HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5345, 15 May 1878, Page 2

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

■ The ordinary' monthly meeting was held yesterday at the Provincial HalL There were present—The Chairman (Mr. Mason), and Messrs. Taylor, Chew, Lancaster, Morgan, Speedy, Dick, Smith, and Monaghan. CORRESPONDENCE. Tlie following circular from the Hokitika Council was considered ; 41 County Council Chambers,Hokitika, Westland, April 28. 1878.—Sir.— iA a meeting of this Council field on April 11, it was r,solved that I should bring the desirability of holding a Conference of County Councils before you, and I have now the honor of doing so, and of "stating.that I should be glad to be favored with your Council’s views on the subject. The questions to be brought under review at such a conference are many, and ae v er.Jof them of the highest degree of importance, especially those relating to the maintenance of main roads, the construction •of large bridges, and other public works, which properly should devolve on. the county; the various matters affecting the finances and revenue 4 of counties, and the support of charitable institutions in counties. Xu replying to this letter I would thank you to indicate subjects which seem to you to require special attention at the proposed conference, and to suggest the town at which, in vour opinion, it should assemble. In consequence of the stated intention of the Government to bring about a separation in the administration of the government in the two islands, it is desirable that the conference should assemble as soon as possible. Xnis rimmed suggest. - W-’’’-id m r-.rd th? on.! of ... ay next as the place ana time of meeting.— X have, &c., Henry L. Robinson, County t| Chairman, Westland,” A discussion ensued, during which it was contended that united action should be taken by the counties to cause the Government to provide means for opening np new country by forming roads. It was pointed out that owing to land being sold before roads were made it was sold at much below a fair price. _ Mr. Morgan moved that the Chairman be appointed to represent the Council at the proposed conference. Seconded by Mr. Speedy, and carried. .. Mr. Morgan suggested that the Council resolve itself into a committee at the conclusion of the business, to consider what instructions should be given to the Chairman.—ibis was agreed to. The Manawatu County Council forwarded £5 amount paid to them in error as a license for the Waikanae Hotel. They would payhalf of the cost of the new ferry-boat at 'Vaikanae, less one-half the receipts from the pub-lic-house license. A discussion ensued as to the condition of the present ferry-boat, the general opinion being that the boat was cot safe. It was agreed that the Council should pay halt the cost of the maintenance of the ferry, but they declined to pay over any revenue received from ■ hotel licenses in the county. From the department of Public Works, stating that there were reasons for not proceeding at once with the road through Maori land at Petoni, but the Government hoped ’ that in a short time they would be enabled to complete it.—Received ■ C Prom W. J. Ridler, intimating that ha intended to fence in land , through which the proposed Petoni road would pass in a fortnight, aness the Council made arrangements with him before that time.—ReceivedMembers expressed a hope that prompt action would be taken to get the road opened as soon as possible. ■ from the Minister for Public Works as follows: “ With reference to _ the interview which a deputation of settlers interested in the completion of the road from Mungaroa to Waikanae had with me, I have now the honor to inform you that the Government are prepared to place at the disposal of the County Council for the purpose oue-half of the vote for £3500, and the remainder when available.” Tenders for the work had been received, and were afterwards considered by the Council. From the Secretary to the Treasury, staling that 175., being 20 per cent, of the land revenue for March, 1878, had been retained by the Treasury in part payment of the sum of £1 11s. 6J., recoverable from the county for advertising election notices in the New ZEALAND Times. The Chairman : We still owe the Government 14s. 6d. Councillor Smith: This is our great land revenue, out of which we were to pay for our roads and everything, . It. M. Cleland offered to sell to the Council a small piece of land on the Upper Hutt and Waikanae-jo id, the making of which road, as it ran through his property, would damage it considerably. The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman. TOLL-GATE. Mr. Travers attended with a lease of the Kaiwarra toll gate, which was duly executed by the Council. ‘ . DISUSED ROADS. It was agreed, on the motion of Councillor Lancaster, seconded by Councillor IHOK, — That steps be taken to survey the disused roads in the Karori-Makara District, and to sell the same, TENDERS. ■— - The following tenders were received for the Mungaroa-Wiiikanae road contract -John McLean, £1887; Justinian Power, £2817 17s. 6d.; Robert Lyon, £1394; J. McColl, £1521 Bs. 6d.; E. T. Millar, £1679; Thomas Power, £1794; James Leo, £1752 Bs.; D. T. Simpson, £IB7B 14a.; Parrott, £1855; John XCerby and Co., 1474. The engineer's estimate was £1404. On the motion of Councillor Taylor, E. Lyon’s tender for £1394 was accepted. KARORI-MAKARA RIDING. Councillor Lancaster, pursuant to notice, moved, —That a grant of £4OO be made to the Karori-Makara riding. Councillor MONAGHAN seconded the motion. The mover and the seconder strongly urged the claim of the district to a grant. Councillor Smith opposed the motion. Councillor Morgan proposed an adjournment in order that the Chairman and. the Clerk should ascertain the . amount due to the Karori-Makora riding after deducting working expenses. • - 1 ... This was agreed to, and the consideration of the matter was adjourned to the next meeting PAHAUTANBI-HUTT-ROAD. Councillor Smith withdrew the following motion, of which he had given notice,—That" the Chairman, Councillors Morgan, Speedy, and the mover form a deputation to wait on the Minister of Public Works to urge on him the necessity of constructing a road from the' Small Farms, Pahautanui, to .. Haywood’s Station, Hutt. He desired-to'urge the necessity which existed for the Government making a road through every new block of land to be put up for sale. A block of 15,000 acres would be in the market in four or months, and pressure would be brought to bear to cause it to be sold. As soon asvpecmle. bought it they would come to the make the roads. It was the duty of the Government to make one main line, and leave it to the people and the road boards to make by. roads. The land revenue which was to enable the County Council to carry on bo many works only amounted to 17s. to March. As the Chairman bad taken action in the matter, he would not press his motion. Motion withJrawn. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £s46■■X(ss. were passed for payment. NOTICE OP MOTION. Councillor Morgan to move at the next meeting,—That the tolls payable at the Hutt gate shall cease on the Ist of November next. The Council then adjourned. SPECIAL MEETING. The special meeting for the consideration of the annual statement of accounts was held. A resolution authorising the Chairman to cer- . tify to the accounts, as required by the Act, was carried.