MANAWATU COUNIY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 21, 4 November 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNIY COUNCIL.

Yestbkday. TUe Council met al 2 p.m. Present — Messrs San son, Kobbell, Uower, Loudon, Li n ton, nnd Dr itockstrow. Dr Hockstrow stated that he had received a telegram from the County Chairman, saying he would be unable to attend, owing to illness in his family, and asking him to get the Council adjourned for .a week. He proposed that Mr Linton take Jthe chair. Mr Linton thought one of the old members should be appointed, and moved that Mr Sanson take the chair. This was carried. TUE COUNTY WATBRCOVHBES. Mr Sanson, on taking the chair, said the first business wa9 to confirm a resolution passed at the previous meeting regarding the watercourses, &c, in the district being handed over to the Highways and Local Uoarda. He remarked that he was in the Foxton Court when the R.M. gave a judgment against ex-constable Purcell, in which he stated that his opinion was that the Highways Board alone had power to take over the watercourses, &c, and that Local Hoards had no power to take them over, lie (Air Sanaon) ha>l after the Court, got an opinion from Mr Maclean, solicitor, to the effect that the interpretation clause wouldgovor the difficulty mentioned by Mr Ward., Mr Linton said his opinion was the same as that of MrSrnson. The resolution handing over all drains, watercourses, &c, to the respective Highways and Local JJuards was then confirmed. "*■ ORDINARY lIISINESS. The minutes having been read. Mr Gowor nforrcd to the resolutions passed at hist meeting re do<j nuisance, and was proceeding to speak against them, when ho was called to order, The Acting Chairman remarking that no discussion could take place upon the minute.-, except as regards their accuracy. 'I he minures were then confirmed. OOIUtESPON T.SCK. Letter read from Tho3. Ranch, Oliaw, ap plying for one quarter's salary aa ferryman at Ohuu. Left over. Letter read from the Chairman of the Otaki Highways Board, covering resolution regarding drainage on the County KoaJ at Otaki. Left over to next meeting. Letter read from R. Btirrett, Wellington, enclosing samples of cheques, with price. Left over to next meeting. Letter read from the Collector of Mates, bringing before the Council the reductions made by ratepayers upon sections they dadared did not belong to them, and asking the advice of the Council. Held over. Letter read fron. the Provincial District Auditor, enquiring as to dates of payments on voucher;, &c. The Clerk explained the matter. Letter road from General Crown Lands office, asking for Engineer's certificate as to payments on roads in deferred payment block. Letter readj from Crown Lands office, Wellington, consenting to proposed expenditure of X55 in Tuonui Block. Letter read from George Cook, late poundkeeper at Foxton,asking for payment of £2 8s voted to him last meeting, nnd for refund of deposit of £-5, which he asserted was " illegally obtained " from him. It was resolved to pay the £2 Bs, the matter of £5 being left over. Letter read from Constable Price, of FeUding, stating thut he had destroyed II doga. Letter read from Constable Byrne, of Huluombe, stating that he was unable to accept the office of dog tax collector. Letter read from K. Watd, Esq., R.M., acknowledging receipt of resolutions re latiug to dug tax, reunrkiug that in some par 8 of the Colony the tax was fixed at 4°l j per head, but exempting a limited numbor of sheep doers, kept on runs for that purpose. This plin, r Ward thought would be a better plan than making it an all round tax of 10s. jik pcucell's claim. Letter read from J. Furoell, demanding £8 as sompeiisation from the Council, for continued neglect, in not providing proper drainage upon No. 1 Line, Foxton, and threatening legal proceedings if the amount were n"t paid. Dr Rockstrow th-iught the matter should be left over, so that 3ir Purcell could sue if he liked. Mr Gower thought the resolution handing the watercourses over to tho different boards wag in itself proof that the Council was lespousibtu at tho time of the damage bding done. A committee should be appointed to set! what damage had been done. The matter whs held over to next meeting. A MAOIII liETTEII. A letter in Maori was received from some natives at Otaki, asking that a pouud might not be ereoted there. fir Rookstrow moved — " That as the Councillors of thin County are n»t conversant with the native language, it is necessary that any memorial frfim the natives be accompanied with an attested translation; and that this memorial be returned to the sender."— He referred to the fact that several Europens had signed the document, and thought they should send their letters in English Mr Xebbell remarked that in the past Maori letters had been received. He thought that it would bo disrespectful to return the letter, and wished the words after " translation " to b* withdrawn. Eventually, Dr. Rockstrow withdrow the last rlauHe, and the resolution, as altered, was passed. The Acting Chairman, however, ruled that the document was a memorial, and therefore must be rejected, not having been presented by a Councillor. BI'SH I'ELLINO. The Council resolved to pay the sum of £1 to Mr D ilrymple, for bush foiling on Gorge Road. OBUEU CHEQUES, The Acting Chairman brought under notice of the Council the groat inconvenience arising from cheques being marked payable to " order." A few days ago, the ferryman at Rangitike: showed him a cheque of that description in favor of Henry Knott, and stated that before coming into his hands, it had been cashed, but had not been endorsed by the person in whose favor it was drawn. He therefore asked him (Mr

Sauson) if he would bring it to Foxton and have it cashed. The banker had consented to do so, only on condition that; Mr Sanson became responsible. H« thought greater facilities should be given. I|^k^, The ("lork explained that it w^^ffly when exceptional care was desired, that bucu a course was adopted. Mr Gower proposed, " That the word ' order ' be struck out of the cheque drawn in favor of H. Knott, dated October 6, 1879," and* the word ' bearer ' inserted in lieu then of." Seconded by* Mr Linton, and carried. TUB BEACH HO AD. Mr Kebbell proposed — " That the Engineer be instructed to havo the road in the cultiug leading from the beach at the Manaw atu River on to the high bank put in repair." Mr Linton seconded the moticn. Dr Itockstrow asked whether the Horowheuua Riding was in funds. Mr Kebbell replied that it had over £70 to its credit. The Engineer said the work was a most necessary one, as tho cutting was positively dangerous. Dr Rockstrow opposed the motion, and urged that it bo left over until next meeting. Mr Loudon and Dr Rockstrow then left the room, nnd there being no quorum, the matter lapsed. The two gentlemen named returned a few moments after, and tho business" of the Council proceeded. TBKUEKB. For groin on Oroua River — H. M'Kay, £110; J. Matthews and Jensen & Co, £79 ; L. R. Bryant & Co, £121 10s; Calvey and Basset, £«9 7s Gd. The tender of Mathdwa and Jensen was accepted. For fencing Ferry Reserve at Foxton, £2 4s 6d per chain, T. Kaston, accepted. BKSOI.VTIONB PASSED. Moved by Mr Gower — " That the culvert, as recommended by the Engineer, under the road near Sandon, bo put in hand at once." Carried. Moved by Mr Kebbell—" That the culverts recommended by the Engineer at Otaki be put in " Carried. Moved by Mr Gower — " That a cheque drawn in favour of Hukiki for £9 2s, dated October 6, 1879, be cancelled, nnd a fresh cheque for tho amount of £7 be paid to the same pnrty, in place of that first mentioned." Carried. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £535 were passed, And the Council adjourned.