia track would » he opened for stock travelling;- s ' From Hunter* re pnyineW of contract money. From Under-Secretary, intimating that D. J. M'Kenna had been appointed by the Government to issue tickets under the Dog Act. From D. Gird wood, asking on, behalf of Canterbury stockholders when the Maruia track would be open. From John Williams. Fern Fiat, stat« ing that he would sell one acre of land to the Council for a gravel pit for the sum of. £50.- „ ' •,.;>■■ „ Discussion ensued, but as it was thought that the charge was excessive, it was resolved that the. Clerk instruct Mr Williams that the Council did not consider it necessary to purchase the reserve at present,. From Hunter, Hatnpden, agreeing io accept a promissory note at 3 months for £420 in settlement of his cl»im upon the Council re the Hampden. road. ... From A. Cereaeto, calling attention to the fact that a powder, magazine was in existence at the rear of his residence, which was a constant source of alarm both to himself and all persons living in the neighborhood. The magazine was qnite unprotected, and situnted within a few yards of a blacksmith's shop. The Connty BolicHor's opinion was read as to the power of the Council to enforce the immediate removal of the magazine, * ■ 4 Some discussion ensued, when Mr Caples said that during (he time be was County Chairman similar complaints were made to him, and he communicated on the subject with the Collector of Onßtoms : , Grey mouth.' : ' • Moved by Mr Caples, seconded -by Mr Brennan, and carried, that Mr Oxley be requested to remove tbe magazine within one week, from its present site to a safe position outside the town boundary. From D. M'Gabey, asking for compenx sation for services performed in times past fn crossing persons over Larry's IJreek." Mr Caples said he could bear out the troth of Mr M'Gahey's statements relative to baying crossed people in times of great difficulty. He would, therefore, move that he receive tbe sum of £5. Mr Gallagher also confirmed the applicant's statement, and be would second ! the motion provided the -amount was in*; 4reaseii to £10. He ktfe# thk the money had been well earned. While on tlie suVject. be would suggest that some action should be taken to prevent the possibility of these claims recurring* A certain sum had already been voted to Bell for the same work, and although these votes had been madfli the river was really loft without a ferryman. He suggested that steps should be taken to erect a foot, bridge, From tbe Minister of Public Worts, stating that in the course of a few days the Council would be informed as to what bad been done in. regard to tbe Inflngahua; bridge. From Zannetti, Lyell, re £100 due to him from Casola and Lit'le, On the motion of Mr flallagher, the matter was- referred to the County Solicitor for opinion, and that the Council act upon hif advice; ■ ' ' From Byrne and Eyley, re payment of their maintenance money. From ratepayers and others in the upper part of the Inangalina Valley, praying that the Crusliintfton road be connected with tbe lately made stock track at Beadioan's Fqjs :* | ; ; "i f lie Engineer said that the length ot road asked for wonld be about eighty chains. The Chairman, while fully admittiDg

the desirability of the work asked for, thought that if a line were cleared of, trees for a sufficjeatT wiiith, it might answer until the Council was in a position to undertake* the more permanent work, Mr Byrne moved, that the Engineer inspect the proposed worki and report to the Public Works Cbmniittee as to the cost of the road both as a gravelled track and as a dray road. — Carried. From J. Overend, re obstruction by T. Lynch to road at- Crushington., The Engineer explained that Lynch had been notified to remove such obstruction. , From Lands Office, Nelson, stating that a complete map of the County wduld cnst £48. Mr Gallagher should rery.much Hke to see such a map in the chamber, but he did cot think they would be jos'ified in incurring so much expense. He would, therefore, move that the question of the purchase of the map be deferred for the i present. Mr Byrne thought such a map would be of great service. The Council could really not say at present what land was , taken up or what was open for oceupa* jion, and be, therefore, thought that it would be penny wise and pound foolish to defer the expenditure. Such a map would have to be procured at some time, and better, therefore, to purchase it at once. The Chairman admitted the value of such a map of reference, but thought the present map could be so altered as to furnish much of the information re* quired. The matter then dropped. The opinion of the County Solicitor was read, re the handing over special rate to the Fire Brigade. Mr Williams desired to know whether due representations had been made to the Government, re the Matakiiaki road. The Chairman explained that the matter had been duly urged upon the notice of the Minister of Public Works. The whole of the correspondence read was received. The Engineer's Report was then read; and adopted. -, ■ Moved by Mr Gallagher, seconded by Mr Caples, and carried, that a sum of £3 be expended on the Boatman's horse track in accordance with the recommendation of the Engineer. Mr Brennan moved, that plans and specifications be prepared and tenders be called for the construction of track in the direction of Big Hirer, and that the Public Works Committee be empowered to deal with the tenders, and that the lowest tender be forwarded to the Government with a request for a subsidy of ' £ for £ upon the amount. He said there j was a vote of last session which placed it in the power of the Government to grant £ for £ for prospecting purposes, and he fully believed that the amount could be obtained. Mr Williams seconded the motion, and strongly supported it. He knew numbers of men working in the district it was proposed to open up, and thought there was no doubt that it would lead to very good results. Mr Trennery would like to know whether the proper steps had been taken to ascertain if the route over which it was proposed to take the track was the best one. The Engineer explained the result of his visit, and exploration of the Big Eiyer district. Mr Gallagher would not oppose the rop'ion, but he should like to have it distinctly understood that onless the Go* vernment subsidy were granted the work should not be gone on with. The Chairman would be quite willing to meet the suggestion, but be should not waive his right, in the event of the refusal of the Government to grant the subsidy, of bringing the work forward at a future time. The motion was then pat, and carried. Proposed by Mr Caples, seconded by Mr Gallagher, and carried, that repairs be effected on the short track to Boats miin's. Moved by Mr Brennan, seconded by Mr M'Gaffin, and carried, that a special rate-.of threepence in the pound be levied upon property within certain portions of the towD, for fire purposes, and that the same be payable in one sum on the 15th April, 1880. Proposed by Mr Caples, seconded by Mr M'Gaffin, and carried, that the rate paid by Thomss Hall upon an unsur* veyed application for land, should be credited to his town property. Proposed by Mr M'Gaffin, seconded by Mr Williams, that plans and specific cntions be prepared, and tenders called for the construction of about 35 chains of road, 18 feet wide, between M'tnerney's and Soldier's. Mr Irennery while not wishing to gpecially oppose the work could hardly recognise it as one of the most urgent character, Mr Williams supported the motion. There were several mining companies in that locality, and a large sum of money had been expended in prospecting and machinery. The road was very badly wanted, and would no doubt lead to further expenditure by the companies. Mr Byme supported the work as one of the most urgently required in the dis« trict. The coal and gold mining industry of Devil's Creek was of considerable importance. Mr Gallagher said it was strange that a work of go much importance should so

long haye excaped the notice of the Council. Tbpse resolutions for new works took the Council by surprise. For his own part he was quite in tbe dark con* cerning this work. If the work was as necessary as represented, why not give Councillors an opportunity of inspecting the road. He would move that the mat* ter be referred to the Public Works Committee, and that the members of the committee visit the road, Mr Tannery said that he knew nothing whatever about the work, but accepting the representations of the other four members of the Council, he would support the resolution. Tbe amendment was seconded by Mr Caples, and upon being put to the vote was lost, and tbe resolution was carried. Moved by Mr Byrne, seconded by Mr Williams, that plans and specifications be prepared, and tenders called for the construction of two miles of road up the Blaekwater river. He said that the number of miners employed there as well as the area of land occupied fully war* ranted the expenditure. He believed he was correct in saying that the resident g were prepared, ot i had offered 5s each towards the work. Mr Williams supported the motion. He regarded the Work as a very necessary one. Mr Caples said he had visited the locality, and certainly found the track in a most wretched condition. Mr Trennery would like to know how the funds stood before voting upon the motion. The Chairman said the present bank overdraft was £610, added to which there were bills current amounting to £711 ; accounts- for payment that night to the tune of £200 ; making in all £1514, and besides this there was the current lia* btltty on maintenance contracts amount* ing up to the present time to £scO, thus bringing the total indebtedness of the Council up to £2000. There was certain, moneys accruing to the Council, which would reduce the debt considerably. Mr Gallagher said if the work was absolutely necessary he would not op* pose it, but he could say that from what he had seen, the Council had not got value for tbe money it had already expended on that work. The Chairman pointed out that no money had been expended on tbe track. The motion was then put, and carried. Mr Gallagher moved, seconded by Mr M'Gaffin, and it; was carried, that the Chairman procure a copy of the rules of the House of Bepresentatives for the guidance of tbe Council. Mr Trennery thought if they confined themselves to common sense and sat as a mere committee they shonld get on very much better than by apeing at the usages of Parliament. Mr M'Gaffin would support tbe motion. The cost would be a mere trifle, and the rales would no doubt prove serviceable. The Chairman did not agree. He thought the introduction of the rules would bring into the Council an element they would regret. j Mr Gallagher moved, that plans and j specifications be prepared and tenders called for the construction of a footbridge over Larry's Creek. The Engineer in answer to Mr Tr^M nery said tbat it was quite impo^jjjtf^H him to get through all ih^c^^^^B specifications required in«|^^^^^^H next mee'ing. Mr Caples supported j^^^^^^^M was a work on a main j^^^^^^^^^H crossing was one of' tbf^^^^^^^^^H in the County, he cerj^^^^^^^^^J bad a strong claim uponj^^^^^^^^^H Mr M'Gaffin felt dis^^^^^^H the resolu'ion. Unless taken to bridge the .J^^^^^^^H would be visited by furfl^^^^^^^^J compensation. It was a j^^^^^^^^^H tion by every Caunty Coum|^^^^^^H the safety of tbe river erossinfs^^^^^ The motion was then put and lost. I Mr Gallagher moved, seconded by Mr Caples, and it was carried, that tenders be called for the formation and metalling of Maine and Healey streets at Boatman's, and also tbe construction of two main drains. Proposed by Mr Byrne, seconded by Mr Trennery. and carried, that tenders be called for repairs to track up Murray Creek, between Cement Town and the Westland battery.