INANGAHUA.OOUNTY COUNCIL.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1542, 1 May 1885, Page 2

INANGAHUA.OOUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Council was held at the Chambers on Wednesday hut, at 2.80. p.m. All the, members were present, with the exception of Ct Craig. The minntes of the previous ordinary meeting, as alto of the Executive meetings, and Special meeting, were read. The acting Chairman called for the confirmation of the minute*. Mr Menfc-ath rose, to object to the minutes being confirmed. He took exception to the minutes of the Special Meeting as not containing an accurate record of the, V-.a«irasß transacted thereat. At that Meeting he. said an amendment was proposed by Cr Campbell and seconded by Or Irving yet it was not put to the meeting, neither was there any mention of it in the minntes. Cr Williams raid no man in that Council could st.nrH tip and guy that any such amendment was moved by

Cr Campbell. He was certain that no •ne could My inch an amendment was proposed! Or. Menteath would repeat that such an amendment ww proposed and seconded. Gr. Williams in girted there was no such amendment. Cr. Campbell said that at the Special Meeting in question directly Cr. Williams was proposed and seconded as temporary chairman, he (Cr Campbell) stood up and proposed Cr Menteath, as temporary chairman, and Cr. Irving immediately seconded it On Williams : Well, I did not hear Cr. M'Ginley taid he did not hear Or. Campbell said whether they heard it or not he certainly moved the amendment Cr. Williams persisted that there was no amendment Cr. Lynch said he did not remember hearing any amendment proposed. Cr. Menteath said he quite expected that anch a denial would be made, but the matter would be tested in a place where the proceedings were conducted more impartially then they were in that Council. Cr. Irving said whether Aey remembered it or not Cr. Campbell cer- . i.iiiily stood up and proposed it, and j ii. (Or. Irving) seconded it, and there ! At. re twenty people in the body oi the ! •' ;-i;n!>er who did hear it :V. Williams said there were not tv^nty persons in the Chamber when { tii.- .?) liiou was put O Menteath said the evidence u;io the point would be tendered at the p >p«r time and in the proper pi !»<♦>. Cr. V I "tarns said if Cr Menteith would s ••'■ hi id do something for the County it wjuld be better for him. Cr Me tte.iMi said he would perhaps be prejja.vil i,«i accept advice from the atti'tg Ciiai .ii.ni when legally appointed. L'!i = '-'o jtfo'.i h« moved was •lot requlu -•.. : > • :;i wilting, and be therefore simply objected to the confir matioti of the ui is; u; ♦ s and called. fora division as to wliUkt they should be confirmed oi not. Cr. Williams said he did not see that Cr. Menteath wanted a division, but he conld have it. Cr. Menteath said he did not ask it as a concession but demanded it as a right. Cr. Twohill then moved that the minutes as read We coafirmed, and this was seconded by Cr. M'Giuley, and the division upon the motion *as then taken as follows :— Ayes : Crs. Lynch, M'Ginley, Twohill and Williams. Noes : Crs. Menteath, Irving and Campbell. The motion was then declared carried and the. whole of the minutes were confirmed in the one resolution. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE. To the Minister of Mines re hi« promiße of a subsidy of £800 for road to the Owen reefs. — To the Energetic Company, refusing to repair road to their coal mine.-^To Globe 1 Company, offering £14 for public use of race bank as a foot track. — To M'Mahon granting right -to mine on public road, oh cer tain conditions. — To Inglewood Company, sanctioning a deviation of the Murray Creek road.— To R. C. Reid, stating that Charles Mirfin's bill would be paid by the Council in the middle of April. — To the OunVy auditor stating that the books were ready for audit — To the Premier, re bridge over j Left-hand Branch. — To the Colonial j Secretary, requesting that the time for preparing the valuation list should be extended to the 15th May and the preparation of the rolls to the 15th June, also that the sitting of the Revision Court should be fixed for not later than the 20th July. In reply to Cr. Menteath the clerk said this application was made to the Government on the 9th April. Cr. Menteath would like to know hoy it came that a County bill was dishonored to Mr B. C. Reid, and what the Council had to do with the matter. Cr. Williams said there were dozens of dishonored County bills afloat. Cr. Menteath commented upon the fact of County bills being allowed to b<* dishonored throughout the Colony. It was a disgrace to the administration of the Council. Cr. Williams said it was Cr. Menteath'B fault because he had got nothing for the district Cr. Menteath said the foregoing remark only proved Cr V 7 ilfiaras ignorance of the facts of the ease. He (Ci. Meutc-ath) had got more for this Coumy than any of his pre decessorfl liar! done. The Clerk explained apologetically that there Was only £400 of dishonored County bills, afloat. CORRESPONDENCE INWARDS. From A. Greenfield re the reservation of sections 151, 152. and 218 at Boat man's, and asking which was required for cemetery, for firewood, and for recreation purposes. From the Premier, admitting that when at Beefton he promised a grant for the erection of a bridge over the Left-hand Brauch, hut regretting that there was no vote available for the work, and stating that next session perhaps something night l»e done in the matter. From Mr Lewis, solicitor, Hokitika, demanding immediate payment of dishonored hill for £41 10s, made by the Council to Charles Mir6n, and endorsed by the latter to R. C. Reid, stating that proceedings for the recovery of same would be taken without further notice. The Clerk explained that the amount had been paid and the ill retired. From Newman Bros., mail contractors, calling attention to the insecure condition of culvert* on the Nelson road.

Cr. Crtig hero took his seat. From P. McGovern asking for ebaritable aid, he being unable to work. Or. Campbell suggested that the Council might give the man the billet of rate-collector. Cr. Williams : Yes, if you will supply him with a horse. , Cr. Campbell said he had no objec tion to do so, provided he kept the animal properly. Cr. Twohill moved that the matter be left to be dealt with by Cr. Williams and two other members. Cr. Craig mentioned that a grant of £20 had already been made to the same person to enable him to proceed to the Hot Springs, out hat he had drunk the money instead of going there. Cr. Lyuch seconded the motion. Cr. Menteath aaio he was aware the applicant was in a bad condition, and it might liit-infore be well to empower the Executive to deal with the matter, after inqui i y. Cr. Irving rngjfd a* an amendment that a sum 3flv/- weekly be paid to the applicant . du'ing the pleasure of the Council. The amenfifleiit was seconded by Or. Campbelfffind, the former motion having been withdrawn, it was put to the meeting and carried. From H. Birt-iett, re the last Local Option election, and pointing out that the poll was illegally taken, the presiding officer thereat not having been appointed by the local "ody. Cr. Williams said the presiding officer had not bten appointed by the Council. Cr. Mpnteath said the matter was one involving some rather nice points of law; and he therefore thought it should he referred to the County Solicitor for opinion. Matter referred to Solicitor, and Executive empowered to act upon the advice given. From A. J. Breen claiming £20 compensation for widening three chains of the Grey road in frojt of his premises. The Engineer, in answer to a question, said the widening was done for applicants own convenience. Cr. Irving called attention to a resolution already passed by the Council to the effect that the Council would not be responsible for any work performed without previous authority from the Council. Cr. Craig said there were exceptional cases. Cr. Campbell said Breen had dsne what the Council would have had 'to clo, but he had done more tuau was necessary. Cr. Twohill moved that the sum of £2 9s 6d per chain be allowed to Breeu for the work performed. , Cr. Menteath suggested that the matter should be referred to the County Solicitor, to ascertain whether these payments wer« legal, and that the present, application be dealt with in accordance with the opinion thus obtained. He did not refer particularly to th« present application, bat thoagjjk. it highly improper for the Council to encourage persons te make demands of such a oat u re for private werks. If it was illegal it certainly ought not to be tolerated. Cr. Williams said the present was not a private work; it was a public one. ' Cr. Irving pointed out that the Engineer had reported it was a private work. Cr. Campbell said it formed portion of the wideutng of the road which the Council had since undertaken. Cr. Craig said if Breen had first obtained tiie authority of the Council to widen the road, no objection would now be raised to the payment. However, he wonltl second the motion. Cr. Menteath said the Council had no power to make the payment. The motion was then put and declared carried. From D. Qnigley, secretary of the Boatman's school committee requesting the formation of a track from the bridge to the school. Engineer instructed to make the repairs ask^d for. From R. M'Nee stating his intention to claim damages for any injuries sustained owing to the bad state of a road at Hampden. Cr. Lynch explained that four men were working in the locality referred to, and that the road was in a very bad state. Matter referred to the Engineer to report. From J Billctt. asking permission to erect a bridge over Beatmau's Creek, near Beeches tailings plant, to cross milling timber. On the motion of Cr M'Ginley the required permission was granted, subject to the supervision of the County Engineer. From F. Smith, asking for the return of an order given to the clerk. The Clerk explained that the order would have to be placed before the auditor, and could not therefore be returned. From J. Moore, complaining of the manner in which the road opposite Overend's farm had been constructed. Open culverts were left where the specifications provided for box drains ; rock-cutting had beeri avoided, and the road built up with rubbish. After one day's rain the road wonld be unfit for traffic. The road had not been open a month, and w*as already |axledeep with mud. The supervision had been bad, and the specifications had been ignored. The Engineer, in reply to a question, said the road had been well carried out, and its present condition was only what might be expected from a road newly formed, and stating that the specifications had been carried out. From the Minister of Mines, offering

a subsidy of £200, provided that an equal sum was contributed by the Uno Company for construction of a road to the Owen reefs. Prom Messrs Hindmarsb, Wise, Bowman and Chattock, insurance agents, re water supply. From twenty- nine ratepayers, praying that the County diamond drill be not sold. From the Clerk of the Picton Borough Council, stating that the Government had transferred to them their interest in the County diamond drill, and asking what amount the Council required for its interest in the machine. It was stated that the drill had cost the Inangahua County £1200, in addition to the £1000 advanced by the Government Cr. Craig moved — That seeing the improbability ef utilising the drill here the machine be sold, provided that an eligible offer be received. It was explained that uo reply had since been received from Hobby in refereuee to the purchase of the drill. Cr. Twohill seconded the motion, which was put and oarried. Cr Lynch then moved that the djill be offered to the Picton Borough Council for £1000. This was seconded l>y Cr. Twohill and carried. From W. Hindmarah, manager, Globe Company, accepting the Coun oil's offer for use of track. From N. Barry requesting the withdrawal ef tender put in by Mm, he having obtained other work. From R. De Young re the appointment of sexton to the Beefton cemetery, and stating that pigs were rooting up the graves. • Cr. Williams said that the Council had no power in the matter. The members who had been appointed trustees had ceased to be members of the Council, but had not resigned their trusteeship. Cr. Irving inquired why they had not been written te asking them to resign. The Clerk was instructed to write at enee. From the County Solicitor, stating that J. Connolly's claim for compensation could not be legally enforced in a Court of law, and that the Council could not legally accede to it The correspondence as read wai received. ENGINE EB*B REPORT. The Engineer reported the result of his visit to the Owen district. He ! described the nature of the road leading thereto, and said there were only ; twelve persons working there. Very | little piospecting had been done, and .| he could not recommend any large i expenditure in that quarter. With i reference to the application of Dr j Wiiitton, the work required wonld cost £8. He had Hurveyed the Blackwater (Little Grey) road. It was 162 chains in length, and an Bft road would cost £480. He. had examined Cocb rane's bridge which conld only be used for foot passengers. Its span was 320 ft, and consisted of four wire cables sapported on trestles 29ft by 20ft, and was strong enough for the object fur which it was erected. Six m«n were now employed at the town reservoir, turning over the puddle, and four days would be sufficient to put the reservoir in sound condition. The leakage had been caused through the cracking of the puddle before water was run in, and was not due to any defect in the specifications or slumming oa the part of the contractor. The clay had shrunk before the water was run in, and owing to the nature of the clay it did not afterwards swell ss as to prevent leakage. This result was fully ex ptcted, but owing to the dry weather it hfd not been considered advisable to empty the reservoir until the wet weather came on. He had no doubt whatever that the work now Wing done wonld prove effectual. In the meantime the mains wonld be kept full. He had examined the source of Auld's Creek and found that it contained ono Government head of water which appeared to W permanent. Its elevation was 50ft above the reservoir, and it would cost about £700 to bring the water to the reservoir. The Engineers Report was received. ORDINARY BUSINESS. Cr. Twohill moved and Cr. M'GinJey seconded, and it was carried that the information required by Mr Greenfield be furnished. The Engineer was empowered to effect the improvements in Ranft-street, applied for by Dr Whitten. Cr. Williams moved with reference to . the Blackwater track, that the engineer prepare plans and specifications of the road, in order that an application might be made to the General Government next session for a grant in aid »f the work. He was aware the work was too enstly for the County to undertake at present. The road was much needed, as there were fourteen children who were prevented from attending school for the want «f it. If an applicatioa was made to the Government by Mr Menteath, M.H.R., for a subsidy, no doubt it would be granted. Cr. Menteath said he should be happy to do all he could in the matter, but he was afraid that the Government would reqa're seme stronger argument than that fourteen children were prevented from attending school. Cr. Williams said the mad would help mining in the locality. Cr. Craig seconded the motion, which was put and carried. Cr. Williams brought up the subject of Cochrane and Sons application for a grant in aid of the bridge to their saw mill. He had not seen the bridge, bat he heard it had been a great benefit to people living in the neighbourhood, and also to the mining industry in that part of the country. The bridge had had the effect of considerably cheapening timber, both at Reeftnn ■ and Boatman's, and he thought the Ooficil would be justified in giving something. Cr. Campbell thought the bridge was no mere advantage to the County than any other work undertaken for private use and convenience. Cr. MKJinley said Brazil used the bridge •v«ry day in the week.

Cr. Williams stated that he had just re- \ ceived a memo, from somebody in the ' audience stating that Cochrane and Suns had reduced timber to 14/- per 100 ft. I [A voice : No, they have raised it te ! 14/- per 100 f t.] Cr. Campbell said Brazil had told him he would prefer that the bridge had never been put up. I Cr. Williams said Brazil might have j been opposed te it at first, but he recognised its advantages now. Cr. Twohill said there' were four farmers on that side of the river who weuld be benefitted by the bridge. Cr. Williams suggested that the whale of the Executive Committee should visit ♦he bridge and report upon the claim. Cr. M'Ginley suggested that all the councillors should visit the bridge. Cr. Meateath said this was no quest ion of building a bridge, or cheapening timber, but simply a matter whether the Ceuocil should pay Cochrane and Sons for erecting a bridge for their ewn use. It would be clearly illegal to make any such grant, for there was no power for local bodies to enter into transactions of the kind. The applicants talked about opening the bridge to the public when in fact it was already »pen. There was a public reserve on each side of the river and so long as the bridge was there nobody could stop traffic aver it. It was ridiculous that the Council should entertain applications ef this nature. On the! I eve of an election a man with an axe of this kind to grind might force a member who wanted Sis vote to pledge himself to support a grant of this kind, bat that was no reason why the Council should be forced to take an illegal step. The bridge was built essentially for the sole use and benefit of Cochrane and Sons. If they had thereby been able to reduce the price of timber, so much the better for their own business, as they were able t* compete on better terms with the other saw millers. The argument completely killed the application. He should certainly vote against the resolution. Cr. Lynch said if the bridge had been erected on a public reserve and without the authority w consent of the Council he certainly could not see how the Council could subsidise it. ' Cr. Twohill said the matter had been under consideration since November last, and he thought Cochrane's were entitled to receive £100. Cr. Campbell said the bridge had been erected for Cochrane's own use and benefit, and they were certainly not entitled to anything. In reply to Cr. Williams the County Engineer said it was for the Council to decide whether the bridge was or was not of any public use. He expressed no opinion, Cr. Craig moved that the Executive Committee visit the bridge and report to the next meeting of the Council. Cr. Lynch seconded the motion, which ■ was carried. 1 Cr. Williams said there was a member 1 short in the Executive Committee, and it ' wan necessary to appoint somebody. Cr. M'Gtuley moved that Cr. Twohill be appointed, and this was seconded by '■ Cr. Lynch. Cr. Irving proposed Cr. Campbell, 1 which was seconded by Cr. Menteatli, who ' called far a division. Ayes : Crs. Irving, Craig. Campbell, and Menteath. ; No*s : Cr». Lynch, BfGHnley, Twohffl, and Williams. The acting chairman gave his casting vote for the noes, and declared the amendment last. ■ - ■ The resolution was then pnt and carried, the voting being reversed Cr. AfGinley moved (hat Cr. Irving be appointed to sign contracts, which was seconded by Cr. Lynch aud carried. Cr. Lynch suggested that in future the meetings of the Cwuncil should bo held at 8 p.m., instead of 2.30. p. m., which would eaable him to be present at each meeting — , The alteration was assented to on the j voices. 1 Cr. Irving moved that plans and speci- ' , fications be prepared, and tenders called for the construction of a road from the Lankey's Creek raad to the Rainy Creek ' road, through Lynch's farm, such road to be ,20ft. wide and 40 chains long, , The motion was seconded by Cr. Menteath and carried. Cr. Twehill referred to the widening of the Boatman's road. 1 The Engineer said the plans and specifications were ready. Cr. Meateath referred to the County i map, and said it was a disgrace to the local body that they had not got some- , thing like a correct map of the County. The present County map was no better than a blank sheet of paper. He had communicated with the Chief Surveyor, and District Surveyor on the subject, and I ascertained that a tolerably correct map i cnuid We prepared, showing all the leased, t freehold, and crown lands in the County, j together with roads and tracks already formed, and surveys to date traced. He pointed out the convenience which such a map would he, and as each new road was completed it could be traced on the map by the County Engineer, enabling members to see at a glance what works had been undertaken, attd what land remained to be opened. He moved that the Chief Surveyor be written to, asking upon what terms such a map could he supplied. The Clerk said the former Chairman had spoken to the District Surveyor on the same subject, and had been informed by that officer that until the trigonometrical survey was completed it would be impossible to prepare a correct map of the Connty. Cr. Irving seconded the motion, which was put and carried. Cr. Craig moved that the matter of the payment of £25 compensation to J. Connolly be referred back to the County Solicitor to ascertain whether in his opinion the County auditor would refuse to para such an item, or whether the Council would be amenable in the event of passing it. The motitjn was seconded by Cr. Williams and carried. Cr. Lynch referred to the condition of a portion of the Matakitaka mad, and moved that the Engineer on bis next visit to Hampden report upwn the same. He said Hampden contributed the largest amount in rates of any riding but Reefton, and had not received much in return. The tn<>(ion was seconded by Cr. Twohill and carried. The Council then adjourned until 8 p.m.