HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3062, 20 April 1881, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL

Wednesday, Apeil, 20. Present: Messrs Sutton (in the chair), "' Bennett, Kinross, Tanner, Rymer, and Torre. ACCOUNTS. The Council then went into committee, and passed the accounts for the month. Total, £1530 7s 9d. BALANCE. The balance at the bank to credit of the Council was stated to be £139 6s Id. y- ESTIMATES. The estimated expenditure from the Ist April, 1881, to the 31st March, 1882, was—Salaries, &c, £555; printing, &c, £140; charitable aid, £350; public works, £7873 10a; miscellaneous, £350; outstanding accounts, £250 9s 4d ; total, £9518 14 4d. Estimated revenue, including a rate of 9d in the £, £7815,11s lid. The Chairman, in laying the estimates on the table, said there appeared to be some probability that they would receive no subsidies for the coming year. It would be seen that the proposed expenditure exceeded the estimated revenue by over £1700. He thought, however, that during the next session something would be done towards enabling local bodies to meet their liabilities, and that if the whole of the subsidies were not continued at least a portion would be given. He also thought that the dog tax , would exceed the amount put down in the estimates. The rates uncollected for the year only amounted to £21. He congratulated the Council on the fact that they proposed to spend the large sum of £9518 during the coming year, and if they were enabled to do this at such a small expenditure for salaries it was clear they bad not been extravagant. In reference to the charitable aid vote, it would be known that the Borough Council had struck out their grant for this purpose, and it might not be , advisable to spend the amount they bad done for this purpose unless the borough was prepared to take its share of this work. On roads it was proposed to epend £500 mare than last year. During the past year the bridges account had been a heavy one, but most of them were now in good repair, and the amount required for the coming year would not be large. He moved that the estimates be approved, and gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he would move that a rate of 9d in the pound be struck. COBHESPONDENCE. From Mr Beecroft, applying for permission to remove the pound at Hastings from its present position. Permission granted. From the Chairman of the Charitable Aid Committee, asking that a sum of £100 be placed to their credit, and enclosing a statement of their accounts. The Chairman said that recently the Charitable Aid Committee were very much

in need of funds, and he had advanced £25 on the next year's subscription. From Mr A. Tuxford, in reference to the road from the Petane school-house, about which Mr Torre had given notice . of a resolution, and aekiug that the road ,be allowed to remain as it is. Resolved that the consideration of the matter stand over until next meeting. OMAHC ROAD. Tenders for forming and metalling 164 chains of the Omahu road were read. Messrs Lawton and Pulford were the lowest tenderers for metalling. Mr Bennett moved, " That the lowest tenders be accepted, and that the road be opened direct to Redclyffe, providing that the principal settlers interested place tbe sura of £100 to the credit of tbe Council." ! Agreed to. REDCLYFFE BRIDGE. A report from the overseer of the bridge was read, and the Chairman said he had instructed the overseer to carry out the recommendation contained in it. BOAD OVERSEERS REPORT. The following report was then read :— Municipality Wapier, Olive, Haveloek Paki Paki, Te Aufce, Southern boundary.— I have examined the bridges and culverts on this line of road, and I find the small bridge opposite the Haveloek mill to be imsafe for traffic. I have recommended a large culvert to be erected as a substitute instead, which ha 9 been authorised. Bridge at the sonthorn boundary County I find on examining requires two new stringers and the flooring renewed, which will be attended to as soon as the timber arrives. The surface man knocked off during the summer months has again commenced surface repairs from the Ist of April. When the above repairs are completed this road will be in good order for traffic. Haveloek and Hastings Eoad.—The replanking and fixing wheel guards on the Haveloek and Hastings bridge is completed, which leaves this road in good order for traffic. MaraeTcakaho Hampden Eoad.—l beg to draw your attention to this line of road. I have already furnished an estimate of cost, amounting to £150, for urgent necessary repairs. I have recommended large culverts as substitute for rotton bridges as at present. Tareha's Bridge, Meanee, Pukatapu, Hakawa Eoad.—During this month there hae been erected one new culvert and another lengthened near Taradale, and also two large culverts renewed and lengthened on the Pukatapu road, using old totara bridge planking taken off New Taradale road bridges. This road is in good order for traffic. New Taradale Road, Redclyffe.—The old portions of the Tuhekuna bridge has been replanked, and as soon as the timber arrives the new span will be attended too. I beg to recommend that the metal carts will be allowed to commence patching and repairing this road, and particularly the long ranges before the roads are too sodden -with wet. I must say as long as the dry weather continues this road is in very good order for traffic Western Spit, Patene, Kiawafca Koaa.— Messrs Cooper and Pulford have commenced their metalling contraot in Patene Valley, and are making good progress. I beg to say that when this contract is completed this will be one of our best County roads. Patene Wairoa Eoad.—Mr M'Kain' s roadrasing contract is now completed, and I beg to say that the cost of metalling same will be about £20. I have instructed the surfaceman to shake one bag of grass seed on this length of road. Should the metalling be deferred for a few months to allow the road to get solid, it will require less metal. One large culvert has been erected on this road formation so as to carry off the water. Maraekakaho and Hampden Eoad — Mr Kinross moved that the £150 proposed to be spent on this road be authorized. Agreed to. "W airoa Road—The metalling on this road was delayed in accordance with the overseer's recommendation. OUTSTANDING RATES FOR 1879. The Chairman moved that the unpaid rates for the year 1879 be cancelled to enable the treasurer to balance bis books. Seconded t.y Mr Bennett, and agreed CO. OUTSTANDING BATES FOR 1880-81. Mr Bennett moved that the clerk be instructed to take proceedings againt all defaulters. Agreed to. KERERU AND ORANGI R6LL. A letter from the clerk of the Council was read complaining that be had received no roll from this district, and that the failure of the chairman of the board to send such roll precluded him from complying with the Act, and making up the general roll by the time specified. Mr Kinross said the fact of the chairman of the Keruru board having been down South for some time would account for the roll not being sent. The Chairman moved that the clerk be instructed to prepare the roll of the Keruru and Orangi district from last year's roll. Agreed to. MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. The Chairman read several clauses of the circular. Mr Bennett said he thought it would be a waste of time to consider these resolutions. From what he had heard the Manawatu Council talked a great deal and did very little. The had not even attempted to carry out the provisions of the Counties' Act in their own district. Mr Tanner moved that tbe resolutions be referred to members for consideration. Agreed to. DISTRUCTION OP DOGS. Mr Tanner moved that registrars, collectors, and constables in outlying districts be paid 2s 6d per head for'killing unlicensed dogs. Agreed to. WASTE LANDS BOARD. Mr Kinross moved that a member of the Waste Lands Board be selected from the Council. Agreed to. The Council then adjourned.