MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 35, 23 December 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Yesterday. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present — Messrs Macarthur (Chairman), Halcombo, Linton, Kebbtrll, Grower, Loudon, and Rockstrow. MINUTES. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. THE DOG TAX. Letter read from Mr .£. Graff, applying to be appointed Deputy Registrar of Dogs at Palraerston. The opinion of the Council waa against the multiplication of offiood whbh would follov upon the application being g- anted, and it was therefore refused. Mr Halcombe asked what effect had followed the increase of pay given for the registration of dogs. He thought it might be advisable to give Registrars power to appoint deputies. SLAUGHTER LICXNSKS. Applications for renewal of slaughter licenses were received from W. Whisker, H. Beaven, Jno. Harper, Henry Rutherford, A. Campbell, aud'F. Rich & Co. The applications were granted, and a resolution was passed, authorising the Clerk to give renewals to other slaughterers who applied for thorn bofore tho end of tho yeor. ro.vroN-oTAKi hoan. Air Gower, who was appointed at last meeting to interview the Hon. J. Johnston regarding the Foxton-Otaki road being run through his land, presented a report to the effect that Mr Johnston would allow tho road to pass through, but wanted to sue a plan before starting it. The following resolution was proposed by Mr llalcouibe, seconded by Mr Loudon, and carried : — " That the road line proposed through the Hon. J. Johnston's land be laid off, and a plan showing the line be forwarded to him, with a request that ho will consent to give tho land for the purpose of a public road." THE BEACH ROAJI. This matter came up, through the natives forwarding a copy of the Manawatu Herald containing the notice of intention to close the road. The Chairman explained what had been done in the matter, wiih which our readers are familiar through our columns. A letter having been read from Mr Maclean on behalf of tho Foxton ferryman, Mr Lou on spoke utronarly against the drawing up of leases by non-professional men, and proposed "That in future all leases and legal document* bo made by a' solicitor." Seconded by Mr Rockstrow and carried. Mr Rockstrow then proposed—" That the Chairman be requested to write to the

[lon the Nntive Minister, relating to tho itoppage of the Beach Road, and praying that the Department appoint a fully authorised perooa to arrange lermß with ikq Natives." j^^ Seconded by Mr Louden and carried. ~*i^ LEGAL ADVISEU. In the course of a letter re Foxton terry, Mr Maclean pointed out that in 18? 7 he was retained as County Solicitor at £2 2s per annum as retaining fee, and. asked what course the Council intended to pursue regarding tho matter. The Chairman pointed out that Mr Maolean had been paid for only one year, and that, two years' fee was now due. The Council resolved to pay Mr Maclean tho amount duo to him, and to retain his services. HAWKEns' LICENSES. Some discussion took place regarding licenses for hawkers, it being felt necessary to tax this class of persons. It oflpears that some time ago a resolution fixing a tax of £5 per half year was arrived at, but was not confirmed. Mr Loudon moved — "That a special meeting of the Council be held at 2 p ra, on the next meeting day for the purpose of adopting the resolution of April 18, 1877, with reference to hawkers' licenses." Seconded by Mr Gower and oarried. GENERAL. Leave of absence was granted to Mr San sop. Mr Halcombe proposed. " That tenders be called for metalling three miles of the Maugaone ttoad, commencing at Oullutn's corner, in the town of llalcoinbe; tenders to be Rent in by the loth of January; and that Councillors llalcombn and Macarthur, with the Engineer, be authorised to open and decide upon the acceptance of such * tenders." Seconded by Mr Kebbell, and carried. Upon the motion of Mr Kebbell, seconded by Mr *H ilcombc, the Council determined to close the County office from Christmas Day to January 1, both days inclusive. Proposed by Mr Linton, seconded by Mr Kebbell, " That notice bp given by the Engineer to all persons who have erected any fence on County roads to remove the same within two months." Cairied. Proposed by Mr Halcombe, seconded by Mr Kebbell, "That the Engineer be instructed to r.'poi t on the metalline: of the Rangitikei Bridge, and that the Chairman do commuLicato with tho Rangitikei County Council, if it be considered advi- ' ' sable to object to tho work." Carried, AVKNUE BUIDOB. Mr Rooks trow moved — " That the sum of £-50 be placed at the disposal of the Foxton Local Board for the purpose to erect a culvert on the Avenue Road." Fe said that ho had placed this sum on the - Estimates, but had refrained at the time from moving it, because the local paper said he had done so as on interested party. He had, however, received a letter that day from the Chairman of the Local Board, asking him to move that the sum bo spent. Mr Loudon strongly protested against the proposed expenditure. The Local Hoard had written to the Highways Board, pointing out to them that the surplus water was from their district. To this no answer 'vas yet received. Necessary repairs had been effected to the bridge, and he denied that the Chairman of the Local Board had any right to makevnny such request to Mr Rockstrow as he had, without cousulting tho Board. He' spoks very strongly of the action of tho Chairman -of the Local Board, win lwd quite exoeede^^ his powers. I le nvxred, " That the m bo left over until next meeting." The amenduii'iit was not seconded, ond^i resolution was o.ivried on the voices, with- * out further discussion. TENDERS ACCEPTED. For metalling 30 chains of Foxton* Satidon road, the tender of J. C. Nathan, at £3 19s 6d per ohain, was accepted. For forming Foxton Otaki Road, No. 1 contract, 95 chains, J. G. Hanson's tender at tho following prices was aooepted :— For : mation, £2 per chain: box culverts, each, £i; bridge, £10. No. 2 contract, 45 chains — J. Lean and party's lender was accepted : Forma* tiou, £2 10s per chain ; i culverts, £6 10s each. TUE COUXTV ENGINEER. Mr Rockstrow brought up the matter of the County Engineer's duties, Bnd complained of the amount of extra work he had accepted. Messrs Halcombe,' Gover, Linton Loudon and Kebbell opposed the statements of Mr Rockstrow, one and all of them speaking in the highest terms of the Engineer's abilities and energy. In reply, Mr Rockstrow said his chief object was to have the duties of the offioe defined. Ho complained how seldom the Engineer visited the Hidings. He heard ilr Gower complain outside (Mr Gower denied tliis), but members were afraid to mention it inside. He often noticed th«^-'" Engineer did not go through£the Ridings moro than once a month, but the neglect was in not looking after roads already formed. The Chairman said, speaking as a Councillor, Manchester Riding did not get sufficient of the Engineer's time He thought tho Engineer had too much travailing to be able to devote pruper time for County works. He was willing to give an additional salary, but thought that being paid so much per cent for work at Palmerston created a tendency in tho Engineer's mind to do that extra work first. Mr Gower w«6 opposed to any increase of salary, as £400 was a handsome sum for the Engineer. The present salary was sufficient, oven if the Couucil refused to allow any extra work. Mr Uockstrovy moved — "That an agreement bo entered into with tho County Engineer, defining the duties of his office." He said he had brought no ohargu against the Engineer. Mr Ltaton said Mr Rockstrow had dese his best to make a charge, but had failed. The Palmerston Borough would not need Mr Hayns' services during next year, whilst tho Highways Board had determined not to spend any mouey until out of debt. The Chairman said Mr Rockstrow having brought up such a resolution, was bound to make a charge, or substantiate what he said. Mr Liuton said it appealed to him Mr Rockstrow's whole objeotion was to the Sandon railway. Mr RocUstrow then withdrow his motion. Mr Loudon moved — " That in the opinion of this Council it is not necessary to ioake any fresh arrangement wirh the Engineer for the present." Seconded by Mr Gower, and carried. The accounts were then passed, and the Council adjourned to February 2, at 3 p.m.