OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 361, 17 May 1911, Page 6

OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Ohura County Council was held on the 10th inst, at Mangaroa. Present: Councillors Stevenson Chairman), Risk, McKinnon, O'Brien, Sanderson. Correspondence. —From James McGrath, requesting to be transferred to Waitomo County.—To be considered when arranging boundaries. From Zinsli and Hoffie, requesting payment of timber account. —Resolved that they be requested to forward authority for supply, and details of timber. From A. R. Keighley, notifying Council of the consent of the Waitomo Council to accept settlers who have petitioned to be included in Waitcmo. From District Engineer, requesting balance sheet for 11)09-10.--Forwarded. From Public Works Office, TeKuiti, notifying that work on Waikaka road to the value of £230 had been authorised to the local Overseer. From B. Mossman, claiming 4s per day for use of horse in the service of County Engineer. Resolved that the Council's offer of 8s per day be adhered to. From J. T. Sproul, explaining work that settlers required done with their " thirds."—Received. From Public Works Department, stating that enquiries would be made into position of work on bridge over Waikaka stream. From Lands and Survey Department, informing the Council that section 10 Block IX, town of Mangaroa, has been vested in the Council by Order-in-Council, and that the Council should apply to the District Land Registration Office, New Plymouth, for the issue of certificate of title to the Land. From Broadfoot and Finlay, giving particulars of case McLeod v. Council; that the magistrate required to be addressed on the matter of costs, but finally allowed costs to the Council as defendant; the amount to be settled by Mr Strang as solicitor for the plaintiff" ami L'roadfoot and Finlay as solicitors for the County; the amount so arrived at to be submitted to the Court for its approval. No settlement with Mr Strang had been arrived at. In case of disagreement the amount of costs would have to be settled by the Court itself. Immediately upon the giving of the judgment the necessary steps would be taken to recover from plaintiff. From T. W. Jennings, Esq., M.P., that the Minister of Public Works would be in Mangaroa on Wednesday, proceeding to Ongarue next day in I time to catch the evening train.

From C. Leach, Secretary Awakino County Committee, asking information as to position of County, and further as to initial expenses in forming the County. —Resolved that the Clerk send all information. From T. O'Donnell and E. R. Shoriand, requesting Council to bridge ditches to their respective sections.Referred to Public Works Department. From R. Owen, Police Constable, Ongarue, acknowledging receipt of notice that bullß were allowed to stray on the roads, and stating he would attend to the matter officially. From E. Pawson, account for carting timber to Tokirima bridge.— Referred to the contractor. Mangaroa Cemetery. Resolved that a £1 for £1 subsidy be granted, up to £lO. "Thirds" on Otunui North Roads. —Resolved that the following letter be sent to the Under-secretary tor Lands:—"Sir, —I am directed by the Ohura County Council to draw your attention to the Taranaki Land Board's refusal to approve of proposal submitted by the Council to expend a certain amount of accrued "thirds" belonging to sections on the Otunui North road, on the Kururau road. The Council assert that it is useless for them to submit proposals for expenditure of "thirds" if the Land Board intend to withhold their consent without reasonable ground for so doing. The Council quite recognise that they cannot expect to be given a free hand in the matter, but they contend they should have to submit proposals fur the expenditure of accrued "thirds" on roads used by the owners of the sections from which the "thirds" have accrued. They further contend that the Land Board should not disagree to such a proposal unless for special reasons which have not been shown in the present case. It is of vital importance to every settler living between Taumarunui and Tatu, a distance of 27 miles, that the Kururau road should be widened fur dray traffic at the earliest possible moment, and the Council considers that they have the right to the cordial sympathy and the loyal support of the Land Board in their endeavours to assist this being done. The Council would respectfully ask your opinion of the present difficulty, and would further ask in view of future differences of opinion, whether the oyiniop of the Crown Law Offices were ever obtained on the question as to who has the final disposition of "thirds," the county councils or the settlers." Heavy Traffic. The Chairman moved that the Council rescind the heavy traffic by-laws.—Seconded by Cr Williams. —Motion lost; the, voting being: For, the Chairman, Crs Williams and O'Brien; against, Crs Risk, Stuart, McJiiiiNF 11 ap<3 Sandison.