PATE A COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 474, 8 November 1879, Page 2

PATE A COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular monthly meeting of the above body was held on Wednesday last. Present Messrs McGuire (Chairman), Dale, Horner, Winchomb, Gane, Hunter, Brewer, Partridge, and Milne. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Correspondence included—Letter from Messrs Jackson and Graham, complaining of the stagnant water opposite the Australasian Hotel, and suggesting that the Chairmen of the Council and Town Board hold a conference on the matter, so that something definite might be arrived at ; from agent Bank of New Zealand, Carlyle, stating that the Bank could not tender for the Council’s account, but would be glad to retain it, and afford every reasonable facility for conducting business ; from Bank of New South Wales, Carlyle, stating that the Bank would be willing to take over account, and grant an overdraft of £4O0 —but no concession would be made on the usual rates charged to customers, nor would interest be allowed on the daily current balances ; from the Bank of Australasia, Waverley, stating that the Bank could not at present make any offer for the account; from the Patea Mail, covering au account of £t 12s for advertising general elections of Road Boards, the account having been sent to Patea West Road Board, and referred back to the Council for payment; from Colonial Secretary, Wellington, that a voucher for £2BO (being subsidy at the rate pf £ for £ on subscriptions and donations to Patea Hospital) should be passed for payment without delay ; from Mrs Cameron, Waitotara, asking that her husband, who is suffering from an internal cancer, may bo supplied with medicine from the Hospital. Proposed by Mr Milne, seconded by Mr McGuire, and carried, That the request of Mrs Cameron be granted,” Proposed by Mr Gane, seconded by Mr Dale pro forma , and lost on division, “|That the Council pay the amount claimed by the Patea Mail;,’ Ayes-—Gane, Milne, Dale, and McGuire. Noes—Winchcomb, Brewer, Hunter, Partridge, and Horner,

Standing orders were suspended in order to deal with the Ingahape Road question. Proposed by Mr Gane, seconded by Mr IJunter, .<> •jrjjp.t the Hpwera Road Board

have control of the Ingahape Road, from the main road to the Ingahape Bridge—viz., about 62 chains.— Mr Dale moved as an amendment, seconded, by Mr Milne, and carried, “That this Council canbot deal with the question under clauses 82 and 84 of ‘ The Public Works Act, 1076.’ ”

Standing orders were resumed, and the report of the Foreman of Works was read as follows :—I have the honor to lay before you a report for month of October,. 1879. Having no * money in hand, I have been unable to do anything to the Main Road between Waitotara and Hawera, beyond keeping a few men to clear the watertablea and attend to the bridges, If it is possible to raise funds, I think you will agree with me that the sooner it is done the better, before harvesting, when labor is likely to be twenty-five per cent, dearer than it is at present. The repairs of the road between Hawera and Nonnanby are in progress, upon which work there are three teams of horses, carting gravel. The staff on Mountain track (where there is no gravel) is increased by one man, in order to have a good crown formed and consolidated before winter, I have examined contracts Nos. 12, 13, and 14, and compared the work with the plans roughl}-. To my mind this work is not carried out in accordance with the plans. I submit for your inspection an abstract from my notes upon this work. Respecting Mr Tourner’s claim, having made full enquiry, I find that the drains and ditches he complains of have not been made by your, or any of your agents, authority. The bush felled across his branch road to saw pit I have given instructions to be removed. The main street through Waitotara I have levelled, A plan will be laid before you, from which you will see it will require four chains of under ground drain to carry the flow of water to the river. An open watertable could be formed for five chains down the street leading to the railway station, but until the streets are properly formed, and the side path curbs.l, an open watertable is liable to be filled in in wet weather by cattle walking over it. I would, therefore, recommend that the drainage question be left in abeyance for a month or two, until I am able to ascertain the cost of earthenware pipes, when I will prepare an estimate of the cost and lay it before you. In looking at the plan you may observe that in some future time the probabilities are that this street will bo raised for a considerable distance, so as to produce a slight fall to the river. With this in view, it would be wise for any future buildings to be kept above the present road from one to five feet.—l am, &c., Geo. Harden.

Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Brewer, and carried “ That tenders be cal led for drain on County road through Waitotara township, to be sent in by next meeting of the Council.” Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr McGuire, ami carried, “ That the Foreman of Works- prepare plans and estimates for works required near the Mangawhero River, on the Mountain Road, and that tenders be sent in by next meeting." Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Horner, and carried, “ That notice be given to Mr McLean, that unless he employ labor within fourteen days to finish contracts Nos. 12, 13, and 14, according to plans and specifications, the Council will get the necessary work done, and charge him with the cost.” The abstract of accounts for October showed—Receipts : L 777 10s 3d ; expenditure, L 464 &s 9d. The following accounts were passed for payment r.—Patea Mail, L 3 7s G. Rogers, LlO Pis ; S. Taplin, L 7 13s 5d ; J. Gibson, 2s 6d; E. Holtham, Lll ; McCarty and Hunger, 2s ; Mace & Bassett, LlO los J. Milroy, LI 11s T. North, 18s 61 ; - S. T. Fitzherbert, 10s 6d J. Robson, L 9 ;F. McGuire (cash paid for telegrams and stamps), 10s ; F. J. Smith, L 4 14s ; J. Ken worthy, L 4 4s 4d ; C. H. Beresford, LI Is 6<l ; G. Harden, 7s ; wages, main road, L4G 8s ; do, Mountain Road, LIOO 4s. Proposed by Mr Brewer,seconded by Mr Milne, and carried, “That the Banking account be continued with- the Bank of New Zealand.”

Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded s by Mr Brewer, and carried on division, “Thatthe Foreman of Works report on the cost of abating the nuisance complained of by Messrs Jackson and .Graham,” Ayes— Winchcomb, Brewer, Partridge, Horner, Dale, and McGuire, Hoes—Hunter, Gane, and Milne.

It was resolved that the next ordinary meeting of the Council be held on the 26th November,, at the close of the annual meeting, instead of on- the 3rd December. Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded' by Mr Brewer, and carried, “That the sum of LlO be voted to the Chairman for expenses incurred while in Wellington on County business.”

Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Milne, “That a rate of 6d in the L be now struck upon all rateable property within the County, for the period from sth November, 1879, to 31st March, 1880, inclusive such; rate to be due and payable on2nd January, 1880.” Mr Gane having a notice of motion standing in his name to the effect that the rate be 3d in the L, standing orders were suspended in order to allow him to bring it on ; but failing to get a seconder, the notice lapsed. The sixpenny rate was therefore canied. Mr Hunter proposed the notice of motion standing in his name, seconded by Mr Gane, and lost on division, “ That the present agreement with the Foreman of Works terminate three months from this date, and one month’s notice be sufficient after that date from either side.” Ayes— Hunter and Gane. Noes—Winchcomb, Brewer, Horner, Milne, Dale, Partridge, and McGuire. The Surgeon reported that the patient Hudson’s sight was improving, and did not think he was likely to derive more benefit by remaining in Hospital. The Council then adjourned.