WOODVILLE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 285, 5 June 1909, Page 2

WOODVILLE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the above was held yesterday. Present — Messrs Nelson (chairman), Grainger, Moorby, Murray, Hughes, McPherson } and Little. . ■CORRESPONDENCE. From W. Ritchie, making application to lease river -reserve on Jackson's Road, and also on. Holder's Bluff.— Resolved that Council cannot entertain same, From R. Slattcry, re impounding at Kumcroa. — Resolved that Mr Slattery be thanked .for his offer. From Waipawa Hospital Board, re Pastor Ries' resignation. — Cr Graiuger moved. That Mr M. Murray be asked to accept. the position. — Subsequently Mr Murray signified his acceptance by wire. From Clifton County Council, circular letter re proposal to move to equitably apportion the amount of rate payable in connection with special rating districts. It is proposed to alter the. law to a system of charging ratepayers on a betterment principle .—Received. From J. H. Dean, re condition of road near his store.— Received. .From G. Wheeler, chairman of Oroua County Council, enclosing tickets for opening Lower Gorge Bridge. Cr Hughes proposed that the chairman of the Oroua- County be informed that as they were not contributing they could not accept the tickets under the circumstances. From Dannevirke County Council, re Kaitoke-Otope Road, and suggesting that Woodville County's grant.be expended in the spring. — Received. From H. B. Employers' Association re levy. The auditor took exception to this amount being paid last year in spite of the fact that the Public Revenues Act authorises counties to spend up to £50 under the Public Revenues Act. From H. Hills and Co., forwarding quotations for pipes. — Received. From Scorgie and Co. , applying for renewal of slaughterhouse license. — Approved. From Superintendent of Electric Lines re Mangarawa telephone exchange, and asking for deficiency, £7 4 S 2cl. — Resolved to pay amount, and clerk was instructed to^collect the amount fronvguarantors. From the Treasury, re loans in "connection with Harding's Road bridge. The loan, for this bridge amounted £1129. From- Counties' Association, referring to superannuation matters. — Clerk to supply information. From T. F. Martin, forwarding counsel's opinion on road matters. — Received. OVERSEER'S REPORT. Woodville riding: Dismantled old bridge Toy. Ebbet's on Napier. Road; completed the filling on concrete filling; also effected repairs to bridges 31 and 32, near Matahiwi hill and put longitudinal planks on No. 29, on Saddle Road, built a stone groin on Mangamania creek about" the ford, also straightened the channel. Maharahara riding : Put new decking on the foot bridge over the Msi-nga-atua stream, by Jensen's on the Valley Road. Kumeroa riding : Did general surface work throughout the riding, and put longitudinal planks on several bridges on the Totara, Road. Forrest and Co. are making fair progress with the formation on Upper Otawhou Road ; inserted two sets of pipes on TattersaH's Road; also filled up the deep holes. It will be necessaiy to put a few loads of metal on the pipes to prqvent them being broken. Mauga-atua riding : I have put new decking on bridge No. 66 on Masterton Road, the old decking was rotten and not safe for traffic. J. W. Smith has finished his metalling contract on Riverside Road. The Chairman staged the tender of .E. Pritchard had been accepted for lease of gravel reserve. The clerk was instructed to get a copy of lease of gravel reserve lea-sed to P. Scally. The Overseer reported having visited Graham's Road, and estimated cost of repairing at £9 os. Cr Moorby explained the road could only bo made suitable for light traffic. Cr Grainger said that in view of the counsel's opinion received from the Counties' Association, he did not .think Mr Graham's "bluffing should stand in 'the way of putting the road in repair.'' and moved accordingly. The Chairnfan expressed himself in favor of Mr Graham's request. — Carried, a.nd it was resolved that the road was only open for light traffic. The accounts of two defaulters were placed in the .solicitor's hands for collection. The Chairman explained re minutes in. reference to Mr Ross, M.P., accompanying members round tho district. Cr Grainger brought up the matter of liability of thto county in respect of contractors. The Chairman replied that he thought the county was liable for accidents occurring to contractors in their employ. Tenders were tp be invited for working the grader for 12 months; same conditions as last year. Cr Murray asked that a set of pipes

on Elliot's l?oad bo cleaned out, etc. — Left in hands of Chairman and overseer. Cr Moorby wanted metal on Top Grass Road raked, etc. Cr Grainger, when asked his requirements, gave his usual answer, "No; 7io funds." Cr Little- wanted a bridge .seen to in Kumeroa , on the bridle track ; and asked that mutters in connection with the Kumeroa pound be put in train. — Left over till next meeting. Cr McPherson asked for the overseer's opinion -on the bridge near Ramsden's by next meeting. Cr Logan was granted leave of absence, the chairman regretted that Cr Logan was not getting on as well as expected, and asked for some repairs on Davey's.Road on Cr Logan's behalf. After lunch, ihe Chairman introduced Mr McKibhon, Mayor of Woodville, and Mr H. Burnett, who asked the Council to grant a- subsidy to the Wcodville library. TheMayor, as spokesman, dealt at length with the position, and Mr Burnett emphasised' Mr McKibbin's remarks. After the deputation withdrew it was resolved -that the usual vote of £6 10s to the AVoodville cookery school be paid, Crs Moorby and Grainger voting against. Cr Murray moved, That Woodville and Manga-atua- ridings contribute £5 eacli to the Woodville library.— Carried. The Chairman announced his attention of going round tho county with the overseer, with a view to forming the estimates for next meeting. The overseer was authorised to get a truck load of pipes. The pay-sheet, amounting to £362 13s lid. was passed for payment.