WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 569, 21 May 1913, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held at Te Kuiti on Monday evening. There were present Crs Suholes, Johnston, Gregg, Were, Berry, Smyth, O'Dwyer and Hoffman. SPECIAL MEETING.

The report and balance-sheet for the past year were adopted. Main Road. —Cr O'Dwyer said in pursuance of the resolution he had proposed at last meeting, he and Cr Berry had interviewed the Prime Minister concerning the main road and had a favourable reception. He suggested the council should forward a letter to the Prime Minister with respect to the taking over of the road by the Government. The motion was seconded by Cr Berry and carried, the clerk being instructed to write accordingly.

Miroahuiao-Matiere Road. The Public Works Department wrote in respect to the application made by Mr Wilson, M.P., and Mr P. D. Smyth to the Prime Minister for a grant on the road, intimating that authority for £SO as £1 for £1 was being issued to the council. —Left in the hands of the engineer. Hauturu-Otorohanga Road. The district engineer wrote stating that as the £lO on this road had been authorised in the adjustment of authorities under the Honikiwi loan subsidy, the amount would not now be available. The Under-Secretary Public Works Department wrote stating the amount of £lOl6 £ for £ included an authority for £l6O 18s 3d, making the available amount £855 14s 3d. Oamaru Road. The district engineer wrote stating as the amount of £l5O on the road included the authority issued on March 12th, of £IOB 10s only £4l 19s 2d was now available.— Received. j

Rokotuku Road.—The Public Works Department wrote with respect to the grant of £2OO on this road requesting to know if the council intended to undertake the work. —The clerk said the council had accepted the proposal. Subsidised Grants.—Several grants were offered to the council as £ for £ subsidy. With respect to an amount of £2OO offered as £ for £ for the •Miroahuiao-Matiere road Cr Smyth said a straieht-out grant of £IOO had been promised by the Prime Minister. He said the Bettlers intended making strong representations to the Government urging that the road be formed and metalled by the Government. At least 86 per cent, of the traffic which passed Pio Pio went over that road which was one of the moat important in the district. In view of the position he moved that the council take no action with respect to a grant by way of subsidy. Railway Siding.—The Minister for Railways wrote refusing the application for a railway siding between Hangatiki and Otorohanga. The chairman said the letter conveyed an incorrect impression. The distance by road saved was over two miles, and the road was unmetalled and a very difficult piece to maintain. A siding was absolutely necessary at the point indicated, and it might be advisable to assist towards the work. At present the department would do nothing, but a further application would require to be made. Contractor's Claim. Mr W. G. Malone, solicitor, Stratford, wrote on behalf of Messrs Cameron and Brooking, claiming £562 damages caused by the council's improper rejection of metal for the council's reserve on the hill. The letter suggested the possibility of a settlement by arbitration, failing which a writ would be issued for the Supreme Court sittings at Hamilton on June 17th. The chairman said the matter was settled last meeting when the council decided to recognise no responsibility in the matter.

Noxious Weeds. —The clerk Ohura County Council wrote with reßpect to the addition of penny royal to the noxious weed schedule.—Resolved to take no action.

Tangitu Telephone. Mr L. J. Bacon, secretary of the Tangitu Settlers' Association, wrote with respect to a proposed settlers' telephone service.—On the motion of Gr Smyth, seconded by Cr O'Dwyer, it was decided to obtain a definite estimate of the cost, and make further inquiry as to whether the party line system would not be more suitable for the district.

Fence on : Road.—Mr W. E. B!ackett, Kio Kio, wrote with respect to a fence across the road at Kio Kio requesting the council to have the obstruction removed. The writer en closed a letter from Mr Rosa stating he had authority from the council to keep his fence on the road. Resolved that Mr Ross be requested to remove his fence from the road. A Closed Track. —Mr P. Clements wrote rpgarding a Maori track which had been closed and forwarded a plan showing a road through his property which was being used in place of the old track. —Referred to engineer. Mairoa Deputation. Cr O'Dwyer introduced a deputation comprising Messrs Ellison and Bevege, who waited on the council in connection with a metalling proposal for the Mairoa road from Pio Pio to the junction of the Arapae road. A plan and draft estimate had been submitted to a meeting of ratepayers, and were placed before the council.

--The clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps in connection with the proposal to raise a loan of £2OOO and apply for a £ for £ subsidy. An Access Road.—A number of settlers in the Mangapiko district wrote drawing attention to the fact that a road was being surveyed in an unsuitable position, and renuesting that the road should be surveyed from Te Kopua to the Puniu river at Harris' ford. —Resolved that a reply be Bent pointing out that the matter was in the hands of the Lands and Survey Department. Mairoa Road. A number of Pio Pio residents wrote requesting that the Mairoa road from Pio Pio should be metalled for a distance of one or two i chains from the corner of the town-

ship.—Cr O'Dwyer ?aid the place indicated was a very bad place in winter. If the council could see its way to do as requested it would be a great assistance. He moved that the en gineer be authorised to spend up to £2O on the work. Seconded by Cr Were and carried. Waiteti Right-of Way. Messrs Broadfoot and Finlay wrote intimating that they had received the deed of grant of the right of-way over tha railway line —Received. Local Bodies Insurance. —Mr C. K. Wilson, member for the district, wrote acknowledging receipt of the council's letter with circular from the Akitio County Council, and intimating his willingness to assist in the matter. — Received.

Refund of Rate?. —Messrs Gillies and Gilfillan wrote on behalf of Mr P. D. Hargreaves, requesting a refund of rates and the removal of his name from the defaulters' list, as the coun:il had moneys in hand which had been overpaid by Mr Hargreaves, and which the clerk had refused to credit to Mr Hargreaves until authorised by the council. —On the motion of Crs Hoffman and Scholes it was resolved to refund the amount of £8 2g overpaid by Mr Hargreaves on June Bth, 1911. Aria Loan. —The chairman and clerk were authorised to sign debentures in connection wth the balance of the Aria loan.

Collection of Taxes. —It was resolved that the Police of Te Kuiti, Otorohanga and Ongarue be appointed to collect the dog tax, carriers' and billiard room licenses in the county. Accounts to the amount of £3978 16s 5d were passed £or payment. The engineer's monthly report appears on page 6.