OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 399, 27 September 1911, Page 5

OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ohura County Council was held in the Council Chambers on the 21st isnt. Present Crs O'Brien, Risk, McKinnon and Sandison. In the absence of Cr Stevenson (chairman) Cr Sandison acted pro tem. CORRESPONDENCE.

Public Works Department re metalling Contract No. 26, Ohura road, advising that three inches of river metal was placed on the road at suggestion of assistant road engineer, Te Kuiti, as required before he would pass the work. Overseer Scott reported that the work was carried out and the final payment on the contract was made to the council.

Mangakara Road.—Asking for reply re Don's contract and information re number of quarries in the district. Subsidy Ongarue Bridge. —Notifying that inquiries ware being made into the question of obtaining half of the required subsidy from the borough of Taumarunui.

Ohura County "Thirds."—lnforming council that the matter of "thirds" has to be adjusted between the Land Board and the Council. Tokirima Road to Wanganui River. —Claim for Work done will not be admitted until grade is altered to one in fifteen.

Minister of Internal Affairs.—lnforming the Council that the agreement between the Clifton and Ohura Counties will take effect from and on the date of the gazetting of the Order-in-Council.

Department of Lands. Notifiyng counci' of amount "thirds" available in the *Ohura County, £1314 lis 7d, at the credit of the Council, and accrrued '"thirds" due but not paid over , making a total of £3769, which will be soon available.

"Thirds" Sections 22 and 23, Block XV., Aria.—Requesting attention to request of lessee to have "thirds" used in widening Mungapapa and, to give access to these sections.

Mokau Coal and Estate Company. —lnforming Council that Messrs Palmer and Sladden, surveyors, are now going through block and will be through in about a month's time. John McGinley wrote, requesting that his "thirds" be used in stopping slips opposite his section.

H. Gaily gave notice of transfer of part of native lease to Messrs Leach Ems.—Resolved that Gailey is still responsible for the rates. Albert Barnet wrote requesting, on behalf of Waitewhena settlers for a polling booth for Waitewhena riding in a central position.

Ernest Lowry wrote re Mangakahikatea contract.

Secretary of Ohura branch of the Farmers' Union wrote to suggest that the Council again approach the Minister to have finger posts placed at the junctions of the various roads. Matiere Cemetery Reserve. Asking for a grant of £3O to give access to cemetery.

R. G. Carrie gave notice that he would hold the Council responsible for any damage done to his section by spoil from Waiora road. Slaughterhouse License, —F. and G. Kelly were granted a slaughterhouse license to be in force until June 30th next, unless previously cancelled. Secretary of the Ongarue Vigilance Committee wrote re arrangement for celebrating turning of first sod of Stratford-Ongarue railway at Ongarue end.

Military Training.—A request was received to have use of halls at a pepper corn rent for use for military training. D. MacPherson wrote for statement of his account. —Resolved that this business be dealt with by the County solicitor.

Local Government Bill.—A circular was received from the secretary N.Z.C.A., requesting the assistance of the County Council in bringing pressure to bear on candidates for Parliament to have a comprehensive Local Government Bill brought down during the next Parliament. —Resolved that the Council take steps to obtain a pledge from candidates to induce and assist the Government to introduce a Bill.

Resolved that right-of-way to E. G. Edwards' be proceeded with as soon as the lessee can provide a tracing showing the boundary. H. Smith, road overseer, requested to be informed the amount of "thirds" available on Tokirima Harvey road. — Resolved that as all "thirds" on this road are spent he be informed that none are available. Mr Beaton. Tatu, waited on the Council to have his "thirds" expended on building a bridge giving access to bis section.—Resolved that the engineer inspect and report to Council. Mr Aves, Mangaroa, waited on the Council to have a drain made to take surplus water from his section. He explained chat during floods he had a depth of 8 inches of water under his house and that it was necessary to have the drain and culvert lowered three feet so as to give drainage to that part of the township. The Government overseer would grant £5 towards the cost and he (Mr Aves) would box in the drain if the Council J would lower the drain. —ln reply the chairman informed Mr Aves that the overseer's estimate was some £25 which was more than the Council could afford at present. Mr P. Dons waited on the Council as to payment of contract on Mangakara road let to him by Mr Scott.— Resolved that the authority to pay amount of contract be returned to assistant district engineer as the County overseer cannot pass the wok. M Aves requested leave to deepen drain under the supervision of the road overseer to give him an outlet for his drain age. —Granted Engineer's Report—Two sections have been prepared for widening and for burning papa on the Waikaka roads and have been advertised. The following works are in progress under Government grants:—Waitewhena, one contract; Waioarai, one contract; Mangakahikatea, two contracts; Mangakara and Hapurua, one each; under

"thirds," Turoto road, two contracts; Kopua culvert and filling; Mangakara bridle track Cross sections sheets and estimates for Mangakara have been prepared; plans will be forwarded to the department early next week for two small contracts on the Waitewhena. Tenders have been called for quarrying, burning and delivering 2300 yards of papa on the Waikaka road.

The chairman gave a lengthy report of the transactions oc the deputation to Wellington. Resolutions.—The following resolutions were passed:—That the Minister of Public Works' attention be drawn to the fact that portion of grants for bridle track construction on Mangapapa track to the 3-mile Ohura road, and that the vote for maintenance for the Mokau-Ohura road is also held up by the local official. That the chairman be instructed to write to the Public Works Department asking that the work of opening of the Tatu tunnel be pushed on. That the overseer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for widening Mokau road from the Mangakahikatea in anticipation of the vote on the estimates. That a grant of £3O be made to the Trustee of the Matiere cemetery, work to be done under the supervisor) of the county overseer and to his satisfaction. That the Land Board be informed that this Council consider the practice of the Crown land ranger in advising settlers to petition the board against the Council's proposals objectionable. That the engineer be instructed to let the expenditure of the approved "thirds" on the Kumau road by day labour and on Aorangi road by contract. That the Government be asked for subsidy on metalling on Waitewhena road. That the Minister of Lands be asked to consider the advisability of appointing a resident of the King Country a member of the Taranaki Land Board when the next vacancy occurs. That the Council take the necessary steps to raise a loan to widen the Kakahi road.

Polling Booths.—Polling booths for the County election were arranged as follow: Mangakara.—Mangaroa and Waitanga; Mangaroa Mangaroa; Waitewhena -- Junction of Waitewhena and Hapurua and Mangaroa; Turoto Arawata school Matiere Matiere public school; Niho NinoSettlers' hall; Kururau Otunui street whare; Otangiwai—Utangiwai school; Tatu Tokirima, Clerk's whare and Mangaroa.

Notice of Motion by.—Cr McKinnpn, Kururau, gave notice of the following motion:—That in all cases when the Council is directed by the Land Board to expend "thirds" in any manner except on roads or where settlers apply to have "thirds" expended in any other manner than on roads, this Council shall refer the matter to the councillor for the riding concerned, with instructions lo report (a) whether the Council shall vote "thirds" to do the work proposed ; (b) whether the Council shall vote "thirds" to do a portion of the work proposed; (c) whether the Council shall refuse to vote 'thirds" to do the work proposed. And in all cases where the Council accepts the advice marked (c) the Council shall vote the "thirds" in question to the Minister of Public Works and the schedule be filled in accordingly.