WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 397, 20 September 1911, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

OMONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of YV'aitoino County Council wan held on Monday night at the Council Chambers, Te Kuiti. Present —Cr Scholes (chairman), and Crs Smyth, Gregg, Were and Boddie. Puketarata Road. ■ — Messrs Burke Bros, wrote undertaking to form this road through 20, No. 5B section 2, taken over by the Council. MrW. E. Blackett wrote that Mr W. Ross had not yet removed his fence from across the writer's road and outlet, although he had given him plenty of warning. —The engineer said he had given Ross written notice to move his fence. — The clerk was instructed to write that the fence must be removed at once, otherwise the council would have it done at his expense. Grading in Otorohanga. —Mr John Ormsby applied for the hire of the grader for this work.—lt was decided to loan the grader at a charge of 7s 6d a day. Ratepayers' Roll. Messrs Broadfoot and Finlay wrote that in their opinion a ratepayer who had not paid rates on a property held by him in one riding was not entitled to vote in either that or.another riding where he had paid his rates. —Received. Mangati Bridge. •■•- The Raglan County Council clerk wrote with reference to getting a subsidy for this bridge, which would be over the Mangati stream on the Kawhia-Pirongai road, and asking the council's support again.—The chairman said he did not understand the Minister for Public Works to say they would not get the bridge, but it was not very important. —No action was taken. Maire Road. ■ — Mr Jno. Barrett wrote asking whether a supposed £2O balance remaining could be expended j at once, together with £27 "thirds." j He had had timber lying in Mangeao j ail summer which he could not get out to his section. —The engineer said it was a very steep grade and to make it practicable with even a sledge would cost £IOO. —The chairman said something might be on the Estimates.- — Cr Boddie asked whether they could not anticipate some of next year's money.—Cr Were moved that the engineer be authorised to spend the balance of the grant and "thirds" available and £SO out of the genera! fund. Cr Boddie seconded. —Carried. Road Reserve near Te Kuiti.—The District Engineer, New Zealand Railways, wrote asking if there was any objection to the land being taken over by this department, adjoining | section 2a and portion of section 1, block vx., Orahiri survey district. — The engineer said it was a reserve in the meantime. —The engineer was instructed to report on the matter. I Trainingof Cadets 3nd Territorials, j Major - Genera] Godley, Commandant of the New Zealand Military j Forces, wrote asking for the kind cooperation of the council in providing | any accommodation for wet or cold nights for training the forces. —The letter was received, the chairman remarking they were well provided for in Te Kuiti with the halls available. Local Government Bill, —-The secretary of the N.Z.C.A. wrote asking the council to obtain a pledge from candidates for Parliament to use their best endeavours to induce the Government to introduce in the first session of the new Parliament, a comprehensive Local Government Bill. Received.

Fencing Miroabuiao - Mangaotaki Road —Mr R. E. Burrow wrote that the fence along this road had been pulled up for a good many weeks and was causing considerable trouble in stock getting out The matter required seeing to at once, and he would be obliged for a reply by return. — The engineer said it had been a very expensive bit of work making the road there. The fence was not on the proper boundary originally. It could not be erected on the original fence line owing to big blocks of stone lying there. —The matter was left in the hands of the engineer and Cr O'Dwyer. Te Kuiti-Taumarunui Service Road. —Mr E. H. Hardy was given instructions by the Chief Surveyor to survey the old service road to connect with Poro otarao, but the latter wrote that he did not think there was any urgent necessity for the formation of the deviation.—Received.

Pirongia Bridge. The Waipa County clerk wrote asking the council's assent to the lowest tender being accepted.—The council had no objection and it was decided to inform the Waipa County so. Bye-road.—-Messrs Gwillim Bros, and H. Matthew wrote asking the council to apply for a Governor's warrant to survey a road giving them ac cess. At present Messrs Gwiilim's only outlet was via Hangatiki, a matter of 19 miles to Te Kuiti, and the proposed road would bring Te Kuiti within 8 miles.- —The application was acceded to, under the usual conditions in such cases.

Waipapa Road. —Major Lusk wrote requesting that this road be formed to the boundary of No. 11, Kinohaku East sections, to give access to that section, as owing to a short gap he was unable to have a dray road to the property. Ke had been working on it three years and paying rates on it. —The engineer said an expenditure of £SO would make the road passable.— Cr Were said the Major wanted to get his wool out. —The chairman said the difficulty was that the Estimates might be down before the next meeting.—lt was decided to hold the matter over until the next meeting, the engineer to report. Engineer's Report.—Specifications for metalling the portion of the Arapae road from the racecourse junction to the Pukearuhe road have been for warded to the Public Works Department for approval, and I propose to call for tenders as soon a3 they have been approved and the loan is granted. I will also get out specifications at once for metalling portions of the Mairoa, Pungarehu and Ngapaenga

roads. Mo subsidies have been authorised for the Caves and Otorohangarircngia roads, but I v,iii prepare specilications and estimates in anticipation so there will be v.o delay when the subsidies are granted, in calling for tenders. A subsidy of £7."in should be asked for metalling the Te Kuiti - Otorohanga road, from the borough boundary to the Arapae road, to enable that part to be metalled during the summer. Tenders had been called for metalling the various roads in connection with the llonikiwi loan. and closed to-day, and for an embankment at Kawa. A small contract has been let for widening a portion of the Tawarau roaci. Work has been started on the Arapae road and would he finished in time for the metal to be started without delay. Various maintainance works had been done, principally with "thirds" received.

I Mairoa Loan. —Cr Boddie asked ! whether, in view of the whole loan I being now available, it could be made ! in two contracts.- -The Engineer said i it was one contract.— The chairman ! and clerk were authorised to affix the | county seal to the debentures to this | loan of £16,800.' —The chairman reported that the Mairoa loan was the most important matter dealt with on his recent visit to Wellington. The Kawa bridge was mentioned to the Minister, who said only two miles would be saved in striking the railway at Otoronanga. The Minister made no promise, but if any money is available it would be used. Settlers on Hangatiki wanted a subsidy to Waitomo of £2 for £l. The Minister said if £1 for £.l it would be given and if a higher sum was wanted it would be struck out. He was informed that they could get the subsidy for the Arapae road. He had attended the Counties' Conference which was a very enthusiastic one. It seemed to him to be on too large a scale, too many interests and very little in common, many with little grievances wanted altering. It was no use going to the Ministry with resolutions unless they were unanimous. He knew 3 good deal more when he came back than when he went. —Cr Boddie said the chairman's visit to Wellington had been well justified as it had been instrumental in bringing to a conclusion one of the most important works affecting this district for many years to come. He moved the best thanks of the council be given the chairman for his diplomatic action when dealing with their affairs in Wellington. The tremendous differences of opinion at Counties' Conferences were an obstacle to the Government taking action. ■—- The motion was carried unanimously. Kumete Road. -- Mr McKenzie waited on the council asking that the "thirds" from sections 7, 10 and 13 to be spent on making this road. —Mr Thomas Rose waited on the council asking whether a bye-road was to be closed leading from the Kumara road to section 10, block 1, Aria survey district. He also applied for the road through his section No. 9, block 1. he closed. —Mr McKenzie said if the road was closed he would have to spend £2OO in making a road to the Kihikihi road, as he would have to build his house near water at the other end of his section. He admitted his three sections fronted the Kihikihi road. — Mr Rose said there was water on the front of Mr McKenzie's sections. Mr Hine, acting for Mr Rose, objected to the closing of the road.--The council decided to take no action in the matter.

Contract No. 30. —Tenders were received from H. Carr (£B2 10s), N. Campbell (£9O 10s), John Tidswell (£95 2s Gd), N. G. Sbakeapear (Is 9d per yard), Thomas Power (£9(5 10s). —Mr Carr's tender was accepted.

Contract No. 28. —Tenders were received from 11. Rothery (£1496), J. Kaspar (£167(5 17s 6d), Cameron and Brooking (£1320 7s tid). —Messrs Cameron and Brooking's tender was accepted.

Contract No. 2.—Tenders were received from R. McGafiin, Hastings (£6400), Cameron and Brooking (£5128), B. W. Powell (5(58), H. Rothery (.£'6l AG 15s lid).--Mr Rothery 's tender was accepted.

Rates Collectable. - - The total was stated by the clerk to bo .£2541. Engineer's Commission. -- On the motion of the chairman and Cr Smyth it was decided to charge the engineer's commission against loans in connection with works in progress and all future loans. Accounts.—Accounts to the value of £330 Is 9d were passed for payment.