COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9917, 5 September 1895, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

RODNEY. [by telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] Warkworth, Wednesday. A special meeting of the Rodney. County' Council was held on Tuesday, September 3rd", at which were unanimously passed resolutions approving of ■ the principles of the Local Government Bill to reduce the number of local bodies. It considers the power to create road districts should be given to the Councils, and not to the commissioners, elected chiefly by the existing road boards, who would likely be 'biassed in their favour, and have Co give pledges in that direction to securetheir return. The present law of three years continuity of the Council is preferable to the proposed two years. The chairman should be elected by and from the members of the Council annually- as at present, which is simple and costing nothing. The ratepayers should have precedence over nonratepayers in the representation clauses in the proportion of 2to 1. The proportion of capitation between counties and boroughs should be 8s for the former, and 4s for the latter, seeing the boroughs have valuable endowments, a higher ratable value, and considerable less length of roads to maintain than the counties. The Council is of opinion that the Local Government Bill should be passed this session, but not brought into force until Ist November, 1596. A further resolution was carried by 6 to 2 that Land Boards should be abolished, and their duties and administrative powers be vested in the County Councils. BAY OF ISLANDS. At the usual Council meeting held in Kawakawa last Monday the following members were present: Messrs. P. McAlister chairman), J. Press, G. F. Dickeson, W. Swift, J. A. L. Hall, Horace Williams, D. Anderson, and the clerk (Mr. J. R. Reed). Correspondence. — The following principal correspondence was read : —From J. D. Ritchie, Wellington, enclosing Arbor Dav pamphlet. From Hon. H. Williams, as to Keefe's contract and filling-in holes. From D. M. Anderson, stating plans had not arrived ; also, re looking after Knox's culvert. From E. C. Blomfield re Cecil Kemp's rate receipt. From Wilson and others, asking for a bridge over a stream at Hukerenui. From H. D. Atkinson. Wellington, re annual meeting of the Mew Zealand Counties Association. From R. Seddon (Premier), giving the Council permission to use the courthouse for Council meetings, provided the Council keep the building in repair. From P. M. Houston, M.H.R., re application for Parliamentary grant of £500 for the OpuaPaihia Road. From the same re application for Parliamentary grant of £500 for road from Russell to Whangaruru. From the Minister of Lands, Wellington, re constructing road, Russell-Whangaruru. From Commissioner of Taxes re the amount due to this county (subsidies local bodies). From the ccuuty of Ohinemuri re native land rates. From Foster and Murray, asking that waterholes at the head of the scoria flat be filled in. From T. D. Triphook, as to cost of drains and water openings. From H. C. Brewer, Auckland, re Wm. Cuthbert's debt and settlement. From Hon. H. Williams re disputed boundary Bay of Islands-Hokianga, stating that the Sur-veyor-General quite understands and agrees with the Bay County that the parish boundary of the Okaihau Block, No. 2, is the boundary of the county. From John Spratt, Whangae, asking for a plank bridge over Werawera Creek. From John Ashbey, stating that he would repair the culverts between Pakaraka and Oromahoe, now in a dangerous state, at certain rates. (He was asked to apply again when the chairman returns from Wellington.) From W. Armstrong, asking that a few days' work be done between his place and Higginson's. From A. J. Holland, requesting a culvert between the schoolhouse and Wyatt's Ramarama Valley. From Paymaster-General, enclosing the sum of £2 14s as goidfields' revenue. RUSSELL Wharf.—Mr. Horace Williams moved, and Mr.G.F. Dickeson seconded," the tender of E. J. Jones for the repairs of the Russell Wharf with kauri timber for the sum of £91 12s 6d be accepted, and that the work be proceeded with at once." Carried. Werawera Creek. — Mr. Hall moved, and Mr. Swift seconded, " That a sum of £5 be expended in repairing the road and placing a foot-plank on the Werawera Creek." Carried. Culvert at HUKERENUI. — Mr. Hall moved, and Mr. Andeison seconded, "That Mr. Triphook be authorised to spend the sum of £1 10s in repairing the culvert at Wyatt's junction, on the Towai Road, as requested in A. S. Holland's letter of 14th August, 1895, the sum to come out of Holland's rates." Carried. Collapse through Floods. Johnson's contract most of the councillors spoke in favour of Johnson getting paid for the actual work done. Mr. Swift moved, and Mr. Hall seconded, "That Mr. Johnson be paid in full for the amount of work done on his contract - at Whangae Road, viz., 152 feet of stone work at £7 125." Carried. Unauthorised Expenditure.—According to instructions at last meeting of the Council, the clerk read the unauthorised expenditure accounts as correspondence; and, after a lengthy discussion, it was decided to pay the accounts incurred without authority, and to stop such practice in future. Front of Councillor's Door. — Mr. Dickeson moved, and Mr. Horace Williams seconded, "That £2 be granted Mr. Swift for widening and metalling road in front of his property at Oropa." Carried. j Accounts.—Accounts to the amount of £215 odd were laid on the table and passed j for payment. A Penny Rate.— Hall moved, " That the county make and levy a rate of one penny in the pound sterling on the ratable property in the county for the year commencing on the Ist day of April, 1895, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1896, and that the said rate be due and payable to the treasurer at Kawakawa, in one sum, on the 21st day of October, 1895." The mover thought, considering the state of the roads, it was time to strike a higher rate than formerly, viz., 'id. Mr. Dickeson said he was sorry to have to second Mr. Hall's proposition, but there was no help for it. Charitable aid and hospital charges on the county demanded that their rates should be increased, otherwise he would like to see a £d rate. Mr. Anderson said if the hospital and charitable aid scheme absorbed a fourth of their rates there was no getting out of striking the rate at Id. At first their rates were struck at one-eighth or a penny in the £ for charitable aid purposes, then they came down to onetwelfth of a penny, now he was sorry to see they had to go up to one fourth of a penny in the £. Mr. Horace Williams said as Government proposed to take over the main roads they must stay their hands awhile. The people would not thank them for raising their rates. Motion carried. Mr. McAlister (chairman) said though the majority ot the Council were in favour of Id he was bound to enter his protest against the increase. He knew that his part of the county (Russell) objected to a penny rate. A Much-needed Work.—Mr. Hall moved, " That the sum of £30 be spent in making a new culvert and forming a road in Newmanstreet, from Waiomio Bridge to the township, the work not to be commenced till the fine weather comes in." He then handed in a petition and lists of donors towards the whole work. A discussion ensued, all the councillors being quite favourable to the work, but the low state of the finances prohibited them from sanctioning the undertaking cf the work. Mr. Hall then moved, and Mr. Swift seconded, "That plans and specifications be prepared for the next Council meeting for the proposed work on the Waiomio township road. Carried.

Fishing for Revenue.— Mr. Horace Williams moved, and Mr. Dickeson seconded, " That the clerk be instructed to write to the proper authorities ascertaining what amount la due to this county from sums collected for licenses issued to oyster-pickers.' Carried. -' •

A Knotty Point.—Mr. Press asked the chairman which resolution he was to work upon, the old one authorising him to spend money when and where wanted on the Falls Road, or the one doing away with all expenditure unless authorised? The chairman said it was a question for the Council to deal with not himself. Mr. Hall said he did not see why one road should have special favours. There were many other roads and many places that wanted repair. He objected to Mr. Press having special power. Rate Collecting.—Mr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Dickeson seconded, "That the treasurer be the person authorised in accordance with section 26 of the Rating Act, 1882, to collect and sue for rates due to the Council." Carried. Approval of Rate-book.— Mr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Dickeson Seconded, " That the rate-book as laid on the table be approved, and that Messrs. Press and Hall sign the same on behalf of the Council." Carried.

Okaihau Vote.—-Mr. Press moved, and Mr. Horace Williams seconded, " That Mr. Anderson be authorised to repair the wing of the Waitemano Bridge, sum not to exceed £3 10s." Carried. Mr. Press' Answer. — Mr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Dickeson seconded, ' 'That Mr. Press be allowed to have urgent repairs done

on the Wairnate Falls Road at a ram rot; exceeding £70." __■■■„.. ; . ~'

Hall's Metal.—Mr. Hall moved, and Mr. Swift seconded, " That a sum of £2 be speat in completing the metalling on Albert-street" Carried. ' " _ - j Kaikohe-Waitangi Road.— Ihckeson moved, "That a sum of £50 be allocated for Eaikohe to Waitangi Road." He was aimplj laughed at, and as to the proposition, councillors generally " sat" upon it. The mover, however, said he would bring the proposition on again at the next meeting. The Local Government Bill.—Mr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Press seconded, "That the Council do now adjourn until this day week (September 2) at II a.m., in order that the new Local Government Bill and the balance-sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1895, may be brought np for discussion." Carried. This was all the business.—[Own Correspondent. ]

' HOKIANGA.

A meeting of the Council took place at the county office, Rawene, on August 23. Present : Messrs. Burr (chairman), A. P. Blundell, H. C. Blundell, Galloway, Glover, Page, and Seon, and the county clerk.

Tenders.—Mr. Galloway moved, "Thatthe standing orders be suspended in order that tenders be dealt with.". Seeonded by Mr. H. Blundell, and carried. The following tenders were then opened for contract No. 40, Herd's Point-Takahue Road : — Lee and Howe: Widening to 18 feet, £150; alternative, 10 feet. £98. R. Parlaur: Widening to 18 feet, £250; alternative, 10 feet, £80. J. Maxwell and Baff: Widening to 18 feet, £298 12s sd; alternative, 10 feet, £96 17s sd. R. Cochrane; Widening to 18 feet, £243 13s 3d; alternative, 10 feet, £87 3s. Mr. Parlaur's tender was declared informal, as his schedule was not in accordance with general conditions accompanying the specification, and Mr. R. Ccchrane's tender for £87 3s was accepted, subject to a reduction of £2 5s for one culvert not required. Correspondence. — Outward correspondence read and approved. „; Incoming correspondence read and ordered upon aa follows : —Dr. Vines, of Whangarei, wrote asking what subsidy. Government and private, could be guaranteed to a medical man willing; to settle in Hokianga. Mr. Seon moved, " That Dr. Vines be informed that a subsidy of £100 per annum is promised by Government for attendance on the Maoris, but that the Council cannot guarantee any further subsidy, and the best course to pursue would be to get an agent to canvass the district for subscriptions." Seconded by Mr. Galloway, and carried. Mr. Houston, M.H.R.," wired that he had posted copy of proposed Local Bodies Bill, and advising early discussion of the same. Mr. P. Blundell moved, " That a meeting be called directly the copy arrives to consider the same, and that the clerk also procure a copy of the proposed Charitable Aid Bill, and get to know the date of the second reading of that Bill." Seconded by Mr. Page, and carried. The Rev. P. Walsh wrote, submitting the name of Mr.. A. C. Yarborough as manager of the Church of England portion of this cemetery. Acknowledged. Constable McGilp wrote asking for authority to destroy unregistered dogs. Mr. H. Blundell moved, "That authority be given in accordance with section 13 of the Dog Registration Act, 1880, provided no cost is entailed on the county." Seconded by Mr. Page. Carried. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote that he was unable to recommend spending of more Government money on this road, owing to steep grades, and that the road would have to be altered. Mr. A. P. Blundell moved, " That the Commissioner be asked to leave the amount as i applied for on the estimates, as the road is the only outlet for the settlers on Utakura and adjacent blocks, and is in an almost impassable state." Carried. Mr. P. Murray, Herekino, wrote a lengthy epistle re what he considered the unfair division of money in the Whangape Riding, and also complaining of the Council's action in pressing for rates (through the Crown Lands Office) on village settlement sections. Mr. Galloway moved, " That Mr. Murray be informed that this Council does not favour any one district to the general detriment, and the wants of the Herekino settlers will be considered in due course. A very small proportion of rates is collected in the Herekino portion of the Whangape Riding. Further, that the clerk be instructed to reply regarding matters affecting rates." Seconded by the chairman, and carried. Mr. Powell, of Herekino, wrote in somewhat-similar strain, offering to work out his rates. Mr. Burr moved, " That Mr. Powell be informed that his rates must be paid forthwith ; further, that as regards the claim he makes for expenditure on road connecting his section with the main road, that this matter will receive due consideration when the wants of Herekino district are being settled." Seconded by Mr. Glover, and carried. ' Mr. G. T. Clendon asked the Council to erect a winch on the wharf. The clerk was instructed to make full inquiries re the price, etc.. and to report to next meeting of Council. Messrs. D. Burns, sen. and jun., each asked to be put on the rate-book as lessees of half an acre from Mr. J. C. Bindon, at Horeke, and Mr. W. Bindon claimed as lessee of section from Mr Rountree. Mr. H. Blundell moved, "That the alteration in Mr. W. Bindon's case be made, and in the case of the Messrs. Burns the alteration be made as soon as the clerk ascertains that the transactions are completed." Seconded by Mr. Seon, and carried.

Petitions. —From Messrs. Danaher and others, Motukaraka, petitioning against increase of rate for charicable aid purposes. Mr. H. Blundell moved, " That the petitioners be informed that the Council does not in any way approve of the present Act, and hopes to see a change made during the present session, but is obliged to levy the extra farthing in the pound as the only means of meeting the increased demand for the current year made by the North Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board." Seconded by Mr. Burr, and carried. From Messrs. A. Boreham and others, Kohukohu, asking for relief works to be started at Kohukohu, as they were out of employment owing to the closing of the mill, and were willing to work at reduced wages. Mr. Seon moved, "That the-Council will consider the expenditure of the amount available for the Kohukohu-Rakantapu Road as soon as the weather improves." Seconded by Mr. P. Blundell, and carried. • Mr. Seon also moved, " That the clerk be instructed to inspect the roads leading to Kohukohu school and church, and report the probable cost of repairs to the next meeting of the Council." Carried. Reports.—Reports of committee meetings were read and approved. Report of works by clerk and inspector approved.

Payments.—Accounts to the amount of £84 10s 6(1 were passed for payment, and Messrs. H. C. Blundell and Seon were authorised to countersign cheques for the same.

Ordinary Business.—Mr. Page moved, " That J. Deverill be notified that if work on contract No. 35 is not completed on or before September 3, the Council will finish the same at his cost." Seconded by Mr. H. Blundell, and carried. Striking Rate: Mr. Page moved, "That the Council now strike a, rate of lid in the pound on all ratable property in the county, a3 advertised on the 3rd of August." Seconded by Mr. Burr, and carried. Mr. Galloway moved, "That the clerk notify that the county office will be open every Wednesday for the receipt of rates." Seconded by Mr. Glover, and carried. Kohukohu Foreshore: Mr. Seon moved, "That the clerk be instructed to write to the Survey Department, asking if they have a plan of the road leading across the sawdust at Kohukohu, and if so to forward a tracing of the same." Seconded by Mr. P. Blundell, and carried. Horeke Road : Mr. P. Blundell moved, " That applications be invited for a surfaceman on the Horeke-Okaihau Road (three sections) for a period of twelve months ; work to consist of clearing tea-tree, etc., for the full width of the road, opening out watertables, drains, etc." Seconded by Mr. Seon, and carried. Mr. Seon moved, " That Messrs. Page and H. Blundell sign the ratebook for the current year." Carried. The next meeting of the Council was fixed for Wednesday, September 4, to consider the proposed Local Bodies Bill. This concluded the business, and the Council rose at ten p.m. —[Own Correspondent.]