MANAWAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 65, 2 June 1877, Page 3

MANAWAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council met m the Public Hall; Forfcoh, on Wednesday, 3(Jth May, at 7.30 p.m., and then adjourned to the County Council Chamber. ' COUNCILLOBS PBESENT. Messrs. E; S.Thypne (Chairman), J. W. Liddellj G. M. Snelson, H. McNeil, H. Sanson, H. McDonald; and '■ McArthur. ..' . , -: ".:'..• •■; MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, ~, \ " PEECIS OF LETTEBS. ;. lietter. from Colonial Secretary's office under date 26th April, guaranteeing overdraft, stating : that particulars of subsidy will' be given on payment. Also, letter of same date, requesting .suggestions as to.^the working of ihe " Cbunty Council Act. . „ > Letter frpm the Crown Lands Office, dated 30th April, stating that the. Crown lands at the mouth of the Rangitikei -v river will be surveyed forthwith for, public sale. . : . . Letter from Public Works Office, Ist May, , regretting -that :the locomotive * and trucks, cannot- be spared for metalling. ■';- ,-' : i."' ' (■:>;' y *•■ •;.■ ■;'■■.' Letter from the Colonial Secretary's^ Office, dated -^h May, reporting that Robert Macalister, Esquire, has been apjMfated auditor for the County. ; jHfter from the Public Works Office, dated 16th May, enclosing copy of letter addressed to Mr W. Johnston, stating that £348 16s 9d, will be placed at the disposal of the CounqJ for opening up the Kiwitea Block. Letter from the Chairman of the Manchester Highway Board, dated" 26th April, enclosing the following 1 resolu--tion of the Board.:— "That m the opinion of > this Board an acreage, rate would be a fairer system of rating property m. Highway Districts, than the present system of rating." Letter from R. K. Simpson, Esquire, dated 16fch May, stating that the fees collected by him have been paid to the Public Account of the General Government. The Chairman read a petition from the residents m Foxton requesting that m repairing the road through Foxton to the Ferry at the Manawatu River, they would not terminate the repairs at the Awa Hou Creek, as it would not only be doing injustice to leave the southern portion unformed, but would leave the " wb ole ; - of th c oth er work unfinished. The Ghaibman read a letter from the contractors for metalling the Sandon fend Foxton Line, requesting that the works might be postponed until next summer; it was useless going on -with . the work now as it would do more harm than good, and, was next to an inipossibi- . lity to continue metalling at this time of „• the year.. •ACCOUNTS PASSED. The following .accounts were then passed : — James Linlon, valuation roll, Manawatu Highway Board, £50 ; Manchester* Highway Board valuation roll and copy, £18 10s ; Palmerston North Local Board valuation roll, £5 ; -Foxton Local Board valuation roll, £5 ; E. Bel- „ lairs, for County map, £5 ; P. Collins, 2 months' wages for keeping road m repair £11 13s 4d; "Manawatu Times," advertising and prrnting,-£22 Bs. ; petty" . .cash as per book, £1 16s ; petty cash rerequired, £5; Clerk to Council, one month to 23rd May, 1877, £12 10s ; repairing the Whakapawaewae Bridge, £3 10s. — Total, £152 7s 4d. There was a short discussion regarding payment of the last item which was eventually passed. Li the" item printing, , Councillor Sanson said he-wished to ask if any arrangement had been made- . -with the newspapers for a reduction m long advertisments. As arulahe believed w they did make some reduction. In reference to the advertisment for the registration of dogs he thought it would have been quite enough to have inserted iWfeace. - ;«SPae Chaibman said, the advertise- .: inents regarding the registration qf dogs were very necessary, so as to let the people know that they had to register. , All, the County advertisments were obliged to be published m a paper circulated m the district. ■ , Councillor McAbthub said he thought the Chairman had better make arrangements to get the printing m future done • at a cheaper rate, and find out the terms from the papers circulated m the district. He did not think it was policy to only advertise m one paper, as the *' Manawatu Times ">. was not circulated m every part of the County ; the "Advocate" was greatly circulated m some parts of the County. Councillor Snelson said he thought that easier terms might be made with the "Manawatu Times." No paper would disregard its own interests. He believed other Counties only advertised 1 m one paper. He thought the Chairman had better take the matter m hand. " The Chaieman called attention to the clause 105 of the Counties Act,- relative to cheques being countersigned. Moved by Councillor Sanson and ! seconded by Councillor McDonald,— That Councillors Thynne and Liddell be appointed, to countersign cheques' for payment of accounts. SPECIAL MEETING. The Council then adjourned for the purpose of holding a special meeting to pass -the minutes of the" last meeting. Minutes read. Councillor McAbthub' said he understood that the Clerk was to be Treasurer as.well if required, as Mr Gotter had only taken the appointment of Treasurer temporarily. , The Chaibman then Tead the letter informing the Clerk of his appointment, m which it was stated that "he would have to take as much of •. the duties of Ireasurer as were required,- with tlie ex-

ception of signing any documents under that name." He also said that if any Councillor had anything further to say before he signed the minutes, he must do so now, as after they were signed no question could be asked. The Act required that four weeks must elapse before resolutions could be confirmed, and the nextvspecial meeting called. . i The minutes were then confirmed. OBDINABT. 'MEETING; BESUMED. The Ghaibman quoted 1 the 10th clause of the Counties' Act, and said he begged to lay before the Council what he considered'the financial statement for the year ending March; 31st, 1878. The items for the formation and maintenance of roads wereiaken from theEngineer's report. • 'The' sum mentioned for^hospifals had ;beeri. deducted by the Government. The very lowest rate which could be struck mustbe sixpetfce m the pound. He must point out m justice that the £240 13s 9d went to the organization of the County Council and office expenses, which expenses would not .have to be incurred again. He- thought that the' rent-ofiihe Foxton Ferry maintain the! road from the beach to the ferry. He did not think that they would receive any revenue from . the . lower Ferry ; rather, it would be aheavieroutlay than that at which it was already es- ' timated-.; ' Application had now been made from the ferryman for a new wire rope to replace the old one, which- was worn out. . ; ' \

Councillor McAbthub requested that the Clerk might be allowed, to make out a copyof the estimates for each of the 1 members, so- as to enable them to consider them over before the next meeting; • - ' . Councillor McNeil said he did not notice anything on the estimates for the purchase of the improvements at the ferries. The ferryman at the Gorge Ferry had -told him that he had made improvements m the way of buildings, fencing and laying down m grass a ten acre paddock for the convenience of travellers who were stayed by the floods and other things,- to the amoiint of £252 10s.- He did not expect that'' the man would receive .the full amount of his outlay,- but he thought he^ught to get something for his hard earnings; He then moved,- That a' committee be appointed to value the improvements made Jby the ferryman at the Foxton and Lower Ferriesy such committee to consist of tlie OiMi-mM vttii

Snelson, McNeil, and Liddell, and report at next meeting. Seconded by Councillor Sanson, and carried. . Councillor Sanson said lie would like to know something about the £117 for hospitals. -Had it been speut m the County ? The Chaibman said he had not received anything definite from the Government—merely a telegram to the effect that the subsidy had only been paid into the bank yesterday, so he had had no time to lay anything more before the meeting. - The Clebk read letters from the Under? Secretary for Public Works, to >the Chairman; and the Hon. W. Johnston," with reference to the sum of £348 ' 16s '9d, for local expenditure on roads North of.Feiiding, and the refusal of the County Council to accept it, and the request of Mr, Me Arthur,, that the Government will -again place' it at their disposal for the purpose of providing access for the settlers on the Kiwitea Block before the wet weather sets m. The Under-Secretary stated that the Hon. the Minister for Public Works is willing to again place that sum to the credit of the Council, payable on the certificate of Mr J. T.; Stewart, : that the work to the amount stated has been completed. . Councillor .McAethttb said that the Government had not. answered his letters satisfactorily. He did not ask them for. the money to be placed at the disposal of the Couricii.but as it ha^d been, so placed, he, would now ask that this meeting pass a resolution to* give the money for the purpose of making the road passable for settlers living on the Kiwitea Block. . ; , The following report from Mr Barton was read:—. f - "The most direct approach to the Kiwitea' Block, is by the Kimbtilton ... •road, but at present > the approach is by the Markino road, arid froui the Markino road to the nearest boundary of Ike' block 137. chains of road line Has been cleared, and that m the block there were now twelve miles of clearing under contract. He would suggest 'that the necessary side cuttings be made so as to get a passable dray track, and <he would further suggest that the work be done with the view pi being utilized without alteration when the road is m course of formatibn, as the economy of temporary road work through land which will probably be settled upon shortly, is questionable." '. Mr. Barton had charge of the works before the money was refused, theiewere now 140 chains of road that no dray could get over, and the great difficulty was that there was no Engineer to lay off the work, 1 as Mr Barton was away, v He hoped the Council^ would make some ' arrangement at this' meeting to pass the work. A great deal of work was now being done, and if they advertised for, some one, it .would be a great loss of time, which ought not to be, at this season of the , year. The season "was now slipping away fa.st, and he would like to see the work begun at once. • . Councillor Sanson asked, .was this work included m tlje Kimbplton road ? Councillor McAethite replied, — No. The following, resolution was moved by' Councillor McArthur and seconded by Councillor McNeil :— That the sum of £348 16s 9d, placed at the dispo.sal of the Council by the Government, for the purpose of making; the Kiwitea , accessible, be handed over to the Manchester Hignways -Board, to be expended m \ making the cuttings and other works recommended by the County Engineer in> his report of the 27th Feb., 1877J on the foad known as Mackay's contract. —Carried. \ '■■■/■•.. - The Chaieman' said it .was rather against the rules,^ but he wished to apply for leave to spend the sum of :£8. The road, by the . river bank from- the ferry had been washed away during the late gales and rain. He had had an estimate made and shown to Mr J. T. Stewart, who said. that the money spent now would save a great deal hereafter. Proposed by Councillor Liddell, and seconded; by Councillor Snelson that the sum of £8 ; be expended "on. the ; aj>prdafches of the Foxtbn Ferry. "Carried.-"- .-. ■•'■■-,• • ;-' '.-..; ;' .. „, ■..-,--.> -.., Councillor Snelson said he would move a resolution for a special vote of £5 to be accorded to the -Taonui- riding,' and to -be expended on the road line east of Palmerston towards the Gorge.. "He said the road that wanted this money expended on it was just past Deards' . Hotel, as it was impossibe forcarts to get across withont first going over the tramway. The money expended, now would do a great deal of gopd. - The resolution was seconded by Councillor McNeil and carried. Councillor McNeil moved ;a resolution for a special vote of £8, to be expended on the road from Palmerston to Awa Huri, for & culvert over the crossing of a road near the town boundary/ known, as No. 1 Line. Seconded by Councillor Snelson and carried. ■ ..- - , . Councillor Sanson caUed the attention of the Council to a report of the Engineer of «i bridge m Sandon,- which was built on tressels instead of piles, and the water was undermining them. 400 feet'of timber would Repair all, and the work could be done at a cos t of .- . He would^propose, That the sum of" £2 4s be put on the estimates for the purchase of timber to repair a bridge on the Sandon road. ; . . ■ Seconded by- Councillor Liddell and carried.. . . ■ ■ '. : ■.' ■■ s ' . ; '- Councillor Me Authtte" asked if there had not been - something put upon ' the estimates for the maintenance of roads. He thought he had noticed something tb that effect. He./ did vnot like> to 1 see the money being voted bu^.'insuch sums; as £8 and £51 as they were doing tonight. % ~ / ; >'" ;: . " ■■_j ! -\"'. : :.'--\.." ::- Tte GnMmjta said that the Mgmm

had reported that the same men had been put on the different roads to keep them m repair, as were on -the roads when under the Provincial Government. Councillor Snelson said that the Engineer had been called by the Provincial Government to Wanganui for a very important work, and on account of the bad weather was unable to complete it. Mr Brown, Mr Barton's assistant, had received a letter saying that Mr Barton was coming back this week. Mr Brown was doing his work during his absence ; and he (Ccmncillor Snelson), would suggest that Mr Brown be written to, as he felt sure that Mr Brown would do anything he could for the Council. In answer to a question from Councillor McArthur, Councillor Snelson said he did not understand that Mr Barton was wholly the Engineer of the Council. He was under the impression that Mr Barton had only volunteered his services, and had left his remuneration for the Council to decide. The CHAißMAN.stated that a letter had been written to Mr Barton, accepting his services as Engineer at the last meeting of the Council. The Engineer had been present,, but arrived late, not being m time to take steps regarding the property at the ferries. He had arranged to meet him (the Chairman) next morning, but failed to keep his appointment. On going to Palmerston he found that the Engineer was m Wellington. He then received a letter saying that the Engineer would be here at the end of the month. He, thought that the Council had been placed m a false position ; there was no one to J.ook after the men now working on the different roads; and' that,' as an officer of the - Council, he thought the; Engineer had not acted with proper respect towards the /Chairman m not asking for leave. - Had he, known the. Engineer wanted to be away he would have made other arrangements. Councillor Sanson mo red and Councillor McNeil seconded j That Mr James Prisk be. appointed overseer of, roads' under the management of the Manawatu County Council. Councillor McAbthub moved, and Councillor McDonald seconded as an; amendment,— That the Chairman be instructed to communicate with Mr Barton, with ,'a view to seeing whether satisfactory can be made with him for the continuance of his present position, as County Engineer. The amendment was. carried. ' , The Chaibman said he would like to say a* few' words regarding Councillor Sanson's resolution. Mr Prisk is now put on- by the Engineer, and cannojt be taken away from him. Mr Barton met the ' Council m good spirit to do- their work, leaving his remuneration to them, andthey cannot whilst he is absent cast him off. 'lf .they did so, he would require pay, as also the other manjbhat Councillor Sanson .proposedi ahd)fchen they would be '• paying two for; the. work of one. And again the laying off of the Sandon and Foxton Railway was ndt;yet finished, and therefore it would be very injudicious to dispense with the. Engineer's services. Mr Barton had said he. would meet him at the: end of "the month, and it wanted yet a day, so he might still keep his appointment and be ( jier,e ; and work up his arrears, and .-he/did hot think it advisable to make any 'change until next meeting, of the Council. ■'■ „ ' , . • (To be concluded m our ne xt.)-

ESTIMATES. EXECtJTIYE— Chairman ' ..; 150 0 0 Clerk to County... 160 0 0 300 0 0 EnGINEEB'sDepABTMENT — Engineer and Inspector of Roads' 250 0 0' Occasional assistance 100 0 0 350 0 0 Roads Fobmation-t-Carnarvon June- . tiontoSandon ..' 400 Q 0 Awahuri to Bulls 400 0 0 Awahuri to- Kiwi- ' x tea 300 0 0 Palmerston Sta- ~\ " tion to boun- /<, Kn ft n dary of Local f 15 ° ° ° ( Board ...) Ferry through 1 Foxton ... 150 0 0 : ; £400 0 0 Roads ■ Maintenance— Paid by , Public Works Deparfc- - ment ... ... 212 13 0 Palmerston -,to , <-■ I JBulls ...- ... 640 0 0 Foxton. to Sandon 303 0 0 Awahuri to Feild- , •ing ... , „.. 179 0 0 Palmerston to Gorge 150 0 0 Beach to 'Foxton. 75 0 0 Road-*' 'through 1 * Otaki 25 0 0 -Repairs to Otaki ' " Road .:. ... 17 9 0 1602 2 0 Feeeies — Foxton' Ferry ... Nil. ' Lower Gorge Ferry 40 0 0 Ohau ...' !•.._ 25 0 0 Contingencies „'.. 50 0 0 115 0 0 Doa RechsteationRegistrar ... Nil.' Advertising- ... .20 0 0 Badges ... ... 12 0 0 • Contingencies ... 10 0 0 42 0 0 Hospitals "... 117 10 10 Miscellaneous — Cost of first Election 89 19 3 Coat of Rolls' -'for County ... 7810 0 Maps of County 20 0 '0 ' Safe ... .:. 52 4 6 Printing 100 0 0 Stationery ... 23 15 0 Rent of Offices ... 36 15 0 Contingencies ... 30 0 0 431 3 9 £4357 16 7 Balance, March 31, 1877 2 0,0 "Government Sub- ' sidy to 30th. June.,.?. ' 958 14 4 Government J Sub- • sidy 30th June to 31st March, 1878 ' — ' Licenses & LeasesPublic House Licenses < 420 0 0 Dog Tax' ... 200 0 0 Auctioneers' and Hawkers' Licenses 90 .0 0 Rent of Foxton Ferry 75 0 0 785 0 0 County Rate, 6d in£ ... ... 1044 00 £4353-19 7