WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9022, 7 April 1888, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

. . SPECIAL MEETING, j A special meeting of the Waitemata County Council was held yesterday afternoon at Palmerston Buildings. There were present: Mr. A. Bruce (chairman), Messrs. Sinclair, Mackay, "Bishop, O'Neill, Thompson, Moffatt, McLeod. BrRKENHEAD.—Mr. S. J. Blythe, C.E., and a large number of ratepayers were present as a deputation from Birkenhead. Mr, Blythe presented a petition praying that the Birkenhead Road District might be merged' in the County of Waitemata. Mr. Lyell, acting as the spokesman, stated that the petition was signed by 136 ratepayers, including the principal landowners in the district. He dwelt largely on the expense of the management of road boards, more especially in clerical work and offices expenses, which he considered should be undertaken by some member of these boards free of cost. The Chairman explained that a counterpetition had been signed to form the district into a borough. He was not aware that this petition was to be presented to-day. The clerk explained that Mr. Blythe had given the necessary notice by advertisement. The Chairman said he understood that the petition for a borough was largely signed. Mr. Thompson said this was misleading. Only a small section of the Birkenhead district petitioned to be formed into a borough, and this could in no way be oalled a counterpetition. Mr. Mays said all the preliminaries had been complied with. They had power to dissolve the Road Board, and merge the district in the County, but had nothing whatever to do with the petition for the formation of the borough—that petition had to go to the Governor. On the motion of Mr. Thompson the petition was received, and it Was decided to grant the prayer of the petition. Mr. Thompson considered the result would be a large reduction of taxation in the distriot.' Mr. Blythe thanked the Council on behalf of the petitioners, and the deputation withdrew.

Waiwera Road. — Mr. Mays explained that Mr. Mitchelson three years ago had confirmed a promise of the previous Minister to contribute £500 to the making of this road, but since then it had been all handed over to the Council, and the county made the road, which cost about £800. The county had now to keep the road, although it was not a county road, and the Road Board, although deriving the same revenue from it as the county did. What was wanted was to make an order, as they had power to do, to compel the road board to take over the control and maintenance of this road. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr. McLeod, seconded by Mr. Sinclair, " That the road be handed over to the Wainui Road Board." Mr. Moffatt objected that it would take all the road board rates to maintain this road, but the motion was carried unanimously. ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting was then held. The minutes of previous general and committee meetings were read and confirmed, and the report of tho Finance Committee was adopted. Statement of Accounts. —The treasurer read the following statement of accounts : — Rates received since last meeting, £442 13s sd; balance due to bank, £1390s 8d: accounts to be paid to-day £620 Is 8d ; total debit balance, £759 7s 4a. He also submitted the following statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ending March 31, 18S8, in order that members might consider it before the May meeting : —

Receipts.—County rates received at office, £2280 15s 8d; subsidy Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act, £1388 15s Id; rates on Crown lands, £335 Us 4d ; rates on native lands, £163 10s 5d ; publicans' licenses, £248; slaughter-house licenses, £18: Brigham's Creek wharf account (Hon. H. Chamberlin's contribution thereto), £100; Devonport Borough Council (refund to Hospital and Charitable Aid account), £125; Auckland Harbour Board (contribution to Northcoto wharf approach), £602 12a 6d; Whau bridge (Mount Eden Road Board's contribution), £3 6s 7d; Rating Act expenses recovered, £24 3s Id ; miscellaneous receipts, £7 8s (5d ; balance due Colonial Bank, £277 6s 6d : total, £5584 9s Bd.

Expenditure. — Balance due Colonial Bank, £53 5s lid ; works on main and county roads—Takapuna Riding, £1612 93 2d ; Devonport public cemetery, £300: Weiti Riding, £213 16s 9d ; Ararimu Riding, £881 16s 6d ; Waitakerci Riding, £760 12a 7d ; Manakau and Waikomiti Riding, £496 18s 2d; cost of triennial election of members, £42 0s 6d ; expenses, summonses, etc., under Rating Act, £43 5a ; expenses under Licensing Act, ISBl—Licensing Act expenses, elections and clerks' salaries, £71 7s 7d ; Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, £414 8s 7d : office rent, cleaning, etc., £44 0s 6d ; travelling expenses of members, £69 3s 2d ; printing, advertising, books, etc., £4113s 9d ; purchase of land for roads, compensation, dedications, conveyances, etc., £101 5s ; interest on overdraft, £39 13s 10d ; clerk and treasurer and clerical assistance, £200; stationery, postages, and telegrams, £22 9s 8d ; iron safe for office, £23 ; refund of rates, £5 18s 6d : miscellaneous, £9 3s 8d ; cash in hand, £138 Os lOd : total. £5584 9a Bd.

Local Elections Report.—The report as to the treasurer was that the whole cost of the local elections was £5 2s 7d. The local option vote must be taken next month, in all. districts except the Wade, and it would be necessary to appoint presiding officers. The names submitted were approved, and they were appointed. The Cemetery.—The secretary submitted draft copy drawn up by the Board's solicitor, demanding from Devonport a refund of £300 paid on the award of the Supreme Court on behalf of the borough. The form of demand was adopted, signed, and sealed. Wairau Creek Bridge.—Tenders for this work were received. The Engineer's estimate was £30 14s; the tenders were as follow : —William Kearney and Co., £45; Thos. L. Huquet, £45 ss; J. Mays, £29 15s ; James S. Sheriff, £30 10s; G. Knight, £44 15s 6d, or if totara may be used, 139 15s 6d ; Haseman, £38; A. Burns, £67 10s; Carr Bros., £29 15s, provided they be allowed to use totara for land-ties, etc., instead of puriri. The tender of Mr. James Mays was accepted! Kaukapakapa Bridge and Culverts.— The Engineer's estimate was £95 7s; the tenders received were ;is follow :—Charles Simcock,£94; G. Knight, £188 12s 6d: J. McLeod, £125; T. Thwaites, £122 18s. The tender of Mr. Simcock was accepted. Homsonvillk.—For metalling 20 chains of this road the engineer's estimate was £60. The tenders received were :—G. Knight, £59 12s 6d ; and C. J. Hill, £35 103. The latter was accepted. Waikoukou Bridge.—For repairs to this bridge, Mr. Joseph Wilkins agreed to do the work at £9 12s 6d, the engineer's estimate. Babylon Main Road.—There was an application from the Road Board to have the road repaired by covering the fascines with sandstone, which was available in the district. The engineer reported that the Road Board were doing good work in this direction, and recommended that it should be continued on the main road when fuuds were available. It was agreed to have eight chains done with sandstone, four chains at each side of the bridge. « West Coast Road.—Mr. E. C. Honley applied to have a culvert opposite his place lowered. It was recommended by the engineer, who estimated the cost at £3. Mr. Sinclair said that Mr. Murray, the only other settler affected, did not object, and it was ..agreed to call for.tenders for the work.

Waimauktt-West Coast Road.—The engineer reported that plans for this road were prepared, and as there was a good deal of ditching required, the work was not done earlier. It was agreed to call for tenders for the work at once. Kaukafakapa Road.—The engineer reported having inspected the ground, and prepared an estimate of cost of supplying 200 yards of metal. There was a good deal of correspondence on the subject. The matter was deferred, Waikomiti-Wkst Coast Road. —The engineer reported that the cost of works required by Mr. Ussher on this road would be £120. The matter was deferred pending the result of the meeting of a deputation with the Hon. Mr. Mitchelson on Saturday. Babylon Road Extension.—ln regard to the extension of this road, the engineer reported that he proposed visiting this place shortly, and would report to the next meeting of the Council. Mr. McLeod moved that 50 chains be done, and this was agreed to. Old North Road. — Mr. John Week asked, as the Wainui Road Board would do nothing, that the Council should make his road passable so a3 to afford him ingress and egress, and he gave notice that if any accident occurred he would hold the Council responsible. Mr. Jack, Chairman of the Board, also wrote on the subject. The matter was referred to the engineer. TAUPAKi.—Mr. William O'Neill wrote that as the Government would grant £20 towards the construction of a bridge costing £40, he would contribute £5 if the Council would contribute the remainder. The engineer said the bridge .was up, but he did not value it at £40, and considered £20 was the value of it. Under those circumstances, tha letter was simplv received. Wainui-Wade Road.—Mr. Jack, Chairman of the Wainui Road Board, requested the Council to repair this road, on which there was a good deal of traffic. Mr. Moffatt suggested that wages men be ppt on to clear the channels, &c, and it was finally agreed that men be employed for two months for this work. _ Swanson-Wajtakerei Falls Road.—The engineer reported that he estimated the cost of the road and bridge through Snell's afe £SO. The clerk said that this work would have been gone on with eighteen months ago, but they were stopped by Knell's trustees,

Now, the land was taken over, and it was agreed to instruct the engineer to prepare plans and specifications and call for tenders, also to finish the survey through Meikle's land.

Great North Road.—Mr. Noble Johnson wrote with regard to the state of this road. He had been promised by the late engineer, Mr. Beetham, that the road would be made. The matter was referred to the engineer for his report. Northcote Main Road. — Mr. Seaman called attention to the unpaid account for metal due by the Council to the Northcote Road Board for the Northcote main road. They were prepared to receive payment in kind. The chairman said the metal was given by the Board as a loan; but they had never received it back, although the Council stated that they had paid it W putting the metal on the county road. The clerk explained that the amount lent was 80 yards, since which a grant of 500 yards had been made to the district by the Council. They had spent £800 on the district, and only received £200 revenue for it. The chairman, however, insisted that the metal was still due to the Board, as they had been debited with the 500 yards of metal when the allocation was made, and no mention had been made of this 80 yards of metal. Mr. Mays explained that it was not a loan. They had merely spread the metal which the Road Board was prepared to spread. They ordered no less metal on this account. They only spread 80 yards more than they otherwise would have done. Finally the matter was deferred till next meeting. Wainui-Kaukapakapa Road.—A deputation, consisting of Mr. Elias, waited on the Council in regard to the road from Waijiui to Kaukapakapa Road. It was a question as to whether a "lower" or an "upper "road was the most suitable. Mr. Elias was willing to give a road if he got the old road; but another settler who hada frontage to the old ioad, objected to its being closed. Finally, after a prolonged discussion, it was agreed to refer the matter to the engineer for his report. Wade Deputation.-t-A deputation was received in respect to the Wade landing reserve. Some tune ago, Mr. Lees asked for a lease of a portion of the reserve, as he had charge of the wharf, and it was necessary he should be in sight of the landing. He intended erecting a provision store in view of the wharf. The clerk pointed out that there was no intention of closing the right-of-way to Mr. Bond's store. A letter sent by Mr. Bond to Mr. McLeod was read. He urged that the application was the subterfuge of a rival storekeeper, and intimated that a petition would be presented at this meeting. Mr. Jack, the Chairman of the Board, also wrote to the same effect. Mr. Mays pointed out that all the correspondence went on the basis that the Council had been guilty of secrecy and intrigue, but this was really the first time the matter had been before the Council, and it could not have been made public before. He also read the petition against the closing or leasing of the reserve. P mally, Mr. Thompson pointed out that all they had really betore them was Mr. Lee's application, and until that was considered all the other matter was foreign to them. He moved, " That the whole matter be deferred until next meeting." This was agreed to. After the transaction of some further business the meeting terminated.