PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 168, 4 September 1886, Page 2

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ii9ual monthly meeting of the above council was held in the Borough Chambers, Hamilton, on Wednesday Ist inst. Present : Crs Williams (chairman), Gould, Murphy, Chepmell, and Brunskill. Minutes of the previous meeting were first read and confirmed. Correspondence. — Outward, was read including a telegram of thanks to Mr J. B. Whyte, (Wellington), and his supporters, for the efforts they had used on behalf of the council, resulting in the separation of PiaU'o from Thames Hospital and Charitable Aid District. Inward. — Gold field Subsidies : Prom the Mines Department, Wellington, informing the council that in future any subsidies which may be granted towards roads on gold fields, or other works, will be on the £ for £, principle instead of i £2 for £1, as hitherto. Te Aroha-Thames Kailway. — From Public Works Office, Wellington (dated Aug. sth), acknowledging receipt of council's letter urging that the work on ; the Te Aroha-Thames railway be pro- ■ ceeded with simultaneously at both ends, and stating the matter would be considered after the votes for railway construction had been passed. Payment of Subsidy. — From Property Tax Department, Wellington, informing the council a voucher had been forwarded to the Treasury for payment of £316 17s ,10s, balance of subsidy due under "Local BoJies Finance and Powers Act, 1885. Clarkes Estate and Drain (grievance as usual). — From R. Michnel, Te A roha, complaining that owing to fences erected, by Jas. Clarke on one side, and now by R. Blencowe on the other, he was debarred fiom making use ot his back entrance, and if he wished to get in a horse or pig, he would have to do so through his garden, and requesting the council to have the obstacles lemoved. From Jas. Claike, stating that the 1 council's insti uctions re Clarkes drain not been carried out ; that Mr Mnckie had sent four of his children to fill it up, etc., and that Michasl and Mackie were the two men wljo had caused so much trouble over this drain. Cr Murphy advised that no action be taken. A great deal of the council's time had already been taken up with the subject, and a great deal of unnecessary trouble given in connection with it. Mr Pavitt had informed him that respecting the street referred to Mr Lipsey had stated the council had no right to interfere with it, as it had not bee.i dedicated. This was a matter to be enquired into, but at present the only thing to be done was to instruct Mr , Pavitt to see that the water ran each way, according to p revious instructions given. He believed, however, that the road through Clarkes land were surveyed by Government as from the Warden's Office. The land Blencowe has taken up was part of the property leased by Messrs Whitaker and Stafford, and over it the council have no control. Road to Gordon Settlement.— From Mr Gage-Brown, Shaftesbury, stating that as the road to the Gordon Settlement, at present remains, it would be utterly useless ; but by having some gullies levelled ifc could be availed of. Letter received. . i Shaftesbury Settlers and ihe Separate Rate. — From the following Shaftesbury ratepayers : E. Y. Cox, E. F. Roche, D. Craig, W. 11. Herries (for Thompson and Herries), Gage Brown, John Squirrell, W. Faultier, proprietors Te Aroha Estate per B. W. Hanmer, G. A. Burgess (Agent Bank of New Zealand), forwarding a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting 1 of ratepayers held at Shaftesbury on Aug. 2ist, as follows: " That considering that the bad state ot the Shaftesbuiy road was the main reason for striking the separate rate, the Piako County Council be respectfully requested to set aside out of this rate a substantial sum, not less than £100, for the repairs in the spring, of the roud from Waiorongomai corner to Shaftesbury township ; and that a sum of £10 be spent immediately in filling up dangerous holes opposite Mr Baskett's, ami in the cuttings on the Wairakau run, and remindiug the council that although this was the main road for the district and the only outlet for agricultural produce, very little had .been spent on it since it was constructed four years ago, noth withstanding the numerous rates that had been levied. At present h wat. practically impassable." Mr Herries (Thompson and Herries), was present, and supported the application. '■; Cr Murphy thought something should jbe done in the matter; if even £10 were spent now, it might keep t'lie 1 roaJ open till summer. It was in ar» altno&i impassable condition.

The Chairman said : As a representative from the district referred to was present, he wished to remark that the council being at such a 1 distance were working at a great disadvantage. He thought it was time those concerned formed themselves into a Road Board. Cr Chepmell : They may do so, but 111 1 do not see that they will benefit much I by adopting such a course ; as the board would be so very small, and working expenses would be heavy. Cr Murphy proposed, , That £10 be spent in carrying out most urgent repairs between the corner of Kilgour street, Waiorongomai, and Shaftesbury, and that consideration of the application for £100 be postponed till there were more members present. Seconded by Cr Brunskill, and carried. Communication from Waiorongomai. —From James Muhro, as chairman of a public meeting held at Waioiongomai on July 22nd, forwarding a copy of a resolution approving of the council's action in striking a separate rate on Arbha Biding, and enclosing a schedule of works recommended by the Waiorongomai Improvement Committee as being urgently required, viz. ; 1. That the council attend to the repairs of the Shalteabury road, from the corner of Jansen'a paddock to the south end of Gage Brown's land ; 2. That a wire Foot bridge be put on Battery creek, and also on that at the dairy on the Wairakau run ; 3. The long promised road through Wilson's paddock. Cr Murphy : I am sorry to say I can spe very little chance of the wire rope bridges asked for, at present. Letter received. Contractor's Spare Timber.— From P. Dillon, stating that lie had some £5 worth of kauri timber left on hand from his contract on the Shaftesbury road, and requesting the council to take same off Iris hands. Letter received. The report of the committee authorised to appoint a new tramway manager, stating the day the appointment was made, number of applicants, etc., was road (a full report of which appeared in the News of Aug. 21st.) Tramway Manager's Report. — The late Tramway Manager, under date Waiorongomai, Aug. 30th, 1886, reported as follows : I have the honour to report that during the last four weeks and one day our returns amounted to £80 6s, and our pay sheet to £86 Bs, showing a deficit of £6 2s. Mr Gavin having noti6ed Mr Beeson that his services would not be required after the 31st inst., his time and my own have been made up to that date in the pay sheet ; the remainder of the staff are owly up to the 30th, as the pay sheet shows. During the mouth I reversed one of the ropes on Butler's Spur, and I think if the other one was treated the same way, they might both last until the end oF the year. I mentioned the matter to Mr Gavin, but no doubt he will use his own judgment in this matter. We were a couple of days clearing slips. Mr Gavin and myself went over the line to-day and took an inventory of eveiytliing, and Mr Beeson will go through the books with him in the morning. Cr Murphy : I saw by the Commissioners' report they recommended that one horse be dispensed with. I would advise the council not to try and jell any horse at present, as they would get but a very low price, and it might be found to be required later on ; it would be better to put it out to grass, which should not cost much. Tramway Returns. — For the week ending Aug. 7th : New Find G.M. Co. 51, Colonist, do, 14 : 65 at 4s 6d, £14 12s 6d ; firewood, 9 trucks afc 3s (JJ, £1 lls 6d. Total, £16 -Is. For week ending Aug. 14th : New Find 54, Colonist 14, Galena 12, Gordon (lato Phcenix) 4 ; 84 at 4s Gd, £18 18s ; Npw Find, to iNew Era Battery, 20 at 3s. £3 ; other haulage, including one truck of wood, 5s 6d. Total £22 3s 6.1. For week ending Aug 21st : New Find 51, Colonist 11, Galena 7, Gordon (late Phcenix)6 ; 78 at 4s 6,1, £17 lls ; other haulage 7s 6d. Total £17 18s 6d, For wpek ending Aug. 28tli : Netv Find 75, Colonist 12, Galena 3, Munro (New Caledonian), 5 ; Tringham (Perseverance) 1 ; 96 at 4s 6d, £21 12s ; extra haulage 17s 6d. Total £22 9s Gd. To Aug. 80th : New Find, 6 at 4s Gd, £1 7s ; firewood, 1 at, 3s Gd. Total, £1 10s 6d. Total earnings for above period £80 6s. Trial crushings. — Cr : An impression exists at Te Aroha thac ten trucks as a tria' parcel may be brought from any new workings to battery free of cost. As the resolution stands at present I fear it is liable to bo abused. Parties might open ten or more new workings in connection with any ons reef, whereas I know the intention of the Council was that the privilege should not be thus made use of It would be well to define more distinctly what is meant. The Chairman : It may be as well to leave the matter in the hands of the Tramway Manager. I believe the, concession has already done good ; and lead to the working of several new reefs. I know one case now where on the strength of thi > concession new workings are in progress. Cr Murphy : X propose that not more than ten trucks be brought in any one year free of charge from any one claim, and that it must be from genuine new workings. The proposition was eventually agreed to, and the Clerk instructed to advise the Tramway Manager accordingly. Crane at Waiorongomai Landing,— Cr . Murphy : The crane belonging to fcue council at Waiorongomui Landing is ballasted with gear the property of _\lr Margotts, proprietor of the N*;vr >£ra Battery. I understand Mr Mar-*

getts is anxious to sell this gear, and if it is taken away, the crane may fall into the river. I would advise that the Tramway Manager be requested to make a rough box and ballast it with stones, etc. The ' Clerk was instructed to write the Tramway Manager to have this done. Tui - AVaiorongomai Track. —Cr Murphy : I would like the council to >ask the new ' Tramway Manager to report on the proposed track to Tui ; there would be no occasion for him to go over it if too busy, as he knows the country well ; and we have both frequently been over it. I and raany others know well that a belt of auriferous country exists there^; whether it would prove payable or not Lcanuot say, but I am satisfied it is of a character to amply warrant the making of the 'track as proposed, and the council would probably be repaid the amount they would expend many times over, by thus opening up this belt of undoubtedly auriferous country. The Chairman : I think the tramway manager will have quite enough to do | for the ensuing month, seeing that he Las only just taken over" the tramwajr, and will have no time for prospecting for new tracks just now. Cr Murphy, however, repeating that he thought Mr Gavin could report on the proposed track from his present knowledge of the couutry, his request was acceded to. Donkey Engine Neglected. «.»Cr Murphy drew the Council's attention to the manner in which the donkey-engine had been neglected and exposed to the j weather, by the side of the tramway. It had proved most useful in the past, and would probably again, and should bs properly protected. Tramway. — The Chairman reported tl>at<-after the appointment of the new manager he went over the line with Mr Gavin, from Firth and Clarkes battery to the bottom of the May Queen Spur, and found it in what he considered on the whole very fair order.. He then pointed out several alterations which he thought should be attended to Beyond May Queen Spur however he had been informed the sleepers were rotting. He had suggested an improvement in the construction of the wire rope rollers, whereby a good deal of the present friction would be avoided. On the application of the Chairman, leave of absence was granted Cr J. C. Firth for three months, and Cr W. T. Firth for the present and next meeting 1 . •Sundry accounts having been passed for payment, the council rose at about noon, having transacted the whole business in a little over one hour.