WAIPAWA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume 5, Issue 605, 30 November 1883, Page 2

WAIPAWA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednesday, November 28. The Council met at 12 noon. Present—Crs Johnston (chairman), Hunter, Dillon, Fountaine, Newman, McGreevy, Bibby, Boss, and Smith, M.H.li. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Cr Fountaine proposed, and Cr Smith seconded, that Cr Johnston he elected chairman for the ensuing year. —Carried. Cr Johnston thanked the Council for the honor conferred upon him. CORRESPONDENCE. The following inward correspondence was read and dealt with : From J. Hutchins, Woodville, offering to collect back rates due to the County in the Woodville district for a commission of 71 per cent., also offering to collect back rates and the present rate for 5 per cent, commission.

From D. Chamier, Woodville, stating that he would collect all back rates for 10 per cent, commission, and back and present rates for 7i per cent.

Cr Fountaine proposed that Mr Chamier’s offer to collect back rates for 10 per cent, be accepted. Seconded by Cr Dillon, and carried.

Cr Smith proposed an amendment that Mr Hutchins’ offer be accepted, but found no seconder.

From D. McLeod, Wainni, contractor for the erection of the Wainui bridge, asking for three months’ extension of time, the rough weather preventing him from getting timber landed.

Cr Hunter proposed, and Cr Smith seconded, that the extension applied for be granted, and that the contractor be requested to push the works on as quick as possible.—Carried. From W. F. Knight, Tahoraite, requesting information as to what steps are to be taken to open a pound at Danevirke, and stating that Mr J. Martin would give a site and collect fees; also asking for a subsidy of £4OO to allow the Danevirke Boad Board to open up roads. Cr Fountaine moved that no steps be taken to open a pound until an expression of opinion of the settlers in the district was obtained as *o whether a pound was required ; also that the Danevirke Hoad Board be credited on Ist January next with £2OO on account of subsidy due that riding. Seconded by Cr Ross, and carried. From Property Tax Department, Wellington, forwarding supplementary and corrected rolls for County.— Acknowledged. From D. Sims, Wallingford, forwarding pound returns, and fees amounting to £l2 9s 6d.—Acknowledged. From Geoffrey Potts, Kaikora, calling the attention of the Council to the had state of a drain opposite his residence, and offering to find tiles to repair it, if Council will find labor. The engineer informed the Council that he had attended to the drain.

Prom H. Hartree, Pukekuri, informing the Council that he could not allow them to take any more metal from his quarries at the present rate he was being paid, and offering to make freßh arrangements for the supply of broken or unbroken metal. Cr Newman proposed that Mr Hartree’s offer to supply metal be not accepted, and that the Council take the metal when required under clause 90, section 12, of the Public Works Act, 1882, at a compensation of 3d per yard. Seconded by Cr McGreevy, and carried.

From F. Wahl, Norse wood, complaining of the bad state of the drains on the road opposite his property, and stating that the water overflows into his garden and paddock. The chairman moved that a reply he sent to Mr Wahl to the effect that the Council was unable to do anything in the matter. Seconded by Cr Hunter, and carried. From S. Bridge, Ashcott, asking that a small portion of the Ashley-Clintou-Waipawa road be formed, also to form a portion of the FairfieldWaipawa road. Cr Ross moved, and the chairman seconded, that the engineer report on the roads.—Carried. From J. P. Leighton, Matamau, drawing the attention of the Counoil to the state of the road through Danevirke, caused by contractors for the railway works from Piri Piri to Tahoraite clearing leaving obstacles on the road, which were dangerous to travellers, and stating that through a tar-barrel being left on the road, his horse had shied at it, and injured itself severely by coming into contact with a buggy which was also passing at the time.

The engineer was instructed to inform contractors that they must not leave obstructions on the roads.

From H. A. Lambert, Lambertford, offering to erect fencing on a portion of the Takapau-Ashley-Clinton road,

from Ashcott wasbpool to the Manga-te-wai river, for a sum of 18s 6d per chain. Or Ross proposed, and Cr Dillon seconded, that Mr Lambert’s offer be accepted.—Carried. From Colonial Secretary’s Office, "Wellington (telegram), stating that the wardens elected for Makaretu Soad Board would be gazetted.— Received. From J. T. Carr, Resident Engineer, informing the Council that he was unable to inspect certain works in the County under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act before next meeting of Council, owing to the pressure of other duties. Cr Smith moved that Mr Carr’s letter be forwarded to the Minister for Public Works, and at the same time to point out to the Minister that it was absolutely necessary that the Council works under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act be inspected by the Resident Engineer once a month.

Seconded by Cr McGreevy, and carried. From W. F. Howlett, applying for reimbursement of £2 expended by him in Makaretu district, and statingl that he would have applied to the] Makaretu Road Board, but that he could not discover whether any such Boardexisted. Mr Howlett suggested that as a letter from the chairman admitted the justness of his claim, the chairman should pay him, and then “ undertake the task of unearthing a Road Board which appeared to be a creature of his (the chairman’s) imagination.” Cr Ross moved, and Cr Fountaine seconded, that Mr Howlett’s claim be paid.—Carried. From A. Steven, Kaikora, giving return of cattle impounded at Kaikora, and enclosing fees to the amount of £2 Bs.—Received. ASSISTANT TO ENGINEER. A letter was read from the engineer asking for an assistant, as at present he was unable to attend to all the works now going on in the County. After some discussion, it was resolved to appoint an assistant temporarily at a salary of £4 per week without travelling expenses.

engineer's report. The following report on the works in the County was read : Tamumu Biding—The contractor for the Mangamakiki bridge is making satisfactory progress. Patangata Riding—The contract on the Kaikora-Patangata road is now being proceeded with, also the contract on the Kaikora-lamumu road. A new contract on the same road has been prepared, and tenders for same will be laid before you to-day. The approach to the Homewood bridge is becoming dangerous, and it will be necessary to stop the traffic while repr. j are being made. Notice will, however be given before doing so. Waipawa Riding—The late wet weather has caused a heavy landslip on the road to Waipawa railway station, forcing out of position the original breastwork. I would recommend that a piled breastwork be constructed on original line of fence, thereby widening the road at that place, and making a permanent job of ir. A new contract has been prepared for works on the Hampden road, tenders for which will be laid before you to-day. The Manganoake bridge is being proceeded with, and otherwise the main roads in the riding are in fair order. Eparaima Riding.—The contractor for carting metal on Wanstead road has made a start, but owing to bad weather, has been able to do very little. The Wanstead contract is being pushed on as fast as possible. Applications have been invited from contractors for breaking a further supply of metal in Hartree’s quarry, tenders for which will be laid before you to-day. Porangahau Riding—l have gone over the proposed road from Canning’s place, following the river to Porangahau, and find that a very good road could be got, about one mile and a half longer than the preset t road, at an approximate cost of £3OOO, exclusive of a bridge over the Porangahau river, and compensation for land required. The roads in the riding continue very bad, and about 25 chains of road through Porangahau township requires metalling. If funds permit, I would recommend that this be done. The contractor for Wainui bridge lias not yet made a start, having had some trouble in getting his timber on the ground. Woodville Riding—l have been unable to visit Woodville since last meeting, but I hear the roads are getting bad again owing to the rain. Tenders will be laid before you to-day for metalling Wood-villo-Gorge road. Seventy-mile Bush Road The road from Woodville to Tahoraite is in very good order, but on the Norsewood side is getting cut up badly. Norsewood Riding—Owing to the wet weather, the roads in this riding are also getting cut up. Ruataniwha Riding—The contract on the Takapau-Ashley-Clin ton road is now completed. To make the whole road from Takapau to Ashcott suitable for wheeled traffic would require a further expenditure of about £l2O. Tenders will be laid before you to-day for formation contract on the 1 akapau-Waipukurau Gorge road, as authorised at last meeting. li. A. Biiown, County Engineer. RAILWAY STATION ROAD. Resolved, on the motion of Cr Bibby, that consideration of the engineer’s report re slip on the road to the railway station be deferred till next meeting. Cr Smith suggested that when the next claims under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act were sent in, a sum should be applied for to widen this road. This suggestion met with the approval of the councillors, and the clerk was instructed to make a memo, of it. mf.tab contracts. Cr Newman moved that the engineer be authorised to mako arrange-

ments for breaking 1500 yards of metal in Hartree’s quarry, for use of roads in Eparaima Riding. Seconded by Cr Smith, and carried.

PORANGAHAU ROAD. Gr Hunter moved that the works in Porangahau riding recommended by the engineer be gone on with, that two more surface men be put on the road, and that the engineer order a supply of drain pipes. Seconded by Cr Smith, and carried. WOODVIIXE RIDING.

. Cr Fountaine moved that the engineer be instructed to inspect Harding’s road leading into Kumeroa, and to report on same at next meeting.

Seconded by the chairman, and carried. ORMONDVILLE RIDING. Cr McGreevy moved that £SO be placed to the credit of the Ormondville Road Board. Seconded by Cr Ross, and carried. ASHXEY-CLINTON-I.AMEERTFORD road. Resolved, on the motion of Cr Smith, seconded by Cr Ross, that Mr H. A. Lambert be asked on what terms he will open the road between mi oveil UiaTlfTomajority of rate-. payers were in favor of it. It would also save a double rate being struck. He thought the ratepayers would be considerable gainers, as all money raised in a district would be spent there, without any deductions for County Council expenditure. If the Counties Act was suspended, all Road Boards were empowered to strike a rate up to in the £, if they required to do so. At present onefourth of the rates collected by the County Council went to pay salaries, &c., and if the change was made, that amount would go to the Road Boards. Under the Road and Bridges Construction Act, if the Counties Act is suspended, each Road Board can apply for £SOOO, which they could not do at present. Cr Smith said he put the motion forward just to get an expression of opinion from the councillors.

Cr Fountaine seconded the motion.

The chairman explained that if the resolution was carried, the Council could not suspend the Act. It remained. with the ratepayers, threefifths of whom would be required to to sign a petition to the Governor before any steps could be taken. If the Act was suspended, the Council would then only meet once a year, to divide certain fees —probably licensing—among the Road Boards. He did not see his way clear on one or two points. No provisions were made about Charitable Aid and the Hospital. He did not know whether the Road Boards would contribute to these institutions, or whether the Government would take upon itself the support of them. There would also be much difficulty in carrying on road works, and keeping the roads in proper order, except several Road Boards combined and formed larger districts.

Cr Hunter said that the ratepayers in his district would welcome any change. They were not at all satisfied with present working of the County. Cr Bibby thought the Council should not pass a hasty vote. He would like more information before supporting Cr Smith’s resolution. Although he could plainly see that the County failed to give satisfaction, he did not feel sure the ratepayers would be in a better position if the Counties Act was suspended. He thought the matter required more consideration.

Crs Dillon and McGreevy would like to have more information before voting for the resolution, also the feeling of the ratepayers iu their districts.

After a few more remarks from councillors, the motion was put and lost, Cr Dillon not voting. For—Crs Hunter, Fountaine, Newman, and Smith. Against Crs Bibby, Ross, McGreevy, Johnston, and chairman’s casting vote. PAT SHEET. The pay-sheet, as certified to bv the finance committee, was passed for payment. PETITION. Cr McGreevy moved that the petition from settlers in the Norsewood and Ormondvilie districts, praying for an alteration in the boundaries of the highway districts, be confirmed, and that the boundaries as furnished by the Chief Surveyor be adopted. Seconded by Cr Ross, and carried. MAKARETU ROAD BOARD. It was resolved that the first meeting of the Makaretu Road Board be held in. the Ashley-Clinton schoolhouse at 3.30 p.m., on a Saturday to be announced by advertisement in the Maid. PORANQ AH AU-WAINUI ROAD. Cr Hunter proposed that the Council request Mr Horace Baker, Chief Surveyor, to make a double survey on the line of road from Porangahau to Wainui—one to the coast direct, and the other to the “ valley.” Seconded by Cr Smith, and carried. KOPUA-MAKATOKU ROAD. Cr Smith moved that the Council apply to the Minister for Public Works to put in cattle stops on the railway line between Kopua and Makatoku, at each place where the road crosses the railway line. Carried.

BATES TO BE SUED FOB. Resolved, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr McGreevy, that a notice be inserted in the local paper to the effect that all rates unpaid after the Ist of January next will be sued for without further notice. TENDERS. Tenders were opened for the following works : Metalling Woodville - Gorge Road —Scully and O’Connor, 3s lOd per yard ; Hllis and Co., 3s lOd per yard ; A. Peebles (accepted), £lO. Formation Takapau - Gorge Road—Only one tender was received for this contract, which was considered too high. Fresh tenders will be called for. 1 ormation and Metalling KaikoraTamumußoad—J. Duncan (accepted), £97 16s ; H. Hickey, £llß. Waipawa-Hampden road—G. Rose (accepted), £l2O. The meeting then adjourned.