OHINEMURI COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10901, 4 November 1898, Page 3

OHINEMURI COUNTY COUNCIL.

[by telecraph.—own correspondent.] Paeroa, Thursday. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Oliinemuri County Council was held this afternoon, when there were present: Messrs. Barry (chairman), Bowler, McAndrew, Stacpoole, MeCleland, Cock, and Moore. Mr. J. Shaw, the recently-elected councillor, made the usual declaration and took his Beat. Mr. Shaw was added to tho Waterworks Committee.

The following tenders were accepted:— Furnishing 900 yards metal in Paeroa, E. Adolph, £301 7s 6d; furnishing 600 yards metal, Junction Road, Paeroa, E. Adolph, £222 10s; furnishing 1000 yards metal between the Roman Catholic chapel, Paeroa, and Mimlcaytown, P. Treanor, £54-5 16s 8d; furnishing 750 yards metal between Hackaytown and ICarangahake, A. Cameron, £181 ss; 700 yards metal between Karangahake and Woodstock dam, E. Adolph, £245; 700 yards metal at Black Point, Rahu Ford, J. M. Dovies, £192 10b; clearing and forming 105 chains, Marototo track, section No. ], H. Butlor, £77 15s 9d: repairs to Jubilee Road, Waitokauri, J. Douglas, £44. Complaints were made about the manager of tho Waitokauri Extended Gold Mining Company blocking up the road between tho mine and the battery and thereby obstructing traffic to (lie Cross. It was stated that tho Council had expended a considerable sum of money at each end of the road in question, and that the policy of blocking up the road simply because tho Waitokauri Extended and tho Waitekauri Cross Companies were at variance 'one with the other should not bo countenanced. On the motion of Mr. MeCleland it was resolved, " That tho Council's solicitors take legal steps to onsure (lie road being kept open." Subsequently Mr. Woolmer, manager of the Waitekiuri Extended Gold Mining Company, interviewed the Council about the closing of the road, and it was resolved that the chairman (Mr. H. P. Barry) and engineer visit the locality with power to act. The question of forming the Grace Darling road was discussed. It was poii'.jd out that the work would cost more than at first anticipated, but it was resolved, " That tenders be invited to be returnable on the 23rd inst., and that the permission of tho Grace Darling Gold Mining Company be solicited in order that the road might bo taken through the Grace Darling battery site. A statement was submitted showing that the capital value of holdings in the Ohinomuri county, excluding native and Crown properties and properties on which rates are largely in arrears, was as follows (the figures being extracted from the Government valuation roll):— Pooroa riding, £190,017; Waitekauri, £79,619; Karangahake, £52,242; Waitoa, £21,483; Netherton, £14,405; total, £357,766. It was unanimously resolved, "That a rato of five-eighths of a penny be struck, instead of as struck last year." A report of the Waterworks Committee was submitted, stating that tho' proposal to appoint a turncock for the out districts was not practicable, but the committee recommended the appointment of a turncock for Paeroa at a salary of £40 per annum. Payment for other services was specified in the report, and eventually it was resolved that the report bo adopted, applications for tho position of turncock to be returnable at next meeting. It was resolved, "That an unexpended grant of £148 be spent on the Kaimanawha Road, thus completing the formation of tho road to Nethorton."

A long discussion ensued about the eric-, tion of an abattoir. Some time ago the Council acquired a suitable site for the abattoir and it was intended to proceed with the erection of the building when the Bill was passed through the House. There appears to be nr. prospect of the measure becoming law this session, and the matter was brought up by Mr. McAndrew. He stated that the Government was simply wasting time at Wellington and there was no likelihood of them passing the Bill they bo much desired. He would therefore more, "That the erection of the building be proceeded with at once." Other councillors thought this foolish, seeing that the butchers could not be compelled to slaughter at the abattoir. ■ The chairman further emphasised this by citing the recent case at Wanganui, where it was shown the Council could not refuse a slaughterhouse ■ license. Eventually the matter was allowed to drop.