WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 714, 11 March 1881, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council held their usual meeting at the Chambers on the 10th inst. Present—Messrs Pharnzyn (Chairman), Boys, Bennett, Donald, Jackson, Minchin and McGregor. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, COBRESPONDE.WE. The following correspondence was then tabled: - Inwards—From East County,, statins that the services of their Engiueer would be dispensed with after throe months; frcmW. Skeet, 0.E., enclosing estimate of cost of main road within the Featherston Highway District; from 0. J. Freeth, native agent, applying for payment of £62 10a on account of Huru and Nirian for working ferry; from Chairman Taratahi-Oarterton Highway Board, notifying that toll-gate at Black Bridge would be done away with after 31st of March next, and Requesting that amount voted for Gladstone road repairs might be placed to the credit of the Board at once ; from Masterton Highway Board, enclosing copy of resolution re separation of Fortv-Mile Bush from the Distaiot; from Or Phillips,' apoligising for non-attend-ance, and requesting motions in his name to stand over, and expressing his 'dews on business to be brought before the Oounoil,

Outwards —To the Featherston Highway Board, re erection <of toll-gate on sputhern side' of -Blapk Bridge if the -existing toll-gate on tho.northern side of the river was done away with, The. Chairman stated that;'with regard to the notification from the 0 TaratahiOarterton Highway Board he had seen the Chairman and stated that he could* not find any Act authorising the Board to abolish the toll, (but eft course virtually they had the power to do so by not collecting the tolls,

In reference to the £IOO vote for the Gladstone road, in reply to a-queation of Or McGregor's the Chairman said that although jn former oasea moneys so voted had only'been paid on production of vouchers showing expenditure, .having found that the Board had not the funds at their disposal for the work he had' directed the Treasurer to at; once 'place the amount at the disposal of the Board, on the understanding that the expenditure was to be subsequently verified by production of vouchers. In reference to the application of Mr Freeth oa behalf of the Maori, ohiafs of Manawatu, the copy of agreement and vouchers received from the Government, and the minutes and'letter Jo them in 1876, when the matter ''was' before under discussion were referred to, ' It'was resolved—That the Clerk write Mr Freeth, referring the" claimants to the letter from the Oounoll to them of the 18th Juno, 1879, and: notifying that as the Council.did not consider the workat the ferry had been oonducted in a satisfactory manner, in proof of • whioh they had had to appoint Mr Carver as j ferryman, the payment asked .for would j

not be made. In reference to this matter the Chairman stated that since the last meeting of the Council he had written the Native Minister pointing out that the road had been Gazetted on the 23rd Septomber last, and pointing-.out if the Government could not claim the right of road over one of the main roads oftheColony,'tliey could not reasonably expect the Council to do so. In reply he had been informed that the Native Minister had referred the matter to the Public. Works Department, and foundroe notice referred to was only a preliminary notice, not the actual proclamation of the road, and that as the road had not been passed through the Native Land Court he foared any attempt to force the > survey would prove unsuccessful. The matter had, however, been referred to Mr Maunsell to again report on. The 'Chairman thought tie whole matter had been trifled with, That he had seen Mr Maunsell, who informed him all he had been able to do was to refer the Minister to his former report, and that he believed all tnat was necessary to do was to Bend surveyors on the'ground. The Chairman further'expressed an opinion that possibly out of the evil good might come, and that the difficulty about the matter might be the means of having the river bridged. The Chairman further stated that with regard to the appoiutment of a Dog Registrar in the Featherston District, arrangements had been made wiili the Chairman of the Board to make the most desirable arrangements with the Inspector, and the same would be ratified by the Council, The Treasurer's account shewed the credit balancee as follows:—General fund £IOB6 17s 9d j special vote account, £1515 6s Gd; while a statement of assets and liabilities shewed the former at £1220 10s Bd, the latter estimated to the 30th June next bein» £567, leaving a balance of £653 16s Bd, to which if the license fees were added the Council might calculate they would- s>t (he end. of the current half-year have £1123 16s 8d at their disposal for .expenditure, Cr Donald's motion, "Thatthe toll at the Black Bridge be abolished," adjourned from the last meeting, was in the face of the letter received from the TaratuhiCarterton Highway Board, allowed to lapse, With regard to the nhtices of motion standing in Cr Phillip's name. Cr McGregor stated he had a written authority from that gentleman to proceed with them, on his behalf, but that he thought it was preferable that they should stand over until he was personally present, and ultimately they were all adjourned until next meeting. Cr McGregor then moved on his previous notice," That after the next regular meeting," (id 'est the present one),' of the Council, the offices and meetings of the Counoil be transferred from Carterton to Masterton, In moving the question, lie regretted that all the Councillors were not present, and especially drew attention to the fact that as had mainly been the case for some time past, the principal works of the County lay to the north of Masterton. and the great inconvenience of the Clerk and Engineer being located so far apart, The motion was seconded by Cr Minchin, who fully endorsed what the mover said, and trusted the Councillors would consider the question in a liberal light, The Chairman expressed an opinion that the difficulties pointed out by Or McGregor, were easily surmountable, and ultimately Cr McGregor's motion was amended by leave of tho Council, and passed in the following form, "That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable to alter the days of meeting, from the second Thursday to the second Saturday in the month, at 11.30 a.m., it being understood that Or McGregor was authorized to briny in his motion for change of location of offices at a future time, should lie detmi it advisable to do so,

• The Chairman (before lunch) pointed out that the' action of the Masterton and Taratahi-Carterton Highway Boards forced the Council to at once take action with regard to the preservation of the main road. The matter was canvassed by the various members present and after the adjournment the following suggestion of the Chairman was adopted. " That each of the Highway Boards in the County be informed that as subsidies from Government have censed, the Council does not anticipate after the expenditure of the balance now in lwnd, that it will have any funds available for expenditure on the main roads unless such funds are raised by means of a County rote. As it appears undesirable to have Highway and County rates levied at the same time, the Boards are requested to state whether they believe they can maintain the main line from the top of the ttimutaka to the Camp out of tho proceeds of their present rates, or whether they consider it necessary that the Council should levy one for tho purpose.

With regard te the toll, the following resolutions moved by Or McGregor, and seconded byCr Jackson, was, after the Chairman had drawn attention to the average daily receipts from the gate, and the sources whence tho revenue was chiefly desired, carried—That the Fcatherston Highway Board be requested to take charge of the Waiohine toll if the Taratahi-Carterton Highway Board refuses to re-consider its decisions, on the understanding that the proceeds of the toll be devoted to the maintenance of the Black Bridge, and that any balance should be reserved for ultimately renewing the same. The Council also expresses a hope that the matter may be amicably arranged between the Featherstou and TaratahiCarterton Highway Boards, so as to obviate the necessity of removing the buildings at present, used 'tor that purpose, ;

With regnrd to the above resolution, the heads of a lotter were given to the Clerk to be sent hy him to the Chairman of the Taratahi-Carterton Highway Board.

With regard to a vote of £IOO for the repair of (lie main road near the coast, after a long discussion as to the expediency of having the money expended under the supervision of the County' Engineer, or handing it at once ovor to the. Masterton Highway Board, the expenditure to be varified by a voucher, an amendment to a resolution of Or McGregor's, moved by Cr Donald, and seconded by Or Boys, was carried in the following form :—" That the Council regrets to find that, the Masterton Highway Board has failed to expend the sum of £IOO voted on the 13th June last for expenditure on the Opaki road. The Council desires to remind the Board that the sum is still available, and can be paid over at once if the Board agrees to furnish the vouchers for the expenditure afterwards."

Th 3 engine's report (which will appear in full in next issue) was then read. With reference to the road being cut up by heavy loads being drawn on wheels with narrow tires, the cjork was directed to send the copy of "that portion of the report to the Masterton Highway Board, and to draw their attention to the clause in the act giving them power to act, and .requesting them: to take immediate aotion in the matter.

The question of the Black Bridge was next discussed, but left in statu quo. The engineer, who was present, hopyer, stated that the water was so low now that % piers could be fully inspected and it was a mystery to'him how the bridge held together at all. It was no good attemptin? to patch, and he estimated that £IBOO would ; about, cover the cost; of a new bridge. ? ? ' •

The clerk was directed to write the Public Works Department, asking them

to get the new bridge over the lluama- . Hungft at Opaki painted, and Mr Kiljg was directed to yet it screwed up when) necessary.: ■; -The'engineer also reported that he lud taken lines at right angles with tile Manawatu river, but had not been able fpy to investigate the'surrounding country. . , estimated the coat of the bridge would beabout £7OOO, besides which approaches would have to be made to provide for lands which were submerged .in.timja of flood. • ,"" ' V In referring to river incursion on the main road, several members drew attention to the. necessity of the damage being repaired before the ensuing winter.' ' ~ Or McGregor thought the co-operatioil of the Masterton Borough Council might be now obtained in the matter, and ou discussion the following resolution, moved by him and seconded by Or Bennett, was carried —"That the engineer b6 instructed, to examine the overflow at the .Waipou.a .. river near Masterton with a- view to.v repairing the same also to-furnish .an estimate of the cost of diverting the river V. into the original : channel, the 'Works Committee to be authorised-to expend a sum .not exceeding £l6O on it if the engineer reported that that would be • sufficient, and the Committee to be authn-: rised to make arrangements with the. Borough Council and Masterton. High- , way Board for an addition tb the .£l5O if .possible", ' .. The oiily account before the' Council for payment was for advertising, £ll7s 6d, which was duly vouched and passed. A resolution that cheques should,- for the future, be signed by any two Councillors, brought the meeting to a close, about i p.m., though had Or Phillip's motions been brought forward ( and fully discussed, there is little doubt but that the meeting would'have extended over the following day. .- : 'V; .