HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3517, 16 October 1882, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL.

This Day

The Council met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Crs. J. N. Williams (chairman), J. Torr, J. Bennett, F. Sutton, M.H.R ,G. Rymer, W. A. Couper, and J. G. Kinross.

CORRESPONDENCE

From Hon. H. A. Atkinson (telegram), notifying that the Local Government Acta had been posted to the Council.

From the Property Tax Commissioner (telegram), enquiring whether there had been any alteration in the boundaries of ridings within the county since information was supplied to the Government in December last.

From the Inspector of Slaughter Houses, certifying that all the houses under bis supervision had been properly conducted during the month, and reporting that Mr W. J. Birch bad been killing sheep and selling meat without a license. A summons would be taken out against him this week.

From the Engineer, reporting that he had been engaged during the past week in pegging off the boundaries of the road from Petane to ths river crossing (towards Wairoa). Plans would be prepared this week. From Mr G. Benjamin, applying for extension of time for the completion of No. 1 contract, Omabu-Okawa road, also Puketiritiri contract. There was some rock in the way that would require to be blasted. — Extension granted, provided the overseer sees no objection.

From Mr John Madden, contractor, requesting the Council to rescind his authority to pay moneys on hie contracts to Mr George Benjamin, the latter having become bankrupt.

From the chairman Napier Trust School, requesting the Council to appoint a representative on the Board of Governors for the ensuing year.—Mr Sutton was appointed. From the chairman Heretaunga Road Board, with reference to a resolution of the Council respecting the taking over of that portion of the Omahu road situated between Mr J. N. Williams' gate and the Omahu bridge, pointing out that the portion of the road proposed to be thus dealt with is the only part at present under the control of the Heretaunga Road Board. It was proposed, therefore, that the county should take over and maintain the road itself. —Consideration postponed until next meeting.

From Mr Madden, contractor, applying for compensation for loss sustained by him in consequence of some of his contracts having been injured by the last floods.—Overseer to report to next meetA communication to a somewhat similar effect was received from the contractors for the Kuripapanga-Patea road contract, Messrs Glendinning and Griffin, who alleged that, owing to bad weather and other unforseen difficulties in the formation of the ground, &c, they bad sustained heavy losses. —It was decided that the Council cannot see its way to pay compensation. ROAD OVERSEER'S REPORT. The following report from the road overseer was read and adopted : — Napier-Te Aute Road. —The rirer bank willow planting protection works at Galbraith's corner, Clire, are completed, and this road is in good order for traffic. Havelock-Hampden Eoad. —The formation of a portion of this road between the Hastings and Omahu cross-roads, leading to Maraekakaho, is being proceeded with. The other portions of the road are in good order. Omahu-Okawa Road.—Mr Maddens contract on this line of road is not yet completed. In reference to his letter re compensation I fail to see how he is entitled to the same, as he has not completed his contract in contract time. Kuripapanga-Patea Road. —Messrs β-len-dinning and Grriffin's contract on this line of road is completed. The erection of culverts ■will be commenced at once, so as to have the road ready for the present wool season's traffic. I beg to recommend that tile drain pipes be used for culverts where found suitable on this road. Tareha's Bridge-Hakawai Road.—With the exception of a portion of this road j opposite Mr Brandon's, silted by the late floods, but now reforming and undergoing repairs, this road is in good order for traffic. The willow planting and groins for the river bank protection between Puketapu and Hakawai is completed. New Taradale-Oniahu Road.—Sixty chains of this road have been metalled between the Omahu mill bridge and Omahu as authorised. This road is now in good order for traffic. Western Spifc-Kaiwaka Road. —Lowering grade of road near Mr Carr's gate is completed, also lowering and erection of small bridge. This road is in good order. Petane-Wairoa Road. —Twenty chains of this road north of Petane river have been metalled as authorised. This road is in good order. Pukititiri Road Contracts. — Mr Miu- ,- nane's contract on this road is not yet completed. I beg to report that this contract has been entirely neglected during the last month. The contractors for the erection of nine small bridges on the Pukititiri Bush road have commenced work. I have examined the repairs to a portion of this road between Mr t-hields' property and Mr Murnane's contract, and beg to report that the authorised repairs have not been carried out as yet, and also the £60 have nob been expended. John Tracy, Road Overseer. TENDER. The tender of Messrs John Bicknell and Sons for draying timber, cement, &c, to the Kunpapanga bridge, timber at 12s per 100 feet, and cement, &c, at £3 7s 6d per ton, was accepted. PETITION?, Cγ Bennett presented a petition signed by Messrs Bennett, Scale, Waterhouse, and twelve other ratepayers in tbe Okawa highway district praying that the said highway district be abolished. —Tbe petition was received, Cr Bennett giving notice to more in connection therewith as follows;- "That the request of the

Okawa highway district ratepayers re merging into the county be granted, provided a counter petition is not lodged against the said merging during the time allotted, in accordance with the Counties Act."

Cr Rymer presented a petition from the subscribers to the fund for opening for traffic the Tannery road, Meanee, praying for a grant-in-aid of £100 to enable the Meanee Road Board to carry out the work. After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Cγ Rjmer, seconded by Cγ Sutton, " That the County Council will contribute £100 towards the making of the Tannery road conditionally that the Meanee Road Board completes the work and metals the road to the satisfaction of the road overseer at a total cost of £200." FINANCE. The statement of revenue and expenditure for the year ended September 31st was laid on the table. The total revenue for the year, including a balance of £815 3a 7d brought forward from last statement, amounted to £6887 3s lid, and the expenditure, including £1600 spent on the formation of the Patea road, was shown as £5762 14s Id, leaving a credit balance at the bank of £1119 11s 46. BOUNDARIES OF BIDIPGS. The question of the alteration of boundaries of ridings in the province was discussed, notice of motion thereon having been given by Cγ. Bennett as follows:—" That this Council readjusts the boundaries of the ridings, and also makes two additional ridings, such alterations to come into effect at the next general county election."—The consideration of the question was ultimately postponed. NATIVE LANDS HATING ACT. On the motion ot Cr. Sutton it was resolved, " That the Chairman be requested to write to the Government suggesting tht>t the whole of the native lands within this county may be brought under the operation of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act, 1882." INLAND PATEA ROAD. Cr. Sutton moved that the Chairman be instructed to apply to the Government for payment of the grant of £1500 voted last session for making and forming the Taraurau road to inland Patea.—Carried. TARADALEKURIPAPANGO ROAD. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Williams, seconded by Cr. Sutton, " That the Chairman be instructed to submit to the Minister of Public Works specifications, plans, and estimated cost of construction of the main road from Taradale bridge to the Kuripapango bridge, and to make application to the Minister for a grant out of the main road account for the total cost of construction of the said road ; and, further, that the Chairman be instructed to inform the Minister of Public Works that this Council is prepared to supply one-fourth of the cost of construction of said road." DATE OF NEXT MEETING. The Chairman announced that the next ordinary meeting of the Council would be held on the same date as the special meeting for the election of a chairman, namely, on Wednesday, November 22nd. The Council then adjourned.