PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 498, 7 February 1880, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tub regular monthly meeting of the above body was held on Wednesday last. Present Messrs Dale (chairman), Brewer, Wineheornb, Hunter, Horner, Ganc, Partridge, and Milne. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed.

Correspondence included—Letter from G. S. Cooper, in answer to one sent by Chairman, staling that if the blind patient Hudson (now in Patea Hospital) had any relations in England, and was willing to return there, Government would pay his passage ; from Treasury, Wellington, stating that £248 12s Sd, laud revenue for December quarter, had been remitted to the credit of the County Fuad; from G. P. Sherwood, asking permission to nse, as a right of road, the present track through the Hospital Reserve to his property; from S. T. Fitzherbert, Wanganui (in answer to letter from Chairman), to the effect that Councillor Gane could not legally hold his seat after having been engaged working on a contract let by the Council; petition from Normanby settlers, re pound. Mr Gane having signified his intention of continuing to do as he thought proper, it was proposed by Mr Partridge, seconded by Mr Milne, and carried, “ That the question of the legality of Councillor Gane holding his seat in this Council, and working on the Patea County road at the same time, be tested in the R.M. Court.”

Proposed by Mr Partridge, seconded by Mr Hunter, and carried, <c That this Council give permission to Mr G. P. Sherwood to use the Hospital Reserve to got access to his property, subject to the approval of the Town Board; one months notice to be given to terminate this agreement.” Proposed by Mr Partridge, seconded by Mr Hunter, and carried, “ That it is unnecessary to erect a pound at Normanby, now there is one at Hawera.” The following accounts were passed for payment;— Mrs O’Connor, 16s; J. McKenzie, £ll 18s ; Hudson & Co., £4 5s 6d ; Taranaki Herald, £1 15s; Taplin, £l2 ; M. D. King, £2 19s 6d ; Overend, ss; Fisher, £3 3s 9d ; Pope, £1 4s; Gower & Co, 4s; Dr Croft, £7 7s 6d; Mail, £6 6s; Duffill Bros, 15s; D. G. Fraser, £B2 15s; Mrs Locker, £6 9s 2d. Wages—Main road, £lls 15s 6d ; Mountain Road, £ll2 6s.

The Council then went into committee on tenders. On resuming, the following were reported : Carting 1000 cubic, yards gravel at Waverley, at per yard—J. Dudley, 9s 5d (accepted); J. Johnston, 11s 9d ; W. Box, 16s. Carting 1000 cubic yards stone from month Tongahoo River to the north side Mamwapou hill, at per yard— K.lioh.'r <£ HurW? 9s (accepted); J.

Johnston, 14s lid ; J. O’Sullivan, 13s 5d ; Dingle Bros, 12s 6d (informal).

It was decided to cull for fresh tenders for contract 31, reducing grade on Mountain Road.

Proposed by Mr Milne, seconded by Mr Winchcomb, and carried, “ That the Foreman of Works be allowed to extend contract No. 50 by 8 or 10 chains, at £5 9s per chain.” Proposed by Mr Milne, seconded by Mr Wincbcomb, and carried, “ That a committee, consisting of Councillors Dale, Horner, and Gane, be appointed to open tenders for stone breaking on Manawapou hill.” Proposed b7 Mr Winchcomb, seconded, by Mr Milne, and carried, (C That the site of the pound at Waverley be removed to section No. 324, Okotuku.” Proposed by Mr Gane, seconded by Mr Partridge proforma, and withdrawn by leave of the Council, “ That this Council take steps in the R.M. Court to test the liability of Councillor Dale supplying this Council with gravel, at 2d per yard, and still hold his seat as a Councillor.” —It was explained that the Public Works Act was very clear on this point, and that the Council, if it choose, could take the gravel whether Mr Dale was willing or not.

Proposed by Mr Hunter, seconded by Mr Partridge, and lost on division, “ That the Clerk prepare a statement of the amount of rates that have been paid by each Road Board district, separately ; also a statement of County funds that have been spent in each of these districts.” Ayes—Hunter, Gane, Partridge, Noes—Brewer, Milne, Horner, Winchcomb, and Dale.

Proposed by Mr Dale, seconded by Mr Milne, *• ,L'hat in the opinion of this Council, it would be highly prejudicial to the interests of the County to have the railway station and wharves on the east side of the Patea River; the cost of altering the Patea Bridge to suit it for heavy traffic would be such as to necessitate Government assistance, and /or the maintenance of the same, the ejection of a toll ; and that a copy of this resolution bo sent to Major Atkinson and the Minister of Public Works.”

An amendment was proposed by Mr Gaiv.'*, seconded by Mr Homer, and lost on di vision, “ That this Council take no steps rc site of railway station at present.” Ayes—Winchcomb, Cane, and Hot.ucr. Noes—Hunter, Partridge, Milne, ai'd Dale, , The original motion was then put and carried.

Proposed';by Mr Winchcomb, seconded by Mr Brews r, “ That the salary of the Chairman be ;.£IOO per annum.'’—The mover gave ns his reasons for bringing forward this res nlution, that the chairman if in receipt of 1 a larger salary, could travel about the district, and become better acquaintia 1 with the requirements of theComity.—C/ther members, however, thought this mint eessary, and Mr Dale stated that he wi.mld prefer the rosoIvtion withdrawn, v ’lnch was done. Mr Dale also stated that he had not taken the position ofchairtuan for the salary attached thereto, und it was his intention to devote whatever sum was voted to the Hospital, and diA’erent Institutes throughout the County '. Thu usual sum of £SO was fixed upon as the Chairman’s salary for the present year. , _ \ The Council then adjoni rned.