Matamata County Council.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVI, Issue 4003, 5 February 1909, Page 2

Matamata County Council.

The first meeting of this newlyconstituted bdy was held at Te Aroha yesterday. —lnauguration.

Mr G. Dickinson, who had been appointed returning officer for the elections, took the chair, and announced that the following had been duly elected for the respective ridings:—Putaruru, C. Barnett; Paterere, A. E. Death and Mark Harrison; Matamata, ,1. McCaw and J. Pohlen; Taotaoroa, C. W. Keeley; Maungatautari, S. Watkins; all of whom were present. —Election of Chairman.— Mr Dickinson then called upon the members to appoint their chairman. Cr. McCaw moved that Cr. Keeley be appointed chairman. He felt sure that they could not make a better selection. He had good grounds for doing so. Cr. Keeley had been in the Piako County for some years, and had always proved himself an intelligent and able member. Cr. Harrison, in a few laudatory sentences, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Cr. Keeley then took the chair amidst applause. He thanked the council for the honour they had conferred upon him in electing him unanimously. It would be ungrateful on his part if he refused the position. He recognised that it would entail much hard work. Their financial position was such that they would have to carry on with great caution. —Appointment of Solicitor.— The Chairman moved that Mr Gilchrist be solicitor to the council. This was seconded by Cr. McCaw and carried unanimously. -Half-holiday. Thursday was selected for the weekly half-holiday. -—County Clerk. — It was decided to fix the salary of the clerk at £l5O, with right to undertake other work, the council to have first call on his services. Applications for the position will be called for. —Place of Sleeting.— It was moved by Cr. Harrison, and seconded by Cr. Watkin, that the meeting of the council be held at Tirau Cr. McCaw moved, and Cr. Pohlen seconded, an amendment that the meetings be held at Matamaa. The amendment on being put was lost, and the original motion carried. —Foreman.— It was decided to retain the services of Foreman Mahood, to be in structed to keep down expenses as much as possible. —Adjustment of Accounts.— Mr Gilchrist explained that the accounts between the two councils would have to be adjusted within two months. In the meantime, in order to carry on and pay salaries, that the council could borrow from the bank on the security of next year’s rates. He explained that rates are duo within fourteen days after being struck.J It was decided, for the purpose of the adjustment of accounts, that the chairman and Cr. McCaw be a committee to meet a like committee of the Piako Council. The proposal to borrow from the bank was adopted. —Next Meeting.— It was determined to hold the next meeting of the council at Te Aroha on the first Monday in March at 3 o’clock. —Dog Tan. — It was resolved to call for tenders tor dog collars. • and applications from those willing to act as collector. The tax was fixed at 2s 6d for cattle dogs and terriers, and 10s for all other dogs. —Paparamu and Okoroire Roads.— It was decided to place this business in the hands of Mr Gilchrist, he to explain the position to the Bank of New Zealand, as the council did not consider that the proposal embodied in their last letter enclosing plans was in accordance with the agreement previously entered into.