COUNTY COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14868, 20 December 1911, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCILS.

* * WAITOMO. ; [FROM OUR OWJT CORnSSPOSDEST.] TB KUITI, Tuesday. THE monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held last evening, there being present Messrs. Scholes (chairman), O'JQwyer, Smyth, Gregg, Johnston, Hoffman, Berry, and Were. The Advances Department notified that an Oidei-iu-Oouucil for the Otorohanga-Pirongia loan had been gazetted. The Public Works Department wrote with regard to the Ngapenga Road, and stating that a. tor *; was provided tor metauing, and that the laying of pipes could not--be charged against the loan. A certain amount of trimming of the road to prepare for metalling was .permissible. A similar communication was received iu connection wiui the Puugurehu Road. .- The Post and Telegraph Department noti-': fled that the Homkiwi telephone office showed a loss of £12 ■4s 3d. The Department explained that during the year there had been authorised a reduction to 3J per cent, of the interest charged on the cost of constructing the lines, the deletion of the charge for stationery, and the bearing of half the loss of the deficiency. The Council were of opinion that they should help the settlers as far as lay in their power, and decided to pay the balance, £6 2s 2d. A letter drawing attention to the uncompleted state of the Pungarehußoad was received. The engineer replied that £150 was available for the work, and the Council authorised him to proceed with the work as soon as possible. ■; The engineer reported that he had let a contract for five miles 12 chains on the Ara'pae Road, and that the contractor proposed making a start after the Chrißtmas holidays. "Very little progress had, been, made with the metalling contracts which had been let in the Otorohanga district, owing to the continual wet weather. COROMANDEL. [BY TBtiHGRAPH.— COHnBSrOKPIBjrr.] , COBOMANDEIi, Tuesday. The monthly meeting of the Coromandel County Council was held in the Council Chambers yesterday. Present: Messrs. Swindley (chairman), Bridson, Hovell, Hamilton, Hughes, James, and Wight. A letter was received from the Public Works Department, stating that the Minister desires to have all works put in hand as soon as possible, also that if the Council does not intimate its willingness to undertake works within two months i the grants will be cancelled. Mr. F. P. Burgess, solicitor, wrote stating that the Tererongaz-Whangapoua Road is ftpublic one, and cannot be blocked. Mr.-Hovell moved and Mr. James-seconded, " That in future all county contaots be let to the lowest tenderer, provided that the amount tendered does not exceed the engineer's estimate." Mr. Bridson moved and Mr. Wight seconded, as an amendment, " That in future no county contract be let at less than 2fT per cent, below the engineer's estimate." The amendment was carried. Tho Mines Department intimated that aid to prospecting subsidy had been granted to the following applicants:—P. and D. O'Connor, £25 for iOOft of driving in Taihoa claim. Driving Creek; H. Gunn and *fon, £40 for driving 200 ft at Nash's reef, WTiakaroa Creek: L.S.D. syndicate, £50 for driving 200 ft and sinking 50ft in L.S.D. claim. Tiki: John D. and W. Regan. £50 for driving 200 ft in Venture claim, Tokatea; H. -J. and M. Simmonds. £20 10s for driving 50ft at Little Ruby claim, Tiki.