HAWERA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume V, Issue 964, 27 November 1884, Page 2

HAWERA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The council met yesterday at 11.30. Present — Councillors Godkin, Finlayson, Malone, Hesloy, Winks, McCntchan, Yorke, and I. Bayly. On the motion of Councillor Heslop, Councillor Finlayson took the chair pro tern.

ELECTION OF CHAIKMAN.

Councillor Yorke moved, That Councillor Bayly be elected chairman. He lived near to town, which was very necessary if the council only met once in every two or three months; and the mover had had experience of Councillor Bayly's qualifications on a road board, and had found him careful, attentive to his duties, impartial, and he was sure tbafc if elected councillors would not regret it. Councillor Winks 6econded. He believed Councillor Bayly would make a good chairman.

Councillor Malone moved as an amendment, That Councillor Yorke be appointed chairman. The old members of the council had had experience of Councillor Yorke when in the chair, and could testify to his fitness for the office.

Councillor Heslop had come prepared to propose Councillor Bayly as chairman, and, as he had more leisure and fewer irons in tbe fire than Councillor Yorke, he thought Councillor Bayly the more suitable candidate.

Councillor Yorke was not prepared to accept the office, and would prefer not to have the proposition pressed, as he had quite made up his mind.

Councillor Godkin seconded Councillor Yorke's nomination. The members of the former council knew his fitness for the office, but did not know what Councillor Bayly's qualifications might be.

Councillor Finlayson was satisfied of Councillor Yorke's fitness for the office — in fact, he did not think there was anyone more fit for it— but he was satisfied that Councillor Bayly would make a good chairman. After some further discussiou, Councillor Malone withdrew his resolution, and

Councillor Bayly was declared unani monsly elected.

The Chairman said he felt very flattered by the honor done him, and would endeavor to carry out the duties as carefully as possible. He would make it bis business to attend to the work, and if at any time he neglected his duties as chairman, he would be only too happy to attend at the Council and be told of his neglect, and to resign if called on in favor of a better man.

CORRESPONDENCE

Outward was read as ordered, re crossing over Waihi, re appointment of Licensing Bench, re allocation of Roads and Bridges Construction works monies.

Inward from Councillor Malone re extra work required oa the Mountain road, and asking the County Council to make application for a further sum of £800 for metalling in part with broken stone.

From the Manaia Town Board re expenditure of rates in the Manaia town(■hip; and also in respect to tbe appointment of Licensing Bench Clerk.

From — Gould, re crossing over the Waiugongoro, on the Neill Boad, the ford having been damaged by contractors for gravelling the Mountain Boad. — Eesolved, on the motion of Councillor Yorke, That the letter be referred to the Hawera Road Board and that they be iuformed that the Council is prepared to expend a sum not exceeding £10 in repairing the damage done, provided that the Road Board foreman can suggest a practicable method of repairing the ford. — Seconded by Councillor Malone, and carried.

MOUNTAIN ROAD.

Councillor Malone moved. That tbe

Council make application for the additional £800 asked for by the Ngaire Boad Board forthwith, and the Minister for Public Works be informed of the alteration proposed in the method of gravelling this road, and the extra cost thereby incurred agreed to. A letter was read from the collector of customs, stating that i!4O of auctioneer's licenses at Manaia Uad been paid into County fund by mis* take, and requesting refund of same. It was agreed to pay back the money.

MAIN ROADS.

Councillor Finlayson moved, That the Waimate Boad Board be urged to proceed with the formation of the approaches of the bridge form the Waingongoro bridge on to the Eltliam road without delay. He explained that the work was urgent* as parts of the roads were in a bad st«te t and that the bridge was of little use in consequence.

Councillor Yorke did not think tbe Boad Board would hesitate to call tenders for

the work, although of course it was doubtful as yet whether they would get the money under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. The motion was agreed to.

BAILWAV COMM.EMON.

Couacillor Yorke moved, That tha Council write to the Minister for Publio Works asking whether be is satisfied that there is a strong probability of the railway from Hawera to Manutahi being opened for traffic before May Ist next, as some persons having knowledge of the works deny that it can be completed before the coining winter ; explaining that it is important that the Council should kuow whether its will be necessary to provide for the heavy traffic which would be throwq upon the road by delay in the opening 1 of the railway line.

Councillor Finlayson thought the proposal reasonable, and it might have the effect of hastening the work.

The Clerk (by permission) said he bad heard on good authority that Bassett's contract would probably be finished by February, and the other one in May. Councillor Winks said it was understood that Mr. Ballance would be up in Hawera shortly and it might be well to lay the matter before him, rather than write to Wellington.

After some irregular discussion, it was agreed to hold over tbe letter for a week or so, and to interview Mr. Ballance on tbe subject.

REFUND

Councillor Malone raorea, Tbat the Wgaire Koa<3 Board fee empowered to apply to the Taranaki County Council for one-fourth of the cost of forming and metalling that portion of the Strat-ford-Opvraake road, within the boundaries of the Stratford township lately taken over by the Taranaki Council. He explained that the justice of the demand was, he believed, recognised by the Taranaki County, and he hoped it would be granted. Councillor Godkiu seconded. ; / Carried. _: -

MAIN SOUTH ROAD.

Mr. McCarthy, as Chairman of the Manaia Town Board, waited on tbe Council and explained thai since the Town Board was formed about £295 had been spent on one mile and a-half of tbe Main South road in Manaia town. He urged the Council to make a grant in aid of the Town Board in consideration of the outlay thus saved to them.. Councillor Winks said that a great part of the money was for making a street, not a county road; and the Town Board could not expect the County to pay forthat r when some settlers in the. County could: hardly get to their property' along the County roads. . , v > . • ■_ . Councillor Heslop said . be wap rather in the 1 dark' as. to how to' act in' tbiß matter, as lie did not understand.pn-wbat basis ■ the ~ money of tha Council 'was divided otepeut, , .

Councillor Finlayson understood tbat at first tbe rates levied in a town district were returned to it, but at the last meeting of the Council, it was deoided that &■ all publicans and and auctioneers licenses now went to town districts, they could not claim so much.

The Chairman thought that Manaia should .be entitled to as much as Normanby.

Councillor Yorke moved that £20 be granted to Manaia Town Board in aid - of Main Road expenditure. The Council would have had to repair the mile and a-half if the Town Board had not done it; and Manaia County rates were, lie believed, somewhere near the same as Normanby rates.

Councillor Malone seconded, and the resolution was carried.'

DOG LICENSBS.

Councillor Fialajsou supposed it the Council was not going to meet for another three moatbs it would be necessary to arrange the license fees. [Councillor Tovke— All dog licenses expire on December 30th.] He would move that the fees be the same as last year, viz*, Is for cattle or sheep-dogs, and 10a for all other dogs. ' ' '

Councillor Malone thought 10s fer air other dogs was too heavy a fee, especially to men in the bush' who used mastiffs for catching wild cattle and lived on the meat. He moved that the fees be. Is and ss. - ''

The Chairman thought that if -bush settlers caught and killed wild cattle, not only should they pay 10s license fees, but they should be summoned and fined for breaking the law. Councillor McOutoban, tbongh himself the owner of a dog which was not a cattle dog, believed most of the'sheepkilling and damage waa done by sporting dogs. If men kept dogs jast to loaf about tbe town or for sport, they could surely afford to pay 10s for them. Councillor Winks agreed in thinking tbat most of tbe sheep-worrying, was done by sporting dogs and curs from the towns.

Councillor Torke held that if the discrepancy between the Is fee and the 10a fee was too great, it might be arranged that the fee for cattle or sheep dogs be 2s 6d and for sporting dogs 10s, Besides, at present the dog tax was collected at a loss, and he thought that it should be self-supporting. He' would suggest to Councillor Finl&yson to amend bis resolution so as to read 2s 6d and 10s instead of Is and 10s. No owner would object to pay a 23 6d license for a good dog. ' Councillor Heslop suggested that the fee be 2s and 10s

After the books had been examined to ascevtain the cost of collection of dog tax, from which it appeared that, last year the receipts barely covered expenses,

Councillor Yorke's proposal was adopted tbe fees to be 2s 6i and 10s,

Councillor Malono reminded those present that after -January Ist, any dog not re-registered might be shot and' the owner would have no remedy.

Tbe bankbook laid on the table showed tbat the Council's account was overdrawn to the extent of £1100. It was pointed out that no rates had yet been collected, and it was agreed to nrge on the Waimate Road Board to strike a rate or at least to proceed with the collection of County rates forthwith. ROAD AND BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION MONIES,

Councillor Malone wondered whether anything could be done to hurry up the Government in the allocation of the Road Construction monies ; tbe Ngaire Road Board were not in a position to push on the works until they knew whether the grants were available and bow much.

It was resolved that the Chairman wire to the Minister of Public Works asking to be .informed whether be can state even approximately the amounts likely to be available, as in bush districts it is important that work should be taken iv band at once.

NEXT MEETING.

As it appeared that the Council would probably have to meet to consider tbe allocation of Roads and Bridges Construction Monies if tbe applications were not granted in full it was agreed to adjourn until March Ist. or until called together by the chairman.

ACCOCNTSi

Several accounts were passed including Henderson M 17s 6d, Refund License £40, Innes and Co. £i.

VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.

A long discussion arose on tbe question of passing half the cost, £4> odd, for expenses of Railway Vigilance Committee. It was: stated by memberß of the old Council, that tW?*xpeoses. were authorised by them, and it waa agreed when the meeting was called by the WKfSmimi Chairman of the Council, that the expenses should be shared b& the two Councils.

Councillor Winka did not think tb« expenditure legal ; bat for tbat he would not object to passing tha account. Ha wonld rather pay his share of the money. Councillor Heslop tbongbt the old Council should have minuted in their resolution, to pay half the cost, and then be would not have objected. He would personally bear a share of the cost if called on.

Several of the old members thought tbe account would never have been questioned if the railway had gone this way.

Councillor Yorke, as be was indirectly interested, would not vote on the question and left bis seat.

Councillor Malone moved that the account be passed. There was nothing in the Act to prevent such an expenditure, and as it was for a public purpose, no ratepayer would ever think of taking action against it. After a lengthy discussion a vote was taken, and the motion was lost on the casting vote of the Chairman. Some irregular discussion took place as to the amounts to be allowed to councillors for expenses, if anything; but ultimately the matter dropped, no one being prepared to move for any alteration in the present Bystem, under which councillors are allowed 10s for th« clay's expenses. The eoundl then adjourned.