COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10427, 27 April 1897, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

PIAKO. The monthly meeting of the Piako County Council was held at Morrinsville on Friday last, when there were present: Messrs. Chepmell (in the chair), Harrison, McCaw, Hunt, Ring, Aitken, Farmer, and Gavin. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the following business was transuded :— Waioroxgomai Tramway.-The _ Aroha Gold Mines, Limited, wrote confirming the arrangement entered into on their behalf by Mr. Gavin at last meeting. It was decided to renew the arrangement for another month. GOLDFIELDS ReVE.WE. — The Treasury advised that the sum of £22 8a 4d had been placed to Council's credit, being goldfields revenue brought to credit from Ist to 24th March, 1897. r . , Charitable AiD.-The Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote requesting payment of £J9B 9s, beiug amount allocated for charitable aid purposes for the year ending 3Ut Maroii. ISfti. The following are the amounts of (well contributing local body :- Pialto County Couucil £39S 9j, Waikato County Council £334, Waipa County Council £-J77, R-ijlin County Council i'lM 16s, Hamilton Boroujh £75 2s, Cambridge Borough £H> 13s : total £1:500. Tim Council decided to puv an instalment of £100. Rotorua-T'huu Road.-The Council haviiij!forwardelcopy of Mr. Metcalfe's report on the bridges of this road to the Government, and isked them for some assistance towards coet of repairing same, the Assist-ant-Surveyor General wrote stating that the request would be considered when preparing the estimates tor the coining year, bdt it was a matter for consideration by Parliament. A copy of this letter was forwarded to Mr. Hurries, M.H.R. Tramway.—Messrs. Steel Brothers wrote asking permission to lay a woodsn tram across the main Oxford - Rotorua Road. Council decided to defer the matter till in possession of more accurate information re the circumstances. Drains.-Mi , . N. A. Larney, of Morrinsville, wrote complaining that certain contracts, being carried out to Council's order, were having the effect of filling up drains adjacent to his property, and requesting Council to see to the matter. Council decided to invite tenders for clearing out ebon , - 70 oilMμ-, of the drains, Mr. Larney to he ii«ked if he will contribute towards the cost. Tβ Aroha- Lickfield Road.—Mr. Eliott, Under-Secrecaiy of the Mines Department, wrote stating that in reply to Council's request, the Minister had authorised payment of a subsidy of £125 at the rate of £ for £ for repair of this road. He also stated that Government intended to open Thomson's track as soon as possible. Katikati TRAOK.-Mr. Herries, who was unable to be present, wrote urging the Council to do something towards putting this track in a fairly passable condition, as travellers from Tauranga were complaining about having to go round by Waihi. Council decided to postpone taking any action in this matter, partly on the score of the great expense in effecting the repairs, and partly in view of the Government's intention to open up Thomson's track. Uordok-Waharoa Road.—Mr. Johnson, engineer, forwarded plane and specifications for two new bridges on this road, and also of four small formation jobs in connection with works already done, estimating total cost of all at £261. It was decided to call tenders for the lot. It was also decided on Mr. Johnson's recommendation to pay Messrs. Collins and Barrett £6 for some extras in the way of laying down some extra drain pipes. Piako Bridoe.—Mr. H. H. Metcalfe.C.E., of Aucklaud, forwarded plans and specifications for new bridge over the Piako River at Morrinsville. The Council decided to instruct Mr. Metcalfe to call for tenders for the work immediately. Finance.—The committee appointed to deal with this matter, submitted_ their report aud estimates for the coming year. They estimated the income at £2708 and the expenditure at £2803, leaving a deficiency of £100. They recommended that the following rates be struck, viz: General rate, Jd in the £; Patetere separate rate, Jd in the £j Te Aroha separate rate, \i in the £; Taotaoroa separate rate, Jd in the £, They also recommended that all hill track expenditure during the past year should be written off the Te Aroha riding account, and made chargeable to the general account, and that this be done always. The chairman gave notice that the next meeting he would move that rates be struck as indicated. The other recommendations of the committee were adopted. Overdraft.-It was decided to apply to the bank for an overdraft up to £800 if necessary. For the last two years there has been practically no overdraft. Main Road, Te Aroha.-The Te Aroha Town Board applied for a subsidy of £100 towards expense of upkeep of county road through the township. After some discussion council agreed to give £40.

HOBSON. The monthly meeting of the Hobsou County Council was held in the Council chambers on April 21. Present —Messrs. A. E. Harding (chairman), E. Harding, New, Bassett, Slade, Rogers, and Day. Bksger's Kink.—Mr. G. Dreadon, sen., who was appointed arbitrator, wrote that as this case was on all-fours with that of Mr. Butterworth's, the Council must pay to Mr. Benger the sune amount as was paid to Mr. Buttenrorth, which would be found in the county records about eight years ago. Decided to refer the matter back to Mr. Dreadon, and ask him to state definitely the value of the land. Dreados's Culvert, Manoafai Road.— Decided to ask the Ocamatea Council to pay half the cost.

Kate Defaulters.—Several letters were read from the county solicitor. No proceedings had been taken as directed by the Council. Decided that the county solicitor be again written to, asking him to take action, or el« resign his position m county solicitor. Finance Committee's Report.—Mr. Bassett reported that the committee recommended that the accounts be kept as at present, to go on as they were, and retain the present ridings balances, which would soon right themselves. It would be difficult to allocate the money for main roads every year. Works should be done where oscessary without reference to ridings balances. Report adopted. Aratapu Chdroh Road.~S. Web* interviewed the Council for the churchwardens, and a.ik«! for some assistance in making a track. When they made a track, it was ruined by general traffic. They wanted a footpath. Decided to form a footpath as ballast is available.

Hospital Charges.—The North Auckland Board wrote re F. Bass' hospital charges, £22. Choked Drains.— J. Thomson and A. Andrews wrote re water flooding the Koputu Creek, and threatening action, Suggested that Mr, Cobbald's drain be cleaned out. Mr. Bassett considered if one outlet was cleared by the Council, they would be called upon to clean all the outlets in the county. Decided to reply that the Council does not hold itselt responsible for damage, and suggests the writers combine with other landholders to clean the drain out. The clerk to write to the manager of the Kauri Timber Company, Kopuru, asking the company to S've a little towards cleaning out the Kopuru reek.

Shop Site.— J. J. Powell applied for a site for a ahop on the road at the top of the hill, Kopuru, near the Post office. Decided to grant him a site, at a rent of 50s every half-year, payable in advance, with right to remove buildings. Landing Reserve.—The clerk was inetructed to Kβ the landing reserve, Koparu, and notify any persona occupying holdings unauthorised, that they must apply for permission. Drain.—A. Underwood wa« granted permission to cat a drain along the Oriuriki Road, subject to the engineer's approval. Lamp-lighting, Dabgaville.—P. Filby wrote in reference to his lighting contract. He had not reckoned on the wharf lamp being lit all the year, and asked for £3 extra. Decided to offer him £2 extra. £58 Grant.-Decided to accept this grant on the terms offered for the Avoca Road, and the chairman was authorised to liga the agreement. Bad Road.— J, McCabe asked the Conn cil to make the road passable between his section and Kidd'i and Bassett , !. Since the floods he could not get a cow down it. The engineer was ordered to report upon the matter. Ballot PAPERS.-The Minister of Justice wrote that the ballot-papers used in the '93 election were now destroyed. This was considered no answer to the Council's letter. Mr. Day moved, " That the Council desires to know what becime of thi ballot-paperi ab3trac:ed from the ballot-box at Dargaville used in the 1883 election: and what was the result of the enquiry held? . There was a feeling that the secrecy of the ballot had been tampered with. Motion carried. Track Fekokd ik.-Mr. Bassett reported that the Maoris had fenced round the Tatararilci Church, and thus closed the old track. A new one was required. The Engineer was ordered to report upon the matter. Rath.—Decided unanimously to strike ft general rp.te of 6 farthings over the whole county. Trassmr or Roads in I)argavillv:.-K J. Dargaville interviewed the Council, and ■aid they had surveyed and prepared plant

of Normanby, GordoD, and Portland street; but Mr. Hammond, County Engineer, had returned the plain, because the flaxmill road and the wells were not marked on it. They were prepared either to make over the roads to the Queen, or gire a guarantee that no compensation would be asked if the Council took them under the Public Works Act. It was explained that Mr. J. M. Dargaville had agreed to make over the wells, and it was thought hotter to have it all on one plan. Mr. P. J. D.irgaville agreed to the wells being put on the plan. It wae decided tbat the roads be dedicated to the Queen, and that the plans prepared be accepted with the wells marked on them. Engineer's Report. - The Engineer 3 report was now read as appended s—

The Chairman, Sir,—l have the honour to submit to you the iollowini report:—Tenders: Since last meeting tenders have been received and dealt with by the committee appointed as follow* :—Tat»rariki Road sanding : Contract No. 145, for carting sandstone en to the Tatarariki Road. The only tender received was Seymottr and Anderson, at 2s per cubic yard, the estimate being Is W. As this was threepence lower tlu.ii the tendering at last meeting the contract >yis let to Messrs. Se>mour and Anderson, although it was considered the estimate wa-i a full allowance and the price tendered was high, but owing to the full employment of teams at the time it was evident that lower tendering would not bo obtained. This contract has been carried out with dispatch and flnish-d. Pargatille town lighting, contract N'o. 147, «as let to Mr. F. Filby.'who was the only tenderer ( at £30, Since this tender was accepted .Mr. Filby has writ- 1 tan to fay th'it he Ins made a mistake in not allowing for the wharf limp to be lit every night, and asfa'ns to hate hi* pries increased, which will require your consideration to-day. Contract No. US, for lirid»-«iU-ert and approaches on the Duel: Creek, Haxinill Road, was let to John Anderson at £19 (the only tender), the estimate being £18. This contract is now in html, and will shortly be finished. Contract No. 149, (or draiiiins the Aratapu Domain, was tendered for by .lohn Wells, at £21 10i 6d, and .lohn Anderson £14 lie, the estimate being £31 195. Sir. Well*' tender was accented, and the work is now well in hand. Contract No. ISO for lichtin* the Aaratapu wharf lamp, was not tendered for at all. Contract No. 151, for formation of portion of the DarjiatlllcWhangArei Road, fron the Awaklno to the Whaiau, was tendered for by Mr. John Henrikson at £194 Ills, and Anderson and McDermott at £197 Us Cd, the estimate beini: £i:M. Mr. Heurlkson's tender was accepted and the work will be started next week. The undermentioned contracts have been completed and passed ;-('ontn-t No. ISS, for improvements to the Maropiu-uoan Road has been maintained, completed, anil handed ovei in good order by the contractor, Mr. John Siwwden. Contract No. 136, for formation and approaches to bridge on the Avoca Road has been completed bj the contractor. Mr. Stansfleld, hut has to be maintained by him for a period of two mouths. The Government having granted the balance of vote £5S foi this road, I have instructed Mr. Stanslteld to carry out his second contrac:. No. 143, in full. Contract No. 137, for formation ot portion of the Kohekohe Road has been completed by Mr. McDermott in a thorough manner, ami has to b» maintained by him for a period of two month". Contract No. 142, for metalline a portion of the Arapohue Road has been completed by Mr. John llenriSson, and in this work there is no maintenance as the metal was spread by the surfaceman. An extra ten chains ot metalling was done on this road by your order, at a cost to the Council of £10, Mr. H. T. Smith defny. ing the balance of the cost, £11 ss. Contract No. 146, for for formation and metalline a portion ol McCraith's lhml, has been completed by the contractors, Messrs. Mr-Craith and Young. Contract No. 144, for carting metal on to the AratapuDarpaville Road has been proceeding slowly, owing to the scarcity of teams, but the contractor has gone to town to procure mow horstis. and upon his return at the end of the week, I expect to see three teams at work. I have visited KaUwl and laid off the work to be executed with " Thirls," ami haro let the work to the settlers at my estimates, which has given satisfaction to those interested. The " thirds" scheme hating been approved by the Land Board, I will now be able to layoff the whole of the works. Haw's drain : I inspectrd this drain as instructed, and being of the opinion that £0 was a fair price for the removal of slips and cleaning, as offered by Mr. O. Mills, 1 let the work to him at that price. Kohekohe Road at Deuuiii's : Mr. J. Deiinin has informed me that a portion of the Kohekohe Road through his property would lie improved by shifting the fence back 15 to 20 feet, and as ho has only the pots up i> would not cost much to do the. work, and that if the Council will hnve the posts shitted, he is quite willing tr> allow it, to be done, and fve the land required. Tanglier, Road Survey: have completed the plans of the DargiivilleWhangarei Road survey through. Bray's old land claim, Owhatia, I'hitiha, Tangitiroria, 'le Haiimi, and Marumaru blocks, ami will have them posted to the chief surveyor next mail. I have made a tracing for office record, and posted a tracing of the portion crossing the county boundary to the Whan;arei County engineer, -o tint he cai continue the survey through his county. Ukahii Road : I hare explore.! the Ukahu County, anil decided to lay off the road from the one already surveyed to Mr. Simnkin's old house; continuing along the North Polo Creek valley to Hunlyn's and crossing a low fern spur to tin Okahu Valley, follow the Okahu Creek t< Section 131 (Jowitt's), then .ross the ctecki and gride up through the hush to a lon saddle in the ridge, then grade along the ridge t< the eld road at nection 148. 1 have laid off tin centre line from Hauilyn's to the ridge leading to the old road, and have obtained very easy grade-, the steeliest being 1 in 20, and all through goo« roiiding country with the exception of a fev flaM which, being only a few chains across, are hirdlj worth mentioning, considering that between tin flats there is open tea-tree tabl.-land that will not require any work until a waggon road is wanted The remainder of the road not yet laid off will tra terse the North Pole Valley, and thence will bi practically li-Tel. The length of the. new road will be about six miles, ami will give au outlet to all the settlers in the northern portion of the Okahu ills tri't (which is not tapped by Lust's road), and may in the future be carried on to the Maugomti bridge.-! am, etc, Horace Hammond, County Engineer.

Accounts.—Accounts amounting to a total ot £227 15s 3d were confirmed. Accounts to the value of £317 Hs 10d were passed for payment. Buffalo Grass.—The engineer was in> structed to have one embankmentssubjeot to floods planted with Buffalo grass. Smith's RoAD.-The action of the chair man in letting extra metalling on this road was approved, Dennin's Road. —The engineer was in. structed to report on this road to the next meeting. Beaslky's Corner. - Mr. New reported that Mr. H, T. Smith had offered to provide teams and drays to metal this place, two or three chains iu leuath. Decided to thank Mr. Smith for his offer, and have the work done. Also that he he thanked for hia contribution to the metalling of £115s, Stray Cattle.—The police were requested to take action against the owners of cattle and horses etrrayiug in Aratapu township. Grass on Roads.—The engineer was instructed to arrange with one of the settlers to sow the Avoca roa'ls, where burned, with grass seed. Maukgabu Block.—Decided to call the attention of Government to the suitability of the Mnungaru block for settlement, with aviewto its purchase.—[Own Correspondent)