INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1618, 26 October 1885, Page 2

INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

-«•. — -. The monthly meeting of the Connty Council was held on Thursday evening last. Present: The acting Chairman, Cr. J. C. Craig, and Crs. Lynch, CarapMl, Twohili, M'Ginley, living and Duncan.

The minutes of the previous meeting and Executive meetings were read and confirmed. . j CobrespoxdenCk INWARDB. j From J. O'Malley asking why £6 was deducted from his contract amount and threatening legal proceedings unless the amount were paid. In reply to a question the Engineer said the £6 had been deducted because O'Malley had neglected to leave the culverts on the road in a proper state of repair. He had requested the contractor to put fresh planks on the culverts, and as he had failed to do so, the deduction had been made. Letter not entertained. From R. W. Fairbairn complaining | of the state of the road leading to Joice's brick yard. He had expended a good deal of money in an endeavor to supply the public with cheap bricks, but the state of the road placed him at a great disadvantage. In answer to a question the Engineer stated that the road was in a bad j state, being much cut up by drays j hauling firewood. The Chairman said lie had been spoken to on the subject and gathered that it would cost about £8 or £4 to effect the required repairs. ! Or. Twohili inquired whether Fairbairn would undertake the repairs for £3. The Chairman was unable to say. Cr. Campbell moved and Cr. Twohill seconded that the sum of £4 be allowed to Fairbairn to effect the repairs under the supervision of the Engiueer. — Carried. From F. Batchelor and others calling attention to the danger occasioned to property at the Left-hand Branch J owing to encroachment of the river on ; the south bank. The Chairman said from all reports the danger was great. In reply to a question the Engineer said the river bank was very low, and it would be a rather costly matter to erect efficient protective works. If the river was to be bridged the bank would of course have to be protected. Cr. Lynch said the crossing was certainly dangerous. Cr. Campbell said the river threat ened to take all Wolff's land away. In reply to Cr. Irving the Chairman said there was nothing very definite as yet from the Government re the bridge over the Left baud Branch. Cr. Lynch suggested that the Chairman, Cr. Campbell and the Engineer visit the Left-hand Branch aud inspect the encroachment. Cr. Campbell said there was great encroachment going on at the Big Grey, and it might be well to visit both localities. Cr. Duncan agreed that one case was quite as urgent as the other, as there was great danger of the Big Grey river cutting through on the Beefton side of the bridge. Cr. Irving thought the farmers in the locality ought to contribute to the cost of protective works. Cr. Lynch moved and Cr. Campbell seconded, and it was carried that the members named visit the localities referred to, aud ascertain what steps should be taken to protect the river, and that they interview property owners at each place and ascertain what assistance they will be prepared to give towards such protective works. From H. Taylor, complaining of great danger caused to his property by the excavation of gravel pits near liis land, and asking that the County Chairman and a member of Boatman's Riding visit the locality to inspect the subject of complaint. The Engineer said the gravel pit was excavated on a special reserve aud not on Taylor's land. Complainant had fenced in a portion of the reserve md was under a misapprehension as to the ownership of the land. He had a map of the locality which showed that the gravel pit was on the reserve aud not on Taylor's land. Letter read from Mr A. Greenfield, Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that Taylor had no claim to the land in question, which was part of a special reserve. Resolved that M r Ttiyloi be informed that the gravel pit is on a public reserve. From J.Reid, contractor, Hampden, askin!>; for payment of £50 for removing slip fioin main road. The slip had beeu caused by Neville and party making deviation of road. The Engineer explained that where the slip occurred was one hundred yards away from the deviation referred to, and was not caused by Neville and party's action. Cr. Lynch thought it was the duty of the contractors at the tim » to object to Neville and party's work if they thought it was calculated to injure them. On the motion of Cr. Irving, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved that the letter of J. Reid be not entertained — Carried. From Scanlon and Walsh asking that the name of Thos O'Rourke be snbsti tuted for Wm. Hunter as surety under their contract — Agreed to. From Farley and Rogers, contractors for widening old road at Boatman's, asking for extension of time under their contract owing to bad weather. The Engineer stated that the contract time of Farley and Rogers would soon expire. Cr. Twohili moved and Cr. Lynch seconded and it was carrried that the time be extended for two months. Cr. Campbell thought otic months time should be sufficient. From Michael Williams offering to keep a ferry on the Left hand Branch at 15/ per week, applicant to provide a boat ; or 10/- per week if the Council provide the boat. Council servants to pass free. Cr. Campbell moved, Cr. Lynch seconded, and it was carried that the matter stand over until the Council

ascertained what the Government were going to do re bridge. In answer to Cr. Lynch the Chairman said there had been no complaints since the discontinuance of Wolf's services as ferryman, bnt the reason of '• this was probably because Mr Williams had been very accommodating to travellers at the crossing. Resolved that the application of Mr Lee re alteration of the valuation roll be acceded to. From Mr C.E. Watkins, authorised surveyor, expressing his willingness to prepare a full size map of the County, plotting thereon all roads aud j tracks undertaken to date. — The consideration of the letter was ordered to stand over till the next meeting of the Council. From C. Y. O'Connor, Secretary of Public Works, stating that in consequence ofthe large reductions made in votes it is necessary to reconsider the allocations made for public works and subsidy and therefore was unable to give any definite answer relative to bridge over the Left-hand Branch. A further letter was received from the same source stating that the allocations had been distributed between the counties interested, and the sum allotted to the inangahua County was £1500, the expenditure of which was to be spread ever twelve months. The Chairman said he did not understand under what item the County was to receive the _£1,500 referred to. A further letter was received from C. Y. O'Connor stating that the Minister of Public Works was unable as yet to give any definite answer re Lefthand Branch bridge, and concerning the vote for Cannibal Gorge road, the matter was now under consideration. From Mr Menteath, M.H.R., fully explaining votes available for the County. From Mr W. Hindniarsh, manager, Globe Company, requesting the formation of a foot track from the mine to the battery. The dis. ance was about a mile and a quarter. The Chairman explained that tlit3 matter had been before the Council for a length of time, having been brought up by a petition from the locality. Cr. Irv'ng moved, Cr. Twohili seconded and it was carried, that the Engineer prepare plans and specifications and call tenders for the construction of a track sft wide between the points named. From the Colonial Secretary's office re the numerous applications made bylocal bodies for Orders in Council to correct omissions made in administering the Counties Act, and stating that such Orders iv Council can iv future l»e only granted upon a full statement of the circumstances rendering such an application necessary. From J. Quigley stating tliat he had inadvertently destroyed a County bill for £16, which he had cashed, and asking the Council to issue a fresh l»ill covering the-fcmount. The bill would mature on the 30th instant. Resolved on the motion of Cr. Twohili, subject to the opinion of the County Solicitor as to liability of the Council, that a duplicate bill be issued Cr. Twohili said that tenders had not been called for the maintenance of Big Rive r road. He understood that a resolution had been passed authorising the calling of such tenders. The Chairman referred to the new provisions under the Charitable Aid Act, and explained the position of the County in the matter. He read a letter from the Premiers office stating that the sth November had been fixed for the tirst meeting of the District Board, and asking the Council, to fix the place and hour of such meeting, also to telegraph whether the County Chairman will consent to preside at such meeting. Letter read from the Under Secretary's Department enclosing report of the special auditor upon the accounts of the luangahua County Council. The Chairman read Uin report. The correspoudenctj as read was received. The County Engineer in his report stated that the track to the Venus mine would cost i'3o, being 80 chains in length. The Chairman said it had been the custom of the Council to extend every possible encouragement to mines which promised to be productive. Reports from the Venus mine were very encouraging. It was moved by Cr. Irving seconded by Cr. Campbell and carried that the Engineer be instructed to have the track formed at once. Cr. Duncan moved as an amendment that te inters for the work be ouly called on the condition that the Venus Company pay half the cost of the track iv question. Cr. Lynch concurred. If the Company was likely to be a rich one, they should certainly he asked to pay half the cost. He would second the amendment. Cr. Irving said as tlie seconder of his motion was inclined to support the amendment he (Cr. Irving) would withdraw the motion. The amendment then l»ecame the resolution and was put and carried. With reference to the track to the Happy Valley mine Cr. Irving moved that tenders be called for the work. The motion was seconded by Cr. Duncan and carried. Cr. Lynch referred to a track up the Glenroy, in the Hampden Riding, which was completely blocked up with timber. He said there were a number of miners working up the Glenroy. aod they experienced great difficulty in getting supplies. It would only cost I about £12 to open the track. He concluded by moving that the Engineer be instructed to expend _€10 on the track iv question. The motion was seconded by Cr. 1 Twohili aud carried.

Moved by Cr. Lynch that immedi ately no itication was received from the Government stating that the subsidy for widening Murchison road was available tenders be called for the ! woik. — Seconded by Cr. Twohili and carried. Cr. Lynch referred to track. Cr. Irving moved that the Connty Chairman Mr A. S. Menteath receive a salary of J. 200 per annum, snch salary to date from the time of his appointment as Chairmar of such Council. — Seconded by Cr. Craig. Cr. Twohili understood that Cr. Menteath would not accept salary as Chairman. He would certainly oppose the vote. Cr. Lynch said Cr. Menteath would not receive the salary, but the Council could not expect the Acting Chairman to be bound by Cr Menteath's offer. Cr. Irving said there was no provision in the Counties Act for voting salary to an acting Chairman. Cr Twohili did not think Cr. Menteath would accept a salary. Cr. Twohili moved as an amendment that no salary be voted to Cr. Menteath until November 27th. A considerable interval having elapsed. The amendment was seconded by Cr. Campbell. The amendment was then pnt with the following result, ayes : Crs. Twohili and Campbell. Noes: Crs. Irving, Duncan, Lynch, and Craig. The amendment was therefore lost The original motion was then pat and carried, the voting being as follows : — Ayes : Crs. Irving, Duucan, Lynch, and Craig. Noes : Crs Twohili and Campbell. Cr. Campbell inquired what amount the protective works at the head of the Keep it Dark race had cost. The Engineer said he had not made np the amount, but be thought it was about £80. The accounts were then presented and passed and the meeting adjourned.