WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7824, 18 December 1886, Page 6

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Aw, adjourned meeting of the Waitemata County Council wai held yesterday at their' offices, Palmerston Buildings. Present: 1 'Messrs. O. Mays (chairman), Monk, Smyth, Cantwell, Lloyd, Alison, Sinclair, MoLeod, and Lang. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Tenders.—For works at Hobeonville, on the main road, the tender of F. Smith of £21 7s 6d was accepted. For Helensville-Port Albert road, No. 6, the tender of Charles Keiley, amounting to £75 19i Bd, was accepted. For oarting sooria from VVaikomiti station to Great North Road, at 4s IQJd per truck, was aocepted from Joseph Lee. Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act. —The chairman reported that £270 7« 3d, the balance of subsidy under this Act, had been passed by the Treasurer, making a total of £910 from this source {or the year ending Maroh 31, ISB6. Wade-Wain oi-Katjkapakapaßo id. —A report was received from Mr. Beetham, County Engineer, stating that Mr. Eliaa would give a road half a chain wide through his property to Dunningham's, if the Council would transfer the old road to him; the road to be fenced (sheep-proof), or a money payment in lieu thereof, and contracts for fencing and metalling to be offered to him at Engineer's estimate before otherwise let. The Counoil declined to accept the land on these conditions, but would acoept a road a chain wide and fence it in the ordinary manner, bat without compensation for the land. It was stated that at Mr. Lloyd's request a contract had been let to Messrs. Ehas and Brunton to renew the bridge near Yates'e for £22 10s. It was resolved that the action of the Engineer be confirmed. Survey.—-A letter was received from Mr, Percy Smith, assistant surveyor-general, stating in reply to a request from the Council, that the road from Waimauku to Woodhill would be surveyed as soon as one of the Government surveyors were at liberty. Hβ asked if the Counoil would be prepared, under the Public Works Aot, to take blocks where the right of road had expired. Agreed to. Hbndkbson and WaikTomiti Roads.—Mγ. Beetham reported that he had inspected the culvert and approaches constructed by Mr. Probert on the Henderson-Waikomiti .Road, whioh had been satisfactorily oompleted. Fall's Road.—A. report was received from Mn Beetham, stating that he had given his opinion that Mr. John Smyth would let them take the road through his property between SnelU and Waitakerei Bridge if they would grade a road across Snella suitable for a

tramway. He had since seen Mr. Soherff, who considered the offer he had previously made in consideration of a road through Snells, was not binding on him now. That somewhat altered the position. It waa resolved that the previous decision of the Counoil be adhered to to do no more work on this road unless the land were given free of cost. Waikomiti.—A lengthy report was received from the engineer, respecting Andrew Kelly's claim for fenoing of land alleged to have been taken by the Counoil for the deviation on the Henderson and Waikomiti South Road. Tho report showed that Mr. Kelly had been a gainer by the closing of the old road and the opening of the new one. It was resolved to forward copies of report and plan to Messrs. Jaokson and Russell, Mr. Kelly's solicitors, and, under the altered circumstances, to decline to fence the land. Damage Bγ GrjMDiaaEßS.— A report was received from Mr. Beetham, drawing attention to the damage done to roads by gumdiggers. If this were not put a stop to, there would not be a road, old or new, in the outlying parts of the country fit to travel on. A few weeks ago he bad to refer to the destruction of their water-tables on the road lately finished at Helonsville, and alio drew the attention of the Counoil to the general destruotion of their streets. The North Road was now being disfigured in several parts to a very serious extent, especially between Brigham's Creek and Knmeo, and the road had to be avoided at night time for fear of acoidents. The work of destruction was going on in other parts. He recommended that prominent notices be advertised and posted up on the lines of road most infected with the pest, and that the men engaged on day work be instructed to lay information against any men encroaching on the road. It was resolved that the report be reoeived, and that a copy be forwarded! to the superintendent of police, with an urgent request that the local police may bo instructed to prosecute offenders whenever poasible.

Da.NwiNoiUM and Kiso'e Bran.— Mγ. Brown wrote protesting against any deviation from the lino surveyed by Mr. Boetham. Deferred for the farther report of the en* gineor. Mr. Other's Claim. —A. letter was read from Mr. Tanner, Town Clerk, Devonport, respecting Mr. Other's claim for compensation in respect of land taken for a cemetery, and stating that the Borough of Devonport was prepared to pay in terms of Mr. Fitzgerald's award, the sum of £125, and anon further sum not exceeding £300, if the county had to pay compensation, bat they refused to pa> the amount claimed by Mr. Other until ho established it before the Compensation Court. The Chairman reported that he objected to the Borough Counoil attempting to change the purpose of the reserve until Mr. Other's claim had been settled, and the other conditions of the award fulfilled. The Hon. J. A. Tole telegraphed that he had forwarded the Council's letter to the Colonial Secretary asking a stay of action pending award being carried out. It was resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the solioitor, and that the chairman's action be approved. Whac Bridgk.—A letter was received from the Under-Seoretary of Public Works stating that the letter of the Counoil respecting the construction of a new bridge over the Whau river was under consideration.

Tatjpaki Station Road.—lα response to a letter from James Cottle, it was resolved that the engineer be instructed to make specifications for metalling the road at tbe western eide of the Taupaki railway station at a cost not exceeding £25.' Maibbtabi Road Board.—A letter was received from the Chairman of the Mairetahi Road Board, stating that their collector some time since took aotion against some defaulting ratepayers, and got judgment. He asked the Council whether they intended to take further steps, ao that their Board might do likewise at the same time. It was resolved, " That in all caaes when judgment haa been obtained against the lands of absent ratepayers by both the county and local Board, that farther proceedings should be taken only by the county, the Uounoil agreeing to pay the rates and costs of the local body out of the proceeds of the sale of the land. Henderson Vallby Road.—A letter was received from H. Probert, representing the necessity of improvements of road to Waitakerei Falls. The Chairman announced that temporary repairs had been effected, and the engineer was preparing specification for the main work. Slauohterhousb.—An application from M. H. Frost was granted for temporary transfer of slaughterhouse lioense to Messrs. H. and J. Binsted. Great Nohth Road, Henderson.—Mr". G. Cantvvell wrote asking the Council to grade 7 J chains 'of thin road from the bridge to the achoolhouee. Deferred until next meeting, when the appropriations for 1887 will be oonsidered. Harkin's Point.—The Engineer was instructed to report as soon as possible on a protest by Messrs. .Neil and Nixon against the Council leasing the landing reserve at Harkin's Point. Waikoukou, Waimaukußoad.—A letter was received from Mr. J. Wilkins, who asked for repair of this road; 'and it was resolved that a earn not exceeding £50 be expended to make the road passable, and also a similar amount on the west side of the line towards An nett's. Waikoukou.—Mr. A. K. Taylor wrote of the dangerous state of Waikoukou bridge. It was resolved that Mr.Wilkiua be employed to do what was necessary to render the bridge eafe pending more extensive repairs. Northootb.—A letter was read from Mr. Thomas Seaman, clerk of Nortbcote Road Board, asking the Counoil to hand over the amount of license fee (£25) reoeived for the Northoote Hotel license, as the Counoil were leaving the main road repairs this year to the Board. Keiolved, "That the Board be informed that the amount haa been already expended in the new approach to Nortboote Point." Luoas' Ckeek.—A petition from Jacob Cowley and other residents of Luoas' Greek for improvements to the main road, was deferred until next meeting for the report of the engineer. Northootb Wharf Approioii. — W. Wells wrote respecting the outting down of the roadway opposite bis house at Northoote, *

which would seriously Interfere with the approach. Referred to Messrs. Boy lan aud Lisodon to report to next meeting. l ßio Mtjddy Cbkbk.—ln reply to an ap* plication from Messrs. Lang and A. J. Maokie, it wag resolved to employ a man for three weeks, under the supervision of Mr. Lang, at a cost not exceeding £5 Ba, for . work required on the road from Yorke's to the Big Creek bridge. West Coast Road.—W. G. Barnes wrote, stating that he had oompleted the fencing of the portion of the West Coast Road which passed through the land given by him to the Council. Resolved that £26 be paid on the certificate of the engineer. Waiparbiba.—The Hon. H. Chamberlin, M.L.C., wrote asking that some improvements might be made in thia point by the county with a view to promote settlement. He had been a heavy taxpayer for twenty years, and was now contributing upwards Of £50 a year to the county funds. He suggested as the most beneficial way of promoting settlement the erection of a small wharf on the Waitemata, near his land, towards the cost of which be would contribute £100, the Council to subsidise a small steamer to call at this and other points in lien of making roade. The consideration of this important matter was deferred until next meeting. Mb. MoElwain's Grievance. —Mr. MoRlwain again applied for further expenditure of £25 on the West Coast road. Messrs. Bmyth and Cantwell strongly objected to the application. Ifc was resolved that the matter be deferred until next meeting, when the year's allocation to Waitakerei Riding will be made. * Wbiti Riding.— The Chairman postponed the motion of whioh he had given notice until next meeting, as an advertisement had appeared in that day's Weekly N hws from the Wainui ratepayers, praying for the abolition of the local Board. A letter was also received from Mr. F. W. Sidwell, sen., stating that the road through his laud made by the Council at the request of the Wainui Board was as much required "as a toad requires a sidepocket." Mrs. O. A. Anderson also wrote protesting against the tyrannical action of the Board in pulling down her fences to make a ussless road. The consideration of the letters were deferred until next meeting, pending the receipt of the petition for merging. It transpired during the discussion that, from Apiil, 1885, up to this date, £3061 Oβ 7d had been expended on this riding by the Council; while the receipts therefrom had only amounted to £479 3s sd. Accounts The Treasurer reported that £1140 had been received at the office for rates from August 2up to date. The usual accounts were paused, and the Counoil adjourned.