Kawhia County Council.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 293, 18 January 1907, Page 2

Kawhia County Council.

ORDINARY MEETING. The usual mealing ot tbe above was held on Monday last, when there were present —• Ors W. J. Shaw (nbairmsn), W. W. M‘Cardie, G. G. Jonathan, H. Shaw, A. N. Norton, A. W. Babbage. The minutes of tbo last meeting were read and confirmed. correspondence. From John Davies, Oparau, drawing attention to the bad state of the Oktipaia road. Nearly every culvert was blocked and had been for months,

whilst one culvert was broken through in two places and might lead to an accident. The water tables also wanted clearing out, new culverts were req lired, and slips needed removing, is fact the road in its present state was simply a disgrace, especially when the fcriScii badland? in hand to repair the game.—Hold over for Or Arm strong’s attendance. From Auditor, enclosing account for £2 16* 81-—Passed tot payment. From H. T. Gillies, County Solicitor, forwarding copy of letter received from Department of Rbads relative to legalising Daithardt straeL The procedure necessary to get the matter through was set out in sections 18 and 19 of the “ Public Works Ac% 1905.” —Motion. Three letters were received from the Postal Department, regretting that Postmaster-General c mid not see his way clear to accede to the Council's request to allow tbe balding lately purchased to remain on the Post Office section.—Cr Babbage : Could we gat a year to year lease ? We should not have a'-ked for a title, but sitaply that the building be allowed to stay where it was. If it was granted from year to year it would be along time before the Department needed it.—The Clerk was instructed to apply for a year to year lease, whilst arranging for a new site.

From Alex. Armstrong, C.E., Oparau forwarding plans and specifications tor works at Oparau.—Received. From B. Van Houtte, Te Mata, asking for repairs to road.—Left in Cr Norton’s hands. From Raglan ask ing for a definite reply with regard to application for contributions tor upkeep of certain roads. Failing such reply their Council would have no other alternative than to apply for the setting up of a Commission to adjust same.—Held over till next meeting.

From John Morgan, Oparau, on behalf of himself and others interested in the Waihohonu native block, objecting to pay rates.—Received. From U. Ciarson, secretary Oparau branch Farmers’ Union, asking Council to urge on tbe Government the necessity of proceeding with the erection of the bridge at Oparau.—To be attended to-

From Treasury, forwarding approval for loans granted, amounting to £12,000. —Received. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment:—H. H. Pettit £2 4s, A. W. Babbage £l, A. N. Norton £1 10s, H, Shaw £l, W. J. Shaw £l, J. K. Newton £1 Ils Bd, Auditor £2 6s Bd, P. Brough 18s, Imperial Paper Co. 12? 6d, P.O. box £l.

BANE FOB KAWHIA. N.Z. OR ASIA. ? The following letter was read tram Mr H. H. Babbage, of Awaroa : “ When in Hamilton last week I met Mr Grey, Inspector of the Bank of and asked him if there was any chance of his bank opening a branch in Kawhia. He informed me that it the National Bank declined to open, which I believe they have, and a requisition signed by the County Council, Town Board and settlers was eent into his Bank he thought they would open a branch. I have written to the chairman of the Town Board, and propose that you should got • requisition signed and send it in it) tbe Bank of Australasia, as the chance of getting a bank here is too good to miss."

Or M‘Cardle said that the Town Board had received a similar letter and had agreed to support whatever action was taken by the County Council. Or Babbage felt sure that the Bank of Australia would open in Kawbia if the County Council asked, but while there was a requisition to another bank they would not come in. Cr M'Cardle remarked that he and tbe Chairman had interviewed the Bank of New Zealand on the matter, but had been cut off rather short. Or Jonathan : If the matter is to be discussed I have a telegram from tbe Bank of N.Z. relative to opening here, which I would like to road. The Chairman : As there is not a full council it would be better to hold the matter over till next meeting. This was agreed to, but as Cr Nor ton arrived later the subject was again opened after the tea adjournment. The Chairman remarked that there was ? difference of opinion as to whether the Rank-, of Australasia oe Bank of ;N-Zo shqiild be asked to open in Ivjwhii. It was a pity that there was thia d.fferauoe, and bo hoped that tbe miuirity vyould fall in with th? view pf tho majority and presented a united front, in which case they were likdly to be Butoftsatul in their object. Crs H. Bbaw and Babbige decided to fall in with tba majority, and sup port whichever bank openedCr Jonathan thought tbe question should bo decided on data theu avail able as to the prospects of either bank opening. When he heard that the National Bank would not open, he wrote to tbe manager of the Bank of N.Z. at Te Awaiaut-u and laid ths whole matter before him

- Cr Cabbage suggested that the discussion be held in committee, as there was sure to be a difference of opinion, and it would be well simply to publish the result.

pr Jonathan was not sure that IhAra wnnld ha a divar«ian of vr M’vacuiv afateu voa’i ue uad var-

racked for the Bank b< Australasia because he thought it was the moat likely bank to open here, and they all wanted to see a bauk open. The matter was than disc us wd in committee, and it was eventually decided on the motion of Crs M 4 Cardle and Babbage, “ That the Bank of Australasia be requested to open a branch in Kawhia,” the proposition of Ore Jonathan and H. Shaw, “ That the Council, after discussion, decides to draw out requisition in favour of tbe Bank of N.Z. establishing a branch in Kawbia," being lost. TENDKE?. Scbriebar Bros, tendered far road work at' Oparau, bat the tender was referred back to them.

No tenders were received for the collection of dog tax, and it wae decided to extend tbe time to tbe 21st inst.

Cr Norton reported that he hud let the work tor gravelling on the Waitetuna romi at 8s par yard, and. the pit sawing of Culvert timbsr at 18i p.r 100 ft.

THE HARBOUR TELEPHONE. Dr C. Campbell Jenkins attended and asked that tbe Council endorse bis application to the Postal Department to have the telephone put on to his room for the benefit of those requiring bis services around tbe harbour at night, as in cases of urgency the saving of time might be of gr-at value.

Cr Jonathan said the application opened a very important question. At the present time there was co arrange ment relative to the places around the harbour being bureaux, which redezed their values by two-thirds.

Cr Babbage agreed with Or Jons than.

■ Tbe Chairman remark ’d that what Dr Jenkins anked was done in other places.—Dealt with by motion. GENERAL. . Or Babbage brought np the question of applying for the thirds, which might as well be in the Council's hands as in those of the Laud Board. —Motion. In reply to Cr Babbage, the Clerk said that be had not quite completed tbe riding balance sheets. A special meeting was arranged for Monday, 2lat, to pass the special orders in connection with the loans. There was no tender for the collection of the dog tax, and it was decided to extend the tenders for a week —The Cbairmin commented on the Maori dog nainauoe, and regretted that la.st yoar the natives got off free. Cr M’Cardle stated that he had been requested to ask the Council to take charge of tbe Hbrary and keep it in tbe office. It was undoubtedly a matter for the Council, and as it was self-supporting would be no additional expense.—Tbe Chairman : It could not bs kept iu the present office.— Motion. MOTIONS. Jonathan, Babbage—-That pressure be brought to bear ou the Postal Department with tbe object of haying all tbe telephone stations round tbe Kawhia Harbour, Te Rau a-moa and Te Mata, established as bureaux ; also that Dr Jenkins' residence be connected with post office telephone, to only bs operative after the closing of the post office.

Jonathan, H. Shaw—That steps be taken to legalise Waiwera street to Leithardt street, under section 89 of the Public Works Act.” Jonathan, H. Shaw—That the library be taken over by Council as soon as the new offices are in me. Norton, H. Shaw—That .the Cobaoil call for applications for an engineer at a salary of £250 per annum. Norton, H. Shaw—That ths National Bank of New Realand be written to re adyanos against the future Government loans. Babbage, M‘Cardls—That all thirds due to the Kawhia County be applied for.