THE MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3765, 9 May 1907, Page 3

THE MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council was held at Sandon on Wednesday. Present —Messrs J. G. Wilson (in the chair), Masters, Barber, Hammond, Dalton and McKenzie. The following correspondence was received ; From the Railway Department, asking the Council to agree to the erection of a railwayman’s cottage on the reserve at Bainesse. From the Health Department, stating that Dr J. P. Frengley had been appointed health officer for the Wellington district. From C. Brooke, Oroua Downs, asking the Council to pay attention to the drainage opposite his store, as during the recent rains he had been almost flooded out owing to the culvert being too small to carry off storm water. From J. E. Fulton, bridge engineer, stating that he would be in Foxton that day in connection with the work of strengthening the Whirokino bridge. From J. Martin, County Inspector, stating that the Whirokino bridge required immediate attention —one or two piles seemed to have been scoured out and were sprung. From W. R. Anderson, objecting to water from a culvert on Foxton-road being allowed to flow on to his land, and asking the Council to shift the culvert and remedy the evil. From A. Reid, asking permission to complete a lease on the reserve at Himitangi. Fron Bell and Devin, Oroua Downs, objecting to overcharge of rates, as they had been charged on the old valuation of ,£5725, instead of on £3,560. From E. Ball, asking for a billiard-room license. From D. Wilson, Palmerston N., for attestation of order for £9 ss, on money held by Council on behalf of a neighbour named Rapara. Several applications for slaughtering licenses were granted. From Robert Halliwell, Rongotea, stating that he was unable to give the name of the driver of the traction engine he had complained about. From Railway Department, stating that the Department did not intend to pursue flax-cutting at \ iipccp TREASURER’S REPORTGeneral account, debit, £934 8s 6d ; loan account, credit, £971 14s 4d ; net credit balance, £37 5s rod. Riding accounts —Overexpended Sandon riding £lO9 12s; Mt. Stewart -£99 7s 3d ; Rongotea, £179 19s qd ; Kawakawa, £543 3s 4d ; Awahou, £ll6 4s rod. It was decided to, stiike a general rate of in the £ throughout the county, and separate rates as follows :—Sandon and Mt. Stewart ridings J6d, Waitohi i-i6d, Carnarvon d, Rongotea %d, Kawakawa 3/fsd in the £. That a special meeting be held on Wednesday, June 12th, to pass special order making special rate of j4d in the £ in Whirokino division of Awahou riding. The Treasurer reported as follows ; —I have the honour to present for your consideration the estimates for the financial year ending 31st March, 1908. The estimates have been based to allow of reduction of £3OO off overdraft, the same as was done last year. The overdraft is shown as being reduced from £722 os 15s id. equal to £295 5s xod. Following is a statement of proposed rates for current year. You will notice that the general rate has been made a uniforn one of %d in the £, which is thought advisable in the face of legal opinions lately given against differential rates being struck over ridings. The estimated amount of subsidy for current year was £ll4O, as against £1096 6s. 6d. received last year. Receipts for tramways were estimated at ,£2400 and expenditure at £ 2BOO, showing an apparent loss of ,£4OO- This amount represents th cost of improving the grade, taking up and relaying rails for second section on Carnarvon Dine. The fixed charges of the Council were as follows: —Reduction of overdraft .£3OO, administration ,£430, Hospital and Charitable Aid £360, bridges and protective works ,£350, interest on overdraft £l4O, Joans over County (interest) £895, overseer and general expenses ,£350; valuation £2875. These charges would be apportioned among the several Ridings on the basis of valuation. The report was adopted.