COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10421, 20 April 1897, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

BAY OF ISLANDS. At the usual meeting of the above Council, held on Monday last in Kawakawa, the following members were present: Messrs. P. McAlister (acting-chairman), J. A. L. Hall, W. Stewart, H.'S. Ludbrook, and W. B. Clarke. Correspondence. — Correspondence was read and dealt with: From the SurveyorGeneral, Wellington, stating that the whole of the Government grant for Okaihau, Victoria Valley Road, to repair the worst places in Waihon \ alley, has been entrusted to the Chief Surveyor, Auckland, From Pay-master-General, Wellington, remitting the subsidy on rates collected, £163 15s; also goldfields revenue £42 14s from the UnderSecretary, Wellington, re Waipapa Bridge, asking the Council to allow authority which they have to expend in Agreement No. 736 to be transferred to the Chief Surveyor at Auckland, and stating that probably another £100 would be provided to complete the bridge. From Mr. Harrison stating that he was unwell, and that as a puriri tree had fallen across Donaldson's road, he would request authority to get it removed at once. Granted. From Thos. M. Brisbane, asking for slaughter license at Whangaruru. Application granted. From Karene Martin and Graham George, asking for a sliughter license at Waikare. Application granted. From |Georse Martin, asking for a slaughter license at Whangaruru. Application granted. From Constable Haslett, stating that as the police were no longer allowed to collect the Dog Tax, lie was obliged to resign his position. Waimate-Kaikohe Road.—A copy of a letter received by Mr. T. D. Triphook, County Engineer, from the Chief Surveyor, Auckland, requesting him to act leniently towards certain contractors on the WaimateHaikohe road, was read. Mr. Triphook explained his position in regard to treating some contractors leniently, and of compelling others to adhere stringently to their specifications. After some warm discussion, the county engineer was asked if he could give any latitude to contractors? Mr. Triphook said his hands were tied to the specications always. He did not mind reporting to the Council re state of the works, but ho declined to take any other action unless instructed to do so. The matter was left in abeyance until the chairman (Hon. H. Williams) returns from Wellington. Towai-Roapekapeka Road. — Proposed by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Hall, That the county engineer be instructed to prepare specifications for the expenditure of the balance of the Towai-Ruapekapeka grant, and that the Kawakawa councillors be authorised to call for tenders and decide

upon the same. Carried. Carting Metal.-Proposed by Mr. Ludbrook, seconded by Mr. Clarke, "That tenders be called for breaking and carting to some convenient place near Ohaeawai corner, 100 yards of metal, to be used as wanted for repairing bad holes in the road during the winter." Carried. New Dog Registrar,—Proposed by Mr. Hail, seconded by Mr. Stewart, "That John Halliday be appointed dog registrar for Kawakawa at usual remuneration." Carried. Waimate - Okaihau Proposed by Mr Clarke, seconded by Mr. Ludbrook, " That the sum of £10 be granted for repairs to the Waimate-Okaihau Road as follows Repairing metal at the Waiare, opening water-tables, and turning water off generally between Waire and Te Ahuahu Native

School-house." Carried. Waioto Valley Road.— from Messrs. J. TV. Nelson, W. J. Girven, S. Hedley, Robert Morrow, and T. Hedley, requesting a slight deviation of road so as to avoid their travelling on private property, and to have a certain balance expended. Matter held over until next meeting, pending county engineer's report. Rate Defaulters.— Proposed by Mr. Ludbrook, seconded by Mr. Stewart, " That the county clerk be instructed to sue at once for all rates due." Carried. Travelling Expenses.— Proposed by Mr. Hull, seconded by Mr. Stewart, " That as the expenses of boat, etc., from Russell amount to the same for one councillor as they do for two, Mr. McAlister's travelling expenses be increased 10s per trip during Mr. Horace Williams' absence through'sickness." Carried. Tenders. — Several reports of tenders opened and accepted since last meeting were read as follows:—Supply of 200 yards river I gravel from Oropa Creek : J. Halliday, lid per yard; Hull and Farrer, Is; Spratt and Co., Is s£d; Geo. Johnson, Is sid; P. Keefe, Is 6d; R. Glenn, Is 7d; Flanuagan and Hall, Is 7d; J. Halliday's tender was accepted. Removal of metal from Mr. Hall's paddock on the Scoria Flat to Turntable Hill in two sections: P. Keefe, 2s and 2s 6d per yard; J. Spratt, 2s 5Jd and 2s lid per yard; Bull and Farrer, 2s 6d and 2s 9d per yard; Geo. Johnson, 2s, 2s 6d, and 2s 9d per yard P. Keefe's tender accepted. Formation of road at Waiotu Valley (Galbraith Road) bush-felling and clearing per chain : Section I—G. Irving and R. Mcßae, 6d and 2s 6d; IV. Wilson, 39 and 3s; G. Boswell, 3s 6d and 3s; W. F. Parsons, Is and 14s 9ci. Section2—W. Wilson,2s6dand2s: irvingand Mcßae, 3s 6d and 2s 6d; G. Boswell, 3s 6d and 3s; W. F. Parsons, Is and 10s 9d. The tenders of Irving and Mcßae for section 1, and W. Wilson for section 2, were accepted. Construction of bridge over Newmaun-street trench : Bull, Farrar, and Harrop, £63 16s. No tender accepted. Repairs to bridges on the Kawakawa-Wliangprei Road G. Irvinj* and F. Reinhardt, £69 8s ; Bull, Farrer, and Harrop, £71 7s lid; J. Mitchell, £97 7s. The tender of Irving and Reinhardt was accepted. Construction of road through Education Reserve, Pakaru, to Wallace's landing :— Taylor, £19 14s; no tender accepted. General repairs to the Manawora-Waikare Road: G. G. Lane, £64 14s; Williams and Howe, £35125. The tender of Williams and Howe, £11 (for clearing) was accepted. No tender for earthwork was accopted. Newmanstreet, Kawakawa: -The following tenders for works in the foregoing locality were opened : G. Johnson, £32 2s Id; John Halliday, £29 ss; Farrer, Bull, and Taylor, £33 10s lOd; R. Glenn, £419s Bd. Proposed by Mr. Hall, seconded by Mr. Stewart, " That the tender of John Halliday be accepted." Carried. WhANGAREI-KAWAKAWA Railway.—Mr. Hall, in referring to the Whangarei-Kawa-kawa railway, said the matter was deferred at last meeting; he thought it was now the duty of the Council to get Government to continue the survey from Hukereuui to Kawakawa. Mr. Clarke suggested that they should ask the Government to push on the railway to Kawakawa as soon as possible. It would be as well to let Government define the route, for as sure as there was any squabbling it would be only playing into the hands of the Government, and therefore cause delays. Proposed by Mr. Hall, seconded by Mr. Stewart, "That this Council immediately wire to the chairman (now in Wellington) and Mr. R. M. Houston, M.H.R., requesting them to interview and urge upon the Hon. the Minister of Public Works to at once order the survey of the proposed route of the railway connecting between Kawakawa and WnipapH." Accounts.— to the amount of £600 were laid on the table and passed for payment.—[Own Correspondent.]

WHANGAREI. The monthly meeting of the Council took place at noon on April 12,1897, in the County Office, Whauagarei. Present: Messrs. G. Ross (chairman), J. \V. Kerr, W.G. Barker, G. H. Minchiu, H. W. McKenzie, W. Carter, N. McKenzie, G. Gunsou, D. C. Wilson (engineer).J. McKinnon (clerk and treasurer). Incoming correspondence and petitions were read and dealt with, as follow :— Owhiwa-Waijiauaka Road.—The Parua Bay Road Board wrote, asking the Council to continue the formation of this road to the Beach Road. Resolved, "That this Couucil is unable to give effect to the Board's application, for want of funds, to meet compensation claims for lands required for the road. Timber Floating License.-In reply to the Council's enquiry to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, re Messrs. Mitehelson Bros., timber floating license for the Wairua River, the Commissioner saw no reason why the Council should postpone proceedings against them for damages in connection with the bridge at Ruatangata through the driving of logs down the Wairua River. On the motion of Mr. Minchin, seconded by Mr. Ross, it was resolved, "That Messrs. Mitcbelson Brothers and Mr. Jagger be notified that this Council will institute legal proceedings against them floating timber logs under the Wairua Bridge, Ruataugata, unless steps are taken at once by them to erect sheer booms to protect the piles of the bridge, such booms to be erected to the satisfaction of the county engineer. Removal of Gop.se.-Mr. D. Fraser wrote re the Council insisting that the corse

be kept off a road given by him, otherwise he would fence the road across. Resolved to order the furze to be cleared away at once. Road to Mrs. Edge's.—Mr. \V. A. Carruth applied on behalf of Mrs. Edge for assistance towards continuing a road to her leasehold property at Kiorama. On the motion of Air. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Ross, it was resolved "That the matter be left in the hands of the Maunu members to inquire into and report to the next meeting of the Council. Horahora Road.—Mr Killeu waited on the council re lowering of a stream opposite his property through the erection of a oulvert, and asked permission to use some old planks to bank up the stream, in order to prevent washing away of his property. Mr. Killen also drew attention that some of the existing road boundary fences were not in their proper position, while the fence on his side of the road was in accordance with the survey pegs. Resolved to grant the planks, and inquire into the road lines. <}rahamstown-Parda Bay Road. — Mr. George Scott notified the Council that he intended to close a road running through his property ou and after 15th April. Resolved, to ask Mr. Scott to defer execution of his decision for fourteen days to allow the engineer to inquire into the matter.. Huherenui Road.— chairman of the school committee wrote re pipes for a drain across the road near the Hukerenui school. Referred to Mr. Carter to deal with. Claims for Compensation'. — Mr. J. Kempt, Waipu, applied for compensation for a road taken through his place at Waipu. Referred to the county engineer and Mr. M. McKeuzio to enquire into. Tangibca Road.—Mr. G. Walker asked for the old road in exchange for a new one. On the motion of Mr. Barker, seconded by Mr. Cutforth, it was resolved, " That permission be given to Mr. Walker to clear and fence the piece of land referred to in his applies Oxaika Road.-On the motion of Mr. Cutforth, seconded by Mr. H. W. Mackenzie, it was resolved "That Mr. Yealand be paid £15 in full settlement of road compensation, on condition that he give a satisfactory conveyance of the land taken for the road. Hart's Claim. — Mr. Killen wrote on behalf of Mr. W. S. Hart, claiming £10 10s, alleged damages sustained by his son breaking his leg thtough meeting with an accident on the Waipu Road. Resolved to express sorrow at the result of the accident, but the Council cannot admit liability for damages. Whareora-Nguvguru Road. —On the motion of Mr. Barker, seconded by Mr. Ross, it was resolved, " That the Ridings of Mauaia and Kiripaka each contribute £5 towards repairing the bridge at McKinnou's on the above road, and leave the matter in the hands of the Whareora Road Board to carry out the work. Temporary Fence.—On the motion of Mr. Carter, seconded by Mr. Gnnson, it was resolved, "That Mr. Buchanan's request to place a fence temporarily on the road to facilitate the removal of gorse on the fenceline," be granted. Gate ox Public Road.— petition signed by George North and others, was presented, asking the Council to order the. removal of a gate erected on a road in the Maunu outlying district by one Peter Gueginer. On the motion of Mr. Barker, seconded by Mr. Kerr, it was resolved, "That Mr. Killen (Mr. Gueginer's solicitor) be informed that unless the gate erected on the load referred to above be made and erected in accordance with the Public Works Act the gate will have to be removed. " Closing a Road.—On the motion of Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Ross, it was resolved, " That the request oi the Otonga Road Board re closing a- road through Section 27, Opuawhanga, be complied with, subject to a properly authorised plan of th« said road supplied by the Board.

Kamo Town Board.—A deputation from the Kamo Town Board waited on the Council re the settlement of the Licensing Act expenses and maintenance of the main road through the Kamo township. After discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Minchin, seconded by Mr. Carter, "That a sum of £10 be granted to the Board." Tenders.—On the motion of Mr. Barker, seconded by Mr, Cutforth, it was resolved, " That the following being the lowest tenders be accepted :—Bridge at Apatou, David Forsyth, £57175; No. 3, Mangatapere Road : Henry Cheeseman, 200 yards metal, at 3s 10d per yard; No. 1, Ngunguru Road: A. McKionon, £16 10s. Accounts.— passed for payment: Hiknrangi Riding, £1 3s 7d; Maunu Riding, £23135; Kiripaka Riding, £25 4s 8d ; Waipu Riding, £45 15s; Otonga Riding, £22 14s; Wairua Riding, £54 5s 6d ; Manaia Riding, £6 8s; Helena Bay, Whakapara Road Gt., £52 IBs: Land Fund, £8612s 2d; Parua Bay Road Gt., £79 14s 8(1; Whangarei fool bridge, £1114s 6d; Whangare swing bridge, £64 5s sd; Whakapara to Puhipuhi, £IC9 Os 3d; Mangapai Road Gt., £70; MangapaiWaikiekie, £92; O'puawhanga Road (it., £100; Marsden Point Road Gt., £30; Waipu Gorge Road Gt, £5 6s; Braigh Road Gt., £17; Waipu-Marer#i Road Gt., £20; Mauflgakaramea Road Gt., 15s; Otouga - Otonga East Road Gt., 14s; Kaimamaku Road Gt., £45; Jordon Road Gt., £28* 6s 7d; Kauri Mountain goldfield, £50; contractors deposits, £9; dog tax, £22 7s2d; building fund, £2 4s; Hiku-rangi-Hukerenui telephone, £1710s; printing and advertising, £1 as; Rating Act expenses, £116s; office expenses, £2; slaughterhouses, £3; Charitable Aid Board, £230 3s 7d ; sundries, £5 6s 5d ; travelling expenses, £6 lOs'jVAlcoh'olio Liquor Sale Control Act, Expenses, 1893, £48 13s 7d; total, £1392 9) Id.—[Oityl Correspondent.]