Hawera County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 84, 23 April 1895, Page 3

Hawera County Council.

The Council met oh Friday. Pre-sent-—Crs Heslop (chairman), Scott, Forsyth, Proudlock, and McLean. ‘ SPECIAL MEETNG. At the special meeting the Council confirmed former resolutions relative to Clifford Road loan ; and also resolution dissolving the old Waimate Road Board. ORDINARY MEETING. . .. • .. « -.,f OVERDRAFT. The overdraft on general account was,stated to be £2825. CORRESPONDENCE. From Messrs Robertson, Hills, and Hodgsou, calling attention to the state of Upper Stuart Road, which had been practically a drain instead of a road, and asking that the whole width of the road might be stumped. The accounts from the late Road Board showed that the road was already £4O overdrawn. Money to be spent when available. From Kauri Timber Company; and Layland and O’Brien, quoting for kauri timber delivered at Opunake, and the offer of the latter (13s 9d per 100 square feet) was accepted ; and it was resolved that tenders be called for for the erection of the work. From G. Death, asking that valuation of Croftmoor might be reduced to £2 for the sandy land (286 acres) and to-JBQ per acre for the balance, about 400 acres. Deferred till the valuation question was considered. From Hawera Borough Council, communicating resolution asking that the county bear oue-tbird of the cost of repairing damage done to road bear Hunter’s, owing to the Council’s contractors having damaged the road. The engineer said the road was in a worse state the winter before the traction engine went on it than it was now ; the road was really worn out. The Borough people travelled over a lot of county road, and did more damage than the county ratepayers. The contractors admitted that they did a certain' amount of damage, and if the Borough Council .would put it in good repair, they would contribute 100 yards of metal. It was estimated that 300 yards would do the work. Cr McLean said it would be a waste to put 800 yards on ; there was no traffic on the road, and 100 yards would do it for years. After discussion, it was resolved that the Council would contribute 100 yards if the Borough Council and the contractors each contributed a similar quantity. [McLean -Forsyth.] From Harrison Gibson, applying for a settler’s slaughtering license for Section- 51, Block IX., Ngaire. Granted, subject to the usual conditions.

From C. Cook, solicitor for Mr McGregor, Oherrybank, Wanganui, in reference to the Ingahape Road and demand of the Council that gates be removed. He held that the road had been deviated some years ago, and his client had been put to expense in fencing; if* he was now to re-fence, the cost of the former fence must be paid for.by the Council. . From the Treasury, requiring declaration before loan was granted for Chapman Road to the effect that the road had not been previously metalled. The declaration had been sent.

From Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, covering list of contributions for the year, on the basis of a reduction of f2d per £IOO on previous year’s rate.

From Public Trust Office in reference to rates on native land, asking where the liability rested.

Councillor McLean said the Public Trustee would probably be sued.

James Boddie reminded the Council of the promise to put a bridge over the Mangimingi stream on Auderson Road. The enquirer said it was expected that £ls would do the work, but it was fouud that it would cost £6O or £7O. The land fund could, be believed, be used. Work to be done as soon as funds were received. „ From G. H. Maunder and H. Sutherland, stating their belief that the “ thirds ” accruing from Section 29, Block XYL, Kaupokonui, had been misspent—not spent according to law, according to the schedule submitted to and approved by the Land Board, and for the benefit of the land from which it was derived. They asked for enquiry and rectification. Clerk to write enquiring what had become of the money. DEVIATIONS. In answer to Gr Scott, the clerk said that no further information had been received about deviating roads on native lands. Mr Hutchison told him he was attending to it. The Chairman said he would make enquiry in Wellington. BUEGON ROAD. Mr Burgon waited on the Council and asked that the road between bis house and the river be formed. He pointed out that the Road Board had received £65 from his d.p. section, and the money had not been spent on this road, nor on any which beneiitted his land ; and he had been put off from time to time, on the ground that the road on the Hawera side of tbo river did not meet the road on the Waimate side. The Council promised favorable consideration as soon of the Council ascertained the financial position of the road, for the Council had always been in favor of fixing up this matter fairly. SKEET HOAD. W. Goodland waited on the Council and reminded members of the promise made in the spring, that something should be done to improve the Skeet Road between the Waingongoro and Te Roti railway stations. The sticking part at that time was money, but that was got rid of now because Messrs O’Sullivan and McEldowie were paying off over £IOO, and had sent in a

letter to the Land Boa:d saying . ney we;e willing that their money should be used auywh* rc on the Bkeet Road between the Jnaha River and Te Roti railway station. The Chairman said that the money coming from these sections should be used to return money formerly brought down from the upper, portion of the Hastings Road, above Neil Read, to assist> these people. Besides, it was proposed to take the money out of the riding. He objected to this, and thought the money should be spent on the Hastings Road in continuation of the present metal. • ,Mr .Goodlands said the Skeet Road was more used than the upper portion of.the Hastings Road, The Chairman thought that ten travelled over the Hastings Road for every one on the Skeet Road. The upper portion of the road was of no personal interest to him, but as a matter of justice he would oppose, in the Council and on the Laud Board, the money r being taken oft the Hastings Road.

’ Mr Goodlands held a different view as to the traffic, but there was the fact that the value of the metal on Skeet Road was lost to the ratepayers because of this eighteen of unmetalled road between the station and the bridge. He could not see the force of the Chairman’s argument, and hoped that on the Council and on the Laud Board there would be other independent men who would take a different view. The people who contributed the money had a right to say where it should be spent. The Chairman said there was a limit to that.

It was resolved to defer action till the letters referred to were before the Council. ' Mr Goodland brought under notice the nececssity for improving a piece of road about a chain and a half at the bridge, and asked that it de done. Agreed to. Mr Goodlaud also asked that bylaws to prevent heavy firewood traffic be hurried on. In answer to Or McLean, Mr Goodland saia he would act as honorary ranger, and he knew Mr J. Barrow would do so. CHARITABLE AID. Cr Scott said that he had, when he saw Mr Seddon in Wanganui, brought under his notice the burdensome nature of charitable aid, and Mr Seddon seemed to think that an attempt would be made this next session to deal with the matter. TENDERS. The following tenders were dealt with : Duthie Road, 198 : 35 chains—J Simpson (accepted), Is 2d per yard ; P. Murphy, Is 4d. Tenders for gravelling Anderson Road were held over to sec if the weather takes up, to enable the work to be done. VALUATION. Cr McLean moved that tenders 1 s called for the office of valuer for the Hawera County, and that the Chairman, Cr. McLean, and the Secretary be. a commictee to prepare conditions. . Cr Scott seconded. It was understood that the conditions should provide for a valuer for the east side of the Waingongoro River and another one west. ; ’ ■; Agreed to. MAIN HOADS. Cr Forylh moved that tenders be invited from persons willing to take contracts for the autumn clearing up of the road. It could be let in sections. A good ■ deal could be done with a handy pair of horses and a swingplough, and if the work were done in the autumn it would last out the winter, and very little would need to be done in the summer. The Chairman understood that the yearly contract system was working well in the Taranaki County. After a little discussion, it was resolved to make the conditions alternative for either a yearly contract or a contract to do the p v esent work. MAIN SOUTH ROAD. Cr Forsyth mentioned the need of repairs to the culverts at Stevenson’s and at Bartlett’s. Referred to the engineer. ACCOUNTS, The usual accounts were passed for •payment. BYEL-AWS. A draft of by-laws was received from Mr Hutchison, M.H.R., who declined to make a charge. These were to be amended and again submitted to Mr Hutchison and the Minister of Lands by the chairman when in Wellington—Star.