WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 1, 26 October 1906, Page 2

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The adjourned monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council, was held at Te Kuiti on Monday evening, October 15th. Present: Major D. H. Lusk (Chairman), Crs. N. T. Hunt, T. de Vere Hunt. B. McGechie, J. Loveday, A. C; McCardle, J. Ormsby and A. Scholes. OHURA RATES. The Land and Survey Office, New Plymouth, forwarded list of accrued "thirds" and "fourths" from the area recently cut off from Clifton County, amounting to £648 13 7. The Chairman, after welcoming the members representing the new part of the County stated that, so far, no money had been received from the Clifton Council..

Cr. Loveday, one of the members representing Ohura riding, said that he had it in writing that the Clifton Council would hand over the rates from the area cut off, less 25 per cent, cost of collection, and he understood that this amount would be forwarded, on completion of severance. He could not, however, state the actual amount they were entitled to. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Loveday, it was resolved, that the Clerk make immediate application for a full statement of rates due and received from the new area, also names of ratepayers, and request that the rates collected be handed over to the Waitomo Council. The opinion was expressed that 25 per cent, was an excessive charge for collection, but Cr. Loveday stated, that this arrangement had been made with him.

Cr. T. Hunt remarked, that not a penny of these rates had been spent for the benefit of the Ohura settlers, who paid them. . Cr. Loveday then raised the question, as to whether the outstanding rates in the new area should be collected by the Waitomo, or Clifton Councils, to which the Chairman replied, that he considered the power belonged to their Council, as from date of proclamation. THE MAIROA LOAN. The Chairman reported the results of the poll, taken on October 6th, to borrow £7OOO for the purpose of improving and metalling the road through the Mairoa riding, fromOparure westward. The votes polled were: l*or 27; Against, 5; Informal I. The Chairman explained tlu raisingjof the loan was the Government

voting a subsidy of £ for £, and although he had wired to Wellington m regard to this, he was somewhat doubtful if the money Would be granted. However the result of the poll, showed the authorities that the settlers were willing to help themselves, to metal 28 miles of a main road, which opened up a large area of Government land, and 'gave access to Kawhia Harbour. He believed the authorities viewed the proposal favourably, but it was doubtful if the money would be forthcoming. Cr. Hunt moved that the returning officer's report of the poll in the Mak roa riding, be received and the results of the poll recorded. Resolved accordingly, v OHURA REPRESENTATION. The Clerk reported the difficulties he had had to contend with, in conducting the Ohura election, owing to the scattered nature of the settlement, bad roads and shortness of time available. In two cases the nominations did not arrive in time, and as he was bound by law to record the exact time, they were received, he had no option but to refuse to accept them. A nomination for the Otorohanga seat, had J»een refused for a similar reason.

Cr. Loveday said he was glad to have this explanation from the Clerk. The bad roads made it very difficult to let the settlers, who expected a longer time, know. They were very, sore over it in Mr Smyth's district, as he was one of the first men to move in the matter of severance. He had personally wired to Mr Smyth, in the matter, but had not received a reply. The Ohura settlers were well pleased to join in with the Waitomo County, as enabling the two portions to be better managed, and also, as enabling them to have a say in the spending of the rates.

The Clerk stated that some of the settlers considered they had been disfranchised without due cause, but as returning officer he had to go by the valuation roll. A number of the settlers names, were not on the roll, owing to their exemption under the Bush and Swamp Lands Settlement Act.; Cr. T. Hunt said several settlers claimed that they had paid rates, arid yet their names were not on the rot^L The Clerk said he had tried to remedy any errors, by leaving copies lit the rolls with suitable persons, to .enable corrections to be made.

At a later stage of the meeting a letter was read from Mr J. Sullivan, chairman of a meeting of settlers held at Aria, on October 6th, to discuss County matters, stating that Mr 1* Smyth had been appointed to wait on the Council, and place before the members, the desirability of haying a boundary line defined, so that the Aria district might have its own representation. Mr Smyth who was present, in speaking to the suggestion* asked that the Ohura riding be divided into two separate ridings, and that one of the present members represent the new riding.

Cr. T. Hunt said that he would undertake to see that the money was %: equally Spent. Cr. Loveday expressed the opinion that there would, sooner or later, have to be a division in the Ohura riding, but perhaps they had better go on with the present arrangement, until a general adjustment of the ridings in in the County took place. Mr Smyth said he was willing to leave the matter in the hands of the Council.

After further discussion, the Chairman moved, that at the December meeting of the Council, the subject of the alteration of boundaries be considered and decided upon. This was seconded by Cr.T. Hunt, and carried.

The Chairman said that if "mistakes were made in compiling the rolls, in regard to insertion of wrong Christian names, the individuals affected, should see that the details were correct. After further discussion, it was resolved that the Chairman and Clerk arrange for the supply of copies of rolls. GENERAL BUSINESS. Cr. Scholes moved that " thirds " accruing in the Hangitiki riding, between Te Kuiti and W. North's section, be scheduled for repairs, and culverts on , the Mangaorino road approaching the sections named, work to be done by day labour, the mover to supervise. This was seconded by Cr. Hunt and carried. Cr. McCardle moved that " thirds " accruing on T. Tooman's section, be scheduled for removing slips on the Tumutumu road between Stephenson's and Tooman's sections. Agreed to. The Valuer-General wrote stating that £IOB I 11. had been placed to the credit of the Council, less £ls deducted towards cost of valuation, £3O. BY-LAWS. An additional by-law to those already adopted, dealing with the width of tyres of vehicles on County roads (as prepared by Mr Swarbrick), was read and approved, and same ordered to be forwarded to Wellington. RATES. The Chairman gave a pro forma notice of motion, that at the next meeting a general rate of Id in the £ be struck over the whole County. NEXT MEETING. On the motion of Cr. Hunt, it was resolved that the Council hold its next meeting at II a.m. on November 19th. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to about £7O were passed for payment, and the balance sheets to March 31st and September 30th, read. On the motion of Cr. McCardle, seconded by Cr. Ormsby, it was resolved that the rate of pay for work performed by Tooman Bros, and Hambrook, be 8/- per day.