Wairarapa West County Council.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1807, 15 March 1886, Page 2

Wairarapa West County Council.

This Council met on Saturday at the Conncil Chambers, Carterton. Present— Crs W. Booth (chiirraan), W. C. Buchanan, J. Tully, C. Phillips, H, R. Bunny, H. Bunny, H. Braithwaite, and A. Matthews. The clerk read the minutes of the former meeting, which were confirmed. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer’s was read as follows : —Or balance at bank L 753 14s Bd, the receipts have been Bent of Hurunui Ferry Reserve, L 5 ; rent of Waiohine toll gate for month of February, 1885, L 34 6s 8d ; conditional licenses, LI ; D. Heagerty's deposit, LlO. I have to bring under the notice of the Board that the lessee of the Lake ferry Mr Croot is in arrear with his half year's rent October Ist, 1885. (payable in advance), and I have to ask the Council to give me direcions on the subject. Balance sheet-Dr—T. 0. Road Board, L 54 3a 41 ; Town Board, L 8 6s 8d; Wainui Board account, L 74 13s Id ; Kawhata Road account, L 3 12s ; Bank N. Z., L 753 14s «J, Or -Deposits on tenders, L 67 3s ; Huruuiorangi 101 l account, L 10; MartiuboroughPahana Road account, L 565 3s 6d ; general binds, L 212 3s, Correspondence. Inwards—Correspondence was read by the clerk, and embraced the following ; From the Forests Department re devastation of forests caused by sparks from railway engines. From Public Works Department, re grant for bridges on Martiuborough-Pahaua Road. From Featherston Road Board remitting interest amounting to L 35. From same, declining to advance (conditionally), more than L3OO for completion of Martinborongh Pahaua Road until some guarantee could be given by the Council as to Ike time and means of repaying the whole amount (L 750) applied for as a loan from Btid Board to the Council, also informing tie Council that the Board would consider the matter of advancing the farther sum of Ll5O if satisfied with conditions. From United District Board for Hospitals aid Charitable Aid, asking for estimate of repiiiements for half year ending 31st inst, ami for year ending 31st March, 1887. Correspondence Outwards war real from letter book, The report of the Works Committee was read. The Engineer’s report was read as follows : Engineer's Report. Martinborongh to Pahaua Road—A month ago contracts 3, 4 and 5 were nearly finished. The earthworks throughout these contracts has been fairly well executed and systematically and expeditiously carried out from the turning of tire first sod to the completion of the whole of the works. The culverts are constructed in accordance with the drawings and specifications in a thoroughly substantial and workmanlike manner and with the best materials. The bridge is substantially and well built with good sound materials.

Contract No. 6. Oa tbe 10th instant the contractor and a large staff of men were camped at tbe beginning of tbe work and ground was broken on the first five chains. If tbe force now on the ground be kept up to its present strength we may reasonably expect an early completion of the contract. I would strongly recommend that the bridges on this line of road bo painted, and that the slopes of alj embankments recently forned be sown with grass seed. Maiuuioru Bridge Contract.—Before commencing to drive pdes for the piers of this bridje, it 'was deemed expedient to dig trendies in order to ascertain the nature of the tanks, tlje distance from the surface to tbe Papa rook, and if the rook at these points was 10ft enough to admit of tbe piles being drivm into it. The result of these opera* tiona so far, has been to show that in all probability framed piles on sills will have to be sibstituted for piles. If sills are used they will he sunk several feet into tbe hard papa and buried In concrete. This, in my opinijn, will make a suitable foandatien for (he pere. The catting forming the approach to tm bridge on the left bank is partly made. A larje quantity of material for the scaffolding or falie work is delivered at tbe site. About l.OOOfeet of the bridge timber is deposited at a poht one and a half ri'les or thereabouts from the liver pending the completion of a sledge track which was all but completed on on tin Bth inst. Tools and appliances and a numbir of workmen were on the ground wailing the arrival ol timber and ironwork

Loan fok Fkathsrston Road Board. Cr Matthews said be thought if the Featberston Road Board could be assured of getting the money returned within a fair period they would endeavour to accede to the Council's application. Speaking as a member of the Featberston Road Board he was satistied that the Board was very anxious to see the work carried out on the MartinboroughPahaua road. The Chairman said (he Government now wished to know whether the Council was prepared to take the vote for bridges in the Martinborough Pabana District. They must inform the Government at once that they are prepared to take the vote and go or with the works.

Cr Buchanan said the principal consideration was to get the road made before next wool season. If he had time at bis disposal he would go down there, as he thought he could get the settlers to assist.

In reply to the Chairman, Mr King, the Engineer, said it would take eight or twelve months to complete thq road. Cr Phillips said it wag the duty of the Council to push the work forward, and the Featberston Road Board should advance the money, even if they had to arrange with the Bank for a loan. The interest might be paid out of the licensing fees. He would suggest that the Chairman of the Council and the Chairman of the Board go to the Bank aud arrange for an overdraft. He thought there was no certainty as to what Parliament would do next session in the matter of roads and bridges.

Cr fully said he thought there could be no reasonable doubt on the part of the Featherston Road Board of having the money returned.

It was resolved that request be made to tbe Featberston Road Board for tbe amount already applied for, and to inform tbe Board that the Council is not in a position to say when the money would be returned, but it will be reimbursed from the first available funds, also pointing out that the expenditure will extend over 12 months from the present date ; that not any of the money will be required immediately, and not all at once. Charitablb Aid and Hospitals. Cr H Bunny said as a member of the United Board, he could say in reference to tbe letter received by the Council that the Board at a meeting had recently considered that it was not necessary to apply to tbe Wairarapa. Pbtition. Cr Phillips said he had a petition to present. Tbe Chairman said that every petition must be advertised one month prior to being presented. Cr Phillips said that petitions must be read after the correspondence ? Did tbe Council wish to refuse the petition ? Cr H Bucny said the Council did not retuse the petition, but it must conform to the law ; notice must be giveil so that the public at large shall know what will take place.

Cr Buchanan said that the Council was not taking up the position of refusing the petition. The law demands a month’s notice.

The Chairman said he believed the petition affected a portion of the TaratahiCarlerton Road Board, and must be duly notified.

Cr H R Bunny moved, and Cr Bnchanan seconded, that LlO be granted to Mr Daweon for extra work done by him. The matter of sowing grass seed on Maryborough Pabana Road, was, on the motion of Cr H Bunny, seconded by Cr Tally, referred to the Works Committee. It was resolved that matters appertaining to the Works Committee’s report be left in the hands of the Engineer. Proposed Bte-Laws. Cr H Bunny suggested that a copy of the proposed bye laws re lighting of vehicles, re licensing of slaughter houses, &c., be sent to eioh member of the Council with a view to be dealt with at the next meeting of the Conned. Cr Phillips complained that the Chairman of the Works Committee bad treated him rather caverlierly at the meeting of the Works Committee that morning. He would like bis position at that committee meeting defined, He would like a copy of the proposed bye laws sent to the East County Council and the Grey town Borough Conned, so that the bye laws throughout the Wairarapa would be ahkj*. Cr Bnchanan disclaimed any such intention He thought he had treated Cr Phillips with every consideration. Although being present, he (Cr Phillips) was not on the Works Committee. Cr.Phillips had taken much trouble in the matter of bye laws and given some good information. Crs H R Bunny, Tully, and Booth said nothing bad transpired outside the laws of debate. The matter then dropped. Wiiomaa Toll Oats. Cr H, Bunny moved, and Cr Tully seconded, That as the object for which the Waiohine toll gate was established had been accomplished, and the debt paid 08 the bridge the toll be abolished at. the expiration of the present lease on May 31st next The house and everytbinglcumiected, belonging tojthe Conncil, to be sold' The motion was carried unanimously. Cr Phillips suggested that the Council should do the same with the W alhenga toll gate. The Chairman said Cr Phillips was out of ordar. Some matters of no public interest were discussed, and the Council adjourned.