HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5835, 11 December 1879, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting was held on Tuesday. Present—Councillors Taylor (chairman), MasoD, Chew, Lancaster, Smith, Morgan, Speedy, Dick, and Mouaghan. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From J. Thompson, secretary to the Kaiwarra Local Board, forwarding the following resolution, which was paase.l at a meeting of the Board held on the 26th November : That the County Council bo requested to tako charge of the pound in the local district, the County Council having already taken over the other pounds within the county, as well as the appointment of inspector of slaughterhouses, with the fees attached thereto, more especially as the owner of the lanol in which the pound is erected has given notice to the Board to remove the same. It was pointed out that the matter was brought under the notice of the late chairman of the Council, and he had acquiesced with the request of the Board.—Proposed by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Speedy, and carried, —That the Board be informed that if they erect a pound, and nominate a keeper for the same, the Council will appoint the person to be named by the Board as poundkeeper. From Thomas Kobinson, Makara, drawing attention to the condition of a child named Edward Conolly, about seven and a half years of age, who was left by the death of his father and mother without a guardian or any means of support. At the request of the older children of the family, Mr. Kobinson had taken charge of the boy until such time as they were in a position to get some person to take him. The writer of the letter had accordingly taken the boy, but the others were unable to contribute to his support, and he now asked the County Council to allow him a sufficient sum for his food and clothing, and if so, he would look after the lad, and send him to school.— Referred to Councillors Lancaster and Mouaghan, to report at next meeting. From W. A. Fitzherberfc, county engineer, stating that he had inspected the proposed line to connect No. 23 section, Horokiwi Road District, with the main road, and found the line altogether impracticable. The only way to connect the section with the main road would be to carry on the latter, and connect at the north-east corner.—Allowed to stand over till next meeting. REOPENING OF A DISUSED EOAD. Councillor SPKEDr moved, and Councillor Lancaster seconded, —That the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans of the disused road through sections 33, 34, 36, 39, and 47, Lower Hutt, and that the chairman take the proper steps to convey the same to the several owners. —Carried. HOSPITAL AID. Councillor MORGAN asked whether the subcommittee appointed at a previous meeting had brought up a report on the matter ? Councillor Mason said he did not think any meetings had been held. He thought the question would be placed on a more satisfactory footing after the Parliamentary session was brought to an end. He thought some Bteps could be devised by which the Council would not be compelled to pay one-fifth of the contributions required towards the maintenance of the Hospital, whilst one-fortieth of the patients did not belong to the county. FOUND FEBS. Councillor Morgan asked whether any fees had been received from the poundkeeper ? The Chairman replied in the negative. It was decided that the various persons m charge of the pounds should be written to, informing them that certain fees had to be paid to the Council. Councillor Morgan moved that the books should be procured for the poundkeepers, as the present practice of merely entering them on slips of paper was an objectionable one. Councillor MonaGHAN objected to the Council going to any expense, as they had never received any pound fees up to the present. Councillor Morgan then gave notice of motion for next meeting, that the necessary books should be procured. THE DUIIES OF THE ENGINEER. Councillor Chew asked whether a member of the Council, or a member of a Highway District Board, had the power to ask the engineer to re-survey roads ? He asked the question because he met Mr. Fitzherbert one day, and that gentleman told him that hewas going to survey lines of road in the township of Belmont. Councillor SPEEDY said that Mr. Fitzherberfc had done so at his request, and he had previously asked the permission of the Highway Board, as he believed the services of the engineer were at their disposal. Councillor Masok said that the practice had been to ask the Council for permission. The Chaibman said that the Highway Board was under the impression that they could always command the servicss of the engineer. Councillor Chew stated that whenever the Kaiwarra Local Board wanted the services of the engineer they had to come to the Council, and requ est *" s services. He considered that the Highway Board should do the same. Councillor Lancaster considered that the county engineer had no business to survey any line of road leading to a private township. Councillor Smith thought that the Council should follow the example of the City Council, and not allow their engineer to do any private work. The Chairman having drawn attention to the irregular nature of the discussion, Councillor Chew gave notice of motion to the following effect :—That the several highway boards and local boards be required to give notice to the county of any new roads to be laid off before the services of the engineer be given for the purpose of surveying the same. HOLIDAYS. Proposed by Councillor Speedy, seconded by Councillor Mason,—That the Council offices be closed from the 25th December to the 3rd January, both days inclusive.—Carried. INSPECTOR OP SLAUGHTERHOUSES REPORT. The Inspector reported that he bad visited the various slaughterhouses within the county during the last month, ard had in every case found" them in a clean condition, some improvements and alterations having been made in one or two cases at his suggestion. Six licenses had been issued during the past month, ms-kin" a total of twenty-nine. The number

of large cattle slaughtered was 1759, and of. small 17,173, the fees from which produced a revenue for the quarter of £57 15s. 3d., together with £6 from slaughtering fees, making in all £63 15s. This, added to the previous quarter's returns ot £BO 10s., made a total far the half-year of £144 Bs. The report was adopted. CHARITABLE AID. Tha Council agreed to give Mrs. O'Shea, Makara, the sum of £2 per month to relieve her present necessities. ACCOUNTS. The total expenses for the month, amounting to £2904 4s. Bd., were passed for payment. NOTICES OF MOTION. Councillor Surra gave notice that he would move at next meeting that the Council should in future hold their meetings in Wellington. He also gave notice that the sum of £3O should be voted by the Council towards fencing the dangerous parts of the Paikakariki Fill road, as the butchers in Wellington had guaranteed to give £2O towards the same.