MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7647, 12 February 1903, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting ot the Manawatu County Council was held yesterday. Present—Crs Wilson (chairman), McLennan, Masters, Clark, Eobinson, Hammond, and Carter.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From the Rangitikei County Council, offering to dispose of its punt at the Bangitikei forry, and to credit the proceeds to the Ferry ac'eount.—Offer not accepted.

From Dr Valentine, stating that he expected to visit the district at an early date.

From the Treasury, provisionally approving of loan of £400 for the construction of the Kari Kari drain road; and also of the £450 loan for the Ngawhakarau road.

From same, stating that £300 for the construction of Millncr's line, and of J. Tompkins' Jones' and other roads that £450 for paying off liabilities for the construction of the tramway would be paid to the Council's credit; also that-tho second advance of .£750 on account of the £4000 loan had been made ; and also £450 for metalling the main drain and Cooper's roads.

From Bulls local Board, enquiring what steps, if any, the Council intended taking in connection with the opening of the Bulls bridge.—Left to Bulls Town Board to arrange.

From G. C. Perry, stating the settlers interested in a siding at Himitangi were not prepared to pay the cost, and therefore nothing further would be done in the matter. GRANARY. The Clerk in his first yearly report of the Council's granary at Sanson, stated the total amount it had earned was £27 0s Bd, while the total expenditure was £6 6s, leaving a net credit balance of £20 14s Bd. Owing to the good prices ruling last year farmers did not feel disposed to store large quantities, otherwise the returns would have been higher, but the Councillors could rest assuredthe granary would always result in a profit to the Council. As for the building it was absolutely vermin proof. Several improvements hi regard to loading arrangements, insurance, etc., were suggested, and the clerk was instructed to have a loading platform erected at once. A bonus of £2 2s was also granted to the clerk. THE TRAMWAY. The Tramway Inspector submitted his monthly summary as follows :—Receipts £200 10s 5d and expenditure £129 14s lid, leaving a credit balance of £70 15s 6d on the months' working. During that period 9 tons of grain, 46 tons of minerals, 102 tons of merchandise, 9 tons of manure, 53 tons of hemp, 294 bales of wool, 21,776 feet of timber, and several other goods were carried, the total fares amounting to £43 13s lOd.— It was resolved that a shed be erected for the engines at the new pit. NGAWHAKARAU. | The chairman drew attention to the fact that the Council would shortly have to make provision for the payment of £450 in connection with the NgawhaJcarau road. He had made inquiries as to when the road would be completed and the date given was May next. He believed to make a success of the road that it would cost more than the estimated amount. Metal was now being hauled by Messrs Milverton and Son and was being spread at a cost of 5s 2d a yard. He considered that the cost of the road should be borne by a special district comprising those settlers who obtain the chief benefit from its construction. After further discussion, it was resolved, " That a special district be determined over which the rate be struck to pay interest on the £450 loan necessary to pay the Kairanga County Council for the Ngawhakarau road." An amendment by Cr M'cLehnan, to make the interest payable by the whole county, was lost. A committee consisting of Crs McLennan, Eobinson, D. Carter, and the chairman was appointed to define a special rating district. Meeting at the conclusion of the council's business they passed the following resolution :-—" The special district to rate will be as follows: Te Kawa Block, sections 319, 320,337, 119,118,117, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 77, 76, 75, 74, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 60, 70, 71, 72, 73, 339, 338, 386; Eangitikei, Manawatu Block, 334; Mount Eobin-. gon, 335, 336; Himutangi, section 1,

The chairman was aushgriged to have a strong room built for the storage of office papers. MISCELLANEOUS. It was decided to have the Kakariki road surveyed. Mr ShaplesM waited on the council and asked for extra payment on Poole's contract, which he had taken over. He pointed out to the council that he was losing £35 over the contract by carrying it on, but that on the other hand if he had thrown it up he would have lost jEBO, and the council would also have been involved in delay and extra, cost by haying to call for. fresh tenders—The council informed Mr Shaplesld that it could noli accede, to ltfs. request

BesQlyed that tenders be called for trimming' and metalling Cust's line, tenders to be.in by next meeting of the council. TENDERS. The tender of J. Jones of £52 was accepted for the collection of the dog tax. Stewart and Sons' tender for metalling at 4s 6d a yard was accepted for contract No. 141. DOG TAX. It was resolved that the dog tfV>j \*e> 2s 6d for sheep, cattle and rabbit dogs, and eJs for all others. NOXIOUS WKED TROUBLES.

Cr McLennan drew attention to the | spread of gorse in parts of the county. He said that on the Taikorea road in particular the growth was very exce.ssiyo. an?l t|ra : ffio in a year's fiiiie woulc^ o,e inip^ssibie. At 'tKe phahinaii's request, it was left with him to see the Govern- I merit Inspector about the complaint anfl to ask him ta dra-\y the attcntiQU. pf the settlors responsible to, the matter, S?ECJIAL KATK, It was decided to levy a special rate of one twenty-ninths of a penny in the £on all rateable property in the Sandon district, for the purpose of paying interest on the loan of raised for the construction of Kakariki and Just's lines. A special meeting will be held on March 18th to confirm the resolution.

ESTIMATES. '■' ' ' Esthnates foV metalluig on various roads in the County were submitted, which amounted to £601 10s on the main roads, and £698 5s in the ridings, or a total of J1295 15s. It was resolved to call tenders for the work, same to \ip i-i; by^ the next meeting.'ftf'ihe'Council, '""ij-htf clorlf sSv\as 'insti-uoted to obtain particulars of a new englno of a similar design to the "Fox." The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.