COUNTY COUNCIL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XX, Issue 2851, 6 July 1892, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above was held yesterday afternoon at the Council Chambers, Government Baildinee. Present, C. A. Pratt Esq., Chairman, Crs Mscmfllan, Lally, Killen, Brown, Witherow, and Lever. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence : read and approved. INWABD OOBBKSPO2TDEKCB. From J. S. Winbush applying for an alteration in the valuation roll for land at Maketu. Held over for further consideration. From Col. Fraaer relative to the proposed formation of Thompson's track, pointing out the best lines on which to approach the Government for a grant. Cr McMillan moved and Or Lever seconded, * That the Chairman be requested to write to both Col. Fraser and Mr Kelly, M.H.Rs., to the/ to the effect that both being strong Gow vernment supporters they should endeavour J to obtain the full amount required to com- , plete the road.' Curried unanimously. ' From A. Blundell, asking that steps be taken to enable the swing bridge at Hairini to be opened, also to have the willows overhanging the Waimapa river removed as they are a hindrance to navigation. Resolved that the swing bridge be attended to, and that Mr Blundell be informed that the Count il has no power over the river. The Chairman incidentally alluded to the desirability of the Council forming itself into a River Board, in many places the Maoris pat eel weirs in the creeks damning back the water over a large area of low-lying land. Other councillors made a few remarks and it was decided to discuss the matter at next meeting. From Hugh Stewart, Katikati, complaining that a gate of his was made I unusable owing to alteration in the grading of the road which was now 8 feet lower than previously. The Chairman said he had replied that Mr Stewart could have pipes to form the needful culvert free of cost, and fetch them himself. From W. Kelly, relative to the Council's offer to himself aud Mr Vercoe as to formation of road at Maketu, that they should each contribute 10s for each £ expended, declining to bind himself to pay the necessary contribution. Copies of * The Bird's Nuisance Act, ' and a circular re charitable aid, from H. Bastings, were read and laid on the table. From Clerk, Tauranga Borough Counoil, relative' to maintenance of Hairini Bridge, referring the Counoil to ' The Public Works Act' and stating that the Gounoil considers that the bridge is under the control of the County Counoil. The vouohers for the sum of £5 18s 4d will be examined by the Finance Committee, and reported on. No action was taken, pending the Borough Council's aotion re vouchers mentioned.

Enginbeb'h bbpobt.

The Engineer reported on each of the maintenance contracts which expired at the end of last month. Certificates had been issued to the following ; —John Wilson, H. Jenkinsou, R. Bainbridge, John Gain, 0, Ryan, Jesse Cox and John Donelly, but were withheld in the cases where contracts were not fully complete. Re Hairini bridge and embankment, according to instructions thia is not included in any of the new mainten* ance contracts, and provision must be made for the needful reparrs, New planking is required to repair Aongatete bridge. The culverts throughout the County are in their last stage and must be replaced by pipes. The Kaimai road has been stopped by f all^ of timber which will be cleared at a cost of 20s.

A long discussion took place as to the withholding of certificates and the consequent disputes between the Engineer and jbhe contractors. A clause in the specifications provided for the. settlement of such disputes by reference to a Committee of three Councillors. A dispute re Leech's section, Katikati, was left to the Katikati representatives and the Engineer, and one re Harding'ssection, Greerlon to Messrs Pratt, Lever and the Engineer. The Council then proceeded to consider the new specifications for maintenance of roads, Cr Witherow thought provision should be made that rounding up embank- ■ ments should be done by hauling on fresh stuff from spoil banks and not by taking stuff from the side and throwing it into the centre. The Engineer explained that this would add greatly to the amount of tenders, he thought it was better to let special contracts for this work. None of the present tenderers would have allowed for hauling on fresh stuff. Resolved that tenders be called for fascining and forming up the Maketu road, returnable at Te Puke in a fortnights time; tenders to be opened by the Maketu members and the Engineer. Proposed by Cr Brown and seconded by Cr Macmillan, — « That a letter be written to Mr Kelly protesting against the one sided legislation where Government propose to bring in a bill this session to provide land for all landless natives, but that if such a bill be brought in, it ought in all fairness to embraoe all landless Europeans as well as Maoris. ' Carried unanimously. The Council then into Committe to open and consider tenders for the road maintenance contracts. On resuming the Chairman reported as follows : —

Taubanga-Thames Boad. section i £ a a E. Hamilton .. . . 30 0 0 Grant and Son . . . . 23 0 0 Hutchinß and Sbadwell . . 22 19 0 W. Earl 22 0 0 Bainbridge and Son (accepted ) 19 0 0 SECTION H B.G.Armstrong .. .. 35 0 0 Hutching & Shad well (accepted) 24 10 0 SECTION 111. Hutching & Shadwell (accepted) 27 10 0 SECTION IV. J. Le»oh ( accepted ) . . 23 15 0 section v. J.Wilson .. .. .. 39 15 0 W. Taylor (accepted) „ 34 15 0 SECTION VI. J. Boyd 45 10 6 H. Jenkinson ( accepted ) .. 39 15 6 Tatjbanga-East Coast Boad. section vn. J. Winbush .. „ 38 0 0 Grant and Son .. „ 37 10 0 G. Harding .... 35 0 0 JohnDonelly - .. .. 38 0 0 Bainbridge and Son (accepted) 25 0 0 SECTTON VIII. John Gain . . . . 49 0 0 J. Sbanaghan (accepted) 48 0 0 section rx, John Gain . . . . 73 0 0 John Bird . . . . 64 0 0 J. Shanaghan (accepted) 58 10 0 section x. C. Ryan (thrown out) 89 0 0 SECTION XI. No tender. Maketu-kattuna boad. BECTIOn XII C. Ryan (accepted) . . 34 0 0 section xni. No tender Taubanoa-Rotobua Road. SECTION XXV* Harding and Moon .. 18 10 0 Di Kennedy .. .. 18 -0 0 Bramble & Sop (acoepted) 15 0 0

SECTION XV. Bramble & Son .. .. 22 GO Hording (accepted) .. 20 0 0 SSOTION XVI. J.Cox .. .. .. 45 0 0 J MoArthur .. .■.....- 26 0 Q Taubanoa-Cambbidgb Road. The Sommittee recommended that the whole of the tenders of this road be thown oat and the necessary work be done by day I labour. i The report of the Committee of Counoil was adopted, and this concluded the businass.