WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 6018, 15 July 1903, Page 2

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

The usual meeting ol the Waipa County Council was held in the Chambers, Olaatipo, yesterday. There were .piesent: Crs John Fisher (chai>man), J Ryburn, K.I. Alleu, S. Steele, D. Fuller ton, F. J. Vickers, P. O'Conn >r, H. J. Bell, and the Supervisor, Mr VV. H. Mandeno.

Sur-Khvisou's Report.—ln his report the Supervisor stated : —Unfortunately for our roads the scason'so far has been tho wettest for several years, and this, in conjunction with heavier traffic than we ever before experienced, has reduced the roads in some parts of the County to altnoßt impassable bogs. This state of things may be expected to continue and even get worsj with the ever increasing traffic until the principil roads are metalled ; but, of cmr-e, if the ratepayers prefer having the roads in thin condition, to paying more rates than they do at preseut, then there is no use in talking ahout it. Still, it hardly seems fair to blame me for what cannot he. pre. vented as things are at present. —14 chain swamp : The natives have brought the new outlet drain right up to the road though not to its full depth. Still it is sufficient to relieve the flooded state of the road. The total length of the drain is 76 chains, and the work is now stopped until finer weather set-in. I have paid 80 per cent, of what I considered the value of the work done, and the contractor promises to complete the work in the spring. Temporaiy repairs have been done to make the road acrofs the swamp safe for the present.—Cambridge-Roto* o-rangi Road : I have had most of the holes filled in on the long swamp ; but the road is still very bad, and in places even dangerous, A very consider* able expenditure will be necessary to put this road in order again, especially in the Pukekura Riding. The Rangiaohia portion also will require a good lot of money spent on it. To repair thiß road all the material will have to be carted long distances, thus making the work very expensive. There is an exceedingly awkward and dangerous spot nn the road near Moanavalo ; but this being a part of the road in' dispute, it would have keen against my instructions to get it repaired. —Ohaupo-Paterangi Road : A part of this road lying between the Pukekura and Rangiaohia Ridings is very bad indeed, and must have considerable expenditure on it when the weather will allow.—Frankton Roads : Mr Steele went with me over the roads opened by Mr Jolly, and we concluded to accept the portions already gravelled, provided Mr jolly went over them again and filled in ruts and holes when the weather is suitable. With regard to another portion partially formed, I pointed out to Mr Jolly what I considered necessary to have done, and he undertook to see it carried out. —The report was adopted.

Deviation.—The Council approved of the proposal of the Pukekura Road Board to close one road and open another in lieu thereof in that district. Rotobangi Road.—Messrs W. G. Park and C. J. Storey, on behalf of the owners, wrote with reference to the Rotorangi road, stating that they had no authority over the road in question On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Allen, it was decided to reply that this not being a dedicated road the Council had no power to spend mooey on it, but if the ownerß would provide the necessary plans tho Council would take steps to have road dedicated according to law. Gravel Reserve.—Mr James Scott wrote asking to be allowed to occupy the gravel reserve at the top of Walker's gully for 15 years providing he cleared the gorse, grubbed it, and kept the ground in good order.—The application was granted, the Council reserving the right to re-enter at any time.

Phkekora Loan.—lt was resolved to request Mr F. W Lang, M.H.R , to interview the Auditor-General with reference to the striking and collection of a special rate to cover interest ou the loan for works in the Pukekura riding.

Road Closing.—The proposal to close a number of roads in the Tuhikaramea district, plans of which were forwarded by Mr Swarbrick, was confirmed by the Council. Similar action was taken in connection with some roads closed by the Newcastle Road Board, Watebtables.—Messrs Rae and Iwersen wrote asking for some repairs >o the watertables in the Whatawhata township.—This matter was left in the hands of the supervisor.

Bills —A vote of thankß was passed to Mr F. W. Lang, M.H.R., for copies of the various Bills introduced into the Bouse

King Country Vigilance Committee. -A circular from the King Country Vigilance Committee which has already appeared in our columns was received, the Chairman remarking that only one mistake had been made, the Council being credited with striking a halfpenny instead of a three-farthing rate. Ohaupo Footpath.-An application from Mr Douglas, of Ohaupo, to be allowed to remove earth from the footpath mar his residence was granted, the work to be dooe under the supervision of Mr Mandeno.

Old Kihikiiii-Cambridge Road.—Mr Laird waited on the Council with reference to that portion of the old KihikihiCambridge County Road running through the property of Mr Bell, and asked to have it closed in order that they might erect fences—The Council agreed to take the necessary steps to close the road, providing Mr Laird supplied the required plans. Repairs.—Mr P. Rice wrote asking for some repairs to the road leading to his place at Te Rore, and offering to assist with money or labour.—This was referred to the Supervisor with power to act.

Frankton Road.—A petition was received, signed by a number of ratepayers in the Frankton district, requesting that something should be done to make the road from the Frankton station to Stokes' eato passable.—Left in the hands of the Supervisor to attend to as soon as the weather will permit. Saleyards Road, Hamilton. Mr Wright applied for some repairs to the road leading to his property.—lt was decided to inform him that as the Hamilton Borough Council had undertaken to form this road he must look to that body for assistance.—The Council agreed to continue this road for about fifteen chains in order to give Dr. Brewis access to his property on Jolly's Hill on condition that the Borough Council would contribute half the cost. Jambeidge Bridge. The Town Clerk, Cambridge, wrote forwarding a copy of specifications of the eteel cantilever bridge proposed to be erected over the Waikato River at Cambridge.— The Chairman said the estimated cost of the bridge was £Ssoo.—The specifications were referred to the supervisor for perusal. Grants.—lt was decided to forward a list of the grants required to Mr F. W. Lang, M.H R., and invoke his cooperation and assistance in this connection. Otuer Works.—Rr>ad improvements in the Ngaruawahia township were authorised when the weather was favourable, and pipes were ordered to be put in at Dinsdule'B bridge. Loan Proposals. The loan proposals were again brought forward, but as the council considered this was a most important matter, which required time to consider, it was di-cided to hold a spvcial meeting ou Thursday July 25th, at 11 a.m., to deal with it. Rate.—Notice of motion was given by the Chairman to move at next meeting that the following rates be struck : Geueral rate of Jd in the £ in the ridings of Hamilton and Mangapiko;|d in the Rangianhia, Newcastle, Tuhiharamea and Pukekura ridiuts and Pirongia outlying district. A separate rate of fd in the Mangapiko, aud Hamilton ridings and Pirongia outlying district.

Contribution to Bridges The Chairman moved : 'That as the Boroueh Councils of Cambridge and Hamilton propose to erect expensive bridges across ! he VVaikato Rivtr, this Council, as one of the local bodies interested, lequesls the said Borough Council* to call on all road and other districts as well as counties beneficially advantaged to contribute a share of the cust of constructing and maintaining the proposed bridges.'— Or Steele seconded the motion, which was corried unanimously. Accounts.—The following accounts were passed for payment :—Waiitato Argus, £6 lb'j 6d ; Souter and Co., £7 6si Id; McCormack, £2 9a: H. Booth, £l3 14s 3d ; Willoughby, £9 16s ; K. Morrison, £6 7s Sd ; Thos. Tebbs, £3 8s; K Flay, £lßsj VV. Mawhinney, £8 7s B'l ; Wm. l'ayior, £3 ; Bygrme anil Co., £6 8i ; J. Daley, £4 19< 9d ; Hotukopu, £ 9 IGm : Bell and Smokes, £li 15s 6d ; MoKiunon and Sutherland, £3 Is; J. Harm, £ls 7s 3d ; H. Bailey, £l4 12s 6d ; Ellis and Burnaud, £36 8s: Steele Bros.. £3 7s 9d • Thos. Walker, 5a ; A. Swarbrick, £l2 G* 5d ; Kihikihi Town Board, £1 8s 8d ; VVaikato Hospital Board. £125; M. O'Connor, £3; W. Rothwell, £2 ; T. Hinton, 10s 5d ; Steele Bros., £ll Is; interest, £39 15s 3d. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Council was held to consider the question of by laws. The Chairman proposed and Cr Steele seconded—'That the by-laws be confirmed, and that they come into force in September, with the exception ot that portion relating to traction engines, which will not become operative until January.' Carried unanimously.