MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, 7 May 1880, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

_ -« Monday, April 5, 1880. , The Council met at 2 p.m. Freseut — Messrs Maoarthur (Chairman), M'Beth, Lash, Sanson, Gower, Bookstrow, Lin ton, and Kebbell. BERRYING CATTLB. Mr Rockstrow presented a petition from a number of inhabitants of Foxton, complaining of the present arrangements for ferrying cattle, owing to the danger c»'ised to school-children through drafting cattle along the Main street from the ferry reserve towardß the punt. The petition was received, and it was resolved to hear suggestions from the cattle drovers at the evening sitting. At the evening sitting, Mr Ed. Barber was henrd by the Council on the matter. He suggested that a cattle punt should be built, and offered, on behalf of the cattle drovers, to bear one-half of the cost. Proposed by Mr Gower, seconded by Mr Rookstrow, " That the Councillors for Awahou Riding have power to confer with the cattle drovers, and fix some regular hours for cattle to be driven along the Main road passing through the township of Foxton." Carried. The Engineer was instructed to confer with the deputation from -oat tie drovers as to the best design for a cattle punt for the Manawatu River, and report on the subject to the Council at next meeting. The Engineer was also instruoted to close the present lead from the new cattleyard

and erect 4 fou^rail fence from those yards towards the ferry ; such works to be done by day labour. COMPENSATION. Letter read from George Boyd, the late lessee of the Gorge ferry, asking for ootuponsation, owing to the loss sustained during the last 1.) days of his lease. After a discussion the following resolution was passed:— Proposed by Mr Bookstrow, seconded by Mr Linton, " That the sum of £10 be paid to Mr Boyd, late lessee of the Gorge ferry, in full demands." Proposed by Mr Linton, seconded by Mr Kebbell, and carried : " That the sum of MlO be allowed to the present lessee of the Lower Gorge ferry, as compensation for damage done by the lite flood." FITZHEUBEUX ROADS. Proposed by Mr Linton, seconded by Mr Rookstrow, and carried, " That the Cha:rman write to the Government, asking if the unexpended balance of the A'soo voted for works in the Fitzherbert district can bo expended upon improvements on the roads leading through the district north and south from Palmerston; if agreed to, that the Engineer be authorised to prepare specifications and call for tenders without delay ; and that the Chairman, Counoillor Linton, and the Engineer, be empowered to aocept tenders." FOXTOJT-OTAKI ROAD. The Engineer was authorised to call for tenders for bu3hfalling in the ilorowhenua Block, on the Foxton-Otaki road. The Engineer was instructed to prepare specifications and call for tenders for metalling the road from Charles Symons' corner to the bridge, No. 3 Line, comprising about 40 chains. THE ESTIMATES. Mr Kebbell proposed, and Mr Linton seconded, " That this Council go into committee to consider the estimates for the present year." Mr Sanson moved an amendment, " That the consideration of the estimates be held ftver until the next meeting of the Council, in order to give Councillors an opportunity of consulting the ratepayers in their respective Hidings, n8 to where the surplus revenue can be laid out to the greatest advantage." Mr Gowcr seconded. A long discussion ensued, Mr Sanson pointing out that the Council had not yd seen the estimates, and it was unfair for members to be called upon to accept things so hurriedly. J Upon a division, the amendment was lost, Me^SiS Sanson, Gower, and Bockstrow voting for it, and Messrs Macarthur, Lash, Kebbell, !V 'Beth, und Liiiton against it. The original motion was therefore carried, and the Council went into committee to considsr the estimates. THE NEW ROAD. Letter read from the Hon. J. Johnston, agreeing to accept £&0 pet acre for the laud required for a road, as shown on the plan. Mr Bockstrow stated that Messrs Gower. Loudoi), and himself — who were appointed a committee to deal with the matter — had accepted the offer. WAXOANUI HOSPITAL. Proposed by Mr Sanson seconded by Mr Rookstrow, and carried : — "That ar>y person needing admittance into the Wanganui Hospital who has resided within the Borough of Palmerston North for 124 hours previously shall not be a charge against the funds of this County, unless it be proved that such person has at the time of application being made a fixed residence within the boundaries of the Manawatu County." Mr Sanson spoke of the necessity of printed forms for admission into Hospital being supplied to members of the Council. He moved — " That the Chairman be authorised to have 250 forms for admitting patients to the Wangmiui Hospital printed, and send a few of them to Councillors." Seconded by Mr Gower, and carried. OTAKI POUND. Mr Kebbell presented a petition from a number of natives resident ot Otaki, protesting against the proposed erection of a pound there. The petition waa received. Mr Kebbell stated that the Otaki Highways Board had asked for v pound, on the ground that without a pound the ratepayers' mousy would be uselessly expended. The natives, who did not want a pound, were not ratepayers. SHILLING KATE. Mr Linton moved a resolution in favour of a shilling rate, which was seoonded by Mr Lash. Mr Sanpon moved an amendment in favor of a rate of Gd in the £, which was seconded by Mr Kockßtrow. A division waa taken on the amendment as follows: — For — Messrs. Sanson and Bockstrow. Against— Messrs. M'Bdth, Linton, Lash, Kebbell, and Macarthur. The amendment was therefore lost, and the original motion in favour of a shilling rate carried. RESIGNATION. Mr Gower handed in his resignation as a member of the Council, but assigned no reason. Mr Kebbell was appointed County Trea. surer in his place. NEXT MEETING. The Council will hold its next meeting on the 20 th of May.