COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5102, 3 July 1883, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Comity Council was held in the Secretary's office this morning. There were present, Messrs J. Craig (in the chair) Montgomerie, Abbot, Poison, Sommerville and Kennedy. •Minptfs. — The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. 1 Bbidge at Kattongaboa. — The Secretary of "the Rangitikei County Council, wrote, in reference to a conversation held with several members of the Wanganui Council, recently aWto the erection of a bridge at Kauongaroa. The Bangitikei Council could not follow the action-agreed upon them, as tney had since had "a telegram from Mr Stevens, to the effect that Government would pay over £1000, already voted, and the remaining £1500 required mu9t be provided under the Road and. Bridges Constitution Act, by the Rangitikei Council, 1 of which he thought the Wanganui Council should give a moiety. He therefore wish to state that it was through no discourtesy on the part of the Rangitikei Council in not asking the cooperation.^- the Wanganui Council as there was n»" time before making the application to^ellington. The plans (prepared by Messrs Titkins and Clere), estimated the work at £2600. The Council proposed to find one fourth of its share of the £1500', and requested to know what the Wangariur Council proposed to do. The Chairman said this matter was one entirely apart from that for which a Committee was appointed at the last meeting. They had sent fcWay to Wellington that they might draw the money for the bridge. The question wrta whether they approved of the action of th 6 Bangitikei Council and what they were going to do. It meant that they would have to provide £400 ; £200 of which the Council would have to repay within ten years. Mr Sommerville said he believed the arrangements made were not conclusive, as the whole affair had only arisen out of a conversation. The position of the Bangitikei Council was that they should have gone on with the work some time. They had £1000, and it Was agreed that if they did not find this sufficient, the work should be completed under the Roads and, Bridges Construction Act. — Cr. Kennedy did not see where the money was to come from.— Cr. Summerville said he did not'wish to cast any slur on their member, but he thought they should 'have had some intimation from Mr Bryce and that the should not have such information from the Bangitikei Council second-hand. The Chairman said he was not certain whether Mr Bryce had given a written concurence. — Mr Sommerville said he also thought that was a strong point. — Cr. Abbott read a report from the Rangitikei Advocate, showing that there was a written concurence. — Cr. Poison also explained the position at some length, and said he would support the question, as it was then before them. — Cr. Abbott moved That this Council accept the explanation of the Bangitikei County Council re Kauangaroa bridge, and agrees to assist them in the construction of the bridge, - under the provisions of the Boad and Bridges Construction Act. Cr. Poison seconded the motion, which was carried. / ' , Accounts. — Accounts amounting to £221 9s lid were passed for payment. Financial. — A letter was received from the Bank of Australasia,informing the Council that Mr Liffiton's liability had been removed, and any fresh arrangements could now be made. There was a credit balance of £453 19s. Metal Supply. — Cr Sommerville said he could not understand how it was they had such a claim for the royalty to get gravel on No. 1 line. They never used to have anything of that sort. There was plenty of gravel -on the road, and here they had claims to the extent of £70. He moved that the gravel accounts be held over for investigation. — The motion was agreed to. No. 2 Ward.— The Returning Officer for the Wangaehu Board wrote stating that there had been no nomination for No. 2 Ward. A petition was also received from a number of settlers, requesting that as tlmmgH "some" misunderstanding there had been no'noinination, the£?ouncil appointing Mr J, Blyth,' farmer, to oe the warden for the ward.— Mr Poison, in whose hands the -petition bad been placed, moved that

Mr Blyth be appointed.— Cr Sommerville, who seconded the motion, read the authority of the Couucil, under tho Act, to make the appointment, and the motion was carried. Additions to the County of Rangitikei. — A letter was received from O. S. Cooper, Colonial Secretary's office, intimating that upon the petition of the Rangitikei Council it had been decided to hand over a portion of the Wanganui County to the Rangitikei County, as shown ou the accompanying tracing. — Cr Poison objected to the Council allowing this land to be taken over, on the ground that if the Couucil levy a rate on the part that is proposed 1o be taken over, it would bring in a revenue of L 260 a year. He also contended that both Bides of the river should belong to one County owing to the facility with whi<;h it could be opened U p._Cr Sommerville said they were all in a fog about their boundaries, and they Bhould object to this portion of county being taken over. The Rangitikei County hid claim to some county but not to this and they should [settle the matter at once. He moved that the fhairmau be appointed a deputation to. wait on the Minister .of Public Works, and obtan the assistance of the member for the district, in settling the county boundaries. Cr. Poison seconded the motion. The Chairman supported the remarks of Cr. Summerville, but Baid be would prefer that someone else should go to Wellington. Tho motion was eventually carried on the voices. Bill for thb Wanganui Bridge. — The Secretary laid on the table a copy of a bill proposed to be brought before the Houro, providing for the freeing of. the bridge. It was agreed that as the Borough Council, and possibly the Harbor Board, proposed to discuss the bill.— The Chairman and Cr Kennedy were appointed a Committe to confer with the Borough Council and Harbor Board in reference to the matter, with power to act. — Some discussion took plapo, as to what was to be done in regard to the maintenance of the bridge, and it was a moot point as to whether the Council or Harbor Board were liable.— Cr, Poison said he thought the best thing that could be done would be to let the Harbor Board take the swing bridge, and the two Councils each end. After some further discussion, the matter was left in the hands of the Committee to make the best terms they can with the other bodies. Thb Central Railway.— The Chairman of the Rangitikei County Council wrote, requesting unitoi action with their own and the Manawatu Councils, in reference to getting the proposed Main Trunk Line for the j North Island by the Central route by Taupo. — It was resolved, That this Council co-oper-ate with the Rangitikei and Manawatu Councils in agitating for a central line of railway for the North Island. (Left Sitting.)