H.B. COUNTY GOUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 127, 14 May 1912, Page 3

H.B. COUNTY GOUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hawke’s Bay County Council was held on Monday at 10.39 a.m. Present ; Crs. T. Mason Chambers (chair), Donnelly, Gordon, Stead, Macdonald, Clark and Crosse.

Crs. Crosse reported as follows: —

The committee recommends that Conway’s drain be not interfered with. Most of the surface water can be diverted half-way along the new formation, taken under the road, thence through a drain across Wellwood’s farm, and emptied into the drain running into the Southland. We object to take the water from the natural course and divert from the Conway drain to the other.. The report was adopted. '

On the motion of Cr. Stead the Te Mata-Waimarama and HastingsKereru roads are to be closed for traction engine traffic during the month.

The chairman was authorised to have all weak bridges in the county inspected and reported on.

A further petition, many feet long, was received with regard to the survey of the Hastings-Puketitiri tramway.—The chairman said he was going to Wellington shortly anc would go into the matter with the Minister.—A letter to be sent to the signatories pointing out that the estimate being already obtained would cover their request. The Valuation Department notified the council that fhe re-valuation of Napier Borough would be considered within a month or two.—Received.

The Department of Lands wrote regarding the purchase of Maraetare as a public park. It was suggested that the Borough Council and Sailing Club be asked to contribute. It was proposed to take 18 acres at a cost of £4oo.—On the motion of Cr. Shrimpton it was resolved to accept the Government offer. The Chairman, Crs. Donnelly and Macdonald also warmly endorsed the action. A committee of the Chairman, and Crs. Clarke and Shrimpton were set lip to deal with the matter with power to act.

The Department of Internal Affairs notified that Havelock had been constituted a Town Board from April Ist.—Received. The Public Works Department requested that applications for grants be sent in.—A list was prepared and will be forwarded.

Some discussion ensued on the question of raising the necessary Hospital levy of £5607/10/6. The chairman favoured a short loan for about say seven years. Crs. Crosse and Donnelly favoured the chairman’s suggestion.—Cr. Macdonald favoured a Government loan for a longer period. — Cr. Shrimpton thought it would probably be fairer to spread the loan over 361 years.— The Chairman was authorised to negotiate with the Bank for a loan spread over seven, or fewer years. The Technical College asked for a contribution. —The usual grant of £25 mqde. Richmond and Fernie asked for a road at Havelock to be opened up. — Dealt with in the estimates.

The Chairman and Cr. Clark were authorised to sign the agreement with the sawmillers.

Vouchers amounting to £2079/18/9 were passed for payment. The Public Works Department forwarded plans of the Tuki Tuki bridge.—Held over until next meeting. 'Nlcoll Bros, asked for the metalling of a road at Twyford.—Left to the Chairman and Cr. Crosse to deal with.

The County Engineer (Mr. C. D. Kennedy) reported on the widening of Pakowai Bridge, completion of Esk bridge. The cost of widening the Pakawai bridge would cost £looo.— No action taken.—The Engineer recommended that it would not be advisable to give access to the bridge in any 7 other way than now offered.

The Hastings Borough Council declined responsibility for enlarging Southland Drain ; it oply 7 agreed to cleaning. To be informed no enlargment is being undertaken.

Hastings Borough Council stated that they considered that the estimate of the Murdoch road culvert was too high.—Left to Cr. Crosse and the Chairman to deal with. Cotterell and Humphries asked on what terms the ’council would open up a road at Te Mahanga.—Left to Chairman and Cr. Crosse to report on.

The Palmerston Chamber of Commerce forwarded a copy of a resolution regarding the Defence Act. — Received.

Mr. H. Hartree asked the council for better access to his property at Ngaroto. —Reply- be sent to Mr. Hartree that the council cannot see its way to give him a bridle track on his private property. The Napier Borough Council asked for £6OO towards the Wellesley road construction. —To be paid. The Hawke’s Bay Rugby L nion asked for the use of a ground at Farndon Park. —To be left in the hands of Cr. Gordon and the Chairman to deal with.