INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Inangahua Times, 30 April 1880, Page 2

INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

lhe regu-ar monthly meeting of the Council was held at the Chamber**, odWednesday evening last. Present : The Chairman (Mr P. Brennan) and Messrs Byrne, Davies, Gain lasher, Williams, Caples, and M'Gaffin. Tbe minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. fhe clerk read copies of all letters deapatched since the last meeting of the Council. C -BEE-PDNDEMOE. ' From W. G, Collings, offering to sell the Council the tramway at Soldier's for

mm—mmHmmmimmmmmAm—mmAm.m>migg^mmmmmmA^^^^—m»,uu, tbe sum of £20, and stating that the proposed road would cross the tramway at various points. From B. Roger* 3 , asking the Council to furnish bim with a coil of telegraph wire fir haudbridge over Boatman's Creek at the township, The Engineer, in answer to a question, said he was under tbe impression that ■applicant bad altered his mind sinee writing the letter. Resolved that the request be not acceded to. From A. Greenfield, re objections of the Conncil to the granting of leases of auriferous land at Lyell. From H. E. Curtis, re audit. From R. Reeves, XH.R., re vote for Matakilaki roa'd. From J. S. Mackay, Deputy Land Tax Commissioner, asking to be informed of the boundaries of the Lyell Road Board District, From J. M'Quillan, desiring to withr draw his tender for Soldier's Road. From F. Brandt, asking for a subsidy towards repairing punt on Buller Road, and stating that tbe only persons .travel** ling were Government officials and persons too poor to pay tbe toll, and stating that unless subsidy were granted he would discontinue working the punt, as tbe ferry returns were insufficient to pay workiog expenses. Tbe needed repairs would cost £60. Tbe Engineer, in answer to a question, said the punt was in a very dicky condi* tion, and needed repairs. It was stated in the course of discussion, that there was no ferry reserve attached to tbe ferry. The Chairman said there was no doubt Brandt had expended a large sum of money in constructing the punt and keeping it in repair, and this at a time when traffic was very small, Brandt certainly required some consideration from the Council. Quite recently two ferrymen had been paid £10 eacb, and tbey had expended nothing, Mr Gallagher concurred, and suggested that a sum of £20 be voted to enible him to provide a means of crossing traffic pending the repairs fo the punt. Mr* Davies moved, as an amendment, that the sum of £30 be voted, and tbat conditions be imposed limiting the time for making the repairs to three weeks, and that the punt be kept in repair for one year, , . , T Mr Gallagljer'agreed -to -withdraw his proposal in favour of the motion. Tbe motion was put, and carried. From Minister of Public Works, en» closing agreeraenHp f r Longford road. &c. From Under-Secretary Public Works, stating that the Government Engineer having reported upon the Maruia road, ani the Government being satisfied that the work was completed in accordance with the' vote bf the House, the? Minister agreed ttf talce over the road. * From Hunter, acknowledging receipt of £420, and stating that unless balance due to him were paid he would take proceedings. The Chairman said he was not aware to what balance Hunter referred to. From Colonial Seoretary, requiring certain returns under "The Financial Arrangements Acts," and stating tbat subsidies would be discontinued after the 30th June next. . From G. Zannetti, re deposit amount of £100 on Longford contract, and stating tbat that amount was not included in the assignment by Cassola to Hunter. The Chairman said this was the balance to which* Hunter referred, and he (tbe Chairman) had taken the opinion of the County Solicitor upon the point. Mr M'Gaffin thought as proceedings were threatened the Council bad better retain the amount. Mr Gallagher was of opinion that the deposit ought to he refunded to Zanetti. Mr Davies thought it would be prudent to pay neither party in the meantime, and suggested that both parties be written to informing them tbat the Council declined to pay the amount over; One or other of the parties would then 'sue, and the Council would then know to whom it was liable. Mr Williams was of opinion that the only party entitled to the deposit was Ca.sola and Little, as it was them who deposited it, Mr Byrne did not see there was any risk in piying tbe deposit over at once to the persons who deposited it. Resolved on the motion of Mr Davies, that Hunter and Zannetti be written to informing them tbat tbe Council declined to pay over the amount. From Collector of Customs, Grey-* mouth, explaining the sources of revenue forwarded by him. From R. Reeves, stating that the Government had decided to appoint a Magistrate for Reefton, and that Mr Keddell would probably be appointed. From Fred. Hatermer, re pavmeat of account for £1, and stating that unless Council paid him he would consult his legal adviser, Resolved on tbe motion of Mr M'Gaffin, seconded by Mr Davies that the amount be paid. From A. E. Brown, certifying that certain work had been performed on the Rainy Creek track by direction of the Fngineer. From Colonial Treasurer, stating- that £137 and £437Jhad been remitted Jo i credit of Council for gold duty and gold revenue. '|jp -«__?-' From JolrLine3, offerffffo sell half an

111 " j———— —^ — p— — —————— ■———.—— —»—.—■— — '. acre of land on Bullei Road for gravel pits for £50. The Engineer stated that the site was 1 an eligible one for a gravel jit. ! Mr M'Gaffin thought in the face of the intention of tbe Government to withdraw subsidies no money should be expended for gravel pits. He moved that the offer be not entertained. The motion was seconded by Mr Byrne, and carried. From Byrne and Ryley, asking payment of progress money. From G. Banna., asking the Council to reconsider its decision re payment for two bridges constructed by him over the Blackwater, Mr Byrne said the question was, if the man had done the work, it was hardly right to shut him out from payment merely because he had not taken tbe precaution to get the authority of the Council before incurring the outlay. The ■ work was admittedly beneficial to tbe County, and if that was so why should it ' not be paid for. i Mr Gallagher said he would shorten >. the proceedings by stating at once tbat i be would oppose the payment. He ; moved that Mr Bannan be informed that the Council having already refused to recognise the bridges, could not now re- ; open the question, Mr Caples seconded the motion. Mr Byrne said the reason that payment was originally refused to Mr Bannan was that he did the work without previous authority by the Council. Now since that time grants had been made to other persons for work done under precisely (he same circumstances, and in the face of this lie failed to see bow the Council ' could disregard the claim. There was no doubt that the work was of public utility, and in the face of these facts he thought it would not be fair to ignore the request. He moved that the consideration of the matter be deferred until next meeting: Mr M'Gaffin said Bannan had erected the bridges without authority, and had done so for his own convenience and that of his customers, and it would be toons* trous to recogniso such a claim. The Cbairman thought that Bannan's claim was identical with that of Breen. The latter had done work without pre» vious authority from the Council and had been paid for it. Mr M'Gaffin dissented. Breen declared tbat he had an implied authority from the Engineer to do the work, Mr Davies would support the amendment, as it was a fair one. If Mr Bym<*? desired an opportunity of inspecting the bridges, he sbould be afforded a chance of doing so. Mr Gallagher consented to withdraw bis motion in favor of the amendment, and the latter was then put and carried. The correspondence as read was received. The Engineer's Report was then read. A discussion here took place re Byrne and Ryley's application for two progress payments. Resolved on tbe motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr Byrne, that Byrne and Ryley be only paid one progress payment., M* Gallagher said that from his own observation he had no hesitation in saying tbat there was not a contractor in the County who had done, or was doing his work up to specifications. The Publio Works Committee had come to the cons elusion that there was not one of the maintenance contracts being carried out anything like up to the conditions required. This condition of things ought not to be allowed to continue. It Was the duty of the Council to take resolute action in the matter. Tbe Public Works Commmittee had done all they couid, as also had tbe Engineer, but he (Mr Gal* lagher) was free to confess that tbey had failed to effect the improvement they had hoped. Tbere was no disregarding the fact that the contractors were insufficiently paid, but with that the Council bad nothing to do. It was plain, however, that as matters were now going on the contracts would never be completed aocording to the conditions imposed. It aps peared to him that two courses only were open to the Council : either enforce the penalties by putting men on, and so ruin tbe contractors, and probably their sure* ties ; or take over the roads as they stand at present. Mr Trennery said that as a member of the Public Works Committee, he could quite endorse Mr Gallagher's remarks, and agreed that it was absolutely necessary the Counoil sbould take decisive action. Mr Byrne called attention to the bad state of tbe track near Cement Town, and the Engineer received the necessary authority to make the repairs. Mr M'Gaffin referred to the neoessity of reducing the grade of the road-cutting near the Dauntless battery, Black's Point. The Engineer was instructed to examine and report to the next meeting. In answer to Mr Caples, the Engineer said that tbe bridge on tbe machine track &t Boatman's was out of repair. Moved by Mr Brennan, seconded by Mr M'Ga-ffin and carried, That a few men be put on to clear the track through tbe Carinibal Gorge, in order to enable cattle and sheep to be driven through from i Canterbury. J The Chairman explained his reasons for moving in the matter. He i said that a number of Canterbury stocks i owners had recently come through, in s order to inspect the route for travelling l stock, and reported that about £20 expended in»iemovingdrift»wood from Can* I '.

nibal Gorge would enable tbem to star stock at once. Mr Trennery was of the opinion that even £50 would be well spent in bringing about such a desirable result. The motion was then put and carried. Moyed by Mr Davies, seconded by Mr M'Gaffin, and carried, That the Engineer lay of a line of road to connect Maruia track with the Amuri County, and that plans and specifications be prepared and tenders called for the work. Mr Trennery said it would be very lit tls use for this County to construct tbe road up to the boundary unless tbe Amuri Road Boad did their part by con*» tinuing the road through their district. Mr Davies said that Mr M' Arthur, oae of the members of the Amuri Board was at present in Reefton, and had said that the desire and intention was to push on the road by every means in their power. Mr Williams, while fully agreeing as to the importance of the work in ques tion, he felt half inclined to oppose th« motion, as he had a suspicion that money voted for the Matakitaki had been diverted to tbe Maruia track He was not sure yet that such was 'the* case, but he intended to find out. The motion was then put and carried. lt was also resolved that the Minister of Public Works be written to asking his sanction to the foregoing resolution. On the motion of Mr Caples the En« gineer was instructed to effect certain re* pairs to bridge on the machine track at Capleston. The Chairman referred to the necessity of opening up rigbtsof-way at the rear of Mr Archer's store, Boatman's. He would like to be informed whether a right-of-way had been originally laid off there. Mr Caples said that Mr M'Kerrow had instructed Mr Woolley during his term of office to lay off a right-of«way there, but Mr Woolley had failed to do so. He (Mr Caples) had, however, written to Mr Browning on the subject, and was awaiting a reply. Mr Gallagher moved, seconded by Mr Caples, and carried, that a speciai meeting of the County Council be held on Thursday, 6th May, at 2*30 p.m. for the purpose of making bye-laws to provide for the licensing of hawkers and pedlars, and to preyent persons not so licensed from hawking and periling? Mr Davies said he had never heard tbat tbere were any pedlars in the County. Mr Williams thought instead of taxing bawkers they should encourage as many as possible of them to come here in order to enable people to get things as cheaply as possible. Mr M'Gaffin was opposed to the pro posal. It was a tax upon free trade, and he was opposed to it: Mr Gallagher said that business men were, bound to take out a business license, and why should not hawkers be compelled to do the same. All he sought to do was to put business people on a fair and equal footing. The resolution was put ; the ayes being — the Chairman, and Messrs Gallagher, Caplp?, and Trennpry. Noes : Messrs M'Gaffin, Dav'es, Williams, and Byrne. The Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of the resolution, and it was carried. Mr Gallagher moved, Mr M'Gaffio seconded, and it was carried, that a special meeting be held on 6th May at 1 30 p.m. for the purpose of dealing with contrac tors whose contracts are net in accordance with the specifications. Moved by Mr Brennan, that a special meeting be held on the 6 h May to deal with the balance-sheet. Seconded by Mr Gallagher, and carried. Moved by Mr Brennan, seconded by Mr Caples, and oarried, that the Engineer proceed to the Upper Buller as soon as possible, with the view of preparing plans and specifications for the Ma'iri road, and pack track up tbe Matakitaki to May's store. The Cbairman referred to the question of the acceptance of tenders for the Soldier's track, and related the reason why the Public Wdrks Committee had refused to deal with the matter. Tbe Engineer reported that the lowest tenderer for the work had withdrawn, and the next lowest was Cochrane and Sons, £189. and he did not think the amount would be impoved upon by calling fresh tinders. Mr M'Gaffin moved, that the tender of Cochrane and Sons be accep' ed. Mr Gallagher said he did not now intend to oppose the construction of the road. He bad opposed it strongly at a former meeting, but as the Council was unanimous he yielded, but he should strongly oppose the acceptance of the ' second lowest tender, the principle was a 1 bad one, and he should certainly oppose * it. The Council bad done the samp" " thing on a former occasion, when ** Cochrane and Sons were also the second lowest tenderer. Mr Byrne supported tbe motion. There was nothing unusual in the course the Council was asked to take. Mr Trennery was of opinion in tbe t first plaoe that £189 was more the that , part of the district in question de manded, and in the second he agreed ■* that it was a bad principle to accept tbe 0 second lowest tender. He should, therefore, oppose tbe motion. Mr Williams supported tbe motion, rhe work was a highly necessary one,

and the price in for it was, if anythin: too small. Mr M'Gaffin wis of opinion, that the Council was assured that there wi . no collusion, there was nothing wrong i accepting the second tende I*.1 *. In th case there was not a shadow of suspicio of collusion. Mr Daviesjsaid ifc seemed to him th blame of tbe non-accep'anee of th tenders rested upon tbe Public Work Committee. Mr Trennery said the reason why th Public Works Committee did not de* with the tenders was because the lowes was nearly double the amount represen ted to the Council at the time the worl was authorised, and further, was mor than the Council ought to expend upoi such a work ; they were of opinion tha about £30 expended in repairs upon th present track would fully meet tbe re quirements of that part of the districi and he was still of that opinion. The motion was then put with th following result .-—Ayes : Messrs M'Gaf fin, Davies, Byrne, Brenuan, and Williams. Noes : Messrs ,Gallagher, Trennery, and Caples. The inotion was therefore, carried. The following tenders were then deal with. Laxkey's Road. Wm. King and Co. ... £130 0 0 Connington and Co. ... 107 0 0 Murphy, Breen and Co. 57 0 0 Cochrane and Sons ... 43 0 0 A. H.King and Co. ... 37 10 0 The tender of A. H. King was ac cepted. Blacbtwateb Road. John M'William. ... £129 0 0 George Bannan ... ... 119 0 0 Cochrane and Sons ... 109 0 0 Connington (per chain) 11 9 The tender of Connington was info, mal, acd that of Cochrane and Sons was accepted. Hoasß Hibb. Hampton, per annum ... £108 0 0 M'Guignn " -« ... 99 0 0 Heslop " ■'« ... 87 10 0 The tender of J. Heslop was accepted. Moved by Mr Davies, That tenders be called fsr metalling road between Linkey's Creek and Deadman's Ford, a di*" tance of 40 chains. Tenders to close at noon on 26th May. The accounts were then presented and passed for payment. Notices bi? Mottoi**. Mr Gallagher to move at tbe nex! meeting * — That plans and specifications be prepared and tenders called for the erection of a dray»bridge across the Landing Creek, near M'lnerney's. Tenders to close in a Fortnight after the date of the said meeting. Mr Davies to move, That the following resolution passed at the meeting of the Council held on February, viz.—" That tbe Chairman communicate with the members for the district, asking them to use their influence with the Government to bave a Bottle Licensing Act passed at the coming session of Parliament, for the provincial district of Nelson," be and is hereby rescinded. Mr Gallagher to move — That plans and specifications be prepared for the erection of foot-bridges across Larry's Creek, and the Left -.hand Branch, on the Westporl: road, and that tender* be called for both' 1 ridges, to close in two weeks after date of next meeting. The proceedings then closed.