OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 445, 6 March 1912, Page 5

OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Ohura County Council was held on Wednesday. Present—Crs G. Loveday (chairman), W. S. Currie, P. W. Goldfinch, F. Hay ward, E. Lowry. The chairman explained that, following the ordinary course, he put the amendment to Cr Kelly's motion at last meeting, the voting was equal, and ha was proceeding to put the motion when three councillors rose from the table, thus leaving the meeting without a quorum. The position was discussed by the Council, and it was the opinion that as the mover and seconder of the motion were not now members of the Council, the motion could not be further considered. The chairman then put the amendment as the motion was agreed to. It was moved by Crs Currie and Sowry, and read as follows: —"That as the Public Works Department has refused to approve of the plans for building bridge on Mangakaia road, the overseer be instructed to draw up plans and specifications for spending grant as dictated by the Public Works Department, and that the clerk be instructed to write to the department for extra grant for erection of bridge."

With respect to Messrs Ryan Bros. 7 contract the chairman moved—That Messrs Ryan Bros, be notified that their tender for contract No. 43, the specifications of which had been signed by them, would be strictly enforced. Seconded by Cr Hayward and carried. Cr Sowry, who voted against it, said he admitted the principle was wrong, but he did not wish to see the work hung up as the winter was approaching. A letter was read from the department re Miruhuiao - Matiere and Kopuha roads. —On the motion of Cr Sowry the clerk was instructed to write to the Minister of Public Works for a portion of grant for widening Matiere-Miroahuiao road from its junction with the Managkahikatea road and also for a bridge over the Mangakahikatea stream, and that he draw the Minister's attention to the fact that no portion of the grant voted last year has been spent at the Matiere end of the road. The acting Commissioner of Crown Lands stated that the sum of .£3O was authorised for expenditure in forming and culverting Te Uru road. -The clerk was instructed to inform the department that the council would undertake the expenditure. Townships Extension. —The chairman and Cr Goldfinch, who with Cr Kelly w»re appointed to confer with Mr W. K. Williams as to the council's requirements re Mangaroa township extension reported as follows:—We visited the locality in conjunction with Mr Williams, who submitted plans of the proposed streets. The following agreements was arrived at: All grades to be not more than 1 in 15; streets to be formed to a width of 16ft; footpaths to be formed Sfc wide; streets to be metalled 12ft wide and lOin deep; footpaths to be metalled Sft wide and 3in deep. The report was adopted. It was decided to inform Messrs Broadfoot, Finlay and Metcalfe that when Mr Phillips forwarded plans of Matiere township extension the council would be prepared to submit proposals similar to those accepted by Mr Williams.

MOTIONS. The following motions were agreed to:— Cr Goldfinch.—That the overseer be instructed to lay off work on Waiora road to the extent of about £3O, the amount of J. Coventry's thirds. Cr Currie. —That the engineer be instructed to proceed with metalling portions of the Ohura road, Tatu, to the amount of . £l5O (settlers' thirds) ; the overseer to call tenders for the work. Cr Currie.—That the overseer be instructed to spend thirds on Turoto road, Tatu riding, as soon an available, in widening papa bluffs, also to see to water course which is Hooding property complained of by Mr Christensen. The Chairman.—That all land held by natives be struck off the rate roll and the sum of 24s sd, arrears on section 2, block 9, Aria survey district, be struck off. Cr Sowry. —Tnat the seal of the county be affixed to document re telephone to Waitaanga. Cr Currie.—That the engineer be empowered to spend up to £lO in testing metal deposits in Tatu riding.

GENERAL. The question of a bridge in front of Mr Ingham's property at Tatu was left in the hands of Cr Currie and the overseer. Crs Currie, Goldfinch, and the chairman were appointed as the tender committee. Or Sowry and the chairman were authorised to sign cheques. The clerk submitted a list of outstanding rates. It was decided to insert a notice that on rates not paid by the 31st March 10 per cent, will be added. Mr M. Clark is to be informed that the council is agreeable to his spending £3 on bis road to come out of his thirds as they fall due. Messrs Woof and Carter wrote re thirds, and the former is to be informed his thirds have been scheduled for a certain purpose and th latter that his thirds have been expended in road maintenance. The clerk made a report on the Matapuna bridge enquiry, and Cr Hayward was appointed to represent the council at the next meting. Mr Bellshaw was granted an extension of his papa contract to March i 31st.