WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9124, 4 August 1888, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the Waitemata County Council was held yesterday afternoon at Mr. O. Mays' office, P&lmerston Buildings, Queen-street. There were present: —Mr. A. Brute (chairman), Messrs. Sinclair, O'Neilj Bishop, Thompson, Moffat, Mackay. The minutes of last meeting were confirmed. Estimate of Income and Expenditure.— The estimate of income and expenditure for the year ending March 31 was as follows : — Estimated Income.—Cash in hand 31st March, £138 Os lOd ; county rates and arrears, £SOOO; subsidies, £1000; licenses, £275 ; amount recoverable under Rating Act, £150 ; vote for unemployed, £500 ; Duvonport Borough Council, £300 ; miscellaneous, £50 : total, £5413 Os lOd. Estimated Expenditure.—Balance due to hank, £277 6a tfd ; salaries clerk and treasurer, £200; engineer and expenses, £250 ; expenses under Rating Act, £100; Hospital and Charitable Aid, £331 10s lOd; office rent, £37 10s; travelling expenses of chairman and members, £75; printing and advertising, £30 ; interest, £35 ; stationery, postages, and telegrams, £20; miscellaneous and contingencies, £100; relief works Waikomiti, Henderson, £500; works in Wainui Riding, £400 ; Birkenhead Riding, £t>00; Northeote Riding, £300; Takapuna Riding, £485 ; Kaukapakapa Riding, £400: Helensville Riding, £40o; Waitakerei Riding, £425 ; Waikomiti Riding, £425 : total, £5413 0s lOd. Mr. Slavs explained that of course the estimates of receipts were subject to contingencies, and the expenditure was, of course, in the hands of the Council. He explained the various items of the estimate, and the amounts expended up to date off those appropriations, including the accounts for payment at this meeting. Mr. Thompson complained of the expenditure in his riding, that the whole expenditure did not amount to the actual rates collected in the district, but Mr. Mays explained that the apparent difference wait owing to the splitting up of the riding of Takapuna. The other items were also discussed, and the estimate was adopted. Statement of Funds.—The Clerk announced that in addition to the money received for relief works, £150, new rates were received to the amount of £476 9s (id. The balance due to the Bank was £1025 13s fid, the accounts for payment were £340 lis 3d, making the total indebtedness at date £1375 4s <Jd. The accounts were examined and passed for payment. Birkenhead Borough. — The memorandum of agreement between the Birkenhead Borough and the County Council was read and confirmed, and ordered to be sealed. Action for Damages. — In regard to a letter from Mr. Alexander, claiming on behalf of Mrs. James Hepburn £12, damages for injuries sustained by her driving into a cutting on the public road atSwanson on the 4th of June. The cutting was uulighted and unprotected. Mrs. Hepburn has expended £8 19s fid for repairs to her buggy, and 18s for harness. The matter had been referred to the chairman, who reported that Mrs, Hepburn drove off private property into the cutting, and it was resolved to refuse to pay the claim. Valuation of Takapuna Property. — Mr. E. Harrow attended the Council in regard to the valuation of his property at Takapuna. An additional valuation of £2500 had been placed on his property since the erection of his hotel. The place was unfinished. He paid a license of £25, and derived no benefit whatever. Mr. Seaman had, he considered, treated him very unhandsomely, for he came into the hotel as a friend, and then went to his (Mr. Harrow's) private house and had a drink, and then he made a valuation of the property which was above the contract price, the contract being under £2100. Mr. Mays explained that the Road Board made the valuation, and the Council was bound to accept it. It was the Board, of which Mr. Harrow was a member, which fixed the rate, and the chairman said that in the event of the local body reducing the valuation, the Council would adopt their valuation. Mr. Harrow asked if the Council would assist in the erection of a wharf at the Lake, but the Chairman said that, as was seen by the statement of funds, they were not in a position to expend any money for this purpose. It was agreed that Mr. Harrow should be allowed to bring the matter before the next meeting. Valuation.—Mr. W. R. Walker complained of excessive valuation of property belonging to his wife at Lake Takapuna. It appeared that it was a portion of Hurstmere, and was valued on the purchasing price. It was agreed to inform the applicant that the application must be declined. Mr. Joseph Bayes also complained of over valuation, and Mr. Robert Vincent Ellis made a similar complaint, the latter offering to give the County Council the property at their own valuation. Mr. Ellis's letter was received, and to Mr. Bayes' application it was decided to reply that the Council could not deal with the application. They had no power to alter the valuation. Kum kit. —Mr. Weir drew attention to a former suggestion for a road to connect with Taupaki, and he asked that effect should be given to the agreement then arrived at, in order that the road might not be altered. Mr. Sinclair said Mr. Weir's only object was to prevent any alteration of the site of the road. He had recently purchased the property, and there was no doubt this would be the best road to the station. The correspondence and Mr. Beetham's report when the matter was previously before the Board, were read. Mr. Deacon was willing to give the land, provided certain fencing was done, and formation of a culvert. The estimated cost was £74 10s. Mr. Sinclair said all that was required was a guarantee that the road would not be taken elsewhere. The matter was left in the Chairman's hands to confer with Mr. Deacon as to the transfer of the land. Closing a Road.The Road Board of Kaukapakapa forwarded plans of road to be stopped, and they were approved by the Council. Waitakerei Roads.— good deal of correspondence was received with regard to the road to the Falls, a portion of which was closed against Mr, Sisam. It was agreed that Mr. Meikle be asked to re-open the road and that the road be surveyed. Waikomit — Manpkau Road. — Mr. Charles Murdoch called attention to the unfinished state of Dart of this road, which, if formed, would make the road available for wheeled traffic. The letter was received. Sw anson.—Mr. Freeman called attention to the dangerous state of the bridge near his place, and offering to do the necessary work for £5 '2s. The letter was received. Birkenhead.—Messrs. Stafford and others, residents in Mayfield, asked that Crook's Road might be made passable. Referred to the engineer, the chairman, and Mr. Thompson to report at next meeting. Mr. Chayton wrote with regard to damage to his property through defect of a drain causing the water to run from the road under his house. It was referred to the engineer to report on. Miscellaneous.Applications of various kinds were received from Wainui, Wade, Mairetahi, Waikoukou, Helensville, Waikomiti, and Swanson, and were dealt with. None of them were of particular importance.