WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 18, 22 February 1907, Page 2

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held in Mr E. Kerr's commercial room, Te Kuiti, on February 18th. There were present: Councillors 1). 11. Lusk (Chairman), J. Ormsby, A. C. McCardle, W. Hoffman, T. Hunt and G. Loveday. MAIKOA ANJ) IJAUTURU ROADS. The District Road Engineer wrote, stating that it was not usual for officers of the Department to give estimates for work outside the departmental work and regretting that he could not accede to the request of the Council with reference to the Mairoa and Hauturu roads. OTOROHANGA Hill DOE. A letter was received from Messrs Ellis and Burnand, stating that Mr Ellis would be glad to attend the next meeting of the Maori Land Board and meet Councillors Scholes and McGechic, with reference to the proposed improvements to the bridge over the Waipa, at Otorohanga. Cr McCardle drew attention to the fact that the approaches had been carried away in the recent Hood and possibly the structure had been damaged. In the event of the recurrence of similar conditions the bridge might be swept away, and would probably carry away the railway bridge and others further clown. In order to place the Council in a sound position he would move that before finally agreeing to take over the bridge it should be inspected on theirbehalf, by an authorised engineer. Seconded by Cr Ormsby and carried. EXPENDITURE OF VOTES. A letter was received from the Chief Engineer, with reference to moneys voted for various works with* in the district, stating that the Road Engineers had been instructed to give' information to the Council as to where the balance of moneys voted was to be spent, the nature of the work proposed to be done, and to consult the wishes of the Council, as far as possible, regarding such expenditure. A list of amounts voted and the proportion authorised for expenditure was enclosed. _ — Considerable discussion ensued with reference to the letter, and it was finally resolved that a committee consisting of Crs Lusk, Ormsby, Scholes and McGeehie be appointed "to confer with the DistrictRoad Engineers for the purpose of obtaining as much information as possible. ROAD ENGINEER. Attention was drawn to the fact that the Council not having an engineer had been remarked upon, and it would probably be a drawback to the obtaining of moneys from the-Go-vernment. It was pointed out that at present it was not considered advisable to appoint an engineer as there were no big works on hand, and the money accruing from the rates was not sufficient to warrant the engaging of such an official at present.' —The Chairman offered to take the position of honorary engineer until a salaried official was appointed. It was agreed to accept the offer of the Chairman with thanks. DOG TAX. Cr T. Hunt drew attention to the necessity of enforcing the dog tax. At Ohura there were settlers stocking sheep and a considerable amount of sheep-worrying was being done. He proposed that, a tax to the extent of 2s 6d on sheep and cattle dogs, and 10s on other dogs be imposed. Seconded by Cr McCardle and carried. With reference to the taxing of Maoriowned dogs it was pointed out that the Maori Council already had a tax in force and doubts were expressed as to whether the County Council had power to enforce their tax. After some discussion, on the motion of Cr Loveday, seconded by Cr Hunt, it was decided to obtain legal opinion as to the position of the Council, and in the event of it being necessary to act with the Maori Council in the matter, Cr Ormsby was appointed to confer with that body for the purpose of 00-operating with them. It was further resolved to invite applications for the position of dog tax collector, and call tenders for the supply of dog collars. RAGWORT. Cr McCardle pointed out that the officers of the Department of Agriculture had no power to deal with offenders under the Noxious Weeds Act until the weeds were declared and gazetted. Ragwort was included among the weeds declared by the Council to be noxious weeds, but so fi;r the chief of the Department of Agriculture had not received notice to that effect, and could not take steps until he had. Resolved that the Clerk be instructed to take the necessary steps to deal with the matter, SI.IP AT OVERHEAD PRIDGE TE KUITI. Information was received from Mr Sellars, Railway Inspector, that the Department would attend to the work. !\1 ANGAW EK A CROSS ING With reference to the application of Mr Closie to have the thirds accruing from the sections in the locality, amounting to about £]], scheduled for the purpose of repairing the road and crossing over the stream, Cr Hoffman proposed that the application be granted. Mr Closie was doing a great deal of work entirely at his own expense and this would be some assistance. Seconded by Cr McCardle and carried. The date of the next meeting was fixed at March 18th.