COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 226, 9 June 1877, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Patea County Council was held in the Council Chambers, on Tuesday, the sth June, at 11 a.rn. Present—Messrs G. F. Sherwood (in the chair), Bridge, Kells, Kenah, Livingstone, Middlemas, and Winks.

Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed.

Inward and outward correspondence read.

It was agreed that the Patea Town Board and Harbour Board should be allowed office room in the Council Chambers, on paying £5 per year. The Inspector of roads was ordered to remove nuisance on road at Waitotara, complained of by’ Mr Jago—and the Foreman of Works was ordered to report as to matter complained of.

The Council declined to arrange with Messrs . Tregear and Fraser, at a fixed salary, but desired to receive tender as to commission required for works executed under their engineering. A division was taken on the motion moved by Mr Middlemas. and seconded by Mr Dale, That this Council enquire into tiic charge made by f Mr Joyce against the Chairman, with the following result — Ayes ; Kells, Honcynehl, Winks, Dale, Middlemas, and Eherwood. Noes ; Livingstone, Bridge, and Kenah. A motion, moved by Mr Bridge, and seconded by Mr Kenah—The Council proceed wilh its ordinary business, was lost by 5 to 3. Mr Livingstone voting with the mover and seconder.

On motion That Mr Joyce be now hoard relative to his complaint against the Chairman, being carried, the Council adjourned till i ]) m., after which Mr Joyce made a statement, and witnesses were examined. After a particularly warm debate the matter was dropped. An enquiry as to amount of compensation due to Mr Vivian, on account of doiay in contract, -was ordered to be made. Petition of Norman by settlers as to formation of road alreadt’ gazetted by Government, was received. Cn letter being read from Mr I’. D. Hamilton, with enclosure from Waste Bands Commission, New Plymouth, the Council agreed to accept trusteeship of Manutabi Cemetery reserve, and to delegate trust in the form of a lease, at (he rate of Is per annum, to approved persona. An abstract of the month’s accounts having been read, it was resolved, that, The election expenses account of Palca County Council, bo referred back to Government. Accounts were passed.

The Ileport of the Foreman of Works was received. A Committee being appointed to decide as to works to be done. The report mentioned that all the bridges on the main road within the County were in sound condition, with the exception of llooriug planks in certain cases, which were being repaired. ,Several of the frame and box culverts were showing decay, and would soon rciiurc repair. From the length of time most part of the road had been gravelled, it had been worn through to lire formation, and the quantity of gravel so far deposited by the road .side, was insufficient to keep the road in repair. From Palca to Wavortcy, am! on to Waitolarn, required to he regraveiled throughout. and from Pa tea to Hawara the road required rcgravelling in part. It was estimated that £13,W0 would be required to r’gravel and maintain the main road to 31st US arch, 1878. In ease the Council should decide not to do the whole work, an estimate of the cost of repair? urgently required w*s given totaling £2,000 for gravel and material, and £SUU fur labour. The expenditure for road work in May, was £35 17s. Attention was called to the damage being done to roads by heavily laden" carts and waggons, with narrow tires.

Tiie Foreman of Works was instructed to see that contractors repair all damages done by them to road during progress of works.

A Committee, consisting- of the Chairman, and Messrs Livingstone, Honeylicid, and Bridge, was appointed to prepare estimate of expenditure for year ending 31st March, 1378. The Chairman was instructed to ascertain from Government what funds would be available for expenditure upon the Fatca portion of the Mountain Hoad, if the County should take it over. The following motion by Mr Middleman, and seconded by Mr Livingstone, was ruled by the Chairman to bo extraordinary business for the next ordinary meeting- ; “ That the business of the Council may be conducted in proper order, and on sound principles, it is essential that Ml instructions to the Chairman and officers of the Council shall, as far as possible, be in the form of clear and definite resolutions.” Tenders wore accepted as follows : Hospital, Mr Gibson ; Destitute, Mr Taplin Manutabi Gorge, Mr Stevenson, £22 10s.

The notice of motion by Mr Bridge, seconded by Mr Livingstone, was carried, as follows That, with a view to fully develop the resources of the Comity, it is desirable, in the opinion of this Council, that the line of Railway from Kai Iwtto Inglewo&i, be proceeded with withpnt delay : the portion from Kai Iwi to Carlyle to be, if practicable, taken inland, and that copies of this resolution bo forwarded to the Hon. Major Atkinson, the Hon. W. Fox, and Mr Bryce, and that the Hon. W, Fox be specially requested to take action in the matter.”

Notice of motion by Mr Kenah, seconded by Mr Bridge, was carried, as follows ; “ That, in the opinion of this Council, it is highly desirable that a considerable portion of the land known as the Waimate Plains, should bo thrown open for selection on the deferred payment system, as provided for by “ The Taranaki Waste Lands Act, 1874.”

It was resolved, That the Government be requested to appoint Mr J. Black to be deputy registrar of sheep brands and ear marks within that portion of the County which is in the Wanganui sheep Inspector’s district.

The Council adjourned till 7 p.m., when the Standing Orders were suspended, to enable the Council to go into Committee to consider suggested amendments in tire Counties Act, in accordance with the request of the Colonial Secretary. After the above business had been concluded, a special meeting was held for the purpose of amending- by-laws.