PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 490, 21 September 1899, Page 4

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of this Council was held in the Council Chambers, Morrinsville, on Monday, 18th September, when there were present: Crs. Ghepmell (in the chair"), Harrison, Gavin, McCaw, Ring and Farmer. Balance-sheet. The balance-sheet for the year ended 31st march last was received from the Audit office duly certified to. It was adopted by the Council, and signed by the Chairman Bank Balance--The Clerk reported the balance in Bank to be £196 7s Id.

Goldfields Rkventje.—The Treasury forwarded a voucher for £7 Us 8d for goldfields revenue for period ended 12st August 1899. Subsidy on Rates.—The Treasury advised having placed to the Council's credit the sum of £250, subsidy on rates collected.

Leave of Absence.—Leave of absence was granted Cr. Herries, at present in Wellington on Parliamentary duties. Tirau-Rotorua Road.—ln response to a request from thejCouncil for a grant in aid of maintainance of the road, the Lands and Survey Department wrote, that the request would be considered when the estimates were being prepared, but as the railway ran parallel to the road, it was unlikely that the Government would be able to assist. Rf.tubn of Deposit.—Mr B Montague, wrote thanking the Couucil for the return of half of his deposit money, which he had sent in with an iucorrect tender. Rai.giatea-Drain. Mr P. Bowers complained of the drain in front of his section from the bridge up to the corner of the Matamata road, which being filled up, backed the water on to his laud. If the Council would deepen and widen it he would pay half of the cost. The matter was left in the hands of Foreman Wat tarn to arrange with Mr Bowers. Tenders.—The following tenders wwca received for contract 125, cleaning out about 50 chains drain on Walker's road, Wairakau. R. T. Jansen, 3s 6d per chain ; A. Fawcett, 2s per chain. The latter tender was accepted.

Rating Hatcheries.—The Auckland Acclimatisation Society wrote asking to be relieved of payment of rates on their hatcheries at Waimakariri, as these were conducted solely in the interests of the public, and not for private g»in.—The Council did not come to any formal decision on the matter, but the opinion was generally favourable to waiving the right to demand the rates. Rating Endswments.—The Thames High School Board are owners of a block —3400 acres—at Waiorongomai, granted as an endowment for the echool, which they have leased in township and other sections. From time to time various portions have been leased, the lessees paying their own rates. The uuleased por- 1 tion of the block is valued at £6564, and the clerk raised the question as to whether the Board should not pay rati s on this portion.—The Council submitted the question to Mr Thco. Cooper, who sent a lengthy opinion, of which the following is the conclusion : "I am of opinion that the Tham.es High School Board are the owners, . . They are the personß entitled to nceive the rackrent. The property being rateable property, they are therefore liable to be rated for the unlcased portions of this property. Under their agreemeut with the Govtruor they derive a clear beneficial income from the property, and there being no owners of the unleased portion liable to be rated, they are, in my opinion, liable as owners, and could be compelled in proper proceedings for that purpose to pay the rates assessed."—ln pursuance of this opinion, the clerk was instructed to write demanding payment of the rates.

Accident Insurance.—The Council decided to insure three men, as employees on the tramway, for one year. Tree Planting. Foreman Mahood reported that the Acclimatisation Society's Ranger had planted some willows* on the river near the Waimakariri Bridge, which he thought might collect rubbish and endanger the safety of the bridge at flood times.—The matter was remitted to Councillor Harrison to report on. Sandpit.—Foreman Wattam having advised the Council of the necessity for fencing in a section near Waihou station as a sandpit, it was remitted to Cr. Farmer to see Mr Borrio and the Auckland Savings Bank—owners of suitable ground—and see on what terms they would be willing to sell a section for that purpose. Government Grant. been granted for the Waiorongomai Roads (on condition that £SO was spent on footpath formation) Crs. Gavin and Farmer were empowered to arrange for getting the work done. Shaftesbury Bridge. been granted towards the coat of this work the Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Metcalfe, Civil Engineer, asking on what terms he would prepare plans and specifications for the work, with or without, supervision.—Crs. Gavin and Farmer to deal with the reply. Finger-post.—The Council decided to erect a finger-post on the CambridgeTauranga Road, in the Hinuera Valley, at the turning off to Taotaoroa. Obstruction on the Road. The Clerk was instructed to write the lessee of Messrs Campbell'* property, at Waihou, asking them to remove the wire from off the road.

Accounts. —The following accounts were passed for payment :—Public account, £2 13s 4d ; G. Wattam, £lO Is 8d ; G. Devey and Co.. £6 16s 8d ; Waikato Hospital Board, £IOO ; G. Mahood, £lO 10s lOd ; E. Barrett, £3 6* ; Waitere, £2 7s Gd ; A. Stanley. £3 18s ; R. Craig, £6 12s; E. Stewart, £4 53; 0. Brooks, £1 15s ; W. Pepperill, £3 10s ; R. Montague, £4 10s ; P. Collins, £69 15s ; J. Wattam, £6 12s ; J. Read, £1 19s ; J. Hanks, £5 14s ; Smardon Bros'., £1 10s (id ; T. Young, £8 9s; A. Edwards, £8 17s ; A. l'.urchill, £3 4s ; E. Mealy, 14s ; petty cash, £5 ; P. Gilchrist, £37 10a ; B. Montague, £1 10s ; T. Gavin, £1 19s.