COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 284, 5 January 1878, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tim usual monthly meeting of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers, Carlyle, on Wednesday last. Present — Messrs Bridge (chairman), Kells, Honeyfield, Furlong, Livingstone, Dale; Davidson, and Kenah. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. Correspondence-—Letter from proprietor Path A Mail, stating terms for printing bye-laws ; telegram from J. Livingstone and W. J. Furlong, stating that J. McArthur would be sent to hospital ; letter from J. G. Ginger, Manutahi, asking for information re election of committee of Cemetery Reserve ; from G. S. Cooper, Wellington, re travelling expenses of auditor, stating that County would have to pay ; from Wanganui County Council, forwarding cheque for £3O, paid in to that County in mistake, for Waitotara Hotel license ; J. Giles, Wellington, re Recreation grounds ; from G. S. Cooper, asking for information re control of Hospital ; from G. IS. Cooper, acknowledging receipt of letter notifying election of Chairman ; from J. Giles, acknowledging receipt of letter conveying resolution of Council re Recreation grounds ; from G. S. Cooper, covering account from auditor for travelling expenses ; from Aikman and Johnston, Hawera, asking return of deposit cheque ; from J. Giles, stating that Government hope soon to effect satis factory arrangements re auditor ; from W. M. Thomson, Ilawcra, asking for a refund re auctioneers’ license ; from G. S. Cooper, re subsidy to Hospital, refusing application of Council unless voluntary subscriptions were raised ; from C. T. Batkin, Wellington, slating that enquiries would be instituted re Whonuakura Hotel license fee ; from Patea Harbor Board, accepting offer of room in Council Chambers ; from S. Taplin, asking for a reduction of rate, as a mistake was made in the assessment roll, pounds being substituted for shillings ; telegram from G. F. Sherwood, apologising for not being able to attend meeting.

The Chairman stated that he had written to Government, asking upon what part of the Mountain Road the £17,000 voted last session for the work would be expended, and uiging upon them the advisability of placing the expenditure of the money under the control of the Council, as they could do the necessary supervision at less cost than Government. A discussion took place about the terms of leasing reserves, when it was proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Livingstone, “ That in consequence of the alteration made in the last session of the House of Representatives, re leasing of reserves, the Government he informed that this Council is now willing to accept the trust of the Mokoia Racecourse Reserve, and Waverley Recreation Ground.” An amendment by Mr Keils, That the Government bo requested to hand over the Waverley Recreation Ground to local trustees—lapsed for want of a seconder. Proposed as an amendment by Mr Furlong, seconded by Mr Kenah, “ That the further consideration of reserves be held over till next meeting.” The amendment was carried. A long discussion took place as to the appointment of a solicitor to draw out a lease of the Manutahi Cemetery Reserve, and after four solicitors had been proposed (viz, Mr Adams, Carlyle, Mr Hodge, of Wanganui, Mr Fitzherbert, of Wanganui, and Air Hamcrton, of New Plymouth) as also proposition to ask the .Manutahi Cemetery committee to name a solicitor to draw out lease, and two divisions taken on the question, the matter was allowed to remain to be dealt with at another meeting. The Council adjourned at 1 p.m. On resuming at 2 p.m., Mr Davidson proposed, seconded by Air Kenah, and carried, “ That Air Taplin’s application be not entertained.”

Proposed by Mr Kenah, seconded by Mr Davidson, and carried, “ That Mr Thomson be informed that his application lor drawback on account of auctioneer’s license cannot bo entertained.” Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Furlong, and carried, 11 That the Government be informed that unless provision be made by them for the maintenance of the hospital, the Council cannot keep it open, not having the means to maintain the same.” The Foreman of Works reported main lino of road in good order ; fair progress was being made with gravelling contracts; the road party had been engaged removing large stones from main road and placing them in heaps to be broken for further use and also in repairing planking of some bridges ; Kakaramea culvert was nearly completed. The Foreman recommended that a supply of totara and mati planking be procured for bridge repairs, and also submitted specifications for painting Manawapou anclTangahoe bridges,and suggested that the Waingongora bridge be also painted. The Council then went into committee on tenders, when our reporter was ordered to leave the room. Mr Kenah took the chair. It was resolved in committee that tenders be called before tho next meeting- for painting Manawapou, Tongahoo, and Wamgongoro bridges.—Resolved that the Foreman of Works be authorised to order the timber mentioned in his report.—Resolved that the tender of the Taranaki News for supply of forms bo accepted. On resuming, Mr Kenah proposed the adoption of the committees report, which was agreed to. Abstract of receipts and expenditure from November 29, to December 31, 1877. Receipts—General rates, £4G9 14s 9d; licenses, £3O; hospital, £3 2s; registration cattle brands, £2. Total, £540 16s 9d. Disbursements —General account, £34 14s 7d; public works, £76 17s 6d; hospital, £l6 12s lOd. Total—£l2B 4s lid. Accounts were read and passed for payment. Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Kenah—“ That this Council notify to the Government that it is willing to superintend the expenditure of the amount proposed to be spent on the Mountain Road within the PateaConnty, and that it be pointed out to the Government that the largest portion of the £17,000 voted last session will be required to be expended on the road within this County ; also that the members of the Council wait on Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan as a deputation on the subject should they visit this district.” Mr Dale dwelt at some length on the importance of the subject, and urged upon tin; Connell the necessity of taking ener-

gelic steps towards getting a fair amount of the vote expended within this County. He was informed the Taranaki Council were taking stops to have full information prepared to lay before Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan on their arrival in New Plymouth, and no doubt unless this Council moved in the matter the largest portion of the vote would be expended at the New Plymouth end of the road. An amendment was proposed by Mr Living-stone, seconded by Mr Davidson, “ That this Council take no further action re the Mountain Road until a reply has been received to the letter sent by the Chairman, upon receipt of which this Council will know what amount or proportion is to be expended within this County.”

Mr Kells was against taking over the road before the Government formed and gravelled it; ho considered that if the Council even superintended the expenditure of a portion of the £17,000 they would be taking over the road indirectly. Air Furlong considered the Council should obtain the waste lands on each side of the road in order to maintain it. The Chairman and Mr Kenah were both in favour of taking active steps in the matter. Messrs Davidson, Honcylield ,and Livingstone were in favor of waiting till a reply was received to the letter sent by the Chairman to the Government. Mr Dale in reply condemned the action of some of the members in wishing to delay taking action in the matter. He considered the action of die Hawera representatives in opposing his resolution was against the interests of the ratepayers residing in that riding more than any other portion of the County. The chairman then put the amendment and resolution to the vote, when the amendment was carried as against fie resolution. The amendment then became a substantive resolution, when a division was taken Messrs Livingstone, Honeyliold, Kells and Davidson voted for it, and Messrs Dale, Bridge, Kenah, and Fmlong against. The chairman gave Iris easting vote against the resolution to give the Council another opportunity to consider the matter, he considering that Mr Dale’s resolution should have been carried. Proposed by Mr Furlong, seconded by Mr Kells, and carried on division, “That this Council endorse the action of the chairman in applying for a part of the money voted for the Mountain Road, and that lie be further requested to impress upon the Government the necessity of an immediate reply to his letter.” Ayes —Kells, Honeylield, Davidson, Livingstone, Furlong. Noes—Dale, Kenah, Bridge. Proposed by Air Livingstone, seconded by Air Davidson, “ That a deputation, consisting of the whole of the Council, wait upon the Premier and Native Alinistcr, on their arrival in the district, and confer upon all matters of interest to this County.” —A point of order was raised here, by Mr Dale, who wished to knowif the .Mountain Road could be brought up by the deputation, as the Council had decided not to take any action at present, in the matter.— The Chairman ruled that the matter could be discussed by the deputation, but condemned the action of the mover and seconder, stating that (hoy had brought down the resolution to smooth over the mistake thc\ r had made in voting against Air Dale’s motion.—The motion was then put, and carried. An account having been received from Constable Burrows, Wavcrley, for funeral expenses of a man named Thomas Gannon, who had lately died at that place, it was decided that the Council should not entertain the application. Proposed by Air Dale, seconded by Mr Davidson, and carried, “ That the chairman communicate with the Government, requesting them to grant a special sum of money, in order to place the main road through the County, in a proper state of repair, the rates collected being inadequate for the purpose, and in consequence of the main road, taken over by the Comity, goingthrough unsold confiscated land, and that a portion of the road was left in an unfinished state by the Government, when handed over to the County.” Proposed by Air Davidson, seconded by Air Livingstone, and carried “That the chairman be instructed to apply to the Government to band over to this Council, Block 37, Township of Carlyle. Proposed by Mr Kenah, seconded by Air Dale, and lost, on division, “That this Council is of opinion that the the stoppage of the survey of the Waimatc Plains, is inimical to the best interests of this County, and desires to urge on the Government the extreme advisableness of as soon as possible opening up the said land for settlement ”

Ayes—Kenah, Dale, Bridge Noes — Kells, Honeyfield, Livingstone, Davidson, Furlong. Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Davidson, and lost, “That the Wanganui County Council be informed that unless the} 7 decided to bear the whole expense of keeping Waitotara Bridge in repair, this Council will have to consider the question of erecting a toll-gate at the Bridge, in order to meet expenses.

Mr Ivenah moved notice standing in his name, seconded by Mr Livingstone, “ That the salary of the Chairman of this Council for the ensuing year, be .£80,” An amendment was proposed by Mr Kells, seconded by Sir Honeyfield, and carried, “ That the chairman bo allowed £1 a week, to pay any expense he may be put to, as chairman.” Mr Davidson moved notice standing in his name, seconded by Mr Livingstoneyo-o forma, “ That a certain Portion of the County rate, received from the Town of Hawera, be expended in improving the main line of road through the Town of Hawera.”

An amendment was proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Furlong, and lost on division, “ That all the words after “ that” be struck out, and the following inserted ; —The sum of £BO be handed over to the Hawera Town Board, to be expended by that body, in improving the road through the township.” Mr Dale, in proposing the amendment, said he did so as the resolution did not propose any definite amount. He considered that the course proposed by him, was the only one that could be adopted. The road not being a County one, the Council could not allow its officers to work on it, but Hawera was exceptionally situated, and was fairly entitled to consideration from

the Council. Nearly £4OO had been obtained from licenses and rates, and in all other townships in the County, the main road ran through the centre of them, whereas, in Hawcra, the County road passed at one side Of the township, and was not used, therefore the Council would only be spending on a district road, what they would have to do on their own road, if it was used. Messrs Davidson, Kenah, and Furlong spoke in favour, the other members being against it, on the ground that if the amount was voted, every Town Board, and Road Board within the County, would niako similar applications. A division was then taken, which resulted as follows : Ayes—Davidson, Konah, Dale, Furlong. Noes Kells, Honoyfiokl, Livingstone, Bridge. The chairman gave' his castingvote with the “ noes” NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Davidson to move “ That £IOO of the rates and fees collected within the town of Ilawera, be given to the Hawera Town Board, as a grant, in and for widening and improving the main lirie of road passing through the town of Hawera.” Mr Kenah to move, “That Mr M. Y. Hodge, : of Wanganui, be appointed solicitor to this Council.” The Council adjourned to Tuesday, the oth February. A special meeting was then held, for framing bye-laws for regulating traffic over bridges, registration of dogs, and the regulation of the Hospital.