WHAKATANE COUNTY COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9342, 19 April 1889, Page 6

WHAKATANE COUNTY COUNCIL

Tiik monthly meeting was held on April 9. Present: Mr. J. B. Gow (chairman), Dr. Reid, E. P. Dumerguc, F. P. Drury, and A. Parkinson. Replies to last month's correspondence were read and approved. Correspondence.The following letters were received : —From the Marine Department, stating that His Excellency the Governor had approved of the plans for a wharf at Oliiwa, ana the Council was now empowered to erect the same, but that 110 control of shipping rights could extend to the foreshore outside the wharf. From the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, \ ["auranga, containing statement of the annual amounts assesed to the various County Councils and Boroughs within the district, showing this County liable for £51 per annum. From the Marine Department re Fisheries Bill asking the Council to forward any suggestions or remarks which it may be desired to make thereon as soon as possible, as the Government wish to have a Fisheries Bill prepared for introduction next session. From the Town Board asking whether the Council would, in the event of the abolishment of the wharf dues, subsidise tho wharves to the extent of £15 per annum to assist in maintenance and repairs. From the Opotiki Road Board asking the Council to effect some improvement on the Sand Hills' Road from Gordon's farm to the beach, on the east side of Opotiki. From the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Tauranga, returning a number of accounts for expenses incurred by the Council on behalf of Mrs. Oberg, a sick and destitute person, and describing the charges as excessive, ;md requesting the Council to revise them with a viw to their reduction. Resolved, " That a reply be sent to the effect that the circumstances of Mrs. Oberg's ease were exceptional. she being insane as well as destitute, and requiring special watching and nursing at night." A letter was received from W. P. Brown, Whakatane, resigning his position as returning officer. Dr. Reid proposed, and Mr. Drury seconded, " That Mr. Clias. M. Buckworth be elected returning officer for local purposes for the Whakatane Road District and Riding of Omataroa." Carried. The Road Board's letter rc making the road to the beach over the sandhills more passable was discussed at considerable length. Resolved, " That the matter be referred back to the Road Board for further explanation, and asking what suggestion, if any, that body has in view by way of emedving the difficulty." The Town Board's letter re abolishing the wharf dues, and replacing this revenue by subsidies from each of the local bodies was discussed. Resolved, " That a reply be sent to the Town Board to the effect that this Council will agree to the proposition as regards subsidising the wharves, on the following conditions .—(I) That each of the other local bodies contribute the same amount; (2) that the amount thus accumulating be expended upon the wharves and approaches, not extending more than one chain distant from either wharf ; (3) that the Town Board retain full responsibility with regard to these wharves, and Council's contribution be considered as a subsidy, without involving any liability to the Council."

_ Ferries. —A discussion ensued re the Council's powers to lease the county ferries. Mr. B. W. Simpson, of Oliiwa, appeared in person, and applied for a lease of the Oliiwa ferry for as long a period as possible, as he has been at considerable expense in building a punt and supplying a sufficient plant of boats and gear. Mr. Drury proposed, Mr. Wright seconded, "That the Oliiwa Ferry be leased to Mr. B. W. Simpson, for a period of five years, at the rental of i'l per year." Carried.

Inspecting a Culvert. — Mr. Litchfield rei opted the result of his inspection, with Mr. Parkinson, of a broken culvert near the Waiotahi River, and described the structure as much decayed, and requiring a new bridge to he erected on a higher level. .Mr. Gow proposed, Mr, A. Parkinson seconded, 'That Mr. Crapp be requested to have a new rough bridge erected in place of the old one, and at a higher level, in terms of his (Mr. CJrapp's) letter of March 9th." Carried. "Accounts.— The following accounts were received : —W. P. Brown, returning officer, £1 Is; Wilsons and Horton, poundkeeper's hook, 16s; George Didsbury, Counties and Licensing Acts, £2; R. S. Bush, returning oilicer, 7s; Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Tauranga, £17 Os Id. The accounts were passed for payment. Statutory Documents.—The clerk produced the following statutory documents :— (1) Electoral Roll of the Countv, in separate Ridings, for year 1880-00 ; (2) Electoral Roll and Defaulters' List, Waioeka Riding, for year 1889-90; (3) Electoral Roll and Defaulters' List, Omataroa Riding, for year 1889-00; (4) Electoral Roll and Defaulters' list, Waikana Riding, for year 1889-90; (5) Half-yearly Balance-sheet, ending March 31st, 1889; (6) Yearly Balance-sheet, ending March 3lst, 1889.—[Own Correspondent.]