WAIAPU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14847, 26 February 1919, Page 9

WAIAPU COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Waiapu County Council was held on the 17tj February. Present: Crs. A. B. WuJiams. G. Kirk, R. W. Kemp, E. 1), Holt, C. H. Clarke, and Win. Oates. Cr. A. 13. Williams was voted to the chair. Incoming correspondence wvis dealt with as •' follows: — Regarding a telegram from the Minister of Public Works, the acting-chair-man stated that the chairman had informed him that the Minister had put off his visit to Waiapu indefinitely. From the proprietors ..of Whakaumu, asking for the forming of a road from Te Hora to the station woolshed at Te Kapa, and stating that thsy are willing to pay half the cost. — The chairman proposed that the member of the riding be authorised to confer with Mr. Ngata and those concerned, and obtain their assurance that the money will be forthcoming, and that no compensation for the land on the line of road bo asked for.— Seconded by Cr. Oaies, and carried. ' From the Waihi Council, m reference to the East Coast railway, and stating that the chairman of the Auckland Railways League (Mr. Cheal) has consented to addreßß public meetings at every town on the line. — -After considerable discussion the acting-chairman proposed that the delegates of this council to the Auckland Railways League interview Mr. Cheal and explain the position of the County, m. this matter, and if he is willing he be asked to come through from Opo^ki County and traverse this County to Tokomaru Bay,' where he" could address a public meeting. — Seconded by Cr. Kemp, and carried. From the Gisborne Chamber of Com- 1 merce, forwarding a copy of a resolution which m effect asks councils to ap- j point a small committee to be called j a; Vigilance Committee, whose duties would be to watch the interests of the district m regard to matters affecting ' the Government, etc.— Cr. Oates pro- { posed that this letter be" acknowledg^d, and the secretary of the Gisborne Cham- ' ber of Commerce be informed that this council is m entire sympathy |With the idea/ and on being advised when a conference will be held will send delegates. — Seconded by Cr. Kirk, and carried. In reference to letters from the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald Tind the Minister I of Public Wokrß, Cr. Oates proposed that a strong letter be written to the I Minister of Public Works, pointing out ; that insofar as the Waiapu bridge is ' concerned practically no Australian hardwood is required, and that there are no reasons why the work should liave not been commenced.— Seconded by Cr. Kirk, and carried. j From the first assistant, the secretary i of the "General Post Office.- replying to the council's letter m reference to the I mail services m outlying districts and ; the post office practice of making the | settlers subsidise mails. — Cr. Holt proposed that this council suggests that; the policy of the Government m this matter should be reconsidered, and that the poßt office formulate a new and adequate scheme to supply outlying districts with regular mail services. — Seoonded by Cr. Oates, and carried". ;#- ■ From the Public Trustee, stating that I no further advances will be made until I June. — The acting-ohairman proposed that instead of applying for a loan oi £5000 for the road at the Iron Point, the council consider the advisability of including any further amounts that may be required, and that the matter could^ be considered at the next meeting.— Seconded by Cr. Kirk, and carried. From the chief surveyor, Auckland, ; m reference to landing reserve at. Whangapavaou, stating that his iiispec- ; tor reported that there is no landing' reserve available on the area recently i purchased by the crown. He', however, is forwarding a tracing, and would ask tho council to mark on same the portion of land the' council desires to see procured.

Holt proposed that the Chief-Sur-veyor, Auckland, bo informed' that the council desires to see the area, as marked by the council on his tracing,procured for a landing reserve.—Seconded by Cr. Kirk, andT carried. Prom Mr. S. J. Meekin, 4 offering his services.— The acting-chairman pro- ! posed that Mr. Meekin be informed: that the council regrt that they have no j permanent employment for him, but if there is any draftman's work required the overseer has authority to employ : him.- — Seconded by -Or. Kirk, and carried. ' The council then adjourned for special meetings. On resuming, the overseer's ( report was taken. Arising out of the report it was decided! to have the surfaceman's cottage! at the junction of the Tokomaru MataWaiapu inland road moved to a more secure position, and the erection of the bridge over the Waikura stream commenced. Cr. Oates proposed that the chairman be wired to as follows : "Interview Commissioner of Crown Lands and impress on him the necessity for him to visit Tokomaru Bay re Beach road."— Sec-; onded by Cr. Kemp, and carried. Th« acting -chavrtnan proposed that the overseer be authorised to have the Waiotu footbridge widened. — Seconded by Cr. Kirk, and carried. Cr. Oates" said councillors had inspected the concrete mixer at work. He proposed it should be procured at the price at which it was offered. — Seconded by Cr. Kirk, and carried. "Cr. Clarke proposed that the Government be asked to acquire the piece of land m the Wharekahika block 6 which embraces the watershed of .the Nukutai harua stream, the object being to preserve the bush, and, by so doing to enBure a permanent water supply for the I settlers of Hicks Bay.— Seconded by Cr. | Kirk, and carried. i At th© instance of Cr Clarke the overj seer wag directed to get the work of mending, the break of the road below Watene's done as soon as possible. The acting- chairman proposed that Cr. Holt arrange to meet the overseer, t and go over the road from Whangaparaoa to the Opotiki County boundary, and ,de- | cide what should be done. — Seconded by Cr. Kemp, and carried. Cr. Holt proposed that the Council apply for 10 acres of land on the eastern side of the Cape Runaway township, for the purpose of a roadman's cottage. — Seconded by Cr. Kirk, and carried. Cr. Kirk proposed that Mr. Tom Manuel be appointed poundkeeper at Tikitiki,, he to find everything m connection therewith, and receive all fees. — Seconded by Cr. Clarke, and carried. Cr. Clarke proposed that the two members of the Waipiro riding and the overseer be authorised; to inspect the Mata-Waitahaia road, and get portions of it metalled^ the length of road metalled to be left to their discretion. — Sec onded by Or. Kirk, and carried. The acting-chairman desired that «i statement showing the expenditure m connection with the Council's gang be laid on the table at the next meeting. In regard to a loan for surfacemen's cottages, the aoting-chairman said he thought it would be. as well to find out how much is required and include this loan m the amount applied for when a proposal for the other loans is made. — It was decided that application be made to the Native Land Court ,to fix compensation for land taken for the roadman's cottage at Te Araroa. The overseer stated that the work of repairing the road m front of the hospital would be proceeded with as Boon as possible— Cr. Oates proposed that tho surveyed lines of deviations of roads 'in the county be defined, and old roads abandoned be returned to the owners of the adjoining properties.— Seconded by the acting-chairman, and carried. The aoting-chairman proposed that the clerk be allowed a few days' leave between meetings.— Seconded by Cr. Oates, anA carried.

Cr. Clarke gave notices of motion that lie will at the next meeting of the council propose that, steps be taken to adjust the boundary line between th'e Awatero ■- and Awfinui ridings, and propose that a by-law be made adopting portions of the Tokomam harbor by-laws for the purposes of the Te Araroa jetty.

Accounts amounting to JBIBBO 16s 9d wore passed for payment. ..>