THE MANAWATU COUNTYCOUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 10 June 1890, Page 2

THE MANAWATU COUNTYCOUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council was held on Tuesday, when there were present—Crs Ransom (chairman), McLennan, Sanson, Saxon, Mitchell, Robinson, and McKenzie. The minutes of the previous meet ing were confirmed. In special meeting rates were struck as previously notified. Correspondence was read as follows:— From R. P. Edwards, with re ference to the road through the railway reserve near the Oroua Bridge. From the Cook County Council, suggesting that, as this is the first year during which local bodies will not receive rates from from Crown and Native lands steps should be taken to have Native 'ands brought under the operation of the ordinary Rating Acts. The council agreed with the letter, Cr. Mitchell remarking that there was no reasen why the Natives should not contribute to maintain the roads over which they travelled. From the Foxton Borough Council, asking that a delegate from the Manawatu Council should meet with delegates from other local bodies to devise some means to prevent the Palmerston authorities from draining sewage into Manawatu river Cr Mitchell, who attended the meeting on behalf of the council; re ported as to the action taken at the meeting. The 1 Palmerston officials had treated the protests of the o-her local bodies with silent contempt, and it.had been agreed to get the opinion of a legal authority. Proposed by Cr Sanson, seconded by Cr Saxon, and carried, "That, in the opinion of the council, the time has arrived when Europeans and Maoris should be placed on the same footing as regards payment of rates for road-making and other property improving works carried out by the local bodies of the colony, and that Mr Wi'son be requestedt o give effect, as far as possible, to the object sought by passing this resolution." Proposed by Cr McKen zie, and sec onded by Cr McLennan, „"That in the event of there being no public road through the railway reserve, at Oroua Bridge, the Railway Commis sioners be requested to open a road one chain wide through the said re serve, leading from the road running parrallel with the Oroua river to the Oroua Bridge Railway Station. the said road being a continuation of the public road leading to the railway station,. — Carried. From the Manawatu Road Board offering to give £1 towards the necessary repairs to the decking of the Awahuri bridge if the Council would undertake the work. This was regarded by the Council as an attempt on the part of the board to shift their liabilities with regard to the maintenance of the bridge to the Manawatu Council, and

it was moved by Cr Saxon, "That, the Manawatu Road Board having control of the Oroua bridge at Awahuri this council object to undertake any repairs the same, but beg again to draw their attention to the dangerous state of the bridge at present. ' Seconded by Cr Sanson, and carried. Proposed by Cr Robinson, se conded by Cr. Mitchell, "That the application of R. Gray for a gate on Section 465 be allowed during the pleasure of this council."— Carried. From R. Gardner, Moutoa, with regard to right of road through the Moutoa estate. The Overseer said Mr Wilson was willing to make an exchange of roads so as to allow Mr Gardner access to his land. Cr Mitchell also reported upon the matter, and urged that an exchange should be made. From R. H.Macmillan, suggest ing a re-adjustment of the tramway rates. From J. W. Liddell, with reference to tramway plates lying in the old county yards at Foxton. From D. M Brooks, requesting the removal of clay from the sleepers on the tramway. From the Inspector of machinery with report the condition of the en gines upon the tramway line. A petition was presented by the

Chairman from about eighty rate payers in the Campbelltown districts, asking that Hopkins Line should be continued to the Oroua River, and the river bridged is connect with the road to Longburn on the opposite side. Cr McKenzie said is was a bye law of the council that the prayer of a petition could not be conceded at the same meeting at which it was presented. He was in favour of the road applied for, and he moved that the petition be received. This was seconded by Cr Robinson and carried. Proposed by Cr. Saxon seconded by Cr McKenzie, and carried. "That all occupiers of land having gorse spreading on roads receive notice at once to remove the same before the 1st of October 1890. In speaking to the resolution Cr Saxon, remarked that it seemed that some persons had received notice to clear gorse, but there was no reason why all should not receive the same reminder. Proposed by Cr McKenzie, and seconded by the Chairman, " That the report of Cr Mitchell re draining of sewage from the Palmerston borough into the Manawatu River be adopted, and that this council agrees to pay its share of the cost of obtaining a legal opinion thereon, but will not be responsible for any further costs in the matter without the further sanction of the council and that a copy, of this resolution be sent to the mayor of Foxton." Carried. Tenders were opened for leasing the tramway and collection of the dog tax, but none of them being con sidered suitable, it was decided not to accept any, but to invite fresh tenders for consideration at next meeting. „ Proposed by Cr Sanson, seconded by Cr McLennan and carried, "That the matter of metalling on Wilson's road be left, in the hands of the chairman and the mover to forfeit Boyle's deposit, and oe arrange with one of the other tenderers to do the work, should he fail to sign the said contract at once and proceed with the metal carting immediately." Accounts were passed for payment. On the motion of Cr Sanson, it was agreed to make arrangements with the contractors for delivering metal in the Sanson township for the supply of 89 additional yards at the same price originally agreed upon. The Overseer's report was read. Cr McKenzie called attention to a statement in the Overseer's report that the Rev G. S. Harper had opened a private drain into the County drain without permission, and Cr Sanson moved a resolution calling Mr Harper's attention to the existence of a resolution of the council forbidding this being done and asking for an explanation, which was carried. Leave of absence from the meeting was granted to Cr Hammond from 'the meeting on account of illness Tenders were ordered to be called for stumping and clearing Rowe's line, and the council then adjourned. Advocate.