WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 706, 23 September 1914, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held on Monday evening. There were present Crs. A. Scholea (chairman), Johnston, Gregg, Were, Smyth, O'Dwyer, and Potts. Leave of absence was granted to Cr Berry. County Bondaries.—The Department of Internal Affairs -wrote . stating as the question oE bringing the Counties Act into operation in West Taupo County, it was considered inadvisable to consent to an alteration in the boundaries of that County nt present. The chairman said was apparently soma misapprehension on the part of the Minister. They were not endevouring to have the boundaries altered, but merely to have certain properties in the West Taupo County included in the special rating area. The owners had signed the consent furrn and were willing to be included. However, the Council had done all that was possible. Cr Gregg pointed out that the ratepayers mentioned would not get much benefit and the settlers could still go on with the proposal by cutting out these West Taupo settlers. The clerk said a contract for the work had been Ist. and they had to go on with the scheme. The necessary special order to proceed with the loan was passed at a special meeting prior to the ordinary meeting. New Roads.—Mr Cheal, surveyor, wrote forwarding tracings of proposed new roads through Umukaimata and Mdkau-Mohakatino blocks. —Mr Swainson waited on the Council and presented a petition from the settlers interested and a guarantee for the cost of the survey—On the motion of Cra Smyth and O'Dwyer the request of the settlers was acceded to. Neanaenga Telaphone.—The Telegraph. Engineer wrote with reference to the pronoeed Ngipaenga telephone stating ib.3 Council's representations bad been forwarded to Wellington for consideration. —A letter was read from the Department at Wellington stating that the Department would install a line providing the Council found half the estimated cost amounting to £375.—1t wan decided, providing the settler 3 were agreeable, to give the necessary guarantee for half the cost. Te Ahnroa Road.—The District Engine-sr wrote suggesting that the Council should arrange to take the land necessary for a road to link un the T8 Ahuroa road with the borough boundary, and also include sufficient limestone to serve as a quarry.—lt was r?.solved to take the road providing the sttlers gave the usual guarantee indemnifying the Council. Spiderwort.—The Department of Agriculture wrote intimating that spiderwork had been added to the third ssedule of the Noxious Weeds Act. —Received. War Contributions.— Tb.3 Defence Minister wrote forwarding a copy of the War Contributions Validation Act.—Received. Waimiha-Tangitu Road. —An invitation was received from the secretary to attend a function in celebration of the completion of the metalline; of the Waimiha-Tangitu road. — Cr Smyth and the County clßrk were appointsd 'to represent the Council. ■> Road Through Kinohaku East 1. — The Survey Department Wrote stating the approved plan for this road was forwarded in October last. If it had been lost a private draughtsman could be employed to make another copy. Public Works Department wrote concerning the same matter that no record existed in the Department's office with respect to the road.—The clerk stated the plans may. have been lodged with the Native Department and enquiries would be made from that office. Otorohanga Hospital Rate. —Messrs Broadfoot and Finlay, County «olicitors, wrote intimating that as no provision existed for a Native Township to contribute hospital rates the Council would have to be liable for the same until Otorohanga was constituted a Town district or borough. The County solicitors had endeavoured to induce the Minister of Internal Affairs to pass amending legislation to meet the position but this had been refused by the Minister. As the Otorohanga township was the only centra established under that Act the refusal of the Minister Was difficult to understand. It was pointed out that the best way to settle the matter would be for the Otorohanga Town 1 -Council to contribute an annual sum and so obviate the necessity of the County Council collecting the rats. —The clerk said the amounts paid on behalf of Otorohanga durina the last three years were £6, £7 15s, and £lB. —It was' decided that the chairman and Cr Gregg 1 wait upon the Otorohanga Town Council with a view to arranging for repayment of the hospital rate.

Waipa Road.—Mr F. 0. R. Phillips J wrote asking the Council to expedite the survey of the proposed road.—The clerk said nothing further had been head from the Department in the matter. Several applications W3re similarly held up.—lt was decided to instruct the solicitors to urge the Department to deal with the applications immediately with a view to gettirg the work put in hand this season. Road Dressing.—Soltar Ltd., wrote with reference to the use of Soltar on the County roads—Received. Tangitu Special Loan.—Mr C. F. Messenger wrote stating the settlers had agreed to have the district made a special area for loan purposes, and requesting details and an estimate of cost to ba arranged.—Received. Ofcewa Contract—Mr W. D. Cartwright wrote stating an agreement had been made for Mr H. Rythery to take over the contract at Otewa pending the Council's sanction. — Transfer approved. Extension of Time.—Messrs Cowley and njulverhouse applied for an extension of time to complete their contract j at Kawa bridge.—Left to the engi I neer.

Oparure Road.—Mr J. N. Boddie wrote stating if the Council would supply pipes for culverts the settlers would do the work of putting them in.—Left in the hands of the engineer. Kumara Road.—Mr J. H. Keighley wrote asking when work would be started on the road, and on the drain along the flat.-r.Cr. Smyth, in proposing that tenders be called fo* the metaliing of the road at once, stated it was the worst road in the King Country, and every effort should be made to get the work through as soon as possible. In an ordinary season it would be impossible to do any metalling before Christmas. — The engineer said the matter was hung up pending the transfer of the subsidy from the Totoro-Potaka loan. The chairman said the position was that they had to await the production of the Public Works Estimates before being certain of the transfer. If the subsidy was not transferred the loan would fall through. There was little doubt that the transfer would be effected but there was no means of ascertaining this before the Estimates appeared.—The engineer was authorised to call tenders for the work directly the transfer cf the subsidy appeared on f he Estimates. Disputed Account.—Anderson's Ltd. wrote in connection with an account for £lB 15s sd, the greater portion of which was for fitter's time in connection with installing a crusher at Waitomo. —The chairman said the matter was finally settled with Messrs Anderson's representative some time ago. and the Council had no further liability in she matter. General Rate.—On the motion of the chairman and Cr Johnston, a general rate of five-eighth* of a penny in the £ was struck for the current year, and a hospital rate of one-eighth of a penny in the £ in the Otorohanga township. Accounts. —Accounts to the amount of £2148 7a 5d Were passed for payment.