Kiwitea County Council.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 186, 6 February 1895, Page 2

Kiwitea County Council.

A special and ordinary meeting of the above body was held in their office, Feilding, yesterday, the sth inst. Present— Crs J. Reid (chairman), W. Jones, W. F. Jacob, W. Morton. The special meeting was called for the purpose of passing a resolution merging the Kiwitea County. A resolution to this effect had been passed when the County Council was first constituted, but the Treasury department refused to grant loans applied for (£IOOO for Vinegar Hill, and £400 for Cheltenham Cross road bridge) as they contented the Act of merging was illegal the word Council having been inserted after the word " County " in the special order merging the Kiwitea Road District into the County. Cr Reid reported that he had interviewed the Colonial Treasurer in Wellington the week before last with reference to their objection to grant the loans applied for on the grounds that the act of merger was illegal. He also interviewed Dr Fitchett, Government solicitor, who stated he had not advised the Department the act of merger was illegal, and informed him that if a fresh resolution was passed by the Council it would set the matter right. After discussion with Departmental officers he was informed by the Treasury that they would grant the money at once if he (Mr Reid) would give his assurance as chairman that the special order would be made. He thought the proper procedure was to call a special meeting and get the authority of the Council and then make formal application for the money. Dr Fitchett did not say the merger was bad. Cr Jacob said there was not the slightest doubt but the merger was legal and Mr Pollen admitted that in an interview. It was merely a matter with the Treasury, who were in the position of a lender. A resolution as required merging the Kiwitea road district into the Kiwitea County was then passed. ORDINARY MEETING. The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: — From W. A. Sandilands, solicitor, stating he had been instructed by. Mr C. Bath, the now owner of nearly the whole of the sections in the township of Beaconsfield, that Mr Ross, employed in the service of the Council, has, with the alleged permission of such Council, blocked up one of the public roads running through such township and is also occupying the portion of the road so blocked up. The Council, he thought, had no right to authorise the acts complained of. He had written to Mr Ross requesting him to open the road and cease to occupy it. He asked that if the Counoil had, at any time, given Mr Ross the authority which he alleges he possesses that the same be revoked — Left in the hands of the Chairman and Engineer. From A. Galpin, asking permission to erect two swing gates on the Mangawharariki road, opposite section 3, Block XI, Hautapu, for a short time. From P. Mcllroy, asking the Council to remove to higher up the road a culvert now opposite his property to enable him to gain entrance — Resolved That the Council pay half the cost, the total cost not to exceed £3. From H. Crabbe and D. S. Stewart, asking that the former's name be placed on rate roll for section 48, Block XI, Ongo, in place of latter's. Alteration to be made as requested. From A. Leicester and F. W. Welford, asking that the former's name be placed on ra,te roll, in place of latter's, for section 4, Block XII, and section 11, Block XVI, Ongo. — Alteration to be made as requested. From Under- Secretary, Lands and Survey Department, stating that the process of applying for and obtaining the warrant merging the Kiwitea Road District into the County would have to be begun again. From Lands and Survey Department, informing this Council that the Pohangiua County Conncil had deposited plans and specifications in connection with the proposed bridge over the Oroua river at Apiti, together with notice, calling on this Council to contribute towards cost of said bridge, and stating, if this G'Qiincil had a_ny objection it must be made within two months from date of Dotice. — Discussion deferred to next meeting. From Surveyor-General, asking for information re deviation of road through sections 217 and 218, Kiwitea. From W. C Cunningham, applying for refund of cost of bushfelling on Mangitikei line.— To stand over until after March. From Treasury, Wellington, stating the loan of £800 for construction of portions of Haine's road had been provisionally approved. Also, that loan of £1000 for construction of Perry's road, and widening and constructing portion of Haine's road had also been provisionally approved. Resolved, That the Chairman and Cx Jacob affix County seal to special orders with reference to loans in,' Oraua, and and Makino ridiijgs* Cr Shannon here took his seat in the Counoil, Resolved, That this Council agrees to Mr Gaplin's request re swing gates, providing he complies with the Publiu Works Act, 1894. Proposed by Cr Shannon, seconded by Cr Morton, That the necessary steps bo taken for raising a loan of £6000 in the Ongo riding. — Carried. Resolved, That ten.aevs jj 6 e^i}^ f^ the collection of do^ tax for ensnin» year. The tax for sheep and cattle dogs to be 2s 6d caoh, all other dogs 10s each. Accounts were parsed for payment and. the Council adjourned.