COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10033, 21 January 1896, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

■. , PIAKO. . The ordinary monthly, meeting of the Piako County Council was held a't Morrinsville on Friday.' Present Messrs, W. P. Che'pmell (chairman), M. Harrison, N. I. Hunt, J. McCaw, J. S. Browne, T. Gavin, W. H. Herriea,' W. S. Allen, and W. Hodgson. Constable Wild reported that the condition and management of slaughterhouses in his district; were satisfaotoiy, and, except in the case of Messrs. Roberts and Rowe, no complaints had been made. Constable Brennan reported that the slaughterhouses in his district have been well kept during the year. The following applications for renewals of slaughterhouse licenses were granted : — W. G. Batk (Te Aroha), Frank Marshall (Morrinsville), F. Rose (Tirau), D. Scelly (VVaharoa), and John Wood (Te Aroha). Messrs. Roberts and Rowe applied for a renewal of license for their slaughterhouse at Te Aroha.. Mrs. McCall wrote complaining of the nuisance caused by the slaughterhouse in question. Mr. Brennan appeared to oppose the application, stating that the slaughterhouse was a nuisance to his family. Mr. Roberts appeared in support of his application, and said the comnlaiuts were exaggerated. Constable Wild said the slaughterhouse was undoubtedly an annoyance to the neighbours. After considerable discussion, during which the question was raised whether the Council - could legally grant the renewal, as it was shown that the premises were within half a chain of a public road, it was resolved to grant the renewal of the license, the causes of complaint to be removed.

Mr. J. McCaw, estates superintendent, wrote stating that he would be pleased to bring under the notice of the directors of the Estates Company the question of the road from the_ Gordon Settlement to Waharoa, with a view to getting a contribution from the company towards the cost of its construction Mr. W. H. Herries reported that in company with Mr. Wattam, he had inspected the proposed road from Gordon Settlement to Waharoa. They found that about five miles are required to be formed; three miles along dry ridges and two through a swamp. They estimated the cost at £320, including two small pile bridges and all road and outfall drains. With regard to the bridge over the Wailiou, they were unable to form an estimate of its probable cost, but reported that the width of the river at the bridge site is 126 feet, the bank on the right side about 14 feet high and that on the left 10 feet. After some discussion, it was resolved to ask Mr. Cadman to place the matter of the proposed bridge over the Wailiou before the Domain Board; and the clerk was instructed to point out that the river is not now navigable so far up as the proposed bridge site, and if it were insisted upon to have the bridge over 14 feet above the river, the cost would be greatly increased. OTAMATEA. A special meeting of the Otamatea County Council was held on the 9th January, 1896, for the purpose of considering the new Local Government Bill. Present: Messrs, Isbister (chairman), Colbeck, Finlayaou, Linnell, McCarroll, and Stewart. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL. The Chairman stated that, as councillors were aware, it was decided at the last general meeting to hold this special meeting, solely to consider, as far as time would allow, the various clauses of the new Local Government Bill, which would be laid before the next session of Parliament, and as it was a matter which deeply affected the whole of New Zealand, lie hoped that councillors would give the matter their most earnest consideration, so that they might be able to arrive at right conclusions. Copies of resolutions adopted by the Waitemata and Rangitikei County Councils, relating to the Bill were discussed, and much valuable assistance was gained from them. A copy of. a resolution adopted by the Rodney County Council' was received, suggesting that meetings to consider the Bill should be held in the various districts, under the auspices of the Council; but as it was deemed to be unnecessary the suggestion, was not given effect to. The following is a summary of the business transacted

Schedule 2, appointment and proceedings of Coinmisssioners: " That as comities would bo greatly out voted by the smaller bodies in the election of Commissioners, the voting powers should be on a financial basis, and not on the principle of one body one vote, as counties would suffer thereby. Schedule 9, Government roads: " That as the road from Hokianga to Opanake is intended to be proclaimed a Government road, the continuation of the same road to Maungatiiroto (known as the western branch of the Great North Road) to join the North Shore to Awanui Road should be included, it being an important arterial road. Mr. McCarroll moved, "That the road from Paparoa to Mangapai* running through Mareretu should be included in the proposal, which was seconded by Mr. Linnell, pro forma, but 011 a vote being taken only Mr. McCarroll voted for it, and Messrs. labiater, Finlayson, Stewart, and Linnell against it. Section 28, electors' list and roll: It was moved by Mr. Colbeck, and seconded by Mr. Stewart, "That any power given to nonratepayers to vote on matters affecting local Government be eliminated from the Bill." Mr. McCarroll moved as an amendment that the principle of the clause as it stood be affirmed, but its it was not seconded it lapsed. There voted in favour of the motion Messrs. Colbeck, Stewart, Isbister, and Finlayson, and against it Mr. McCarroll. Section 30, electors' name 011 one list only : It was moved by Mr. McCarroll, and seconded by Mr. Isbister, " That the principle of the clause be affirmed.'' An amendment was moved by Mr.Colbeck and seconded by Mr. Finlayson, " That should a person be the owner or occupier of property in more ridings than one his name shall appear on the electors' list for each riding in which such property is situated." There voted in favour of the amendment Messrs. Colbeck, Finlayson, and Stewart, and in favour of the motiou Messrs. McCarroll and Isbister.

Section 36 (2), elector only to have one vote: It was moved by Mr. Colbeck, and seconded by Mr. Finlayson, " That the number of votes exercisable by each elector shall be in proportion to the valuation of his property as established by the Counties Act, 1886." An amendment was moved by Mr. McCarroll, and seconded by Mr. Isbister, " That each elector shall have one vote, and one only." There voted in favour of the amendment, Messrs. McCarroll and Isbister, and in favour of the motion, Messrs. Colbeck, Finlayson, and Stewart. Section 56, election of chairman: Mr. McCarroll moved, "That the principle of the clause lie affirmed," but as it was not seconded, it lapsed. It was then moved by Mr. Colbeck, and seconded by Mr. Finlayson, "That the chairman should be a councillor, and be elected annually by the Council." There voted in favour of the motion, Messrs. Colbeck, Finlayson, and Isbister, and against it Mr. McCarroll. Section 85, biennial general elections: It was moved by Mr. Colbeck, and seconded by Mr. Finlayson, "That the elections be held trienuially as at present." All voted in favour of this motion with the exception of Mr. McCarroll.

Section 118, capitation grant to counties and boroughs; It was moved by Mr. Colbeck, and seconded by Mr. Finlayson, " That counties receive double the amount of capitation grant paid to boroughs." All voted in favour of this motion. Mr. McCarroll moved, " That boroughs should not receive any capitation grant," but as it was not seconded it lapsed. Section 14.3, Hospital and Charitable Aid rates: Mr. Isbister moved, and Mr. McCarroll seconded, "That in sub-section 1, ' the council may make' should be altered to ' the Council shall make, etc.'" There voted in favour of the motion, " Messrs. Isbister, McCarroll, and Finlayson, and against it Messrs. Colbeck and Stewart. Section 194, power to borrow to pay off overdraft: It was unanimously decided to affirm the principle of the clause. Section 198, apportionment of income in each year: It was unanimously decided that the clause be altered as follows,viz.,"That the rates collected in each riding be expended in the riding in which they were collected. That should any riding require any extraordinary work to be carried out, the Council may advance the required funds for executing it, the same to be repaid by the riding as may be arranged." Section 310, gates across registered roads: It was moved by Mr. Colbeck, and seconded by Mr. Finlayson, " That the section be struck out, and that the existing regulations be adhered to." An amendment- was moved by Mr. Isbister, seconded by Mr. McCarroll, ""That the section be retained provided that no gates may be erected'on any road used by the public, without the consent of the Council, and that the Council bo empowered to levy a small rent for the privilege." There voted in favour of the amendment, Messrs. Isbister and McCarroll, and in favour of the motion, Messrs. Finlayson, Colbeck, and Stewart.. Sections 509 to 511, Hospitals: It was unanimously decided that provision be made in the Hill for the Government to erect suitable buildings in each county where such do not exist, and to contribute so much annually towards the cost of a medical man. It was moved by Mr. Isbister, and seconded by Mr. McCarroll, that the following new clause be added to the Bill, and in the event of it not being passed at the next session, that the Government be requested to bring in a Counties Amendment Act to at oncc give effect to it, viz.:—That "should- the Board of of. a Road District . contained within the riding of a county fail to be elected, or, if elected, fail to carry out its functions for a period of two yearn, the district shall be

deemed to be merged, and shall become, to all intents and purposes, an outlying district of the county in which it is situated, and the Council shall hare power to levy separate rates as prescribed in section ; 150 of the Counties Act, 1886; and further, that should any Board of a Road District fail to levy any rate for a period of two years, the Council of the county in which such district is situated shall have power to levy separate rates as aforesaid; also, that no Road Board shall receive or participate in any Government grant, either in the shape of money, labour, or works of any kind, unless the maximum amount of rates prescribed by law shall have been levied both by the Road Board and the County Council for the two preceding years, and are still being levied. Also, that any Road Board having failed to levy_ and - collect a general rate up to. the maximum limit allowed by law for two consecutive years the road district shall become merged, and shall become to all intents and purposes an outlying district of the county in which it is situated." Mr. Colbeck objected to the motion being brought forward as not being part of the special business of the meeting. However, the majority ruled that the motion be put. There voted in favour of the motion Messrs. Isbister, McCarroll, and Finlayson, and against it Messrs. Colbeck and Stewart. It was resolved, "That the proposed alterations to the Local Government Bill be printed, and a copy sent to each County Council, to the Government, and to each member of the House of Representatives representing the North of Auckland electorates."— Correspondent.]