ORDINARY MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 13, 7 October 1879, Page 2

ORDINARY MEETING.

Tbe Council resumed at 3 p.m., when D Kockstrow took bis scut. DOGS WOBBYING B{IE£P. Letter read from P.. Ward. E.«q., R.M., stating that numerous complaints had been made of losses sustained by slieepownors owing to ravages of Maori dogs on tho Rangitjkei River in Manawatu * ounty, stating that registration of Maori dogs had not been enforced, and asking that the collectors might be instructed to insist on registration, or proceed against the owners. Mr Ward further stated that he had asked the settlers to shoot all dogs found straying on their lands, o-h a summary way of getting rid of the nuisance. He further asked for (he cooperation of the Council. Letter read from Sir Wm. Fox on the same subject, stating that he had visited the natives at Kakariki pa, and asked them to tie up their dogs, but that two hours after 20 dogs had swam the river, and killed a doses of bis mart valuable sheep in tea

minutes ; urging that the Dog Tux Collector should visit the pa and discover the owners of the dogs. Sir William further stated that owing to this nuisance his best lambing paddock was useless. Mr ll»lc>mbe said he felt the same thing thing at Feilding, where there were a number of dogs he wa-j sure were not registered. He had lost 10 sheep valued at £2 each, an! had to remove his flock. He thought the clog tax collectors were very lax. Mr Kebbell complained tint at Otiki the Europeans had their dogs registered, whilst the natives went iree. The Chairman said 176 dogs wero registered at Feilding. Mr Kebbell said the real fault was that the tax was too low. The tax should be 10s, and the Council to provide the collars a3 well as the badges. At present people who owned curs, hanng only 5s to pay, would not destroy the dogs ; if it were 10s, people would sooner destroy many of the dogs than pay the amount. Mr Sanson thought 2s each should bo given to all collectors for each dog. The Chairman remarked that all dogs kept for killing rabits in proclaimed rabbit districts were free from the tax. Mr Kohbell thought that the Council should ask the Government for power to increase Mio tax, or should suggest that a law for the whole colony be made, and the Provincial Acts be repealed. Mr Halcombe thought the present Act was not carried out fully. No persous were brought up charged with having unregistered dogs. Formerly, in Wellington, such cases were frequent, and penalties wero enforced. Mr Kebbell proposed—" Thntthe Government be requested to legislate, so as to enable the County Council to increase the registration fen payable under the Dog Nuisance Act ; the present fee of 5s being insufficient to abate the nuisance ; and that a cony of the resolution be sent to the member for Munawatu, asking his cooperation." Seconded by Mr Halconibe, a'ld carried. Dr Rockstrow proposed — " That a notice be published in the County papers to tha effect that all .logs found without collar or badge attached willjbe destroyed.' 1 He referred to the losses sustained by settlers iv Carnarvon. Seconded by Mr Linton. The Chairman said it was rather unpleasant work popping off your neighbours' dogs, and asked who would undertake the work of destroying unregistered dogs. Mr Sanson thought the police would do the work. Dr Boekstrow thought it desirable somebody shsuld be appointed to inspect the paws of all dogs destroyed. The Chairman asked if the member for Awahou would accept the dut3'. (Laughter) Dr Rockstrow declined tie offer, but suggested all destroyed clogs he delivered to the Chairman. (.Renewed laughter.) Mr Loudon suggested that all persons destroying dogs should make an affidavit to that effect. Mr Kebbell thought persons might then make a mistake. A man might think he had killed a dog sufficiently — fioud laughter] - to prevent any further trouble, and the dog might afterwards get up and recover. Mr Halcoraba suggested that each right paw be taken to the nearest J.I?, or County Councillor. I The Chairman presumed most of the people at Palmerston would keep rabbit dogs in future ! The Engineer pointed out that only those dogs were exempted for which a certificate was granted by the Trustees of the liubbit District. Mr Halcombe moved— "That from this date the fee paid to collectors of the dog tax shall be 2s Gd for each dog destroyed, uutil further notice " Seconded by Mr Kebbell, and earned. The matter of ascertaining the reality of the dogs being destroyed was left to the Chairman. ranoitiicbi ferry. Letter read from Ran,?itikei County Council, agreeing to vote £50 to Scott's ferry, if Manawatu Council would do the same. Letter read from Donald Scott, ferryman at Hangitikei river, asking the Council to subsidise the ferry. The Chairman thought an understanding should be come to, as to the keeping of the gear, &o. Mr Halcombe said the ferry was one of the best-conducted in the County, and the gear was in capital o der. He thought Mr Scott hr.d a good eluim for a subsidy. Ho moved — " That this Council agrees to pay a moiety of the salary of £50 per annum, proposed by the Hangitikei County Council to bo paid to the ferryman at the mouth of the Rangitikei River, provided that no liability is incurred by the Council, for maintenance or repairs of punt or gear connectei with the ferry. " Seconded by Mr Kebbell, and carried. FEILDING MILL. Letter read from Mr J. B. Roots, sawmiller, asking permission to lay a tr.unwiiy across tho Makinu Road, to carry Ing* to their new mill. Request granted, subject to the approval of the Engiueer. hradlby's contract. Letter road from S. Coleinan, Trustee in Bradlej's estate, informing the Council that he had assigned over the contract (No. 1) with nil moneys due and to become clue, to Mr James Fowell. The Chairman said no provision was made iv the Bankruptcy Act for such a course as that proposed. Tho Council should insist on equally good 9ureti?s beinz given under the assignment that the work would be carriei through properly. Mr Ilalcombe moved—" That Mr Fowell be accepted as contractor in place nf Thoiras Bradley, a bankrupt, provided that he> find, the approvod -securities in the amount of £25 each, and sign theneccssary agreement." Seconded by Mr Sanson, and carried. OHAU LICENSE. Letter read from R.M. Court office, Foxton, stating that information had been asked regarding the license of T. Koach, Ohau. An enolosure from the police officer, at Otaki, stated that Mr Uoach asserted that the County Engineer had entered into a verbal agreement with him to give £50 per annum and pay for his license. Mr Sauson said he had just heard that Roach had been summoned for sly grog selling, and that the case was to be heard at Foxton on Wednesday. Ho thought the Council should inform the Court that a mistake had occurred. The Chairman said tho mistake appeared to be that Roach supposed the Council were intending to pay for his license, whereas they had merely agreed to refund the amount. Mr Sanson proposed—" That the Chairman inform R. Ward, Esq., R.M., that it was through a misunderstanding on the part of Roach, of the Ohau Ferry, that the license was not renewed." Seconded by Mr llalcoinbe, and carried, THB VALUATIONS. Letter read from Mr Swainson, of Foilding, stating that he was rated for section 112. Sandon, whereas he was not the owner. Mr Sanson referred to the carelessness shown in making the valuations. Mr Halcombe suggested that this year a

methodical system of revising the rolls be ad'»pti*d. Mr Sanson doubted whether the Council could do this. Mr Haloombe said the Council could not alter tho rol's, hut could point out errors to the valuers, and if they did not agree to alter them, a remedy could be obtained in the Assessment Court. The Chairman said last year there was not sufficient time given the valuers. Somu were busy . 'it both land tax and highways botd valuation at tho same timo. Mr Sanson thought the Lind tax valuation ths worst of all. The foil-win* resolution was moved by Mr Halcon.be— "That .Mr Swainson be in formed that the rate levied on him for section 112, Siindon, will not be demanded. Seconded by Mr Kebbell, and carried. Tho Chairman thought a ratepayer should be appointed to object in all cases. Mr Sansou said the old valuer, Mr Linton had been at the work po long, that, in the Sandon district at any rate, he had got as near as oossible to perfection ! The matter then dropped. FOXTON FERRY EESERYE. Letter read from T. Easton, asking for consideration from the Council, as he had made a mistake in his tender for fencing Ferry Reserve at Foxton, and aeking the Council to refund his deposit money. Mr Htilcombe said if they acceded to this request, they would open the door to all kinds of abuses. Mr Sanson expressed similar views. Mr Kebbell thought it a pity any bother had occurred, as the work was a necessary one. Proposed by Sir Halcombe, seconded by Mr Kebbell, and carried :— " That no de parture from the rule adopted with regard to the acceptance of tenders can be made in the case of Mr Theophilns fiaston." [Left sitting.]