MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7842, 15 October 1903, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting was held yesterday. Present—Cfs J. G. Wilson (in tho chair), H., Hammond, F. Robinson, T. Masters, Thomas Clark, George Kendall, and E. Clark. " CORRESPONDENCE. Inward correspondence was - dealt with as follows :— ■'. From Wanganui Agricultural Association, asking the Council to proclaim November 20th a whole holiday.-No action taken.; From Rangitikei County Council. ■tatement of receipts and expenditure incurred on temporary bridge and ferry 7" over the Rangitikei river at Bulls. The expenditure was £1663 Os 6d, and the receipts £1162 2s Bd. The amount contributed by the Manawatu County Council was £898 8s 9d, which will obtain a refund of £192 3s 9d, the net cost to the Council therefore being £206 ss. • From Harry Holtham, Bongotea 7 ■'* resigning his position as poundkeeper.— * W. H. Tompkins appointed. Waimakariri-Ashley Water Supply Board, re. Water Power Bill now -before the House of Representatives.—lt was resolved that this Council protest against the proposed amendment in the qualification of electors in County elections, :■ and consider that any change in the direction of the control of the water in falls, rivers, and streams as proposed in the Water Power Bill, and should include an additional clause as recom- ... mended, by the Waimakariri-Ashley : "Water Supp'y Board. From G. F. Johnson, Foxton, offering to collect tolls for 10 per cent on amount. •:"''|6 From ferryman objecting to the payment qt 10 per cent.—No action taken. From Horowhenua County Council, ';'• with copy of resolution passed by that body, expressing opinion that mail coach should have preference at Shannon ferry.—Received. From Bose Richardson, accepting position as office assistant.—Appointed. From Gebrge Gray, with claim of .'• 8s 6d for loss.of a bottle of brandy taken from case.—Tramway manager reported .'that case was received in good condition .•:-. but had been tampered with during the four days it lay hi the shed.—Claim to be paid. '; .From Adam Burges, offering to erect •windmill at Whale's line for £12 10s — '• Tender accepted and work done. From Department of Roads, stating that grant of .£l5O towards cost of construction of Pyke's road had been cancelled. From A. Perrott, drawing attention to bad. state of. Toinpkin's line.—Being epaired. ■ ' From Inspector of Tramline, reporting it was in a bad condition. The treasurer reported the various balances as follow :—General account, ; dr£2479 5s 2d ; loan account, cr £2459 Is 5d ; riding accounts : Sandon, dr £70 8s 9d ;. Kawakawa, £21 7s 5d ;' Mt. Stewart, £86.12s 5d ; Waitohi, £59 5s 2d ; Rongotea, £327 19s 3d ; Carnarvon, ti£2__ls;9d; Awahou, £203 15s lid. The report of the Tramway Manager *' . »howed~_!hat the receipts for the past 'month had been :£163 7s lid and the expenditure £16316s Bd. - ' - OTHER BUSINESS.

*;, -. Mr Satherly waited on the Council and stated that.on the 21st of last month, c when -driving home, his horse was .frightened by a horse which was lying between the drain and the metal and his vehicle "w-3* overturned and _£3 7s . damage done to it. His lamps were not lighted, the moon being up; He desired the Council to keep horses off the roads •nd to recompence him for the damage done.

Mr Satherly was informed that steps - were being taken to keep.the roads clear of cattle, and it was .resolved that the - claim .for/compensation could not be granted. ■_'■< .-, Mr' Jones, Dog Tax Collector, attended •nd asked for a refund of a part of his tender money on account of not being „ able to collect the tax from Maoris. It * *wae found by reference to the books that no tax had been collected from them the year previous, and the chairman told the ' applicant that the Maori Council's Act was passed in 1900.—Refund refused. Messrs T. Scott, J. McKelvie, and Amon, with Mr Fraser, member of the Rangitikei County Council, waited on the Council and presented a petition praying that the service at Scott's ferry be continued. Mr Fraser said on behalf : of the Rangitikei County Council he would offer £10 a year towards the service, but no more.. He had been told ''lay the ferryman that it could be continued for a year. The chairman said previously when -i_*had been' proposed to discontinue the service the Council had been asked not

' to.do ?o until the Bulls bridge was completed; The service was a local one and 'rather costly.' Last year the cost was £56 9s 7d; in 1891-2, £24135; in 1900-1 £60 6s 3d ; and in 1899-1900, £71.

In reply to Mr T. Scott, the chairman said the ferry reserve had been leased to Mrßaniells, on the latter undertaking to repair the ferry cottage, at a cost of £100. The lease terminated in 1907. Mr Fraser said the settlers requiring the service, and .who contributed towards free bridges for other settlors, were entitled to the subsidy of £10 from each of tffe Councils, but no more. Cr .Bobinson,, for his riding, undertook to contribute £10 a year, and Mr Purceil was instructed to arrange with the ferry- >; man for continuation of the service.

... The* clerk wa3 appointed manager of [the tramline, arid A. Anderson guard. .'•■' ■'-'-': >■'*■.■... ; resolutions' '•" It was resolved, That tenders be called for • erecting bridges and forming part of Pyke's road. ..That tenders be called for forming roads in Rongotea .township. That the tender of Thos. Rowe, at the sum-of £86 per annum for the right to 'work the Shannon ferry and collecting the-tolls thereat, be hereby accepted. j' 1. That- Messrs Walker and Nolan be requested, to start their contract on Gust's line.