HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 422, 13 March 1880, Page 21

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hutt Council was held at ] p.m. on Tuesday. Present —Councillors Taylor (chairman), Chew, Lancaster, Smith, Morgan, Speedy, and Dick. hayward's line. *Mr. Thomas Keardon, the contractor for the construction of the road from Hayward's to the Small Farm Settlement at Pahautamv, wrote to the Council to inform them that owing to the persons who were to have become his sureties refusing to support him be was compelled to abandon his contract;. He expressed a hope that, under the circumstances, the Council would have no objection in refunding the deposit of £"25. As it appeared that the next lowest tender was about £IOO higher, it was resolved not to accede to the request. Councillor Smith gave notice that he phoulrl move at the next sitting of the Council that the sum forfeited be expended in fencing the road. *B WAKATIKI road.

Some nine or ten tenders were received for the construction of about 141 chains of the Wakatiki-road, the amounts varying from £423 to £7BO. That of Mr. Thomas Powell for £423, as the lowest, was accepted, provided he find the necessary sureties.

It being fuuud that a considerable balance would remain in the hands of the Council on account of this road, Councillor Smith moved— That arrangements be made with the contractor for the section now let, for the continuation of the road to the clearing, being about one mile in length ; and that tenders lie called for cutting a bridle track, 6ft. in width, from section 25, Small Farm Settlement, to section 10, Wakatiki Valley, or as much further as the funds will permit. Carried. " MUNGAROA TO waikanae road.

There were eight applications for the office of clerk of works in connection with the bridge about to be erected over the Hutt river, on the road from iVJungaroa to Waikanae, and as most of the applicants sent in & number of testimonials some time was spent in making a choice. The salary having previously been fixed at £4 per week, Mr. S. R. Johnson was appointed. The Engineer stated that, after allowing for the probable cost of the Akata-awa Bridge, which was about to be put up, they would still have a balance of about £BOO in hand for the road, and he should like the Council toexpress some opinion as to what would be the best way of dealing with that balance. He thought the one clerk of works would be quite able to look after both bridge contracts. Councillor Morgan said they could not do better than spend the money in the continuation of the road, or by the construction of a br'dle track. He would move " That any balance of money available for the MungaroaWaikanae line, after providing for the erection of the two bridges, be expended in the fformation of a bridle track, 4ft. in width, from the end of the present road towards Waikanae, and that the Engineer be authorised to call for tenders for the work." The resolution having been seconded by Councillor Speedy, was carried. REGISTRATI N OF DOGS. Counciller Lakcaster informed the Council that it was the opinion of the Karori-Makara Highway Board that the offices of Collector of Rates and of Dog Taxes should be combined, as the work would then be done cheaper. The Chairman said that the one office was under the control of the Council, and the other under that of the Highway Board. They could not, therefore, appoint a person to attend to both. Councillor Lancaster explained that the Highway Board was considering the appointment of a Collector of Rates, and if they adjourned the matter till the next meeting they would then be in a position to know whom the Board had chosen. After some further discussion Mr. Thomas Robinson was appointed. The Chairman stated that the appointment of Mr. Thomas Smith as collector for Pahautanui was informal, as Mr. Bolton already held the office. Councillor Smith argued that Mr. had not carried out his work, as nearly all the dogs in the district were unregistered. He thought it was absolutely necessary that a man should go from house to house if they wanted the tax collected properly. Councillor DICK moved that the resolution, of last meeting, so far as it referred to the appointment of Mr. Thomas Smith, be rescinded. Carried. FIRES ALONG THE RAILWAY LINE. The Chairman drew the attention of Councillors to the many fires that had been caused near the railway line through sparks escaping from the engines. -He had communicated with the Government on the subject some time ago, and the matter was then to have been seen to,, but apparently it had been allowed to slip out of mind without anything being done. As these fires often proved dangerous to property, he thought it would be as well if they again wrote to the proper authorities on the subject.. It was resolved that the chairman again write to the Government drawing attention to the dangers arising through the escape of sparks. A NUISANCE. The Chairman stated that a great number of complaints had been made to him about thenuisance caused by Mr. Walton's fellmongery at Ngahauranga stream. All the rubbish and filth from the establishment was most indiscriminately thrown into the stream, and the consequence was that for a mile below it was

one mass of fermenting and stinking matter of the most offensive uatnre. He had never seen anything tu'-e disgusting, and the complaints from those who were forced to pass were moat numerous. It was high time that the matter was atten<leii to.

Councillor Smith expressed his surprise that the law should require slaughterhouses to be licensed while felhnongeries, which were ten times worse, were allowed to escape free, and were apparently beyond their control. The CHAIRMAN explained that they could suppress a nuisance at any time, and the one complained of was certainly one which should receive their immediate attention

Councillor MORGAN proposed, and Councillor LANCASTER seconded, —That thechairman take the necessary steps to have the nuisance caused by theNgahaurangafellmongery abated. Carre'. SLAUGHTERHOUSES. Tlie Inspector of Slaughterhouses reported that he had visited the different slaughterhouses in the county, and thought it necessary that a number of alterations should be made in several of them, in order to reduce certain nuisances. He, however, wanted the assistance of the chairman to carry them into effect He was unable to report on the number of cattle slaughtered since his last report was handed in, as several holders of licenses had neglected to furnish him with the returns, although reminded of the fact that they were required. TOLLS. Messrs. Hast well, Macara, and Co., wrote to the Council asking for a reduction of the tolls oh irged at. the Kaiwarra toll-gate to one half the present r>te. They stated that they considered thy present rate excessive, and that unless some reduction were made, they should be forced either to run the same coach back during the one day, or transfer the passengers to the train at Ngahauranga. It was resolved that the request be not acceeded to.

Mr. Smith, local manager for the firm, subsequently attended, and stated that he thought the Council would do better to accept a reduction, and save the firm some trouble in place of forcing them to such a step, which would deprive the Council of the tolls altogether. Councillor Lancaster remarked that they could shi:'t the toll-gate to Ngahauianga.

Mr. Smith then withdrew. MISCELL \NEO©S.

The Clkrk informed the Council that Mr. Berry, who had rented one of their rooms, had allowed his rent to fall in arrears to the amount of £5. It was resolved that, in the event of non-payment, immediate steps be taken to

«ject him. The Chairman and Councillors Lancaster, Chew, and Morgan were appointed a committee to open and accept tenders for works advertised before the next meeting of the Council. Accounts for £3BB 7s. Id. on the general charges account, and £l3O 15s. 6d. for extra works, wore passed for payment. On the motion of Councillor Speedt it was resolved that the engineer be instructed to • erect two drinking troughs on the road between Wellington and Petone. NOTICE OF MOTION. Councillor Speedt gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he would move, — That the sum of £25 be paid to the Wellington Highway Board towards the erection of fencing on Hay ward's line.

On the motion of the CBAIRM\N, it was agreed to hold future meetings at 11 a.m , in place of 1 p.m., as hitherto. The Council then rose.