Hawera County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 44, 30 November 1894, Page 2

Hawera County Council.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the County Council was held on Wednesday, at noon. Present: Crs Forsyth, McLean, Mcßae, Stewart, Quin, Stevenson, aud (for a time) Winks. ELECTION OF CHAIKMAN. The first business was election of chairman, Cr Quin moved that Mr Forsyth be re-elected. He had done his duty well, and they could not get a better man. No doubt it was a little inconvenient to him that he lived so far away, but nevertheless, he had done his duty faithfully. Cr McLean seconded. Cr Forsyth said he would much rather that somebody else were selected who lived nearer to the office. Not that he jibbed, for the duty had been rather a pleasure to him, as he could always rely on the advice and help of councillors. But he thought it would be better to have someone who lived nearer the office. Further, the Waimate members would be soon going out of office, and he might or might not continue a member of the Council. However, he had no objection to serve for the remainder of that time.

Cr Scott said Mr Forsyth had been a good chairman, and had conducted the meetings in a straightforward and genial manner, and he hoped he would continue in office.

The clerk put the motion, and it was agreed to. The Chairman thanked the Council for the renewal of confidence. CHARITABLE AID BOARD. ’ Cr Scott moved that Crs Quin, Hemmingway, and the mover be the representatives of the Council on the Charitable Aid Board. He did so decause he thougnt that the County Council should be represented by its own members.

Cr Hemmingway regretted that he could not take office on any more local bodies. He moved that the chairman’s name be substituted for his own.

Cr Stevenson supported the amendment, thinking that the western end should be represented. The Chairman declined on the ground that the lived too far from the railway line. He proposed Mr Canning. Cr Quin objected to Mr Canning, and suggested Mr Heslop. ‘ Mr Heslop, who was present, said he could not accept it, as with the Land Board he had too many meetings to attend.

Asked for his reasons, Cr Quin said one reason why he objected was that Mr Canning did not sit out the meetings of the Board. Mr Davidson’s name was suggested, but it w T as pointed out that the bush district ought to have a representative. Eventually Cr Hemmingway consented to act for a time at any rate. ORDINARY MEETING. « HASTINGS ROAD. Mr Heslop attended as a deputation, and asked for further metalling of 10 chains on Hastings Road. He thought there was land fund coming in shortly, and the contractor now finishing his work would, if the Council saw its way to anticipate, do the work for £3 10s a chain. It would cost more if later on the Council had to call for tenders. No action taken pending ascertain ment of financial position of road. CORRESPONDENCE. From Lands Department with reference to Taungatara bridge, stating that it was not vested in any body, and it would not be wise to spend money on it without it was, unless the case were very urgent. ■ Hospitable and Charitable Aid Board, asking permission to cross road in taking water to Hawera Hospital. A. R. Mackay, with reference to a patent for protecting river banks.— Resolved to inform the writer that the Council .did not need works of the character indicated. Railway Engineer, asking for a copy of the county map. The clerk had replied that the department was welcome to take a copy. Carrington Road Board, asking for information as to the Council’s experience in metalling.—This led to a little discussion, the Chairman and Cr Stewart holding that experience showed that hand broken metal was cheaper than machine broken, while Crs McLean and Stevenson were certain that machine work must be cheaper.— Clerk and engineer to reply. VVaitotara County Council, stating that the Minister of Lands would probably visit the district in December, and would inspect the shell-gravel pit and confer with representatives of local bodies. Cr Scott was appointed to represent Hawera County. T. R. Skinner, concerning work to county map. G. Membery, calling attention to the bad state of Auroa Road. —The road was reported to be £lO overdrawn ; applicant to be informed of this.

R. Watson, with reference to road at Punehvw—Cr Stewart said the fence was now up and the road open^—The offer of Mr Watson that land be leased for three years at £2 per year was accepted. Duncan Robertson, asking that money to his sections on Auroa Road be spent opposite Sections 3 and 4. Bell, Gully, and Izard, asking for a settlement in regard, to Mrs Edwards’ claim, Ingahape Road. —Resolved to send a copy of previous offer to Mrs Edwards. R. Dawbin, calling attention to bad state of ford of Mangawhertf stream on Opunake-Stratford Road. He offered £2 in cash or labor, and said other settlers would assist.—Engineer to - ascertain cost of foot bridge, and also amount settlers would subscribe, and on the suggestion of Cr Stewart it was resolved to offer the material, provided the settlers erected same. Stratford County Council, forward-

irg dirqu-J for £249. Cinque had Lci.nn turned as it was not in arcordatao with auv.ngf ment. J. J. Bi-ckrell, asking that gates on Ingfthitpe Road be removed r.s Mr McG ■ gvi' had paid no atienlion to the notice. Ho also asked that straying stock on Whakamara Road be impounded. Mr McGregor waited on the Council and said the road had been deal-, ted, and he wanted the deviated road legalised. This was all spite on Mr Buckrell’s part. Cr Stevenson said he was informed by Mr Gane that there vas no legal la ad, and therefore no right to object to the gate. Cr Scott said Mr McGregor was misleading the Council. There was no question about the gates being on the road, and' the gates being very badly hung., were a nuisance, and bad been so for 15 years. The Chairman said that it was no use going into these matters, because th re being objection the gates,must be removed. Mr McGregor said he wanted the road defined, so that he could fence. He did not want to fence aud then have to take it down again. After a long talk, it was resolved that the gates must be removed within two months, meantime further enquiry could be made. As to the straying cattle, it was decided that if cattle were damaging the road, settlers should give notice to the engineer. C. 0. Ekdahl, R. Souter, and W. Sangster, asking that a loan of £IOO be raised for metalling Anderson Road. Resolved that steps be taken. . Ratepayers of Te Roll, asking for the metalling of Skeet Road between the "Waingongoro bridge and the railway station. Mr Goodland waited on the Council in support of the petition, and said there were 18 or 20 chains which was urgently needed. A considerable ‘sum of d p. money had been derived from the land thereabouts. All to the west the roads were metalled, and this bad place stopped all traffic to the railway station. Cr Quin agreed .that it was a bad gap between - the metalled roads and the station. After the Maogatoki Biding was fully constituted and the indebtedness arranged, perhaps the western side could be induced to assist instead'of throwing all the cost on the Eltham Riding. The chairman said they could not decide anything that day, but if the deputation came later on the Council would see if it could do the work before next winter. Mr Goodland also asked if it was the intention of the Council to pass a by-law to control heavy traffic. The Chairman said it was intended to do so. MERGING. . After considerable discussion, it was decided, on the casting vote of the chairman, to defer action until after the Waimate Riding elections. SPECIAL RATE. The special rate fur the Conway Road loan was confirmed. Tenders to be called for the work as soon as the money is available. MEREMERE ROAD. On the motion of Cr Scott, it was iresolved that tenders be called for stumping aud widening the Mcremere Road. There was d.p. money available to do about three miles. - < TENDERS. The following were dealt with: 184. Erection of bridge, Makino : E. Cave, £69 (accepted); P Houston, £B4; J. Ryan, £119; Leydon, £Bl 10s; C. Clarson, £92; G. Latham, £B6 8s ; Christie and Co., £BS. ■ 185. Gravelling 20 chains Skeet Road: W. Cleaver, £3 7s per chain (accepted); Julian £4 ;J. Hay.ward, £3 19s 6d‘. 186. Grading and gravelling Boylan Read: W. Cleaver, £1 12s per chain ; Julian Bros., £6 10s ; J. Hayward, £4 19s. PIIIAMA CEMETERY. It was resolved to appoint Messrs John Sheat, McKeown, J. Forsyth, Stevenson, and Lambie trustees of the Pihama cemetery. - ' VALUATION. The question of getting a valuation was discussed. Cr Quin and others considered that it would only be necessary to value the townships and revise some other /parts of the district. Cr Hemmingway thought that that would lead to a difficulty, and that there must be a general re-valuation in order to be fair to all. Eventually, as members required time to consider tbe subject, it was resolved that .the matter be held over till next meeting. MOUNTAIN ROAD. Cr Quin brought under notice the urgent needmf a few chains of metalling hear Mr Best’s Motion deferred. The ordinary monthly accounts were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.—Star.