OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 471, 5 June 1912, Page 6

OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Ohura County Council was held in the Council Chambers on Friday. Present — Crs Loveday (in the chair), Lyon, Hayward, Risk, Goldfinch, Sowry, Sandison and Currie.

A special meeting was held to consider the balance : sheet for. the year ending March 31st, 1912. The clerk's report was read as follows Gentlemen,—l h3ve the honour to place before you the annual balancesheet for the year ending March 31st, 1912,, duly audited. During the year the sum of £6939 8s 6d Government grants were authorised to this council for expenditure in road construction. Of this amount the sum of £2002 17s 2d was received from the Treasury before the end of the financial year. The amount of work in hand, in connection with Government grants, is £1771 10s 4d. The amount of thirds spent during the year was £2174 12s lOd, and the sum of £394 10s 6d from the General Fund, making a total of £6343 10s 9d expended' in road construction and maintenance. The cost of engineering and supervision on the work done is about 4£ per cent. The total amount of the general rate levied wns.£l4s6 19s 9d. Of this amount £1251 15s lOd was collected before the 31st March, leaving a balance of £205 3slld oustanding. Balance-sheet adopted. The Stratford County Council wrote asking the help of the Ohura Council in urging the Government to reconsider their intention to only allow £SOOO to be advanced in one year to councils for bridges and roading Received.

Public Works. —Tha sum of £75 was offered to council as a £ for £ Bubsidy for a bridge at the junction of the Waitewhena and Hapurua.—Resolved that the council do not entertain the proposal. Mangakara Road.—This vote having been returned by the council the district engineer has been instructed to proceed with the work. Waitangata Telephone Line.—A trial of tubular poles is to be made, and if found suitable the work will be proceeded with. Waitangata Road. —A sum of £l5O has been made available tor replacing bridges and cuvierts.

Waitewhena Loan. —The department wrote stating the application for £2 for £1 subsidy on Waitewhena loan will receive consideration when the estimates are being prepared. Ryan Road. —A report is being obtained, and full consideration will be given to the work when received.

Defence. —The Chamber of Commerce, Palmerston North, wrote asking the council to endorse their action in supporting the Minister of Defence in enforcing the Military Training Act. Resolved that the council give their support to the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce.

Whenuakura Road Bridge.—lnstructions have been issued to complete this work. Thirds. —A sum of £1629 19s 6d of thirds available for expenditure was received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Waikaka Road.' —The Public Works offered to advance haif the cost of the bridges and culverts on the Upper Waikaka Road.—Resolved that the council is not in a position to entertain the proposal, and does not admit of any responsibility in regard to these bridges and culverts. Waitewhena Road Contracts. —M. J. O'Brien wrote asking that the earth work on Contract 37 be nassed, and an extension of time be granted to finish Contract 39. —Granted.

Changing a Name. The secretary of the loca Farmers' Union wrote urging the council to proceed With the change of name of the township, and the erection of finger posts at the function of the various roads. Resolved that the matter be followed up so as to have the change of name proclaimed at the opening of the post office.

Maticre Mokau Road. —Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., wrote that their request for a£2 for £1 subsidy will be placed before the Minister and receive his support.

County Representation. —The question of representation at the Local Government Bill Conference was discussed at some length, and exception was taken by councillors to the Bill not being brought under the notice of the councillors for an. expression of their desires as to the action of the delegates at the conference. Pound Sites. —Resolved that pound sites in Matiere and Mangaroa be felled under the supervision of the engineer. Tokirima Road. —Resolved that the Public Works Department be urged to form road, and place bridge across creek on Roche's section. —Resolved that the Commissioner of Cro.wn Lands be requested to fell bush between Mangaparare and Tongaporutu road. It was moved by Cr Sandison seconded by Cr Kelly that a rate be struck over the ratable property in the Mangaroa riding of such amount as shall defray the cost of the work done by Mr Metcalfe in preparing a report on Mangaroa township. After considerable discussion the resolution was lost,the voting being— For: Crs Risk, Kelly, Lyon and Sandison; against: Loveday, Currie. Sowry, Goldfinch and Hayward. Collecting Rates.—Resolved that proceedings be taken against all defaulters after June Ist.

Engineer's Report.—The engineer recommended that £SO be expended on Waitewhena road out of thirds accruing on Mr Barnett's section. On Waitangata road Bond Bros, have completed their formation contract. Doble Bros, have tendered a price for a bridge with a 25 feet span on Kakahi road. Bullock teams have been plying on the main road and no action had yef been taken.

Tender for Pura Road. —The tender of Wakeford and Cameron was accepted for this work.