THAMES COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15166, 4 December 1912, Page 5

THAMES COUNTY COUNCIL.

[BY TELEGRArH.—OWH COIIRESPOXDE.yT.J Thames, Tuesday. Tub monthly meeting of the Thames County Council was held to-day, Mr. P. W. Bagnall preelding. Tender* for Nos. 21 and 22, Kauaeranga Road contracts, were received, and Mr. 11. J. Walker's tenders, at £155 and £98 IDs respectively, were accepted. A letter was received from one of tho settlers at Kerepchi, Hauraki Plains, questioning tho right of the Council to collect rates in that district, and contending'that tho settlers held their sections free of rates for a. period of four years from May, 1910, under tho Hauraki Plains Amendment Act. Tho chairman pointed out that the writer wan tinder a misapprehension f.s regards the Act, and tho matter was referred to tho clerk. The. Kauri Timber Company wrote thanking the Council for granting permission to drive timber, by means of a dam, on ft branch of the Waiwawa Stream, crossing the Tapu-Gumtown track and agreeing to the condition* attached. Joseph Clark, of Puriri, wrote stating that ho would not raise any difllculty as regards tho proposed new road and wharf, presuming that compensation will bo given him. A. C. Wilson, of the Coast Itoad, wrote refusing to accede to the Council's request for a piece of land from the frontage of his property, and stating that lie would hold the Council responsible tor damage done by encroachment on his property to the extent of £45. It wan decided to inform Mr. Wilson that the Council did not recognise tiny responsibility for damage. K. Tanker, licensee of the Talma Hotel, wrote elating that there was no landing place there for stock, and asking the Council to erect one. A largely-signed petition was also received from the residents, pointing out the necessity which existed for a wharf and "shed at tho termination of the road at. nikuai, 1o enable launches; to get up tile river at half-tide and discharge cargo. Tho engineer was instructed to furnish a report on th-s matter. The Secretary for Marine, Wellington, wrote, regarding the request for assistance for the maintenance of the wharf at Talrua, to the effect that the Kauri Timber Company, which had originally built the wharf, did not now require it, and suggesting that if his Department assisted in the cost of rebuilding the wharf, ,'ne Council should carry out and nisSnt-.in tho work, charging such dues as may he fitting. The district engineer, in his report, had estimated the oust at £225, which incsu<P<l n new jetty, with the eld tee, together with the necessary handrails, tramway, and trolley. It was decided to adopt the suggestion of the Department of Marine, providing it submitted nn estimate of what it would contribute.