Manawatu County Council.

Manawatu Herald, 14 January 1899, Page 3

Manawatu County Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday, There were present : Crs J. G. Wilson, J. R. McLennan, F. Robinson, A. Strang, and P. Clark. Cr Mastery was granted leave of absence. The inward correspondence was read. From J. W. Greenway, claiming £2 8s as compensation for damage alleged to have been caused to two cases of glass while under the care of the Tramway officials. A report of the Tramway manager was read which stated the manner in which the goods had been Handled and affirmed that the damage must have been caused before the cases were put on the tramway. A copy of the tramway bye-laws was produced which showed that glass was carried on the tramway at the owner's risk. At the suggestion of the chairman, the Council showed a disposition, notwithstanding the bye-law, to make some ' compensation if it could be proved the goods were in good order when delivered on the Tramway. Left to the" Chairman to deal with. From the Audit Office, with balancesheet duly audited and found correct. From E. Piggott, of the Moutoa ferry, drawing attention to bad approach at the ferry site. Overseer to inspect and directed to do the work required before winter. ■ From the Treasury, asking for payment of /461 17s 2d, being interests on the inscribed debt of £18474 5s nd. From the Tramway manager reporting that during the past three months the following was carried on the line : Wool, 1800 bales; grain, i4otons; minerals, 160 tons ; manures, 81 tons ; merchandise, 142 tons ; hemp, 41 tons ; timber, 102,592 feet; Firewood, 14 trucks ; chaff, 8 trucks and passenger fares, £16 6s. From Joseph Beale, asking for one large opening through the main drain road, instead of the numerous small ones for drainage; Cr McLennan and the overseer to inspect on the 24th fast., Mr Beale invited to be present. From E. Daniells, ferryman at Scott's Ferry, stating that Messrs Bryant and Allfoot desired to have a traction engine ferried over, the weight of which was eight tons, the ferry having been built to carry five tons : Engine not to be ferried over. From Archibald Macpherson, chairman of a public meeting held at Shannon, conveying a copy of a resolution, which was as follows : — " That this meeting of ratepayers and residents of the Shannon and Moutoa district view with alarm the proposal to block traffic by a bridge at Wirokino, without providing either a swing span or sufficient head room for vessels passing up and down. As the Manawatu is a tidal river for many miles above the proposed bridge site we respectfully request that some reasonable provision shall be made for present and future traffic upon the said river, before a warrant is issued for erection of the said bridge. And that a, copy of this resolution be sent to the Foxton Borough Council, Manawatu and Horowhenua County Councils and Mr Hales, Engineer of Marine t)epartment, Wellington. — Not dealt with. The Clerk produced a list ofrato* payers who had not paid rates due to 31st March 1898.— He was instructed to sue for the amounts due if not paid within a fortnight. The Clerk was directed to again write to Mr Greenaway in regard to the sand which he was required to stop from going on the Main drain road opposite to Mr Couper's. Mr Le Brun, agent for the New Zea- « land Accident Insurance Company ' waited on the Council in regard to the renewal of the policy taken out in favour of the employees of the Council and which lapses. The Clerk reported that the premium was for £4000 but the actual amount spent on wages was £3150. Thej claims made by workmen in respect to it amounted to between £15 to £20. Half-time was paid in all cases but one which was an accident through defective machinery. All the claims 1 bad been promptly paid. — The Council decided to insure on its own liability only. Several alterations were made in the rate-book. That renewals of slaughtering licenses be granted to the following applicants :— Walsh and Howan, Foxton ; F. S. Easton, Foxton ; J. Collingwood, Awahuri; C. H. Burgess, Rongotea ; Nesbet and Haswell, Feilding; C. Hopping, Rongotea. That tenders be called for lowering and grading and fascining cuttings at Moutoa on Elkin's road. That tenders be called for lowering and claying sand cuttings on Kellow's line from Milner's line and fascining. The Council passed the monthly accounts and adjourned. — Advocate.