WANGANUI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11814, 14 March 1906, Page 7

WANGANUI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the above was held this morning. Present— Crs R. Neilsou (chairman), C. J. Wray, J. R. Sommerville. A. E. Fletcher. W. Bumber. D. Mason. A. Cainea. MINUTES.— -The minutes of the. last ordinary meeting ana special meetings were read and confirmed. COMPENSATION.— Mr Hoddcr waited on the Council re His claim for compensation for material put into the ferry by him. —Considerable discussion took place, and it was decided that the claims be referred to a committee consisting of the chairman and Crs Mason aud Wray to report on at next meeting. ACCOUNTS. — Accounts to the amount of £6 Us 6d wero passed for payment. COUNTY ROLLS.— The Valuer-Genera] forwarded a new list of rules for correcting' the County rolls, which lie stated would expedite the work. — Received. WORKS.— The Chief Engineer wrote urging the Council to expedite any works in h?nd, as no accounts would be received I after the 31st March, and asking lor infov.r.ation of works. — The letter was rereiv.d, and it was agreed to write to the I'tililic Works Department asking it to (ontriouto to the cost of the wire rope for tlic Haeo Bridge. IIAT3O BRIDGE.— With regard to the delay in proceeding with the erection of the "Haeo Bridge, the chairman reported that the plans had been sent back to Wanganui owing to an error having been made in the boundary of the bridge, which should have been set down to the middle of the river, whereas they had only ben niad«s to the banks. The plans had 1-oen returned to the Surveyor, and would bo again forwarded to the Department. VALUATION FEES.— The Valuation Depart menjt wrote supplying particulars of the fees charged the Council for valuing the County, to which the Council, at its last meeting, took exception. The letter also stated that the amount charged wae small enough. EGMONT QUARRIES.— It was decided to reply to the Railway Department's letter re gravel from the Mount Turnout quarries that the Counril were not in need of any gravel. MANOAMAJIU TELEPHONE. — Tho Telegraph Department wrote stating that the telephone to Manganialiii w.ia now selfsnpporting, and tho Council would be relieved from further contribution — Tt wnf decided that Cra Sommerville and Bamber be a committee to consider the applications of Mangawhrro, Okoia, and Mangamahu settlers that the Council help them in petitioning the Telegraph Department to connect the telephone wire with the doctors from mid-night on Saturdays till 9 a.m. on Mondays. REFUNDS.— Decided that the amounts on id by tiic Kaitoke and Kaukatea Road Boards, to which exception is taken by the Audit Department, be refunded to those road boards. KAUANGAUOA BRlDGE —Resolved to forward a cheque to the .ttangitikei County Council for the Council's share towards the Kaunngaroa Bridge. TAYLORVLLLE PROTECTION— The Town Clerk wrote stating that the Borouffh Council had approved of the baeia of sottlonicnt for the protection of tho river bank at Taylorville, as suggested by the meeting of local bodies. — The matter was referred back to the Wanganui County Council's river bank protection committee. UPOKONGARO FERRY.— The matter of accepting £4 from Mr Hodder for the passage of the mail coach over the Upokongaro Ferry was referred to the Upokongaro Ferry Committee, ss was also the matter of repairs to tlie ferry house, and a nt*w wire for the ferry. SANITAiiY FEES.— Mr Fitzherbert, the Council's solicitor, wrote explaining the Council's position with regard to the sanitary inspector's fees. He advised that the Council was not a local body under the meaning of the Health Act, and ttiat they were not compelled to pay sanitary fees, the- claim for the same therefore beinsr ultra vires. — Decided that copies of Mi Fitzherbert's opinion and correspondence 1 with Dr Valentine be sent to the Health Department. AUCTIONEERS LICENSE.— Mr Fitzherbert also advised re the Council's position in- regard to the Borough Council r claim for the amount of Mr ForlongV auctioneer's license at Taylorville. — The Council decided to grant the license to Mi Forlong, and also that Mr Fitzherbert be asked to confer with the Borough solicitor with a view to agreeing upon a statement of facts with regard to the license. NOTICE OF MOTION.— Cr Sommerville gave notice of motion to move at next meeting: — "That as the Wanganu.' County is now wholly subdivided into road districts, each of which have full power to carry on all Avorks required witlfin their districts, it would be to the benefit and welfare of the ratepayers if clause 95 oi the Counties Act were 'brought into force, and this Council is of opinion that action should be taken to try and bring this about as soon as possible.