Pahiatua County Council.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 145, 7 May 1894, Page 2

Pahiatua County Council.

Saturday, May sth, 1894. Tha monthly meeting of the members of the above Counoil was held on Saturday, when there were presentCrs S. Bolton (Chairman) T. Hodgins, A. Boss, Yule. J. B. Tait, J. Griffith, P. J. Murphy, G. Whitcombe aud F. Perry. SPECIAL MEETING. Cr Bolton moved That the resolutions passed on April 7th, striking special rates in respect of loans 41 and 48 be now adopted by special order. Seoonded by Cr Hodgins and carried. COBRBSPONDBNCB. Alterations on rate roll were applied for as follow*:—Hon. A. J. Balfour to Mr J. Close; John Keilly to M. Kippenberger ; J. A. Kennedy to J. Champion; R. E. Davis to T. J. Woolbridge.— Agreed to in by an order. cases where applications were aocompanied From Commissioner Crown Lands re section 22 Block Vll, Makuri, forfeited - Replied to. W. Morrell, re expenditure of thirds on section 13 Block VII, Mangahao.—Replied to, stating the matter would be attended to. J. S. Berry, Makuri, re felling road line fronting section XI, Block X, Makuri. N. W. Ibbotson, re felling road. George Gray, re felling road line Upper Pori road. Thomas Bros, asking that thirds be spent in opening up roads into section 8, Block VI, Mangahao. Morris and Ford, requesting that thirds be spent in continuing bridle track towards their homestead.

G. Wallis asking that track be cut from Main no&d to his section at Makakahi, and offering to do the work for 5s per chain. From J. Grantham reporting satisfactorily on all slaughter houses within the Boundary and forwarding £7 Is amount of fees oollected ; also reporting that 280 dog collars had been disposed of. F. L. Anderson reporting result of Ohineraiti road loan meeting, at which the proposals were carried.

Dr Gault reporting one case of diptheria and four cases of fever within the county. J. B. Whyte, applying for renewal of slaughtering license—Granted, on motion of Cr Bolton seconded by Cr Murphy. Wairarapa North County Council re their claim for proportionate amount of expenses in connection with Pah Valley road contract.

From Secretary Master ton hospital acknowledging receipt of Council’s donation of £lO for the year ; also furnishing list of patients received from the Bush district during the past six years and denying that unyons from there had been refused admission to the hospital. Secretary Wairarapa District Hospital Board notifying levy, the Council’s contribution being fixed at £2 7s 2d. Department of Lands and Survey stating the Government could not agree to Chairman signing agreement for Makuri river bridge in place of Government road surveyor.

R. H. Heaney, complaining that construction of the Makuri river bridge had been proceeded with before he had approved of plans. Unless he could approve of what had been done he would be compelled to withhold usual certificate. Department of Lands and Survey notifying grant of £IOOO for Tiraumea River bridge at Kgaturi. Same, stating the grant for the Mangahao river bridge at .Sinclair's amounted to £250. Agreement for other grants had been sent to the Council for signature.

R. H. Heaney requesting that plans and specifications of Mangatainoka river bridge on Bridge road be forwarded to him for approval. 1 >epartment of Lands and Survey, notifying a Government grant of £l5O for Mangatainoka river bridge on Bridge road. Public Works Department stating Section 62. Block VIII, Mangahao. wa9 not cut off by the Eketahuna-Woodville railway line, and there was no right-of-way over the railway at the place mentioned. WORKS COMMITJFER. The Works Committee recommended the acceptance of the following tenders : Contract No. 333, McGinley; No. 334, Kippenberger ; No. 385, McGinley. For Contract No. 330 no tender was accepted. They also agree that the Engineer be instructed to interview Mr Warren with regard to a portion of a tree now over hanging the Main Road to the great danger of the public.—On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr Murphy, the report was adopted. MR BERRY’S CLAIM. The Chairman moved That Mr Berry’s claim be paid, on the Engineer’s certificate. Seconded by Cr Hodgins and carried. PRICE FOR FELLINO BUSH. Cr Bolton moved That Mr Ibbot9on be informed the Counoil cannot allow him more than 3s per chain for falling bush. Seconded by Cr Hodgins and carried. Cr Bolton moved That Mr Gray be in formed that the Council cannot pay more than Sr per chain for felling bush, but Mr Gray cnn fall the bush at that priee if he undertakes to wait for payment till the road is in fund*. Seconded by Cr Hodgins and carried. MORRIS BROS. APPLICATION. Cr Griffith moved That amount of funds in credit to road mentioned by Thomas Bros, bo expended to the best advantage for applicants. Seconded by Cr Murphy and carried. Cr Ross moved That Messrs Morris and Ford’s request be granted as far as avail able. Seconded by Cr Hodgins and carried. Cr Bolton moved That Mr Wallis be informed the Council has no funds available for the work. Seconded by Cr Hongins and carried. PA VALLEY ROAD. Cr Whitcombe moved That the Wairarapa North County Council be informed that this Council raised a loan of £2OO for this road at the request of the 6ettlers. and that the Alfrcdton Road Board informed them (the settlers in the Pahiatua County portion) that the Pahiatua share would be lrs9 than £2OO. and that we are willing to hand over the £2OO in full satisfaction. Seconded by Cr Bolton and carried. DEPUTATIONS. Mr Clulow asked why the poll for the Kaitawa Bridge road loan proposals lmd no! been declared. Ihu Chair turn replied that some illegality had occurred in one of the votes, and an objection had boon raised. Mr Clnlow : Who raised the objection? The Chairman : Cr Whitcombe. Cr Whitcombe: The roll is not in order, and another objection will have to be considered. Mr Clnlow • In what wav is it not in order ? Cr Whitcombe Is u not according to the rate book. The Chairman said there was no specified time for declaring the result of a poll. It was to bo declared as soon as convenient and the poll had been i ascertained, Mr Clulow said he thought it strange that the poll was not declared in the usual j wav, us flu v had a majority of ratepayers The Chairman: There ‘had to he a majority ef electors. A ratepayer must j bo of ago to become an electoi

Mr Clulow: If a name ie on tha roll that should be sufficient to enable a ratepayer to vote. The Chairman*: He might be a ratepayer, and not an elector. There is a difference between the two. Mr Clulow: The two ought to go together. The Chairman : We have to act according to the law. If there is any objection it will be laid formally. Cr Hodgins: The Land Act gives power to ell who hold land to yoto on these occasions.

The Chairman: The Counties Act is incorporated with the Local Bodiee Act, and in the latter it is specified an elector must be of age. Cr Hodgins: How is it if there is not a majority of ratepayers a loan is lost, and if there is a tie it is lost, and the returning officer has no casting vote. On every other occasion the returning officer has a casting vote. The Chairman : In this case a loan has to be carried by an absolute majority. Cr Hodgins : The Local Elections Act is in fault then. I know a case of one of my own sons, 17 years of age, who voted at the municipal eleotiou in Wellington. Cr Griffith : Who is entitled to vole ? The Chairman: Only those over the age of 21 years. Cr Griffith : Then no one under the age of 21 years has the right to vote in the election of members of the Counoil. The Chairman : He is an infant. Cr Perry: If a man • name is on the roll he has a right to vote. The Chairman : A ratepayer means every person of the age of 21 years whose name appears on the rate roll. Cr Yule : There is something rotten in the law then. If a local body accepts rates from anybody I consider the ratepayer should have a voice in local matters.

Cr Ross : Why did this particular name appear on the roll sent to the returning officer if he was not of age ? If he voted against the loan would not that be counted ? The Chairman : No !

Cr Tait: If he has to pay rates he is a ratepayer. The Chairman : Yes. he is a ratepayer, but not an elector. Under the Act an elector must be of the age of 21 years. Cr Whitcombe : I object further on the ground that the rate roll was not a copy of the rate book. There was one name on the roll which is not in the book at all. That was Mr Nelson s name. Mr Moore: I was told he was the occupier of the land and therefore I considered I was justified in putting him down. If he has to pay rates he has a right to have a vote.

Cr Whitcombe: The Chairman had better be very careful before he declares the loan carried, particularly as there is a £SOO penalty sticking out. The Chairman : As far as I know there is nothing to prevent it being carried. Mr Moore: I think it is a question of law whether a minor is entitled to vote. On the other question you should have no hesitation in declaring that Nelson's name should appear on the roll. That is my opinion.

Cr Whitcombe: The returning officer had a piece of paper with a list of names on it but without a signature. Cr Perry : I am surprised at Cr Whitcombe objecting to a matter which will be a great convenience to a lot of settlers. Cr Whitcombe: It is the duty of aCr to see that the objecting minority should not be put upon by the majority. Ihe Chairman: Any Councillor has a perfect right to see that everything is in order. If everything is in order. I see no reason why it should not be carried.

Cr Hodgins : Well, what is your opinion Mr Chairman. The Chairman : I see no reason why it should not be carried. I therefore declare tho proposal carried. The law can take its own course afterwards.

Cr Perry, on behalf of Mr Sydcr. asked if he would be allowed to put a fence on I the side of the Te Aupapa road. He would put it up at his own risk. No objection was raised to that course being taken. ■NOINKBB 8 REPORT. The Engineer's report was read as follows : Contract 284—Metalling Tiraumea Valley. This work has been completed and further contracts for metalling portion of Te Aupapa road and Sydcr's road. Contract 250—Ereetion of bridge over Tiraumea river at Ngaturi. Thia contract was let by me with the approval of the Council to Messrs Eraser and Meyers. These contractors have shown great energy and skill in the prosecution of their work and although the contract has been let less than a month ago, foundations have been dug and the concrete for the central pier raised to a height of some 14 feet from the foundation. A first class foundation wan obtained some Bft in the solid papa rock, and the pier will now be left for a week before resuming operations. In the meantime the work of trying the foundations for end piers is progressing. Contract 272 —Formation of road 83b. This work is piactioaliy completed satitsfactorilv.

Contract 276—Culvert, embankment, and cutting. Very slow work has been done on this contract. A considerable difficulty has been experienced im getting a solid bed for the culvert which much delayed the contractors. The culvert has now been constructed and the filling of bank progressing.

Contract 277—Erection of horse-bridge. Tylee’s crossing. The bridge and approaches have been completed and some metalling still requires to be done. A first class job has been made of the work and the contract faithfully carried out.

Contract 287—Formation through sec. 102, Block 6, and erection of bridge. The work has been completed, but owing to the nature of the ground considerable slips will occur throughout the wet weather. Contract *2B2—Road 48. Thia formation with exception of some alight requirements is finished.

Contraot 291 —Ereetien of bridge. Mangatainoka. Bridge road. On my last inspection the work was proceeding satisfactorily. all timber etc being on the ground excepting piles, and the ©on struction of tho lower chords being pro cecdsd with.

Contract 296—Formation Tiraumea A alley road. Th l * work is nearly completed with the exception of the batters and lengthening of certain culverts. Contract 297—0 n the same road. Is iu like condition to previous contract. Contract 299—Formation of part of Mangaramarama road from Tiraumea road. This work has been completed. But the work is not by any means firstclass, considerable inequalities showing throughout the grades. Contract 300—On the same road. The work so far has not been satisfactory, I having found on inspection, timber roots and rubbish put into the centre of the foundation. The contractor will be rc quired to open up the embankment for inspection.

Contract 301— Makuri bridge. On inspecting this work at the beginning of the week I found good progress made, the trusses ready for fitting and piles driver. On the right bank 1 have * übsutnicd a small beam plan in place of filling and

COntract -Ml Bridle track towards r\uU\ W0,..ki11. «.hong* roe,l. Son,. 59 chums of formation lia* luce com

plated. Contract 313—Bridge on North Tiratj mea road. On this contract tha urn bar is being taken from tha creak and tha pile* will be driven nan week, tone delay having occurred in aaennag a monkey. t Contract 814—Formation Scarborough, road. A good job has b«n tnada of thia work, bnt on the day of my inepaetioo I found over Mi head of rattle proceeding to dainaliah the aide drains and am hank menif. Wills oa this subject I may also mention that tha roadman reparse 45 head aa constantly on road U. Sullen ee district, which are considerable damage to tha lata fonnauoa Contract 815—Formation. MaknkaM road. Keported as completed. Contract SlC—Bridle track, ate . Meant Merchant. This work is completed in rough, and tha timber for tha culverts ate., ia os the ground. Contract 817 Maintenance Ballanaa road. This contract has bean completed. Contract 318—Maintenance, Makuri, also completed. Contract 319—Maintenance metal aa Bridge street. Kailawa. complete; alee Tiraumea road aud portion of Maagahuo road. The delivery of metal for Main road will be proceeded with daring the 1 month. Contraot 338—Widening portion of Palmerston road. boms 80 chans la nearly complete. I have also laid off eight chains of road from the “-'leers road to give scoves by dray w the portion now being widened, tenders to dees to-day. Contract 837—Ereetion of three wa.'i bridges near W*hyta'a (Tiraumea Valley,. The timber is being cot, but no access can yet be had to the sites until contract 378 ia completed. Contract 328—Formation road 37, Me ngahao. Tha original portion of thu contract ia finished, and a ,rro.il bridge erected in place of the ford. I have also laid off a crossing at Malarna creek, eon sitting of heavy side a block cutting J, will also necessitate a ah on deviauoa oa Scott's road, aa a suitable grade could net otherwise be obtained. lenders are called for this work to close to Several other small contracts are in hand which have been lately let. hut no material progress has yet been made X need not report on them. The Chairman moved That tha Engineer's report be adopted and aulsor.ly be given to him to have work earned out near WagstaCT- as recotnineadad. Seconded by Cr Murphy and carried. Cr Griffith moved That the Chairman have authority to take action under clauses 100 and 103 Public Works Acs againat all caltla aud pigs trespassing. Seconded by Cr Morphy and earned. rirtiNcs com Mirras Accounts amounting to £1334 J«, 2d were recommended for pevtaent sad passed on tha Council resuming. okseksi.. Cr Whitcombe moved That considering there are in thia di.tru« numbers of men for whom there is apparently no room on the railway worse and that this Council have not sufficient funds to pot on the unemployed on worse, this Council wish to know ’ whetaer the Government would subsidise the Conned £ for £ up m £SOO for eependiture for this purpose, the men to be put on road works at piece work, prices to be fixed by the County Engineer Speaking ea tha motion. Councillor Waitccmbe satd a letter had gona dawn te the Government signed by fully nfi be na fide workmen asking far work. If they eonld get this earned they octnd get their work done el e fair wage. The price could be fixed aud bona fid* oeem ployed engaged to do tha work required. The resolution was seconded bv Cr < Hodgins and earned. Cr Hodgins moved That the earn ef £2O be spent in draining Tana raad frost thirds on sections 36. 37, and 29. Seconded by Cr Waiteombe and earned. Cr \\ hitcombe moved That tha ——g at the crossing of the Makun river as site end of the Te Aupapa road be in.proved 'cost not to sxceed £s>. Seconded by Cr Perry end earned. Cr Murphy moved Tust in future the ranger be not s'lowed to impound any animals except pigs between the hours ef 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The raaolntion provoked some diaenseion. most of the Councillors agreeing that it would be better to do awav with the ranger altogether, though eome' strong remarks were made about pigs being allowed to wander about on the Tiraumea road. Eventually Cr Marp&T withdrew his resolution. and gave nonce' of motion that at next meeting ha would move That the Ranger s services be dispeaeed with.

Cr Tail moved That Mr H. Oiaen be authorised to fell road line cue chain wide between seesi >ns 30 and 31. Block IX., Mangahao, an the usual terms. Seconded by Cr Griffith and earned. Cr Tail moved Thai tha formation ef roads within the area of Loan 88 be pro reeded with as soon as possible m order that the roads may be ready for 1,,,, during the next .uznmw Seconded by Cr Griffith and earned, work to be done as soon as fiends are available. Cr Teat moved That Mr Heard be allowed £5 for work required te give access to section 85. Block ill. Mangahao work to be subject to the Engineer • supervision. ~

Seconded by Cr Gnffith and earned Ke the Government grants tha Chairman said he could see no other eoarae (than to go to Wellington and fight tee matter out there. He had the authority | of the Council to do so and he wculd de it at once. The matter of Ge.ersmesf | subsidies also required attention. These were given mdiecnnunetelv irrespective | of the requirements of the 'dietncit and | he would move That the general Gevent mem be requested tn future in dealing with subsidies to local bodiee to taka into consideration tha mileage tn each district. Seconded by Cr Hodgins ana earned. soTicn or motio». The Chair-nan gave notice that as next meeting he would move That a general tuts of one penny half penny ia she poaad be mede and levied on ali rateable pro pertv within the Coantv for she pared commencing Apnl Ist. 1*94. ead ending March Slet, 1895. such rate to be dueand payable on July let 1894. The Chairman moved That tha Engineer have authority to deal with eon tract 330. for which ue leaders were rac#iT-»d.

Seconded by Cr Farry and rarnad THE riRAI MBA *RJO«Bs Or I«ny tbsri why Mr i>| VMa t lender had ln«au aoerptad for tha fixmvmm bridge* whan anoihar landar Mr Visa •>. wa* £24 iowar. Tha Chairman aaid a rraaon had haar £iran mat Mr \ma had loe much work on at tha lima. Cr 11 (Vienna aaid tha linag waa dan* now. ;md it wa* uo uaa .» a^a;r Howaxar, he bopad •act a ihiLr would not occ u* again. G Ferry aaffi :t was a £raai that ahculd throw £24 away in that atyla ifr \ in# had told him ha had not anoihar jab in hand ai tha tuna. Tha I hairman aa’d iia ragratiad Cr Pt'rr\ wn« not in hi* piaca a* tha tima. 1 he t ounril thon adjourned. « lI4RIT4MLR All* •S.'fiEtv

A lui-siiij; of tho t ant aid* Aid i aari

wad field immediately alMrwarda. Present —Or* Bolton (Chairman), Murphy, Whit eoeeb* and Yule. Cr Murphy moved Thai JBl bo given to Mr Wile* to reimbora* him for money a pent on a child left is hie oar* by it* father eom* time ago. • The child niiet have coat Mr Wile* £ls 'or £l6. He himaelf was quits satisfied ibat Ik* money would be spent on the shild. Seconded by Cr Bolton and oarrisd. Belief was continued to thrse applicants and an acoount of £8 due to J. Drake's salat* for burying a destitute person was passed (or payment.