HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 108, 10 May 1881, Page 2

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

? Tho monthly meeting of the Hutt Coanty Conncil wa3 held this morning. Present— Conncillora Lancaster (Chairman), Dick, Monaghan, Speedy, Morgan, Smith, Taylor, Chew, and Mason. A letter was received from tho Chairman of tho Rangitikei County Conncil, stating that the Council and Highway Board hod met to discuss various matters in connection with local government, and had passed resolutions, which it was hoped the vjurions local bodies would combine to reform. The resolutions—six in number — were to tho effect that the present machinery was inadequate ti carry ont the functions of local government, and that the joint committee of the two Boards pledged itself to uso all constitutional means to get Government to "bring down a bill next session dealing fnlly with the matter ; that Government shonld endeavor to reduce taxation, and, instead of subsidising and endowing local bodies, sucii bodies might then be enabled to tax themselves for local requirements ; that the constitution of the u'asto Lands Board should be amended, so as to provide for an elective element ; that the Govei nment, in selling any new block of Crown land, shonld oither mako main roads through districts before Bale, or make provision ont of the purchase money to form roads ; that valuations for all purposes of taxation shonld be made at tho same time by the same officers and at longer intervals than prescribed by the Bating Act, 1876; that the foregoing resolutions be circulated

throughout the colony, and a copy forwarded to the Premier. The Conncit decided to postpone the consideration of the letter and resolutions for the present. A letter was received from the Government, stating that the survey of the rood from Upper Hntt to Waikanae had been completed, and that the balance of the JJ-'OOO grant for formation would be paid over to the county, as required. A letter was read from the Karori-Makara Highway Board, asking on what condit ; ons they were to carry on in future - whether the Council would advanco the money or pay the Board's labor. It was, after considerable discussion, resolved, " That this Council advance to the several ridings such snms as may be necessary to keep the roads within their respective boundaries in repair ; such amounts to be recouped, in case the Supreme Court should rule that the Council has no power to levy a rate." On tho motion of Mr. Mason a committee was appointed to wait upon and request the Governmont to place tho deviations on the old Porirua Road in a proper Btate of repair, the road having been altered for the WellingtonFoxton Railway line. Ten days' leave of absence was granted to Mr. Fitzherbert, the Board's engineer. It was resolved to call for tenders from persons willing to colloct the rates in one or all of tho ridings. Tho expenditure for the month was re- , ported to be £776 3s 3d. The Chairman reported that a writ had been served on the County Council at the instance of the Kilbernie Highway Board, with reference to the Council's power to lovy rates or take over roads. It was necessary somo action should be taken immediately. Tho matter was allowed to stand over, in order to let matters dovolop, before anything was done. In answer to Councillor Smith, tho Chairman said he had on his own account obtained the County Solicitor's opinion on the question of levying tho dog tax. That opinion was that the Council were bound by the Act to impose the tax. If they did not, any person might obtain a mandamus compelling them to do so, and to pay any expenses arising from not having bronpht the Act into operation. Mr. Smith pointed out that he had two sheepdogs which he had been called upon to register, and was subject to a penalty of .£lO for not doing so; but he could not do so because tho county had not appointed a collector. Councillors Mason and Monaghan held that as the matter had been left so long, it would be as well to let it alone for tho rest of the year. This was agreed to, and tho subject dropped. Councillor Taylor asked whether the Council or the contractor was responsible for the proper lighting of the Kaiwarra Stream during the removal of the bridge. Mr. Fitzherbert said it was the contractor's duty to properly light the work, to provide a ford, and take all precautions to prevent accidents.— Councillor Smith held that neither the Council nor tho contraotor was compelled to put cp lights. After some further discussion,, the matter was allowed to drop.