COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1029, 2 May 1883, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held at their offices yesterday. Present ; The Chairman, and Messrs Bridge, Taylor, Wilson, Morgan and Foreman. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr Barton as follows : —“ Patea, April 13, To the Clerk County Council. Re Beamish. Pursuant to instructions received on the sth inst., I prepared this information, and on the 9th instant wrote to the Chairman of the Council informing him. To-day he informed me that he could not see his way, under the circumstances, to lay the information, and declined to do so. I shall be glad to received your further instructions. Yours etc.” Proposed by Or Wilson, seconded by Cr Foreman, “That the Chairman, on behalf of the Council, bring a fresh information against G. Beamish.” Carried. From the Chairman of the Harbour Board asking the Council’s cooperation in urging on the Government necessity of calling tenders for the remaining contracts on (he Railway line between Manutahi and Hawera, so that it might be completed within 12 months. The Chairman proposed, Cr Foreman seconded, and it was carried—“ That the Council, as a body, sympathise with the memorial of the Harbour Board re pushing on the railway, and will do all in its power to further the object.” From G. T. Benzoni, stating, with reference to the Council’s application for assistance towards repairing the main road between Patea and Waverley, that the Government hope to have the railway to Whenuakura flag station open before winter, so that the traffic would not then be so heavy. With regard to the rest of the road the Government would contribute to the extent of £4OO provided the County finds at least an equal sum. engineer’s report. The Engineer reported as follows : Contract No. 76 is completed in a satisfactory manner. Contract No. 77 is not yet completed. I may state, regarding this contract, that the material which the contractors were placing on the road at Fairweather’s, was of such an inferior quality that I would not allow it to be spread on the road ; and as the contractors say they cannot get any better, the contract now lies in abeyance. I have instructed Mr Patterson, contractor for supplying metal on Manawapou hill, to deposit 150 yds in the Council’s paddock, convenient to the main road and the balance of his contract near the top of the hill.” The Engineer stated that the material which was being laid on Fairweather’s hill was of such an inferior nature that he stopped (he contract. Ho had no fault to find with the work of a similar character on Burke’s hill. Proposed by Cr Foreman “That Messrs Murphy and Co. receive payment for 75 yards on Burke’s hill and (hat they be relieved from the contract on Fairweather’s hill.” Seconded by Cr Wilson and carried. the hospital. Cr Wilson proposed “ That as the Government do not cany out the many promises made regarding the necessary payments for keeping open the Patea Hospital this Council cannot go on incurring debts without monies to pay them with, and that the doctor in charge bo informed that from to-day all responsibility, as far as this Council is concerned regarding the Hospital, ceasos and ho had bettor communicate at once with Government.” During the course of the meeting a telegram from the Government arrived, offering assistance, Cr Bridge thought the the Borough Council was the proper body to carry on the Hospital. Ho bad always opposed its being supported by the County Council. Cr Wilson moved, Cr Bridge seconded, and it was carried, “ That the Patea County Council refuse to carry on, or conduct, the Patea Hospital in future from the date of this meeting, and notify (ho same to the Government, advising that the Patea Borough Council are the proper body to ndminster.” miscellaneous. Cr Bridge proposed—“ That steps be taken at (ho next meeting of the Council to make a special order to amend the by-laws relative to impounding. Seconded by Cr Wilson, and carried. Cr Bridge moved —“That the necessary steps to make a special order at the next meeting of the Council, for the purpose of constituting the new highway district south of the main road, in the Waverley district, be taken.” Seconded by Cr Wilson, and carried. Councillors expressed themselves some what strongly, in consequence of the Government not having issued the new

valuation rolls, and the Council, being debarred by law from striking a rate under the old ones. The hank having refused to advance any more money, the Council was consequently at its wit’s end how to meet the liabilities incurred, and Or Wilson proposed—“ That all surfacemen be forthwith discharged, and that no further liabilities, unless extraordinary, bo incurred under any circumstances.” Seconded by Cr Foreman and carried. DEPUTATION. Mr Flannery waited on the Council, with regard to an account of £262 owing to him on a contract. After explaining to him the hard up state of the Council, through their inability to strike a rate, a promissory note for 3 months was given, Councillors promising, if the bank at Wanganui refused to honour it, to do their best to pay the money when the note became due. This was all the business.