WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume XXX, Issue 4778, 9 April 1887, Page 3

WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A spboiax. meeting of this Oovntil waß held, on Thursday, whea there were present— Messrs J. Bird (Chairman), PattieT Phillips, Griffiths, Dencker, Harkness, and* Wells. The Chairman explained that be had called the meeting owing to the result of the poll eo the special rate proposal relative to the repairing of the Waksfield and Fox Hill bridges. He thought the result of the poll was largely due to the way in which the vote had to be taken, and that they might consider whether they, should; not propose to the Government some alteration. Something had to bo done to the bridges, and it waif or the Council to consider what steps should be taken.

After some remarks from Mr Phillips, Mr Harkness moved " That as the result of the poll taken On tHe 25th March provsuted the amount required being borrowed under' the Loans to Public Bodies Act, this Council, as soon as plans and specifications areapproved, reconstruct the said bridges out of/ local revenue-"

Mr Dencker said it was impracticable; to repair the bridges out of local revenue. Mr Wells thought they would never get on satisfactorily till the Council took over the roads and bridges as the system of double taxing waa most unsatisfactory. Mr Griffiths-regretted the result of the poll, but said they were bound to put this bridges in repair, as they were responsible for any damage!that might happen. . .. Mr Partie attributed the result of the poll to apatby, .and not to opposition. He did not think the Council should, usurp the functions of Road Boards. J I After further discussion,: Mr flarkness's motion was carried, Mr Phillips being .the only member voting-against the same. ; Mr Akersteh attended and"produce'd plans .prepared by him for the repairing of the two. bridges, his estimate of the whole eost being about £.900. : . \ It was resolved that the plans be submitted to the Road Board by a Committee of the Council. ■.•■•■.',;■ ■."■' ' ./;. ::':\r.i ■'^■■■■H'-::'/^-':'-''")''-''^

Mr Harkneis moved that this Council, by I adopting the Local Bodies Loans Aqt, havi»g

affirmed tha principle of ltrying a dinot tax, it is considered desirable io ttis opinitn of the Council that in future tha speeifio works undertaken shall.be tha maintenance and upkeep of main roads and bridges, suob expenditure to be met by a County rate. Hs •poke at some length in support of his motion. ' • Mr Dencker disagreed with Mr Harkness, and said he thought it would be at least prudent to defer consideration of the* matter till after the next session «f Parliament.

Mr Phillips said one body was sufficient, and that the Road Boards could do the work better than the Council.

Mr Pattie thought Mr Harkness's resolution would lead to greater expense, and that it would be wrong to levy a County rate., Mr Dencker agreed with Mr Pattie that the coat of inspection would be greater. After further remarks, Mr Harkness withdrew his resolution for the present. Mr Densker moved tbat'the preliminary steps be taken for bringing in a Bill to enable the Waitnea mudflats to be reclaimed, and

vesting the land in the Council. Messri Wells and Pattie objected on tue score of expense. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Phillips, that tho question be deferred till an assurance has been receiyedf rom the Government that they will grant the concession. Mr Griffiths gave notice to move at next meeting ',' That a rate of one farthing in th« £ for the whole County for one year be struck to, meet the expenses of rebuilding the Wakefield and Fox Hill cartridges and protective works to* same. It was stated that £1000 would reinstate the bridges, and that a rate of one farthing Would realise close on that sum.

Mr Climie then attended with-plans showing the propped extent of reclamation on the Waimaa mudflat, with a road round the Rocks to the Quarantine ground, and thence across to and through the Rabbit Island, to the Moutera Bluffs, the roadway being formed on top of the sea wall to protect the mudflaf, save at the point where the waters from the Waimea river would need to be bridged. Mr Climie said that the roadway would add but little to the cost of the reclamation, and wouli reduce the distance ti Motueka by road to a little over 20 mi!e3. . . - The Council expressed approval of the plans. ~ • The Chairman said that with respect to the resolution passed at last meeting, that the sum of £50, the amount of Mr White's deposit on the Motueka • bridge contract, should be paid to those having orders upon Mr White, he now found that there ware two ; difficulties in the way of carrying out the! resolution of the Council. In the fiut place he found that certain of those who possessed orders now said that the orders had been given for a smaller Bum than they were entitled to, and he also found that there was soma legal difficulty as to the pow«r of the Council to pay monsy in this way. It was stated that Mr Harley previously ! advised them that they could pay tbo money in this manner, but that njw he appeared to think with tkt Chairman that thtre might ba a difficulty in gitSjng the auditors to pass such statement.

It was resolved an the motion of Mr Pattie, seconded by Mr Phillip*, That if the Council cannot legally pay away the £50 deposit forfeited by Mr White in satisfaction of the ordars sent in by the workmen, that it be paid in to the Mdtueka wharf account. A letter from the Doredale Eoad Board stated that the Waimea Boad Board hating failed to come to a satisfactory arrangement with that, the Doved»'e Board, th»y thereby referred the whole matter to the County Counoil for arbitration. "

It appeared that the dispute between the We Boards aroie out of the separation from the old Waimea Boad district ol the Doyedale people, and the allocation 'of the liabilities, &o, of eaoh district.

Mr Phillips nored that the Committee appointed to inquire aa to the repairing «f the Wakefield bridges be-alio appointed to consider the dispute' between these Boad Boards, and to arbitrate on same—also that the name of-Mr Griffith be added to the Committee.

Mr Griffith pointed out that in cases of such disputes as the present one, tue Act provided that the matter should be referred to the County Counoil for arbitration.

Mr Wells seconded the motion whieh was carried.

As to■■.application irons- the Moutare Boad Board for a grant of £50 to' repair Line's bridge, if was resolved to reply that the Council has not at present funds at its disposal to enable.it to make the grant. Regarding an application from the Lower Moutere Boad Board for a grant of £2 to pay Mr Boyce for supervising the work at the Lower Moutere bridge, it was stated that ths Council voted £00 for the work, and that the Board should pay the cost of supervision out of that sum 1 It was resolved that the sum of £60 so voted be now paid to the credit of the Boad Board.

Mr Dencker moved that the £2 be paid to Mr Boyce, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

A letter from ■ the Nelson Hoipital and Charitable Aid Board notified that of the amount levied for maintenanoe of Hospital and providing for charitable aid, £956 had hem allocated to the Waimea County Ge«icil. A letter from tha Waimaa JioJ.i Board applied for payment of £5 for rent of land near the Wai-iti cart bridge, rented from Messrs Graingar and Mead, to enable people to get to tha ford. The Board also asked that the temporary roads leading; to the fords might be gravelled.

The matter was_ left to the Committee appointed to consider the repair* of the bridges,

Mr Griffiths laid' he would withdraw his notice of motion to authorise a survey from Norris's Gully to Bromell's, hut ho would bring up another proposition. On (he main

line of road to the West Coast near Corlett'i Accommodation House in Motupiko Vallay, there was a very bad cutting with a steep decline, and at a rery sharp angla. The stream wanted bridgiug or the bed raising, and the approach, made ataight. He estimated the ..cost at £30, but he wished to point out that th« Upper Matueka Yalley Road Board spent many a £1 on the main road, and ha thought tbat ai this was the first time he had asked the Council to granc anything for his riding they might vote the money. . The Chairmand sai that no doibt the work was wanted, and it was true that Mr Griffiths had been rery modest, but .the Ctovarnment had asked them to expand a sum of £850 on

this main road, and then with scant tourUsy had takes it into their own hands to jpend. Another thiag was that when ht wrtt« applying for asiistance to reinstate thi Wakeiiald and Fox Hill bridges o» this main line, tha Government replied that tha main road lor which the £350 was allooatel was bayond Belgrove. Now, as tha work mentioned by Mr Griffiths was beyond Belgrove, he thaught tha Government ought to find the money, and that they should apply to the GoTernmtnt. . '. . ;: .'\y ' , -.■ ■.•■:'.■■■ . <*:. ■-

Mr Phillips gaid the place referred to was in the centre of the Motupiko, and he thought they Bhould consider the residents of that district.

Mr Pattie asked why they should not eall the attention of the District Engineer to the need, and ask him to do the workout of the money taken from their handß. Mr Wells eaid they had no means at present, and could only grant, small sums for work urgently needed. . '...'" Mr Dencker thought they might firit apply

to the Engineer. . , * Mr Griffiths said he should press the motion that the sum he bad named be granted, ■ ■ ' Mr Phillips seconded the motion, Mr Pattie moved as an amendment that the Engineer be asked to make the road good out of the funds allocated for the main road. Mr Wells seconded the amendment On the question being put, the motion was lo3t on the casting tote of-the Chairman. The Chairman, and Messrs Wells and Pattie voted for the amendment, and Messrs Griffiths, Phillips, and Dencker for the oc iginal motion. The Council then adjourned.

A portion of Lansdownev estate, (159 and 28 acres) eight miletffrooi Christchurch, belonging to Sir E. W. Stafford, has been sold at £31 and £31103. •

Some of the shareholders in the Wellington and Manawatu railway are objecting to the bonui being given to Mr Higgimon, 0.8, and threaten to iaaue a writ to recover-the amount from th« Dtfeotor* jtrionally.