Kawhia County Council.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 350, 21 February 1908, Page 2

Kawhia County Council.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the above was held on Saturday, 15th, when there weru present—Crs W. J. Shaw (chairman), G. G. Jonathan, A. W. Babbage, H. Armstrong, W. W. M’Cardle and A. N. Norton. Tbe business was the making of a special order relative to tbe MahoonuiKawhia loan, which was done by resolution. ORDINARY MEETING. UOKRESPONDSNCE. From Hamilton Borough, forwarding invitation to be present at a welcome io be tendered to Sir Joseph Ward .—Decided that the Borough bo thanked for tbe invitation. f From G. H. Mackenzie, Oparau, enclosing account for £3, cost of a wheel broken on a large stone on the road. Many stumps and roots should abo be taken out or accidents would happen.—Received ; no action taken. From Chief Engineer for Roads, Wellington, stating that tbe reply to Mr Robinson’s report had been submitted to the Acting-Minister for Public Works.—Received. ’

From R. T. Davies. Oparau, on behalf of tbe settlers on the Okupata and Pirongia West roads, applying for permission to erect a telephone line thereon.—Granted, subject to the traffic not being interfered with.

From Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, as follows : —“ I have the honour to inform you that a Crown tenant who lives on land fronting tbe road which divides sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, block V, from sections 18, 12, 11 and 9, block V, Kawhia North, called on me aud complained of the state of his access. He stated that for two years slips had remained uncleared, that tbe culverts were blocked and the water tables scoured out. His object was to get the thirds which accrued from tbe land spent on work of this nature. He seated all the expenditure (except a small earn of I think £l5) had been spent lower down where expenditure was not so important, I told him that so lotig as the Local Body expended the Thirds upon the

road of access, that wm all the law required. Without presuming to interfere in tbe matter, I would however suggest that tbe expenditure be looked into, to see whether something cannot be done to make the road referred to fairly passable throughout <Hs extent, instead of spending all tbe money (if is tbe ease) on parts not so vitally in need of repair.”—Cr Arm strong presented a report on the sub ject, which stated that about £6O, had been expended; that there wenr.no slips on the road nor had any been al lowed to remain ; and that the thirds had been spent where they wouldjbe most beneficial, and where the settlers had agreed.—lt was decided tojforward the report to the Commissioner.

The following accounts were passed for payment —A. W. Babbage £l, H. Armstrong 15s, A. N. Norton £1 10?, A. Shea £6 9s 6d, H. H. Pettit £1 7s GJ, S. Murphy £l2, W. Shaw £l, Valuation Department £2 6s Bd, Auckland Sanitary Drain Pipe Co. £lB 16s, J. K. Newton £5 12s Bd, J, Kearns £1 Is.

In answer to an enquiry, the Clerk said that the rates were coming in very slowly. It was admitted that outstanding rates should be sued (or, Or Babbage remarking that it was a bard time to sue when settlers had lost so heavily through tbe fires. The Chairman : Yes, but the rates should have been paid before. Some of tbe amounts have been owing for two years. Cr M’Cardle said he had taken it upon himself to wire to tbe Premier asking that immediate assistance be granted to those who bad suffered by the fire. Whilst it was a great calam ity to-day it would be a benefit in another year by the increased amount of grass. The Government used to supply grass seed. They could extend loans to the settler to assist him to recover, and tbe security would be excellent. He did not favour the Government supplying the seed ae some lots supplied was fall of thistles and ragwort. The Council coaid not remit the rates. Eventually it was decided to sue for all outstanding rates.

Okupata and Pirongia West.—Nothing definite having been heard it was decided to instruct the clerk to again write to the authorities. Kawbia.—The Chairman said that the new plan was not to hand yet, and the clerk was asked to write co tbe Commissioner re same.—Cr Jonathan : remarked that as the money was likely j to be available it was advisable to en- ! deavour to get the Government to i complete Jervois etr et, which was 3ft. low.—Cr M'Cardle suggested that it | would, be wise to leave the mattei til) the Premier’s visit, when he could be shown over she ground. Aotea.—This loan having been au- I , thorised, it was decided to apply for i, tbe money immediately. GBNERAL. Tbe Clerk reported that the County account was iu credit £382 8s lid and the Harbour account £79 14s Bd. Or M'Cardle stated that owing to the expense which would be entailed, be did net intend resigning bis seat on the Council until the elections next November. Cr Jonathan asked how tbe Marokopa telephone business was getting on.—The Chairman stated that ha had received a communication on the matter. which he had been asked not to bring up at this meeting. As far as the guarantee was concerned it was not complete. The fault lay with tbe people interested. There was about £4 short, whilst some of the guarantees were not in order. Cr M'Cardle stated that in conversation with Mr Kensington (Undersecretary) that gentleman had stated that he would be prepared at any time to recommend that grants for roads in the County be handed over to tbe County Engineer for expenditure. Cr Armstrong was authorised to procure drills and hammers for rock work.

HARBOUR BOARD. Tbe Council then sat as a Harbour 1 Board. 1 THE LXJAN. A letter was read from tbe Treasury 1 stating that new steps would have to ' taken to raise a loan. The Chairman said that they ought j ' to go in for a bigger loan. After discussion, it was decided to |' ask authority to raise a loan of £2OOO for wharf extension, sheds round tbe harbour, otc., the interest* to be paid ' out of revenue. ACCOUNTS. Tbe following accounts were passed for payment:—Jonathan Ltd £3 6' 4d, J. K. Newton £5, W. Morgan £2 9s 6d. THE ENDOWMENTS. The questi »n of dealing with the endowments was gone into. After brief dheussioa it was agreed to put tbe laud through the Auckland Land Board, and Cr M'Cardle was asked to interview Mr Kensington and report next meeting GBNBKAIm It was decided to get a couple of lire buckets for tbe wharf shed, and also a life buoy and grappling iron. Permission was granted to tbe Northern S.S. Co. to erect a “gridiron ” slip on tbe south side of the wharf.