AWAKING COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 553, 26 March 1913, Page 5

AWAKING COUNTY COUNCIL.

The first meeting of the newlyformed County of Awakino, was held at Awakino last Saturday. The returning officer (Mr J. B. Carr) declared the result of the recent elections, and also read the declaration constituting the council. The council being formally opened, Mr Carr, who congratulated the councillors on their elcetion, called for nominations for chairman., when the following nominations were received: —Cr Leech, proposed by Cr Kelly seconded by Cr Pattison; and Cr Boddy, proposed by Cr Old seconded by Cr Thorns. The voting being equal the spinning of a coin decided in favour of Cr Leech, who was thereupon declared elected. The question of the erection of a new punt over the river at Mokau was brought forward by the chairman, who invited a free discussion from the members of the council. After considerable discussion, the following resolution was moved by Crs Leech and Kelly, "That this coincil urges its emphatic and unanimous opinion that the erection of a steam punt as a means of crossing over the Mokau river is not in the best interests of the district, and that the acceptance of tenders be deferred until the settlers have the opportunity of expressing an opinion on the question." Carried unanimously. The question of striking a general rate received very attentive consideration of the council. The capital value of the county was mentioned as £591,397, and the unimproved value as £371,330, and it was decided that the general rate struck should be Ad in the £ on the uhimproved value.

The question of deciding the meeting place for the council was thrashed out. Crs Leech and Kelly moven that Awakino be the meeting place, and Crs Olds and Thoms Waitunguru The voting resulted—for Waitunguru, Crs Olds, Thoms, Boddy and Patterson, against, Crs Leech and Kelly. Waitunguru was declared the meeting place of the council. Cr Pattison moved that Marakopa be the meeting place, but lapsed for want of a seconder.

Cr Patterson moved and Cr Thoms seconded that applications be called for position of county clerk, applicants to state salary required and provide office accommodation. —Carried. Cr Boddy moved and Cr Kelly seconded that the regular meeting of the council take place on Saturday on or nearest to full moon, and time of meeting 11 a.m.—Carried. On the motion of Crs Kelly and Boddy, the Bank of New Zealand, Te Kuiti, was appointed bankers to the county.

Crs Boddy and Old were deputed to interview the bank manager, and arrange details in connection with overdraft, etc.

Cra Boddy and Old proposed that Messrs Broadfoot and Finlay be appointed solicitors to the county, arid Cr Leech moved as an amendment and Cr Kelly seconded, that Messrs Earl, Kent and Howarth be appointed. The amendment was carried on the casting vote of the chairman voting being as follows: —Crs Leech, Kelly and Patterson for amendment, against Cra Thoma. Boddy and Old. Crs Boddy moved, and Cr Kelly seconded that the official gazette for the county be the King Country Chronicle. —Carried. Crs Boddy and Patterson movsd that Mr Trinnear be appointed clerk pro tern to the council.—Carried. The next meeting of the council will be held April 19th at 11 a.m. Several detsi's of a minor nature were derided upon, but it was unanimously decided that the resolution carried earlier in the day relating to the Mokau river punt be forwarded to the following counties, asking for their assistance: —Taranaki, Clifton, Ohura, Waitomo and Kawhia, also to the following Minister of Public Works and members of Parliament for Patea, Stratford, Egmont, Taranaki, Taumarunui and Waikato. At the invitation of the Awakino Farmers' Club a very pleasant erening was spent by the councillors, visitors and friends after the close of the council meeting last Saturday. The president of the club (Mr Iredale) extended a hearty welcome to the council and visitors, and expressed the plea' srue it afforded the members of the club to entertain the gathering and hoped all present would have a pleasant time together. Several toasts were enthusiastically honoured and opportunity taken to discuss matters of public interest, several of the gentlemen in their reply touching on proposals of public interest. Harmony contributed by friends added to the enjoyment of the evening, and the gathering closed with appreciation and thanks to the members of the Farmers' Club for their hospitality.