WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 58, 29 November 1907, Page 2

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The annual meeting of the Council was held at the Counfy oilier, Otoiohanga, on Wednesday, November 27th. There were, present : Council- Jjg; lors Lusk, Ormsby, T. limit, Love- " day, Sehoies, Hoffman, Williamson and Johnston. The outgoing Chairman, Major Lusk, in vacating the Chair said that like most new machines the Council had moved somewhat slowly, but matters were now moving more rapidly, and ratepayers in different localities were taking steps lo raisemoney for undertaking work. The Council was doing' all possible to assist in the matter, and they were beginning to get into working' order. The Chair was then taken by the Clerk, and nominations called for the position of chairman. On the motion of Cr Ormsby, seconded by Cr T. Hunt, Cr Lusk was unanimously elected to the chair for the ensuing year. NEW COUNCILLOR. Cr W. Johnston, who had been / elected as representative of ithc Waitomo Riding to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Cr A. C. McCardlc, was welcomed by the Chairman. COUNTY ENGINEER. Cr Ormsby said he thought the time had come when an Engineer should be appointed for the County. The question of sanitation would always be a pressing one, and there was ample work in the way of Estimates for various works. He, therefore, moved that applications for the position of Engineer to the Council, be called, the salary to be £l5O a year with the right to do private work. Cr Hoffman seconded the motion. Considerable discussion ensued over the proposition. An amendment was moved by the Chairman to the effect that an Engineer, to be also foreman of Works, who must be a resident of the district, should be appointed at a salary of £75 per year, and 3 percent, on all contract work. Seconded by Cr Williamson. A vote was taken and the amendment was carried on the casting vote of the Chairman,—-It was decided to advertise for applications for the position. SANITATION. The question arose as to whether the Council was prepared to undertake the work of initiating a night soil service at Te Kuiti.— It was decided to take up the responsibility, and a committee, comprising Crs Lusk and Ormsby, was appointed to arrange details. HONI KIWI ROAD I3RIDGES. Mr W. Howe wrote requesting that the Council should strengthen the bridges on the Horn kiwi I road, as he was desirous of bringing an engine over them.—it was decided lo reply expressing sympathy with Mr Howe, but regretting that the Council was unable to do the work. Permission was given to Mr Howe to strengthen the bridges at his own cost, and cross at his own risk, the bridges to be left in as good condition as at present. OUTBUILDING AT TE KUITI. The Clerk was instructed to write, to the owner of the outbuilding, encroaching on Carrol-street, requesting its immediate removal. TITAMI ROAD. A request by Mr Miller that Titahi road should be repaired, led to the statement by Mr Hoffman lliat there was a grant of £SO on the Estimates, and it was decided to urge that the amount be authorised for expenditure as soon as possible. MANGAROA CEMETERY. It was decided to grant £lO towards falling the bush on the Mangaroa Cemetery Reserve. GENERAL RATE. It was decided, on the motion of Cr Scholes, seconded by Cr Ormsby, to strike a general rate of in the pound in the County. MANGAORINO LOAN. It was decided to confirm the special order necessary for the application of the Mangaorino loan, as soon as possible. TE KUITI TOWNS! 11)' LOAN, Cr Ormsby introduced a deputation, Consisting of Messrs Seymour and .Steel, for the purpose of requesting the consent of the Council to undertake the necessary arrangements for a poll of ratepayers, with the object of raising a loan of £2OOO for street formation. On the motion of Cr Ormsby, seconded by the ("hairman, the authority was granted. It was also decided that a valuation of the township should be made. M.MKOA LOAN. A letter was received from Mr Jennings, M.H.K., staling that the proposed loan of £7OOO had been provisionally approved. With reference to the subsidy applied for, the matter had been referred to the Roads Department. The Chairman stated that the Minister for Public Works had written to the effect that all possible provision had been made on the Estimates for roads of the district. Evidently that meant that no subsidy would be forthcoming'. In that case it rested with the ratepayers whethc|' they would go on with the scheme. Forms had been sent lo be tilled in, but as tip's had already been doqe on two occasions, he. intended lo dra\y the attention of the authorities to the fact, The money would probably bo available very shortly, and (he ratepayers would probably elect to proceed with the scheme. NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. It was decided to hold the next Council meeting at Te Kuiti on December 20th.