WHAKATANE COUNTY COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9467, 11 September 1889, Page 6

WHAKATANE COUNTY COUNCIL

Thk general monthly meeting was held on August 12. Present: Mr. J. B. Gow (chairman), Dr. Reid, Messrs. ¥. P. Drury, A. Parkinson, E. P. Dvnnergue, and J. Walker. Replies to last month's correspondence were read, discussed, and approved. CoRRKSroNDKNCE. —The following correspondence was received and discussed: — From the Controller and Auditor-General, enclosing the annual balance-sheet and statement of assets and liabilities for the vear ending March 111, certified correct. From the Surveyor-General, requiring a schedule (enclosed in blank) to be filled in, showing upon what roads the Council proposes to expend native rates for the current year, and, if necessary, to be accompanied by a rough sketch or plan of proposed works. From Mr. S. Crapp, comity engineer, reporting upon the encroachments of a stream upon Mr. Wilkine' farm and the Domain Reserve at Wjiakatane, and suggesting certain alterations in the present course of the creek to obviate the immediate difficulty. Resolved. "That the matter be further considered at the next monthly meeting." From the Public Works Department in reply to the Council's letter asking that the unexpended portion of last year's road grant might now be expended in the construction of a road from the Ohope Beach into the township by the easiest and most available grades, and stating that, under the new arranoremeuts, the letter hits been referred to the Hon. the Minister of Lands for consideration accordingly. It was resolved, "Thatii delayed wire bo sent to Mr. Kelly, M.H.R., asking him to urge upon the Government the great immediate necessity for the completion of the road from Ohopo Bcaeh to Whakatane." Letter received from the Surveyor-General replying to the Council's application to have about 20 miles of the Opotiki-Uisborne road widened and made sate for traffic, and stating that the Minister of Juvnds regrets that lie does not see his way to comply with the request, as the cost would be considerable, and the Government do not think the traffic on the road ia sufficient to warrant the expense. Resolved, "That a reply be sent to the Hur-veyor-Geneial pointing out the amount of tratlic already existing and the great increase which would result from the pro-, posed widening and improving of that portion of the road referred to, both by travellers and driving of stock." Letter from Mr. W. Kelly, M.H.R., reporting the result of his interviews with the Hon. the Minister of Public Works and the Survcyor-Genorul re repairs to Onnond Road; also, re having lands sold at the nearest township to which they arc situated—i.e., that all lands in the county of Whakatane which it is desired to sell be Bold at Opotiki, not Tauranga, bo as to give Opotiki residents a chance of competing without the expense and loss": of time of a trip to Tauranga, and reporting that in the first application he had been unsuccessful.

Maori Doos. —A letter w;us received from Messrs. 11. R. Hogg, J. Butler, C. B. Rogers, and six others asking to have the Do" Registration Act brought into force in the district,; pointing out the great loss inflicted upon Bheepowners by stray dogs, especially Maori dogs. Mr. Durnerguc proposed, Mr. Drury seconded, " That un; clerk procure a copy of the Dog Registration Act, IBN'2, and amendments, and that a letter Ik; written to the Native Minister referring to his letter of July -, ISS4. and asking if any difficulties would now l>o put in the way of collecting the tax from native owners of dogs.' , A Fkrrt Contract. —A draft of agreement between the Council and Mr. B. W. Simpson, of Oliivra, was received from Mr. S. Elliott, solicitor, to lease the Ohiwa Ferry for '20s per annum, with the conditions of th« inaimgeniiint and charges he shall be empowered to make for horses, vehicles, foot passengers, drays, &c, detailed separately. Tho terms of the document were agreed to by the Council, subject to the result of an inspection of the plant to be made at an early date by Messrs. Wright, Dumorgue, and tiic cleric. AvAiiar.i.K ruNDS.—A letter was received from the Crown Lands Oilice stating that a sum of .L'B 7s f)<l is lying to the credit of tho Council on account of deferred payment thirds and perpetual leases, and requiring a statement of the manner in which it is proposed to expend the amount, and a detailed (leacriptiou of the roads intended to bo formed or.improved. ■ AnvKUTtsiNc. —The following tenders for advertising were received : —From the OpoLiki Herald for twelve months from date, per Mr. S. -.Rates, proprietor: ."s per inch up to four inches, and I's Gd par inch over four inches. From Mr. M. Downey, of the Opotiki Weekly Mail, ofl'cring to do the advertising work for Gd per inch; also a schedule of charges for printing county rolls, ratebooks, valuation rolls, dog registration books, ballot pftjMirs, circulars, &c. Dr. Reid proposed and Mr. Wright seconded, "That Mr. Dates' ofTer of 3s per inch up to four inches, and 'Jβ fid per inch beyond four inches in one advertisement, be accepted." Considerable discussion ensued, when Mr. Diunergue proposed as an amendment, Mr. Drury seconded, " Tliat Mr. Bates be offered 2.S per inch up to four inches, and Is (hi per inch over that." For the amendment, 1 1; for the original proposition, .'5. The chairman declared the amendment carried. Mr. Bates was called in and asked whether he would accept the above offer for twelve months, and expressed his willingness to do so at the reduced terms stipulated by the Council. Tuk Mkmiikk Brought to Task.—Resolved, " That a delayed wire be sent at once to Mr. W. Kelly, M.H.R., asking him whether the newspaper .statement is correct that there is nothing set aside for the completion of the Opotiki-AVhakatanc Road, and, if so, what is the reason, aud requesting him to move in the matter forthwith."

Accounts. —The following accounts were received :—Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, £17 (Is Id; S. Hates, advertising account, £1 14s M ; W. Parkinson, planting willows, £1 : Abbot and White, timber and notice board, Ss Ixl; George Ball, cleaning bridges, Gs. These accounts wore duly passed for payment. Licensing I'lxi'ENSES.—Resolved, "That a letter be written to the Town Board requesting an early settlement of the Council's claim for proportionate share of costs of conducting the Licensing Act during several years past, as per account rendered." Gk.vichal Rate.—"Resolved, "That the general rate of one farthing in the pound, as proposed at the last monthly meeting; and duly advertised in the Opotiki Herald, be now struck and confirmed, and made payable in one sum on the twelfth day of September, 1880." Compensation von Road ALTERATION.— Mr. J. McCarthy appeared in person, and applied for some concessions made with reference to the alteration of the road line through his land at Waiotahi, which lias greatly increased the amount of fencing to be done. Considerable discussion ensued, and Dr. Reid explained the manner in which the matter had been previously presented to the Council ami considered. Mr. Drury proposed, Mr. Diimerguo seconded, "That the Council's position with regard to the change of road line at Waiotahi be ascertained, and what power the Council has to grant or convey the old road line to those through whose land the new roiwl has been carried, and whether the owner whoso land lias been deteriorated in value by the construction of the new road can legally claim compensation, and whether the Council has the right to grant it, and that the opinion of Mr. Henry Klliott, solicitor, be ascertained." Mrs. Obkrc'o Cask.—-Mr. Dumergue brought the ease of Mrs. Obci'g before the Council. After discussion, it was resolved, "That the Council take no action in this matter."

IiAi.ANCK-snKKT.—Resolved, "That at the next monthly meeting the ainiunl balancesheet Ix; conurnieil, and that the elerk uive duo notice as required by the Act."—[Own Correspondent.]