COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 966, 1 December 1882, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The annual meeting of the County Council was held on Wednesday at the Council Chambers. Present, Councillors R. Horner (chairman), Bridge, Howie, Taylor, O’Sullivan, Morgan, Foreman, and Durie. ELECTION OK CHAIRMAN. The first business was the election of Chairman. On the motion of Or Bridge seconded by Or Taylor, Cr Horner was unanimously elected. APPOINTMENT OF CLERK. The Executive Committee’s report, recommending the appointment of Mr E.C.Horner as clerk was adopted. The appointment of Mr George Harden was then rescinded. CORRESPONDENCE. M-r D. M. Harris, secretary of the Patea East Road Board wrote calling the attention of the Council to the injury to roads under the control of the Board, through the cartage of gravel by the Council contractors, and asking that a clause be inserted in specifications (hat the damage should be made good. Tbe letter was ordered to be acknowledged. A copy of resolutions passed at a recent public meeting (published in the Mail of Nov.l) was received from the chairman and it was resolved to reply that the Council were willing to render assistance if they can be of any use. Mr Dean, clerk of tbe Licensing Commissioners, wrote drawing tbe Council’s attention to (he neeesssity of appointing a returning officer for conducting elections of Licensing Committee for the Otoia Riding. Mr E. C. Horner was appointed on the motion of Cr Bridge, seconded by Cr Howie. A letter was read from the Hawera County Council enclosing the following resolution : “That plans and specifications of the Manawapou bridge bo forwarded to the Government for approval under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, and that the Patea County Council be asked to request a grant of three fourths of the cost of this bridge under the said Act.” The Council decided to take action in the matter referred to, and a reply to that effect was sent.

The Chairman of the Waverley Town Board wrote asking that the main road may be metalled forthwith. On the motion of Cr Bridge, seconded by Or Taylor, it was resolved “ That the engineer be instructed to invite tenders for gravelling the road through Waverley at once, as resolved on March Ist, tenders to be in by next meeting of Council, provided that no gravelling shall be done until the engineer is satisfied that the formation has been done according to the plans approved by the Council.” engineer’s report. The Engineer reported that contract No. 73 had not made much progress this month in consequence of the delay in getting timber to supply tbe place of wliat has been condemned. Contract No. 69 is in progress and will shortly be completed. The Hospital additions will be completed this week, RESOLUTIONS, The following were carried “ That this Council make application to the Government for £12,000 for the purpose of constructing the main road from Waitotara to Maniapo.” “ That an opinion be taken from Mr Ollivier, of Wellington, whether the Town Boards or County Councils are entitled to publicans’ licenses and dog-taxes within Town Districts, and that the chairman of the Waverley Town Board be informed that his letters of Nov. 6th and 11th have been received and a definite reply will be sent at as early a date as possible, i.e. as soon as a reply has been received from our solicitor upon the point in dispute.”

“That the chairman be authorised to pay the amount of the claim of the Wanganui County Council for half share of Waitotara Bridge as per amount, provided the Engineer’s report is considered satisfactory, and also that the chairman considered the amount charged for Kngfineer’s services fair and reasonable.” “ That the Engineer be instructed to. make arrangements if possible for having the metal for the Waverlcy street brought by railway.” “ That the place of meeting of this Council be the clerk’s office, and that the chairman be authorised to remove all papers &c. to that office that may bo required.” “ That the report of the Engineer bo adopted for supplying w.c. and urinal at Hospital agreeable to recommendation of Surgeon, and that he prepare specifications for same.” “That the sum of twelve pounds ten shillings be voted as salary to the. Chairman for his past services for the last six months.” “ That Mr Harden bo appointed to collect rates at Wayerley and Waitotara on Monday, Dec. 4th, and at Manutahi on Thursday Dec. 7th.” “That summonses bo issued to-morrow, for all rates for 1880-81 outstanding.” “ That the balance sheet for the year ended March 31st, 1882, and half-year ended Sept. 30th, 1882, be published, as required by the Counties Act, 1876.” It was resolved to meet again on Jan. 3, and the Council then adjourned.