Kiwitea County Council.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 49, 26 August 1895, Page 2

Kiwitea County Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the ! ! above was held at their office, Feilding, | ( on Saturday last. Present— Crs J. Reid • : (chairman), W. Morton, W. F.Jacob, W. i J Jones, F. Homer, and H. G. Shannon. ; Tbe minutes of the previous meeting j were read and confirmed. An apology was received from Cr Williamson, who was absent owiug to ill health. Correspondence was received and dealt with as follows : — From A. S. Piaster, complaining that tbe Council had opened a drain in his section, No. 17, Block XITI, Birmingham, and asking that culvert be put in. — Work has been clone. From Jas. Temperley, stating he would, at the Council's next meeting, apply for a license to slaughter on section 23, Pemberton.— Letter recsived. From C. L. Pemberton, applying for permission to fell bush on Hinau road opposite section 1, Block IV, Apiti. — Agreed to on usual terms. From P. A. Margesson, refusing to pay his road rates until the Council would mako a bridle track to give him an outlet. . From E. J. Riddiford, drawing attention to alleged damage to his property through a culvert in Cheltenham Cross road bciug too small to take water away, and asking what steps the Council intended to take. — Engineer's report to be scut. From the following, applying to have their names placed on the rate roll : — Harry Clifton for sections 20, 21, 22, 23, Marshall township ; G. Wisdom, for sections 39 to 43, Marshall township ; W. E. Wisdom, for section 49, Marshall township — Agreed to. From J. McDonald, asking permission to fell bush on road line opposite his section, Peep-'o-Day. — Agreed to on usual terms. From W. C. Cunningham, asking the Council if they would deduct amount due for rates from amount due to him. — To be paid for bushfelling when rates paid. From D. McDougall, Waituna, asking permission to fell bush on road line. — Granted on usual terms. From A. Morgan, Rangiwahia, account for bushfelling.— Cannot be entertained as riding is not in funds. From N. Martin, asking permission to fell bush on road lino opposite section 13, Block 111, Apiti— Agreed to on usual terms. From R. E. Beckett, acconnt for felling bush on road lino— Engineer to make enquiries into the matter. From W. Woodman, Beaconsfield, drawing attention to floodwater from road swamping his section — To stand over till next meeting. From F. B. French, applying for payment for felling bush on road line— To stand over. From G. J. Scott, D.0.A., in the es. tate of W. Goodwin, claiming any money in the hands of Council due to aaid debtor. — ResolvGd. that money be retained until Council definitely knows to whom money should be paid. From Clerk Rangitikei County Council, estimate of cost of proposed work to Onepuhi bridge. From G. L. Lay, complaining that M. j Doherty had stopped his horses from going along Mangamako road. — Road now open. From J. Harris, Marion, requesting information re, special and general rates. — Letter received. From Treasury, voucher for subsidy of £125 From Jas. Stent, T. Chunn, and S. Scott, re change of names on rate roll. From W. S. Marshall, objecting to be included in loan to make Mangamako road, but expressing willingness to pay rate to make Branch road.— No alteration can now be made. From H. Boggiss, re change of name on rate roll ; also that a drain be cut on Terrace road to relieve road of water. — Repairs to road cannot be done. From R. Bochnig, requesting that trees be removed on Spur road to allow the road to be uaed. — Left in Engineer's hands. From W, J. Burdekin, asking if any- j thing had been done re opening Edwards street to Mcßeth's line.— Council to reply on receipt of information from the Sur-veyor-General. From T. Robinson, complaining that j he was rated too high and objected to | being included in Hautapu riding. — No alerahon can now be made. From J. J. Bryce, forwarding account from E. Jackson for bushfelling on road line. — When rates are paid on section the Council will consider bushfelling account. From J. Keenan, Fowlers, stating he was rated for 320 acres, whereas he only held 315. — Alteration to be made. From J. T. W. Hogg, offering to make a 5 -foot bridle track to his section at a little under Engineer's estimate, and wait for payment until loan money is to hand. From W. and H. Hammond, stating the Otamakapua No. 2 Pakihikura Native reserve was included in the Ongo loan, whereas it should have been omitted as the work was struck cut for which it was rated. — Received. From Commissioner of Taxes, asking what the rateable value of the County was. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating C. Clayton's holding was 640 acres. From A. H. Atkinson, asking that his thirds be spent for completion of road, in Sandon Block, to where loan starts. — When Council receive thirds the work may be undertaken. From W. Phyn, requesting that drain from road through his property be cleared out ; also, asking permission to erect a fence three feet on road to protect live fence. — Left in the hands of Engineer. DEPUTATION. Mr Oliphant waited on the Council and requested that something be done to the end of Junction road, about 20 chains, to give him access to his section ; also, that slips be removed from that portion of the road already formed. His thirds were hypothecated for loan purposes and he asked, if loan money could not be obtained, could the thirds be released ? That portion of the road that required to be made was level. He was informed the Council could not say when the loan money would be available; the thirds being hypothecated the Couucil would advise Mr Oliphant to apply to the Commissioner of Crown Lands to agree to releasing them for expenditure as he (Mr Oliphant) wished. Mr Oliphant also asked if the cattle and horses could not be prevented from trespassing on the road. Cr Homer was authorised to instruct the ranger to impound cattle or horses trespassing on this (Junction) road. Mr Calvert waited on the Council on behalf of section holders in the Te Rewa Block who were included in the £5000 Ougo loan under the Kiwitea Road Board, but of which amount only £4500 was advanced by the Treasury, and they were thus unable to get their road made although they had to pay a special rate. Their thirds were hypothecated for this loan and they derived no benefit. He was informed they would have to pay tho previous liability ; their thirds being hypothecated they (the thirds) would go to pay interest on the loan already raised, and if they raised another loan would have to pay an additional special rate. He was advised to request the Commissioner of Crown Lands to release their thirds, when the Council would spend them in making a road to the settlers interested, and the

Council would apply to Government to Lave these sections released from the security under the circumstances. Mr E. G. McDerraott waited on the Council with reference to flood water from the road going over his property, and offered to make a drain and wait for payment. He was informed the thirds in hand would be spent on the road during the next month. engineer's report. The Engineer reported that the Cheltenham Cross road required attention and should have about 60 yards of metal. He had had some of the holes in Mackay's line filled. The Oroua riding roads were in good order. Kimbolton riding — The quantity of metal put on Kimbolton road is not sufficient to make a good job. The metal in Mr Stewart's pit turned out to be too soft for repairing, and after consulting with Cr Morton decided to stop delivery. There appears to be first class metal in Mr Morton's property and he (the Engineer) had in. structed the roadman to open a pit there. Apiti riding — The Kimbolton road is in fair condition to Mcßeth's road, but from there to Beef Creek is getting cut up. From Beef Creef on, the road is, in places, a quagmire. The large slip opposite Mr Moore's does not seem to settle down any more and he had decided not to expend money on proposed deviation until summer. On Oroua Valley road he had instructed the roadman to widen and repair narrow places near the river. The contractor for Mcßeth's road had not completed the work and had been given notice accordingly. He continuation of Edward's street, be had written to tLe Assistant Surveyor-General asking permission to lay a road off through tbe reserve. Ongo riding — The contractor for Rangitikei Valley road is making fair progress. Ec proposed diversion of the Mangatuku road, he could see no other way but to take road along sidling on northern side of stream in Mr Flood's property. Mr Flood has offered the land for the road for £100. The sidling' is heavy and would be liable to slips. Hautapu ridings— Roads and tracks in fair order with two exceptions. That portion of Rangitikei road east running through Livingston townshfp will always be muddy until bush alongside is felled. During the month two crates were laid on the western bank of the Cheltenham Cross road bridge to protect approach. He suggested that a strip of land on each side of river be fenced off and planted with willows if arrangement could be made with Mr Mills. The pile for pier on the western side of Beaconsfield bridge has been driven and the pier will be planked in a few days. He recommended that the present line of crates be continued to the pier and the gap in approach to bridge filled in. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Council was held to confirm special orders re the following loans: — For construction of Branch and Terrace roads ; for construction of bridge over the Kiwitea stream on Cheltenham Cross road ; for construction of a bridge over Rangitikei river at Vinegar Hill. ORDINARY MEETING. Proposed by Cr Homer, seconded by Cr Morton, That the offer of Mr McDermoit to drain the road and form 8 chains of it opposite his place be accepted, subject to the approval of the Engineer (and to his estimate) and not to be paid for until thirds are in hand. — Carried. Resolved, That steps be taken to raise a loan of £478 10s, under section 113, Public Works Act, 1894, being this Council's share of the cost of work to the Onepuhi bridge and embankment ; and that the Pohangina County Council be given notice of same. - Carried. Proposed by Cr Homer, seconded by Cr Reid, That application be made for the following advance on account of the » following loans:— Branch, and Terrace roads, £90; Mcßeth's and Junction roads, £130; Peep-o'-Day roadf£4oo; Pakihikura road, £800 ; total, £1420.— Carried. Proposed by Cr Shannon, seconded by Cr Morton, That the Clerk request the Commissioner of Crown Lands' permission to expend £100 of P. A. Margesson'a thirds in purchasing land for the purpose of making a road to his section, as at present he has no access except by private property.— Carried. Proposed by Cr Shannon, seconded by Cr Jacob, That the Secretary request the Treasury to release the sections in the Te Rewa Block from the special rate levied as security to pay interest on the £5000 loan, as owiug to the Government refusing to advance the balance due of £500 they have received no benefit from the loan. — Carried. Resolved, That the following alterations be made on the rate roll : — Section 3, Block XIII and XIV, Hantapn, David Kobb instead of Jessie Kobb; section 132, 137-9, Rangiwahia, Thos. Chnnn instead of James Stent ; sections 45 and 118, Samuel Scott instead of James Stent ; section 5, Apiti Survey District, W. F. Stanley in place of M. Hastie ; also the following as soon as the owners whose names are to be placed on the roll signify their consent in writing :-=- --section 260, H. Taylor Gee in place of J. W. Burne ; section 13, Block V, Apiti, J. McNeill instead of J. W. Anderson; section 142, Rangiwahia, George Malcolm instead of James Stent; section 18, Birmingham Small Farm Block, Harry Boggiss in place of Hales Boggiss ; seci tion 7, Apiti Survey District, Education Reserve, 0. Stanley in place of J. Hicks. Resolved, That Mr Fanthorpe be allowed to erect a verandah in front of his shop, Birmingham, subject to the usual conditions. Proposed by Cr Jacob, seconded by Cr Morton, That this Council is ot opinion that the Public Tenders Contracts and Works Bill is, as regards local bodies, not only unnecessary and unworkable, but will increase the burden of charitable aid by preventing older settlers, who cannot earn a full day's wage, from getting any employment on road contracts, and will also prevent fair competition by giving wealthy contractors who can provide the securities required an advantage over poor and struggling men. That a copy of this resolution be sent to Mr Stevens, M.H.R., asking him to oppose the Bill unless local bodies are excluded from it. — Carried. TENDERS. Resolved, That the following tenders be accepted : For grazing in Waituna cemetery for one year, R. Mayhew, £§ 10s; Perry's line, M. Doherty, £7Q ; Hayn's line, No. 2, McKowern anjl Woulfe, £21 ss; Hayn's line. No. 1, E. Charles, forming and metalling, £181. Accounts were passed for payment and the Council adjourned.