MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 89, 8 July 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Yesterday. The Council mot at 2 p.m. Present — Messrs Macurthur (Chairman), Halcombe, Loudon, Sanstm, Kebbell, Oarr, and Dr llockstrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. COUBESPONDENOE. Letter read from Mr Linton, requesting leave of absence owing to illness. Granted. Letters read from Wanganui and Palmerston Borough Councils and from Rangitikui County Council, agreeing to co-operate with Manawatu in obtaining a vote for West Coast road. A letter "was also read from the Wanganui County Council, declining to assist the movement, as a railway would in all probability be soon formed. Letter read from Eev. J. M- William, of Otaki, thanking the Council for its assistance to Grace Clark, and asking for a similar grant to an aged man named John May, who is destitute and unable to work. — The Council resolved to grant May 5s per week, and the allowance to Grace Clark was reduced from 7-J 6d to 03 per week. Letter l'o.id from Chairman of Wairarapa County Council, regarding the Gjrge Knad. Letter re-»d fro 11 Mani'itoto County Council enclosing resolution against im 'Migration ofCiiino.su, and inviting cooperation. — Mr Halcombe moved, That tho Co;injil is propared to corporate with the Maniototo County Council iv moving the Government to tike measures to check tin further influx of Chinese iuto this country. He was not prepared to go to extreme measures on the matter. A fl >od of Chinese wmulJ be a great evil, but a limited number would be serviceable, — Mr Sanson thought a cheek should he placed upon Chinese immigration. — Resolution carried. Letter read from Palmerston Bo ough Council a .king for a lvfuud of amount of auctioneer's lieonse, paid by Mr G. 91. Suelson, and which had been by error paid into the County fund, also calling attention to damage done to the Manawatu bridge, and suggesting that the Government should be asked to pay the cost, about £400. Letter read from Ihakara anJ other natives stating they intend to fence off part of the present road between Fozton and the beach, but that they intend to put up a gate. Litter road from Major Heaphy, asking the Council to endorse on a lease of the ferry reserve at Otaki, a short statement of the contents in Maori. Letter read from T.,Bradlej r , of Feilding, asking the Council to remit the benalty for non-completion of the contract for metalling Kimboiton Road. — Mr Carr moved, That the sum of £150 bo paid to T. Bradley, and his deposit returned, on the condition that ho places a man on, and keeps the road in repair over the whole length of his contract, until he completes his contract. — Mr Halcombe seconded the motion. He said he would only do so on the ground that Mr Bradley had been already severely punished, as the consequenca of his own acts. The Council should strongly insist on contractors fulfilling their duty, and punish them when they did not. — The resolution was carried. From the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, seating that the resolution re Waikanaeroad would be brought before that body. Letter read from the Public Works Department, staling that the Ohau punt was erected at the urgent request of the Postmaster General, who was moved theroto by the mail coacli proprietors j iilso, stating that the Government informed the Council of its intention to charge the cost of the punt against the inland road vote, and that no objection having been expressed, the work proceeded ; farther, that the money paid to Natana Piahana for a right of- way to the Ohau punt was taken out of tho votes for the Native Department, not out of County funds. Letter read from Hutt County Council, expressing willingness to assist iv the Wast Coast road movement. Letter read from Wanganui Borough Counoil, asking the Hospital delegates to meet on Monday, 11th inst., at 2 p.m. BLAUHTBR LICEX3E. Me Smson said he had looked up the Act^iegarding slaughtering, and thought ii would be unfair to persons holding licenses to issue licenses at a cheap rate for small cattle only. He moved, " That in the opinion of this Council it would not be advisable to issue licenses for slaughtering small cattle only, at induced rates." Seconded by Mr Halcombo, and carried. SANDON BAIMVAY. Dr Rockstrow moved, " That Mr 0. Simpson be allowed to address the Council. " Messrs. llaloombe and S.inson wished to knov what the subject was. Dr Rockstrow asked Mr Simp3on what he wanted, and informed the Council that hu wished to speak upon tho Sjudou Railway. Mi Sanson protested against any attempt being made to bring such matters into the Council, which would only load to a waste of time, as the Council could do nothing in the matter. Mr Halcombo urged that as it was stated some requirements of the Act had not been complied with, it might be desirable to hear Mr Simpson. Dr Rockatrow strongly supported Mr Simpson's right to address the Council. Mr Loudou seconded the resolution, pro forma. Mr Sanson said it was now too late to raise tho question mentioned by Mr Halcombe. It should have been decided two months before, when the formal resolution laying the plans on tho table was decided. Mr Loudon said he had seconded the resolution as a matter of courtesy, but having found out that Mr Simpson wished to deal with a legal point, he endorsed Mt Sansou's view. If Mr Simpson had a grievance, the Sandon Railway Committee was tho proper body to apply to. The Chairman said if everything had b«en done in order, there was no need to fear in vestigation. Ho would support Mr Simpson'l request. The resolution having been carried, Mr Simpson came forward, and said he wished respectfully to ask the Council if the plans and othci documents referring to the Sandon railway, had been deposited according to the Act. The Chairman replied he had no ofnciil knowledge as to the deposit of tho documents, notice cot having been setit to him. A disoussiou took place as to what answer should be given to Mr Simpson. This was out short, as The Chairman informed Mr Simpson that an answer would be sent by post to his questiou. Dr Rockstrow made a number of charges against tho Railway directors, that the documents wore not sent in in time, that they had acted in an unfair and underhand manner, and that thuy had not accepted his advice. Mr Sanson said Dr Rockstrow had made grave charges without sufficient grounds. They generally left to a lawyer the interpreting of law. He had received objections against the rate, in which persons referred to the class they were placed in. This showed they knew how they wore classed. A solicitor had been in charge of the affair, and they had left it to him. AH tho time

cqnired by the Act had been given to perons to object. Government had been apdied to for au extension of the time, to ivorcomo any technical objection, and had (ranted the request. Whatever deposit the \ct required, had been given. He could lot understand how any person could s:iy 'licy were taken by surprise. The spirit of ;lic Act had beeu carried out. It would be % great calamity it owing to a single paper lot being sent down by a special messenger ihe whole expense of starting the affair were jono through. The promoters .wen willing io test the case in a law court. Those who Jbjected could bring an action if they liked. The Governor was the sole judge as to whether the requirements of the Act had been complied with. There was a savin" clnuse in the Act, preventing the Company being squashed through a mistake. Random charges against the directors wore cheap talk. He moved, " That in the opinion of this meeting the requirements of the Act had been complied with." Seconded by Mr Loudon. Mr Loudon pointed out that all the objections made had been heard at a meeting at Sandon, and satisfactorily answered there A solicito* had been employed to guide the directors. Dr l.ockstrow rcpaatod hss previous re marks. MrHalombe and the Chairman expressed remurke opposite to Mr Sarnon's views. Mr Go war said that ho was compelled to admit that the leltor of the Act had not bec-n flotnplied with through the fault of tho Secretary. Dr Rockstrow professed to favour the railway ,but he would have shown the sincerity of that favour by not obstructing it. He hoped that Dr itockstrow would always be as exact as he wished others to be. In replying, Mr Sanson said he could not understand the professions of men who professed friendship to tha railway scheme, an! yet moved Heaven and earth to throw obstacles in the way. The only doubtful thiuij was a plan that had not been deposited, but he was almost certain that several weeks before he had brought that plan to tho office. Mr Gower supported him in this. So far as Mr Simpson was concerned, he had simply come to the Council because an objection had been made by him, but not sustained by the Revising Court. Mr Halcombe had objected to th& acreage ru+,<>, but in this they had followed the example of largnr crnnpaniej ia Cuutorbury. Any resolution the House might pass, would not weigh with the promoters. Th? Governor had ample power to legalise auy technical error. A motion having been made to withdraw tho oiisrinul motion of Mr Sanson, Mr Halcombe said he was determined to oppose the Sandon line tooth and nail, as it was proposed to make it the main line. He charged Mi* Sanson with, misrepresentation, ami said it was inconsistent for Mr Sanson to be a promoter, and yet Revising Officer. Mr Loudou said Mr Halcombe' s remarks put an entirely new faco upon the question. He urged tho^e who were in favor of the Wellington live coming to Foxton to vote on the opposite side to Mr Halcombe. Mr Gower oharged Mr Halcombe with selfishness. The Chairman iaid he was opposed to the motion being withdrawn. He thought the Council should insist on the motion going to the vote.J Upon a division the following vote 9 were taken. For withdrawing—Messrs Loudon, Sanson, Gower, Kebbell, and Dr Rockstrow. Against withdrawing — Messrs Carr, Halcombe, and Macarthur. Mi* Smson's motion was therefore withdrawn . Mr Gower proposed the following amendment : — " That though tho letter of the Act has not been oomplted with, the iutoution h:is been met by the deposit of needful plans and maps, especially as this was done iv the two other notice places, namaly, at Sandon and Carnarvon." Seconded by Mr Sauson, At this point, the Couuoil adjourned till 7 p.m. EVENING SITI'ING. Upon the Council resuming, the same Councillors were present. l Mr Gower withdrew his amendment. The following motion was then proposed by Dr Rockstrow : — " That the Chairman be instructed to inform Mr Simpson that some of the plans and papjrs were not do posited within the time specified by the Act." Seconded by Mr Kebbell, and carried." OATATAKAPCA BLOCK. Mr Halcombe moved a resolution apply.' ing to the Government to place £15,000 at the disposal of the Council to open up the OmataUapua Block of 140,030 acre*, by a road iv continuatioa of tho Kimbolton Road, the vote to ba recouped to the Treasury out of the 20 per cent payable upon laud revenue to the County. Seconded by Mr Carr. Mr Jower thought that the great mistake of the past had beeu in throwing open land for stle before the roads wore made. With part of the resolution dealing with that matter he agreed. But so far as the block in question was concerned, the road proposed was eventually intended to tap tho MuriraoLu country. He was in favor of the Murton claims, and an he considered that would largely assist the claims of the Sandon line to be the main through l.ne, he would want moro information before giving . his unqualified approval to the scheme. Dr Rockutrow advocated the idjournment of the question for a mouth, as several members were not prepared to discuss the question. Mr Sitnson supported tho postponement, and thought notice of motion should be given. Tho Chairman said they wore there to look after tho interests of Mmawatu, not of Puraekuretu or M irton, aud thought when Mr Gower entered the Couuoil he should lay aside his Rangitikei ideas, and act for the benefit of Maniwutu. He could not look upon the resolution as extraordinary business, as the resolution regarding the Waikanae lioad was not treated iv that way. Mr Halcombe strongly argued in favor of the resolution, and from the map showed the configuration of the country He said the land of the Oinatakapua Block was good, and Government having paid 10s au acre for it, could not afford to let so large an amount of money lie idle. He hoped to see both the Wanganui and Rangitikei lines made, but the line he proposed would recoup the Government by the sale of land, whereas that along the line from Marlon Wivu already sola 1 . The Murimotu question wa3 a distant one. He said Councillors would be traitors to their trust if they allowed the interests oC other Counties to stand before their own. The session was about to begin, and by next mouth the Government would have their estimates framed. Dr Rockstrow proposed the adjournment of the question to next meeting. Seconded by Mr Sanson. A vote was taken as follows : — For adjournment — Messrs Sanson, Gower, Loudou, and Dr Rockstrow. Against — Messrs Halcombe, Carr, Kebbell, and Mac-rthur. The Chairman gave his casting vote against tho adjournment. The original resolution was then put and carried. OTAKI ROAD. Dr Rockstrow presented a petition from certain ratepayers of Foxtou, asking the

Council to make enquiries as to the advisability of opening up a road through section 133 to connect the Motoa voad^ with the Otaki road. ""X The petition was received, and the^Engi;—-' ~vacer instructed to enquire into the njatter, and report at next meeting. FOXTON FEUUY. The Engineer was instructed to have the approach to the Foxtou ferry on the ca t side improved. TENDERS. For additions to Foxton Ferry Houso— Edward Powell, £35 ; J. Taggart, £69 (in. formal) ; T. Cameron, £33 ;T. Easton, £37 ; Freeland and Proctor, £43 7s. The tender of T. Cameron, for £33, was accepted. For Kiwitea Road— T. Bri.htwoll,£3s7 ; J. C. Nathan, £266 1.1s; Ryan and Nelson, £223 18s 4d. Tho tenders were rejected as excessive. A WAP UNI STBEAM. Several settlers having written, objecting to a proposed culvert to tap the Mangaone Stream, the Council resolvud to return the money subscribed, and hare nothing more to do with the matter. V HINTING AND ADVERTISING. On the motion of Dr Rockstrow it was , resolved to inv>te tender* lor the jobbing .... printing required by the Council. The question of adverting was also brought up, but no decision was come to. The opinion was expressed that purely looal notices (such for instance as the appoiuU • ment of a found-keeper) should be pat ia local papers. After some discussion, it was resolved to appoint a Committee to consider tho matter , . and report at next meeting. ■■■-..•■•■ ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £902 18s were . passed. Tlie Council ersolvel to refund Mr T. H. Caverhill,of Sandon, balance remaining upon a horse sold, provided he made the necessatydeclaration, . . ii •: The Chairman announced that aba'anoOy of £200 remained in the Bank after payj- 1 ment of the accounts. Over £609 has been collected of the rates. ohAu punt. "' :1 Mr Kebbell moved, " That Thos. Roach ' be appointed ferryman at Ohau river with a salary of £80 per annum, and that the tolls to be charged be the same as at ths Foxtou ferry ; tolls to bo charged only on , those who cross on the puut or at the inland' crossing, if the ferryman is requested to show the crossiug." ■ !'..,■ Seooudod by Mr Halcombe, and carried. , DEDUCTION. It having been reported that a man named M'JEwen had been in the Wanganui Hospital, and that the amount was charged against the County, though he w*s a resident of Palmerston, it was resolved to deduct the amount from money due to the Palmerston Borough as refund of Mr G. M. iSnelson's auction license. NKXT MEETING. The next meeting of the Council was fixed for August, 4. The Council adjourned at 9.30 p.m.