HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 10 September 1919, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY F " —” Tie ordinary; jnonthly; meeting of tie above Council was ield at Wellington yesterday. Present: Crs. F. G. Cooper (ciairman), W. J. Howell, -M. W. Welci, P. Cavanagi, J. Whiteman, and W. Galloway.

Correspondence was read and dealt witi as under: —

Prom Public Healtk Department, drawing attention to sanitary defects at Paekakariki, reporting cases of diphticria, and suggesting improvements. —To be attended to.

Prom Manawatu County t Council, drawing attention to tie fact that owing to tie railway restrictions and the abnormal traffic on roads in consequence; tie main roads were in a bad state. The Council asked to bo supported in a request that the Government should subsidise towards repairing the roads.— Unanimously agreed to support the proposal. Prom Upper Hutt Town Board, asking that the Council and Board pay equal portions to the upkeep of the boundary roads. —-Matter to be ad-

justed. Prom Paekakariki Surf and Lifesaving Club, asking for subsidy to erect children's dressing-sheds. —Agreed that the matter be supported. It was thought by councillors that a grant had already been made. Prom P. Bond,/ asking that impreveinents fee effected to tho entrance to his premises at Paekakariki as promised some time ago.—Suggested that the work be done by the applicant, £6 to be granted towards the work.' Prom E. Clarke (PaTaparaumu), complaining of the unsatisfactory condition.of drains, and pointing out that at time® acres of land were under -water and considerable damage done. Cr. Howell stud the drains were never dug for winter drainage, and to do so would cost much money. He pointed out that jthe drains wore to bo cleaned at an 'early date—Received. Paraparaumu Cemetery.

J. G. Maclean (Paraparaumu) wrote asking that the cemetery be fenced according to agreement. Cr. Hfewcll considered that the matter was a county one, and he moved that the fence be erected. It was suggested that tho money should come out of riding funds, but to this he objected, jointing out that other cemeteries had received grants from the general fund. He asked that no time be lost in haying the work done, as there were now eight burials there, and a danger of stock damaging headstonos, etc. He asked also that the Council make a survey, which would cost £25, and pointed out that several donations had been given towards carrying out improvements. After brief discussion the Council agreed that the cemetery, be fenced and surveyed. Finances. f The overdraft was reported to be £O7-93 13s 2d, while accounts amounting to £859 8s 7d were passed for payment. Inspector’s Report. The inspector (Mr Cndby) reported that very little had transpired since his last report. The maintenance of the loads had been attended to, but they were not in tho condition he wished. He hoped with the approach of fine weather they, would improve. The Crushing plant was still unavailable, ana it was difficult to maintain the roads, especially at Horokiwi. On the 18th nit. the northern wing of Patrick's bridgo on the Akatarawa road had collapsed, and the road had slipped away. The matter was promptly attended to. —Report adopted. Cr. Welch reported that he and Cr. Howell had been unable to visit premises at Day’s Bay, while Cr. Howell said since the last meeting a small deputation of ladies had waited on him at PaTaparaumu, when he pointed out that improvements had been done, and .that in view of them being carried out Similar applications were being made. Cr. Welch thought Mrs Austin’s request should be granted, and, if not, thought obstructions in other places sibnld bo removed. Cr. Howell pointed oat that he was in favour of obstructions being re moved. —Decided that Crs. Cavanagh and! Welch make a report. The inspector, in answer fo a question, said he had been promised the crusher almost daily for some considerable time, but still repairs had not been effected.

The Chairman said tho position was exasperating, while other councillors sarcastically suggested that perhaps the firm who had repairs in hand might buy the plant. At a later stage it was reported that the crusher had been repaired. Ranger’s Report. Tlio ranger (R. C. Dick) reported that during August he seized 20 head of stock, five owners had been convicted and fined, while several cases were yet unheard. A Complaint. The ranger also made a complaint against Cr. Galloway, alleging that •while in the execution of his duty Cf. Galloway had abused him, and refused to pay registration fees. Cr. Galloway gave the report a denial, and" accused Dick of not acting in a straightforward manner. The dogs lie was sued for not registering were his son’s. Dick had also made ungentlemanly references towards him. He contended also that Dick had exceeded his duties by issuing a summons instead of leaving a written notice notifying him the dogs had not been registered. Later, his son paid for the registration bf the dogs and when he requested a receipt was at first refused. The Chairman and others though the blatter regrettable, and that things may have been said during a heated argument that would not have been said m calmer moments. Several expressed a hope that Cr. Galloway and the ranger would settle their differences amicably

The Crusher. Cr. Howell reported that he and Cr. Galloway had agreed that the motor driver’s wages were inadequate, and had agreed to give £4 15s per week. Discussion took place over the crusher, both Crs. Galloway and Welch considering it" should be out of the Whareroa riding, while the former contended it should be iu his riding. It was pointed out that the delay was occasioned through the plant being out of order.