HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3548, 22 November 1882, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL.

This Dai\ The Council met at 10.30 a.m. Present :—Messrs F. Sutton, M.H.E. (in the chair), J. Torr, J. Bennett, W. A. Couper, J. G. Kinross, and G. Rymer. COBBESPONDENCE. The following inward correspondence was read : — From the Crown Lands Office, in reply to the Council's application that all native lands within the county be brought under the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act, stating that the memorandum had been referred to the Colonial Treasurer to deal with. From Mr J. W. Cunningham, Rakaraoana, calling attention to the importance of providing for the Rakamoana district easier and better communication with the port of Napier than is afforded by the present Taupo road with its fortysix crossings of the Petane river.— The Chairman said, if the road could be .opened up at anything like reasonable expense, it should be done.—Cr. Bennett stated that a line of road could conveniently be made so as to avoid the crossings. The district being in a Road Board district, however, he did not see how the county could act iv the matter. He supposed it could not be done either under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act.—The Chairman said he thought it could.—On the motion of Cr. Kinross it was agreed to ask the county engineer to report on same. From Mr W. J. Birch, applying for a private slaughtering license for his property at Stoneycroft.—Agreed to, as soon as the proper time of notification in the local Gazette has elapsed. From the Inspector of Slaughter Houses, reporting favorably on the several houses under hi* supervision. From the chairman Heretaunga Road Board, forwarding copy of a resolution passed by the Board on July 24th.—Consideration deferred until next meeting. From the secretary Hawke'a Bay Hospital, requesting that the second moiety of grant (namely, £125) be placed to the credit of the building fund with the Hospital Committee's bankers.—Consideration deferred until next meeting. From Mr J. N. Williams (telegram), asking leave of absence, he being detained at Christchurch. —Granted. An account was received from Mr Sim, blacksmith, for pointing picks, &c, for workmen employed on the Patea-road contract.—The overseer stated he had given no instructions in the matter, and the secretary was instructed to inform Mr Sim accordingly. From Mr John R. Martin, asking that a footpath be formed opposite his store. West Clive, and offering to contribute a share of the cost.—Agreed to, provided the inhabitants using same pays half the cost. From Mr Jones, carrier, calling attention to the bad state of repairs of the road leading from Mangawhare to Kuripapanga, it being unfit for traffic.—The Chairman wajiuthoriaed to enquire into the matter. From Mr J. W. O'Brien, complaining that two of his horses had been impounded at Hayelock by the ranger while they were being drafted out of a mob. The driver had only been away from them for a few minutes.—Referred to the ranger for his report. KOAD OVERSEER'S REPORT. The usual report for the month was received from the Road Overseer. The overseer having reported that the contractor for keeping in repair the Kuripapanga road between Barrack creek and Kuripapanga had consistently neglected his work for the last three months, it was resolved, on the motion of Cγ Bennett, that the contract be cancelled, and the road overseer instructed to take other steps for having the work carried out in future. RETURNING OFFICERS. The Chairman drew attention to the fact that under the Licensing Act the Council was required to appoint returning officers. He would suggest that the Chairman be authorised to appoint (subject to their acceptauce), as the returning officers, the school teachers in the respective polling districts.—Agreed to. THE TIG NUISANCE. The Chairman said, with respect to the nutter of pigs wacdering on the county roads, Mr Cotterill solicitor for the Council was of opinion that nothing could be done until the Ist of January next, as the new Counties Act does not come into force until that date. BE- ADJUSTMENT OF RIDINGS. Pursuant to notice. Cr. Bennett moved that the re-adjustment of ridings within tbe county as arranged by the committee appointed for the purpose, and published in the Dait.t Telegraph of October 2tUb, be approvpd, the alterations to come into eftect ou 31st March, 1883. Cr. Kinross was opposed to the matter being " rushed through." Time should be allowed to the ratepayers to thoroughly digest the proposed alterations, besides, in the absence of the County Chairman (Mr Williams), he thought it might be delayed to the next meeting. In one or two instances the alterations involved the amalgamation of ridings where no corn*

Ay raunity of interests existed —for instance, in the case of Raukawa and Hastings. The Chairman said that any deiay would entail both additional trouble and expense. If it were found that the ratepayers objected to the alterations, which he did not believe was the case, the resolution could be rpjected at the next meeting when it came up for confirmation. He feared that Cr Kinross had not studied the matter carefully, or he ■would not talk about community of interests as he had done.Cγ Bennett also replied to Cr Kinross' objections. Cr Kinross was still of opinion that the question should be delayed. He would move, " That the debate stand adjourned to December 18th, at 11.30 o'clock." Cr. Torr seconded the amended, which was lost on a division, the mover and seconder alone voting for it. The original motion was then put and carried without dissent. THE CHAIRMANSHIP. Cγ. Bennett moved, and Cr. Couper seconded, that Cr. Sutton be appointed Chairman for the ensuing term. The motion was carried unanimously. Cr. Sutton acknowledged in suitable terms the compliment that had been paid to him, and assured the meeting that he fwould continue to use all his energies in promoting the welfare of the county ..a he h*d done in the past. J , Cr. Bennett expressed the great satis- ■"" faction he felt in reviewing the success ful career of the late Chairman, Mr J N. Williams, and said his action now in proposing Cr. Sutton as Mr Williams' successor must not be interpreted as casting any slight on the administrative ability of the latter gentleman, who had discharged his duties in a manner that calledgfor honorable mention. Cr. Bennet concluded by moving that the thanks of the Council be conveyed to the late Chairman for the able manner in which he had served the county during the last twelve months. Cr. Sutton seconded the motion, and testified to the intelligent interest the late Chairman had always taken in county affairs. The motion was then put and carried. Cγ. Bennett further moved that a sum of £125 be voted wherewith to purchase two pieces of plate, one to be presented to Cγ. Sutton, in recognition of his services as Chairman for two years prior to the appointment of Cr. Williams, and one to the late Chairman in recognition of his services during the past year; the remaining members of the council to constitute a committee for carrying out any necessary arrangements relating thereto. — Carried. FOOT BRIDGE AT PUKETAPU. On the motion of Cr. Bennett it was agreed to vote a sum of £10 for re-build-ying the foot passenger's bridge across the river near Mr Bicknell's property for the convenience of school children and others. The Council then adjourned.