Kawhia County Council.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 222, 18 August 1905, Page 2

Kawhia County Council.

MONTHLY MEETING.

MONDAY, AUGUST 14th.

The usual monthly meeting of the above body was held in Scott’s Hall on Monday last, when there were pre-sent—-Crs W. W. M’Cardle (chairman), A. W. Babbage, A. N. Norton, H. Armst.’ong, W. J. Shaw, G. G. Jonathan and H. Shaw. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. THANKS. The Chairman eaid that before proceeding to business be would like to thank the members of the council for tbe honour they bad done him in electing him to’the position of chaiman. There was a great deal of work to ba done, aud he would be much deceived if those whom be was sitting with ware not the right men to do that w- rk. As far as be was concerned he would endeavour to do hiy duty. oorrespondence. From Post and Telegraph Department, informing Council that the ap plication to have telephonic communication around the Kawhia Harbour would rec«ive careful consideration.— Received. From F. W. Lang, M.H R., ra same, and promising to keep the matter be fore the Department.—Received. From A. Armstrong, Oparau, soliciting a share of the County’s engineering work.—Received. From Same, stating that a recent meeting of the settlers on tbe Okapatu road, Oparau, it was decided to inform the Council that they desired to raise a loan to widen and metal that road.— The work was put on the schedule of urgent works which it was decided to -ask the Government to complete. RATING NATIVE LAND. A communication was received from the Valuation Department re the rate roll. The Acting-clerk (Mr Wbitcomba) said that it would be a big blow to tbe County if Maori lands were not rateable, as tbe revenue would be reduced by one half, and presented tbe following figures as proof thereof:

THE RATE. In reply to a question, the Actingclerk said that a rate could not be struck until the roll was prepared and could be inspected. Cr Babbage remarked that instead of making a general rate of in che £, be would like to see a general rate and a riding rate struck—the former for general expenses aud tbe latter spent only in the ridings where it was raised. In the Awaroa Riding, for instance, there was nowhere to spend the money. He thought it better to strike two rates, which would prevent money raised in one riding being spent in another. The Chairman stated that the valuation of the Kawhia County was not satisfactory. In the township of Kawhia he knew of sections which the owners valued at £lOO, yet the valuer assessed them at £5, which was very absurd. The value throughout was a very low ohe, but they would have to accept it as it now stood. The appeal raised relative to native lands was likely to upset the valuations, in which case their funds would be increased. It was decided to leave tbe question of a rate in abeyance, pending the decision of the appeal relative to the na tive rating. DOG TAX. Without much discussion it was decided “ That dogs used tor stock pur-* poses only be taxed at the amount of 2s 6d, and all other dogs 55.” H? IBOUR Cr W. Shaw moved : “ That the Government be asked to invest the Kawbia County Council, with all the powers of a Harbour Board, as defined in section 242 et squ., of the Counties’ Act, 1886.” Cr Norton asked that the Aotea Harbour should also be included. Tbe Chairman : That would mean delay. We could communicate with the Raglan County Council over the matter. Ct Babbage : If the Aotea Harbour is brought in it v. '1 upset matters. Aj we have lots of work wants doing tound the harbour we must act quickly. There is also tbe harbour endowment which we should realise on. Cr W. Shaw : If we wanted a wharf anywhere else on the harbour, a special rate to do the work with could be raised. After a little further discussion, the motion (seconded by Cr Babbage) was carried. OFFICES. Cr Jonathan reported that since last meeting he had made many enquiries as to a place in which to meet. Mr J. E. Scott offered to fix up an office underneath the hall, prox.de a safe and lease it for 12 months for the sum of 7s fld per week. The offer was accepted. BESIARVES. The Chairman remarked that there were 11 reserves in the vicinity of the Kawhia township, which rightly belonged to the county, and efforts should be made at once to secure them, or perhaps the Government might sell them. Bline of the sections were leased from the Land Board at a merely nominal rent. It was eventually resolved, on tbe motion of Crs Babbage and Armstrong, w That the Government be ap pli ;d to have the reserves in the Te Puru, Karawoa and Kawhia townships gazetted and vested in tbe Council.” The Chairman suggested that early

application be made to tbe Government to give tbe Council control over the Harbour Board endowment, comprising 7066 acres. It would be a valuable tract of country some day, and if it were not secured now the Awakino or Waitomo Counties might obtain it. Tbe suggestion was adopted by motion. THE ALL IMPORTANT QUESTION OF ROADS The Chairman said that at last the time bad arrived when the district bad a voice in regard to road [construction. The Premier bad stated that tbe Government would help those who helped themselves, and be was sure tbe resi dents of the County were prepared to do so. Tbe Council should draw nut a schedule nf works absolutely needed on the roads and strong representation be made to tbe Government that they complete the work* specified. One of tbe points emphasised by the Land Commission was the non-progressive system of reading, and tbe country districts had been greatly neglected The Minister of Linds agreed that they had struck the kiy-note, end that a sum of £2,000,000 was needed for road making. Tbe Coune 1 should as sen that this district bad been neg lected, and each ounciUor ought to look up bis own district and make claim on the Government’(or iubitantial assistance. At Oparau, Kinohaku and Awaroa there was splendid land admirably adapted" f »r dairying which could not be gone into owing to the state of the roads. It they raised loans by pledging tbe thirds they could do a lot, as he believed that the Govarnmpnt would grant a £ for £ sub sidy. Cr Babbage with tbe Chairman, and said be had drafted a motion to that effect. It was a big undertaking to draw up such a schedu’e. The Council should say which were main roads, and urge the Government to put them in a state so as they could be metalled. He would move, “ That a list be made out of tbe necessary works urgently needed in the Kawhia County, to be forwarded to the Government with a request that provision for same be made on the estimates.” Cr W. Shaw seconded tbe motion, which was cirri-d. The Chairman remarked that the Land Commission recommended that tbe Government form and metal all main roads wide enough for dray traffic, and by-roads formed as a bridletracks. Cr Jonathan said that as the town member be did not want to ask for too much money. The road to Oparau was a very necessary work, as also was the road to Aotea, but both were large works. The road to the wharf at Kawbia [was not an expensive undertaking, and ought to be done. He thought the Government should be asked to complete the work. The Chairman said that the Government were bringing forward an important measure relative to roads He thought the Council should appoint a deputation to proceed to Wellington and press the claims of this district upon the Government; the weight of the facts that could be used would re suit in greit good. Until they seat this deputation they could not expect to get the assistance they deserved. If weighty arguments were used a lot could be accomplished, but a letter bad not tbe power that a personal interview bad. He expected good reresults, and if these were to be achieved it was very desittble that a deputation should go Cr Armstrong Leave it over till next meeting, so as we can discuss the matter. The Chairman : That would be too late. The estimates are being prepared now. Cr W. Shaw agreed that deputations carried far more weight than a letter did. If any County had a claim on the Government for assistance it was undoubtedly the Kawhia County. After a little further discussion, it was agreed, on the motion ot Crs Norton and W. Shaw : “ That the Chairmen and Cr Babbage proceed to Wellington to place the various needs of this county before the Government.” The following schedule of urgent works was drawn up : MAIN ROADS. Waitetuna-Aotea, about threa m’les in the county and three m ;, ea outside, £BOO. Okupata Road requires to bs wid ened to 16ft. for cart traffic, £lOOO. Awaroa-Mahoe Road, to 10 miles from Gray’s, £2500. Kawbia - Mahoenui Road, from Lemon Point to southern bouhdary, two miles Hot formed and 12 miles of 6ft. bridle -track. The road requires widening to 16ft, £2700. BY RO. T>S. Formation from Crotty’s to Oparau Ferry, about £l2O. Pirongia West Road, 2 miles track wanted, about £320. Te Kihi Road, to be continued on to the road from Gray’s to the coach road, about 5 miles, £4OO. Kawhia Street, £lOO Whakapirau Road, about 4| miles formation, to give access to every section in the Kinohaku Village Settlement, which is loaded with £650 for reading. From Gray's through Cowern’s to Neileon s, £5OO for road formation and £5OO for bridge. Road from Kinohaku, fronting Green’s and Crotty’s to last road, ab iut 2 miles, £250. Mangapohue Road, about 2| miles in county, main 'outlet to railway, £4OO. THE B’NK, The Chairman stated that some 12 months ago ho bad been requested to write to various banks asking that a bank bo established at Kiwbja.’ H? communicated with five banks, but only one held out hope of ever doing so, tbe National Bank, who intimated that they intending extending their operations to farming districts. Quite

recently a meeting of the directors had taken place, and as a result he believed that it was intended to open a branch in Kawhia at an early date. Cr W. Shaw said that the could obtain an overdraft from any bank at tbe schedule rate of 6 per cent. The Bank of New Zealand held out no hope of establishing a branch at Kawbia, in fact the manager was very short over the matter. Several of the councillors favoured supporting the bank which was likely to start a branch in tbe district. ’ It was eventually decided “ That in view of tbe proposal to establish a banch in Kawbia, an account be opened with the National Bank.”

Four applications were received for the above position, but it was decided not to make any appointment till November, and to temporarily engage Mr George Wbitcombe until that time, it being recognised that bis experience would be invaluable.

Riding C Capital Value Unimproved Rates Value Native Lands Excluded Taharoa ♦ 9615 8551 S0!0/0 Waihai *keke 18 ISO 14544 57/12/0 Awaroa 17161 18382 53/13/0 Te Kau’i 11675 8450 36/10/0 Matakowhia 57478 37913 179/10/0 Kawhia 6467 2453 23/0/3 Rate £380/o/3