WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 64, 16 March 1900, Page 6

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Waipa County Council met at Ohaupo on Tuesday. Mr Prince's offer to act as caretaker of the Waipa Bridge near Pirongia was accepted. The Supervisor of Works reported that ; i ncorapany with the Chairman and sever- i al of the Councillors he had attended a trial of the rotary disc plough which i.t was proposed to use for road-forming pur- i poses. The trial had taken place at the Newstead Station, and they were all more than satisfied that the plough would do all that was claimed for it; but it could only be successfully employed by having a skilled man with a team specially engaged, and they were doubtful if under the circumstances it would be economical, and it was on the score of economy that the Council proposed to purchase a machine. The other Councillors concurred In this opinion, and it was decided to go no further in the matter. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr R. Reynolds for his assistance, and to Mr and Mrs Clarke for their hospitality. It was reported that the Mangahoi Drainage Board by their drainage works had increased the flow of water at the Black Bridge, and had put in struts to strengthen the structure, but they had not been properly placed. It was decided to request the Board to have the supports put in in a proper manner. The Council decided to erect a breastwork at Havelock's Bridge to prevent scouring. This was also rendered necessary by the drainage works carried on by the. Boar.d. The following grants were received from the Government: — AVhatawhata Swamp Road, £125; Te Rapa Creamery Road, £50; Cambridge Bridge, £200. In connection with the latter work it was resolved to re» quest the Government to send an engineer to report upon the proposed new site as soon as possible. The Council decided to call for tenders for the following works:—Gravelling on the bush flat near Fitzgerald's; on the Whatawhata. Swamp Road; repairing the Rukuhia Swamp Road; gravelling on the Ohaupo-Uamilton Road, Cambridge-Roto-ran?i Road, Waipa Road, Ngaroto-Pate-rangi Road, and a number of other small | works. The Supervisor of Works was authorised to continue the gravelling works on the Whatawhata Swamp Road near the 14-chain swamp. Ta'uwhakaririka's tender of 2/ per chain was accepted for the supply of gravel from Otorohanga. Mr C. Miles notified the Council that Messrs Geo, Berry, jun., and C. Egan had been appointed.as trustees fpr the Pirongia Cemetery in place of Messrs Westney and Aliier. In reply to an application from Mr J. Livingstone, of Te Rapa, for a- crossing over the railway line near his property, the Council expressed its inability to grant the request, as the Railway Department expected it to defray the cost, £50. Pie was advised to apply to the Department for a private crossing. Mr A. Swarbrick, the Council's solicitor, wrote enclosing a reply he had received from the Lands and Survey Department on the subject of the Pirongia reserves. It was therein stated that a number of these reserves had been set aside for "municipal purposes, and could not therefore be vested in the Council. He was instructed to endeavour to have all the available reserves vested in the Council, and also to try and obtain a. title to Lot 521, xipon which a portion of the Piror/.gia Creamery stands, in order that the creamery might be handed over to the proprietor, Mr Sprang. Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs Smith and Rhodes for offers of unlimited supplies of gravel free of cost. Messrs Souter and Co. again brought under the notice of the Council the necessity of the erection of drinking troughs at the different saleyards in Ohaupo at an estimated cost, including windmills, tanks, etc., of £65. They forwarded a subscription list showing that £35 had been collected by private subscription Ip aid of the work, and asked that the Council should contribute the remaining £30. The Councillors were unanimous in their opinion that the auctioneers should .de^ fray the cost of the work, but as a contribution of £20 had been promised some years ago towards the work, it was decided to redeem the promise, but to take •no further responsibility in the matter. The Chairman said he noticed that many of the local bodies were taking advantage of the Act of 1599 to reduce the rate of interest on loans, and he thought the Council should also consider the matter. After some discussion it was decided to go fully into the question at next meeting. The Clerk was instructed to write and ask Mr J. Livingstone on wha,t terms he - would tallow the Te Rapa Creamery Road ' to be carried through his property. The Supervisor of Works was asked to inspect and report upon the condition of ! Grant's bridge near Pirongia. ; • A large number of accounts were passed i for payment, and the Council rose, |'