HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8285, 18 June 1890, Page 6

HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL.

4> A mkktinu of the Hobson County Council was lield in the Council Chambers, Aaratapu, on the 12th June. Present: —Messrs. Contts (chairman), Basse Dargaville, Harding, Matthews, Smith, and Quirk. Moloixihnky'.s Wharf. — A letter was read from the General Survey Office to the effect that owing to the small amount of funds available for roads, the £30 asked for could not be granted. Messrs. Dargaville and Matthews moved "That Moloughncy's offer be accepted, and that the wharf be made to deep water, at a cost of about £80, and that further application he made to the Minister of Lands for a contribution towards the cost."

Tanuitiroria Road Bridges.—The Chair- \ man reported that he had instructed the engineer to have the bridges seen to. Brown's Compensation Claim. — The Chairman reported that Mr. Brown would rather settle the case oat of Court. He considered that Mr. Brown had not been offered enough. Decided that the chairman be empowered to negotiate with Mr. Brown for a settlement, and submit bis offer to a special meeting to be held at Mangawhare on Saturday, -June '21. Buixrv'AN'»CASK.—Mr. Matthews reported that there was no room in Burrow's cottage for Sullivan. The latter was in need of underclothing, but not of blaukets. Mr. Matthews undertook to get out a prohibition order against Sullivan. It was agreed to allow the underclothing. Charitable Aid Home.—Mr. Matthews read the report of the committee, to the effect that Redhill was a suitable place for a l*ome. There was a good road to it, gwn could be dug, doctor co»id reach it easily, houses could be had, and there was a store close at hand. An allowance of 7s a-week for each man would be sufficient. The report was adopted. The committee were asked to make a further report re cost of a house to the special meeting at Mangawhare. Applications.Thomas. Asher applied for further extension of time on contracts 10 and 14 on account of wet weather. Left to the engineer. A letter was read from the settlers in Tatarariki, protesting against the extension of time on the Tatarariki drain contract. The engineer thought it would be just as well to leave the work till spring. Left to the engineer, as was also contract 14. William Drkapos's Deviation. — Mr. Harding reported that Mr. W. Dreadon wants £100 compensation, both sides of the road fenced, and the old road made over to him. The new road would take about three acres of land, and the old roads would give him five acres. Decided to inform Mr. Dreadon that the Council cannot entertain his proposal. Heawa Road.—J. A. Walker wrote offering to cover in the drain with slabs and sawdust level with the road for .£n<) lis. Decided, on the motion of Messrs. Harding and Matthews, "That in the present financial condition of the county and riding, the Council docs not see its way to do the work at present." Vousden and Wilson wrote asking permission to place i Ikix culvert in the lleawa drain. J. A. Walker also wrote for similar permission. Both applications were granted, subject to the approval of the engineer. County Roll. — The Chairman reported that he had looked through the minute-book lor the. last four yearn, but could find no minute of any returning officer being appointed. Decided, on the motion of Messrs. Basaett and Dargaville, to appoint John Jones, of Whakahara, returning officer for the Council.

Kkscindixc a Resolution. —Notice to rescind a resolution passed at a former meeting re advertising contract was given by the Chairman, lie said he did so because the Council's advertising paper had in its leading articles made vicious and untruthful attacks on the Council. He read a portion of a leader in support of his statement, and said that the effect of the article had been distinctly embarrassing to the Council. All thought that the advertising should betoken from the paper and given to the Kopuru Bell on the same terms. Mr. Matthews said that statements had appeared in the Kopuru Bell as bad as any in the other paper. The Council ought not to take the articles into consideration. The question was, where could the Council get its work done best? Mr. Dargaville said the statements in the Kopuru Bell had had a far more damaging effect on the county than any that had appeared in the Advertiser. The author of the article complained of would no doubt feel gratified at tine interest his article had excited. There was no doubt that, on calmly reviewing the article, the author would admit it was too strong, and so was the other article. Mr. Harding seconded the motion to rescind the former resolution. Messrs. Matthews and Quirk moved that the resolution stand. Mr. Dargaville said here was a clear ease where ratepayers' money could be saved, but in order to gratify personal feelings the money was not to be saved. For the amendment, Messrs. Matthews, Dargaville and Quirk; against, Messrs. Coutts, Harding, Smith, and Bassett. Mr. Dargaville warned the Council that this was one of many other matters that would bring Councillors into trouble. Iff was a grossly corrupt thing. He moved that the tenders for advertising be now opened. Mr. Matthews seconded. The Chairman said he had moved his resolution as an inducement to the papers to give correct reports. Mr. Smith said that now the Council had marked its disapproval of the articles the tenders should be opened. Mr. Dargaville said he himself thought the article was too strong. The tenders were opened. The Northern Advertiser's tender was at Gd per inch for all advertisements; the Kopuru Bell's tender was at Is per inch for advertisements running beyond a single insertion, and la 5d and Is 'id for advertisements of single insertion, according to length. As Messrs. Matthews and Smith moved, "That the lowest tender be accepted," the Chairman and Mr. Harding moved an amendment, " That the highest tender be accepted." The resolution was carried. Mr. Smith thought the chairman should be congratulated for bringing the matter forward, and objecting to the violent attacks on the Council.

Native Lands Kate, £75 17s 4d. — The Chairman proposed, " That the portion due to his riding— £42 13s should be spent on the road from Wilson's past Tangitiroria to the Whangarei boundary. Carried. Okahu portion of the rate, 16s Bd, should be spent on Mogiuie's Swamp Road. Carried. Aratapu portion, £3 15s 3d, on'the main road to Mangonui-BlufT Road. Kopnru portion, £10 10s. Dargaville portion, £20 10s, to be spent on the Mangaliahia road. . Cixfsuiti-: of Road. —A letter was read from R. Masefield, asking that the old road through his place be closed. Decided that steps be taken to close the road through section 61, and convey it to Mr. Masofield. Valuation.— J. Hawthorn wrote, objecting to the valuation of section 90. Received. Bad Roads.—J. Stallworthy wrote respecting the bad state of the Heawa road opposite his office. Decided that in the present state of the finances the Council can do nothing. G. Clark wrote, drawing attention to the state of the Whakahara road to the schoolhouse.

Closing a Road.—Mrs. Clark was heard in. support of an application to have the old road closed. Decided that the clerk take the necessary steps forthwith to get all the information requisite to close the old road from the river to the BcJioolhouae.

Mrs. Williams^Case.— Smith, of Matakohe, wrote respecting Mrs. Williams' case, and threatening to put the case in the hands of a solicitor. Mr. Smith had bought four acres of land, and imagined it should havo been ten acres.

Tatarariiii Drain.—Letter read from Mangawhare bank manager re the £100 received for the Tatararihi drain. Mr. Matthews reported on the road at the back of the Roto. The work wanted doiug at once. He would get it done for £4. Decided to leave the matter in the hands of the engineer, to do it, at a cost not exceeding £5 15s 3d. Demand for Payment.J. McLeod, solicitor, wrote claiming £14 on behalf of M. Karlsen, and intimating that if the claim was not settled the case would be taken to Court. This claim arose out of the work done on the

racecourse road by Mr. Dargaville. Mr. Dargaville explained that £4 was a separate matter from the £10 lie was authorised to spend. Mr. Smith said the Council had authorised Mr. Dargaville to expend £10, and he had expended £14 extra, and this claim was the result. Mr. Matthews thought the Council should mark its disapproval of any councillor expending above what he was authorised to spend by the Council. Decided that the Council adhere to its former resolution, and not pay the account, as it bad not authorised the work. Mr. Dargaville was the only dissentient. Orders of Contractors.—Two_ orders of contractors came under discussion. The chairman said it was very inconvenient to pay orders for such small sums. It was agreed that in future no orders would be cashed under £10.

Native and Crown Lands Rates.-—The Chairman of Cook County wrote, respecting Crown and native lands rates, and projx>sing that steps be taken to retain these rates. Decided, on the motion of Mr. Matthews, "That the Council co-operate with Cook County in the matter of Crown and native lands rates, and that the members for the district be written to, and also the Minister of Lands."

Moginie's Road.—W. Wright said the settlers in his neighbourhood had absolutely no road to tho river at Mititai. The obstacle to the road was the want of a title through Schwarbi's land. Schwarbi, who w?is living in England, was willing to give the land for the road. Decided to leave the matter in the hands of Mr. Smith and the engiueer. Polling Booth Wanted.—T. O'Conor wrote, asking for a polling booth at Tangitiroria, and to have the road burned off, and sown with grass seed. His part of the county was entirely in the ~oold. 'J'hey did not even know who was their member.

Engineer's Report.—The Engineer's report was read as follows : —I have the honour to submit to you the following report : I have made an inspection of the bridges along the Dargaville-Tangiteroria road, and by your instructions I have arranged with Mr. Paten to secure the northern approach of the Kerikopcne bridge by double-strapping the stringers together (which were only buttjointed and secured with trenails), and centring holding-down posts to prevent it from floating during freshes. I have a man at work at the VVharau removing the log approaches, which were continually floating out of position. He is digging short ditches and throwing the material into the road, and fencing across the boggy places to both approaches of the three bridges, also replacing the rotten planks (which I notice are only of kahikatca) with kauri. The small bridge at the Awatuno is very dangerous, but as it is not on the road proper I have not touched it. The portion of the road from the Omu to about a mile beyond the Tangawahino is in a very bad state, but being off the surveyed line of road it is useless patching it. Therefore I would suggest as soon as the Council are in. a position, that the road proper be cleared, the creek bridged, and a bridle-track formed, say six or eight feet wide (which is sufficient for the present) from the Oinuto across the Tangawahino. From the Tangawhin dto the Otoria the ridge track can be used, until funds are available to construct this portion of the road proper. On the Mangakah ia road, near its junction with the Tangiteroriia road, there is»a small boggy creek, that needs a bridge with a small amount of earthwork, ami as this is part of the native lam Is rates expenditure scheme, it might be done at once. I have again written to Mr. McCallum as directed, re Kohekohc road, but have not received an answer to either of my letters. I have kept tracings of the Dargaville-Tangi-tiroria road, through the Kaihu No. 2, Omu, Oamuwhao Blocks, and forwarded the plans of this portion to the .Survey Office for examination, afterwards to be forwaixled on to Wellington for registration, and to be gazetted. 1 estimate the cost of clearing the Heawa drain and covering it on top with slabs only at £5 17s (id per chain, and to clear the drain and lay a box of two-inch stuff at £(i per chain. The distance t)* about 19 chains. Therefore, the estimates are as follows: Box culvert, £114; top planking, £111. Mr. Bassettand myself waited upon Mr. Walker on Saturday last, and after a short interview we suggested that lye should make an offer to do the work for a stated price.— I have, etc., HORACE Hammond. Accounts. —The following accounts were then passed for payment:Roto Road, £1; Stansfield, 7s; law eliarges in connection with summonses issued for arrears of rates, £7 Is; -J. Jones (dog registration commission), £.5 8s : Northern Advertiser (May 3 to June 7), £8 6s 3d; W. T. Brown (charitable aid account), £4 Ss; S. Powell, £1 ss; J. Stoddart, £2 2s; Purllett, £3 17s; V. J. Hoskins (survey work), £5 15s 6d. Colllecting Rates. — The Chairman brought up the matter of collecting rates. Ratepayers have now nearly twelve months in which to pay their rates, and a considerable amount of subsidy was consequently lost. Decide', that the rate collector be instructed to proceed against all ratepayers in arrears on May .'ll next, for rates duo on the previous December 31. Works to be Considered.— Chairman said no councillors had yet brought any proposals for works to be considered during the winter.--{Own Correspondent.]