WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 746, 17 February 1915, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held on Monday evening. There were present Crs Scholes (chairman), Johnston, Willis, Were, Berry, Warren, Smytb, Jackson and Potts. f Te Kawa Bridge Filling.—Messrs Cowley and Culverhouse, contractors, wrote asking for an allowance on the contract stating they had struck hard sandstone rock where only clay had been contracted for. —On the motion of Crs Potts and Willis the matter was left in the hands of the engineer. Barber's Road. —Messrs F. McPhee and other settlers wrote agreeing to form a special rating arna to form and metal the road with the assistance of a £ for £ subsidy to the extent of £I2OO. —Clerk was instructed to proceed with the preliminaries. Engineers' Conference. —The N.Z. Society of Civil Engineers wrote intimating that the annual conference would be held at Dunedin on March 11th, and requesting the Council to facilitate the engineer.'? attendance. — On the motion of Crs Smyth and Warren the engineer was authorised to attend the conference, expenses to be borne by the Council. Pungarehu Metalling Scheme. —The Public Workß engineer wrote stating that although the Council had apparently provided for Pungarehu and M9ire roads under one loan there was no subsidy vote for Maire road, and consequently authority could not issue.—The engineer said when the subsidy was applied tor it was for the Pungarehu metalling scheme, and he naturally concluded as the Maire road was part of the scheme that the subsidy could be applied to that road. He would now have to apply to have the Maire road portion transferred to that name.

Hangatiki - Waitomo Road. —The rublic Works engineer wrote stating the balance on the road was £Bl6 and asking if the Council wa3 prepared to expend its quota of £ for £. The Department wished to know the Council's intention concerning the account. —The engineer said the position was that the road was now metalled for which the subsidy waß granted, and it remained with the settlers to decide whether they would spend more money on the road, and utilise the subsidy.—Cr Johnston said he would go into the matter with the settlers concerned.

Paraheka to Mokau Road.—The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote that a road had been surveyed but the legalising necessitated an agreement with Mr Arndt who demanded £4OO compensation. The matter only affected the Crown indirectly and it waa a matter of seeing whether the owners or lessees of the properties interested would find the whole or part of the compensation required.— Cr Smyth said he did not understand that Mr Arndt wished compensation, but he wanted the road not to go on the old Burvey, but thß new one, which would serve all the settlers. — The matter was left in the hands of Cr Smyth to place before the settlers.

Thirds. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Taranaki, wrote stating the Council's proposals for the expenditure of £587 in thirds had been approved.—Received. Waimiha Reserve. —The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote, cuncerning section 2, block 3, Tangitu survey district, stating ha would bring the matter before the next meeting of the Land Board. —Received. Native Rataß.—The clerk to the Awakino County Council wrote stating his Council had considered the matter of co-operating with a view to the collection of native rates both general and special and would be glad to do bo.—Received. Payment of Rates.—The Whakatane County clerk wrote enclosing a copy of a resolution paased by that Council as follows: —"That the Prime Minister be asked to have the law amended to enable local bodies to allow a rebate for payment of rates within a certain time in a similar manner to that adopted by Crown Lands Boards in respect to rents."— Received.

Engine Overhaul. —A. H. Anderson wrote regarding the overhaul of the oil engine, and requesting a letter from the Council in terras agreed upon verbally concerning the conditions under which the inspection wa3 to be made. —Received. Road Access. —R. Cunningham wrote utating a road was being surveyed through! the Tokotokaraha block, and asking that the road should be made to give access to his section . and to two Crown sections adjoining. —The engineer said the road was surveyed and the plana completed. Ngapaenga Telephone.—The Telegraph engineer wrote stating that on payment of £375 the work of erecting the 1 ne would be proceeded with. The contribution would be towards capital cost and there would be no refund. The clerk said he had written out to the settlers and had received a reply to the effect that the settlers wished to have the work proceeded > with on the lines of the original agreement.

Surfacemen. —On the motion of Gra Willis and Berry it was resolved that a permanent surfaceman be employed in the Otorohanga riding. Impounding Cattle. Cr Warren urged the necessity of a ranger being appointed to impound stray stock. He suggested a pound should be established in the district in order to cope with a nuisance which was becoming acute. —The chairman said it was a big question and suggested the matter be left over till next meeting. —The suggestion was agreed to. Mangaotaki Loan. —On the motion of Crs Jackson and Potts it was reBolved that steps be taken to take a poll for the purpose of raising a joint loan with Awakino County for the Mangaotaki road. Grants on Estimates.— Cr Potts drew attention to the votes on the Turitea road and the Kawa-Kawhia road. He suggested that the Public Works Department should be written

to requesting that the expenditure of the grants be expedited.—The clerk was instructed to write accordingly.

Adjustment of Boundaries. —Cr Jackson said he had been requested to bring up the matter of a conference between the local bodies affected for the purpose of considering an adjustment of the boundaries of the counties. —On the motion of Crs Jackson and Johnston it was resolved that thfc Council take steps to hold a conference.