WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 740, 11 April 1881, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY.

Tp ordinary, monthly meeting of the above Council was held at Carterton on Saturday.

\ Present—Gra Pharazyri (Chairman), Hawkins, Jackson, McGregor, Bennett, /Boysj Donald and Phillips,. The minutes of- the previous meeting were read. ■

' Or'Phillips objected to the confirmation of the minutes, as the'letters to the Highway Boards re County. rate were,- in his' opinion, undesirable.. , t The Chairman ruled that the objection, was out of order, and the minutes' were' confirmed.

CORUESPONDENOR.— INWARD. From B. S. Maunsell, giving information re settlement of Manawatu Perry question, and stating that'- the conditions of agreement were, £IOO consideration for surrender of native rights and claims; that £lO had been paid and. the'balance was to be paid in three months. The Ferry to be given up within three weeks' of the 22nd, Huruand Wiriaha reserving' •the right to cross the Ferry, with their families, during their jives; they surrendering an acro.of land for front site. Mr

Maunsell'asked for the services of the County Engineer in laying off the acre,-and taking possession of the Ferry,'. From the Featherston Highway Board, April 6th, stating that it had decided to ■erect a toll-gate on the southern end of the Black Bridge, and expressing the opinion of the Board that it was undesirable to levy a County rate for the purpose of maintaining the main road, and that the Board would prefer maintaining its portion of it out of its own rates rather.thah have a County rate.

From R, Brown & Co,, stating that Messrs Muir and Dixon had an additional claim for tho damage done by the collapse of the bridge in the Forty-Mile Bush, amounting to £3 7s 6d for damage to harness,-«c, • ' " From the Masterton Highway Board, dated 22nd March, enclosing a resolution of the Boaad, which stated that it had not any person located in the FortyMile Bush to whom it could' entrust the duty of preventing persons travelling with wagons with narrow tires; and suggesting that the duty should be entrusted to the County Engineer. ■ •''.■ From the Publb Works Office, stating that the Ruamahunga Bridge at Opaki would be painted next summer,

OUTWARD. To Taratahi-Carterton Highway Boardj ro Waiohino toll-pate and County rate. To Masterton Highway, Board, re resolutions passed at last meeting, . To Public Works Office, re painting of the Ruamahunga Bridge at Opaki. To tho Chairman, enclosing a communication from the Carterton Library Committee, offering the County suitable offices at ;£2O a year.

To the Secretary Foresters' Society, giving notice to quit present offices after 30th April.

To the Chairman, reporting that the Taratahi-Higliway Board consider a County rate unnecessary. The Clerk reported that Mr R, J, Hawkins had been elected for the Alfredtoil riding, in place of Or Minohen, re- ■ signed, MUIII AND DIXON's CLAIM, The Clerk reported that Public Works Committee had approved of the original claim made by Messrs Muir and Dixon being paid, and the Council decided that no further claim should be recognised. SIASTAWATU FERRY. The Chairman stated that ho had received a communication from the Government . reporting the settlement of the Manawatu Ferry, and that they would got absolute possession of it on the 16th inst, - .Or McGregor read a letter received from Mr Carver, suggesting that the Ferry should be worked from the north side of the river, in order to take in out' of the Maoris' hands. Or Hawkins suggested that Mr Maunsell should be asked to visit the Ferry on date of taking possession, so that there should be no further complication. . _ Itjwas decided) that the. Engineer be instructed to place his services at the disposal of Mr Maunsell. The Council suggested that it fwould be better that Mr Mau nsell should go on the 12th, if possible, to the Ferry with Mr King. It was resolved to inform Mr' Carver that the Engineer would put him in possession of the toll on or about the 12th inst, COUNTY QUESTION. The Chairman reported that the Masterton Highway Board stated that it had never received the letter from the County asking its opinion on the question of the County rate. . Or Phillips wished to speak on the correspondence, Tho Chairman decided that a Councillor should not discuss it without he was prepared with a resolution. Or Phillips claimed a right to discuss'it without moving a resolution. He was

absent from the last meeting, but asked the Council to postpone the action on the County rate question till he' returned. There was no necessity to put such a question to the Highway Board as had been sent, as the County would get subsidies next year, If the Council thought a rate was necessary,- it should make one without referring to the Boards, He moved that no further action be taken in the matter. ' Cr McGregor said that they did not desire any (further action. The answers of the Boards were entirely satisfactory. He .thought Or Phillips was under a misapprehension in the matter. The Chairman said that tho Council could not admit that business must be delayed because any member was absent from a meeting; As a plain matter of

business, it was necessary to consult the Boards, as they could by reducing thoir own rates, negative the imposition of a County rate. He could not see that any harm could be done by consulting with the Boards, Or Hawkins said it did Hot appear that the notion token re Oounty'rato had been initiated by the Council, but by one of the Highway Boards. ' Cr Phillips said that there was no basis for sending such letters to the Board. They defeated the action that he was about to take that day on the general question. Or Boys said the Taratahi-Carterton Highway Board felt that the responsibility of levying a rate lay with the County alone, He complained that the County had behaved illiberally to this Board in the matter of subsidies. Or Phillips withdrew his.motion. BUCK BRIDGE TOLI-OATE. Or Phillips objected to the bickering over the toll-gate,'and the absurdity of removing it from one side of the bridge to the other,'

Or Donald said thai- there had-been no

bickering. The Featherston Highway Board had.merely taken up - the work which the Taratahi-Carterton Highway Board declined to carry on: THE NEW OFFICES, The Chairman reported that the Public Works Committee approved of the new offices. -They.would /.cost the Council £7 Ids a-year, the Highway Board and Local Board/' contributing4hej,balance,of the reni ; :--v':- u ;.vV.-^'i : ■ ••,.:■'.'

•, The Council approved of the transfer of office. -. / .v. s*..:. ■ -.'i

The Treasurer reported acreditfealanp)

on general fund of £941 9s Id) spedal! fund account, £937 The license; fees payable in June would amounf to £470, %

: HIBLIO j :^ Report of Committee (was readj giving estimate; of Waipoua 1 ! protective works." .The lowesttender.; received ', fqr : this. work amounted to £lß3iSs.-' The'acoeplance.: of any tender was postponed, as~Messrs Bacon & Wrigley complained that the plan proposed would injure their: property. The Committee reported that the local bodies would not contribute towards the cost of the work. It represented that there was a strong ; public 'opinion' against the embankment. Mr Kin? was of opinion that the present bridge was.insufficient to carry off the water, and the Committee, recommended the erection of a substantial bridge, and that au estimate ,be given 'for this work, and that the. settlers.locally.interested should contribute any amount in excess of the £lso' voted by the Oounoil. With referenced the the Committee had come'td a similar conclusion,' viz., to hold, over the expenditure oi the vote pending: the settlers raising funds by private subscriptions, Mr King said he estimated roughly that, the.. cost of a new bridge 'would be about £fM "'' ; ... . Or McGregor raoyed that the H repprt be received, .He said' they had been disappointed in their efforts; in settling the Waipoua question. He deplored the refusal of local bodies to assist in the work, The Committee had come to the conclusion that it was no use for the future looking to such bodies for co-operation, It had been suggested; that private enterprise would hnd the necessary funds,' He. believed it would be better to allow the river to take the course it-was now trying to take, and he would move.that the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and estimates of a bridge; to enable those who were prepared to subsidise thoj work to ascertain the cost, and contribute towards the same.

' • Or Phillips did not Bee how the Council could take the action contemplated, and moved as an amendment—That any action taken by the local.bodies interested be subsidized by the County, but that the local bodies should take the initiative. Or McGregor said they had practically done what Or Phillips suggested, but had obtained no response, Or Phillips said they could only recognise the Highway Board and the Borough, and if these bodies would not take up the work they must suffer the consequences. Cr McGregor was willing to accept Or Phillips' motion if he would recognize subscribers as a puhlio body. Their legal position was that they could construct the bridge, and charge the cost of it between the Highway Board and the Borougll. In answer to Cr Hawkins, the chairman said that the middle line of the river was the boundary line. Or Phillips in moving his amendment stated that in his opinion, it would be belter that the road in question should be declared a county road. Cr Hawkins said that on tho question of boundary depended whether it was the'duty. of the'county-or road board to! build. .■..•:;; Or McGregor said they could not take the position of standing by idle and letting the public suffer the consequences. Cr Phillip's motion practically meant " let the river flow on". Or Phillips said that they had other bridges to look after, and that they must make general rules not special ones for meeting cases like the present one. Cr Donald said that if the question of the boundary of the borough was certain, he would advocate building the bridge, and charging the cost between . the two local bodies. Cr Hawkins asked under what section; of the act the £l5O had been voted. ' ' The Chairman replied that no special authority was necessary for the expendi' ture of funds, Cr Hawkins said he must vote with Or Phillips as the county had no power to take the initiative.' The Chairman was afraid neither of the

courses proposed would lead to the construction of a.bridge. Ho feared £4OO could not be raised privately. And it was important to have the bridge within a reasonable-time. In the first place, they would all agree that the engineer should prepare the plans.' The act gave •them a certain duty to perform' with respect to bridges dividing districts/' Let them discharge that duty and not shirk the responsibility because this action would be unpopular. If they had to fight the local bodies it would be better to do so and settle the matter. / Or Phillips—Would you do the same by

the Black Bridge. The Chairman explained in connection with the Black Bridge, he would ask the council to consider tho question of raising a loan. If they raised a loan thoy might perhaps obtain the consent of the ratepayers to include the Waipoua improvements in its schedule. He suggested that a i-5,000 loan at 7 per cent would not be burdensome, and that if the Mastorton Borough Council agreed to a toll-gate bßing erected above the Waipoua, the tolls would cover the interest upon it, Or Phillips amendment was put to the council and thrown out by the casting vote of the chairman. Cr Hawkins moved as a further amendment—That the engineer prepare plans of a bridge and works connected there, with making permanent provisions for the shifting of the channel and leaving the site of the structure to his discretion.

Or Phillips seconded the amendment pro forma. Unless the county made one provision with regard to all bridges in the county, it would not be doing justice to tho district.

Cr McGregor would not be sorry to have seen Or Phillips motion carried because the course recommended by the chairman would lead to litigation.

Cr Donald asked if they should stand r while people lost their lives through eir neglect of duty.

Cr Hawkin's amendment having been carried, he moved a resolution to the offeot that a legal opinion should be obtained as to the power of the county to charge the cost of the bridge between the Highway Board and Borough in the event of the Engineer constructing the new brjdee on the site of the prosont one. Or Phillips wished the motion .to be postponed to enable Him to bring on the general notice of which he had given notice. ; ■ ■■'

It was decided that a legal opinion I should be obtained if the portion of the new bridge which was left to the discretion of the engineer, made the consideration of boundary necessary; WANQAEHDMWAD. Or McGregor moved—That the sum of £6O be placed to the credit of the Wa'ngaehu Valley Road, in order to refund the amount spent upon the Te Ore Ore road.—Carried",

~ Resolved on the motion of OrMoGregor that the sum of £l5O in hand for the Wangaehu Valley Road be held iri;hand for three months, in order to give the settlers in that district an opportunity of supplementing that amount, and finally opening up at least a bridle track,

DOOTAX,

Or Phillips moved-That the resolution of the Council with regard the Dog Act be rescinded, '" " '";'. : ,''■'■■ •■>'-

Cr Boys seconded., He contended the Council: bughiinotib 1 ign'6re ; ari'Aot' of Parliament :i : ; ''M'-'- :: s : '' : . :;■ -

', The Ohairmktf thought tK6I-Oounoilfa*. quite justified in exercising the power jt

pointed that the let was "-•' unworkable and otuje!—Motion lost, ' ::, (3t: Phillips movel-Tlial;: a letter be sent to the Colonial Secretary, indicating '". amendments in Act, ; lifter disbu'ssibn it ks decided that a - sub-Committee consisting of Crs Boys Pharazyn, Phillips, W Hawkinß be <"■ 'appoiriced'to prepare.suggestions on the subject and confer with'the Government. . ;''; : l.' ; ;.cptotybolds; . v .;. Or Phillips,'. moved-rhat the Forty- , Mile.Bush and',all.impJttant bridges declared- County.. roads..l He. ,cpntendfa> that theMasterton'High\iay Board Bhbuld, be relieved from, the responsibility, and' pointed out the necessity.Jf dealing with all the principal bridges—£ list of which he gave. The 'dividing 'bijdges between Counties East,and f West jould >only be dealt,,with?.by 7 unitirig't the. Oiiuntlea. He also • hoped .that .the- ;tplla'Wiild bo all .wipedi-qutj that the County] 'might raise a certain amount by rate, andthat Government would, in all probability,:, subsidiaa I • County- rates,' ani: by -this. means furnish a fund:neceßsary to 1 main'tain''the;bridges of the County/ : He'deprecaled ; the raising of'a loan for any County works., He also rea'd a' lengthy resolution with; regard: to conference of Cbuncils/and'recommenda- . tiqns with regard to final cousideratibri'of: which was deferred till next meeting., ■,;.',;.. V~: f\ 1 plan shewing;.-.fresh subdivisions (of * tjieiCounties was presented byOr Phillips, ■ The Engineer's report was read.. It was estimated -by'the £ngineer<tKat for the next six months it would'be necessary to expend on.the main road within the • Featherstori : Highway -District/ Ll3B ; Taratahi - Carterton, L 169; • Masterton, L 179; and these amounts wete passed to the credit oTthose'Boards respeoti'vely.' '. , Several accounts on contracts in hand were passed for pay merit, after which the .Council adjourned,,-..,,,;;..;.: j.■. ; ; '- :^^-J