Country News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 271, 7 April 1877, Page 17

Country News.

Dr. Lee, and Messrs. Goldie, Von der Heyde, and Rochfort are mentioned as candidates for the vacancy for Auckland City West, to be caused by the announced resignation of Mr. Tonks, M.H.R. In consequence of the recommendations of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society regarding the opening day of the shooting not having been carried out, Messrs. C. Nedwill, L. L. Powell, and Philip Hanmer have resigned their seats in the council. As. a proof of the increase in the value of land in the neighborhood of Marton, the Advocate mentions that recently two lots were sold, one at £7 and the other £5 per acre. A few years since the same lots were sold for £3 and £2 15s. per acre respectively. The land lies on either side of the township and within a twenty minutes’ ride of it. One lot comprised 40 and the other 250 acres. An Auckland paper has hit upon an expedient by which it says County Councils may have all the powers of borrowing without the attendant pains. Empower them says he to issue county scrip, with which they could pay all their contractors and all their accounts, such scrip being a legal tender for the payment of county rates. It has been suggested that the subscribers to our contemporary should initiate the system forthwith, and demonstrate its happiness by paying their quarterly bills in the delightful currency, just to see how it answers, as a preparatory step towards more general adoption.

The Canterbury papers say it is understood to be the intention of the Colonial Government to ask Mr. H. B. Gresson, ex-judge of the Supreme Court,.Canterbury District, who is at present on a visit to Ireland, to represent New Zealand at the Penitentiary Congress to be held at Stockholm. The. Clutha Leader learns on excellent authority that a gold rush may very soon be expected ,in the direction of the Waikaka. Some Chinamen have recently made from £ls to £2O per man per week at from 40ft. to 50ft. sinking.. Some of the knowing ones from Tapanui have already left for the ground. What may be counted an unusual manner of proceeding in the colonies, but which is very common at Home, took place iu Carlyle on Monday morning. ' The Patea Mail says:— “A couple were going to get wed, and they marched through the streets to church, accompanied by the bridesmaid and bridegrooinsman in the usually gay bridal-party style, the observed of all observers. And two of the party were made one.” There is to be another election for Auckland City West. Mr. Tonks, the late member, has issued an address to bis constituents, iu which he says :—“ As it is probable that business engagements will necessitate my absence from the. colony shortly, and therefore render it impossible for me to attend the next session of the General Assembly, I have deemed it advisable in your interests to tender my resignation as your member.” We suspect Mr. Tonks does not care to again be placed in the dilemma m which he found himself last session with Sir George Grey and his party. There is talk of the Hutt Highway District being merged , in the county, and the sooner it is done the better. Lately the meetings have been held most irregularly, h,nd the business disposed of in a slipshod manner. We never can get to know when meetings are to be held. The first Wednesday in the month is the ordinary day of meeting, but it very frequently happens that the meeting day is altered to suit the convenience of particular councillors. Notice of such changes is never given to the Press, and consequently we have frequently sent a reporter to the Hutt only to find that the meeting had been appointed for a different day. The explanation of the discourtesy to this journal may be found iu the fact that an officer of the Board is paid, or alleges himself to be paid, to furnish a contemporary with reports of the proceedings. A meeting was held on Saturday last, contrary to rule, but we were unable to report its proceedings for the reasons previously referred to.

Mr. Kenneth Campbell, travelling agent for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, delivered a lecture at the North Makara Schoolroom on Wednesday evening. The lecture was numerously attended, the ladies especially showing their interest in the subject by their patronage on this occasion. Mr. R. Robinson presided, and introduced the lecturer in a neat speech. Mr. Campbell touched briefly upon the early rise and slow progress of assurance, and the revolution it is now accomplishing in the comfort and habits of those who avail themselves of its advantages. He dwelt specially upon the incalculable boon of life assurance to the working man, and the urgent necessity for every man to avail himself of its benefits, particularly the benefits conferred by the Australian Mutual Provident Society upon policy holders. The lecture was illustrated and enlivened by numerous diagrams and anecdotes, and everybody seemed pleased at the additional light thrown upon a subject generally so little appreciated for its own sake and for the blessing and security it brings in its train to those who are wise in time. The meeting closed by a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman.

The following mining news from the Thames Advertiser of March 22nd is more extensive than anything received by telegraph :—“Not only have mining matters improved very much in the Moanataiari and Alburnia mines, but there is a decided and marked change for the better in the Red Queen locality and the Waio-Karaka.' The latter district has been for a considerable time previous to the Moanataiari find the largest gold producer, and although at no time rich, yet the large reefs and steady yield from the City of London, Queen of the May, Bright Smile, and Queen of Beauty mines gave, until the collapse of the Bright Smile Company, handsome dividends to their respective shareholders, besides employing a very large percentage of the mining labor of the field. Everyone is acquainted with the difficulties encountered in again starting the Smile pumps and starting the Piako Company to work the Bright Smile and Bird -in - Hand ground. We are glad to learn that the prospects of this part of the field are again brightening. There is a very marked improvement in the Queen of the May and Queen of Beauty, and a fair show in the City, while the Piako Company, which has been lately worked so pluclcily, has developed a splendid reef on the No. 7 level fully 13 feet thick, the prospects of which are exceedingly encouraging. Energetic efforts are being made to open out the low level and start the big battery, not only on the stuff from Nos. 1 and 2 reefs, but also from the Bird-in-Hand lodes, to which a drive will shortly connect with the Piako shaft. The Bird run of gold was a good payable one. We understand that several of the Piako tributers are also likely to do well. The decision of the Young New Zealand and Welcome directors to accept the Waitekauri Company’s terms to connect with a tramway has had the effect of stiffening their respective stocks in the sharemarket, and gives a warrant that this part of Ohinemuri is likely shortly to receive a thorough trial. The Young New Zealand lode has become more defined, and improves in appearance as driven on. The shares in the Moanataiari advanced most rapidly in value yesterday. In the morning the market opened with sales at £9, and at the close last evening there were buyers at £l6, but no sellers. This price makes the value of the mine and plant £216,000, or an increase in value of more than £200,000 within three weeks.”

The West Coast Times says the construction of the Mikonui water-race will greatly depend upon the result of the forthcoming election for Totara, and urges upon the electors to be very careful in choosing a representative. The Times, however, does not discuss the merits of the candidates who have been named.

Our Waverley correspondent gives some particulars respecting the building to be erected in that township as a branch of the Bank of New Zealand. He says it occupies one of the best sites in the township, being situate next to Mr. Overend’s store, is a very handsome building, and will be very nicely fitted up.

Writing ef the railway traffic in Canterbury the Press says:—“During the pressure of the grain season the amount of business at the Christchurch station is something considerable. It is worthy of record that one evening last week after the arrival of the last ordinary train the hands were set on to unload fifty-two trucks of grain, averaging seven tons. These were finished at two o’clock next morning, and were refilled in time to catch the next midday train to port.” The Waitangi Tribune contains the following under the heading of “ A novel bet :” “ Some eleven years since, Mr. George Freeman, while working on the Waimate Station, had a discussion with his employer, Mr. M. Studholme —so the report goes—as to the probability of a train running through this district, and the result was that the spirited employe offered to lay a wager of a stick of tobacco (Barrett’s twist) that * a train would run in or through Waimate before that day fifteen years,’ which the employer took up. The circumstance, probably, slipped Mr. Studholme’s memory long since: but George proved not so forgetful, for the day after the opening of the Waimate branch railway, the ‘ king of the whips,’ seeing his former employer driving a buggy through the town, brought the trap to a standstill, and claimed his stick of tobacco. The loser on having the little affair brought to his mind, immediately jumped out of the conveyance and went into Mr. Gascoyne’s, where he purchased tobacco, and presented the 1 winner with three sticks of the weed. It is said that Mr. Studholme was highly amused-on being informed of the bet, and very likely will often enjoy a laugh at his heavy loss. Mr. Freeman purposes, we learn, framing one of the sticks of tobacco.”

Some interesting particulars relating to the Otago Industrial School have lately been pub-, 1 Imbed in the Otago Daily Times. At present 1 , it appears, the school is overcrowded, there being about 200 inmates, including 103 boys and 83 girls. Connected with the school is a savings bank. The. depositors number about 87 of the children, and they have no less than .£770 to their credit in the bank. The amount deposited in the bank during the past twelve months is £145175. Bd. In some instances the children have applied to the Government to have their money handed over to them, and so well conducted have they been that their applications were readily granted. One of the boys has £53 11s. to his credit in the savings-bank, another has £2B, others £23, £2O, and so on. In order to more fully illustrate the advantages of the Industrial School, the Times mentions one or two particular cases. In January, 1869, a boy aged ten years was found in a house of ill-fame, and committed to the school. After being fairly educated, he was put out to service. He is now a fine stalwart young fellow, doing well in business. The habits of thrift he was tanght in the Industrial School have been since observed by him. His application to have £2O of his earnings in the savings bank handed over to him is likely to be granted by the Government. In another case three of a family were rescued from the very worst haunts of vice. They now occupy respectable positions, and have reason to be, and are, grateful for the blessings they received in the Otago Industrial School.

Judge Fenton, says Thursday’s Auckland Herald, told yesterday an anecdote of his travels on public business which aptly illustrates, what has been called the “ cast-iron ” regulations of certain public departments. The learned Judge had to hold a District Court at Hamilton, Waikato, and proceeded to the nearest railway-station to take his place for Mercer. But he had not the exact amount of the fare, and the moneytakers at railway stations are authorised not “to give change.” Here, perhaps, the ques- . tion aiises whether a learned Judge can .plead ignorance of railway regulations any 1 more than the rest of her Majesty’s subjects. The money-taker in this instance pointed out I a house in the village of Newmarket where his Honor might get “change,” and the • Judge proceeded to get the requisite division of his larger money. But the train passed in the meantime, and left him behind. What were the consequences ? His Honor could not hold his Court at Hamilton on the day appointed, and the Court had to be adjourned to the next day. The serious aspect of this result is that suitors and defendants having witnesses in waiting, whom they may ffiave brought from a distance, had to oay "their travelling expenses and hotel charges | for two days instead of one. Then the | Court ,in Auckland which was to have been i held on his Honor’s return had to be adj|journed to another day. Here again suitors | md defendants would have to pay witnesses, j[kc., in attendance the expenses of two days ; nstead of one. His Honor was particular in .cquitting the railway clerk from blame, bell iause he probably carried out his instructions. Jan his Honor, sitting inforo conscientice, say hat he, in no respect, contributed to the loss •nd disappointment of suitors ? It is perhaps , question of casuistry which his Honor alone as the necessary information to resolve. But a the public interest it might be as well if ailway clerks should be permitted to relax ie rule, good cause being shown either by the position or office or special circumstances v the person. who may present himself as a Ijassenger without “the right change,”

A curious document was found a few. days since on the Timaru Beach, near the Timaru Landing and Shipping Company’s office, in the shape of a charge-sheet of the convict station at Fingal, in Tasmania, of the year 1845, wherein three convicts named Henry Smith, George Floxton, and Thomas Davis, were charged with disobeying orders. It is signed “ Wm. Franks, Visiting Magistrate, and is (the Lyttelton Times says) still clean and fresh, although thirty-three years old.

The railway traffic returns for the Southern railways during February are as follows: Canterbury division: Passengers, &e., £8246 0s lOd. ; freight, £10,203 2s. Bd.; total, £18,449 3s. sd. Oamaru division: Passengers, &c., £B3B 4s. 6d. ; freight, £862 13s. 4d. ; total, £I7OO 17s. lOd. Dunedin : Passengers, £4577 9s. 2d. ; freight, £4393 7s. Bd. ; total, £8970 16s. 'lod. Invercargill: Passengers, £1636 18s. Bd.; freight, £2789 14s. 4d.; total, £4425 16s. u ’

The Waikato County Council have imposed a tax of 10s. per head on all dogs over six months old. It seems abolition has not removed one of the annoyances which the Hon. Mr. Stafford complained of as being an evil of provincialism ; in fact the eviL seems to have been intensified. A Northern paper says:— “This dog-taxing power, though useful in itself, will probably cause no little annoyance to travellers accompanied by a faithful dog. By the law as it stands, such travellers would be liable to pay the dog-tax in each county when a night’s lodging was obtained. Under the old provincial system of government, travellers had frequently to pay the dog-tax in each province to which they journeyed, and inall cases they were liable to such exaction, but under the present system, instead of nine sets of officers being on the watch for poor doggie, there will now be about sixty.”

We (New Zealand Herald) are glad to be able, on good authority, to state that the Government have ordered a survey to be made for a railway between the Thames and Waikato. We have never had any doubt that such a line—connecting as it would the agricultural district of Waikato with the mining district of the Thames, passing through a level and fertile country, at present almost unoccupied, and joining with the fine river system of the Thames and Piako—would be one of thebest and most successful railways in the colony. It would fulfil one of the purposes of the Public Works scheme, which has not been even attempted in Auckland, that is, it would enable land to be settled which has hitherto lain waste. After what took place in the House of Representatives last session, when the proposal to construct such a line was made by Sir George Grey, it was not expected that the Government would, during the recess, take any steps in the matter. Their present action must be recognised with satisfaction, and if they follow up the survey by making arrangements for the construction of a line, which we presume they intend to do, they will gain support for next session, or at least will take away a grievance, and supply what could always be pointed to as a grave omission in the scheme of Public Works, and as an injustice to this part of the colony. The proposed line is estimated to be sixty miles in length. In giving evidence in the criminal proceedings, Reed v. Sherrin for libel, prosecutor said he was editor and one of the proprietors* of the Otago Guardian. He had received a special copy of the Tribune of March 14 by post, at Dunedin. He identified Sherrin’s handwriting in the manuscript of the article shown as a document. He stated that he wa3 a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. He had never been unfrocked, as stated in the article, nor had he ever been subjected to any church discipline whatever; nor had ever a charge been laid against him. He referred to the charge of seduction. Had such a charge been made, it would not have had a. shadow of foundation. He had resigned from the Queensland Church to go into the Queensland Parliament, had been elected, and had taken his seat. When he came to New Zealand he was admitted into the New Zealand Presbyterian Church at once. He started the Auckland Star, and became acquinted with Sherrin there. Accused was employed by them as special correspondent at Wellington, but was discharged, after five or six week’s service, in consequence of having sent up a most immoral telegram. Sherrin afterwards came to him- in a state of great distress. He gave him £5, for which he thanked him with much emotion. He said that he had been employed by the Echo newspaper especially to blackguard him (Reed).

The news from the Thames continues to be good. Wednesday’s Neio Zealand Herald says :—The Moanataiari shows to the fore with scwt. of specimens and a quantity of debriß or loose stuff showing gold freely. Among this lot was a specimen of unusual richness, said to contain 500ozs. of gold. As it is several years since the Auckland public saw a specimen of such calibre, we would suggest that the one in question be sent up for inspection. The appearance of the roof of the stope, after the large haul of specimens yesterday, is very rich. Our correspondent states that it is equal to the best of the Caledonian days. According to actual measurement, Monday’s operations at the battery show that 12600z5. of retorted gold was obtained, and yesterday’s work will be more profitable; therefore the outlook for the week’s yield is very brilliant, and we anticipate that at least 8000ozs. gold will be obtained. Gold finds on the Thames, it has often been remarked, never come alone, and the present spurt is no exception to the rule, for we find that the Red Queen is looking well, and the Waitekauri Company, in their low level, have picked up the run of gold traced for 2JOft. in depth. The Perseverance Company, the adjoining claim to the Celebrated Young New Zealand, have at last struck the reei, and reports from that mine state that capital gold has been obtained. Upon the whole we have reason to be gratified with the goldfields’ prospects, which, if followed up by actual development, will lead to a revival of an industry which has done much for the prosperity of Auckland,

The Lyttelton Times is exceedingly wroth because the Hon. Mr. Bowen gives no indication of his intention to immediately address his constituents. Because Mr. Bowen thought of opposing Mr. Rolleston some years ago for the Superintendency, it is assumed that in those days he had faith in provincialism ; and it is considered necessary by the Times that he should address his constituency and explain “ what may be presumed to be a change in his political opinions, and the share he has had in introducing the new system, of government.” . .... ... • ..I

The Dunedin Corporation does not .seem to manage its . gas works so well as has been claimed for it. The gas committee lately brought Up a report alleging that 1 the supply of gas at 12s. 6d. per 1000 ft. would result in a loss of £9OO for the year, and recommending that meter rents be reimposed to make up the deficiency. The report was rejected, the Mayor, who was one of the opponents to its adoption, saying that as a private concern he would only be glad to take the works over and supply gas at its present price, giving the Corporation 10 per cent, on their outlay.

The fuss that was made about Mr. Yiacent Pyke’s conduct in reference to the location of the county town in Vincent County will be well remembered. The following extract from a letter he wrote to the Otago Guardian on the subject has not previously appeared in a Wellington paper. It is characteristic: —“ It may be news to your readers, if not to yourself, that neither Clyde nor Cromwell is within the county ; that, with some few exceptions, the residents in those towns are not ratepayers npr electors of the county; and that, therefore, they had no more right to attempt to dictate to the council where the county offices should be located than the citizens ef Dunedin have to dictate to the councils of Taieri or of Waikouaiti. I thought, and still think, that the question of a * county town’ should have been held over until one or other of the towns had merged into the county. My opinion on this matter was well known; and I refused to hamper myself with pledges or promises pending such merger. Mark now what really occurred. You say— ‘ Mr. Pyke voted for Cromwell—hurrah for Cromwell!' There you are wrong, Mr. Editor. Again you say— ‘ Mr. Pyke voted for Clyde—hurrah for Clyde!’ Wrong once more. I did neither. Believing the consideration of the question to have been prematurely forced on, I voted against Cromwell, and I voted against Clyde. But the council had to meet somewhere, and I had to give a casting vote. I did so. I gave it-in favor of the place which was most convenient to the majority of councillors, and I may be obtuse, but do you know that upon reflection I almost think I was in the right. I think also, Mr. Editor, that in your account of the matter, you have displayed powers of imagination far excelling any to which the author of ‘ Wild Wilt Enderby’ can lay claim. I cheerfully surrender the belt. Take it, Mr. Editor—take it, wear it and be happy.” The following interesting particulars of a great land sale in Christchurch are from ; the Press :—The sale of Messrs. Rhodes and Wilkin’s estate in the Aihuri County, known as the St. Leonard’s, and cut up into runs, -with stock, agricultural farms, township sections, and suburban lots, tpokYplace at Messrs. Miles, Haasal, and Co.’s woql salerooms, Herefordstreet, on Thursday last., As might have been expected, there wasa very large attendance. The conditions were one-third cash, the balance extending over six years, with annual instalments, bearing 7 per cent, interest. Ther first lot submitted was the “Mount Palm Block,” of about 11,935 acres 2r. 15p., with 9600 sheep. The first bid was £20,000. When £24,000 had been reached bids of £SOO were taken, and at £27,500 the auctioneer intimated that he had received authority to take bids of £250. This produced another bid, and no more being procurable, the property was knocked down for £27,750, to Mr. Robert Chapman, the well-known merino breeder of Canterbury. The next lot was the “ North Cape Block,” of about 1610 a. lr. 38p., with 2000 cress-bred sheep. The first bid received was £SOOO, and ultimately the property fell to Mr. Robert Chapman for £7OOO. The third offered was the Isolated Hill Block” of about 17,425 a. Or. 2p. with 13,000 sheep. The run was knocked down for £43,000 to Mr. John Macfarlane of Rangiora. “ Shearing Paddock Block ” of about 4094 a. 2r. 12p., with 2000 sheep, was withdrawn at £7250. The “Pahau Block” of about 5675 a. 2r. 3p., with 4000 sheep, was knocked down at £16,500 to Mr. R. Bethel, late of Selwyn. “Kaiwarra Block,” of about 19,189 a. 2r. 15p,, with 15,000 sheep, was withdrawn at £38,500. “Hurunui Block,” of about 6851 a. 2r. 29p., with 5000 sheep, was also withdrawn. The cream of the property was next brought forward. The “Homestead Block,” of the acreage of 24,446 a. Or. 38p., with excellent working buildings, and 26,950 sheep, 82 horses, and 55 cattle. £60,000 was the first bid offered, and very rapidly the bids ran up to £70,000. Not al) the auctioneer’s eloquence, however, could fetch another, and after dwelling a number of times for “ the last time,” the Homestead was withdrawn at the owners’ bid of £75,000. “South Cape Block” of about 1610 a lr 38p, with 1000 cross-bred sheep, was the last of the runs on the catalogue, ana was started at £3OOO. Shortly alter the start £IOO bids were taken, and- ;eventually Mr. T. Greig, builder, of Christchurch, became the owner at £3700, the result causing considerable applause. Mr. Aikman then commenced with the farm lots. The hour was, however, late, and as the attendance thinned rapidly, only the following lots were quitted : Lot 34, 75a lr Ip, at £3 15s. per acre, to Mr. Jones ; lot 35, 10pa 3r 39p, at £3 10s., same purchaser ; lot 36, 151 a lr 36p, at £3 per acre, same purchaser; lot 39, 77a lr 14p, at £4 12s. 6d., to Mr. Fraser ; lot 42, 104 a lr 27p ; lot 43, 110 a 3r 24p ; and lot 44,101 a Or 24p, all at £3 17s. 6d. per acre, to. Mr. George Mr. Aikman intimated that .this would close the sale, but that the re*

mainder of the farm lots—including those withdrawn that day—and the township allotments, would be submitted on an early day, of which full notice would be given, The gross..! proceeds realised for the .day amounted to nearly £IOI,OOO.

The following is the Otago Daily, 'Times* version of the little affair between the Hon. Mr. Reid and Mr. Proudfoot :—The unusuai - i circumstance of a Minister of the Crown having to send for the police, in order to: effect the Uj removal from his office of a [gentleman who. was j therein interviewing him,', occurred on Tuesday afternoon;' '"Mr. David Proudfoot called at the office of the'Hon. Mr. Reid, in order to come to au arrangement over a disputed account. It appears that the Government have deducted from the Western Rail-! way award payment an amount which has ' 1 been paid on their behalf to Mr. Proudroot’s agents in London. Mr. Proudfoot, however,, claims the whole amount awarded, and as to the sum paid to his Home representatives, says either that the Government knew at the time when the award was declared that this payment had been made, or that they should have known of it. High words ensued at the interview, and Mr. Reid, who objected to Sir., Proudfoot’s mode of stating his case,., inti-■ mated to him that he would have to call in a policeman if Mr. Proudfoot did not retire. Mr Reid despatched a messenger for a police- : man, but by the time one of them arrived at the building, Mr. Proudfoot had quitted its precincts.!" \

Friday’s Otago Times says:—“ One hundred and eight of the Chinese passengers per barque > Gloucester, with their effects, were transferred to the Quarantine Island yesterday morning, and established in a comfortable tent encampment on the high ground. Twelve Chinese, who had the small-pox, remain on. board the ’■ barque. We understand that all those who have been landed are to be vaccinated—a wise precaution. They have no reason to dread, starvation, for we believe the Government will supplement the rather meagre dietary scale upon ' - which they existed during the passage. A pound and a-half of rice, half a pound of meat, half a pound of vegetables, one-third of an ounce of tea, and salt ad lib. per man per day can scarcely be regarded as a very nourishing diet, although, we daresay, it is equal to, if net iu excess of, the ordinary diet of Chinese laborers in then’ own country. According to the Quarantine Regulations, the vessel quarantined has to victual those of her passengers i who are removed to the Quarantine Island, and whilst they remain there, the dietary scale to be similar to that \ adopted on board. I Hence, Whilst the Chinese we are alluding to will still receive food—ship rations, or >an equivalent for them—their diet will be improved by some : ■ extras supplied at the!.expense of the colony. . Not a few of the Gloucester’s passengers have’ been ;here before, and'after winning more or less gold at the diggings, returned •to the Flowery Land to spend it; and now are back agaih| obtain a fresh supply, of the needful.: •- It cannot be said-that the. colony has the best 1 ! of the bargain. A constable has been stationed : ; on the, island. We hear,that a medical man i. to'l attend the Chinese onlthe islarid has'not n’ yCt been obtained by the authorities ; and we ' I may also state, on the .authority of Ufaptahp'’' Vincent, of the Gloucester,': that it was'the curative properties of the contents of his- u medicine chest, and the. stringent ~ remedial o action adopted by him, that restored the sick and checked the spread of the disease, and not the nostrums of the Chinese doctor on board. We can readily believe it.” , ■ : THE HUTT COUNTT COUNCIL. 7;/ The ordinary meeting of the Hutt County Council was held at one o’clock on Tuesday in the Provincial Hall. Present— Councillors. Mason (chairman),' Smith, ‘ Dick,' Speedy;, Lancaster, Taylor, Morgan, and Chew. The minutes' of the last two meetings were duly read and confirmed. « .... ; MAINTENANCE 6F ROADS.Y . A. letter from the Wellington Highway District Board requested the Council to relegate ,7 to the Board the power - to execute, works within the limits of the district., Councillor Taylor moved that the request of the Board be acceded to, .the arrangement to remain in force for'three months. ’ Councillor Smith seconded the resolution. Councillor Chew moved.as an amendment:, that* power be granted for one month, and, ; Y ; the end of that time it dould.be extended if deemed advisable. J Y

Councillor Lancaster was under the .impression that the resolution of the Council was that they should take over the .maintenance : of the roads; but he saw no. harm in granting the power sought for. the present, till, matters were more settled. The amendment was then put and negatived., and the motion carried.

: , DEPUTATION RE TOLLS. ; ~, The Chairman stated that a deputation ap- f pointed by a meeting held at the Hutt on the ~ .previous evening, had waited on the members of the Board, and presented the following reso- . lutions:—“That in the opinion of this meeting, the toll on the Hutt bridge ought to be abolished, according to the understanding,with; r the ; late Provincial Government.”—Carried. , ‘‘ That the late increase in the tolls in; the county, is inexpedient, and that a deputation ~ consisting of Messrs. Worth, Braithwaite, Milne, Buick, Sinclair,’ Valentine, Corbett, Cleland, Cudby, Buck,-Benge, Pike, J. and R. 1 Mabey, and Caverhill be appointed to wait on the Toll Committee of the Hutt County Council, to urge the necessity of reducing the tolls to. the old tariff.” He stated .that the deputation had represented that the increase in the tolls would restrict traffic and drive the teams off the road ; that the tolls were heavy enough already ; and that the; toll at the Hutt bridge should be removed to the Pakuratahi, in order to catch the Wairarapa traffic and relieve the traffic between Wellington and the Hutt. -: i-t

Councillor Morgan, to test the feeling of the, Council, moved, —That this Council is of . _ • opinion'that the following alterations should be

made in the scale of charges as relating to the tollgates:—Clause. 4., For every additional! horse attached to such vehicle, 6d. Clause 5. For every additional horse attached 6d Clause 6. For every additional horse,’ 6d Clause 8., For every additional horse, 6d ’ Councillor Chew looked upon it as aninjustice to make the charge the same upon wide and narrow tires. He desired to encourage the traffic industry as much as possible,■ and would even prefer to see tolls abolished, and the roads maintained out ©f a common fund the taxation to be imposed in some other way’ . Councilllor Smith objected to these resolutions for altering the tolls coming before the Council after a decision had been arrived at. If they proceeded in their present style; they would not get through the business they would haje to transact even if they sat every day-in the year. ' J Councillor Lancaster said he should oppose the motion, but wculd be glad to support it on a future date should the position of the Council financially. warrant it. . .. i The Chairman suggested that the motioh should be amended as follows ;—Clause 6. Every four-wheel vehicle, with springs, with one horse, Is.; two horses, Is. 6d.; every additional horse, Is. Clause 8. Four wheels, without springs, and with wide tires, each horse up to three, 6d.; every additional horse, Is. 1 Councillor Morgan accepted the alterations. The amendment, in its altered form, was then put and carried. ’ engineer’s report. The Engineer’s report was read as follows: “ I ave the honor to submit a report upon 1 the state of the main roads within the Hutt County. ..... “ Great North-Eastern Line—From Wellington to the top of the Rimutaka Hill.—This ; line of road is in a very good state of repair at the present time. During the summer months the men were engaged clearing out drains, water tables, and repairing culverts, and for the last month they have been getting out road metal ready for winter; but the amount of metal out will be sufficient for the necessary repairs. At least 2750 cubic yards will be required upon this section, exclusive of what is now on the roads. ". ' 1 V l .'. !

Bridges.. The bridges on the above sections all m good repair, with the exception of the Horokiwi and the Mungaroa. : The Horokiwi will require three hew stringers, and about a dozen new planks. The Mungaroa bridge will require to be strengthened underneath by means of struts-three. on each side. Iu pufc t^ e bridge in good order, and with the exception of a few planks nothing more will be required for, some seven or eight years. . All the other bridges-are in good repair, so far as _the main structure is- concerned. Of course planks are constantly breaking, but these can be put in at' anyVtime. by, the road

“ GreatNorth-Western Line of Road—From Nghauranga to, Paikakarikfi—This line of road is also m very good order; The men on this T .* 180 en gaged during summer clearing out drains water .-tables, ahd'-« : ptdriig culverts, and for the last month theybave g been getting out road metal. /.Upon this section of * cubic yards of metal wiU be required, besides what is now out. . “Bridges.—The bridges onthis line of road are in good repair, witb the exception of two, viz., e < and ! the Pahautanui bridge. The ferry bridge is qifite rotten, and is now unsafe for the ordinary traffic. , This bridge wiU; require to be rebuilt. The Pahautanm bridge _ will require strengthening. I prppose t° huilda pier in the centre by driving fP le , oa . each Bld e,with a cap morticed on the top, haying a 12ft. bracket beam. placed ,on £?.. top of oap. The whole to he strbnoly bplted The bridge will require some new joists and planks. This will put the bridge m thorough repair. : . • the main roads in repair, Ijtrcmgly.oppose , ietting them by contract, this year at least, as ; we are so far advanced .towards,., winter. By ;the time enders are called, and contracts let at W six weeks o r two months will.be’lost. Ihe late Provincial Government tried letting the mam. roads by contract, and found it did not answer. The contractors in three cases out of four broke down. The Government had then to take over the main roads in the middle of winter, which cost twice as

“Schedule of repairs, and probable cost of ?962 road > 2750 yards, £962 , metal, G.N.W. line of road, 1600 yards £4BO ; repairs, Kprokoro bridge, £l6 • repairs Mungaroa, £25 ; rebuild Porirua. ferry, (new) £6O ; repairs, Pahautanui, £55 ; 3000 ft! planking for repairs of culverts, and flooring m ■ *"* iow “The ordinary expenditure per month throughout the year will be from £IBO to £l9O for roadmep and carts. At the presert time there are twenty men upon the two lines of road, the G.N.E. being 31 miles in length and the. G.N.W. 32 miles in length ; Total,’ 63 marT & frac^lon over tllree m des to one

. “ Memo. The City Council having entered into a contract with Goodman and Co. to sun ply 10,000 yards of metal, and pointed out one particular spot on the Ngahauranga-road from T 1? V metal : upon hearing of thw, I visited the spot, and found it to be at a spot where the road was 16it. wide. T at once informed the. contractor that he could not take metal from this place without block mg up the road and stopping the traffic, which he_saw woidd.be the case. Mr. Charles Gl } app ° infced bythe Corporation to inspect the place, m company with myself Mb at once saw that it would never do to quarry metal without making some provision or ths traffic. I propel tlfat the *££§£ Bhould make a deviation of the road by making a-temporary road on the other side of the stream, which would be about 6 'chains long ' “amroadbyabridgeat each Mr xr ed ?s* eed <». Since then \ Mr. N. Marchanfc has been out to the spot* I

and informed the contractor that he is to go and quarry metal, at the same time telling him ffie County Councd have nothing to do with first place, the main road is in the hands of the County Council, and at this partnT! ar f P ?L t the road reserve runs back a distance of 45ft., so that to get at any private property the 45ft. would have to bJ first cut away. This the City Surveyor informs the contractor is the spot from which he is.to get his metal, without even asking permission first of all from the County Council. . ; “I respectfully request the Council to pass a resolution to the effect that ne metal timber, or material of any kind can be taken from any road reserve without first obtaining the consent of the County Council.” * The report was adopted. monthly accounts. It was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Speedy, That a special meeting be held on the 16th inst., to pass the month’s accounts.

finance committee. Councfflor Morgan moved, in accordance with notice, That a Finance Committee be appointed, to enter on the duties as expressed in section 107 of the Counties Act, relative to rating and expenditure, and to report to the Council; such committee to consist of the Chairman, Councillors Chew, Taylor, Lancaster, and the mover; and that three standing committees be appointed to whom all questions of works to be executed in their respective districts be referred, and report to the Council, who will authorise the committees or engineer to take such action as may be desirable, the committees to be as follows:—Karori Riding: Councillors Lancaster, Monaghan, and Chew. Porirua and Horokiwi Ridings : Councillors j l '?' Pa J dor > aud Smith. Epuni, Mungaroa, and Wamuiomata Ridings : Councillors Morgan, Speedy, Dick, and Mason; two to form a quorum in each instance.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried unanimously. ’

MAIN roads. Councillor Taylor moved, —That tenders be called for keeping in repair two main fines of road m the Hutt County. ' \ To the above an amendment was moved by Councillor Lancaster, and seconded by Councillor Morgan, as follows-.—That this Council is of of opinion that to let by contract the repairs and keeping in good order the main or trunk lines of road in the county will prove unsatisfactory, and the only contracts which should at present be entered into in reference thereto are the providing and cartin" of metal where required, and breaking the same if necessary ; also, large alterations or repairs of bridges, construction of bridges or approaches to same. That the Engineer inspect the main trunk line of road throughout the county, and report as to their requirements, that some immediate action may be taken ; aad rii® meantime the Engineer be author*sed to employ the necessary labor to maintain the roads in an efficient state. The amendment was carried. - ; RE THE TOLLS^'", . • .'^7' It.wa3 resolved that the disposal of the tolls should be left to the committee appointed at a previous.meeting. . The Council then adjourned.