OTAMATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9477, 5 April 1894, Page 3

OTAMATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Otamatea County Council was held on . the 22nd of March. Sufficient councillors not being present at the appointed hour to form a quorum, the meeting was adjourned to twelve o'clock. Present: Messrs. Is bister (chairman), Chad win, Colbeck, Finlayson, Linnell, McCarroll, and Stewart.

Petition. petition was lodged, signed by 40 ratepayers of the Wairau Riding, praying that a new line of road to deep water, through the Ohungarere Block, be laid off. Mr. Chadwin stated : that this line of road would be of great utility to the great majority of the settlers by giving them direct access to the steamers, and, as the land through which it would pass was formerly native land, and the time had not yet expired in which to take the 5 per cent, for roads, little or no compensation would 'bo required. Mr. Colbeck opposed any action being taken by the Council to open up a new road, as it would possibly interfere with the present laid-off road to deep water. Mr. Chadwin replied* that the one road would not interfere with the other, but that the road which Mr. Col- ; beck supported ~ would cost about £500 to| make, whereas the proposed new road, being on a dry ridge, would be almost level, and; would cost a mere nominal sum to make fit for traffic. After considerable discussion it was decided to defer further consideration of the matter to a future date.

Clearing a Road.—Mr. Ovens attended the meeting, and requested to have about two miles of the road leading to their property at Omaru cleared half a chain wide, and a track stumped and logged, as in its present state it was next to impossible to get sheep out or in. The chairman stated in relation to this road that the Messrs. Smith did not seem to be inclined to give a title to the new deviation. Mr. Ovens replied that he believed they were going to erect their fence according to the deviation. After some discussion as to the means of meeting the cost, it was resolved, " That the Chairman, be authorised to have the work carried out at a cost of about £20."

Mareretu Road.—A letter was received from Mr. T. Nutsford (who was also present), requesting to have the road formed across the swamp through his property at Mareretu. He stated that he was willing to make the roadway with two culverts and one small bridge for the sum of £20, provided that the removal of the large logs, 20 feet from the road line, was not insisted on. Extracts from former minutes were read, showing that the chairman had prepared specifications for the work in question, and that Mr. H. C, Nutsford had undertaken to do it for the sum of £15. After considerable discussion it was resolved, " That Mr. Nutsford be allowed to undertake the work in accordance with the specifications, omitting the removal of the large logs, which can be used in making the culverts."

Tenders. — The following tenders for works mi roads were opened and dealt with, namely Formation and metalling of the main road, Whakapirau—Contract No. 1: Smith and Parsons, £20; Hill and Tracey, £27 15s; Gibbs and Johnson, £19. Resolved, " That the tender of Gibbs and Johnson be accepted." Contract No. 2: Gibbs and Johnson, £32; Grey and Walker, £43; Hill and Tracey, £33 10s. Resolved, "That the tender of Hill and Tracey be accepted." Contract No. 3: H. McMurdo, £110s per chain, and £2 for clearing water channels, etc.; Hill and Tracey, £1 19s per chain, and £1 19s for cleaning water channels, etc. Resolved, "That the tender of H. McMurdo be accepted." Repairs to Maungaturoto-Mareretu Road: H. E. Flower, £11 15s; William Taylor, £7. Resolved, " That the tender of W. Taylor be accepted." Repairs to Gorge connection road, Wairau: H. E. Flower, £15 7s; J. Causer, £25 10s ; J. Mould, £12 10a; W. Taylor, £15 10s. Resolved, " That the tender of John Mould be accepted." Erection of bridge near Mr. Huband's, Wairau : R. J. Howard, £94 15s; John Mould, £68. Resolved, "That the tender of J. Mould be accepted." Metalling, etc., Great North Road, Wairau: Samuel Taylor, £23. It was decided not to accept this tender, and Mr. Chadwin was authorised to call for fresh ones. Work on road, Matakohe: J. Armstrong, £6 17s 6d; J. Downey, £10; W. Blow, £6. Resolved, " That the tender of W. Blow be accepted.' Work on Hardie's Road, Paparoa: Joseph Hardie, £28 155." Resolved, " That this tender be accepted." Repairs and addition to wharf, Tokatoka: W. Haslett, £82 10s, and 20s per 100 feet for extra timber required; Mort and Miller, £59. Resolved, That Mort and Miller's tender be accepted." Mr. Finlayson was authorised to substitute totara for kauri, if obtainable, for piles, etc., and also to appoint an inspector to see the piles driven. Ditching and formation of road, Tokatoka t E. A. and H. Walton, £1 8s per chain. As no deposit was lodged it was decided not to accept this tender, and Mr. Finlayaon was authorised to call for fresh tenders, to be lodged at the next meeting. Repairs to tram road, Kaiwaka: John Fletcher, £65. No deposit was lodged with this tender, and it was decided not to accept it, but to call for fresh ones. Mr. Ariell having given notice to move, " That the resolution adopted at a meeting of the Council, held on the 23rd of November, 1893, ' That no works be undertaken in any riding unless such riding has funds standing to its credit,' be rescinded." The matter was fully discussed, and on the motion of the chairman it was resolved, " That the resolution be not rescinded, but that the Council be unanimous in having it strictly carried out."

Closing Road.— Josiah Hames attended the meeting, and requested to have the old road line between his land and the Messrs. Massey's, at Paparoa Homestead, closed, but was informed that his application could not be attended to, as the time for receiving deputations was passed, but that he could bring the matter up at a future meet-ON-erection op A Bridge.— A letter was received from Mr. Mander, expressing surprise that the bridge over the Kaikowhiti creek, at Mareretu, had not been re-erected, as he had made arrangements to have it done. Mr. McCarroll promised to make inquiries about it and report Mr. Chadwin reported that the timber was being hauled over the Homestead Road at Maungaturoto, but that neither Mr. Coates nor Mr. Worker had done anything to the bridges as promised. It was decided to authorise Mr. Chadwin to see that the work is done, and that any injury done to the culverts is made good.

Closing Road.—A letter was received from the Chief Surveyor relative to the closed road line at Pahi Township, and it was decided to defer consideration of the matter until a future meeting.

Pukekaroro Tram-line.—Mr. Linnel reported that the repairs to tram road at Pukekaroro had not been carried out by the Kauri Timber Company, and it was resolved, "That Mr. Linnell be authorised to inform Mr. Hall, the local manager, that if the work is not commenced within one week, the Council will have it done, and charge the company with the cost." Compensation Refund.— clerk stated that the refund of the compensation paid to Mr. Dilworth and others had been received from the Government, and that the balance due out of the grants would shortly be paid. Also that a number of telegrams had been sent to the Lands and Survey Department, Wellington, relative to the amount of the grant available for expenditure on the PahiWaikiekie Road, and that the last reply received was to the effect that the available amount was now only £80 3s Id. However, a further wire had been sent, pointing out that tenders had been accepted for works amounting to £310, in the belief that £350 had been granted (whereas the actual grant was only £100), and urging that authority be issued for the works to proceed, but no reply had yet come to hand. It was decided that the Department be written to, and requested to furnish a statement of these grants. Sundry telegrams were received from the SurveyorGeneral concerning the grant for the WaipuMareretu Road, the last of which was to the effect that the Whangarei County Council would be authorised to expend the whole of the money. New Road.The clerk stated that the survey of the new road to the back property of Mr. Snelling and others at Maungaturoto, had not yet been undertaken, but that Mr. Hannah would carry it out in the course of a few days. Wharfage Dues.— reply had yet come to hand from the county solicitors concerning the settlement of claim made on the Northern Union S.S. Company for wharfage dues. A letter was received from Mr. Alison, managing director of the company, acknowledging the receipt of cheque in payment of account for freight, and promising to refund cost of repairing damage done to Matakoho wharf by the steamers. ; ' ■ ,' ' Matakohe-Tokatoka Road.—A telegram was received from the Department of Lands and Survey to the effect that the Government would expend the grant allocated ■to the Matakohe-Tokatoka road as requested. The chairman stated that this was done at his instigation, the Government having already expended a portion of the grant, and he thought it advisable to aHow them to expend the remainder. < ,• .

Pahi Wharf.—A letter of authority for the expenditure of £250 in the erection of a wharf at Pahi was . received from Wellington, and the chairman was authorised to sign it. • ■

Arrears of Rates.The clerk reported that at the recent Magistrate's Court eighteen* summonses for >: arrears of rates had been heard; and judgment obtained in most cases. A few had been adjourned, as the defendants could not be found; arid two had been withdrawn, owing to the death of the defendants. Several cases were settled out of Court. The total coats in all the casetg amounted, to j £9195,. •• ' . !

Progress Payments.—-It was resolved that progress payments be granted to the following • contractors, viz.JauietL Simpson, for work on road at Mbtakom, £50 j' J. Armstrong, work on road at Hukatere, £11; W. Bowmar, work on Great North Road, £20: J. Mould, Hukatere, workmen Gr«»t North Road, £40. - ' < •" - Opening a Road.—A letter waa received from Mr. J. Ovens stating that the road line which he applied to have opened up wasMra the boundary of the Matakohe ana Omara districts. The clerk stated that he hafi written to Mr. Ovens, and requested him to make application to the Matakohe Road Board. Charitable Aid.—No reply had been received from the North Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board relative to levy paid by the Whangarei County Conn--9? A ,return; was received ' from the Board giving a list of patients from this county who had been admitted into the Auckland Hospital for treatment, with the amounts chargeable to each. It was decided to inform the Board that nothing is known of John Bull, and that a searching inquiry should be- made before his expenses at the hospital ire paid. A letter was received from Mr. Bennett stating his willingness, when able, to refund the cost of his wife's treatment at the hospital. Repairs to Pahi Wharf.— reply had been received from Mr. Chadwick relative to his account for repairs to wharf at Pahi. The chairman stated that work was still being carried on there evidently without any authority from the Council. Old Road Line.—A letter was received from Mr. Boldero desiring to purchase the old road line, etc., andjoining his land, section 73, Mangawai. It was decided to inform him that the Council had no intention of selling it. ■ Rate Roll. —A letter was received from Mr. J. H. Moir requesting to have his name placed on the rate-book as owjier of part section 1, Mangawai. Decided to grant his application. Gates on a Road.—A letter was received from Mr. L. Cosseboom asking for permission to erect gates on a road line at Hukatere. Decided to grant his application on the usual conditions. Road Wanted.—A letter was received from Messrs. Bevan and Dodd applying for a road line to their back sections to be opened up. Decided to inform them that their application cannot be granted, as no funds are available. Conference of County Councils. —A letter was received from the chairman of the Whangarei County Council requesting that a delegate be appointed to attend the Conference of Councils to be held at Whangarei in the first or second week in April. It was resolved, " That the chairman be appointed to attend as representative from this county." Statute Labour.—A letter was received from Mr. Pringle requesting to be given some work on the roads at Paparoa to meet the amount of rates due by him. Decided to inform him that his request cannot be entertained.

Floatage of Timber.—A notice under the Timber Floating Act, 1884, was received from Messrs. J. and J. Fitness, Tokatoka.

Obstructions. — Resolved, "That Mr. Worthington be requested-to remove the obstructions on the new portion of the Maungaturoto-Mareretu road running through his land, and also to have the work he promised to do on the mile and a-quarter-ol road passing Mr. Nutsford's carried out as soon as possible."

Expenditure of Grant.— Finlayson was authorised to have specifications pre* pared for the expenditure of the Tokatoka share of the grant for main roads and to call for tenders; also, that the chairman be authorised to deal with them.

Finance.Resolved, "That the payment of accounts since the last meeting, amounting to £36 los Id, be confirmed." Resolved, " That the treasurer's cash statement as examined be adopted." An account received from Mr. J. Parsons, jun., was referred back, as there was no information concerning the work. An account was received from Mr. W. Davidson for work on road at Paparoa; but, as it was stated that very little work was done for the money, it was decided that payment of it remain over for the present. Accounts amounting to £444 14s lid were passed and _ ordered to be paid. Specifications were received from Mr. Ariell for repairs to road below the chapel at Paparoa. Decided that the next meeting be held on the 26th April.

Statement of Ridings' Balances on the 22nd March, Kaiwaka: General account (Cr.), £148 lis 44d; separate acoount (Dr.), £5 17s 10-id. Wairau : General account (Cr.), £16 2s 7d; separate account (Cr.), £24 lis lOd. Paparoa: General account (Dr.), £184' 0s OJa; separate account (Cr.), £116 2s 2|d. Mareretu : General account (Cr.), £9 Is 9id; separate account (Cr.), £5 13s 5Jd. Whakapirau: General account (Cr.), £75 6s B£a. Matakohe: General account (Dr.), £14 16s 2Jd. Toka* toka: General account (Dr.), £132 Is 9Jd; separate account (Cr.), £96 4s ll£,d. Great North Road : General account (Cr.), £69 2s 9d.

Interview with the Premier.--It having been arranged that the Premier, the Hon. R. J. Seddon, should visit Maungaturoto, and the time fixed upon being Thursday evening, the Council decided at the close of the business to await his arrival, which was expected to be about six o'clock p.m. The Premier arrived about seven o'clock, accompanied by the Hon. R. Carroll and Mr. Mueller, Chief Surveyor. After a hastilyprepared dinner (prepared by Mrs. Davies, at the request of the County Councillors) had been partaken of, the party adjourned to Davies' Hall, where a considerable audience was assembled, considering the short notice given ; and the Hon. Mr. Seddon gave an address, touching principally on the false impression which, he was informed, existed as to the intention of the present Government to confiscate the land), and deplored that such a meaning should be taken out of their actions. Their policy was to injure no one, but to benefit all. Also on the conversion schemes of the Government and the supposed cribbing of the sinking funds. He spoke at considerable length, and his address was listened to with matted attention, and he was frequently applauded. After the public meeting was over the Premier gave a private interview to the County Councillors, and the County Chairman acted as speaker. He pointed out to Mr. Seddon the urgent need of grants for the main roads, and especially for the road between Matakohe and. Tokatoka; also, on the necessity of the Government acquiring a road through private land to give the settles who had taken up land in the Hukatere Block a means of access to the main road. The question of the grants for the Pahi-Waikiekie road was also fully gone into; and the Premier promised to have a statement prepared when he returned to Wellington, and that it should be forwarded to the Council. The Premier's visit to this district has given great satisfaction, and there is no doubt but that he has left a good impression behind him.—[Own Correspondent,]