EVENING SITTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 74, 16 May 1879, Page 2

EVENING SITTING.

The Council met at 7 p.m. The same members were present.

TKE ESTIMATES,

The Chairman said that as arranged he had forwarded a copy of the estimates to each member. He would now ask the Counoil to pass them. It was but little more than a matter of form required by law, as a distinct and separate resolution of the Counoil would be required before any work could be proceeded with. Mr Kebbell , aaid it was with great diffidence he rose to protest against one or two items down on the estimates. Those he objected to were for works in the Awahou Hiding, viz., to form the bridge the whole width of the street over the Awahou stream, and to assist the Moutoa Road. He considered the money proposed to be devoted to these works would be' much better applied to the improvement of the road from the Foxtou boundary towards the Carnarvon junction. He had been over the road that day, and it was in a disgraceful state. It was the main County road, and should be preserved in better order. The present bridge over the Awahou was quite sufficient for the traffic. He had brought this forward as a matter of principle.

The Chairman said it was not usual for a inomber from one' Hiding to interfere in the expenditure of money belonging to another, as it was generally understood that every member knew best the requirements of bis own Biding. Although the amount might pas* on the estimates, permission must be asked from the Council before it could be expended. Dr Itockstrow said he considered the alteration of th« Awahou bridge was a necessity, as the present structure was an eyesore. It was the wish of the ratepayers that the work should be done. The chief work on the road mentioned by Mr Kebbell could be done for £50. If it were necessary, he would agree to postpono consideration of the items objected to until next meeting, when probably the other member for Awa* hou would be present. Meantime he would consult with the ratepayers. It was unusual for a member to act as Mr Kebbell had in his case. He (Dr Bockstrow) had voted for a shilling rate in order to he able to assist the Moutoa Road.

The Chairman said any delay would cause unnecessary trouble, and delay the strikiug of the rate. He considered the part of the Couutu'3 Act relating to the estimates was a fare:. They could make only a rough gue*sofwaat their needs would be, Mr Sanson agreed with the Chairman that the making of estimate? was indeed a farce. They could not tell what bridges or roadwork might be washed away during the year. He thought the Moutoa road deserved consideration.

Mr Kebbell said after the explanation of the Chairman, he would withdraw his ob. jection. He could assure Dr 1 looks trow he had no desire to interfere unnecessarily with Awtihou Biding.

The matter then dropped, and tho estimates were passed, with some slight alterations.

GBKAT SOUTH ItOADS

Mr Kebboll proposed the following resolution : — That this Council do request the Government to place the sum of £12,000 on the Estimates for the next financial year, ti enable the Council to complete the inland road from Foxton to Waikanae ; and that the Chairman forward this resolution to the Government, und that the other West Const County and, Borough Councils be asked to assist. He said that it was well known the greater part of the lai.d between Foxton and Waikanae was in the hands of the Government, and as a road was bejng constructed to Otaki from Foxton, tho extensiou to Waitcanae was a necessity. . v Mr Halcomhe said this wus a large question. During the 25 years he had known the West Coast, no other road was provided than that Nature had furnished along the aei beach. The whole West Coast was interested in tliis'inatter. [Mr Sanson — Tes and Wellington too.] Now that they had a daily mail with Wellington, it was porfectly raoastrcus that they still had to plunge into rivers and ride over sand'uills, just as they had to 2-5 years ago. Another important feature was the- assistance it* would afford to the construction of the rail, way. If there were only the beach roadj the cost of constructing the railway won Id be increase i greatly. On the other hand, an ihlund road would enable them t* reach the line at various points, thus bringing down the cost of construction considerably. The whole West Coast should unito nud assert its right and power. The settlers should protest against being dragged over sandliills and plunged into river:*, ns was now the case. He would heartily second the resolution.

The motion was oarried.

PKOTBBT.

The Chairman drew the attention of the Counoil to the action of the Government in performing works without consulting the County, and deducting the amount from tho Council's funds. Upon the motion of Mr Ualoombo, the following resolution was passed :— • That in the opinion of this Council, the expenditure by the Govern* raent of a part of the vote of £3000, authorised by the Assembly for the construction of a road from Otaki to Foxton, on a punt at the mouth of the Ohau, is tin illegal expenditure. This Counqil also . objects to inour the expense which the maintenance of the punt entails upon it, and which it believes to be useless for the' purposes of coastal traffic. IT his council further objects to the payment of a sum of £24 to Natana te Hiwihi, for a right of way over the sandbills at Ohau. And the Council further respectfully protests against the appropriation of any of its funds by the Government — without consulting this Counoil — as a direct infringement of its privileges," The motion was carried.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Th» Council resolved to bring before the

Government the necessity of having th*. Public Works Act so amended as to enable " any County Council to regulate the width - of tires to bo used upon the county roads ; such Council to have power to niako the regulations apply to any or all the ridings. The Clerk was instructed to proceed^ against Mr Thos. Udy for rent due updH^ the Otaki ferry house. The Counoil adjourned to June 2, at 2 p.m.