TAURANGA COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12071, 15 September 1902, Page 6

TAURANGA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of tlio Tauranga County Council was held on Wednesday, tho following members Wing present: Messrs. A. M. Davidson (chairman), Edward 11. Gledstanes, .T.P., G. Yesey Stewart, .1.P., Charles A. Pratt, William X. Lev Kobert King, Samuel Crawford and Caleb li'dly. The minutes of last meeting having been rend and confirmed, tho outward correspondence was approved. In the inward correspondence two letters were received from Mr. W. 17. Horrics, M.11.R., intimating his intention to use his best exertions to forward the request of tin l Council for an amendment of Loans to Local Bodies Act, so as to enable money to be lent on reproductive works, and with regard to the second resolution sent to him at t.he last meeting of tho Council for the prevention of anthrax, ho stated that the Auckland members were urging Government to ercct a plant at that port for the sterilisation of imported bones. He would do his utmost to have this suggestion carried, though the plea of expense was raited by Government to this most salutary proposition. With regard to the amendment in the Hating Act, tie had endeavoured to introduce, with a view of compelling native owners of land I to pay their fair proportion of rates, he regretted lio had not been successful. His proposal having' boon lost by the easting vote of tho Speaker augurs well, however, for success next session, as every county council has heartily supported the circular resolution sent by tho Tauranga Council on I this matter. A hearty vote of thanks to j Mr. Herri,:; for bis exertions was moved by i Mr. Crawford, seconded by Mr. King and carried unanimously. A letter was received from Engineer Hurst-house intimating the subsidies and grants proposed to be allocated towards our decayed bridges, which over two years ago were reported dangerous by the Government district engineer. The proposed assistance, however, being perfectly useless in the present and chronic impecunious position of the county council, Mr. King moved a resolution requesting the Government to take over all tho bridges on our main roads and place them in safe condition for the public. Seconded by Mr. Stewart and carried unanimously, the chairman being requested to forward the resolution to the Government. The matter of keeping separate riding accounts was strongly urged by Mr. King and warmly supported by the Maketu councillors. The opinions, however, expressed by the other members of the Ciuncil were adverse to the proposition, and especially with regard to the Katikati riding, the entile outlay to which was expended on the main road to the Waihi market for the benefit of the entire county, arid if a measure of this nature was passed, ii; simply meant that- the Council should merge into the road boards. The clerk submitted the following return of the new valuations: — Capital Unimproved value. value. Katikati ... £48,9+4 ... £25,485 To Puna ... 29,056 ... 18,815 Waimapu ... 69,757 ... 59,259 Make hi ... ... 155,788 ... 75,130 Mr. Stewart moved. " That the following general rates be struck on the i.">pcctive ridings:—Katikati. lad; To Puna, Igd : Waiimtpu, lid: Maketu. ljjd. Special rate, No. 1: Katikati, l-sd: To Puna, 1-5(1 ; Waimapii, if!; Maketu, id. No. 2 special rate: Katikati, Id: To Puna, id: Wuimapit. id; Maketu, id. - ' This was duly seconded by Mr. Pratt and carried, after some discussion. Mr. Ley moved. Mr. King seconded ami it was carried, " That two finger-posts be erected on the Tauranea-Cambridge Road, tin- one at the turn oft' to Katikati and the other to Paengaroa." Mr. Lally moved, seconded by Mr. King, "That the Department- push on urgently the completion of the Kangiuru-Xgongotaha Road." ft was pointed out that this road, when made, will save a distance of 10 wiles in driving stock to Pioiorua radway terminus.