WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13652, 23 July 1906, Page 8

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Waihemo County Council wa3 liela on Saturday in the Couneii Chambers, P:\lmerston; prc-sent-Crs D. Ross, W. M. Philip, T. G. Stenhouse, R. Matheson, G. Ciark, J. O'Connell, and H. O'Neill.' An apology for non-atfend-up.ee of the chairman (Mr T. Muir) was made, and Ci D. Ross was voted to the chair. COHRESPONDEKCE. Letters were received from the Premier (Hon. \V. Hall-Jones) and Mrs Seddon aelntowicdging receipt of the council's motion re the death of the late Premier—Mr Tiros. Mackenzie's letter, dated 16th June, offering to represent the council at the late Premier's '. funeral, was also read.—Deceived. ! The secretary of the Dunodh. Hospital wrote _ extending an invitation io a representative of tho council and lady to bo present at the laying of the foundation stone of the new, medical pavilion by his Excellency the Governor on Wednesday, 25th inst. —The actiny-ciuurman (Mr I>. Ross) to attend the function on behalf of the council. The Valuer-general (Mr G. F. C. Campbell) wrote enclosing form of declaration to he signed in orßer to receive the amount of subsidy due for the year 1905-1906. The department pointed out that the amount of rates declared to must altogether exciudo arrears from previous years, rates paid by the Crown under the Crown and Native Larrds Rating Act, and 10 per cent, penaltyReceived, and action of clerk in applying for subsidy approved. Tho District Engineer of Railways (Mr F. W. Maclean) mote acknowledging the council's communication re drainage at Yonngtown (Palmerston), and stated that he would have the matter looked into—Received. The Paymaster-general wrote intimating that the sum of £50 lis (goldfields revenue and payment for formation of Shag River road, Bushey Park) - had been paid in to the council's credit.—Received. The locai medical officer (Dr Hislop) notified that cases of scarlet fever existed at Uunback and Inck-Valey.—lt was resolved that the occupants of infected houses be charged with the cost of disinfection. Mr R. A. Johnston, secretary to the Laud Board, wrote enclosing a statement of " thirds" and " fourths" for period December 4, 1905, to February 5, 1906; also from February 5 to June 2, 1006— Received, and allocations approved. "' Mr C. E. Griffin wrote suggesting that the council should endeavour to get an increaseof the 5s per week granted to an old man at Macraes, as the amount, in view of the price of meat and potatoes, was insufficient. It was also pointed out that the recipient was badly in need of blankets and underclothing. Resolved to recommend the Benevolent djrustses to increase the amount to 7s 6d per week. It was also decided to make recommendations to the trustees in regard to amounts granted to some other recipients of < aid in the county. ; Mr J. Prestin, Goodwood, wrote asking i if the council would be willing to metal or gravel about CO ohains of the branch road leading to his house if he paid half cost. ,

The writer stated that stone for the purpose could be obtained from his land, arid that the portion of the road requiring metal comluoneed at the Main District road, near Good- . wood Clmrcli, and ended at the north side of the bush.—lnspector to give an estimate of cost, and report to next meeting. Messrs Win. and G. Donaldson, of the ) Crokten Point mine. Macraes Flat, wrote stating re damage near the batten- that no admission bad been made that "the eiHiio . might have- stopped on the culvert." "but what had been said was that "the engine , might have broken the culvert." The writers i disputed the reported statement of (he in. spector " that the culvert was damaged Indie traction engine of the Donaldsons, which frequently stood there." The contention of the writers was that the culvert in dispute belonged to the council, having been taken over by that body, and that they (the Messrs Donaldson) were in no wav responsible for it. iwo declarations were enclosed by men in , charge of the engine when the culvert pavo ' "way and also a- sketch shown- the track, road race, and culvert. The declaration of , the driver (J. Paul) stated that the engine lad never at any time slopped on a culvert to ttiko in water cr for anv other purpose; and W. J. Stevenson, also employed on tho engine, stated that the culvert broke as the engine was passing over it. Tho latter furI thcr stated that it was the part of the culvert made by the council's employees that gave way.—The inspector forwarded a report upon the same subject, giving in detail the particulars ro construction of the culvert ami work done upon the road.-Cr ifatheson objected to any communication couched in disrespectful terms towards any of tho counci. s officers being considered by the council, a h ™T' cd ,Imt f,le ku " be not received. ; -U lllilip seconded the motion, which was adopted—The Inspector stated that there was some ground for the complaint of Donaldson Bros that some work authorised bv the council had not boen carried out as expeditiously as could bo desired and in' explanation he slated that the cause of this wis the severity of the weather, the state p. the roads,.mid the difficulty experienced in getting the necessary labbur.-On the 1 motion of Cr O'Neill, seconded bv Cr Clark . it was resolved that Messrs Donaldson Bros. • be notified that the council would hold them responsible for any accident that might occur | as a. result of the damage to the culvert. j Messrs Paterson Bros, wrote suggesting | that a deviation from the 20ft formation was desirable on tho road at Brooklands in cer- | am parts in order to avoid bank slips. The firm suggested that the road be 20ft wide fcr tho tire.l 2 chains from the river, and after that 16ft round tho hillside—lteceivcd mid approved. inspector's retort. Mr G. Oruickshank, inspector, reported as follows:-''Bushcy: I have had the two small_ bridges on Mrs, M'Donald's road put in oroer. The bridge at Clark's place, Horse .Kange, and another culvert at T. Welsh's have also been put in order, He Gilmore's road, I have done my best to put it in order by cutting down willows to let in the sun aim gravelling near the house, but as a nuisance is caused near the house by the laying down of ashes and house refuse it is necessary to wait for a flood in the river to clean this down. The congregation of animals and fowls <n the load "line in wet weather . assisted to make matters worse. The renmndM of the roads in Bushey are in fair order. Some gorse on road lines requires burning off. The work in connection with the proposed bridge for motor traffic is behind tune. Tho contractor was to start four weeks ago, but nothing has been laid down. The inspector ior the Roads Department visited the district during the week, and inquired about the work, and it will bo necessary to proceed with tho work at once <k the vote will bo lost. Dnnback: In Dunback township I have repaired the street down to tho school, aiul cleared out the drain from the Main road to tiio river, and gravel lias been put down. Tho road would lie improved if old gorse fences were all taken out and picket fences put up, and the road formed the full width. Timber' has been given to Glover's trustees for entrance to the liftll. Repairs have been made to the fence at tho stono wail at Inch Vsllcv, and also ; to some small bridges in the Main road. , The remainder of the roads arc in fair order in tho county."—Resolved that the contractor for the motor bridge- be required to make e start at once, and that Mr Gilmore be notified to abate 'the nuicanso mentioned in the inspector's report. The report was then adopted as read. GENERAL. It was resolved that the*'county clerk be instructed to write to Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., requesting him to continue to represent tho council at the Counties' Conference in Wellington. Accounts amounting to £2G9 19s 9d were passed for payment. Tenders for 200 yards of gravel for the Fillebtmi to Hyde Bridge road were, opened, : and the tender of Mr Thomas Gilbert (jCli) i for formation ami 3s art for gravel) was accepted. The'inspector was insfructed to bring in a report on the state of the road leading . past Potts's, Vive-mile road, Macraes. I THE COUNTY FINANCES'. The County Treasurer (Mr W. B. Galloway) I submitted the following estimate of receipts and expenditure for the year ending 31st March, 1907:—Estimated gross income: General rate 2d, £1125 0s 4d; arroars, £100; . Government subsidy, £500; goldfieltls revenue, Si); land fund. £300; licenses, £220;— total, £•2335 0s td. Balance bank overdraft March 31, 1907, £763 18s Id;—total, £3098' 18s Sd. Estimated expenditure: Under section No. 1, expenses ot administration—Official staff, chairman and members' travelling expenses, and Government audit, £370: stamps, stationer)', printing, advertising, collection dog tax, aud incidental, £100; small bird nuisance and public health, £150; interest on overdraft, £50. Under section No. 2: Contributions to Charitable Aid and Hospital Boards, £275 in Gd; interest on Government loans, £115 13s 2d; revision of valuation rolls, £15; administration of Alcoholic Act, .£SO; accident, etc., insurance, £10. Under section No. 3; Maintenance of roads and bridges (including land fund), £1200;— total, £3098 18s Bd. In connection with the annual estimates, the county clerk also submitted a statement of receipts and expenditure for three years, which showed that in 1903-4 expenditure exceeded income by £3 17s; in 1904-5, by £17 5s lid; andl in 1905-0, the excess of expenditure over income was £161 2s 9d. Cr Philin remarked that about half the annual revenue of the county was absorbed in administration, contributions, and other charges. Cr Matheson: That is where tho difficulty lies. It costs as much to run a small county as it does to ran a large one, and we should either have our area increased or ba tacked on tc some other county. In view of the statements submitted, I will give notice to move at the next meeting—" That the rate for the year be jd instead of jjd." Personally I would like to see the rate kept down to' a halfpenny, but I do not think it is good policy to exceed tho revenue as we are compelled to do and pay interest upon overdraft. We can give the higher rate a trial for a year, and revert again to the lower l-ato if it is possible to do so. Cr D. Ross: Do you mean the threefarthings to apply to the whole county, or merely to your own riding? Cr Matbeson: To the whole county. Cr Ross: I think it should only apply to your riding. Cr Philip intimated that he was opposed to the increased rate, and Cr Clark remarked that under the circumstances he would favour it. On the motion of Cr Matheson, seconded by Cr O'Neill, it was resolved to instruct the clerk lo take immediate steps to get in outstanding rates amounting to £31.