COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7862, 3 February 1887, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

WHaKATANE,

The general meeting was held on Thursday, January 20. Present: Mr, E. P. gue (chairman), Dr. Reid, Messrs. J. r. Connelly, John Gordon, T, P. Drury, H. P. Bluett, and R. Wright. The olerk read the j replies to last month's correspondence, | which, after discussion, were adopted. Corrkspondenok.—A letter was received from Mr. L. M. Grace, M.H.R., acknowledging receipt of the Council's letter re hastening completion of public works, and stating that he had forwarded the same to Government, with a letter in support of same. A letter was received from J. EL. McCaw, clerk of the Hospital and Charitable Aids Board, asking what steps the Council had taken with regard to the election of two members to represent the County of Wbakatane on that Board. A letter wa 1 ! received from Mr. L. Wilson, Whakatane Road Board clerk, stating that a conditional license had been granted to Mr. T. Dalzel), licensee of the Whakatane Hotel, and enclosing fee for a booth at the Whakatane Races; also stating that the bridges on the west bank of the Whakatane River required repairing; also a wire to same effect re bridges, and the urgent necessity for their repair. A letter was received from Mr. S. Crapp, district engineer, re the necessity for the construction of a bridge with an Bft span, and a bridge or culvert of 4ft span on the main road between Whakatane and Te Teko. A letter was received from Mr. Alfred Parkinson, applying for a license to slaughter upon his freehold property, being allotment No. 134, Parish of Waioeka, and enclosing £2 as his license for twelve months. A letter was received from the chairman of the Bruce Council, pointing out that the costs of administering the Hospital and Charitable Aids Act have greatly increased since the Act came into force, and inviting this Council to cooperate with them in an effort to have the Act so amended as to allow each county to provide for Its own poor, and that the contribution to hospitals bo the proportion of the cost of each patient. A letter was received from the Secretary of Marine, calling the attention of the Council to the fact of local bodies undertaking harbour works without first obtaining the sanction of the Governor in Counoil, and quoting sections of the Harbours Act, 1878, in explanation. The chairman explained that Mr. Grace's visit here had been a very hurried one; that he (the chairman) had notified all the members who were not living at too great a distance, and that a fairly representative meeting had been got together, and many matters of public importance laid before Mr. Grace, who had promised to give them his best attention. Claim for Damages.— A claim was received from a native named Rongo Pakaka for damage to a horse, caused by the breaking of a plank in the bridge at Whakatane, while the horse wag being ridden over by Mr. T. Dalzell, whereby the horse sustained injury to its legs, the amount claimed being the full value of the horse, £15. Resolved, "That the Council do not entertain the claim of £15 for damage to horse.' 1 J County Bridges.—Resolved, "To ask Mr. N. Crapp to examine and report upon the general state and condition of all the county bridges at his earliest convenience." Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. —Resolved, "That Messrs. William .Commons and J. Maxwell, of Tauranga, be asked to kindly allow themselves to be nominated as representatives for the County of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Tauranga." Resolved, "That a reply be sent to the Bruce County Council's circular, re the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, announcing the | Council's approval of the suggestions, and promising that every effort will be vised to support the movement; also, that a letter be written to Mr. Grace, asking his assistance in bringing the subject before the Government."

Local Bakboor Works. — Resolved, "That the letter from the Marine Board be filed, as the Council has no works of tbe nature described therein either in hand or in contemplation. The Condition of Bridges. — Mr. Bluett described the state of the small bridges on the Whakatane-Te Teko Road, mentioned in Mr. Crapp's report, and stated that both require immediate attention, and that the larger one was both rotten and dangerous to traffic, aud quite beyond patching or repairing.

Slaughterhouse License.—The application of Mr. Alfred Parkinson for a license to slaughter upon his private property, allotment .No. 134, Parish of Waioeka, was then considered. Resolved, "That the olerk procure a copy of the Slaughterhouses Act, 1877, and amendment*, if any, for the use of the Council." Mr. Wright proposed, seconded by Mr. Connelly, "That Mr. Parkinson's application be granted, subject to the approval of an inspector to be appointed by the Council, as regards situation, &c." Carried. Resolved, " That Constable Sisam be appointed as inspector under the Act, and that the scale of fees as laid down by the Act be adopted-, also, that the in* spector ascertain that Mr. Parkinson's yard be two chains at least from the public road, and four chains from any running stream."

Arrears of Rates.—Resolved, "That the clerk sue for all arrears of rates doe for current year by absentees, and send a short notice to all resident defaulters."

The Ford at Waiotahi.—The chairman drew the attention of the Council to some changes in the depths of the ford at Waiotahi, as indicated by the finger-posts, which rendered that crossing unsafe at half tide.

Accounts.—The following accounts were received — Wilson, six months' salary as license clerk, £2 10s ; P. Brown, repairing approaches to bridge, 6s, These accounts were passed for payment.

Office Accommodation,—Mr. Connelly proposed, Mr. Wright seconded, " That a letter be sent to Mr. L. M. Grace, requesting him to fulfil his promise re the erection of offices for the accommodation of the district engineer, the County Council, Road Board, and Town Board meetings." Carried.

The Whakatane Road Board Claim.— The obairman then explained the position of the Council with regard to the claim made by the Whakatane Road Board for funds, and read out various accounts which the clerk had prepared, showing the Whakatane Hoard to be already indebted to the Council, and read clause 149 of the Counties Act, bearing upon the subject. Messrs. Drury and Bluett objected to the position in whioh the Whakatane Board was placed by these statements. Considerable discussion ensued. Mr. Wright proposed, Dr. Reid seconded, That a reply be sent to the Whakatane Road Board to the effect that the Council considers that the Road Board has no actual claim whatever against he Council, and that the items debited to the Counoil in the statement reoeived are simply portions of the county general fund, and cannot be made a special credit to the Road Board." Carried.

Postponed.—Resolved, "That the apportionment of each riding's share of the funds, as provided by the Counties Act, 1836, be held over until the next monthly meeting, and that in the meantime the clerk procure a copy of the Act for each member."

Reconstruction of a Bridge. — The Opotiki Road Board's application lor assistance towards the reconstruction of a bridge near Dr. Reid's was then discussed at considerable length. Dr. Reid proposed, Mr. Connelly seconded, "That a sum of £40 be granted to the Road Board towards the reconstruction of the bridge." Proposed by Mr. Drury, seconded by Mr. Wright, as an amendment, "That before any grant bo made Mr. Crapp be requested to inspect the bridge, and report at the next monthly meeting as to whether a bridge of over SOtt span is necessary." For the amendment, 4 ; for the original motion, 3. The amendment was carried.

Bridges on Whakatank-Te Teko Road. —Mr. Hluett proposed, and Mr. Drury seconded, " That Mr. Crapp be instructed to proceed with the construction of the Bft span bridge, in accordance with his letter of the Bth instant." Dr. Reid proposed, seconded by Mr. Gordon, as an amendment, "That Mr. Crapp be instructed to have the present structure repaired, and made safe for traffic." For the amendment, 3; for the proposition, 4. The original proposition was carried-

Special Meeting.—A special meeting was then held. Proposed by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr, Bluett, That a special order be now made, adopting the provisions of the Local Bodies Loans Act, 1886, and the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 18S6, generally." Carried. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.—[Own Correspondent.]

BAY OF ISLANDS, The monthly meeting of the Bay of Islands County Council was held at Kawakawa on January 10, Present; The Hon. Hcnrv

Williams (chairman), Messrs. G. P. Diet* son, M. Clarke, W. Swift, P. McAli and J. H. Salmon. The minutes 0 f last meeting were read and confirmed. Ac ■ counts for payment, amounting to £641 4« 6d, were laid on the table. Moved by Mr' Swift, and seconded by Mr. Dickeson' " That the aforesaid accounts be passed, and paid, with the exception of the Turn-table Hill Contract account." A long discussion took place between the eugineer and in, spector and some of the councillors, the latter affirming that the terras and Rp ec cations of the contract were not faithfully carried out, in consequence of which « report was called for from the inspestor, who still adhered to his certificate that the work of metalling was correctly performed. The councillors still objecting, the engineer ten. dered his resignation. By the ruling 0 f the chairman, and approval of the Council it was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Clailte' seconded by Mr. Dickeson. That the two concillors of the riding (Kawakawa) be re* quested to inspect and report on the works iu question." The inspector and contractor were also requested to bo present. At tho request of the chairman, the engineer withdrew bis tendered resignation until the report of the councillors be received, which was agreed to. Correspondence.— petition was pre. sentad from J. H. Salmon and others, rela« tive to the state of the Ruapekapeka K oa( j to the settlement there, which was received. The action and report of the three council! lore to open tenders on the 14:h ultimo for repairs on Kawakawa-Whangarei road, re. portod in last week's issue, was approved of, Moved by Mr. Salmon, and seconded by Mr. Clarke, "That the Council approve of the resolution relative to hospital and charitable aid, contained in circular re. ceived from the Bruce County Council, dated 24th ultimo, and that the clerk be directed to state their willingness to co. operate, A copy was ordered to be sent to the member of the electorate." Carried. Moved by Mr. McAlister, seconded by Mr. Salmon, " That the Council approve of the proposition of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, dated December 7, ISS6, and agree to subscribe, &c., as requested," Carried. Moved by Mr. Clarke, and seconded by Mr. Dickeson, " That the offer of land for road deviation, Okaihau Hiding, from the Rev. Mr. Wills be accepted." Carried. Also by the same councillors, "That Mrj Blundell (engineer) be instructed to prepare plans and call for tenders for a bridge culvert at Horotutu Creek, on the road from the falls to Pahia." Carried. The following sums were passed for repairs and for tenders : —That a sum not exceeding £150 be spent on levelling the road, according to the engineer's reports, en the Kaikobe and Obaeawai Road; that a sum not exceeding £20 be spent in forming and mitilliug the Junction Road from the Turn-table Hill to Whangarei ; that a sum not exceeding £50 be spent in forming and metalling the road between Oropa and Whungae Hill; that the contract of Hazor Dixon, metalling on Ohaeawai Road, be extended about fourteen chains ; that the Russell Wharf be repaired according to the engineer's report and also that tenders for eeotious 2 and 3 on the Kawakawa and the Whangaroi Road be opened and approved by the councillors of the riding, as on the 14th ultimo.

Tkndeks.—The following tenders were approved ofContract No. 2, Waimate and Okaihau Road, D. M. Anderson, £18 14s; Contract No. 3, Okaihau Road, Thomas Dixon, £39 12s ; Contract No. 3a, metalling Okaihau Road, Tolerton, £49 10s; Contract No. 4, metalling Hcreke Road, Tolerton, £32 193 6d ; Contract No. 5, forming and metalling Okaihau-Victoria Valley Koad, Tolerton, £97 4s; Contract No. 6, forming and metalling Okaihau-Victoria Valley Road, Slator and Mackeritt, £56 14s 2d ; Waimate* Kerikeri Road, Waiarl Bridge to Mill Dam, W. Bedggood, £44 10s ; No. 1, Ngahuhu, metalling at per cubic yard, H. Parker (the whole distance), Is 9d ; .No. 2, Ngahuhu, metalling, per cubic yard, Keareama (at per cubic yard), 2s. This concluded the business.— (Own Correspondent.]

OPOTIKI. The monthly meeting was held on Jtnuary 18. Present: Mr. J. F. Connelly (chairman), Messrs. S. P. Dugleaux, K. Wright, and Alf. Parkinson. The clerk reported that he had interviewed Mr. Abbot re the freight on pipes, and that he had explained that the additional charge resulted from the measure* ment of the flanges of the socket pipes. Resolved, "That Messrs. Dugleaux and A. Parkinson investigate the matter thoroughly to-morrow, and, if satisfactory, the account be paid." The clerk read the correspondence with Mr. L. M. Grace, M.H.R., re the Board's intention to raise a loan of £300 under the new Loans Acts ; also a telegram from the Clerk of Borough Council, Auckland, re price of watarcart, and another from Captain H. T. Anderson re price of life-buoys. A letter was received from Messrs. Mann and Co., per J. B. S. Mann, asking permission to erect a verandah in front of their premises in Church-street. Permission granted, subject as to manner of ereotion. A letter was received from the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, in reply to the Board's application for a loan, stating that the application was received too late, but will be held over in the event of any funds remaining in hand from failure of ratepayers to ratify other applications. Proposed by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Dugleaux. " That the clerk procure four regulation lifebuoys and have the Board's name painted therein, and one hung on each wharf, and one on the bathing-shed in a proper manner." Carried. Resolved, " That a letter be written to Mr. Grace reminding him of his promises re postal delivery, beacons at Opotiki and Ohiwa, and the erection of Government offices within the township, also regarding the allowance for prospecting purposes; each application to be addressed to iti individual department, and the whole enclosed to Mr. Grace." The following accounts were received : —C. Hennessey, December, surface work, £4 4s; C. D. Litchfield, six months' salary, to December 31, 18S6, £5. These were all passed for payment. Messrs. Wright and Dugleaux were proposed anC elected as a surface committee for thy current month, Resolved, " That the sur face committee inspect and report upon tba state of the two small bridges near Mr. T. Dawson's, to be considered at the next monthly meeting." The clerk reported that he had received the native roll from the Property Tax Commissioner, which is written in the Maori language, and desired to know whether the Board would en* gage an interpreter to translate it. The Board resolved to entrust the clerk with the interpretation. Resolved, " That the surface committee interview the chairman of the Highway Board with a view to the repairing of a bridge near Molloy'a in Belt-street, the work to be executed by the two local bodies in equal shares." The meeting closed with a vole of thanks to the chairman.—* | Own Correspondent, January 19.J