WHANGAREI COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8629, 27 July 1891, Page 6

WHANGAREI COUNTY COUNCIL.

One of the most important meetings for several years back was held in the Council chambers on Wednesday, July 15. Present: Messrs. P. S. Brown (chairman), J. Mallabond, Holies ton, McKay, Ormaudy, Miuchin, McKenzie, Kerr, McKinnon (clerk), and Wilson (engineer). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Ways and Means main business of the meeting was to study ways and means— either to raise further revenue or to carry out drastic retrenchment—and to make the debates intelligible to tjie general public it is necessary to furnish the following explanation : —The Hikurangi Riding (represented by Messrs. Rolleston and Minchin) has expended a sum of £500 or thereabouts over its revenue, and the position is very peculiar. One portion of the riding includes the old settlement of Ruatangata and the new and populous settlement of Purua, represented • by Mr. Minchin. The other includes the townships of Kamo and Hikurangi, the coalfields, and a section of the Great North Road leading to Puhipuhi, Hukerenui, and Kawakawa. Oh this latter portion the traffic for the last year or two has been something tremendous, almost (if not quite) equal to that between Auckland and Newmarket. In addition to the ordinary traffic of about 200 settlers, and the extraordinary traffic of Puhipuhi, 8000 tons of coal and large quantities of gum and timber have been hauled on the road. Yet it appears_ no more rates are derived from that portion than what comes from the Ruatangata side. The subsidies stopped two wet winters and a wet summer intensified the effects of the unusual traffic, and the County Council was forced to spend large sums on this road to keep it passable. This year alone £250 was spent in a new piece of metalling in Kaurihohore, and £100 was spent in repairing McDonald's Hill and other portions. This was simply an absolute necessity. The prosperity of the whole county depended on it, and the Council could not help themselves. Still, while this expenditure was going on, the other portion of the riding was suffering; and the dilemma Mr. Minchin is placed in will explain his proposal about stopping all road works, and letting, the settlers get through the best way they can. With the exception of Manaia, which hai very little dray traffic, the other ridings are all more or less in debt, but not so seriously as Hikurangi, the debt of which nearly equals all the rest put together. It is a most unfortunate circumstance that the very progress of the various settlements makes the roads worse, and the portions filling up rapidly with new settlers are the worst off for roads. Mr. Minchin moved the motion ; standing in his name : " That, at this meeting, the Council take into consideration the bank overdraft, with a view to clearing off the same by drastic retrenchment." He spoke at great length on this subject. He was of opinion the expenses of the Council ought to be reduced, and that they should pay off the overdraft, £1050. He thought the travelling expenses of the councillors should be reduced, and he advocated the closing of the roads and letting the settlers get through the best way they could. Ho was against, borrowing, but he saw no way out of it if the ratepayers were agreeable. Mr. Mallabond asked what Mr. Minchin meant by closing the roads. Mr. Minchin said that the Council be not responsible for any damage. The Chairman said it would not free the county from liability. Mr. Kerr thought it would be best to close this Council for twelve months; then we mightjget a vote from Government. The settlers in the back country must have roads. Mr. Rolleston thought the drastic retrenchment was evidently pretty strong after hearing Messrs. Minchin and Kerr. He thought that if the roads were neglected it would not be economy. After further discussion, the chairman 'moved, and it was seconded by Mr. Mallabond, That, in view of the present state of the roads' and the Council's funds, it is the intention of the Council at its next meeting to make and levy a general rate of d in the £ separately in each and every riding in the county, and in addition to such general rate to make and levy a separate rate in each and every riding, so as to bring every portion of the separate rate up to the maximum of |d in the £." Mr. Minchin thought that the rate ought to go to pay off the overdraft. Mr. McKay thought the rate ought only to be struck where there was _an _ overdraft. He did not want to saddle his district with a rate when they had to go through mud and water. They wanted a lot in his district, but he had tried to keep his district out of debt. Mr. Mallabond agreed with Mr. McKay. His district was out of debt, and, as they pay a highway rate, he would like to see a district like his exempted. The motion was carried unanimously. : - Accounts.—Mangapai, repairing roads, &c., £20 15s; Waipu, repairing roads, &c., £21 2s (id; land fund, £6 10s; Maunu, road repairs, £21 2s (3d; Nsungyru, new road; £25 8s; Air-line : Road (Puhipuhi). repairs, £20 2s; special vote, Waipu and Ruakaka Valley Road, £49 6s; Hikurangi, road repairing, &c., £16 7s sd; School of forestry rate, £24 6s 4d; travelling, £5; office expenditure, £27 9s 2d : total, £224 17s lid. The accounts were passed for payment. Tenders for Printing.—Five tenders had been received, but, owing to some misunderstanding, it was agreed on the motion of the chairman, "That fresh tenders be called for printing and advertising, the specifications to state quality of paper and binding and all other particulars and that a committee be appointed to accept tenders within a fortnight." The chairman and Messrs. McKenzie and Minchin were appointed a committee to open and accept tenders.

Engineer's Report.The report of the engineer (Mr. D. G. Wilson) was read as follows — To the Chairman Whangarei County Council:, Sir, —As the question of finance will be brought up to-night, I would herewith respectfully submit the following remarks upon the weather and the roads; and, considering that most of the expenditure depends entirely on the weather, the subject acquires importance. In my last report the extra expense caused by two wet winters and a wet summer was estimated at £1000. A more leisurely examination of the accounts has satisfied me that this figure is under the mark. The extraordinary traffic bus caused about £100 or so extra to be spent on one particular road, and ' another £100 is wanted yet—perhaps more. Still, damage from this cause will always be trifling when compared with that resulting from an excessive rainfall, which acts on the whole of the county roads at the same time. However, judging the future by the past, this extra expense may be almost neutralised in the next four or five years by fine weather to be expected. The reasons for this expectation are herewith stated. The rainfall for June, July, August, and September, 1889, was 4H inches, instead of 17i inches, the average for 20 ye-irs in Auckland. During April, May, June, and July of 1890 the rainfall was 39 inches, instead of 16£. The observations at the School of Forestry for the last summer were not published, but here 1 am certain that the disparity was equally remarkable. From April, 1890, to February, 1891, we had ten months of broken weather, with scarcely a week dry at a time. The springs never ceased running even in the open country, and some of the bush roads never dried at all. I would now submit that this weather is quite phenomenal, and, therefore, not likely to occur again for many years—perhaps not for a lifetime. No one amongst us remembers the like before, although some of the very old Maoris speak of great floods about 80 years ago. 1 am fortunate enough to possess a French weather record, extending from A.D. 1200 to A.D, 1701, a period of 500 years. This was compiled in France from every chronicle and record obtainable, and afterwards published in the " Transactions of the American Institute, 1849." During the 500 years twelve periods of excessive wet occurred. The intervals between each period varied from 11 to 67 years, and the average interval between each period would be 42 years, but no two intervals were of equal duration. The years of heavy snow and frost also came at irregular intervals; so did the years of abundance, but the average intervals between each would be much shorter than the intervals between the periods of heavy rain. One remarkable feature about the record is the recurrence of the same kind of weather for two or three years in succession, and the lesson derived from the whole goes to show that "what has been will be." The same kind of weather experienced 10, 20, or 30 years ago always comes back with unerring certainty. In the very limited period bf 22 years during which I have kept a weather record this rule also holds good to a certain extent; and every period of exceptional rainfall has been followed by a corresponding period of. weather dryer than the average. Thus the three wet summers of 1871. 1872, and 1873 were each followed by a mild winter, as far as rain went. That of 1873, which ended in the memorable fortnight's rain, was followed by the mildest winter on record, and comparatively little rain fell for over a year afterwards. Again, in 1878 and 1870, we had two very severe winters, followed by the two exceptionally mild winters of 1880 and 1881. The wettest summer on mv record was that of 1870-71. lhis was followed by the dryest spring on record, scarcely any rain falling from the 29th August, 1871, to Mew Year. The long, wet winters of 1882 and 1887 were followed by the dry summers of 1882 and 1883—a year of bush fires—and 1887 and 1888, when Puhipuhi was burned. From all the data available I see no reason to suppose that the laws of Nature will be suspended now, and firmly believe that we shall have a period of mild winters to compensate us for the terrible time we have passed through. If we believe this, any estimate of future expenses based on that of the past two years would be

absurd. It is a subject for congratulation that this winter has been milder than the average. Last winter the roads were almost impassable < two months earlier than this, and the winter before they were exceedingly bad about this time. So,far, also, only two bridges have been seriously; damaged, and the landslips have been comparatively light. We may, therefore, assume that the ; storms of the last two years have found out the weakest spots : in the roads, and that the same amount of damage can : hardly 4 be- repeated for several years to come. Accounts: A number of bills for repairs now before the Council' are for work done some time ago. The continuous rains bad the effect of silting up water-tables and choking culverts, causing the water to cut across the roads. hen such places are not; attended to at the right time it entails extra expense afterwards, and I would remind the Council that any curtailment of the county works must be in the item of new works. Repairs must be done, although with dryer weather the expense would be much reduced. lam sorry to say that during the trying time we have experienced long stretches of road in various parts of the county have had to go with very little repairs, but, without running further into debt, this was unavoidable. At the same time, by simply spending less on, new works, I am confident that the roads can be kept in repair , and the deficit squared in two or three years' time. General remarks : I: am happy to report a degree of improvement in the conduct of the carters generally. For several years past it has been the custom to make little or no allowance for the badness of the roads in winter. Numbers of people would leave the carting of heavy goods until the month of June. Then with double loads they would make a mad rush to get their carting done 1 before the roads became impassable. The result of such proceedings was disastrous in the extreme. There have been cases where one of these double loads has done more harm than many times the value of the load would pay for. This winter there were isolated cases' of the kind, but the custom was not followed, as a rule, and the roads have benefited accordingly. In conclusion, I • may remark that the contracts are all finished, except those which include keeping in repair for twelve months. Three years trial of this system goes to show that in order to make it a success the road should be first put in repair, and then be afterwards kept in repair by the same contractor. Want of means caused us to leave out the putting in repair on _ some of the contracts, and the result has in some cases been the reverse of satisfactory. ■On the other hand, where the road was first put in repair, the system has worked well." Mr. Mallabond proposed a vote of thanks to the engineer for the able report which he had submitted relating to county works, &c., and this was seconded by Mr. McKay, who hoped that the engineers prophecy about the weather would prove true.

The School of Forestry.—A letter was read from the Lands Department, being in reply to one sent by the Council requesting the Government to define the position of the Council in relation to the Board of Governors of . the Whanp&rei High School. The Kioriore Reserve is a High School endowment, and it was only handed over to ; the Council to manage because the High School Board would not take the responsibility. - Latterly, however, the High School Governors asked for a restitution of the property, and the Minister of Lands wrote to say that there was no doubt about the legal aspect of the case; the property belonged to the High School, and would nave to be handed over. The Minister further stated that in the future only £150 a year would be paid to the Council towards tne ' Maunn Experimental Station, and the remaining £200 would be paid to the Whangarei High School Governors towards keeping up the Kioriore plantation. ; Mr. McKenzie said the property had good prospects of being self-supporting before long, and it would be a great benefit to the district. He would oppose the relinquishing of the property. ' Messrs. Minchiu, Kerr, and Ormandy spoke to the same > effect, and suggested that strong representations should be made to the Government. On the motion of Mr. Rollestou, seconded by Mr. Minchin, it was resolved, " That the chairman remonstrate with the Government on the injustice of the course proposed to be adopted in removing the School of Forestry from under the control of the Council." Carried. Doo Tax.— by Mr. Minchin and seconded by Mr. Roließton, "That the resolution re dog tax carried at a previous meeting of the ; Council' be ftf't rescinded, and that the Dog Registration Act be brought into operation within the county for the current year." The motion was ' carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr. McKenzie, seconded by Mr. Minchin, " That the dog tax for the current year be 2s 6d for each dog." Carried unanimously. ' Road Works —In reply to a letter from Cork and Co., the engineer was instructed to inspect the bridge at the back of Woolley's. Mr. Ormandy promised to iuquire into the complaints of some Waikielue and Mareretu settlers as to the bad state of the roads. 4 Mr. D. O'Carroll, Maungakaramea, wrote stating that he should fence off the Wairoa Road unless he was paid £10 for land. Mr. Ormandy < Sftid he thought the road would have to bis taken under the Public Works Act. - The engineer said it was an expensive process, but he spoke of this claim -as being very excessive. Mr. Minchin was of opinion that, notwithstanding the expense, the Public Works Act should be resorted to, so as to top this system of blackmailing the Council for compensation, Mr. Kerr spoke to the same effect. On the motion of Mr. Ormandy it was unanimously resolved to take the land under the Public Works Act. and the engineer was instructed to proceed with the work at once. In relation to the same subject, it was resolved on the motion of Mr. Minchin, seconded by Mr. Rolleston, " That the member for Marsden be requested to support any measure for facilitating the taking of land for road purposes in a simpler ana less costly manner, also for the recovery of rates from absentees." Moved by Mr. Minchin,- seconded by Mr. Rolleston, " That R. Thompson, M.H.R., be requested by thhi Council to use his endeavours to try and gel; the iNative and Crown Lands Rating Act reinstated on the Statute Book."

Heavy Road Traffic. — Jas. Jackson asked permission to cart ironstone from the soda spring flat to the railway station, Katno. He promised to keep the road in repair to the satisfaction of the engineer of the Council Considerable discussion ensued over this matter and it was proposed by Mr. MoKenzie, seconded by Mr. Ormandy, "That; Mr. Jackson's request re carting ironstone be granted on condition that he give a written guarantee to keeu the road in good repair when finished." Carried. , Accounts.—Progross payments : D.Cleary, £10; Rosa, £S; McLeoa, £2; J. M. McLeod, £3.

Slaughter-houses.— the inspector's report being read, Mr. Kerr drew attention to the unsatisfactory state of the Puhipuhi slaughter-house. Mr. McKenzie mentioned there was great dissatisfaction expressed by the holders of licenses re unlicensed people killing and selling. The chairman said the inspector was instructed to look after the matter, but as his salary was so small he did not travel much afield. Mr. Kerr was opposed to licenses altogether, but he believed m seeing the law carried out in its entirety. The chairman said the matter should be fully discussed at next meeting.— Correspondent.]

Wo had a novel kind of law case here the other day, arising out of " tin canning" a newly-married couple. Every couple that get married here have to undergo this experience, but the last excelled all previous efforts of the kind. A crowd consisting of men and boys went to the house of a newlymarried pair, armed with various implements for making a noise. Amongst these were a bugle, a horn, a whistle, a bullock bill, and a number of kerosene tins. Some of the performers had no instrument, and they bellowed in the most frightful manner. The din could be heard for miles. Our policeman thought it was getting monotonous, so he pulled a lot of them up. But the lawyer got them off quite easily. He pleaded that when they made the noise they were inside the fence, or outside the fence, I forget which, 'or the man who laid the information hadn't his hair parted straight in the middle. Any of these kind of pleas will get a man off here. We have a real smart lot of lawyers. Anyhow, the larrikins got a caution, and the next newly-married couple will most likely be left alone.—[Whangarei Correspondent.] For the Sheffield Handicap, to do run tonight, at the Zealandia Rink, for a prize presented by Mr. J. Gallagher and £2 in cash, the following starts have been awarded by Mr. E. O'Hare, the handicapper :—J. Jinden, 2yards; R. Keenan Johnston, 2J; S. Murphy, 24 ; W. Purdy,, 3; H. Booth, 4 ; C. Madigan, 4; H. W. Brifxly, 4; J. McDermott, 4; S. Woods, 5: McGuinness, 5 ; G. Laxon, 5 ; J. Cabe, ; Adair, 5J ;A. Bailey, 6; F. Wilson, 6; W. Woods, 6£; W. Cummins, 7 ; J. i?rost, 7; A. Hughes, 7; J. Simpson, 8; J. Sanders, 84; D. Somers, 9; A. Pearson, 9; M. Conway, 9; M. Flynn, 10; S. Roberts, 10; G. Murphy, 10 ; A. McLean, 10J; -J. Miles, 10i; Nicholson, 11. Competitors must not leave the dressing-room until their heats are drawn, or speak to anyone on i the track, under the penalty of disqualifica-1 tion.

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