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Manawatu Herald, 22 February 1881, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

YESTERDAY. The Council met at 10 a.m. Present — Messrs Macarthur (Chairman), Linton, M'Lennan. Rockstrow, Sanson, Kebbell, Gray, and M'Beth. The minutes of last meeting were road and confirmed. CORRE PONDENCE. Mr Douglas applied for leave of absence, which was granted. Let er read from Mr Davidson, of Palme s on, asking that his rates might be reduced, owing to an error that was made. The reduction asked for was agreed to. TRAMWAY AT FOXTON. Letter read from Mr Saunders, contractor, applying for leave to lay a tramway along county road in order to get gravel from Mr Robinson's pit for reclamation contract. The letter concluded with a request for an early reply, as the writer only waited for a decision to commence laying the tramway. Permission was given to lay the tramway, subject to the supervision of the County Engineer and the Awahou councillors. FOXTON-OTAKI KOAD. Latter read from the Native Office, stating that it was considered desirable the Foxton-Otaki inland road aud FoxtonBeach road should be dedicated to the public, and that the Surveyor General's Department will take action in the matter towards the attainment of that object. The Chief Surveyor, Mr Marchant, will receive instructions to visit the ground in company with the County Engineer as suggested by the Council, and will at the same time be provided by the Native Department with the services of an interpreter for the purpose of explaining to the natives the powers possessed by the Government to take the roads. Also, the results of these preliminary proceedings are to be reported to the Government before deciding to advise the Governor to issue the warrant appointing and empowering a person to actually take that roads on behalf of the public. CORR SPONDENCE. Letter read from F. A. Harper, of Feilding, asking for a note of admission for his father to Wanganui Hospital. It was reported the person referred to had since died. Letter read from Mr Walter Baker, applying for leave to erect a fence to protect a line fence in front of his property on the Rangitikei-Palmerston road. Permission was granted, the fence to stand during the pleasure of the Council. Letter read from the Borough Council, Wanganui, regarding the case of a man named Hogan, ow in the Hospital, and stating he was incurable. Lettter read from Mr Skipworth, of 0 aki, applying for a slaughter license. The application was refused, the usual advertisement not having been inserted in the local newspaper. Letter read from Mr Donald Sinclair, explaining a claim he had made to the Government for compensation, owing to a deviation of a road in Kiwitea, and asking the Council to support his claim, which amounted to £100 The Council did not pass any resolution on the matter. SUBSIDIES TO HIGHWAYS AND L CAL B ARDS Mr Kebbell moved, "That until the main ( re ua y) roads be made in a riding. this Council will not sanction any of the riding funds being used to subsidise any other local body for making byeroads, unless sufficient reasons be shown that it is a case of extreme urgency." He brought the motion up because he thought too many subsidies had been given in the past, to the neglect of the main roads. There was nothing in the Act, he knew, against giving subsidies to o her bodies, but he thought it was opposed to its spirit. The County Councils we e formed to keep open the main roads, and the other bodies were supposed to keep the byeroads in order. The motion was seconded by Mr Linton. The Chairman said the last few words of the motion took away all its importance, as the "extreme urgenc " plea would b made on every occasion when a subsidy was asked for. In the majority of cases the resolution would be either inoperative or insincerely carried out.Mr Kebbell had said what were du ies of the Council regarding main roads. He would poin out that there was nothing in the Counties Act defining any duties of the Council regarding roads, as they were not required by law to have anything to do with roads. In fact, it was his opinion that it would have b en far better if the Council had not taken over any roads, but had lef them in the hands of the Boards, and simply subsidised th m. Had that been done the work would probably have been done at less expense and more efficiently. If they passed this resolution, it would hamper their actions, unless they stretched the ex reme urgency part of th resolution. Any councillor wanting a wo k done, would always be able to get o hers to support him. As a matter of fact, the resolution would be locking the door after the steed was gone, for he feared that in future they would have very li tle money to vo e as subsidies. Mr Linton said he thought with the Chairman that the last part of the resolution nullified the first. Still he was disposed to vote for it, because it affirmed a principle he agreed with. In some parts of the country the main roads had been g eately negl cted, notably that from Foxton to Sanson. Except a small part, the whole of that live had been neglected al ogether. He thought the first duty of the County Council was to attend to the main lines of road, and after that they could give subsidies to the other bodies In his riding the main road was made an so it was in other ridings, and gene ally speaking he thought they should have a representative to deal wi h the m neyb loagi to his own dis ric . Mr Sanson would oppose the mo ion because it suggested that in the pas moneys had been spen wh re they wer not wanted. He held that it was no use having a main road unless the settlercould reach it. Hence they had been com pe led to subsidise other bodies to enable set lers to use the main lines. Sometimes the bridging of a creek, or the clearin away of a bit of bush, n eint enabling settlers to cart their stuff to market Many of the settlers in his riding would have been j mme l in bu fo the subsidies given to the Highway Board On one occasion he saw a man fe y ing a bag of flour c o s a r in a canoe. Sur ly the mon y gv n b the Council to make tha r ad was not spent uselessly. [Mr K blell -That wa a c e of extreme urgency.] In each o in his riding wh re sub id es h d e given the matter had buen ur ently nec sary. M Linton had ref rred especially to the Foxton-Sanson road, but that was not a good case, because he (Mr Sans ) believed it would take fifteen or twenty thousand pounds to make a good road along the line. He thought the best and cheapest road between Foxton aud Sandon would be a tramway. The county fu ls would be lost on that road, as the metal would be buried in the sand. The railway authorities employed three men conntan ly taking the sand off the line. The resolution was unnecessary, and any good it might do was spoiled by the last part.

given except for county works, he could understand it, but as at present it was contradictory. Mr Rockstrow was determined to onpose the motion. The Counties Act authorised them to give subsidies to other bodies If they followed Mr Sanson's plan and used counity rates for county roads he would be disposed to agree with it. The Sanson road had not been improved because they never had the funds to do it, and because it cost too large an amount to maintain. If it had not been for subsidies granted by the Council, neither the Campbelltown road, nor Penny's road, nor other lines he could have mention, would have been finished to this day. There was hardly a settler along the Sandon road. They all lived four or five miles off the main line, and their efforts should be directed to enabling them to reach the main road. Money spent in opening up the small leaders to the main line he held was well expended. He hoped now it had been determined to call for tenders for part of the Foxton-Sandon road that contract would be the beginning of the work being steadily pushed onward. Mr M'Lennan agreed with preceding speakers that main roads had the first claim upon the Council. The Sandon road had so many byeroads leading from it, and the Highways Board had so few funds, that he would have to vote against the motion. It the Boards were in a position to make the byeroads, he would certainly vote for motion. As they were not, they could only leave matters an they were at present. Mr Kebbell, in reply, said he could not agree that all the nuisances in which subsidies had been granted were of extreme urgency. Where a riding had made its main roads, he would not propose to interfere. Let the Councillor deal with the moneys as he liked. But when applications were made for subsidies members representing other ridings did not like to get up and oppose the votes. He therefore thought it would be better to consider the whole question and lay down a rule. The Chairman said Mr Kebbell was opening up fresh matter for discussion. He should keep to a reply. Mr Kebbell said he would only add that he hoped the motion would be passed, as it was important the matter should be settled. Mr Linton, before the motion was put, desired to explain that he was not in favour of main roads being made to the utter exclusion of all votes for district roads. He seconded and supported the motion, b cause of the important provision at the end. On division, Messrs Kebbell, Linton, and M Beth voted for the motion, and the rest of the Council against it. NEW WORKS TO BE DONE. Proposed by Mr Rockstrow, seconded by Mr Gray, '"That the sum of £200 be granted to the Foxton Local Board for forming and metalling the road leading towards the Foxton Cemetery, to commence from Nathan's contract." Carried. Proposed by Mr Sanson, seconded by Mr M'Lennan, " That the sum of £50 be laid out in making the approaches to bridges on Speedy's line of road." Carried. Proposed by Mr Sanson, seconded by Mr M'Lennan, " That the sum of £50 be laid out in forming streets in the township of Sandon ; the Engineer to consult the Warden of No 3 Ward as to the streets to be formed. Proposed by Mr M Lennan, seconded by Mr Sanson, "That this Council pay the S ndon-Carnarvon Highways Board £25 to be spent on a district road leading from Hickford's road towards the property of Messrs Harper, Tompkins, and others.'' Carried. FOXTON PALMERSTON ROAD. Mr Thynne, chairman of the Foxton Racecourse Trustees, wrote as fol ows : — "I have the honor, by direction of the Racecourse Trustees, to notify that it is their intention to stop all traffic across the reserve. As his will necessitate the main road being put in over, they desire to urge your immediate attention so as to cause us little inconvenience to the public as possible." Mr Rockstrow proposed, "That the Engineer be instructed to survey the county road from Foxton towards Carnarvon and prepare plans and specifications for the sand road ; tenders to close next meeting day." He explained the work to be done would be about 1 1/2 miles. Seconded by Mr Grav. and carried. ROAD AT AWAHURI. Mr M'Lennan proposed, "That this Council subsidise the Sandon-Carnarvon Highways Board to the extent of £100, to be spent on the diftrict road at Awahuri, commencing at Mr Fraser's gate, and through the bush towards Mr Dear's and other properties." Seconded by Mr Sanson, and carried. The Chairman pointed out the necessity of cure being taken that the right to the land was obtained before the money was spent by the Highways Board. Mr Rockstrow said there would be no difficulty in dealing with Messrs Fraser Bros , as they were desirous of seeing the road opened. They claimed a certain amount for fencing, and he would suggest that a committee be appointed to arrange with Messrs Fraser. Eventually, Messrs M'Lennan, Sanson, and Rockstrow were appointed to arrange the matter with Messrs Fraser Bros. STONEY CREEK SCHOOL letter read from the Chairman Stoney Creek School, asking that a hole in front of the school might be filled up The request was acceded to. SLAUGHTER LICENSE. Mr Thomas Udy applied for a license to slaughter at Otaki. I was reported that the notice had been advertised, and after some little enquiry as to the suitableness of the site, it was resolved to grant the license. Mr Kebbell said the site was suitable, and a good distance from the own. Some difficulty was experienced owing to the Slaughterhouse Inspector no being present to report on the site, and it was re olved that he be war ed to attend l meetings of the Council. STACKING BRICKS ON COUNTY ROAD. Mr W. T. Bull, of Campbelltown wrote, asking permission to stack some bricks on the county road. Proposed by Mr Sanson, seconded by Mr Linton, "That the Engineer be empowered to allow settlers to stack bricks, firewood, and other goods on the sides of county roads, provided that the same, in the Engineer's opinion, be stacked so as not to interfere with general traffic." THE COUNTY ENGINEER. A proposal by Mr Sanson that the County En ineer should draw up specifications for ne works to be done in his district under ubsidy from the Council, brought up the question of the Engineer's salary. Mr Linton thou ht if the money was to be handed over to the Carnarvon Highways Boartd, that body should arrange for the specifications being drawn up. That was the rule when the old Board was in existence. Mr Sanson said that the Board did not keep an engineer, and thought it would be judicious if the Council's officer saw that the money was expended to the best advantage. The Chairman said the fact that their

own Engineer expended the money would be a guarantee that the money would not be thrown away for want of competent supervision. Under the old arrangement Mr Hayns was Engineer to both the Council and the Road Board, consequently no distinction could be drawn, but now he was employed solely by the Council he thought it would be desirable the Engineer should see that all subsidies voted by the Council were well spent. Mr Linton expressed himself satisfied with the explanation. Proposed by Mr Sanson, seconded by Mr M'Lennan, and carried, "That the Engineer prepare specifications for and superintend the construction of all works for which County money is voted." MAINTENANCE OF ROADS. Mr Rockstrow moved, ''That tenders be called for maintaining the county roads for the ensuing year, 1881-2; each tenders to be for each riding separately." He had brought on this motion to challenge discussion, as he thought the present method of maintenance by day labour was not satisfactory, being very costly, while at the same time the road men were no under sufficient supervision. Tenders being called in sections would enable each Councillor to cut up the roads in his riding. Mr Sansonsaid the Provincial Government tried the tender system, but it failed. He would like to see it inaugurated, if it could be made a success. Mr Linton considered it impossible to bind the contractor down sufficiently for road maintenance. When the Provincial Government tried it they did so at the expense of the roads, for they were left in a miserable state. The fact that some roads were metalled and some were not would also be a great difficulty. What roads were there to maintain in Awahou, for example ? A man knew what he had to do when he tendered for either metalling or formation, but for maintenance he had no means of ascertaining the value. Our reads were in a most creditable slate at present. The motion was carried on the voices, it being understood that the Council would not be bound to accept any tender. WAIKAWA FERRY. The arrangements made by Mr Hayns with Mr Roach to take chaage of the Waikawa ferry were endorsed by the Council. THE NEXT RATE. Mr Rockstrow moved, " That the Chairman be requested to prepare the next Estimates at the rate of 6d in the £, and that the Chairman bring down the estimates at his earliest convenience." He explained that he would not himself be bound to a sixpenny rate until he saw the E timates. A short discussion took place, and eventually the resolution was passed, on the understanding that it was not to be considered bindingTENDERR RECEIVED. For Penny's Line.— Monteith and Co., 9s 11 1/1d, accepted; Hagarty and Smith, 13s 6d ; Denton, 11s; Behrent, 15s 3d ; Dimond, 12s 9d ; Stevens, 16s; Nathan, £1 ; Thompson Bros., 12s 4d ; Williams & Foley, £1 1s 6d. For Taipo Line.— Monteith and Co., 8s, accepted ; Williams and Toley, 17s 6d ; Behrent., 13s 3d ; Hill, 18s ; Thompson, £9 11d ; Smith, 11s. Kakaitki Road.— J. C Nathan for No. 1 section, £79 7s ; Dimond Bros., for No. 2, £27 15s. The above tenders were accepted. Awahou Bridge.— Fardon and Aldridge, £75 10s, acceepted , J. Johnson, £87 10s ; R. Mclean, £100 ; Hales and Boggi s, £97 12s : L R. Bryant, and Co , £79 9s 6d There was only one tender for metalling the Avenue road, and it was rejected as excessive.