WAIPAWA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 3972, 4 November 1899, Page 2

WAIPAWA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council as at present constituted mot for the last time yesterday. Present :—Messrs A. E. Juil (chairman), H. H. Bridgo, W. A. Chambers, C. Baines, J. Drummond, A. W. Cook, O. Erioksen, A. McCormack, and A. Rood CORRESPONDENCE. From J. Williams, Waipawa, suggesting that thoro should be a polling booth at tho Waipawa end of the Ruataniwha Riding.—Agreed to. From Wm. Thomson, Takapau, re track to his mine workings.—Work to bo done. From Sydnoy Johnston, Takapau, re. maintenance of new fonces in connection with road deviation on Harding’s road, Woodville.—Council would maintain new fence for 12 months after erection.

From A. Amundsen, Ormondvillo, re felling trees on road line.—Trees likely to interfere with road line to bo foiled under direction of tho overseer. From F. McLeod, Whetukuru, re. raising of loan for making the Ohiweka road, Waikopiro.—A loan of £BOO to be applied for.

From Mrs Jarman, Makotuku, asking Council to remit her rates.—Rate remitted.

From J. Cullinaiie, Danevirke, offering to metal his formation contract at lOd per yard.—Offer accepted. From J. A. Sinclair, Woodville, asking Council to fell bush on road lino fronting section 4, Block VIII, Norsewood survey district.—Overseer to report. From the clerk Woodville Borough Council, re clearing tho Mangaatua stream.—Council consider they had done sufficient.

From Albert Barnett, Maharahara, re spending deferred thirds on Sturdy’s road.—Thirds to be spent as "far as they would go. From E. J. Pettman, Maharahara, offering to divert the Mangaatua stream through his bush for £s.—Overseer to report.

From E. J. Gothard, Woodville, stating that the Mangaatua stream is being blocked by the settlers placing stumps in it, and asking the Council to take steps to have the stumps removed.— Council did not consider necessary to have* stumps rortioved« From H. G. Barrow, Maharahara, asking that metal be spread over four culverts on the road leading to his residence.—Tenders to be called.

From Richard Goggin, Maharahara, asking for assistance to make a outting to give him an entrance to his house from the road.—Council to contribute £4 towards work, on condition that Mr Goggin exchanges road when called on. From L. A. Mathieson, Maharahara, stating that in consequence of repairs to a culvert water is let on to his land, and offering to find labour if Council will supply pipes to make a covered drain through his property to t friver.—Request for pipes refused. N

From Messrs Charmley, Smart, Blake and 14 others, asking that a channel be cut in Mr Scally’s paddock at Victoria, Woodville, a distance of eight chains, with a view of improving tho Mangaatua crossing.—Timber to be cleared and a small channel made, cost not to exceed £B. Trees planted in the Mangaatua creek to be removed. From P. Scally consenting to the cutting of the channel suggested.—Received. From G. Hunter and J. O’Meara, M’s.H.R., re vote for metalling Danevirke- Weber road.—Received. From Treasury notifying payment of subsidy amounting to £1159 16s 2d to Council’s credit at Bank.—Received. From G. N. Pharazan re Mangaatua Valley road.—Matter deferred until overseer reports. From D. G. Monrad, requesting to be furnished with information re the progress of the road to Tepapakuku block. —Recoived.

From P. G. Grant, Norsewood, asking permission to erect a verandah.— Granted.

From E. P. Cowen, stating that ho had rnado a mistake in his tender for the approaches to the Makarora bridgo and was unable to complete the contract at the accepted price.—Deposit to be returned and Cosgrove’s tender accepted. overseers’ reports. I have the honor to report as follows on the different ridings ; Waipawa Riding. —M. Hannon will begin his metal contract on the WaipawaHampden road this week, weather permitting. During the month I have had the metal raked in on this road. The surfaceman has cut down the gorse and other scrub about the Hampden township, fie is now repairing the river crossings. Waipukurau Riding. —The timber for the small bridge on the road opposite Mrs Harding’s gate is now on the ground. The erection will be proceeded with next week. Several small slips have come down with the recent rain. They will be removed by tho surfaceman as soon as he has repaired the river crossings. Ruataniwha Riding.— J. Butler and A. Wheeler have started their metalling contracts on the Blackburn Ridge road and the Onga Onga-Wakarara roads respectively. H. Laws will complete his formation contract on the Blackburn Ridge road in about a week from date. The WaipawaOnga Onga road has been cut up considerably by the traction engine, the heavy weight forcing out the metal and leaving quite a drain in the centre of the road. It will be necessary for the surfaceman to be kept on continually raking in the metal whilst the engine is travelling on this road, otherwise in a few days it would be impassible for wheel trallic. Two small culverts were broken in on the above road by the traction engine, but were not replaced, as they were not required. Makaretu Merged. —J. Cosgrove and C. Persen have finished their metalling contracts on Boyle’s and Black’s road, but 1 have not yet passed then? as I could not cross the river on Tuesday last. The watertables in this riding are in exceptionally good order. J. Cosgrove will begin his metalling contract on the South Makaretu road next week.

Norsewood and Ormondmllc Riding.— T. Nicholls has completed his metalling contract on the various road in the Ormondville Merged district. The repairs to Braba/.on’s bridge on the Norsewood-Ormond-ville road are now in progress and will be completed this week. E. Maycock has not completed his clearing contract on Donghi’s road. He has cleared about thirtyfive chains of a previously stumped portion which is not specified in his contract. He has not done any work on the lower portion of the road, which is now standing bush, and the contract specifies that it shall be felled, stumped, and cleared. Danevirke Ruling.—D. Smith has finished his metalling contract on the Kaitoki road satisfactorily. J. Cullinaiie has begun his contract on Ranfurly road, Tepapakuku. Berensten and Fisher will begin their metal contract on the Weber road next Monday. Carmichael will commence his metalling contract, which was held over from last season, as soon as the road is in a dry state. The surfaceman has made a roadway around the Oruakeretaki bridge, owing to the approach being washed away. He has also removed some slips in Neilson’s road, Umutaoroa. Woodville Riding. —Five new culverts have been inserted as authorised in the Manga-atua Valley road. Some small slips have come down on Harding’s road during the month, but have since been removed by the surfaceman. Sturdy’s and the top grass road have been cut up by the sleeper carters, and will require metal, it being now very rough for the milk suppliers carting their milk. I recommend that this work be got out this coming month, as the greater part of the heavy traffic in this district is done in the summer months. I would also recommend that, wherever maintenance metal is to be delivered on the different roads throughout tho county, that the outside edge lie taken off before any metal is sproad so as to allow the water to run freely off the road.—Yours truly, M. Murray. 1 have the honor to report as follows By a careful examination of the Waipawa traffic bridgo, 1 am of opinion that three planks put down on each side for the wheel track are not enough, and as the decking will nearly all have to betaken up for the purpose of reinstating tho broken joists, 1 would recommend that thirteen new planks be put down in the centre, which will cover the whole of the traffic, way. It may not require the whole of \,he flanks for this width to be new, as the >est of the old ones can be put in the centre, and should this work be done the owners of the f raction engine are willing to put.down two 9in white pine planks on each side, as a wheel track. 1 would ask for an additional 16 chains of formation and metalling on the KopuaPapatua road which will complete the wmde of this road between Takapau and Makotuku. It is very soft in winter ; cost ‘ i uno a l, bftin of the Ormond-ville-Makotuku road near the Rev. Mr \V ills' house dangerously narrow ; several accidents have occurred; it requires widening; cost £7 10s. Repairs are completed to tho Manawatu bridge, Weber road, and 1 am now dealing with the understrutting of a small bridge near the Danevirke end of the Manawatu bridge opposite a lagoon. The stringers are not strong enough without strengthening. I

I have ordered timber for an additional landing span to the Oruaparetaki bridge near Oringi, as the whole of the wing on the up stream side collaused, taking half the roadway with it. The driving is so hard at that creek, that sheet piling cannot be driven to a sufficient depth to withstand the pressure of the earth approaches. The work will be completed and traffic opened within 8 days. Tenders will be laid before you to-day for 7 contracts, viz, the Makaroro and Tukipo bridges, two formation contracts on Harding’s road deviation, 20' chains Kerere road, Tipapakuku, 40 chains reforming and metalling Thompson’s road, South Makaretu, 400 cubic yards maintenance metal, Manga-atua Valley road. With respect to the fencing on Harding’s road deviation, provision should be made to have it fenced before the formation is completed, as the cattle would otherwise destroy the embankments. It will require 900 posts, 30 strainers. 30 stays, and 2700 battens. I would suggest asking prices from the different suppliers for finding and laying, them on the ground where required.—Yours, etc, A. Gilmour, County Road Overseer. RECOMMENDATIONS. Waipawa Riding. No recommendation. Waipukurau Riding.—No recommendation. Ruataniwha Riding.—No recommendation. Makaretu Riding.— Porsen to distribute 250 yards of metal at contract price. Norsewood and Ormondville Riding. —Maycock to be paid for what he had done and fresh tenders to be called. Danevirke Riding.—No recommendation. Woodville Riding.—Tenders to be called for metalling. MR OILMOUR’S REPORT. Overseer’s suggestion re bridge planks agreed to, work to be done by tender. Road opposite Rev. Mr Wills’ house to be widened. Tenders to be called for tarring and painting tho Manawatu bridgo on the Weber road. Mr Melville to repair damage done to county fence opposite his mill. Tenders to be callod for the erection of a fence on Harding’s deviation. TENDERS. The following tenders were dealt with: —Contract No. 104.—For the erection of a traffic bridge across the Makaroro Rivor, Wakarara, consisting of one span of 80 and one span of 50 feet.—R. McGaffin £5Bl Bs, (accepted, £3O to be allowed for iron bark piles), Langlands and Co. £950 13s 9d, (for two bridges), Staunton and Loudon £5Bl 17s 4d and £136 5s for ironbark (withdrawn), G. Lomas £632 Is 3d, J. J. Gilmour £642 11s Bd.

Contract No. 105.—For the erectior of a traffic bridge across the Tukipc river at the Washpool, near Ashcott.— J. J. Gilmour £3OO 19s lOd (accepted) R. McGaffin £389 10s, C. A. Robertsor £431 17s 6d, Chas. Woolhouso £357 2i 6d, Staunton and Loudon £362 7s.

Contract No 106.—For the stumping, clearing, and formation of 93 chains of Harding’s road deviation, Woodville. —P. Power £2 7s 6d (accepted), J. Curry £2 14s, Pratley, Oliver and Co. £2 17s.

Contract No. 107.—For the stumping, clearing, and formation of 20 chains of Kereri road, Tepapapuku block, Danovirke.—J. Cullinane £142 (accepted), J. Dillon £7 7s 6d per chain. Contract No. 109.—Reforming and metalling 40 chains of Thompson’s road, South Makaretu.—J. Cosgrove £1 7s lid (accepted), E. P. Cowan £1 Bs.

Contract No. 108.—A. F. Lehndorp £3 2s 6d. Frosh tenders to be called.

Contract No. 110.—J. Curry Is 4sd (accepted).

J. Adams’ tender for bridges, which was received too late was not opened.

PROPOSED LOAN

The Council resolved to apply under the provisions of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act for the sum of £BOO, and to strike a rate of 2£d in the £ to provide interest for the same. That the particular work for which the aforesaid loan of £BOO is to be raised shall be tho stumping, clearing, and formation of 560 chains, more or less, of the Ohineka road, commencing with tho junction with the Whetuekenu main road. That the cost of raising such loan, and the interest for one year during the construction of the said road, shall be paid out of the loan. The above proposal to be notified for the information of ratepayers as provided by the Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886. MISCELLANEOUS. The chairman reported that he had authorised tenders for the Washpool Bridge to closo on the 2nd November, instead of tho original date, which would have not givon sufficient time for advertising.—Action confirmed. A request from Mr McPherson, Danevirke, to have a strip of land conferred on him was granted. It was decided to widen 84 chains of the Ormondville-Norsewood road, tendors to be callod for the work at once. The action of the chairman in accepting two tenders was confirmed. It was decided to refund special rates that had been improperly struck. I’AY-SHEET. The pay sheet amounting to £565 was passed for payment. chairman’s ADDRESS. Tho chairman delivered the following address:— 1 think it only right, on the eve of vacating (Alice that 1 should give Councillors a statement of the position of the County. A diversity of opinion always exists as to local government finance, one section believing it good policy to levy the maximum rate with the idea of making all the roads and bridges in the shortest possible time and then lowering the rate, which reduction is always in the future, others taking the view of doing the work steadily. I have inclined to the latter view, on the •principle that it is unfair to present owners to tax them unduly to do works out of revenue, the tendency being when high rates are levied to do many works which migjit reasonably be spread over a period ofy ears. For many years this Council levied the maximum rate and did not find that any too much for their needs. We have, however, been able to reduce our rate twice. First, when rating under the capital value, we reduced our rate to §d in the £, and this year, under the unimproved value we again reduced the rate to gd, which is equivalent to about £<l in the £ on the capital value. In spite of this the Council has continuously kept making new roads and bridges in all the back settlements, made good tho damage caused by the disastrous flood of April, 1897, aggregating about £2OOO, and kept our old I roads well maintained. 'fhe present financial position is that we have an overdraft of about £IOOO, the lowest it lias been at this time of the year, to which must be added this month’s pay sheet of £565. On the other hand we have the balance of the current year’s rates, now coming in, of, say £6200, to which must be added the 75% subsidy applied for, amounting to approximately £BSO available for the new works authorised for this

season. I venture to say that we feel gratified at the position we attained.

The districts which have entailed greatest expenditure have been the m e . road board districts, which have W moat cases taken over with consider, debts and with their roads in a*very b ward condition. In every case the cob has assisted these districts out 0 f general rate in addition to spending merged district rate. These district* now in a condition to do with & | 0 expenditure and I see no reason why „ year the merged district or road bo rate should not be reduced, as I intinu before, to be equal to the general r&tc There is just one other matter in deal with rates I should like to mention that is the special rate over the Danevi riding to pay the interest of the Mans*, bridge loan. I think that this bridge though built by the old Danevirke R, Board, should be looked upon as a Com bridge and the special rate taken off. should have suggested that this year, \ owing to the extraordinary heavy expen ture in repairs to the bridge itself, and metalling on the Weber road, amounting over £IOOO the remission this year wa* n practicable. I cannot conolude without thanki councillors for their generous treaty during the past four years, during win, time I have held the position of yo chairman, and although, perhaps, we not been always of ono mind, I cau K that I have always endeavored to treat tl proposals from the various districts wi fairness, and having made myself a quainted with all parts of the count, have never opposed anything that 1 di not fully believe could wait until othi more urgent works were completed, must also thank our clerk and oversea for their co-operation and courtesy j n a my dealings with them.

Mr Chambers said he thorough endorsed the remarks made by th chairman. From what he had seen 0 the manner in which councillors ha< conducted the business ho had a higl appreciation of the way in which they attended to the wants of the ratepayer*. All party feeling had been eliminated from their discussions and they had unitedly worked for the good of the ratepayers. He was not returning to the Council, but would like to expres* the opinion that the chairman deserved tho thanks of the ratepayers for fostering the funds of the county and the careful consideration 1 he had given to tho wants of the district. He would propose that this Council wish to record their appreciation of tho chairman’s services for the financial position in which ho had left tho county at the end of hii term of office. He also proposed that tho chairman’s remuneration be £6 a month, which he thought thoy would all agroo was not too much for the attention he had given to the affairs of the Council. Mr Baines said he endorsed the remarks made by Mr Chambers and would second the motion. Messrs Cook and Bridge briefly alluded to the chairman’s services. t The motion was put and carried unanimously. Special Meeting at 10.30 a.m. BUSINESS. To confirm Special Order making Traction Engine and Heavy Traffic bylaws.—Confirmed. To come into operation on the 22nd November, 1899.