WHAKATANB COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10430, 30 April 1897, Page 3

WHAKATANB COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Whakatane County Council was held on April 21, at the County Office, Opotiki. Present; R. T. Abbot (chairman, in the chair), Messrs. Drury, Gow, Westney, and Hogg.

Correspondence.— A letter was read from R. J. Atchison, asking for use of the Council's dobbyns on the road from the Conical Hill. Permission granted. From U. S. Abbot, asking for £10 on account of his claim of £15 19s fl.l for the culvert on Huntress Creek Road, balance to be left over in the meantime. Resolved to consider this in conjunction with the same contractor's bill for payment for Kukumoa bridges contract. From Alexander Bow, Omaio, stating that three bridges were carried away near Whitianga between the Motu and Omaio. Resolved, "That Mr. Bow be informed that this matter will be dealt with when the expenditure of the Government grant on this road is being arranged. From the Chief Surveyor, Napier, telegram in reply to the chairman's wire, asking the chairman to put men on to clean the.Motu Road from blocks. The Chairman stated that this had been done. Approved. From W. Herries, M.H.R., Wellington, re Tβ Teko-Matata Road, stating that the Minister of Lands had been asked to have natives employed. The Chairman had replied that thnre was no objection to such being (lone. Approved. From W. Herries, M.H.R., Wellington, telegram in reply to Chairman , ! of same date re Tetekn-Matata Road, that he would see the Minister of Lands re letting work to natives. From Undersecretary Lands Department, Wellington, asking what amount of money ia required to repair the damage done to the Opotiki-Ormond Road. The chairman, on the advice of the engineer, had replied that OK) is needed to put the Omarnmutu-Papa-moa section in good repair. Approved. From Chief Surveyor, Napier, re flood damage to the Motu Road, asking if the council will undertake the expenditure of £100 which is available for this work. The chairman had replied that the Council would undertake the expenditure. Approved. From Under-Secretury Land Department, Wellinyton, that £100 is available tor the repair of the Ortnond-Opotiki Road at the Opotiki end. Prom Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, re the island opposite the allotment 444, Waiotahi Pariah, that the same has been leased to D. McDonald, subject, however, to the right of the county at any time they choose to proceed with the erection of a bridge there. Received. From the Bay of Plenty Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, notifying the Council that the allocation of contributions trom the local authorities for the year ending 31st March, 1898, is the same as for the last year, and that the first payment, £27 5s 3d, would be due on the Ist April instant. Received. It was resolved that this Council communicate with the Bay of Plenty Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, to the effect that the Council desires to have this County formed into a separate Hospital District, and ask for the co-opera-tion of the Board. From John Berry, asking the Council to trim down and fence an encroachment on Waiotahi Island Road. Resolved, " That the engineer have the. work done as he shall think best." From W. (J. Whyte. Whakatane, applying for a slaughtering license for large and small cattle on section 21, Block V., Whakatane survey district; resolved to grant the license, provided Constable Sisam is satisfied with the site.' From William Parkinson, reporting that E. 0, Boss's contract for fencing the road line through allotment 282, Waioeka Parish, is satisfactorily completed; received. From W. fl. Herries, M.H.R., re Nukuhou Bridge aud other matters, stating the remit of his interviews with the Minister of Lands, and promising his support to the applications. From H. E. Elliott, solicitor, advising re the appointment of a ranger tor the county; re Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885, and what power, if any, is given to the council to administer its own funds, and re rating on unimproved values. From the Surveyor General, Wellington, enclosing grant No. 1441 and agreement in duplicate for £200 tor the maintenance of the Opotikf-Eaat Coast Road. From the Surveyor-General, Wellington, enclosing grant 1439, and agreement in duplicate for £200, for the construction of a road at Waioeka (Blocks 2,3,4). From Surveyor-General, Wellington, enclosing grant 1444 and agreement in duplicate for £250, for the construction of a road at Waiotahi. Resolved, "That the expenditure of nil the above-mentioned grants be accepted." Resolved, "That the Minister of Lands be advised of the urgency of the work of_ constructing a bridge over the Nukuhou River, and be asked to authorise the expenditure of the whole of graut 1444 on this work.

Moth Road.—lt was resolved that the Chief Surveyor, Napier, be asked te assist in getting lliat portion of this road which ia within the Auckland district controlled from the Auckland Survey Department.

Crown Lands Ranokr.—The chairman stated that his attention had been drawn to the necessity of having a ranger within the county. After some discussion it was resolved, " That the Minister of Lauds and the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, In advised of the necessity that exiita for the appointment of a ranger for the county, to that more constant and efficient supervision of Crown tenants and holders of Crown lands may be maintained.

Appointment of Poundkeeper of the Opotiki Pdbuc Pound.—The clerk reported that John Delaney, j un., who tendered for the appointment, on the 31st ultimo, had since paid £7 10a, half year's payment in advaace. Ic was resolved," That John Delaney, junior , ! appointment as poundkeeper of the Opotiki Public Pound be confirmed fora further term of one year, from the end of hie present term.

Waimana Estate (Bank of New Zealand Assets Company).—Resolved, "That the attention of the Minister of Lands be again called to the fact that it is very desirable that the Government should purchase this estate, and open it up for settlement.

Engineer's Report.—The engineer, Mr. Sewell, who was in attendance, handed in his monthly report u follows:—Matata-Te Teko road grant: That he hud prepared specifications for this work, and forwarded the same to Mr. Reaney, Government road surveyor, for his approval. Thirds: Th&t he had prepared and forwarded to the chief surveyor, Auckland, a scheme for the expenditure of "thirds," £95 lOj Bd, including the erection of Pikowai Bridge. Re Kukumo* bridges: These bridges tuve been completed and psused, subject to certain small al ceratiom. Culvert at Waiotahi; The work has been completed, the coat to the council being £20 17s Bd. Contract No. 4 (road formation, Waiotahi): Contract completed satisfactorily. Culvert near Mr. Elliott's, Huntress Creek Road: This work has been satisfactorily completed. Metalling Kukumoa cutting: This work is progressing in a satisfactory manner. Opotiki-Ormond Road: That under the chairman's instructions he had put on a party of four men. Nukuhon Bridge: Plans and specifications for this work are in hand and tenders can be called for at once if necessary.

Supply of Gravel, 1000 cubic yards (for the Kukumoa Road, contract 9.—The following tenders were opened :—Kelly Bros., at 3s per cubic yard (accepted); T. H. Parkinsoe, at & per cubic yard (accepted); C. S. Abbott, £219 for the lot; John T. Skipper, is per cubic yard. Mr. Westney deiited that his protest against the work beine now undertaken be recorded, as he thought the season not favourable to the work.

Piiowaißridqe Contract. -Tenders were opened as follow :-Joseph Mertitt, £16; Thomas Savage, £10 (accepted); C. 8. Abbett £14 9s.

Gkniral Rate, 1897-8. - Mr. Westney proposed, " That it is the intention of this Council at its regular monthly meeting to be held on 19th May, 1897, to make a general rate of oue halfpenny in the £ npon the rateable value of all rateable property u appearing upon the valuation roll in force for the County of Whakatane." Seconded by Mr. Hogg. Mr. Gew proposed, uan amendment, " That the words' three farthings' be substituted for the words ' oue halfpenny' in the motion made by Mr. Westney." Seconded by the Chairman. Iht Council divided as follows:—For the amendment, Messrs. Gow and Abbot; against the amendment, Messrs. Westney and Hogg. The Chairman gave his casting vote for the amendment, and declared the lame duly carried.

Accounts to the amount of £185 4s 9d were presented and passed for payment,—{Owe Correspondent]