HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL

Daily Telegraph (Napier), 17 January 1881, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL

THIS DAY,

Present : Messrs Sutton (in the chair), Kinross, Bennett, Torr, Williams, Tanner, and Rymer. The minutes of the previous meeting ■were read and confirmed. Accounts amounting to £350 lis Id were passed and ordered to be paid. The following correspondence was read and considered :— From the Census Enumerator, asking if the boundaries of the ridings were the same as before. The Chairman replied that the information had been supplied. From the Inspector of Slaughter Houses, stating the number of slaughter house licenses taken out and giving the names of those who had not taken them out. On the motion of Mr Bennett it ■was resolved that the Inspector of Slaughter Houses be instructed to take proceedings in the Resident Magistrate's Court against Messrs Conroy, Martin and Hollis, and any other persons slaughtering without licensee. From the Provincial District Auditor, stating that be had audited the accounts of the Council for the six months ending

30th of September, and found them correct. The receipts appeared to bear a fair proportion to those of the previous finaßcial year, taking into consideration that no Government subsidy had been received during the six months under

notice, and after deducting the amount of £.3000 special grant. Tbe expenditure wayS considerably le?s when the outlay on account of the special grant above referred to be taken off. The proportionate reduction in expenditure during the six months on that of the previous year is estimated at over £400. From William Rose, Havelock, applying for a slaughtering license on section No. 13, Pukahu, formerly occupied by Alfred James. Granted. From tbe Wairoa County Council re the existing constitution of the Waste Lands Board, the discussion on which was adjourned from last meeting. It was resolved " that the Council concur with the motion passed at the Wairoa Council." ROAD OVERSEER'S REPORT. Sir, —I have the honor to report that the County roads and bridges are in good order for traffic. The formation of the new line of road, Tareha's bridge and old racecourse, is near its completion. I beg to recommend the advieability of metalling this road during the dry weather. The small bridges on the MaungawharePatea line of road will be completed about the 20th of this month, and tbe road open and fit for dray traffic. Tie the sharp curves on this line of road, it will require an expenditure of £50 to cut off all corners on the steep grades so as to make it suitable for bullock team traffic. — Johv Traces-, Road Overseer. The report was read and adopted, and the expenditure passed. Mr Bennett moved that the following roads be declared County roads, viz.: — "From Redclyffe by Omahu to Hastings, also from Hastings to boundary of County on Hampden road, also from Omahu by Okawa to Maungawhare." He said it was not the first time that the Council had tried to have all through roads brought under their control, and it was fair they should have to start from Napier to Hampden. There was a road there purely a trunk road, which to the local ratepayers was of little use. Through his Road Board district there was a direct road to Patea, which was as much entitled to be a County road as the Waipawa road viz., from Okawa to Maungawhare, He was personally disinterested in the motion as "there was not a quarter of a mile of the road which he should evertravel on. It was an act of injustice to the inland road districts to have to maintain these roads.

Mr Williams seconded tbe motion pro forma. He did not think it went far enough, and if anything was to be done they ought to go into Committee and take every road and resolve what roads should be declared County roads or not. That was the form he should like the question to take. Mr Tanner said he would support Mr Williams suggestion. He did not think they should be in to great a hurry to take over roads as County roads unless they were requisitioned too do so. They should decide once for all what should be County roads or not. He should oppose Mr Bennett's motion as it stood. The Hampden settlers asked for a grant-in-aid, and they Bhould be given that. The Chairman agreed with Mr William's suggestion. He thought there would be some fresh legislation next session, and he did not think it advisable to consider the motion at present. He should move as an amendment, " That the motion be postponed for two months." Mr Bennett said a similar motion was postponed last year for the same reason, and he if they looked forward to any benefit from the House, they were leaning on a broken reed. They were glad to beshut of the matter. He would support himself a discussion in committee. Mr Kinross said he would support the motion on the understanding that they went into committee. The Chairman withdrew his amendment. The Council then went into committee on Mr Bennett's motion. On the Council resuming Mr Bennett moved the following:—"That the roads from Redclyffe to Omahu bridge, from Omahu to Okawa and on to Kuripapanga bridge, and from Hastings railway station to boundary of County on the road to Hampden via Maraekakaho be declared County roads," which was put to the meeting and carried. DOG TAX. Mr Collinge was appointed collector of the tax at Is a-head, and the Hawke's Bay County Council office was appointed the official olace of registration. TENDERS KURIPAPANGA BRIOGE. The Chairman stated that fresh tenders had been called for the erection of the Kuripapanga bridge, and only one had been received, viz from Angus McKay for £1,626 10s. It was resolved, upon the motion of Mr Rymer, seconded by Mr Bennett, that Mr McKay's tender be accepted, and that the guarantors be requested to pay in the amount of their guarantee (£500) into the Council's account at the Colonial Bank. DESTRUCTION OF DOGS. Mr Tanner gave notice to move " That after the Ist of March next tbe constables and collector be offered a capitation fee for all unregistered dogs destroyed by them,"

The Council then adjourned