WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 287, 11 October 1879, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

WAIOIHNE RIVER BOARD, [Continued.] The County Engineer being in attendance stated that after the last meeting he had visited the river where the danger from encroachment had been indicated, and had given specific instructions as to ths spot where and the nature of the marks to be erected, which he had sub equently communicated to the Chairman of the Board. He had that morning again visited the river, and found that not over £2O worth of work had been done at the place pointed out, but works had been executed further up the river towards Matarawa. The Engineer then handed in his report on the works which was read.

Councillor Phillips drew the attention of the Council to the large sums expended on other Boards, and thought that the sum of £l5O was useless for the work referred to in the resolution previously passed. After some further discussion the el, rk was directed to write the Chairman of \w Board, " That the Emdnecr does i ot 63' justified in certifying to any works having been done in accoiuiin-e with liis instructions beyond the value of £2O; and that without his certificate the Council is unable to make the payment of £l5O, as asked for by the Board of Conservators."

A letter from the Featberston Highway Board was read, stating that the Govern menthad consented to vest the Wa-ihenn-Hotel property in the Board if it ji uld arrange with the County with lespect to the license for the hotel, which is remitted on account of the rent paid by the lessee. The consent asked for was by the Council for the purpose of vesting the property in the Board.

A letter was read from Mr Ellis Gooden making certain charges against the Clerk of the Council in respect of a transaction between them. It was resolved that the Clerk write Mr Gooden that the questions raised in his letter have been brought to the notice of tho Council, and Mr Gole has been requested to give an explanation of the subject in writing. Mr Gooden's letter was Landed to Mr Gole for that purpose.

On the question of advertising and printing, it was resolved—

That all advertisements in connection with the Upper and Lower Valley shall be published only in the newspaper printed in the district affected, and that all printing shall be given to job printing offices,'

SPECIAL VOTES. A discussion took place as to whether the fine should be enforced for the noncompletion of the Makakahi bridges within contract time, but it was ultimately decided to remit the same, owing to the

unforseen dilliculty that (lie contractor had in obtaining timber frmu the natives. Comicillo- McGregor moved, and Cr Moore seconded—

1 ' That the balance nf the Forty-Mile Bush and Mauriceville Vote be expended forthwith on the Mauriceville North and West Roads."

Attention was called to the bad state of the roads during the past winter, and it was thought that if tenders were now issued the work would be done cheaply, owing to (he scarcity of labor in the district. After some, discussion, it was resolved-

"Tiat the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the unexpended balance of the Mauriceville vote on the northern and western roads, the proportion on each side to be indicated by Councillors Moore and McGregor,"

The Treasurer having reported that the whole of the Rangitumau and Taueru votes would be absorbed by works in hand, the resolution respecting the balance of the Rangitumau Provincial vote passed at the last meeting of the Council was rescinded by the unanimous vote of the meeting, on the motion of Councillor McGiegor, seconded by Councillor Moore. It was then moved by Councilor Donald, seconded by Councillor Moore.— " That the balance available on theEangitivmau Provincial vote be equally spent between the Alfredton and Wangaehu roads."

Councillor Moore, in supporting the motion, pointed out that the vote of which this was a balance had been disbursed in opening up a road to Alfredton, and in making cross roads, and that it was therefore only fair the balance should be expended as proposed. Councillor Minchin moved as an amendment-

" That £IOO be spent on the Wangaelm. and the remainder on the Upper Taueru road."

This.was seconded by Councillor Phillips. '

Councillor Moore stated that he had known people to go to the Wangiiehu to take up land, but had not settled there because there was no road, and he therefore thought it should be pushed on, This was confirmed by Councillor Donald. Councillor McGregor stated that settlers did not think it fair share of the vote had been spent in the Wangaelm, and therefore lie should support the original motion, which, on a division, was declared. Councillor Moure drew alteniion to the defective condition of the existing protective works on the Waipoua River, opposite Wil oo's house, and thought as not much was veipiired the matter should be attended 10. He moral—- " TLat.it be an instruction to the Fngin-:er to inspect Lie proUiive works on the bank o the Waipoua lliver opp.isite Mr Wilton's lVsiiU-iicij and ropai-t as tu the river .overllowing ofc that point, and the amount of exptaiiliiu- e nice ,sary to keep it Within bounds so dial, it might not I'urilier damage the mam road."

Councillor Moure's motion respecting the limitation of the emi-mlion of Chi nese into Ilk'colony was then considered, and woke considerable discussion, The general opinion of the Council was that the Chinese wera not a des.rable class of immigrants, but, opinions were divided as to their lo'id exclusion from or merely to the r> strLtiou of t ho number to lie permitted lo reside in the colony, Ultimately the motion as originally formed was slightly varied, and on the motion of Councillor Phillips, carried in the following form—"ln reply to the letter received from the Maniototo County Council this Council is prepared to support any reasonable measures which have for their object the prevention of a large influx of Chinese into the colony, aJI that a copy of this resolution be foi wauled to the Maniototo County Council." On deliate, the salary of Mr McLachlan, the assistant to the. Engineer, was increased from eight guineas to ten pounds per mouth.

The report of the Engineer on works in progress in the County was read and fully discussed, .

Several accounts amounting to over LIOOO, under special votes and on account of the general fund, were vouched and directed lo bo paid.

The Council then adjourned. [The reports read at the meeting will appear in a future issue.]