HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2357, 13 January 1915, Page 9

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL

FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR. Tho first meeting of the year of the Hutt County- Council was held yesterday. There were present: Councillors W. J. Howell (in. tho chair), W. Galloway, T. Edwards, J. Whitemaa, and M. ,: Welch. Tho chairman reported that tho building of the Akatarawa Bridge was now under wsy. In this connection, the Government, had advanced £760 at 5$ per cent, under the Advances to Settlers Aot,ahdhad made a further -straightout grant of £1000, ivhile tho Sawmillers' Association had given £100. Galloway and-the county clork'wore instructed to "go into a matter brought under the notice of the council by the Wellington Education Board. The board wrote asking the council if it proposed to orect a footbridge attached to the Railway Bridge at Paremata.

A reply was Teceived from the Agricultural Department in reference to tho clearing of gorse at Lowry Bay, stating that the matter would he attended to.

Another letter was received from the same Department stating that _ steps were being taken to cause roads in the county to bo cleared of noxious weeds. In reference to the • same matter tho Board of Agriculture wrote asking tho council's opinion whether the Act passed in reference to noxious weeds should be enforced in its entirety. The council decided to reply in the affirmative.

Intimation was received" from tho Public Works Department to the effect that the Melling's Settlement grant of £100 had been paid ,and that the Eastbourne to New Road from ' Jackson Street grant of £250 had been paid.

The county olerk was instructed to take preliminary steps regarding the scheme of superannuation for the council's employees. The Inspector of Works (Mr. J. Oudby), in his monthly report, stated that damage to roads and culverts caused by the recent flood had been repaired at a cost of £73 ss. A small bridge had been erected on the main west road fronting Mr. Phillip's property, between Paekakariki and Paraparaumu, and the culvert at the junction of Raumati with the main road had been lengthened 10ft. at the eastern end and 4ft. at the western.

In pursuance to the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act, 1908, Wednesday was fixed by the council as the statutary closing day in the week for the year 1915 in the county.

By way of special business a resolution was passed making a special rate of one-fifth of a penny in the £ on tho capital rateable value of the Akatarawa Bridge Loan Special Rating Area, No. 10, to provide for tho repayment of principal and interest on a loan of £750. The dog registration fee for the ensuing year -was fixed at 2s. 6d. Accounts amounting to £1051 2s. were passed for payment. A statement of accounts presented by the county' clerk showed that the amount allotted- for £1914-15 was £3384; £2762 was spent on the general account, £978 on grants in aid account, £260 on the special funds account, £610 on the main roads account, £194 on the interest account, £50 on separate accounts, and £4252 ou riding accounts.