Hawera County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 64, 12 February 1895, Page 4

Hawera County Council.

(Star.) The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held on Friday Present—Crs Forsyth (chairman), Scott, Winks, McLean, Stevenson, and MoRao* CRUSHER. In consequence of an order having been sent for springs for the crasher, Cr McLean suggested that the contractors should be made responsible for maintenance, and this led to a discussion as to the advisibility of getting ■wheels for the crusher so that it could be moved about more cheaply. Deferred till next meeting. CORRESPONBENCE. J. A. Hair, applying for. slaughtering license. Granted. Taranaki County Council, agreeing to Taungatara Bridge being vested in the Hawera County Council and to pay half the cost, and suggesting that as the county was not in funds a plain bridge should be erected. Necessary steps to be taken to get the bridge vested, tenders to be called for the work. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment:—Julian, £7 10s; paysheet, £9518s ;H. Eingham, £JS 16s 3d; hospital and charitable aid, £SB 2s 9d; Hawera Borough Council, £l6l 15s; councillors' expenses, £B. GLOVER ROAD. Cr Winks complained in connection with the last account that the Borough Council had wasted money in grading Glover Eoad, and had not asked the sanction of the Council. Mr Twigg said he had stated that he thought the County Council would "kick," but he was told that .Mr Winks as Borough Councillor, had moved or seconded 'the motion ordering the work. Cr Winks said he had done nothing of the sort. ROADS. The Chairman, referring to the paysheet, said he had asked the foreman to keep down the expenditure, includ ing the day work, and the result undoubtedly was that many roads were being neglected. The Main South Road was getting particularly bad in many places. He did not know what was to be done. He had asked Mr Twigg to leave undone as far as possible anything that had to be charged to the General Account, and day work was mostly charged to that. It had been expected that a loan would be raised for the Main South Road, but that had been baulked in various ways, and there could be no loan until the ridings were "fixed up." No doubt as soon as that was done there mast be a Joan, or the roads must be placed under a single control and levy a six-farthing rate. It would take a six-farthing rate for several years to put the main roan in decent order. It was a matter that ratepayers did not look upon as seriously as they should do. The county was still drifting, although all work was pretty well stopped. Cr Stevenson asked if there was no land fund accruing to the Main South Road. The Chairman said there was not a great deal. Some work had been done at the western end out of the land fund. Cr Stevenson urged that unless something was done this summer the whole road from Taungatara would go. If possible, something should be done during the next three months, bo as to try and keep the road together a bit. The Chairman agreed that it would take twice aslnuch to put things right next summer as this. In answer to a question, the engineer said that there were certain portions that would break up this winter badly if not attended to. Cr McLean said he had several times called attention to the matter, but ratepayers did not seem to appreciate the difficulty sufficiently. Cr Stevenson was afraid that even a six-farthing rate would would not be sufficient directly. Settlers asked for a special loan of £IOO to be raised for. making a few chains of Clifford Road. Request agreed to. TENDERS. Supply of stone on Ohangai Road, J. Simpson, 2s 9d, accepted. MAIN SOUTH ROAD. On the motion of Cr Scott, it was resolved to repair the Main South Road at Tangahoe, the engineer to make enquiries about the shell rock gravel from the Waitotara for the purpose. 11KAVY TRAFFIC. Cr McLean said it was nearly time to make a move again to prevent heavy traffic. He would move a motion next meeting. FAIR RENT CIRCULAR. The Chairman asked if anything could be done with the fair rent circular. No member of the Council could suggest any method of getting the required information. DEVIATIONS. Cr Scott asked if anything had been heard from the Lands Department in respect of the deviations ? The clerk said that no further correspondence had been received. Cr Scott thought the matter should be settled. KAUFOKONCI BRIDGE. In answer to the Chairman, the Engineer said that if the Council was in funds he would recommend that the Kaupokonui Bridge be pulled down, bat in the present position he thought repairs could be effected which would make the bridge good for another three years. Another transom or two would strengthen it, and £lO or £l7 would do that and other work. The engineer was authorised to have the bridge repaired. The Council adjourned.