COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10099, 7 April 1896, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

OHINEMURI.

At the ordinary meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council, held on Thursday aftornoon, all the members were present, with the exception of the chairman (M.r. H. P. Barry), who sent a telegram apologising for his absence on account of illness. Mr. E. Edwards was voted to the chair ? after which a considerable amount of business was transacted, the following being the most important A New Wharf —A petition was received from a large number of ratepayers asking for a wharf to be erected below the present railway wharf, an acre of land having been generously offered for the purpose by Messrs. Cassrells and Bennett. It was decided that a petition be forwarded to the Government asking for a reduction on the charges for goods landed on the Paeroa wharf to 6d per ton, and that the liver be snagged at a coat of £50., Railway to Pose.—A letter was received from Messrs. Miller and Porritt asking for permission (on behalf of a local syndicate) from the Council to run a train line from the Puke. It was agreed that fuller information be asked for on the matter. Junction Road.—A letter was received from Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond on behalf of the Northern S.S. Company declining to contribute £'200 towards the metalling of the Junction Road. Tenders.—Tenders have been accepted for the following works Construction of railway road drain, Perrell and Kelly, £34; draining road up the hill from Kelly's, Karangahake, W. Barrett, £47; carting 464 cubic yards broken metal from Hikutaia quarry, W. A fill by (Thames), £40125; carting 452 yards metal from Komata Creek, P. Treanor, £50 17s. Drainage of Paeroa. — The following tenders were received for constructing an outfall drain through Paeroa by means of either 18 or '21-inch pipes:—M. Conlson : 18inch £'28-1, 21-inch £396. Sheehan and McUcehan: 18-inch £457, 21 inch £550. \V. Forrest: 18-inch £277 10s. 21-inch £389 10s. T. Cassidy : IS ineh £410 12s 2d, 21-inch £497 4s Bd. It was decided that \V. Forrest's tender be accepted for the 18-inch pipes,— Own Correspondent],

PIAKO. The monthly meeting of the above Council was held at Morrinsville on Friday, when there were present: Messrs, Chepinell (in the chair), Herries, Gavin, McCaw, Hunt, Browne, and Harrison, Resignation.—Messrs. W, S. Allen and W. Hodgson forwarded their resignations as members of the Council, on account of their early departure for England. Contract No. 7, Thames-Waikato Road. —Foreman Wattam reported that the contractor, McCuire, had not done this work to his satisfaction, and he had taken the contract out of his hands. McGuire being in attendance, gave his version of the case, nut the Council upheld the foreman's contention. McGuire gave notico of his intention to take legal proceedings. Te Akoha Railway Bridge, Road.—A letter was received from Mr. Elliott, UnderSecretary Mines Department, stating that the Railway Department would deliver free of charge 1000 yards of earth for the railway reserve, and if the Council required more the same would be supplied at 2s per yard. Foreman Wattam reported that at least 2500 yards would lie required, and as the cost of repairs would exceed the £100 subsidy granted by Government, Messrs. Herries and Gavin were appointed to interview the Hon. Mr. Cadman (at present in Te Arolia) on the subject. Foremen's Reports. — Messrs. Wattam and Mahoorl forwarded their monthly reports re roads under their charge, and their suggestions re procuring certain drain pipes were adopted. Furze and Gorse. — Mrs. Howard, of Auckland, wrote asking the Council to undertake (at her expense) to cut down the gorse on (lie frontage to her property. In this connection a point was raised by Messrs. Hunt and McCaw. who reported that certain frontages on the 'J hames-Waikato Road were covered with gorso. In these cases the railway authorities, equally with private owners, had a road frontage, and as the latter had complied with the conditions as to clearing, question was raised as to who should clear the portions immediately adjoining, which fronted the railway. After some discussion, it was decided to write the Railway Department requesting them to clear the gorse from their frontage.

SLAUfiIITKK house Licenses.— Edwin G. 15fiesnn applied for a licon.se to slaughter on sections of the Thames High .School Endowment, nciirWaioi oitgoiimi. This was reported on by Constable Wild, and cranted subject to the site being not less than five chains from the public road. An application was also received from Louis Warren for permission to slaughter in Howe's slaughter-house at Wailiou. As this place is already used by \Y. G. Until for a similar purpose, the application was refused, as the Council could not sanction the use of one building by two parlies. Coupon- aiiakoa Road.-A letter was received ironi Mr. Wilson, private secretary to Mr. CadniHii, acknowledging the resolutions passed re above, and stating that there would be no difficulty in getting the i for £ subsidy granted. Mr. Cadman urged upon the Council the necessity for pushing 011 the work before the winter season set in. In this connection Mr. Armstrong, the Council's engineer, wrote stating that his charges for this contract would be 7 per cent, on cost of work, Council to pay travelling expenses, and £l Is per day for supervision. Resolved, " That Mr. Armstrong be offered 7J per cent., this to cover all charges. In the event of Mr. Armstrong refusing acceptance, other arrangements to be made." Finance.—'l he clerk reported the following balances: General fund, in credit, iM.'iii lis Id; Te Arolia Riding, debit, £81 .'ls lOd; Te Arolia interest, credit, £11 '.'s 2d; l'atetcro Riding, credit, .Ci'J IDs od ; Patctere interest, debit, £'l 0s 7d. Mount Pleasant Contract.— tender at 7Ad per yard was accepted. Waiokonoomai Tkamwav.—A letter was received from Geo. Taylor, lessee of this tramway, stating that his lease had expired, but that he was willing to look after the property till the Council could arrange to take it, provided he was relieved from all responsibility for accidents. Mr. Gavin reported that the line was in very fair order, but that the brake frames were in need of repair, being at present hardly safe. To get new ones would cost about £70, out the present ones could be fixed up temporarily for about £5. He also stated that the New Zealand Exploration Company, which had recently taken over extensive mining properties in the district, would require about; 500 tons of ore brought down from the hill by this tram within the next three months. .Some discussion ensued as to what should be done, Mr. Harrison being of opinion that the Council should em.favour to get rid of this property, as it bud always been a source of loss to them. Messrs. Herries and Gavin maintained that, in view of the improved mining prospects at Waiorongomai, the Council should not abandon the tramway, which in all probability would prove a valuable asset. It was ultimately decided that Messrs. Chepmell, Herries, and Gavin should be appointed a committee to take over the tramway from the present lessee to see that conditions ol; lease had been complied with ; to repair the brakes; to consider remission or otherwise of arrears ol rent; and to report as to best means of the future working of the tramway. Accounts,—A number of accounts were passed for payment, and the clerk was instructed to sue for any rates in arrears.