Manawatu County Council.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 10 September 1891, Page 2

Manawatu County Council.

The usual monthly meeting ,of the above Coiiricil was held ftt,the CoUri ty office, San son ; on Wediiesday at il'a.ni. i?re'seiit-Tke Okairman (V. C. Ransom) Crs McKenzie, ■Hammond.. Robinson, Mitchell, Masters and Saxon. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and corihmiect". The !f6)Ww'lii^ correspondence was read : — » INWABDS. Department of Justice, forwarding copy of verdict and rider recorded by jury at the induct held oil John FTdltyn; T.he rider k as follows :— The jiiry wish to add as & rider that the team of football players' skouid be caiitioried agaitist itialiilig tioises iri tlie 1 jiilblic highway, and also the jury wish to state their opinion that the part of the road where the accident happened is not according to law and request that it should be widened and altered into shape. Gh Nydj statiilg he purposecf calling for tenders for buildiag pitrit ofl the 12th October, and suggesting two Councillors to open and accept tenders.

Maclean and Green, drawing attention to a nuisance existing on Jones' Line, caused by foul water running off the road into their property. They asked that the nuisance tie abated at once.

John Blundell applied to have his name entered in rate book in place of F. Gillett for sections 180 and 153 Campbelltown. T. Easton and H. Gower, asking that Gower 1 s name be placed on rate book in lieu of T. Easton.

D» Mi Bi'ooks, asserting that he had paid his share of llatikiris' costs when last settlement was made. He objected to several items in the new biil of costs.

Treasury, notifying the payment of £68 5s 4d for Native land rates for 1888-9 1889-90.

J. McLennan, stating that he believed there was no road under a chain wide, but that he had Written to Mr Scott who will furnish the necessary information.

G. J. E. Scott, stating the width of the road from Jones' Line to the main drain is half a chain. The road in question being only a bye road, it was curtailed to half a chain width. The road through the bush and along the main drain is one chain in width, being laid off as the principal road.

Horowhenua County, requesting a specific reply to letters of the 2nd January, 1891, and -February 28th, 1891, making a claim against your Council for £215 6s 4d for payments made on its behalf in liquidation of liabilities incurred before the separation of the two Counties. This Council considers that you have had ample time to enquire into the claim and determine what course your Council intend to take. I have, therefore to request you will favour me with an early reply.

T. Wilson, asking for assistance in draining the line of road along the river bank through sections 96, 97, and 98 Moutoa, and also the line through section 92 and 93, about 20 chains. This would enable traffic to go along the proper road so far as these lines went instead of as at present through private property. I may state that I have put a floodgate on the river bank and would bring my drains up to the road, thus giving a good outfall. I would also pay half cost of the drain along the. road if a surveyor were sent by you (say Mr Alzdorf, of Foxton), to point out the line. A drain of 4 feet of top 3 feet- on bottom and 8 feet deep would be sufficient, and should cost about 15s per chain. There is timber in it.

Bank of Australasia, stating that a special loan account for £1750 had- been opened as requested. The general account can be overdrawn £650 or more if necessary.

Treasury, informing that the sum of £1750 had been paid into the Bank account.

J. G. Wilson stating he would have much pleasure in voting against the one-man'one-vote clause being incorporated in the Counties Act.'

J. H. Hanlrins enclosing a number of bills against the Council.

Patea County enclosing copy of resolution viewing with alarm the action of the Government in regard to the Counties Bill.

F. G. G. Couper informing that he is at present fencing off the road known as "Milners Line" which leads through his property. As there is a deviation in the old road some new forming will be required before road is passable for traffic.

Depart of Lands and Survey acknowledging receipt of plans and notices of bridge over Oroua river.

Manawatu Hoad Board declaring that the Board declines to pay .any portion of the cost of construction of the proposed road and bridge and will oppose same by all legal means.

Treasury forwarding payment of £125 part of subsidy under the L. B. F. and Powers Act 1885 and section 8 Appropriation Act 1890 — subsidy £500, less advance £375.

The Chairman said the road where the accident to Hooban happened was one of the best pieces on the whole line. The cart had rnn over a corner leading intd Desmond's property, where the horse was bred.

The -Overseer . said the road was in good Qvi\or arid if the cutting had

been 60ft wide the sains accident mighfc have" iiripp'erie'dj U& believed the same oiiclli'i'ed by the- hdi^e. njakirig a sharp" ton to his old honte. The hO'.-^ tiad travelled dlotlg the rddd 1 a idii^ My withoiit A driver, without a mishap. • Cr Saxori proposed and Cr McKerizie secdrided, That the. horse driven by the ldte .John HOobari liavmg Been, bred, on the 1 pVop'e'riy of Mr Desmond and having turned off the road at Mr Desmond's gate the Council do not hold themselves liable in any way for the accident— Carried.

Jfcr McLean and Green's letter about drain being polluted, it was understood that the nuisance arose from Mudfoi'd's fkxmill. - . -

The Chairman moved and Or Sammotid seconded, That Messrs Mudford Bros be written to re a letter received from Messrs McLean and Green re pollution of drain through their property and that they be sent a copy of County By-law on this matter and be asked to abate the nuisance. — Carried.

The chairman moved and Cr McKenzie secouded, That Native Rates for 1888-89 be spent in the same manner or in the same pro* portion as the rate for 1887-88.—-Carried.

Mr Scott, of the Rangitikei ferry informed the Council that the pilothouse was in danger of being washed away, and that he could get a winch for six guineas. Cr McKenzie moved, and Cr Ransom seconded, That Mr T. Scott's statement referring to the pilot house at Rangitikei be referred to the Government. Carried.

Cr McKenzie proposed, and Cr Hammond seconded, That Mr Scott be authorised to procure a winch for the use of ferry. Cost not to exceed six guineas. Darried. A discussion arose on the letter from the Horowhenua Council, the Chairman explaining how the transaction arose, and the offers that had been made.

Cr McKenzie moved, Cr. Sansoin seconded, That this Council having enquired into the claim of the Horowhenua County Council, are of opinion that this Council is not.liable for any part of the amount claimed, but as the sum of £10 was conditionally offered on a previous occasion, this Council is willing that the sum of £50 be paid in full settlement, and that the offer be made without prejudice. A division being called for Crs Ransom, McKenzie, Robinson and Saxon voted in favour, and Crs Hammond, Mitchell and Masters against. The resolution was therefore carried.

Cr Mitchell proposed, and Cr Masters seconded, That sections 60 and 66, Douglas Block, be transferred from name of Theophilus Easton to George Harry Gower, also sections 130 and 153, Campbelltown, from name of F. Gillett to John Blundell, in accordance with their respective letters. Carried.

The Treasurer's report showed that the General Fund account was overdrawn £148 10s 2d.

It was proposed by Cr Ransom, seconded by Cr McKenzie, That part of loan of £1750 be placed as a fixed deposit at Bank of Australasia, Foxton. £1000 for 6 months, £500 for 3 months. Carried.

Cr Mitchell proposed, Cr Eobinson seconded, That the overseer be instructed to inspect the road at Moutoa, and report at next meeting on the work as indicated by Mr Wilson's letter. Carried.

Cr McKenzie moved that Mr Hankins' account be referred back for amendment. Cr Kansom seconded. Carried.

Cr Ransom moved, and Cr McKenzie seconded, That this Council after the 16th of present month apply to the Governor for power to construct a bridge over the Oroua river at the site where the Campbelltown-Long-burn, and Longburn-Aorangi roads strike the Oroua river, and to recover the half -cost of the same from the Manawatu Eoad Board in terms of " The Public Works Amendment Act, 1889." Carried.

The Manchester Road Board forwarded plans and specifications for a bridge at Aorangi, and asked that the Council find one-fourth of the cost, which was estimated at £8000. It was also proposed to charge onefourth to the Manawatu Road Board and the Feilding Borough. The Manchester Board paying only one fourth.

The matter being discussed it was thought that perhaps some share might have to be paid, but that the claim was out of all proportion. It was pointed, out that if the matter went before a Commission the Council would be able to raise a loan | for the amount without taking a poll of the ratepayers. CrMcKenzie moved, That in the opinion of this Council the proposed bridge at Aorangi would not be for the benefit of ratepayers in this County, but rather than incur the costs of a Commission of Enquiry, this Council will agree to pay the sum of £200 towards the construction of said bridge, and that this offer be made to the Manchester Road Board without prejudice. Cr Hammond seconded. As an amendment, Cr Saxon moved, and Cr Robinson seconded, That the Manawatu County Council having their shftw to pay towards

keeping the Awahun bridge in repair tm'nk the Mm aenc in by the Man. . Chester Road Board unreasonable, . ati<* object to piy any share. /^f For the amendment, the ayes were Ci-s i-ason, Mitchell, Robinson and Hangom, Noes, Crs MoKenaie, liamnidttd add Masters. The an> endmeflt thereftnrearrW' Cr Ransom moved, and CrMeKenzie secoaded, That the avfrseer be instructed to inspect Milner's line, and report to the next meeting otthe Council, so as to open up said road for general traffic in terms of Mr * . G. Oowper's letter of Septembev 8, Carried. ' (To be continued.)