WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Independent, Volume III, Issue 215, 12 April 1906, Page 6

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above was held at the Council Chambers, Ohaupo, on Tuesday morning. Present: Mr J. Fisher (chairman), Crs. R. D. Duxfield, W. H. Grant, G. Macky, W. Rothwell, A. Bell, F. Potts, and E. Gibson. Finance. —The Chairman reported that the overdraft amounted to £699 Is lid less £357 12s 9d paid in. There was £l5O to be put aside for the Tuhikararaea deviation and £l5O for loan account which practically left an overdraft of £l5O. The riding balances were as follows ; Hamilton riding, dr., £l6 4s 4d ; Mangapiko, cr., £2117s 9d ; Eangiaohia, dr., £176 19s lid ; Newcastle, dr., £9O 4s id ; Pukekura, dr., £124 16s 8d ; Tuhikaramea, dr., £132 5s sd. Cambridge Bridge.—The Chairman reported that he had seen Mr Buckland, Mayor of Cambridge, re the proposed alterations required by the Government which were in the direction of strengthening the structure. The matter was at present in the Minister’s hands. There would be an increased cost to the Waipa County of from £1250 to £1350. Legal Opinion.—Mr Swarbrick forwarded a legal opinion regarding section 116 of the Public Works Act, 1905, re making sub-division roads.—Received.— Cr Duxfield spoke re width of roads and advisability of making a standard width. Cr Bell and the Chairman supported this view.—The Superviser did not think it would work out well to make a hard and fast rule, but it might be well to make a minimum.—Cr Bell moved that all subdivision roads be formed to a minimum width of 30ft. and 20ft cuttings, and with a minimum grade of 1 in 15, the necessary culverts and bridges to be put in. Swamp roads to be treated on their merits.—Seconded by Cr Duxfield and carried.

Technical Schools.—Cr. Bell moved that £25 be voted towards the establishment of schools at Hamilton and Cambridge.—Cr. Duxfield seconded.—The Chairman opposed the motion, holding that only one portion of the County would profit from the schools, and it was unfair to the ratepayers of the County as a whole,—The proposal, on teing put to the meeting, w r as lost.

County works.—ln accordance with notice of motion, Cr. Duxfield moved, “ That steps be taken to raise a loan for carrying out urgent constructive works throughout the County, to be allocated in the various ridings in proportion to such work in the same, the interest to be a charge in a like proportion out of the ridings’ annual allocation, and for the purpose of fixing the amount of loan to be applied for, an estimate be made by an engineer of the necessary works.—Cr. Bell in seconding the motion said he thought it advisable that the services of a fully qualified engineer should be obtained.—The Chairman contended that Mr Mandeno had fulfilled his duties as Supervisor and engineer in a satisfactory manner for seven years, and he objected to the insertion of the word “ engineer ” i i the motion and proposed an amendment that the word “ Supervisor ” be inserted.—This was seconded by Cr. Grant and carried.

Road Machine.—The overseer reported that the road machine had been employed in the Pukerimu and Roto-o-rangi districts during the month.