WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8508, 7 March 1891, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the 1 Waitemata County Council was held yesterday. Present: Mr. ' R. Mackay (chairman), Messrs. Jack, Wilson, Sharp, Captain McMahon, O'Neil, Bruce, Sinclair, and McLeod. • ;.; Statement op Funds, Accounts, etc.— . The statement of funds submitted was as follows : Rates received during the month, £273 5s 9d ; miscellaneous, £11 16s; total, £285 Is 9d. Accounts for payment, £221 14s 9d; bank overdraft, £775 5s 9d; total, £995 Os 6d. The accounts were passed for payment, having been approved by the Finance Committee. Tenders.Tenders for metal, 150 yards each, at Takapuna, Birkenhead, and Northcote were called for, and were received as follows For Takapuna, John Barrow, 5s 2d; Northcote, 7s 4d, J. and E. Sherriff. There was no tender for the supply to Birkenhead. The Chairman moved that the tenders be accepted for Takapuna and Northcote. Mr. Bruce said that if a tender for Birkenhead was not accepted, and there was one sent in by Mr. Bull, his riding would be deprived of any benefit for this year. Mr. Sinclair urged that they should make a firm stand, and stop all works which were not absolutely necessary until the overdraft was wiped out. He moved, "That no tender be accepted and all but necessary works stopped until the overdraft was wiped off, and the position of the ridings ascertained." Mr. Jack seconded the motion, and said that in his opinion the Council at present was only a big highway board. They should have a County Council, not a number of ridings representing so many highway boards. The chairman thought it would be better to accept the tenders, for those two districts were in funds although the other ridings had overdrawn. Mr. Bruce also urged that in fairness they should get the metal for this year, for they had stopped other works in his riding in order to have this available to keep the roads passable, and after that they might decide to do no works which were not absolutely necessary. Mr. Sinclair said that they should look to the county, not to individual ridings, and see that the County finances were placed on a sound basis. , The Chairman explained that the metal was required to keep the metalled portion of the roads in those districts in repair. Mr. Wilson also spoke as to the necessity for the metal. The amendment, that tenders be not accepted, was put and carried, and the motion was therefore lost. Roads at Takapuna.— E. Harrow and Mr. W. J. Napier were present, and while business was proceeding Mr. Napier rose and informed the chairman that there was a deputation from Takapuna present in regard to certain roads, and asked when they could be heard? The Chairman informed Mr. Napier that the Council* had passed a resolution that the business on the orderpaper must take precedence of all other business unless a resolfiiitltf of the Council was carried to the contrary. Mr. Napier said it would be a great inconvenience to him to have to wait. He would not occupy the time of the Council to any great length. Mr. McLeod moved, "That Mr. Napier be heard." Mr. Sinclair opposed the motion. The Council had received no notice that there was to be any deputation, and if people were allowed to come in personally and claim a hearing, it would be to the exclusion of the business of those who had taken the proper course. He moved " That the business t>n the order paper be proceeded with." Mr. Sharp seconded the amendment, but on being put to the vote it was lost, and it was decided that Mr. Napier should bf* heard. Mr. Napier then pointed out on 'pie map certain roads in the Lake district; which he said were illegally closed by bei fenced. He said that it was possible the Council in time might lose the right to those reads. They desired that those obstructions should be removed. They did not ask that the roads should be made, but in consequence of its not being known that those roads existed, the value of property was depreciated. The Chairman said that he fully agreed with Mr. Napier, and it was resolved to give notice to those obstructing the roads to remove the obstructions. Riding Works.— chairman said that in order to avoid confusion it would be necessary for members to give notice of works required in their districts before the hour of meeting. The suggestion was adopted. Capt. McMahon moved that an expenditure of £15 be allowed for his district. Mr. Bruce objected to the motion, for in the face of the resolution just passed, that there should be no expenditure until the overdraft was wiped out, it was unfair for members to ask for | expenditure in their districts. Mr. Jack supported Mr. Bruce's views, and further urged that none but necessary works, for which the Council might be "made liable, should be carried out. The motion was put to authorise the expenditure, and it was lost. Grkeniiithe Road. —The engineer's report as to this road was read. It would cost £55, including £15 for compensation. He suggested that the survey might be made. The road which he had already surveyed would be better. Mr. Bruce moved, " That as they had no funds the matter be postponed, owing to the excessive claims for compensation/' This was agreed to. Big Muddy Creek Road.— Wilson's report on this road was read, recommending a deviation, and the closing of the present one. The report was adopted, and the engineer was instructed to make the necessary survey. Northcote Pound.—Mr. Joshua Jackson wrote as to the nuisance caused by cattle on the public road, and asking that the police should be instructed to take proceedings. It was agreed that the consideration of the erection of the pound be deferred, and that notice be given that action would be taken against the owners of stray cattle and horses trespassing on the roads. Red Huj, Deviation. —Mr. J. Kennerley asked to be relieved of his contract, and also that the Council should refund his deposit. It appeared that there was £3 in hand. A. new contract was let at the last meeting, and the secretary asked the Council to deal with the question whether or not the deposit should be forfeited. It was agreed to refund the deposit. Takapuna-Devonport Road.— number of residents in the Lake district had written to the Council asking for a short road to the Lake. The matter had been referred to the chairman and the engineer to meet the deputation, but Mr. Wilson, the engineer, said he had not had time to prepare a report. He would, however, do so and submit it to next meeting. The matter was deferred. Timber Traffic.— Clinkard, McLeod and Co. had written re the resolution of. the Council as to the special charges for timber traffic on the Waikomiti-West Coast road. The chairman and Mr. Sharp and the engineer were asked to report. The chairman said that there was no doubt the traffic was damaging the metalled' road, and a levy should be made of so much per thousand feet of timber for all timber carried over the road. He suggested 2s a thousand, and if parties agreed to this and gave a guarantee, the Council could then prepare metal to be available for the winter. Captain McMahon moved, "That the traffic .be stopped until the road was made." Mr. McLeod supported the chairman's views. It was finally agreed to hold the persons using the road for timber liable lor the damage, and that the engineer visit the district and assess the damage. Takapuna Valuations.—Mr. Boyd had written appealing against his valuation,as excessive. The Chairman reported on the matter, and moved .that the valuation of the improvements be reduced from £1000 to £700. This was-agreed to. Flax on Babylon Road.—ln reference to Hector Mcßae's offer of 2s a ton, Captain McMahon reported that he had arranged the matter, and his action was confirmed. WaiTaKerei Falls Road. —Mr. Gibbons, who had purchased Snell's property, intimated his willingness to have the road made, and sign the deed as required by the Council, but he would be compelled to fence, and he only asked the Council to allow him to use the timber on the road for fencing. He did not, however, make any condition, but would leave the matter altogether to the Council, and in the meantime he signed the paper. Mr. Walker Sisam had written to the Council complaining that Mr. Meikle .had barred the Waitakerei road, and he asked the Council to prosecute. Mr. Meikle was present, and said the road was not a public road—it was his private pro verty ; but he was willing to give the road when Sisam and others dedicated their portion, and it was taken to the falls. It was agreed to reply to Mr. Sisam that the Council could take no action as the obstruction complained of was on private property. After hearing Mr. Meikle, it was agreed that Mr. Sisam be informed that the Council would adhere to its former decision, and not make the road until it was dedicated.

Salaries and Appointments.— Council went into committee to consider the question of officers' salaries. The result was that Mr. Mays, secretary and treasurer, and Mr. Wilson, engineer, were re-appointed at existing salaries ; and on the motion of the chairman, votes of thanks were accorded to those officers in acknowledgment of their services. It was agreed to pay £40 a-year, rent of offices, an amendment that not more than £30 be paid for rent being lost. Licensing Elections.—Applications were received from Mr. Thomas Seaman and Mr. Armstrong, for appointments for taking the poll for the local option vote and the election of licensing committees. The matter was postponed till next meeting. . Slaughterhouse Licenses.—Mr. Jack moved, That a list of slaughterhouse licenses, and fees paid by licensees, he laid on the table." The " secretary laid the required information before the Council, The fee was £1 but the Council had also power to charge at per head, and . he explained the position. .It was agreed- to. instruct the police

to proceed against persons killing for as to compel them to pay license fees. Dog Tax.—Mr. Jack moved, "That a dog tax be levied in the Wainui riding at Is foe cattle and sheep dogs and 10s for other dogs. Mr. Sharp seconded the motion, and it was' carried. Mr. Jack also moved, "That Mr* Freeman be appointed the dog regis foil the riding." This was agreed to without-dis*. cussion. Public Works Act.CommunicationsTa taking land under the Publio Works Adt were received from the Surveyor-General's department, and notice had been sent to Mr. Elias, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Macks, who sent in the amount of their claims. It was agreed that the matter be left in the .hands of the chairman and secretary to deal. by put« ting in the necessary objections.