PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 26, 10 July 1880, Page 3

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednesday, July 7.

Present — Messrs. Dale (chairman), Winks, Milne, Homer, Gane, Hunter, Brewer, and Bridge.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters were read — From J. Sperry, Property Tax Commissioner, asking the name of each Road Board in the county ; from J. Kuowles, Under- Secretary of Public Work 6, with reference to moneys due on account of Mountain road, and relative to Mr. McLean's contract, to the effect that Mr. Blackett, C.E., could not act as arbitrator; from J. Marchant, C.E., asking for a revised plan of county road districts ; from A. Black, asking for a share of the county council printing ; from T. Humphries, chief surveyor, Taranaki provincial district, asking if any alterations had been made in the boundaries, and also in reference to the boundaries of the Wairoa highway district ; from G. S. Cooper, Colonial Undersecretary, extending the time for the preparation of the county rolls, and in reference to the hospital accounts ; from the Patea Harmonic Society,' requesting permission to hold quarterly quadrille assemblies in the council chamber; from the Carlyle library, requesting a grant of £50 ; from J. McLean's solicitors, in reference to claim ori account of Mountain road contract ; from the Hon. Mr. Bolleston, relieving the council of all responsibility in connection with the council chambers during the tune they were occupied with the Maoris attending the Native Land Courts ; from W. Swinboume, relative to water lodging in front of the Presbyterian Church, Waverley; from W. A. G. Winchcombe, Waverley, stating that he had lost the accounts of dogs registered by him ; from M. Hunter, as to inability to attend the meeting of committee appointed to inquire into clerk's duties ; from D. Donnelly, applying tor the office of steward to the hospital, and stating that he and his wife would take charge for the some salary as that paid to the present warder; from the Waimea, Selwyn, and Keeiton conty councils, acknowledging receipt of resolution passed at previous meeting of the council, relative to vesting the administration of the land in the county councils ; from C. T. Eoper, relative to water lying opposite his gate, and stating that ho would hold the council responsible unless it was drained off.

DOG REGISTRATION FEES.

Councillor Milne proposed, "That unless Mr. Winchcombe furnish the council •with a correct report of the number of dogs registered by him up to the 31st March, of the present year, and pays to the council the moneys for same, that the council take legal proceedings against him."

Councillor Bridge was of opinion the council could not take legal proceedings. Councillor Gane thought the matter required to be cleared up. The Chairman said Mr. Black had written to Mr. Winchcombe, and had interviewed him on the subject. If action was taken, Mr. Black would have to do it, as it was he who had appointed Mr. Winchcomb and the other deputy registrars.

Mr. Hunter would like to hear the minute read empowering Mr. Black to appoint the dog registrars. Mr. Black said there was no minute on the books, but he hod appointed the registrars at the wish of the council. He tried to get the police to act, but was unsuccessful.

Mt. Bridge moved as an amendment — " That the registrar of dogs be requested to obtain from Mr. Winchcombe a correct statement of the amount of dog tax collected by bun up to 31st March, to be furnished by the 21st instant; failing which, that advice be taken as to whether Mr. Winchcombe can be prosecuted for embezzling the same." Councillor Gane seconded the amendment. Councillor Mime withdrew hifl resolu-

tion in its favor, stating that he thought it only right — for the sake of the council, of which Mr. Winchcomb had been a member — to have the matter cleared up.

Councillr Gane inquired what legal advice would be taken.

Councillor Bridge said there was a minute on the books empowering the chairman to take whatever legal advice he thought best. They could not sue Mr. Winchcomb for a debt at the present time, as he was making arrangements with his creditors. They could only proceed against him for embezzlement. The amendment was adopted. THE PATEA INSTITUTE.

Councillor Bridge proposed — " That in the present state of the funds, the council is unable to comply with the request of the secretary of the Patea Institute." He was aware that money had been voted — anil he believed wrongly voted — for the Hawera Institute ; but that was no reason why they should commit another wrong. He thought those institutes should be self-supporting, and should not come to the council as paupers, asking for grants.

Councillor Winks seconded the resolution.

The Chairman, in putting the motion, said he quite agreed with it. He had opposed the grant to the Hawera Institute at the time the proposal was made. The resolution was earned.

QUADRILLE ASSEMBLIES.

The Chairman explained that, having seen an advertisement hi the Patea Mail, relative to assemblies in the Council Hall, he had instructed the clerk to write to the secretary of the Harmonic Society, telling him that permission couid not be granted. The society had now privileges which similar bodies did not possess, as they had the use of the hall for practices for a mere nominal aum. If the council granted the hall to the Harmonic Society, they could not well refuse other people. Since the receipt of Mr. Homer's letter, he had received two other applications of a similar nature from other parties. Councillor Bridge having expressed concurrence witb the views of tiie eliaicnian, the matter dropped.

COMPENSATION FOR GRAVEL.

Councillor Bridge proposed — " That Mr. Dudley arrange with James Allen for compensation for gravel taken from his land in terms of contract."

The Chairman considered the council had nothing to do with the matter. They had given no authority to Dudley to take the gravel. Councillor Winks seconded the motion pro forma. He considered the council was liable for the amount, but it could deduct the money from the contract.

Councillors Homer and Bridge were of opinion the council had nothing whatever to do with it.

Councillor Gane said he was in ignorance as to the fact of a written permission being required, and it was no wonder if Allan was not aware of it.

The Chan-man could not help councillors being in ignorance, if they did not chose to read the by-laws.

Councillor Hunter thought it was purely a personal matter between the two parties. Councillor Milne did not consider the council had any light to intrfere in private affairs. The subject before the council was, in his opinion, a matter between the parties themselves. Councillor Bridge replied, stating that he thought the council should see that all compensation was paid before they took contracts over, and paid the full amount. The resolution was carried.

THE HOSPITAL STEWARD.

The Chairman explained that the present steward had been taken ill some time ago, but he was now in a position to resume his duties. He (the chairman) thought it would be an advantage to have a man and his wife, and Dr. Keating was favorably inclined towards Donnelly, who was a very steady man, and had some property in the town. He would like to hear an expression of opinion from the council.

Councillor Homer said that it they had a man and his wife, a saving could be effected. The washing might be done at the building ; whereas, at the present time, they had a heavy bill to pay every month for the washing. Councillor Gane said a wash-house would have to be built, and there would be little or no saving on that head.

The Chairman did not consider it would be necessary to build a wash-house.

Councillor Gane — " Oh, it's astonishing how these 'necessaries' grow."

Councillor Homer proposed, — That the chairman accept the services of Donnelly and his wife, subject to the approval of the visiting committee."

Councillor Brewer seconded the resolution pro forma. There would be ;6127 a year and rations to pay, which was rather a high price just now ; when married couples could be easily got on a farm for £G5 a year. He believed in paying men well, and having good officers, but the figure was too high for the small amount of attendance required.

The Chairman said, it was a Tery different matter to work on a farm and to take charge of a hospital. On a farm they would be able to have their night's rest ; in a hospital they might be called up half a dozen times during the night. Councillor Hunter thought the amount too high. If the services of the man and his wife could be got for the same amount as the present steward was paid, he would have no objection to their being appointed; but it must be recollected that they would have to provide rations for two instead of one.

Councillor Milne said that over iS2OO a year would be too high to pay for a man and his wife. The amount proposed to be given, with rations included, would cost more than £200.

Councillor Bridge was of opinion that hospital attendants could be got for a far less amount.

Councillor Winks proposed an amendment, — " That applications be called for a man and his wife to do all the work required in connection with the hospital ; the salary to be J875, with rations."

Councillor Homer withdrew his resolution in favor of the amendment.

Councillor Brewer then- moved, as a further amendment, — " That the Council advertise for a man and his wife to take charge of the hospital, and that applications (to include testimonials) be received by next meeting." He thought many persons, who could not work on a farm, might apply for the situation ; but if they fixed a sum they might lose very suitable paities, for the sake of a few pounds. At 'the same time, he (the speaker) thought

they would get a married couple for even • less than £15 a year. Councillor Hunter seconded the amendment, and Councillor Gane supported it.

Councillor "Winks replied, stating that if the council expected good people to take charge of the hospital they would have to pay them fair wages. Councillor Brewer's amendment was carried, and the chairman was empowered to make whatever arrangements he considered best in the meantime. engineer's report. The Engineer reported that all the contracts let during the present season had been completed, with the exception of cotract No. 51, for depositing gravel at Waverley, and contract No. 58a extension, for breaking stone at Manawapou, both of which were still in progress. A drain had been formed in Bedford-street, Carlyle, to carry the surface water beyond Mr. Jackson's property. The removal of the pool of water opposite the Presbyterian Church, "Waverley, would conduce to the health and comfort of the inhabitants, and the cost would be trifling. One thousand yards of broken metal had been spread at the Mauawapou, which had been metalled to the top of the hill. The horses and men ban been taken away from that work for a few days to repair the road between the Manawapou and the Carlyle side of the Manutahi Gorge. "With few exceptions, where the roads had not been gravelled this year, the crust had broken through during the late wet weather, and it would be a hard matter to keep them in good order during the winter season. There was not, to his knowledge, a gravel pit between Tongahoe and Messrs. Heron and Kennedy's, a distance of about eight miles, and the engineer suggested that the stone-breakers on the Manawapou should be employed at a price, or that tenders should be called for breaking stone in Messrs. Heron and Kennedy's, and Delamore's gravel pits during the winter months. GORSE. Councillor Gane drew attention to some gorse being tipped on to Mr. Morgan's iand, ne&T the MaGtvwapow. BAD RUTS. Councillor Hunter thought that one of the daymen would be much better employed in filling up the holes near the Hawera Town Board boundary, rather than fiddling about on a good road, and cutting grass on the side of it. There were some very bod ruts between Hawera and Normanby. The Chairman said that was a portion of the Mountain road, and the council had no money to spend upon it. STONE BREAKERS. In answer to the chairman, the engineer said the stone-breakers were giving him such satisfaction, that they had " knocked the stone-crusher out of his head altogether." The Chairman informed the council that th-y were getting stone broken at 3s 2£d per yard. Councillor Bridge asked if there was any limit to the size of the stone ? A good deal of what he saw near the Manawapou Hill would not go through a two and a half inch ring. Councillors Homer and Bridge wished to know the state of the council funds before any more tenders were" let. The Chairman stated that the funds in hand were sufficient to meet all existing liabilities. The reason why a rate was not struck was, because they were anxious to see what became of the Government proposals. If they were adopted the Patea county would be well off. The matter then dropped. STAGNANT WATER. Councillor Milne moved, — "That the water lying opposite the Presbyterian Church, Waverley, be removed by day labor." It was a source of danger to the inhabitants. Councillor Bridge seconded the resolution pro forma. But he thought the council were going outside of their duties in interfering with pools of water. Councillor Gane said the council had nothing whatever to do with it, so long as they did not-interfere with the natural fall of the water. Through interfering with the natural fall of the water in Carlyle they had a claim sent in to them that day, and there was no telling where such things were to end. Councillor Brewer said they would have to make a stand against draining every place where water happened to lay. There was only a small amount required to do the work in question, but that was . 11 the more reason why a stand should be made against it. He had committed a fault in the matter of this drainage business, but that was no reason why he should continue to do so. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was then put and carried. HOSPITAL SURGEON'S REPORT. Dr. Croft sent in the following report of the patients in the hospital up to the 7th instant :— "Win. Brown, ulcer of leg; H. Barstow, wound of leg ; George Bennett, lumbago ; James Keohane, epilepsy. The Chairman brought under the notice of the council the case of a man "who had been discharged as cured, hub who was unable to perform any work. Councillor Bridge expressed an opinion that they had better close the hospital altogether. They had a surgeon, and now they were going to advertise for a man and his wife, to keep four patients. The chairman was empowered to deal with the case, as it was considered a deserving one. TENDERS. Tenders were received from Messrs. Taplin and Gibson for hospital supplies. That of the former was accepted, and it was considered the lowest of the two, although some articles were higher than those set down in Mr. Gibson's h'st. COUNCIL CLERK. The following report was brought up from the committee appointed at last meeting to report as to what the clerk's duties were :—": — " That the committee consider they are unable, at the present tune, to decide what the duties of the clerk will be, and therefore request leave of the council to bring in their report at a future meeting." Councillor Brewer proposed, and the Chairman seconded — " That the report of the committee be adopted." ' Councillor Gane moved, and Councillor Hunter seconded, as an "amendment, " That the report be not adopted." Councillor Gane remarked that his only reason for doing so was, that he wished to add the name of Councillor Bridge to the committee, as he had a good knowledge of office work, and would therefore make a useful member. Councillor Homer looked upon the

amendment as an implied censure, and if adopted, he should certainly decline to act on the committee again. - Councillor Gane disclaimed any intention of censuring the committ c. He had merely taken the course he had, because he wished to add Councillor Bridge's name to the committee. Councillors Milne and Bridge supported the resolution, which .was carried. ACCOUNTS. Accounts, amounting to £224 Bs. 2d., were passed for payment. MEDICAL ATTENDANCE. When Dr. Croft's account was presented for payment, there was an item of £8 55., for attendance on Mrs. Pearson. The Chairman explained that the woman was ill, and Dr. Croft had refused to attend her any longer, as there was no prospect of getting paid for his services. In consequence, he (the chairman) sent a note to Dr. Croft, asking him to attend the worn .n, who was not in a position to pay, as her husband had been out of work for some time. After some discussion, it was decided that the account should be held over till next meeting, for further particulars in reference to the attendance on Mrs. Pearson. INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTER-HOUSES. Councillor Gane considered it unjust that the Engineer should receive fees from slaughter-houses in addition to his salary. In the long run, the' settlers were the sufferers. Councillor Winks agreed with Councillor Gane, and he intended moving in the matter himself. Councillor Milne remarked that one boiling-down company slaughtered 18,000 sheep during the year, and a half-penny per head would amount to £37 10s. It was preposterous that the Engineer, who was already weJl paid, should receive such large fees in addition to his salary. Councillor Bridge pointed out that the Inspector of Slaughter-houses had a perfect right to demand the fees. Councillor Huuter said the Council was the inspector, and the engineer was merely their servant; consequently, the fees belonged to the Council. Councillor Winks moved, "That the fee of a half-penny per head be not collected." The Chairman ruled the motion out of order, as they had by-laws on the subject, and the -motion was at variance with them. - Inreplyto Councillor Bridge, the Chairman said that when the tngineer was appointed, it was distinctly understood that the fees were to go to the engineer. Councillor Gane proposed, and Councillor Hunter seconded, ''That the whole of the slaughter-house fees received by the County Engineer be handed over to the County Council, as the whole of his time is to be devoted to county engineering, or any other works required of him by the Council, for a salary of £250 per annum." The Chairman also p.. ruled that motion out of order ; but several members of the Council dissented from4t, Councillor Hunter afterwards proposed, and Councillor Bre-wer^, seconded, "That the Council has not confidence in the ruling of the chairman in reference to who should retain inspector's fees re slaughtering large and small cattle, and empowers the chairman to take legal advice." ' '•" The resolution was carried unanimously. The Chairman had no objection to the resolution, but he was not going to give rulings which he believed were not in accordance with the by-laws of the Council. WAVERLEY RECREATION GROUND. .. In answer to Coun'cilllor Bridge, the Clerk stated there was =£67 to the credit of the Waverley Recreation Ground. Councillor Biidge proposed, and Councillor Gane seconded — ■''That Councillors Milne, Brewer, and the mover be appointed a committee to*' take steps for the purpose of spending the money to the credit of the reserve on the ground." — Carried. THE ELECTORAL ROLL. Councillor Brewer complained of the way in which the Electoral Roll had been compiled. His own name, and also those of several old residents, were left out in the roll for his riding. He would like to know who was to blame ? The Chairman said the roll was always posted up at Carlyle, Hawera, and Waverley, and persons could object to it if they wished. In reply to a question put by Councillor Gane, the chairman replied that he was not a lawyer, and could not be expected to answer every question. The Council adjourned at 5.30 p.m., after a sitting of six hours and a half (including the hour for lunch).