Kawhia County Council.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 298, 22 February 1907, Page 2

Kawhia County Council.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the above was held ou Monday last, when there were present Crs W. J. Shaw (chairman), W. W. M’Cardle, G. G. Jonathan, tf. Shaw, A. N. Norton, A. W. Babbage and H. Armstrong. Tbe minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The business was to adopt the special orders. Cr Armstrong meved and Or fjhb- age sec n ltd “That his Council hereby co ifi. ms the special orders passed at tbe meeting hold on January 2) st, 1907.” ORDiNABI~MEEiTNG. GORREBP3 N DEN< !E . From Heywood Armstrong, Oparau, notifying his intention of applying for an auctioneer’s license.—The Chairman remarked that they were in peculiar position, as the Colonial Secretary said that the County was still a special district, bul yet Mr Northcroft refused to issue a license.—Or M‘Cardle said that an auctioneer was a convenience, *od it would be impossible for Mr Armstrong to pay £4o.—-The application was dealt with by motion, tbe clerk being instructed to again write relative to the special district. From J. Warburton, Auditor-Gene-ral, returning balance sheet duly audited.—Received.

From Chief Postmaster, Auckland, stating that tbe Minister of Public Works had instructed the Department of Roads not to pay postage on unstamped letters from local bodies, and that the Dbpaitment had been directed not to receive sjicb letters.—Received. From Colonial Secretary, Wellington, acknowledging receipt of four letters re roads in the County, which had all been referred to the Roads Department.—Received. From Posimaster-General, agreeing to allow Council’s office to remain on Post Office section for a period not exceeding six months, on tbe payment of a small rental.—Received. From Sohrieber Bros., Oparau, tendering for contracts Nos. 2 and 3. Left in Or Armstrong’s hands. From J. G. Howes, Kawbia, tendering for alterations to office.—Left in the hands of the building committee. From G. Laurent, Karioi, in reference to report relative to scarcity of labour in the district. If a contract amounting to £5OO or £7OO could be let he could get a party of good navvies who thoroughly understood roadmaking, excavating, eta.—Replied to. From H. J. Greenslade, M.H.R., stating that he had forwarded letters re various local matters to the respective Departments.—Received. From R. Corlett, Kio Kio, C. Lawrence, Waihi, J. H- Gillett, Auckland, and R. Nightingale, Karabgahake, asking for particulars re contracts likely to be let.—Received. From Minister for Telegraphs, stating that the taiephor e poles that were shipped back to Auckland were needed for other pressing work.—Received. Fr m Clerk Raglan County, stating that Jones’ Bridge, at Waitetuna, was carried away by the floods, and asking what amount the Kawhia County was prepared to contribute towards re erection of same.—Cr Norton thought that Messrs Watkins Bros, had also been requested to re-build the bridge, the Raglan County alleging that their logs was responsible for tbe damage. The cost would be £8 or £lo.—Held over. From Ockleston aud Co., Auckland, forwarding price list for drain pipes, and soliciting any order the Couicil might have.—The Clerk was instructed to write for samples. From Alf. Wright, Waiharakeke, notifying that he bad acquired Septimus Wright’s interest in section 8, block XIV, Kawhia North, and asking that tbe necessary alterations be made in rate book and roll.—Attended to. From Or Armstrong, stating that he had let contract No. 1 to Sohrieber Bros, for £s6.—Received.

From Inspector of Telegraphs, acknowledging receipt of letters re connecting Dr C. Campbell Jenkins’ room with post office, and establishing all the offices round the harbour bureaux. —Cr Jonathan said that in his resolution at last meeting he had omitted to mention Waiharakeke.—The Chairman ; There is no telephone there.— Or : Well, if clerk writes again it will have the effect of bringing the fact that there should be, and also draw attention tbe the previous letter.—Clerk to attend. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment :—J. Falwasser £B, A. W. Babbage £l, A. N. Norton £1 10s, H, Shaw £l, W. J. Shaw £l, J. K. New l nn £4 Ils Bd, A. Armstrong £ll Bs, H. H. Pettit £22 15s, H. Armstrong 15s. Lands Department 7s 6d, Blundell Bros. 15s, Tupu £5, Hua £5, J. M'Burney £5, fichrieber Bros. £1 10s. THE enginerrshlp. Tbe following applications for (he position were received —J. Black, Paoroa; W. IL Adams, Te Kuiti ; CL" F. Clapcott, Wellington ; Chas. Bray, Paoron ; J. A. M'Pherson, Hawera ; W. Lloyd, Hamilton ; R. J. Dillon. Collingwood ; H. F. Hursthouse, Nguagurui; W. Patton, Remuera ; 8. 0. Leach, Awhitu; Allan Water?, Auckland ; G. W. Bingham, Wellington : A. Armstrong, Oparau. Tno matter was discussed in committee, Mr Armstrong being selected, the appointment to date from March Ist. THE LOANS. Tbe following letter was received from tbe Manager of the National Bank, Auckland .—I am receipt of yonr f vour of 21st instant re advance in anticipation of io. ns from Government I presume the Council has power to borrow from us on ovor-dr-f‘ for ”h f oh •• your rtohcH-or oiu; ho-’ aoubv aqviee

you. On receipt of advice from, you showing tbe source from which such powers are obtained, I am prepared to favourably consider the matter. Should it bo found ihat tho Council ha* no special power in this direction no doubt the Government would on your application arrange the matter with us. Yours of the 25th. inatanf re Harbour Board.— Kindly furnish me with particulars of tho Council’s position in this and state what power they have to borrow for Harbour Board purposes. The Chairman Sftid that he bad made enquiries and found that tbe Council had no power to borrow on loans, as the bank could not legally advance against them. One county got over the difficulty by taking a sum from the general account and patting it to the other fund, refunding it at a later date. He had also beard of one county that made application to the Government for progress payments, and they were always granted. Cr Babbage suggested writing to Treasury applying for progress payments. Tbe Chairman : If we don’t get them we san’t go on. There is only £260 in tbe bank. Cr M‘C»rdle: That should do all we want till we get the money. There are also a »ot of thirds due. I brought this matter before the Comml-sioner oi Crown Lands and pointed out the handship, and he has taken action towards having them paid in.

The Chai "man remarked that their overdraft could*only be up to the amount of rates collected before March and thought action should be takeu to get in tbe rates. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Treasury re progress payments. MOTIONS. Babbage, M’Cardle—That an auctioneer’s license be granted to Mr H. Armstrong for tbe 12 months ending December 81st, 1907. Babbage, H. Shaw—That tenders be called for No- 4 contract as soon as plans are completed (to be advertised twics), tenders to be opened by tbe chairman and two councillors. Babbage Norton—That Cr Armstrong be given authority to spend £5 on Te Rau-a-moa-Pirongia West road, Armstrong, Babbage—That £lB be spsnt on a bad portion of the main coach road near Douglas’, out of rates and thirds. Jonathan, Norton—That the Waiharakeke and Taharoa councillors have authority to spend thirds due to the Mahoenui-Kawhia road, work io be done by the day. Jonathan, H. Shaw—That the Government be asked to authorise the money placed on the estimates for works in this district, more especially that for Kawhia-Aotea road, Awaroa bridge, Kawbia court house, Ociki bridge and road. Babbage, Armstrong That the clerk apply to the Colonia! Treasurer for provisional approval to raiee a loan of £5OO for shed extension at Kawbia and sheds and wharves at Oparau, Awaroa and Kinobaku. Jonathan Armstrong That tbe Board impose a royalty of 3d per sack on shells taken from the shell banks in harbour, application to be made to clerk before shells may be removed.