Waipawa County Council.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 4238, 8 August 1901, Page 2

Waipawa County Council.

The Waipawa County Council met yesterday. Present: —Messrs O. Erickson (chairman), C. Baines, A. McCormack, J. Holden, A. E. Jull, P. Gow, J. Lyell and H. H. Bridge. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings were held to confirm Special Order making special rate for payment of interest on the Maunga Road Loan and to consider and settle the balance-sheet for year ended 31st March, 1901. ORDINARY MEETING. CORRESPONDENCE. From Waipawa Town Board, requesting Council to make the County rate in the Waipawa Town District for the year 1901-2, lfd in the £, instead of fd as hereto.—Agreed to on the motion of Mr Jull.

From Manson & Co., offering to supply timber for strengthening Week’s Bridge, Hampden, if Council will do the necessary work.—Offer accepted. From Mrs Harriet Fletcher, asking for a settlement for the land taken for Makororo Bridge approach, as per arrangement. —To be paid on the completion of the transfer. From same, calling attention to improve quality of posts put on ground for Makororo Bridge approach, (Staunton’s contract).—Referred to overseer.

From D. McLeod & Son, Onga Onga, calling attention to bad state of two pieces of road. —To stand over. From Inglis Bros., Makaretu, enclosing account from Mr Norris for £l, for new certificate of title in connection with land taken for road, asking Council to pay same.—To be paid.

From H. F. Norris, re same.—Received.

From Messrs Paget, Ellison, and Thomson, South Makaretu, asking that something be done to improve the state of their road.—To stand over.

From J. J. Connor, Makaretu, asking that the road between section 138 and 147, bo opened for general traffic.—To stand over.

From C. E. Pram, offering to clean 10 or 11 chains of drain, and to cut flax &c. off the Fairfield-Waipukurau road for £s.—Offer accepted. From J. B. A’Deane, calling attention to dangerous state of drain on either side of road across the Ashcott swamp.— Received.

From Messrs Price, Takapau, calling attention to state of the guard fence on Tangarewa cutting, on the AshleyClinton road.—As far as the Council was aware no agreement existed with regard to keeping the bridge in repair. From Parsons and Roper, asking permission to lay tram line alongside road on Makaretu road.—Granted.

From secretary Ormondville School Committee, re state of drains in the vicinity of school grounds.—Overseer to deal with the matter.

From Henry Smith snr, asking if council intend to pay him any compensation for cutting up his property in order to get access to creek.—The sum of £2 to be offered in full satisfaction of his claim.

From Wm. Hull, Makotuku, asking to be released from contract 249, Burgsten’s road on account of the provisions of the Compensation Act.—Application refused. From Messrs Insoll, Hardie, Baddeley

and Henderson,, agreeing to certain properties being constituted a special rating district for a loan of £6o.—Held over until a reply was received from the Treasury. From Baddeley and Henderson, asking council to take over extension of Taradale road.—Received. From Blakiston and Blakiston, re Natives’ claim for royalty.—Received. From Tiratu Sawmill Coy., applying for permission to make a tram crossing over the main road at Mangatera, opposite the railway station.—Permission granted. From H. J. Danby, Kaitoki, asking permission to receive all timber from the road fronting his property, section 5, Tepapakuku.—Left with overseer to deal with.

From P. Petersen, Danevirke, asking that about 10£ chains of drain be put on Adelaide road as at present the storm water floods his property.—To stand over.

From H. F. Norris, advising state of proceedings re taking of road (Baddeley and Mao Kay) under Public Works Act. Received. •

From A. Feierabend, Danevirke, asking permission to erect a gate across a road between sections 10 and 11 Umutaoroa Block.—Permission granted. From W. Vickery, Mangatera, asking that the proceedings for raising loan for Mangahoe road, Ngapaeruru, be pushed on.—Received.

From Mrs Hockley, Danevirke, calling attention to the insanitary state of swamp near Manawatu bridge.—Overseer to report.

From Danevirke Borough Council, re Tapuata bridge.—Work to be tendered for. Tenders to be called for both totara and matai.

From H. Bnrnett, Woodville, asking on behalf of Mr C. H. Hope, that the thirds accruing on account of the purchase of section 3, Block XVII, be expended on the road giving access to that section.—Tenders to be called for the work.

From M. Tansey, asking permission to wait upon Council re metalling balance of road from Tahoraite station to Tamaki homestead.—Mr Tansey, who appeared in support of the application, said he had been connected with the company for 10 years, during which time they had paid £3OO per annum in rates. Altogether some £3OOO had been paid but not more than £BO or £9O had been spent on the road. Only two ratepayers were concerned but they employed 70 or 80 men carting timber. It was urgently necessary to metal the balance of the road during the coming season. There was no other road in the Danevirke riding in so bad a state. If it was a matter of finance they would be willing to pay for the work if they were allowed to deduct it from the next rates. He did not consider he was asking for a favour but for a right. The cost would be about £1 a chain.

Messrs Lyell and Baines spoke in favour of the application being granted. Mr Gow proposed that the work be done next season. Seconded by Mr Lyell. Mr Jull stated that he did not wish to oppose the work but he did not think a vote should be made for new works until they considered their financial position. If it were made a first new work in the Danevirke riding, next season, he would support it. The chairman thought the vote should be deferred until they ascertained their financial position. Eventually it was resolved that the work should be one of the first new works in the Danevirke riding. From Grainger Bros., Maharahara, asking for a few chains of road formation, Upper Sturdy’s road.—Deferred. From Hawke’s Bay Timber Co., askthat that the road between sections 57 and 50, Maharahara East, be formed and metalled.—To stand over. From Palmerston N. Sash and Door Co. re same.—Received.

From H. Carlson, submitting an account for extras done on his contract on Mangatoro Valley road, amounting to £4B 10s and requesting payment of same.—Council could not entertain the account.

From J. Leithead, Woodville, enclosing account for £6 17s 3d for fencing on Harding’s road deviation and asking that arrangements be made for watering the two paddocks cut off by the new road.—Dam to be made, but Council did not acknowledge any liability regarding fencing. From J. Walch and Co., Invercargill, quoting poisoned grain.—Received. From Christchurch City Council, stating that they have a 15-ton steam road roller for sale.—Received.

From secretary, Wellington Harbour Board re Industrial Unions and Conciliation Boards.—Received.

From Treasury, stating that the Colonial Treasurer could not provisionally approve of a loan being made for a special rating district composed of only one ratepayer.—Received. From Assistant Surveyor-General, re gazetting proclamation of road deviation in Waipukurau.—Received.

From Minister of Lands, refusing to allow money voted for Makaretu bridge to be diverted to Mangatewai.—- Mr Bridge said Mr Hall M.H.R., had informed him that the Government was prepared to make a grant of £950 for the erection of the two bridges. He did not think it wise to build one of the bridges and not the other, for as soon as one was completed the ratepayers would clamour for the other. He had had a good deal of correspondence on the subject and the Government positively refused to give a grant of £SOO for one bridge, but would vote £950 if the Council would erect the two. All the big ratepayers in his district were in favour of the erection of the two bridges. He did not think the Counties Bill would pass this session, nor that Road Boards would be abolished. He thought the Takapau Road Board should be asked if they would contribute £3OO in two annual instalments for the erection of bridges over the Makaretu and Mangatewai rivers.

Mr Jull opposed the Council committing itself to the proposed expenditure of so large a sum before they considered their financial position. It was not improbable that Road Boards would be abolished this session and then the Council would be left with a heavy liability on its hands if the Takapau Road Board agreed to their proposal. He thought they should again approach the Government with the view of getting a grant of £SOO for the Mangatewai bridge. The chairman thought the Council should defer the matter until members were acquainted with their financial position. After further discussion it was resolved to see if the Takapau Road Board would contribute £3OO towards the erection of the proposed bridges. From General Manager Railways re piece of road at Oringi railway station.— Council did not consider that they

should pay cost of proclamation as they had been asked to take the road over.

From General Manager Railways re same.—Received.

From Minister of Lands, covering letter from W. Luxford, complaining of heavy traffio by-laws, and asking for Council’s reason for passing same.—Received.

From Commissioner of Crown Lands, approving of Opuncil's soheme for expenditure of thirds and fourths amount-; ing to £669 19s 2d.—Received. From Government Life Insurance Department, New Zealand Accident Insurance Company and the Ocean Accident Insurance Company, quotiug rates for insurance of Council’s employees under the Employers’ Liability Act, &c. — On the casting vote of the chairman it was decided to insure in the Government office.

Fro’m Danevirke Borough Council, asking Council to pay share of tarring a bridge.—Refused.

overseers’ reports Waipawa Riding.—The metalling on the Waipawa-Tamumu road, and the Waipawa-Hampden roads is completed. The fencing contract on the Ruataniwha road will be completed this month. The fencing contract on the HampdenWakarara road is in progress and will be completed by the end of the month. The Ruataniwha road between Todd’s and the traffio bridge has been repaired with metal. The watertables in this riding have been cleaned out where necessary since your last meeting. Waipukurau Riding.—The Waipuku-rau-Waipawa road near traffic bridge has been repired with metal, as it was getting into a bad state through the metal drays working upon it. The watertables on the different roads in this riding are now receiving attention. Ruataniwha Riding.—The whole of the contracts in this riding are completed. Several slips have come down in the Wakarara district, which are now being removed by.the surfaceman. The watertables and the river crossings have been receiving attention during the past month, and are now in good repair. Makaretu Merged District.—The watertables in this district have been cleared out where most necessary and are now in fair order. Slips have come down during the past heavy rains, which are now being attended to. The roads in the South Makaretu district-have been attended to during the month and are in good order. Norsewood Riding.—The watertables on the main road through the Norsewood riding have been cleaned out during the past month. The heavy traffic on the main road between the Matamau railway station is beginning to cut up that portion of the road again, and unless steps are taken to prevent the heavy traffic it will require another coat of metal.

Ormondville Riding.—The metalling contract on the Ormondville-Makotuku road is completed. W. Hull has written me stating that he is not prepared to go on with his contract on Bengston’s road and asks me to inform you to that effect. The contractors on the Maunga road, Waikopiro, are making good progress considering the very wet weather we have had. Several slips have come down on the Ahiweka road during the month which will require removing as soon as the weather is favourable.

Danevirke Riding.—The watertables in this riding on the main road have been cleaned out; also the watertables on the Danevirke-Weber road. The other portions will receive attention as early as possible. It will require 200 yards of metal to repair the Mangatoro Valley road near the boundary of the Kumeroa Road District. It is considerably cut up and unless it is attended to at once it will become impassible. The metalling contract on the Toi Toi flat on the Weber road has been held over until the fine weather, owing to the wet state of the road. A portion of the Weber road between the borough boundary and the Manawatu bridge has been patched during the month. Woodville Riding.—The whole of the contracts in this district are completed. The day labour contractor has filled in the approach to the Manga-atua bridge, which has recently been constructed. The watertables in the Maharahara district have been attended to during the past month. The roads in this riding are in good repair. M. Murray.

Sir, —I have laid off and levelled the site of the Mangatoro bridge, with approaches, Wakarara, also authorised formation work on Mrs Fletcher’s road 13 chains, tenders for which can be returnable at the next meeting. A new cass and ground sills require to be inserted in small bridge, on Fairfield road opposite the ploughman’s camp, as present cass and sills are falling to pieces, causing the bridge to sink at the end, cost £6 10s.

The contractor for the erection of the Manga-atua bridge on the main road, near Victoria Railway has completed his work satisfactorily, and he is now proceeding with the construction of the small bridge at Kaitoku. The Dane-virke-Weber road, between the Borough boundary, and the far end of boundary flat is badly cut up. It will soon be impassible for light traffic. Re Mr Knight’s claim for royalty on behalf of the natives. From January to April 1893 there were 180 chains of the Danevirke-Weber road metalled out of a quarry within the native reserve, Kaitoku. The quaUry is situated about 20 chains off the main road. There were 22 cubic yards put on to the chain making a total of 3960 cubic yards. John Carmody was the contractor for the work.

With reference to instructions to prepare an estimate of the cost of metalling the Mangahe road, Ngapaeruru, from its junction with the Danevirke-Weber road to the junction with the Tuturewa road, a distance of 65 miles or 520 chains and to metal that distance 10 feet wide and 9 inches deep will require 9533 cubic yards. I propose to metal 320 chains of the aboYe distance with gravel taken from the terrace on the Ngapaeruru side of Mangatoro river, that is 5867 cubic yards which I value at 2s 6d per yard amounting to £733 7s 6d, and the remaining 200 chains with limestone metal which is located about 60 chains from junction with the Tuturewa road, 3666 cubic yards, which I estimate will cost 4s per cubic yard which amounts to £733 4s. Total cost for metalling the whole road £1466 11s 6d, but I would recommend employing a man for two or three days to sink shafts for the purpose of ascertaining if there is a sufficient quantity available to complete the work from the present outcrops. I submitted plans and specifications of a bridge with approaches across the Tapuatu creek, King’s road, Danevirke, for their approval, and they have approved of the plans, with one exception, that is, to substitute totara in place of

matai, for the sills, lining, stud piles and cass. This will increase my former estimate by £lO. A. Gilmour. RECOMMENDATIONS. Mr Murray’s Report. Waipukurau Riding.—A request of the roadman for a month’s holiday was refused. Ormondville Riding.—Slips to be removed from the Ahiweka road as soon as possible. Danevirke Riding.—Two hundred yards of metal to be put on the Mangatoro road when the weather is suitable. Mr Gilmour’s Report. Overseer and Mr Lyell to report on amount of royalty due to natives for metal taken from the reserve at Kaitoki. Investigation to be made as to what quantity of metal is available for the Mangahe road. THE CLERKSHIP. The clerk tendered his resignation, to take effect in one month.—On the motion of Messrs M‘Cormack and Bridge the resignation was accepted with regret. The chairman and Mr Bridge spoke in an eulogistic manner of the way in which Mr Nicholson had discharged his duties. Mr Nicholson asked if the Council would give him a testimonial on leaving. Mr Jull proposed that the Council give Mr Nicholson a testimonial on his relinquishing office. He said that some present were not members of the Council when Mr Nicholson received his appointment, but they all recognised that Mr Nicholson had faithfully and ably discharged his duties. Speaking as one who had been chairman, and also as a member, he' could honestly say that the appointment had given general satisfaction to the Council and to the ratepayers. They were losing a man whose clerical abilities eminently fitted him for the position he occupied. He honestly believed the appointment of Mr Nicholson, as clerk, was the best ever made by the Council. The motion was seoonded by Mr Gow, and carried unanimously, after Messrs Baines, McCormack and Lyell had made complimentary references to Mr Nicholson’s services.

Mr Nicholson briefly returned thanks. His connection with the Council had been a pleasurable one and he thanked the present chairman, Mr Ericksen, and Messrs Jull and Johnston, former chairmen, and the members of the Council for the courtesy they had invariably shown him. The chairman stated that he thought the present occasion an opportune one to consider the question of their staff. Owing to the formation of the Woodville County they would not require the services of two overseers and it would be necessary to discharge Mr Murray. There was a feeling amongst members that Mr Murray was capable of discharging the duties of clerk and that he should be transferred to that office.

Mr Holden was of opinion that they should invite applications for the office or give the junior clerk, who was capable, a chance.

Mr Jull said his opinion was that both Mr Murray and Mr Baker were capable of discharging the duties to the satisfaction of the Council. He favoured the appointment of Mr Murray as clerk, provided they could utilise his services as overseer when required, and that the junior clerk should be made rate receiver.

After discussion it was resolved that Mr Murray be appointed clerk and treasurer at a salary of £2OO per annum, the Council to have the right to his services as overseer when required and that Mr Baker act as rate receiver and junior clerk, at a salary of £lO5 per annum.

MISCELLANEOUS. A petition was received from nine settlers in the Waikopiro, asking that steps should be taken to raise a loan to metal the Ruahnui road. Mr Baines stated that a loan of £350 would do the work, with the Government subsidy of £1 for £l. Part of the formation had already been done and the road required metalling. Overseer to see what the work would cost. Steps to be taken to raise the loan. It was determined to return the deposit of H. Laws, for contract No. 135, which had been cancelled by mutual consent.

The chairman stated that the Council should take steps to ascertain whether the royalty paid for gravel taken from native reserves had been paid to all who were entitled to receive it, for it was reported that only a few of the natives received it.

Mr Jull was of opinion that the Council should investigate the question of royalties. At present they paid a royalty of 2d on all metal taken irrespective of where it came from. In some instances it was not too much, but in other instances it was out of all proportion. It was resolved to give Mr H. Carlson an acknowledgement of the Council’s indebtedness to him for work done. The chairman stated that he had been over the Weber road, as far as Luxford’s mill, and the Matamau road and found them in such a bad state that it was advisable to close them for heavy traffic. It was also stated that the main road, Takapau, was unfit for heavy traffic. It was resolved that all the roads in the county, except these three be exempt from the provisions of the by-laws.

The chairman said he would call their attention to the finances of the Council. He had prepared a statement, which showed their receipts to be £10,246 15s Bd. Their liabilities to the Ist Ootober, 1901, were £2511 6s 4d, their estimated expenditure was £3775 2s Od, leaving a balance of £3960 7s 4d available. Their bank overdraft stood at £6936 13s Od, and after the pay-sheet had been passed it would amount to £BOOO. If they struck the same rate as last year it would bring in £9OO more than last year, owing to the increased valuation. He thought, especially if they wished to reduce their overdraft, that they should either strike a higher rate, or suspend works.

Mr Jull said an additional rate of |d would give them about £I2OO more than formerly, while they would benefit to the extent of £9OO by the increased valuation. He should say that they ought to make up their minds to reduce their overdraft by £2OOO and then allocate the remainder in proportion to the rates paid by the several ridings. So long as each member played a lone hand and grabbed what he could for his district, so long would they have to face a heavy expenditure. Mr Bridge stated that some years ago they had determined to spend the rates pro rata , but it broke down in a very short time. It was necessary, however, that members should be moderate in their demands.

Mr Baines said the ratepayers in district would not relish an inoreasi d the rate. The chairman then gave notice 4 strike a general rate of Id in the £, a rate of 2|d in the merged distriota. It was decided to get a further or lt draft of £3OOO. FAY SHEET. The pay sheet amounting to £1443 I, 2d (general aqoount) and £l7 aooount) was passed for payment. The expenses of Mr Jull, £l6, ft, attending the Counties’ Conference win passed for payment. DATE or NEXT MEBTINO. The next meeting was fixed for W#J, nesday, 4th September. TENDBRB. Contract No. D 4.—For the stumpy, olearing and formation of 61} chainj more or less of Maunga road, wJJ kopiro.—Wolland and Co. 49s 6d (a«. cepted), R. A. Grant 52s 6d, Reidj Bros 358 lid, W. J. C. Cogswell 54i w Louden and Co 50s lOd. Contract No. E s.—For stumpi*. clearing and formation of 60} chaim and erecting bridge on Maunga road, Waikopiro.—Wolland and Co. 39i (accepted), R. A. Grant 45s 6d, Raid* Bros. 38s lid, W. J. C. Cogswell 43s Louden and Co. 40s 7d. Contract No. 276.—F0r the stumping clearing and formation of 25 more or less, of Tamaki East Umutaoroa. —R. A. Grant 47s 6d(ic. cepted), J. Cullinane 735. Contract No. 249.—F0r olearing and formation of 24 chainj more or less, of Bengston’s rnd, Ormondville.—H. Laws 62s (aeceptidl R. A. Grant 67s 6d, J Devereux 68a.