KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 283, 6 August 1910, Page 5

KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the-above body was held in the Council Chambers \>n Saturday, 23rd July. Presenters W. J. Shaw (chairman), J. Noonan, A. W.'Babbage, A. W. Elliott, E. T. Davies and J. Kearns.

Pirongia West Road.—The Public jjJWorks Department forwarded authorifor expenditure of £7BO on the Pirongia west road, subject to several conditions.--The chairman stated that Mr Burd had inquired by wire as to the council's intention with regard-to this road, stating that the department were prepared to expend the grant if the council declined. —Cr Elliott furnished the council with particulars relative to the condition of the road. — Cr Davies questioned the advisability of the council taking over this and other grants under conditions previously imposed, but the expressions of the Minister as prepared to modify these conditions had changed the position. He was anxious to see the work done, and was in favour of taking over this vote. —The chairman was quite of the opinion that the county should take over these grants. He considered they could spend the money judiciously, and thought they should in future take over all grants, a3 they would receive greater consideration. —Cr Noonan said the native rating question would be settled this session, which would alter the complexion of affairs. They had been promised liberal assistance, and he therefore supported this action. —lt was decided to take over all grants where the engineering expenses would not be too excessive.

Pirongia West Road.—The Public Works Department informed the council that they were in error in stating that the money available for this road was £126 18s lid. The amount available was £26 ISs lid. There was, however, a sum of £124 14s 3d unexpended balance of vote. —Crs Noonan and Davies moved that the attention of the Minister of Public Works be drawn to the discrepancy between the various reports received from the department, and point out the difficulties local bodies are in consequence subject to.

Leasing Act. —The Minister for Internal Affairs requested a sealed copy of the resJution referring to the council's application to become a leasing body under the provisions of the Act.

Approach to P3. —The Hon. W. W. McCardle asked the council to attend to the approaches to P3, which had been interfered with by street works. —lt was decided to ask Mr McCardle under what section of the Act he was making application that work should be-done by the council. Hospital Rates.—The secretary of the Hospital Board wrote that he would forward figures to Wellington with regard to valuation. —Received. Marakopa Petition. A petition was received from 26 settlers of Awakino North asking that they be included in the Kawhia County, and requesting the council to endorse same before forwarding to Wellington.—lt was resolved to forward the.petition to Wellington.

Deputation to Wellington, The chairman said their deputation had been a thorough representative gathering from the King Country and a very successful one. He thought their interview with the Government was calculated to do a great amount of good. The feeling of discontent was so general that the Government was impressed by it. The Hon. R. Kerzie expressed himself as willing to assist local bodies by voting £ for £ subsidies. With regard to the £BOO grant, the Minister has agreed to hand over the money to the council, to be spent in accordance with the wishes of the settlers interested He (the Minister) expressed his astonishment that the main cosch road had been even handed over to the council, but it was the intention of the Government to undertake the care of arterial roads. The Prime Minister could not entertain the idea of allowing a percentage for administration. Some counties were wealthy, not requiring assistance, and it was impossible to legislate for s-pecial cases; but in young counties larger grants would be appropriated, and the services of a ■working foreman could be paid from the grant. Contracts under £250 could be passed by the resident engineer, and in his (the chairman's) opinion this would remove a large amount of the trouble at present existing. —Cr Elliott; What is the definition of a working foreman?— Chairman : A roan in charge of a gang pf workingmen.—Cr Noonan said that he was given to understand that email amounts could be expended under the direction of the foreman. He understood that the money would be available when passed by the Government engineer. —The chairman gave it as his opinion that the regulation should read that "all contracts under £250 may be passed by the resident district road engineer." In all cases plans and details must be prepared. He "considered that works such as bridge contracts w?re intended to be safeguarded by the supervision of the Government.— Cr Babbage expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the deputation had handled the county's affairs during its visit to Wellington, and he moved a resolution indicating the thanks of the council —Crs Davies and Elliott endorsed the=e remarks, and fe't satisfied that the" way had been simplified considerably. Mo re frequent interviews with the Ministers would go a long way to reduce friction between local bodies and the Government.— Crs Shaw and Noonan briefly acknowledged the remarks of and thanks of the council. Road Estimates.— The chairman said he would rather have had a s P eci fJ TTiPptina to consider what sums should he applied for in regard to various road- There was a danger of some loads' being overlooked -It was deeded to hold a special meeting in Jhree weeks' time, at which councillors W °Acco unt *t ota H i £llos 8d were passed for payment.