HOBS ON COUNTY COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8683, 28 September 1891, Page 6

HOBS ON COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of. the Hol>3on County Council was. held in the Council office on

September 16. Present: Messrs. \V. M. Woodhead (chairman), T. Bassett, H. 'Berridge, F. Dargaville, " A;-E. Harding, A. Raynes, and A. Spiers. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Clearing a Road.—Mr. Woollams wrote objecting to tho road between sections 40 and 41 and 20 being let to Mr. Fletcher. He asked that the tea-tree on it might be cleared, and offered to give a piece of land for a road round a swamp free of cost. Decided to return Mr. Fletcher the £2 he had paid, and have the tea-tree cleared on the road, and to accept the offer of land for a road. By-laws Committee. Bassett was appointed to this committee vice Mr. Wood head, resigned. Ballast Pits.—Mr. Raynes reported that the natives appeared willing to take £50 for five acres ot ballast ground.. The matter was deferred till next meeting. Jon Valuation.—Mr. Berridge said tho house was completed on May 22, 1889. Mr. Jones was, therefore, liable to be rated for it. Decided to reduce Mr. Jones' valuation by £30. Road Deviation, Whakahara. — Air. Berridgo reported that Mrs. Clark wanted £50 for a road through section 20. Mr. Slater said if the Council acquired the road lie would hear half the cost of *he compensation. Decided, "That Mr. Berridge and the engineer be empowered to make Mrs. Clark an offer, and, if not taken, she be informed that the road will be taken under the Public Works Act." Licensing Clerk.—Decided to pay Constable Carr a guinea for his services as clerk to the Licensing Court. Dreadon's Deviation.—'The clerk reported that £50 had been paid to the Council tor this road. Decided, " That, as the £50 has been paid, the Council at once proceed to acquire the titles to the road through sections 45. 47, and OS, Parish of Arapohue." Mount Rex Wharf.—Mr. Houston, M.li.R, telegraphed that the Mount Rex wharf was now open for traffic. Star Advertising.—Mr. Brett wrote that he held Mr. Beart's written authority for inserting . the advertisement. If the claim was not paid ho would take legal proceedings. Decided to submit the letter to the county solictor, and abide by his opinion: Wharf Lights. Bassett proposed, j " That two lamps be taken from the Dargaville township, and placed oil the Aratapu and Mitaia wharves." For the motion, Messrs. Bassett and Harding; against, Messrs. Spiers, Dargaville, Raynes, and the chairmftn. Mr. Dargaville proposed, "That fresh tenders be called for lighting the lamps up to 11 p.m., returnable to next meeting." Carried. Recovery ok Rates.The chairman read a report showing the urgent need of taking some action in the matter. Out of i'1.%4 10s 9d of rates collectable only £447 as 5d had been received, leaving a balance owing to the county of £017 14s 4d. Decided to instruct the clerk to bike proceedings against all ratepayers in default at next meeting. Decided, "That Messrs. Harding and Raynes arrange terms with the county solicitor for prosecuting defaulting ratepayers, if necessary, and that the press be requested to draw special attention to this." PoiTNDKEEI'EK.—Henry Clark was appointed j:ouudkeener for Aratapu and ranger for Dargaville. Stray Cattle.—A petition from settlers at Tatarariki was received, drawing attention to the nuisance caused by straying cattle there, and asking the county to erect a pound. Mr. Bassett reported that the settlers were willing to supply the timber for the pound, and erect it, if the 'Jouncil would supply a notice board. Decided, " That, provided the settlers will erect the pound at their own expense, under the supervision of the engineer, the Council will gazette it and supply the Board." The Kopuru Riding was constituted the new pound district.

' Contract 35. —The only tender received for this work was J. Ilendricksen, JL'GO 12s fid. Engineer's estimate was £55 12s Oil. £.30 of loan money was available for the work. Decided to . accept the tender, the extra money to come out of the Wairoa Riding account. Kerbing.—Application for kerbing and gutter from Aratapu wharf to Chad wick's store M as received, Chadwick and O'Connor offering to find the timber. The engineer's estimate was £7 los with tar, £5 los-without the tar. The matter was deferred. Cutting Timber.— .Maori applied for permission to cut timber on the road between Andrews and Vincent's property, Tatarariki. Decided, "That, as he clears the road, he can take the timber." : Cutting a Drain. —Robert Vincent was granted permission to cut a drain into the county drain between lots 4 and 5. Cutting Furze. engineer was authorised to spend £2 in cutting the furze on Watson's Road. Beale's Account.— Spiers, Harding, and Dargaville were appointed a committee to look into this matter with the county solicitor. Ballast.—The chairman reported that he had made arrangements to have two cargoes of broken metal of 100 tons each, delivered for 5s fid per ton at any wharf, the Council to pay half the cost of towage. Decided to place the metal on the road between Aratapu and Mount Wesley. Thanks.—Decided to thank Messrs. Houston and R. Thompson,-M.H.R.'s, for their great efforts on behalf of the county. The councillors feel that they had both done their utmost for the county. County Reserves.—The Land Board wrote saying that lots 141 and 130, Kopuru, and lots 71,72, 73, and 01a, Tatarariki, reserved block 3, Mangarama, and reserve adjoining lot 146, Okahu, were recommended to be vested in the county. Charitable Aid.—lt was reported that Richard Jenkins, of the Kopuru, bad been sent to the C'ostley Home, S. Powell to pay all the cost. Auckland Hospital - wrote re •J. Erickson, sent to the hospital by Mr. Raynes, asking whether a councillor's authority was sufficient. Mr. Bassett proposed, " That the Auckland Board be informed that the Council will not be responsible for anyone sent except under the authority of the chairman ; and, second, that the chairman ascertain whether persons sent have any funds, and, if nob, whether they will agree to repay the amount of expenses when recovered." " Carried.

Stopping Traffic.— and Mansell wrote giving , the Council notice that they will have to stop the traffic through the Omu Block. Decided to call for tenders forthwith for clearing the bush on the road between the Whara.it and Taugiwhahina, returnable to next meeting.

Various.—Mr. Kitching was granted permission to fence across the old road 011 S. Dodd's land. Michael Corcoran asked to have a footpath formed from his hotel to his hall at Dargaville. Left in the hands of Mr. Raynes. T. H. Bars tow drew attention to a dangerous culvert in Victoria-street, Dargaville, close to the railway. The engineer said the railway authorities were responsible for half-chain wide on each side of the centre of their line. Left in the hands of Mr. Raynes. Balances. —Ridings' balances : Aratapu, Dr., £721 lid ; Kopurii, Dr., £215 Ms lOd; Okahu, Cr., £479 19s 7d; Dargaville, Cr., £634 3s 3d ; Wairoa, Or., £391 Is 8d; general overdraft, £392 3s Ocl. # ! Engineer's Report.—The engineer's report was then read as follows : " Sir, —I nave the honour to submit to you the following report: —Contracts 23 and 25: Mr. James Kidd, the contractor for metalling. the Aratapu Road and constructing culverts thereon, has completed his work on both contracts, 23 and 25, in a very creditable manner. Contract 31: The only tender received tor contract 34 {Aratapu culvert) was J. Hendricksen, who has now completed the work at a cost of £11 ss. Contract 35: Tenders will be in at noon to day for contract 35 (formation of Masefield's deviation). The work on this contract I estimate to", be worth £55 12s (id. Tangihua, Block 3 : In company with Mr. Spiers, I visited the Tangihua Block, when we inspected the road through the settlement and authorised an expenditure of £8 for the construction of a bridge culvert across the creek on the principal road. We also certified to the work previously done in clearing bush and sowing grass seed upon the ■■ roads. Dargaville'i'angitiroria Road: While oil my visit in company with Mr. Spiers I inspected the road between Mr. Wilson's and Tangitiroria, along the south'side of the Wairoa River, and the country lying between the Kerikopeni and Tangitiroria on the north side of the Wairoa River, with a view to deciding whether the Dargaville-Tangitiroria Road should cross the river nt Kerikopeui or Tangitiroria. I am of opinion that , the country along the north side of the river is far better for the road, and therefore recommend that it be carried oil to cross the river opposite the wharf at Tangitiroria, so as to meet the present Whangarei Road, especially as I believe that the future road to Whangarei will be obtained by continuing this one along the north side, and cross the river into the Whangarei County higher up. Mr. Baber, some time ago, surveyed a road between Kerikopeni , and Tangitiroria (a tracing of which is on the table) on the north Side of the river; hut I would recommend that his survey be abandoned, and a new survey made from the'Kerikopeni Reserve along the river bank for about half a mile, and then almost in a straight line across to the native settlement at Tangitiroria. as the deviation is shorter and the ground generally as good, and the grades very easy. This road from the Mangarama Creek to * Kerikopeni was laid out with the express !

purpose of bringing the Kerikopeni Bridge on to it (which were then my instructions), thereby necessitating the taking of the road over the ridge between the two creeks, where the best grade obtainable is 1 in 10. This was a mistake, as I reported when the survey was being made, and even still recommend that. the road be altered so as to cross the Mauparama Creek lower : down, bring it to the river bank, and cross the Kerikopeni at the mouth, joining up again with' tho present line at the Kerikopeni Reserve, by doing which there would be no heavy grades. Maintenance ; of roads: Xt is now necessary for the Council to consider the beat method of repairing, and maintaining the roads generally, within the county,' as there are so many roads that have latch been made, and, if not kept in repair, will become impassable next winter. I would recommend the Council to employ a man al a yearly wage to put the whole of his time in under my supervision repairing roads, and call for tenders for carting metal, sand &c., in different portions of the county.— Horace Hammond, Engineer." J Tangitirokia Road.— " That Mr be

spiers and the engineer __ empowered to irrange with Wilson and Cossill." The clerk ,vas instructed to see if the deed for the •oad through Mangarama was registered, md, if not, to get it delayed. Road Maintenance.—Decided, "That a nan be engaged for six months for maintenance of roads; applications to be advertised tor; salary, £2 per week." , Phoi'kktv Tax Valuer.—Mr. Bassett proposed, "That the Property Tax Comrnissionor borasked to confer with the Council re the appointment of a valuer, and that the Council get copies of the Counties Act for each councillor." Carried.

Payments. — The following payments were confirmed —Loan account: J. Kidd, £74 lOs; Filby, £3 lGs 8d; Hammond, £19 13s *ld ; Lcndi'um, £2 Is Sd. - t : Cadet. —The chairman "renortcd that the cadet had been the means of a direct saying to the county of over £24 in six months,, while his salary was only £12 10s. ; % ' Accounts.— Nairn, 15s; McMulkin, £4 9s; o'Carrol v £l Is 3d and -£8 16s; Zimmeiy man, £1 15s; miscellaneous, £1 7s; .. McCowan, £2 ,15s: Hendricksen, £11 los; olliccexpenses, £1 12s lid; charitable aid for Jack Walton, £10 15s 4d. Decided, " That the chairman make inquiries, as it was reported that Walton had land scrip." For Abernethy, £28 4s Gd ; for Collins and Sullivan, £1 123 3d and £2 17s Gel; for J. 8. Galen, Bs. Oi'knino Roads.Decided to write to Messrs. Houston and R. Thompson, M.H.R.'s, asking' them to urge upon the Government the desirability of opening,up the road from Wairoa to Waikiekie. Mr. Harding said something should be' done in the way of getting the road through Langton's. Air. Harding was appointed to interview him. Decided to call for tenders for the sale of some drain pipes in l)argaville. '

Chairman's Report.—The chairman said : —" Before vacating this chair, I ask your kind attention during a short resume of our past work during eleven months. I would first call your attention to the report on the l minutes laid before you by your FinanceCommittee, under date January 12, IS9I. That report has been thoroughly tried, and proved correct by past results, and nothing but the greatest economy hitherto exercised by this Council could possibly have averted a financial crisis. We entered office last November to find an overdraft of £722 at the bank, and we were further committed by our predecessors to an expenditure' from general account of .1/170 lis 7d, comprised as under Transfer from loan account for money expended in ISSG-S7 on general work, and paid out of loan, £18") Ss 9d; old debts, £24 10s "2d; compensation for lands taken, £210 Cs Sd (Brown, £101 : Graham, £40; T. 11. Smith, £31; Masefield, £44); or a total debt to commence with of £1148 lis 7d. Your position to-day, after meeting the liabilities named, amounting to £426 lls7d, keeping roads in fair repair, and meeting all reasonable claims and demands, is as follows : —Bank overdraft, £392 .'!s Gd ; interest on loan, £120 l">s lOd : total, £5 19s 4d, or a clear reduction of debt: Bank, £203 0s 9d; liabilities, £420 lis 7d; £029 12s 4d in all, This is no mean achievement for eleven months' work. Onr assets in the form 6f rates unpaid amount to £917 14s 4d. Loan account: On entering office there was to credit of this account, free and unallocated, £582 12s Id (out of £0000), of which, after metalling Aratapu Road, providing for metalling road near Harding s, Masefield's deviation (£29 4s), Okiilm main road (£2OO l(is 10.1), and Dargaville-Tangitiroria lload (£l2 Ss '2d), we have still on hand for allocation. £0!) Jos f>d. Kopuru Riding : With regard to my own riding I wish to say a few words. On taking office the riding account showed a debit of £119 19s, and was committed to the follouimr expenditure .•—Restitution to loan account, £.W; : KiddY contract, Andrew's drain, £35; and Tikihtii wharf, £80: or a total debt of £280 IDs. ~1 leave it to-day with a debt in the hooks iof £215 14s 10il; I'ess rates now due, £75 Ills Oil; making £140 Is Id, or a reduction of £140 17s lid. This saving from an'annual revenue of £185 5s 0.1 speaks for itself, and with these figures before them my constituents' may plainly see the impossibility in the past and for some future time of any great' expenditure in their riding, and find an explanation for the prompt refusals of many past claims for expenditure, which, had funds permitted, were right and just. With so small a revenue accruing from so large a riding, 1 would urge the need for a careful scrutiny of the future valuation roll, and solicit for my successor the help of the residents towards this object. Before closing my remarks I would further impress cm my colleagues the necessity for continued parsimony in expenditure for some time to come—the undoubted wisdom of extending and perfecting main roads, leaving bye issues for more prosperous times. I advocate. as far as funds permit, the completion of the Dargaville-Tangitiroria Road, feeling confident of its necessity and that its present state has led to serious and irrecoverable loss to the district. This course, persistently followed, will soon clear the Council from financial stress, and lead to that prosperity and success for the district which we all desire. I call your attention to the table showing rates due and amount paid. It will be necessary to take the strictest measures to at once recover the rates overdue— £917 14s 4d. The new valuation roll for rating purposes is duo next year, and the Council should see that every attention is paid to this and their interests thoroughly conserved. I am of opinion that, properly revised, the revenue from such valuations at one penny will largely, exceed - that now derived from the three-halfpenny rate. It is with regret that I now resign my position as chairman in this Council, leaving works unaccomplished which I had honed to complete. Nevertheless, I believe the work will be carried on and successfully achieved. I thank you, gentlemen, for your past help and assistance, for your calm deliberation, which has seldom ruflled and never broken the concord of our meetings, rendering mv office a pleasure and almost a sinecure. I hope my successor may always be accorded the same kind consideration and assistance by which alone business can be expedited and good results successfully accomplished." Mr. YVoodhead then handed in his resignation as chairman. Mr, Berridge expressed the great regret he felt at ' the resignation of' the chairman, and returned him his thanks for the courtesy lie had always shown to his fellow-councillors. All the councillors coincided with this, and considered that Mr. Woodhead had, during his term of "office, acted in a most able and impartial manner, and that his approaching departure was ■ >'ft great loss to the district. Mr. Harding moved, "That the Council receive the chairman's resignation with great regret, and desires to record "its high appreciation' of the services he has rendered to the Council." Carried unanimously. New Appointments.—'The clerk then took the chair. Mr. H. E. Harding was elected chairman and treasurer for the balance of the year. The new chairman, in returning thanks, said- that, in the words that had already been used, he should endeavour to follow in the footsteps of the late chairman. Mr. Woodhead then handed in his resignation as county councillor for the Ivopuru Riding.—[Own Correspondent.]