OTAMATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9086, 21 June 1888, Page 6

OTAMATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING.

A special meeting of the Council was held on May 31. Present: Messrs. Isbister (chairman), Ariell, Birt, Bond, Colbeck, Fitness, and Jackman. Resolved, "That the minutes of last meeting, as read, be confirmed." The yearly balance-sheets, as examined and found correct by the AuditorGeneral. were considered, and it was resolved, That they be adopted, and signed by the chairman. By-law No. 1, relating to pedlars and hawkers, was sealed with the county seal, and signhd by the chairman, and it was resolved, "That the clerk take the necessary steps to bring the by-law into operation on the 2nd July, 1888." ORDINARY MEETING. An ordinary meeting of the Council was also held on May 31, the same councillors being present. Resolved, " That the minutes of last meeting, as amended, be adopted. An application was received from Mr. Wilson, of Paparoa, to have the transfer of the road given by him made out, so that he might receive the amount of his compensation from the Hobson County— clerk to advise him to write to the Hobson County chairman to have the matter completed. Plans of Road.—The chairman stated that the plans for the road in Matakohe had not yet been received from the Hobson County engineer. Settlement of Accounts.—Mr. Jackman reported having attended at the Rodney County office, and, having discussed the question of the assets and liabilities between the two counties, the Rodney County Council decided that they had no claim against this county, and to allow the Otamatea County to retain the arrears of rates collected, and to apply for the subsidy for the year 1886-1887 on the rates collected in the Whakapirau Riding. Resolved, " That the cordial thanks of this Council be given to Mr. Jackman for his efforts to bring this matter to a successful issue."

Uncompleted Agreement, clerk stated that Messrs. Coates and Kendall had not yet signed their agreement, and that Mr. Angus Stewart now refused to fulfil his promise to pay half the cost of survey and dedication of road. Timber on Road Lines.—A letter was received from the Hobson Comity clerk stating that no permission had been granted to Mr. Mander or to Messrs. Coates and Kendall to cut timber on road lines in Kaiwaka. Resolved, " That Mr. Mander and Messrs. Coates and Kendall be applied to for a list of timber cut by them on roads in Kaiwaka. showing the quantities; also, that they be requested to pay for same, and in future that application be made to this Council before cutting any more timber on roads in the Otamatea County. Dangerous Bridge.—The clerk was instructed to have a notice put up at the bridge near Messrs. Gummer's showing that it was dangerous. Wanting Land.—Several letters were read from Mr. Dingwall's solicitors declining to give more than sufficient land to make the road a chain wide. As this was considered insufficient, the clerk was instructed to write and ask if he would; sell sufficient to make the road a chain and a half wide, and at what price. Markretu Swamp Road,—Messrs. Nutsford and W. Flower, jun., attended as a deputation from Mareretu to request the Council to make about five chains of a road through a swamp to connect two main roads. After considerable discussion, it was resolved, " That Mr. Nutsford be asked, should the work be undertaken, to get a written agreement that payment would not be demanded until the district waa in funds : also to give a written agreement to give land for deviation, where necessary, free of cost." Application Refused.—An application was received from Mr. McCarrol, Mareretu, to be allowed payment for chopping the bush on 12 chains of road line. Resolved, " That his application be refused." Mahot.f.tu Rates.—A letter was received from the YVhangarci County Council re the rates collected in the Mareretu riding. Tracings ok Roads.—A letter was received from thh Under-Secretary of Public

Works concerning the tracings of roads in the Whakapirau Riding. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Warner and Messrs. Hammond and Son, and find out upon what terms they would take tracings of all gazetted roads in the Whakapirau Riding. No reply having been received from the Hobson County re a settlement, the clerk was instructed to again write. Road Deviation.—An agreement to give land for road deviation in Mareretu was received. signed by Messrs. B. T. and N. Birt and Hudspith. As the Assistant SurveyorGeneral is unable to undertake the survey of roads in Tokatoka. it wis resolved, "That Mr. Fitness be authorised to engage a qualified surveyor to connect Palmer's survey with the Matakohe Road. A Culvert. —A culvert on the road between Matakohe and Tokatoka having had the cover washed off, Mr. Isbister was authorised to have it repaired. Paparoa Homestead Bridge.—The Wairau Road Board having declined to assist in erecting the bridge at the Paparoa Homestead, it was resolved, " That £5 be granted towards the work, those interested to do the rest of the work free." Subsidies.—Several letters were received from the Property Tax Commissioner re subsidies. Mr. Jackman stated that the ratepayers of the Wairau district had voted against borrowing, but had authorised the Road Board to subsidise the Council to the extent of £20 for forming and metalling the road from Smith's Corner.

Borrowing.—A letter was received from the Secretary to the Treasury explaining the method of borrowing under the Loans _to Local Bodies Act. The Government being inclined to grant a sum of money for works on the Great North Road, a discussion took place as to the advisability of recommending that a portion of it be allocated to the main line of road passing through the county. The Chairman stated that he had written to the Minister of Public Works on the necessity of a grant being made, and also to Mr. Moat, M.H.R. Work Passed.—Mr. Fitness reported that Rogers' contract in Tokatoka was completed and passed. Mr. Bond reported that he had passed the work done on the road at Mangawai. Mr. Ariell reported that the repairs to roads in Paparoa were completed and passed. The clerk reported that the repairs to the bridge at Spragg's dam in Wairau were finished, and. that he nad passed the work.

Dedication of Roads.— question of having all roads dedicated to public purposes was considered. The chairman stated that ho had taken the advice of the county solicitors on the subject, and they were of opinion that having deeds of transfers executed and registered was the only way to avoid complications in the future. Land for Roads. form of petition was received from the Whangarei County chairman, to be Bent to the Government, urging that the Public Works Act may be so amended that greater facilities may be given for the acquirement or exchange of lands for public roads. The petition having the support of this Council, the chairman was requested to sign it, and the county seal was attached thereto.

Road Deviation.—A plan was received from Mr. Hannah of the piece of land in Paparoa which he had surveyed for a road deviation. As an acre had been granted for this purpose, and Mr. Hannah had only taken 1 rood and 21 perches, the clerk was directed to return the plan to hup, requesting that the acre might be taken. Contribution to County Fund. Fitness reported that he bad received, and had handed over to the treasurer, the sum of £] from Messrs. Eaves and Aickin, of Tokatoka, which amount they intended to contribute annually to the county fund. Offer to Purchase. —Several letters were received from Mr. Palmer stating that he would purchase the portion of land in Paparoa belonging to the county, and asking the price, title, &c. It was resolved, "That the clerk inform Mr. Palmer that he can have the piece of land belonging to the Council, and adjoining his property, for the sum of £25, and, if he wishes, by paying a deposit until the deeds are ready, he can at once enter into occupation." Government Grants.Resolved, "That the clerk write to Messrs. Moat and Thompson, M.H.R.'s, calling their attention to the fact that £500 is placed upon the estimates for the Paparoa-Waikiekie Road, and also a similar sum for the Mangapai-Mareretu Road, and urging them to use their best endeavours to get these sums applied without delay, as works are urgently required on these roads." Mr. Fitness stated that the posts on the road line in Tokatoka had been removed; also, that the pipes ordered some time since had been received.

Stationing a Constable.—A letter was received from Inspector McGovern regretting that he was unable to comply with the Council's request to have a constable stationed in tne district.

Charitable Aid.—A letter was received from the Colonial Secretary holding out little hope of an alteration being made at present in the- constitution of the Charitable Aid Act or Waste Lands Boards, but that something might be done to amend the compulsory advertising under the Counties Act. It was resolved, " That the clerk be authorised to use his best endeavours to make arrangements with the proprietors of the Weekly News for special rates relating to the advertising of county business." Tenders —Mr. Fitness reported that he had called for tenders for the work in Tokatoka, as authorised by the Council, and had received the following Messrs. Clark and Mort, £12 17s 6d; Messrs. Brown and Clark, £13 10s; Mr. C. Hillyar, £8 6s. The latter tenderer having underestimated the amount of work, Messrs. Clark and Mort's tender had been accepted, and the work was nearly completed. Resolved, "That all works authorised by the Council be paid for on completion, when passed by the inspector. Rate of Wages.—After considerable discussion about the rate of wages to be paid by the Council, it was moved by Mr. Jackman, and seconded by the chairman, " That from this date the wages of men employed by this Council be at tne rate of 5s per day, and contracts baised on this calculation." An amendment was moved by Mr. Birt, and seconded by Mr. Fitness, "That wages paid by this Council be 6s a day, and all contracts be based on this calculation, but that all works, so far as practicable, be let by tender." Three voted in favour of the amendment, Messrs. Birt, Fitness, and Ariell; and in favour of the motion, Messrs. Isbister, Jackman, Colbeck, and Bond. The motion was, therefore, declared carried. Balance-sheet. — Resolved, "That the treasurer's balance - sheet, as read, be adopted." Resolved, "That the accounts, amounting to £177 18s 6d, be passed, and ordered to be paid." Resolved, "That Mr. Skelton, of Paparoa.be paid £25 on account of compensation." Resolved," That Messrs. Jackson and Russell's account be referred back for information also, that Mr. Gulbransen's account be not paid until he reduces the amount."

Payment of Rates.—A letter was received from the Hobson County clerk enclosing a cheque for rates and costs received from the Registrar ot the Supreme Court. Matakohe Road.—A letter was received from Mr. Blow, contractor for clearing new line of road in Matakohe, and also one from Mr. Ovens, who inspected the work, showing that they differed in regard to the measurements. It was resolved, " That the contractor be paid according to the inspector's measurement until the engineer's plan be received showing the true measurement."

A Quarry Site. — A letter was received from the Assistant Surveyor-General informing the Council that a portion of section 50, in Kaiwaka, had been reserved as a quarry site.

Opening a New Road.—An application was received from Mr. Linnell to open about two miles of the road between Kaiwaka and Oneriri. It was resolved, "That the clerk write to Mr. Linnell, and ask him what he would contract to do the work for, i.e., cut the tea-tree half-a-chain wide over the two miles, and form and fascine a crossing over the haitara Creek, and to forward his reply to Messrs. Bond and Bowmar."

Compensation. — A letter was received from Mr. Geddis, of Matakohe, asking that he might be compensated for the road going through his property. It was resolved, " That the matter be deferred until the chairman makes inquiries about it." Miscellaneous. — A letter was received from Mr. Blandford, requesting the Council to take steps to have the gorse removed which was growing on the district road adjoining his land. Mr. Ariell was requested to see the road, and report at next meeting. An application was received from Mr. Bolders, Mangawai, for a road to be opened to his land, to enable him to get out his timber. The clerk was instructed to inform him that no funds were available. A letter was received from Mr. Bowmar, informing the Council that a bridge in Kaiwaka had been washed away .and that a new one was urgently needed. Resolved, " That £8 be granted for a new bridge, and that Messrs. Bowmar and Bond get specifications made out, and call for tenders for the work." A letter was received from Mr. James Pook, relative to his being summoned for non-pay-ment of rates. It was decided that the case must go on if the rates and present costs are not paid. A petition was received from Mr. Clark for permission to erect a shed at Tokatoka Wnarf. It was resolved, " That it be referred back to have the position of it defined, and to offer no objections, provided the building does not come within twelve inches of the truck, as it passes along the tram line." An application was received from Mr. Dodd, Paparoa, for permission to chop a road line adjoining his property, and to use part of the timber for fencing purposes. Resolved, " That the matter l)e deferred till next meeting." Mr. Bond made application to be allowed to expend £5 in

repairs to road at Mangawai Wharf , to Mangawai- Road - ' and also General Rates.Notice was piven tlmt special meeting be held on the sth of Julv for the purpose of levying the following rffij for the year ending the 31st of March ism viz.Kkiwaka, a general rate of M in tl' pound, and a separate rate of id on th* n, <. e lying district; Wairau, a general rate of j.'j Paparoa a general rate of |d, and a rate of id ; Mareretu, a general rate of M and a separate rate of fd; WhakamV,,* ' general rate of £d; Matakohe, a gene ?al of id; and Tokatoka, a general rate of 4in the pound. The said rates to become nf m the 20th day of July, and to be paid in on" sum at the county office. Resolved "TH ? the chairman call the next ordinary WA; when deemed necessary."— Correspon 8