HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Issue 6568, 5 December 1882, Page 6

HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The annual meeting of this Council was ! held at Tokatoka on Wednesday, the 22nd November, at noon. Present: Messrs. Bowmar, Clark, Cliff, DenniD, labiater, E. Mitchelson (M.H.R.), and Rowsell. Mr. Mitchelson took the chair. The minutes of the last ordinary meeting, and also of the special meeting held on the 29th of September, wereread and confirmed. Mr. Matthews (chairman) now entered the room and took his seat. Matakohe, Paimroa Road.—Kesolved, "That the Inspector, on his next vitft to the district, some time in December, peg out the route through Mr. Redfern's land." Locgukak's Road,--Resolved, "That thfa matter be left in .statu quo, and that in the meantime the Clerk obtain the new Public Works Act." Wharves. —Moved by Mr. Mitchelson, and seconded by Mr. Cliff, " That the sum of £5 per annum be paid to those persons taking charge of the wharves at Mititahi, Tokatoka, and Matakohe, and £7 for the wharf at Pahi ; the extra sum for the latter on account of the shipping." Carried.— Moved by Mr. Mitchelson. and seconded by Mr. Matthews, " That a lamp and post be erected at the end of the wharf at Matakohe, and that £2 103 be allowed extra for lighting." Carried.—Mr. Isbister said that his name was mentioned as caretaker of the Matakohe wharf. It should have been his son, Joseph.—Resolved, " Thata copy of the Auckland •wharfingers' duties be obtained, and submitted to those suggested as caretakers, asking if they agreed to the same." i

Kaiiio Road.—Moved by Mr. Matthews, seconded by Mr. Rowsell, "That a final application be made to Mr. Dargaville for payment of his guarantee of £47 10s, failing an immediate settlement the matter be placed in the hands of the county solicitor ; and it further agreed to intimate that Mr. Dargaville's application for payment of £33, expended by him on the Dargaville township road will receive careful consideration by the Council on payment of the said guarantee The matter to be left in the hands of the chairman." Carried.

Compensation. — Resolved, "That Mr. Hudspith be requested to signify in writing his willingness to accept (as trustee for his children) the sum of £7 as compensation for land taken as a road through their property." Resolved, " That legal advice be taken as to compensation for the destruction of the road leading to Tokatoka wharf by persons nonratepayers also, "That the offer of the chairman of the Pukekaroro Road Board with regard to drain pipes be declined." Harding's Drain.—This matter was left in the hands of the chairman and inspector of works.

BiLANCE-snEET.'—Resolved, "That the balance-sheet as read and published in the Weekly New< of November 11 be adopted." —Mr. Rowsell suggested the appointment of a Finance Committee, to be composed of councillors representing three Road Board districts. Resolved, "That Messrs. Rowsell, Clark, and Cliff be said committee."— The Chairman said this concluded the business for the past year, it was now the duty of the Council to elect a chairman for the ensuing year. He then left the chair, which was occupied by the clerk.

Election- of Chairman*.—Mr. Cliff said that, before proceeding to the election of a chairman, it was for them to express their opinion of the action of the late one. He would therefore move, "That the thanks of this Council be accorded to Mr. Matthews for his action as honorary chairman for the past year.'"'—Seconded by Mr. Dennin, and carried new. con.—Moved by Mr. Cliff, and seconded by Mr. Dennin, "That Mr. Matthews be re-elected chairman for current year."—Carried nem. con.

Town Districts Act, 18S1.—A letter, dated 2Sth September, was received from the Dargaville Town Board, asking for a refund of rates (less cost of collection), and also for nine months' licence fees, together with proportion of Government grants, proportion to be based on amount of rates collected.—The Chairman said it had appeared to him a question whether Dargaville was legally constituted a town district. He had consequently written to the Attorney-General, asking if the area (170 acres freehold, the balance being native land and leasehold,) was sufficient to form a district. The reply received was to the effect that he (the AttorneyGeneral) saw no legal objection.—Moved by Mr. Mitchelson, " That the letter be acknowledged, saying that on receipt of Government grant the matter will be further taken into consideration, but at present the Council does not see its way clear to grant any assistance or alter existing arrangements ; at the same time, it wishes to deal fairly and reasonably with all parts of the county."—Seconded by Mr. Dennin and carried. Arapohde.—Mr. Benger asked for permission to use, for purpose of fencing, the felled timber lying on the road adjoining his property. Granted.

Kaiuo Wharf.—Two applications for compensation for injuries received in consequence of the bad state of this wharf. This was the old wharf near the Kaihu Hotel. It was suggested that it be destroyed.

Mais Road.—lt was reported that two culverts on this road, near Andersen's, were in a dangerous state. Resolved. "That the Inspector go over this part of tke road, and lay oif the works required." It was represented that the sum of £500 was absolutely needed to put in proper repair existing works. This was independent c-f any fresh works for opening up the maiu road. Resolved, "That tenders be called for the various works mentioned in the Inspector's report; and that all deviations be immediately taken over under the Public Works Act."' Also, " That guide posts be erccted at the various points of road calculated to mislead travellers."—Mr. Isbister suggested that meetings of the Council be held more frequently.

Paparoa-Waikif.kie Road.—This was one of the roads gazetted as main roads under the "Roads and Bridge Construction Act," and connects with Pahi township. It was proposed to make a deviation from the present route, in order to avoid Skeltou's Hill. The road from the Waikiekie boundary would come out by Mr. Cliffe's at Paparoa, thence to Mr. Rcdfern's brick and tile works, crossing by a bridge, the Paparoa river at this point, and on through Mr. Skelton's property (late Coupland's) to the present Pahi Road. It was contended that this route would be from Paparoa comparatively level, and although somewhat longer for travellers from Maungacuroto, yet the other advantages would amply compensate ; while from Matakohe the distance to Pahi would be very much shortened. At a meeting of settlers at Paparoa, recently held, a resolution was passed in favour of this route. The proposed deviation was generally approved, but Mr. Isbister severely condemned it, and during hi 3 remarks some of the councillors left the room. The meeting then adjourned.—[Own Correspondent.]