HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3720, 18 June 1883, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL.

This Day. The Council met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Messrs Sutton (chairman), Kinross, Williams, Rymer, Dolbel, Couper, and Cunningham. The minutes of the previous meeting wero read and confirmed. finance. The Chairman read the schedule of accounts for tho past month, amounting to the total of £739 19s 3d. The A'ouchers Avere passed and ordered to be paid. The Chairman stated the bank overdraft to be £1118 lis lid, but that receipts from the Government Avcro expected in the, course of ten days to the amount of £3000. Mr O'Brien's tender for the supply of metal for the Kuripapanga road was accepted at ls 7d per cubic yard. SLAUGHTEEINO LICENSE. A slaughtering license was granted to Mr T. Jcffares. COEEESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr Pressling asking for expenses attending tho county solicitor'B office to giA'e OA'idenco iv respect of a breach of the slaughter by-hiAV. The sum of 13s avus voted by the Council. From Public AVorks Department, stating that the Chairman's application for a grant-in-aid of the Petane-Taupo road would bo_ > duly considered.. a From Property Tax Commissioner, stating that a complete schedule of lands liable to taxation under the Crown and Native Lauds Rating Act Avould be forwarded without delay. From the chairman of the Puketapu Road Board, stating that Messrs Dixon and Hudson, Avere Avilling to act as wardens. The Council nominated the two gentlemen to seats on the Road Board. From tho Petane Road Board, stating that two vacancies had occurred on the Board, and requesting the Council to nominate tAvo members, The Council nominated Messrs Tuxford and Spence. From clerk of AVairoa Council re poundage and other fees. Information supplied. From Harbor Board office requesting to know the ratable value of the county. The reply returned Avas that it was £3,330,429. From the County Solicitor, stating thero is no authority for insrrtiug the names of Messrs Villers and Haultain on the Petane valuation roll under the circumstanoos in wliich their names had been omitted. EOAD OVERSEER'S RErOET. The Road OA'erseor reported as follows on the roads and Avorks during past month:— Napier-To Aute Road.—l beg to draw jour attention to a cuh'ort at Havelock, near tho saddler's shop, at the junction of the Road Board and County roads, which discharges all storm Avater from tho hills on to tho county road and damages samo. I beg to recommend as a substitute for culvert a closed drain, using nine-inch drain pipes, Avhich -will carry the storm Avater from the junction of the Road Board roads and County road into an old creek near Mr AVatson's store, cost about £35. I also beg to recommend that sixcen chains of road bo re-formed, and tho old drain filled in between the Havelock Hotel and the police station bridge, cost £15. As instructed T, have notified Messrs Cooper aud AVarron to quarry metal for repairs to road between raihvay station and Te Aute.

Havclock-Hampden Road.—Owing to the late fine weather metal repairs to this road havo made good progress during the month. It is in good order for traffic. Tereha's Bridge, Wakawai Road.—As authorised I haA-e laid 320 feet of nine-inch drain pipes between tho river and county road near old racecourse to carry off surface Avater, and givo access to Mr Brandon to drain his and old racoeourse property. On examining large culvert on tho Meane* road I found it unsafe for traffic. I liaA-« put in a neAV one, using 18-inch drain pipes taken out of the drain running through Mr Anlitron'n j»aduuck.~ Metal repairs to this road have been carried on where required during the month, and it is in fair order for traffic. New Taradale and Redcliffe Road.— I beg to recommend tho advisability of wideninir OJSf chains of this road between first and second bridge near railway crossing. I havo frequently noticed, whero loads of hay aro being carted into Napier, other vehicles have great difficulty in getting past, cost £100. As authorised I have employed two men to make good portions of this road damaged by June flood latt year. Metal repairs to this road have been carried on during the month where re» quired, and it is In very good order for traffic. RedclyfTe-Patea Road.'—As authorised the metalling of 154 chains of this road botween tho Omahu milo and Omahu-Nga-uroro bridge is near completed. No. 1 contract Omahu-Okawai road will be com- , pleted in about three weeks from prosenfc date. As instructed I have noticed the contractor for forming approaches to the Mangataratara creek bridge, and I beg to say that, before certifying to progress payment, I will again examine progress made and report further. I have lately examined the road between MangaAvhare and Kuripapanga, and I find it in good order for traffic. There are seven surfacemen employed on this road between Mangawhare and Tararau attending to surface repairs. AVestom Spit-KaiAvaka Road.—l have lately inspected this road, and on examining the Petane bridge I beg to recommend that it be newly floored and other slight repairs, cost £60. Petane.-Wairoa Road.—The obstacle in the way of forming and metalling a portion of this road between Mr Villers' black-' smith's and Kiamate store will be removed in a few days. I have interviewed Mr Troutbeck, and ho says he will remove his fences at once. John Tracy, Road Overseer. Tho whole of the suggestions contained in the report Avere agreed to, • PATE COLLECTOR. i The Chairman pointed out the of appointing a rate collector, and he moved that Mr Collinge be appointed to thatoffice, Mr Kinross was of opinion that the rates should be paid to the county treasurer, and that tho appointment of a collector was an unnecessary expense. k In reply to Mr Cunningham, the Chair- ' man stated that Mr Collinge had been tho rate colector for tho past three years, and had been paid £75 a year; that he had been" singularly successful in tho colection of rates. The Chairman pointed out that there was much hardship imposed on small ratepayers by compelling them to oomo into town to pay their rates. Mr Kinross was still of opinion that there was no need for a collector.

Mr J. N. AVilliams seconded the motion pro forma, stating that he would like to see ' tho experiment tripd of getting tho rates into the office.' Mr Dolbol and Mr Rymor at erp both ,o£ opinion that economy was necessary. Tho motion was lost. petitions. Mr Dolbol presented a petition from tho settlers of tho Pukotapu district praying that tho road from tho Aplcy sheep yards to Patoka be declared a county road. Mr Rymer presented a petition from tho chairmen and wardens of tho Meaneo Road Bo'arcji siting forth tho groat exponscs ontailed on 'the Boal-d by the extent, of roads to bo kept in repair, and praying for (substantial assistance. Notices of motion wore givon that th« petitions bo considered at tho noxt meoting of tho Council. Tho Council then adjourned.