OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 411, 4 November 1911, Page 6

OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Ohura County Council met on October 31st. Present—Crs Stevenson (chiarman), Stuart, Sandison, O'Brien, Williams and Risk. CORRESPONDENCE. Was read re- - Waikaka Road.—From Assistant Road Engineer, Te Kuiti, saying that papa should be 9in deep, instead of 12 inches, and 10ft wide instead of 9ft. Waitewhena, —Proposal for expediture of £265 received Batter to be altered from I to 1 to \ to 1, plans to be amended accordingly. Votes to Local Bodies. —'Where items are offered to local bodies on account of larger sums, in all such cases the larger sum is available if proposals are submitted and approved. Thn smaller sums are allocated because it is anticipated that more than that sum will not come to charge before the 31st of March next. If, however, that local bodies are in a position to carry out, and claim for, work to the extent of the larger amount before the 31st of March, next, such claims will be duly met. Whenuakura Road. Requesting Council to submit proposals for the exvenditure of vote of £125. Tongaporutu Road. That owing to the swampy nature of the road it is advisable that the road be drained before widening is proceeded with. Mangapapa to 3-mile Road. —Inquiries will be made into expenditure j of vote fur this work, also maintenance vote for Mokau-Ohura road. Ongarue River Bridge.—From the Assistant Under - Secretary stating that the subject of providing subsidy is a matter between Taumarunui Borough Council and the Ohura County Council. Tunnel Between Mangaroa and Tatu. —Letter giving information received and will have immediate attention. Subsidy for Metalling on Waitewhena Road.—The application will receive consideration. Hapurua Road.- -£6O available for expenditure; Waikaka: £ for £ on account of £2300, £3OO available; Kakahi tramway road: £3O available; Waitangala: £l5O available. ■ —■ Resolved that the Council will undertake the expenditure of these votes. Resolved that the Minister of Public Works be informed that this Council finds it impracticable to carry on the works under the supervision of Mr Williams, Assistant Road Engineer, Te Kuiti. Commissioner of Crown Lands. —A schedule of available "thirds" was sent, for which proposals will be accepted. In every case where new works are undertaken it is essential that the approximate length and locality of the work be given. Public Pound.—The Land Board refused to grant section 12, block 9, town of Mangaroa, for a pound, but suggested that the Council co-operate with the Crown Lands ranger to select a suitable site. A site has now been selected by the Crown Lands ranger j and the County overseer. Application from L. R. Whit taker, for absentee voter's permit for County election refused. Taumarunui Borough Council. —• Asking the Council if any steps are being taken to have the opening of the Ongarue bridge suitably performed. Taranaki Land Board.—The Minister of Lands wrote stating he would give the question of nominating a resident of the King Country for the next vacancy on the Land Board his consideration. The Minister for Internal Affairs. ■—An Order-in-Council altering the boundaries of Clifton and Ohura Counties in accordance with the argeement between the Councils of such counties was published in the Gazette of the oth October, 1911. Clifton County Council. -Enclosing list of properties transferred to the Ohura County Council. Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., forwarding of Public Works Statement. Waitomo County Council wrote re application of settlers to be transferred to Waitomo County. Decided that it be left for the future Council for consideration. Application from H. Blank for amount of "thirds" that has been available on hisseetion. Decided tnat the amounts be given and he be referred to the Councillor for the riding for particulars, A. Barnett wrote explaining the legal position of voters now in Waitomo County. Mr H. Aves waited on the Council and made an application for an outlet for his drainage pointing out the urgent requirements of the townships to have this attended to before the summer. Kakahi Road.—-A petition was received from settlers on this road praying the Council to have steps taken to ascertain the cost of widening of the road so as to enable the settlers to arrange for a loan for the work. Waitangata Telephone. Messrs Scott and Hagensen waited on the Council to ascertain whether the Council would guarantee the department against any loss on the installation of a telephone service between Mangaroa and Waitangata. —Mr Scott explained that the department was prepared to erect on being guaranteed against any loss, the loss being estimated at £35 to connect with Mangaroa.—Rssulved that as the request was such as the Council have supported previously, they would guarantee the amount. ENGINEER'S, REPORT. P'-ans have been forwarded for the following works: —Waitewhena, two contracts; Hapurua. one contract; Whenuakura, one contract, two 2511 bridges: plans have been prepared and tenders have been prepared for a contract on the Ohura-Mokau road; contracts have been 'et to expend "thirds" in the Kururau riding. Bridge on Beaton's section: Resolved that application be not entertained. Bridge giving access to Ingham's section : Decided the work be undertaken as"thirds" are available. Loft: Bridge left over for Crown Land ranI ger's report. Bridges on Waikaka

road: Tenders to be called for this work to close next Council meeting. All contracts are progressing favourably. Waikaka Metalling Tenders. ■■■- A j tender was received for this work : from J. A. Bellshaw and accepted. After considering the question of ; drainage uf Mangaroa township it was : decided that it would he necessary | for the sake of the health of the. inhabitants that an improved sanitary system is required, hut owing to the lack of funds the Council is unable j to undertake the work. ■ By-Laws.-—Resolved that it be a re- I commendation to the incoming Council 1 to reconsider the heavy traffic by-laws. 1 The chairman, in closing the meet- j ing, thanked the Councillors for the [ assistance he had received from them j during the time he had been chairman ; and hoped that the Councillors who '■■ were seeking re-election, would find that they had the confidence of the j ratepayers. He had to thank the ; staff for their help in all the work they had undertaken together, lie was pleased that they had such a Council to look after the j ratepayers' interests, and who had > worked together earnestly for the good of the district. j