COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8662, 3 September 1891, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN correspondents.] PIAKO. Cambridge, Wednesday. The usual monthly meeting of the "Piako County Council was hold at Morrinsville yesterday. Present : Messrs. W. P. Chepmell (chairman), J. Holland, Hanmer, Harrison, Hunt, Browne, and Herries. Correspondence was read re the conveyance Bates to the Queen: It was resolved that Mr. Hay be requested to complete the transfer, and that Mr. Hally be iuformed that the Council had 110 instructions to give him, Mr. Hay being Council's solicitor. Mr. Hay wrote covering Mr. Travers' opinion as to Council's liability to pay fees for auditing the county accounts. In the opinion of Mr. Travers the comity is not liable. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman with power to act. A letter was received from the Patea County Council protesting against '' the one man one vote clause of the Counties Act Amendment Bill and asking this Council to co-operate with them in .opposing the same. It was resolved that the letter be received, and that the chairman be requested to wire to Colonel Fraser, protesting against the passing of the proposed amendments to the Counties Act, especially sections 10, 11, and the last paragraph of section Ig, giving, the Act a retrospective effect. It was resolved to pay the balance of the Council's contribution to the Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for the year ending March 31, 1892. Mr. Gavin reported on the work done 011 the Waioroiigomai tramway during the past month. Mr. Pavitt made a verbid report as to repairs still required on the line. It was resolved that tenders be called for the works, including a turn-table enumerated by the engineer. Messrs. J. M. and A. Clark applied for a refund of £44, being the difference between the sum paid by them to the Council for injury to two trucks, and the sum for which Mr. H. H. Adams has offered to repair them. Resolved, " That this Council declines to, accede to the request," Messrs. Hauiner, and Herries dissenting. The following tenders were received for repairs to trucks J. R. Beeson, £34 16s ; D. McWallace, £21 10s;' Geo. Devey, £37. Mr. Wallaces tender was accepted. It was resolved to authorise the engineer to advertise for the sale of the wire rope and waste material now on the tramway, and that Messrs. Herries. and Hanmer be a committee authorised to dispose of the same at their discretion. The chairman reported that he had drawn up conditions of lease as requested. It was resolved that the chairman's action in not calling for tenders for the lease be confirmed, and the calling for tenders be deferred until the tramway is in good repair, and that a copy of the conditions be forwarded to the Warden for his approval. Mr. Mulcaliy wrote complaining of the damage done to his property through the nage of the Waiorongomai township. Resolved to inform Mr. Mulcahv that the Council has 110 power to divert the drainage from its natural course. It was resolved to make application to the proprietor of the Gorton estate for a conveyance to the Council of half an acre of land 011 the estate upon which are situated the gravel pits now in use by the Council, and from which the gravel for use upon the main roads in the county is obtained, and that a shoot be re-erected, and necessary repairs done to the pit. The following tenders were received for work 011 Isaacs' Road, Sanatorium to Te ArohaLichtield Road:—l 3. Ward, £50; John Barker, £50 16s; George Walker, £59 18s 3d. Mr. Barker's tender was accepted. It was resolved to employ a surfaceman to effect repairs to the Thames-Waikato Road, at a cost not exceeding £10.

BAY OF ISLANDS. The ordinary meeting of the above Council took place at Kawakawaon Monday, August 24. Present: Messrs. Ward, Hall, Anderson, Press, Hon. Williams, McAlister, and the clerk, Mr. J. W. Williams. The chairman, the Hon. H. Williams being absent, W. 11. Ward was elected chairman. The minutes of the last meeting were then read and adopted. Correspondence. — Local Bodies Act Voucher received from the Treasurer for £36 14s 4d as balance due. Goldfields Revenue.—From Treasury, forwarding £110 19s for June and £56 15s fid tor July for goldfield revenue. Crown and Native Lands Act.—From the Survey Office, Wellington, re repealing the Act. Absentee Land-ov/ners.—From R. M. Houston, M.H.R., asking the ideas of the Council re enforcing rates on absentee Owners. Roads to Puiiipuhi Silver Field.—Mr. R. M. Houston, writing from Wellington, dated July 24th, IS9l: — " I have the honour to forward you the reply from the Minister of Mines oil the subject of your request for £1000 for road to Ptihipuhi. In pressing the matter on tho attention of the Minister, I pointed out the fact that the sum was not sufficient, and on this point he agreed with me. I also waited 011 the Premier, 'who promised to grant the amount. I asked for £3000 if lie could legally do it. It appears, however, the Auditor-General objects, and thus the Government are powerless. It seems to me a strange state of law this." New Mining Act. — rom the Minister of Mines, asking he opinion of the Council re the Act now before the House. Amended Counties Act. —From the Ashburton County Council, requesting the Council's opinion re the above. Charitable Aid Boards Act—From the chairman of a public meeting, Otago Central, re working of the present Act. Lunacy Act. —From the trustees of the Otago Benevolent Institution re the overcrowding of asylums with harmless patients and placing them under the Charitable Aid Boards. Mr. Press moved, and Mr. Anderson seconded, "That R. M. Houston, Esq., M.H.R., be requested to use his best influence to assist the views of the Otago Benevolent Institution relating to the proDosed Lunatic Act Amendment Act being carried out." Carried.

One Man* One Vote.—From the Patea County Council, counselling opposition to the above, and also to the Land Bill, as being ruinous. Mr. Press strongly opposed the "one mail one vote" system, and thought that the man who paid the most rates ought in equity to have more voting power than ho who paid a paltry shilling. Mr. Anderson and others also deprecated the idea, and thought those who paid the most rates should have the greatest control over the expenditure of the same. Mr. McAlistor proposed, and Mr. Press seconded, "That any alteration 111 the present Act giving one man one vote be opposed, as being injurious to ratepayers." Carried. . County Cheques for Labour at PuiiiPUHi. —From D. C. Wilson, engineer, re cheques for labour at L'uhipuhi, the mails being at present unsatisfactory ; also remarks re Prince's contract and other works under his supervision. Compensation Claim. —From J. R. Reed, county solicitor, enclosing letter from John Bryer's in regard to the changing of the road at Taumarcre, claiming compensation unless the original agreement be carried out. Charitable Aid.l ( rem Sergeant Stagpoole, as to sending A. Henderson to hospital and expenses iucurred. Returning Officer. — From Constable McGilp, declining to act for Russell, on account of official regulations. Mr. McAlistcr moved, and Mr. Hall seconded, " That Mr. J. B. Williams, wharfinger, be appointed returning officer, under Regulations of Local Elections Act, for Russell Riding." Carried. Ivawakawa - Waiomio Road. —From T. D. Triphook, engineer, re works necessary for this road. Encroachment.—From Mr. Triphook ro encroachment on Caffler's laud at Russell. Damages cau be made good for £6. Resolved, " That Russell councillors call and accept tenders for the work." Dray Road.Petition from settlers in village of Waiomio praying for a dray road. Obstructions to Rivers.— county solicitor notified that the Council could not compel present occupier to remove obstructions. The Council, however, could do so by special vote. River Embankment.Mr. Hall moved, and Mr. Press seconded, " That a sum of £10 be spent on improving road from the railway crossing to Neuman-street, and raise the bank on the Waiomio River to keep the rush of water, from washing away the road; that; Mr. Triphook look after the same, subject to the approval of the Kawakawa councillors." Carried. New Counties Amendment Act.— Anderson moved, and Mr. Press seconded, "That this Council, having carefully considered the proposed Amendment Act, 1886, Counties Act is of opinion—(l) That section JO is undesirable, and likely to lead to great injustice; (2) that section 13 is unnecessary, and prejudicial to the interest of County Councils, being likely to lead to great irritation between the representatives of the various ridings, without any corresponding benefit; (3) that section 18 is against the interest of good government counties, this Council being further of opinion that if the section were amended in the direction of acquiring the consent of the County Councils interested, that it would be unobjectionable; (4) that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to 'the Hon. H. Williams, and to the member, Mr. R. M. Houston." Carried. Old Rates not Recoverable.— Mr. Press moved, and Mr. Anderson seconded, " That the member for the district be requested to bring the following facts under the notice of the Government, and endeavour to obtain some relief by legislation or otherwise (1) On the authority of the valuation roll supplied by the Government, a large number of summonses were issued against defaulting ratepayers, entailing heavy court expenses on

the Council; (2) that neither rates nor costs have been recovered, and it is now found that the properties are not oven registered, in consequence of which the lands are practically vested in the Crown, and the Council have no remedy against the land ; (3) this Council would suggest that the Government take these properties over, and pay the Council the rates and costs." Carried. Suggestions for the Better Government of Counties.— Anderson moved, and Mr. Press seconded, " That the member for the district be requested to bring under the notice of the Government, the following suggestions likely to be beneficial to the good government of counties (1) In re rates from deferred -payments and perpetual leased lands ::, That the Commissioner of Crown Lands pay the rates as they become due from Crown tenants under these systems, and collect same from tenant with rents. At the present time the Councils have no power to compel holders under either of the above titles to pay any rates at all. (2) Auction ers: £40 is too much for a license in a county district, and the fee ought to be in the direction of the Council. (3) On collection of rates generally: 10 per cent, interest should bo allowed to bo charged on all current rates not paid on or before the 30th June of each year. Government should take over all lands where there are no registered properties, and pav rates on such lands. Carried. Through Line or None.—Mr. Press moved, and Hon. Williams seconded, the undergoing resolutions on this question : — " That this Council would strongly urge on the Government the desirability of constructing the railway from Kamo to Kawakawa with as little delay as possible " That the timber resources of Puhipuhi, apart from the land, if disposed of to advantage, and with the agreement that the railway would be put through within a given time, would provide a very large proportion, if not the whole, of the capital required " That a large portion of the timber is rapidly perishing, that a second fire would utterly destroy it, and that the remaining part of the forest is liable to a similar destruction by fire" That the construction of the railway may be so ordered as to afford abundant employment for the time to many small settlers, arid to many men now on the gumfields, who may be induced by this arrangement to become settlers on the line of route;" " That the labour thus provided would be very materially increased in connection with the working of the timber, which, together with the development of the silver field, would cause an influx of population to this little known district that would be of great benefit to the colony" That the railway would be used by passengers, and also for mails and light merchandise from Kawakawa and inland to Auckland, because of the shorter sea passage and greater certainty. On the other hand, the splendid coal from Hikurangi, and farther north, as well as any that may be discovered near Kawakawa, would find an outlet for ocean steamers at Ouua. The settlers also from Whangarei, all along the line to Opua, would have easy access to Sydney and the Islands for their produce"That the present unfortunate local feeling as shown in the efforts to advance one part of the district only, is really the cause of disasters to the whole north, as, should the local efforts be successful, the benefits derived, even by that part of the district, would not equal those derived from the larger scheme " That this Council would respectfully suggest that the Government would instruct the Councils of the two counties interested to hold one or more united meetings, at a convenient place, so that they may make further recommendation for the consideration of the Government." Mr. Press, in moving the foregoing resolutions, said they explained the matter so thoroughly that little more was needed. The Council fully understood that they had not to contend with the principle involved as to the desirability of constructing the " through line," because the Government hat' already admitted the great importance of the work ; they had, however, pleaded want of funds, and consequently the question became one of " ways and means. This could easily be solved by insisting that all the resources of Puhipuhi, except the land, be sold, the proceeds io be devoted to the construction of the " through line." It was to be hoped the Council would be unanimous on such an important matter, as the interest of the whole north was involved. Government had held out some offers to construct a small portion of the line at the Whangarei end, but there was no guarantee that the connection would afterwards be completed. Mr. Horace Williams, in seconding the resolution, said he could not but urge that the most vigorous steps should be takeu to prevent any one-sided favouritism. If the settlers gave in their claim for the " through line," they would be giving away their birthright, and virtually assist in closing their own market. If the line was made from Kamo to Hikurangi only, they might wait for many, many years ere it reached Opua, if it ever did at all. Mr. Anderson said telegrams had been going round asking the people to accept a few pounds for roads somewhere, in 'lieu of the Government making the " through line," and according to his interpretation of telegrams received from the member, Mr. Houston, there was just a probability of a small section only being made from Kamo to Hikurangi. They already knew the political influence of Whangarei, and he, like many others, was under the impression that after that extension was made, Whangarei, finding they were not able to ship the coal away, would demand a continuation to what they call deep water at their end, and in all probability they would get it, to the detriment of the harbour of Opua at this end. He was not for accepting half-and-half measures, and unless they could get the " through line" guaranteed, it would be better to shelve the question until they could do so. Mr. Hall said he would be quite willing to accept the construction for half the line, if the Government guaranteed to complete the connection within a stated time, and would act straight in the matter. He was glad to see that the whole of the country 1101 th had taken the question to heart; that public meetings were everywhere being held in favour of " through line or none," and to be commenced at each end, as it clearly proved it not to be a Kawakawa matter, but a district one. He had much pleasure in supporting the proposition. Mr. McAlister said he had a great' objection to any of these half measures and promises, which- were so often broken. If they accepted the Kamo-Hikurangi line first, it was more than probable the_ " through line" never would be made. He did not like the look of the offer, and would support the motion. They certainly wanted money for roads, 'but one county ought not to be favoured more than another in that respect. Mr. Press said, if he were not out of order, the people of annate, so far as he knew, would not bargain for any money for roads, as a substitute for their right of getting the " through line;" they were all agreed on that matter. Motion put and unanimously carried. Mr. Press moved, and Mr. Horace Williams seconded, " That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be sent to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Horace Williams, and to Mr. Houston, M.H.R., respectfully urging that the Government will obtain Parliamentary powers this session, so as>tobe in a position to carry out these or similar recommendations as they may see fit." Carried. Mr. Press moved, and Mr. Hall seconded, " That a copy of the fore; going resolutions be sent to the Whangarei County Council, with a request that. a meeting of both local bodies be called, with a view of furthering the project." Carried" (A telegram was then sent to Mr. Houston, at Wellington.) Russell Wharf.— Horace Williams moved, "That certain repairs be made to Russell wharf, but, on account of the train leaving, the question was held over to next meeting. Accounts. —Accounts as laid on the table were duly passed, and payment authorised. This concluded the business.—[Own Correspondent.] '