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Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 69, 25 April 1879, Page 2

The Council met at 2 p.m. PresentMessrs Macartllur ( Chairman); Lmiotij Loui'.on, Go.ver, Garrj and )?r ftockstrow. Tllo liiinlUcs Were read and confirmed. CORUESI'OXDEXCG HEAD. From Corom.imlul County Council, onclosing copy of resolution passed, and stating that its objout was to secure that all hospitals in th<* Colony might bo maintuiucd out of tho Consolidated Fuurl. Tha resolution wan to Ule eite'efc " that fcli3 clues* tiou of contributions to charitable institutions bo not cnteitained until after next session of Parliament, with tho view of seeing what action the Government tako in regard to this vexed question." From tho Crown Lands Office, stating that .£IOB > Would ba the am Hint available for Manawatu of the £10,000 vote for ro:uls through deferred payment blocks } £500 to be expended in the Palmerston North Block, and £500 in tho Kiwitca Block, and requesting the Council to submit the plans of the proposed roads to tho L:uid3 Board as soon as possible. From same, stating that two pieces of land were reserved lor the improvement and protection of the Kangitikci river. From Foxton Local Board, stating that the annual Vulitc of rateable property in the Foxton Local Board district for the year ended 31st March, 1879, amounted to £6542 1 3s. The total amount of all general rates received during tho year ended March 31, ia £227 Ils9d. From tho Ofcaki Highways Board, stating that the nniiunl value of the rateable proporty In their district was £2,255. Rates collected, £88 14* 4d ; arrears due, £35 2s 9d. From G. Membery. asking permission to fence 0 acres of land, part of section 412 on tho Hangitikei Line. From Manawatu Highways office, stating that the annual value of rateable property in their district was £32,506. Rates collected, i' 1305 2s Bd. Foxton FERUYvnor/sE. Letter read from T. Bowe, Foxton ferryman, asking for an extension of ihe ferryhouse, and for appointment as poundkoeper. The Engineer imported that additions were necessary, an I would cost £41. A sugges* tion was made that the house opposite the ferrvihouse might be obtained. The matter was" left in abeyance until next sitting, the Chairman to communicate with the Government regarding the other house. HOILINO-POWN ESTABLISHMENT. Letter read from Mr A. S. Easton, asking that the slaughter fee of one half-penny upon sheep might bo reduced for animals killed for boiling-down purposed. Mr Gower supported the application, saying it was taxing an industry of an important character. Dr Roc'tstrow said the industry would, only benefit the owner of the sheep, and the boiler-down. If the public would be benefi tted, he would vote for it. Mr Linton favored the rednction, so long as no injustice was done to the In;pector c who received the fees for looking after th slaughteryards. As sn industry, the boil" ing 'down business created trade, increased shipping, &c. Mr Loudon thought a separate register should be kept of sheep boiled down from those slaughtered for sale. The Chairman thought that if the tax were taken off, no butchery should be con» nected with a boiling down establishment Mr Easton was not a flock owner, and the reduction would give him an unfair advantage. Mr Gower said animals not fit for food were boiled down. The matter was left over until next sitting. GRAVEL PIT. Letter read from Mr Rotheram, regarding County graveljpit. The Chairman said the contractors had been taking gravel from prohibited places. He thought it might be desirable for the County to take the gravel out, and sell it to the contractors. If the present indiscriminate method were adopted, the expense of future contracts would be greater. The statement!? made that a number of years would elapse before the County pit would be opened, were incorrect. At the present rate, it would be done in a year. JIAHBIT NUISANCE. Letter read from Chairman of Manawatu Highways Board, asking the Council to assist in exterminating rabbits near Palmerston. Mr Linton said he had never seen a rabbit near Palmerston, nor a trace of one ; further, he had not met a man who had seen one. They were no doubt travelling towards Manawatu from the Forty Mile Bush. The Chairman said that to proclaim this a Rabbit Nuisance District would damage the County. It was not certainly known that rabbits were in the district. Mr Gower said there were black rabbits near the mouth of the Ransritikei. Some £50 was collected in his district two years ago, and 2s 3d was paid for each rabbit killed. This amount was entirely absorbed, excepting £8. Those in his riding were not the ordinary brown rabbit, which increased much faster. Mr Loudon thought they were legislating against only a possible evil, Dr Rockstrow moved—" That tho Chairman and Mr juinton consult with the Chairman of the Manawatu Highways Board re rabbit nuisance, to report at next meeting." Seconded by Mr Gower, and carried. leave. Leave of absence was granted to Mr banson. PAYMENTS OF ORDERS. A request was received from a store* keeper asking the Council to honor an order for £50 signed by a contractor for the Council. Upon the motion of Mr Liuton, seconded by Dr Rockstrow, it was resolved—" That this Council declines to pay any order from contractors to persons with whom they may do business." WANGANUI HOSPITAL. Letter read from Wangauui Borough Council, stating that Government were willing to give £2,500 for a new hospital, if the districts interested would raise an equal amount. Tho Chairman thought £200 would be a fair amount for this County to subscribe, on condition that six beds were reserved for Manawatu. Mr Gower proposed—" That this Council empowers the Chairman to expend up to £200 in meeting the demand for hospital accommodation for Manawatu County in Wanganui." Seconded by Dr Rockstrow, and carried. The Council then adjourned for the evening sitting.