COUNTY COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12069, 12 September 1902, Page 7

COUNTY COUNCILS.

AVAIPA. THE Council met at Ohaupo on Tuesday. Present: Messrs. Jno. Fisher (chairman), G. Finch, W. Scott, S. Steele, J. H. McKinder, F. J. Vickers, P. O'Connor, H. J. Bell, G. Fnilerton, and the supervisor of work* (Mr. "W. 11. Mandeno). Supervisor's Report: Mr. Mandeno reported anions other things that repairs to the Cambridge bridge had been made as directed, but were, in his opinion, not satisfactory. After discussion, Mr. Mandeno was authorised to take whatever steps he thought necessary to strengthen the bridge. It was also decided that the clerk of the Cam bridge Borough Council he written to, add asked what the latter's intention was regarding a new bridge, and stating that if some action was not taken immediately by the Borough Council, the Wat- ! pa Council would proceed at once to erect a new bridge on the present site. Borrowing Proposals: The supervisor submitted his proposals for a loan of £10,000 for various works throughout the county, included among which are the following: — Hamilton bridge, high-level bridge at Cambridge, new iron bridge with concrete abutments at Pirongia, metalling between Kihikihi and the railway station, and on the Ohaupo-Tubikaramea Road, a bridge between Hamilton and Ngarnawahia, and repairs to the Waipa and Whatawfeata Swamp Road. Messrs. Finch and Fullerton opposed the proposal, as they though that under present conditions, high freights on metal, and the difficulty of taking it to remote portions of the district, they would be paying too high fOr the privilege. Mr. Scott strongly recommended the proposal, and considered they should have adopted it years ago. Ho thought it ! would not be long before metal was procur- I able at a more reasonable rate. The Chair- j man said something must be done in the direction indicated. He thought it should recommend itself to the ratepayers, as although there would bo an extra farthing rate the next year, unless something extraordinary cropped up they would be able to reduce the county rate to a half penny, so that the burden on the ratepayers would not he ncreased. Mr. O'Connor did not think the loan large enough to be of any practical use after the expenditure on bridges. Mr. McKinder favoured the idea, and said that, now the Te Kniti quarries had been acquired by Mr. Wilson, of Mahurangi, the stone mid be broken by machinery instead of by hand, r.nrt the cost would naturally bo reduced. After some discussion it was decided to have the proposals printed and circulated among the ratepayers, with a view to getting an expression of opinion thereon. Tenders: The following tenders were opened : —Frontier Bead: Ja.s. ifcNaul, 7|d per yard (accepted). Grading Bowden's Hill: Bygrave and Merryweather, 7Jd per yard, pipes 10s per set, (accepted). Rangk\ohia School Road: Bygrave and Merryweather, BJd per yard (accepted). Morrison's Read: W. Willowby, Is 3d per yard (accepted). Mangapiko Hill: J. J. Daley, BJd per yard (accepted); J. McNaul, lOd per yard. Gravel:. Williamson Bros.' offer to supply gravel at a royalty of 2d per yard was accepted. Repairs: The supervisor and Mr. Steele were empowered to employ a .surfaceman for a month for work in the Hamilton riding. Cambridge Bridge: Mr. C. Jarrett wrote that little or no notice was taken of the 30cwt limit by waggoners crossing the Cambridge bridge. He thought some action should be taken. It was resolved to prosecute offenders. Traction Engines: A special meeting was held to consider the by-laws regulating traction engine traffic in the county. It was decided to take the opinion of the ratepayers on this subject, and copies of the proposed bylaws will be circulated at an early date. OHINEMUEI. [ill' lELEOBAPII.— COBRESPONDEXT.] Paeroa, Thursday The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was held this afternoon, I when there were present: Messrs. Poland i (chairman), Bowler, Harry. Draflin, Marrinan, : and Cast-ells. The following tenders were accepted:—Construction of footpath at Waikino. j .1. McUrath, £123; election of bridge on Ra- ! lui Road, Treslze and party. £33 17s 6d. It , was decided to put in a groin in the Waihou | River in order to remove an island comI plained of. On the motion of the chairman, : thu engineer was authorised to have the 1 Marototo-Hikutaia track completed. A let- { ter was received from Mr. 11. N. Bagnall, of I Turua, complaining of silting up of the river between Netherton and Turua. The Mines i Department having consented to the transj ference of £100 grant from the Grace Barling ! Road to the erection of a bridge at Mangaj kara, it was decided to invite tenders for the 1 work. Mr. J. O'Hara resigned his position as ranger for Paeroa. The resignation wits accepted, and the chairman and clerk were asked to report on the matter at next meeting. It was resolved that the section of bylaw No. 18, fixing the width of tires on passenger coaches at 2;in, be not enforced at present. The Inspector of nuisances reported that the district was in a fairly Satisfactory sanitary condition. A number of residents of Mackaytown asked that the road past Mr. Rich's residence he formed and metalled. in reply to Mr. Barry, the clerk stated that it was illegal to spend county revenue on a road j that wag not a chain in width. The ChairI man said that the Government had laid off the roai?, and on his motion it was resolved that the engineer report on the cost of the I work and in the meantime it be ascertained I ft the Council oould legally spend money en i the road. The engineer furnished a report on bridging the Waihou River at Mangaiti. His proposal was for the construction of a fixed bridge about. 20ft above the ordinary river level. The report was forwarded to the Marino Department,