WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 41, 2 August 1907, Page 3

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held in Mr F. Kerr's commercial room, le Kuiti, en Tuesday, July 30th. There were present : Councillors D. H. Lusk (Chairman), N* I. Hunt, G. Loveday, T. Hunt, A. Scholes, A. C. McCardle and J. Williamson. NEW COUNCILLOR. Cr Williamson, who was elected in place of Mr McGechie for Otorohanga riding, was welcomed to the Council by the Chairman. A QUESTION OF BOUNDARIES. Mr Daly, representing the Mangaot'aki Settlers Association, waited on the Council for the purpose of ascertaining what had been done in reference to a request by the Association to have a further portion of the Mangaotaki district brought within the boundaries of the Waitomo County.—lt was explained that the Clerk had written to the authorities at Wellington, and had forwarded a sketch plan of the locality. An answer had been received, stating that the matter would receive favorable consideration. The movement should now come from the settlers interested. —lt was resolved, on the motion of Cr Hunt, seconded by the Chairman, that a letter be written to the Mangaotaki. Settlers' Association, relating what had been done by the Council, and suggesting that the. settlers prepare a petition, setting out their desires, and forward the same, together with the necessary sketch plan, to Wellington. MANGAOTAKI " THIRDS." Mr Daly also drew attention to the fact that a considerable amount of money had accrued from " thirds " in the Mangaotaki district, and wished to know if the Council had formulated any scheme for the expenditure of the same. —The Chairman informed Mr Daly that the *' thirds " had been scheduled, but no scheme had yet been propounded for their expenditure. COUNTY RIDINGS. The question of ridings was brought up by Cr N. I. Hunt, who referred to the Mokau-iti district, which was practically unrepresented en the Council at present. He considered that the whole of the district between the Awakino road and the Ohura, including the Mokau-iti, should make a separate riding.—lt was eventually decided that the question of finance and ridings should be gone into thoroughly at the next meeting. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, requesting to be furnished with fuller particulars as to the manner in which the " thirds," to be scheduled, were to be expended. —Received. TAWARAU AND NGAPAENGA ROADS. Letters were received from Messrs R. Were and T. Porter, requesting that the " thirds " accruing from the sections on the Tawarau and Ngapaenga roads, should be expended on urgent work, including bridges and culverts. Mr Were offered to supply the necessary timber. —Resolved, on the motion of Cr N. I. Hunt, seconded by Cr McCardle, that the Chairmanbe authorised to see Messrs Porter and Were, and endeavour to get them to carry out the work, or failing that, to procure other labour for the purpose. —The difficulty of obtaining men w,as pointed out, but the Councillors were unanimous in their desire to give effect to the request of the settlers. MANGAROA CEMETERY RESERVE. Cr Loveday brought forward a request for assistance in the shape of a grant for the purpose of felling the bush on the Mangaroa Cemetery Reserve. He stated that the reserve of six acres was granted by the Govern] ment at the request of the settlers. The area was covered with heavy bush, and when the Government was asked for a grant, to put the reserve into shape, the settlers were refused. They now requested the County Council to help them in the matter. After some discussion, the Chairman stated that the position of the Council in the matter was doubtful, and it was decided that a legal opinion be obtained, defining the Council's position with regard to cemeteries iri the county. WAITOMO VALLEY ROAD. Cr McCardle drew attention to the fact that it was necessary to procure explosives, in order to do the work authorised on the Waitomo Valley road.- He had also been confronted with a difficulty in obtaining the labour at the rate of wages offered (8s), and said he could get a good man to take charge of the work for 9s a day.—lt was resolved that the rate of pay be 9s a day for working foreman, and 8s a day for labourers, and Cr McCardle was authorised to employ the man referred to as foreman. TURITEA ROAD. Cr Williamson requested that the " thirds " be scheduled for expenditure on the formation of the Turitea road. About 20 chains of new work required to be done. —Resolved, that the " thirds" be scheduled, and Cr Williamson be empowered to expend them as. suggested}. DOG TAX. Cr. Loveday drew|j attention to the fact that portions of the Ohu ra district had not been!visited by the collector, and there were still a great number of dogs unregistered, some of which were ia great nuisance.—The Clerk reported that the Collector had received in fees about £44, of which sum half had been received by the Clerk, and half retained by the Collector as arranged.—lt was resolved that the Collector be asked to furnishla report as to work done, and a statement of accounts. —Cr. T. Hunt asked what was the position of the Council with regard to Native-owned dogs.— The chairman said the Council was endeavouring to obtain the consent or the Maori Council to'work in conjunction for the Registration of dogs, but it was a matter of arrangement. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £BO 15s 4d were passed for payment. NEXT MEETING,. It was deqded. to hold the next Council meeting on Monday, September, 16th inst.