COUNTY COUNCIL

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 517, 8 May 1880, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly', meeting of 1 the;’ Pa tea Comity, Council' was held I, at Carlyle, onWednesday. The proceedings were lengthy, and at times animated. There wore present JJelsrs W. Dale (iffftho chair),<Hornef, Wiiichcoinb, Huhteiy'Milhcf and Dane. lIAWERA ROAD EXPENSES. Thcllawcralvoad Bpard applied, through their de.k, “.for ; tho : £3OO .voted for Allan road, as the-Board is getting seriously cm bari.assed through not having t.iis money to pay contracts" onteved into’ on' Allaif road.” y ; (.■:-r.vnii ■'■'X'-"’ ■?. C.U/, Iv Cr Horner : What position do wc stand in with ici’erencc to that application ? The Chairman : Directly the surveyor of t ie Hoad Board can certify tnat the work has been done the mono}’ will be paid over. Cr Hunter : Cannot a progress payment ho an anged, because the Ha wore Boa. cl is out of funds ? A progress payment of saj'one-third would assist the Bpa.d. The Chairman : A resolution stands on the boo'cs, and cannot be altered except by p -pper notice given. There is not a full meeting of Councillors, or it could be aUcicd to-day ; so that we arc unable to grant the request until the resolution is altered. Cr Hunter : Money is lying there useless, and it would assist matters if this privilege could be, availed of. ’ ,• v. The Cliaiunan : It is'a pity you did not ask for (hat at last mcciing. Cr Hunter : X .will give notice to the clerk for next meeting. m'lkan’s claim again. PROCEEDINGS, THREATENED.

lie John McLean’s claim upon certain contracts, a yciy long letter from the claimant’s solipiiorsrwas read, setting forth the claim in detail, and stating their client’s desire for an amicable settlement. They said, “ We shall bo glad to bear from yon as early as possible, with full detail of the grounds on which the Council resist the claim. If the Council arc prepared to make an offer of settlement, without prejudice, it will receive our client’s best consideration. , Our client is prepared to submit the whole matter to Mr Blackett for his adjustment, and abide by it. If we do hot hear from .you within fourteen days, we shall consider that the Council are determined to resist the whole claim, and proceed to issue a writ for the amount.” The letter set forth a total, claim of £478 5s ; but a subsequent letter was sent claiming £1194 15s. This letter states the gist of the claim, thus :—“ By inadvertence in our letter dated j’esterday, a mistake was made as to the amount claimed by Mr M’Lean. His claim is as follows :

£1194 15 0 You will therefore understand that the letter referred to is in error in only claiming £478 ss. The error arose in the clerk in copying, not deducting the £lsl paid on account of extras, and in giving credit '.twice over for the £875 paid on account of Nos. 12, 13, and 14.” The Chairman ; The position in which the Council stand is this :—M’Lean claims £lB7 10s on certain contracts, but be never received a certificate that these contracts were satisfactorily completed. It was ascertained that ho had not completed the work according to plans and specifications, and the Council have been spending money on these contracts to reduce the giadp, and; they have used the money that was balance due, to him on that work. Notice was given to him to complete the contract within a certain time, and he did not complete it. If the Council choose, : they can enforce large penalties against him, for not. completing the contract in time. In reference to a claim for £162 on .another contract, the Council have always acknowledged that that was the amount of tender. Tl;ey called on Mr M’Lean to sign a contract, whjch he l-cfijsed tq dp. Ho did the work, but never signed the contract, and he is entitled to that money directly he signs the contract. In rel’oionco to the completion of No. 15 contract, the Council, in letting that last mile' adjoining the township of Stratford, received an intimation from the Government that a deviation would be necessary, and it was intended only to make a sort of rough track. His tender was £162. -We told the Government that if they intended to finish the road it would require another £SOO, but we peycr promised to give £SOO to finish the road,' Ifayihg peep a telegram from the Government, he nas gone and finished that part of the road without instruction ; and lie claims accordingly.

.Cr Hunter—That accounts to some extent for the present bungle of the Council. The Chairman—Mr McLean was never authorised to do this work. He has never signed the contract, aiid he has nothing to prove that lie was to get that £SOO. I can show how that £SOO got into the telegram, but it has nothing to do with Mr McLean. Ho also claimed a lot of extras, and we allowed him £lsl. Our late foreman of works, before leaving, wont before a soli-* citor here aijul iqaqe a dcplnration as to what work had jhcej) done and what had been neglected ; so we arc ip a position to use this evidence in a court of law, if necessary,

; Cr liii)]ter=:lt- woi?ld bo nonsense' to refer these cases that have been completed to Blackett to decide ; and ns to such loose, work as'tins £SOO affair, it would be all nonsense to refer it. to anyone. The Chairman—lt would be a matter for the Government to decide. We are acting in this oasp q*i behalf of the Government, and if they are’fa vorable io Ikying it to Mr Blackett for decision,’ we*need noj object. . ' i 'i i . The Chairman—A settlement could not be effected Jjy leftey-wiiting, as i.t ' wopld take n week In state dp ppper s}l the pijy : titulars of these disputed claims ; pnd if; would be necessary'for all parties to meet for a practical examination into the matter: Cr Horner proposed, and Cr Hunter seconded, that the matter re McLean’s contract on Mountain: Road bejreferred to the proper Government t|cp?.rtment by the chairman of tins 1 . Council; 11 ; ■- ( ; : ! ’ Advkutisixo. An application from Hawera for a fair share of adveitisemCnts to be given to the new local ,paper Isd to a conversation, which resulted’ in' an understanding ifjnt where necessity arose to advertise inattels affecting Hawera, the claim of. the local paper could l)c pqi)vi(}efpcj in oacli case. “ mi sorn.mv’s .cr.Api r.n pasgejious ppLVEjix OX HtGiiW.uV An application from Mr E. T. Southby, Of Appleton Park, was vead as follows : —■

from Kakaramea at 5.30 p.til.ton; Wednesday, 11th February, mV, horse stepped-into a hole which was but which was in reality* th‘cCi'nb/ith of a culvert at least three feet below the surface, and that in consequence I was. thrown and severely injured, thereb3 T ~ihcapacitatiug me for three -weeks. £ A? l|vvas compelled to ge?mp<|ical £2 2s, 3. hcf : eby make requisition to your Board for the auiQu.u.t,abovc.,meiitioned,.vlz,,-ii2.25,..,fi.ijd. f feel perfectly sure that in justice to myself and the public at large, you can hard'y refuse to grant nij' request. You will see that I am making no charge for my own loss of time, and therefore leave the matter .entirely. iu.the,'.:hands .of the.. Board, as to whether they will allow me compensation) but must impress most positively that I expect at leas I; the amount of medical attendance account, especially as I can bring ConstableO’Brien and others who were with me to prove thkt iwo' ; were'riding quite slowly and carefully at.the time, that the hole was within the road boundary, it has recently been covered hi.’, .

Or Horner —Mow comes the question whether'we consider ourselves liable for any accident that may happen. This was a culvert certainly'unknown to. me, and I don't, think half the people in the district knew it. Can yon inform us whether, wc are legally liable? The Cliaiiman —I cannot inform you. .Cr Hunter —I have come along this road many times and never saw this culvert till it,was pointed out tome by Soulhby himself. I told him I did not think- it was worth his while to put in the application. Cr Horner—l don’t dispute that the culvert is a nasty trap. Cr Tluntor ; —It was grown up with thistles and rubbish, and it was certainly a most dangerous place, Cr Horner —The only question is whether we consider ourselves liable for damages under these circumstances ; whether wo are ically liable. It may be considered our fault because we have taken ovc’' the liabilities of the Government in taking over the road, and doing so without seeing that it was in a proper and safe condition.

Cr Milne —I am inclined to think we arc liable because the main road belongs to the county, and it certainly is a dangerous place. .The Chairman—l am in favor of paying the two guineas as the cheapest.

Cr Horner—So am I. Cr Hunter —Oh, yes ; but it is a question of precedent for other cases. Cr Winchcomb —Just so ; it would be a precedent.Cr .Milne—l think it would bo better to take a legal opinion upon the claim, as a guide to the future, Cr Hunter —We can pay the two guineas, and treat the case on its merits.

Cr Winchcomb proposed that the two guineas be paid. It would prevent litigation.

The Chairman—Yes, from what know of Mr South by, I have a strong opinion that he would go to law on this claim, as he is ratiier inclined to Jitig'ation j mul I'tliinfe we shall do well to pay the two guineas, Cr Hunter seconded the motion, which, was adopted without dissent. ArPOIXXMEXT OF SUKOKOX’. Notice had been scut to Dr Croft, the hospital surgeon,discontinuing his services three months fiom date, and tenders had been advertised for. Tnres applications were now laid before the Council.. W .F. Keating, M.D.;wrote as follows: “I beg to offer myself as a candidate for the ollice of surgeon to tlie Patea Hospital, at the salary of £l5O per annum, I engaging to supply medicines required. I shall be glad, and I think it would also be a considerable advantage to the Hospital,for me to reside at the Hospital, deducting at the rate of £SO per annum for ny maintenance, so that ny actual salary would be £IOO per annum. This course was pursued at the Wellington Hospital when I was resident surgeon there, and the additional expense was found to be considerably less than £4 per month, The two rooms .winch I should occupy, .and which I should furnish of course myself, I would bo ready to relinquish at any moment, if required for patients’ accommodation, or if the Council should think it desirable at any time to alter this arrangement,” L. J. H. Mnnro, M.D., MTI.C.S.L., writing from Wellingion, said he was formerly army medical officer ; is out of health at present, but can manage a county hospital; could give the benefit of nearly thirtj' years’experience., He could not do upon loss than £250 a year, with free, quarters and rations.

Leighton Kcstevcn, writing from Wellington, said that as ho found there was not sufficient positive inducement for pon) r inclining practice in Carlyle, he could not be a candidate, unless the Council could guarantee £4OO per annum, including £IOO for attendance on the Hospital. The Council unanimously appointed J'r Keating to be Hospital surgeon, as per tender. SLAUGHTERING AT NORMANISY. On the application of John Trcweek, jun., & Co., for license to slaughter on their premises at Normanby,-the Council assented providing one month’s notice be given and the regi'dcptg majee ho otrje'ptiop. oyu RpiNn pauper.' The Chairman—As Hudson remains on band, and the Government will do nothing, I may mention that Mr Black suggested a means of making Hudson 'useful by assisting the steward at the Hospital. Cr Hunter —If that can be done, it is all right. The Chairman—Hudson thinks . if lie were sent somewhere he could recover his sight.' Cr' Winchcomb—ls ho gojrig to bo p white elephant on us ■? Cr Horner—He can sec just a little, and might do spadework. Cr Hunter—He pan spe to in {j|p daylight, hut towards dusj: lip ppn see np’thing, The Chpiripap—Wo injght Jet-him stop there til! themew gijrgcop coipcs in, DRAINAGE IN CAIUA'I.E. A petition signed by 58 ratepayers and residents in Carlyle was read as follows : “ We, the undersigned ratepayers and residents in Carlyle, do think the time has now come when the storm-water and filth which pj-o likely to run down the main street during the winter morphs (thereby filling that stagnant ! J)o6J which is'situafefj in our midst, to' the detriment; of "public health and welfare of the town generally), shb'uld he conveyed Jjelow the town of other place than the how existing poqVtppted 1 cqrncr of Bedford and Dovoii-streets, wiiicli otherwise would he dry. We do respectful!}' request that the lion, members, of your Council will take immediate action to ; remedy this, which has been a digrace to; the town.” _ .! j:■ j/I *- , ' pr Horner—'phis question has been before us several timesj f and 'dccordjhg to our legal advisdr we have' nothing ! to- r do with it. If we enter that ground we arc trespassing. If it is a nuisance to "those the land belongs whydon’tfhey remoye it ? They could Inake a drain ’io the'iJvp’rl The Chairman —-No, if we' run 'a 'drajrt down our road we should Stop "the 1 wafet froiq ! fiowfng qi}' to tticflr land.** I ; \v.7y3 contended /hat have y r|g|it qj; obligation tq fWfHljaf watei-j |rfp§poctkp; of our legal position in the * Wo •, *. ;,!/ 7/ i.i (:vm> »

; —■ risT —I haSEwo turned it£ATtf>ithc< land before|]tfie la|id , %\(aa .occupjcStjl hutonr legal 'adyiaer | wje.are'i.underHo^ia-| bility to. sliif| itSiqw| | Sadong as*jwe uqld| the notjto aT»j£ the water to go onHo a lean’s onr road. It we took our drainage wate" to the river, I think this pond would not rjT/r £ Gr water which comes off the surrounding slopes would lodg;

Cr Hunter—There was an instance on my own property where a public highway was drained to. carry off water which had lodged in consequence of the'original levels being altered by making the highThe Chairman—lt would nqthtivo lodged in this instance if we took'it" two or three chains farther, i T ; . Cr Horner —If we take it off one man’s land and lodge it on another, wc shall be trespassers. ~, , : .. 1 ; , It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Horner, seconded b} r Cr Winchumnh, . that the : engineer prepare a plan and estimate for the formation of a covered drain down the north side of the Patea hji l !, known as Bodford-strce.t, for next meeting. . >

‘ GRAVELLING AT TIAWERA. ' ; The Ilawcra Town Board applied as follows ; Referring to the vote for metalling the Mountain Road, and ,the danse with reference to the main street in the township, “ the Town Board have gone to the expense of formation for some distance down Princc’s-street, and would recommend that gravel be put on as soon as possible before the winter sots'in.” The Chairman—Wc have work going on there from Lloyd’s pond to the. post-olßce that will pretty well.exhaust the money we have in hand. We cannot spend the County-funds on the Mountain road unless the Government allows us. We have no money now : to go any farther. • > Cr Hunter—The effect of this work was rather to clam the water back on that hollow betwixt the end of the street above the brewery. At that time there was a little lake, and if this, had been carried on about four chains farther, it would have made the place clear and dry. , The Chairman—So far as the Council .are concerned, wc are quite prepared to carry the work quite up to the main road, -so long ns wo have got the funds to do it; It is the Town Board’s own fault. If they had put the work right through at first, wc should have spent money there that wo have spent on other parts of the Mountain road. At present I don’t feel justified in authorising the work to be done, without a special resolution, because, there are no farther funds for the Monn tain road. Cr Hunter—l propose that this letter lie on the tabic till next meeting. The Chairman—lf we get funds in hand before the next meeting, I shall instruct the foreman of works to carry out the original work. NEW ROAD TO THE HOSPITAL. THE COUNCIL ODJKCTS. The Carlyle Town Board wrote as follows :—“lt is the intention of the Cartyle Town Board to cause a public road to bo opened, one chain wide, between the Hospital ground and the Education reserve, as far as Mr Sherwood’s sections, the whole of the land required being under lease to the County Council. The Board would take it as a favor if the Council would state whether they are likely to raise any objection to the.same before any unnecessaiy expenses are iheu’rod. The foreman of works was instructed to go to measure the space in front of the Hospital. Having done so, lie reported that there is not quite a chain, unless the po-oh be included. Cr Horner—Suppose we put it this way, that they leave us a certain frontage to the Hospital, and take the rest for a road? The Chairman—Wo shall want about 4 feet for steps to the porch. There a-c 55 feet of land between the Hospital and the Education reserve, and we ought to have 20 feet in f'ont of our building. Cr Gane —I don’t believe in parting with the land. Wc shall want to plant trees and shrubs, and there would be no space to spare. It will do Sherwood good, and no one any harm, to have a right of way through that at present. The Chairman—The Town Board wants us to say. whether we arc likely to raise any objections. Cr Gane proposed, and Cr . Hunter seconded, “That the Council are likely to raise objections to a road being taken through the Hospital reserve, as the land will be required for planting shrubs and trees.” ■: ■ ; : -

Gr Wincljcoinl) proposed ns qn augend-iijontjj.‘-‘/J.’ljat.. tljo Council wij 1 ri)isc nq objection to tho proposed road." Tins was not seconded. . . C- Gane—We have given aright of road through the property, so Jong as it is not required for other purposes ; but as to parting .with the land, it is objectionable. It wilj be necessary to plant the ground, and there is not too much land to make the necessary approach to the front door, and plant frees and shrubs. The-Chairman—l am more in favor of a half-phajp roqdpfept tijpre shojjl'd lie a pertain amount qf space reserved iq front qf the Hospital, Tlie resolution refusing compliance was adopted without dissent. •. • HOSPITAL VOTE. The Chairman—l must ask the Council to pass a vote for the Hospital to-day, as a necessary form to enable us to obtain pound for pound from the Government. Wc have been spending the money by resolutions passed from time to time, and a general yote |!or the whole arrjount of expcndit'pro is. po.vy necessary., ' Tljc liabilities in respect of the Hospital for the year are £SBB 5s 6d ; and Jewish to gep a formal vote pf £33Q, iq order to apply for an o.qtnyalent spn} froin tho Cjoyormnent, making a total of £fi(]o. r j?he expenses fo he incurred will come opt of tliat ; and we shall not want more money for a long lime. The money is really spent already, Cr Gane—l shall vote against this. Wc have been too much on that lay, by voting certain sums for the sake of getting an equal amount from the Government. On the County road question we could have got sexpence more from the Government by voting sixpence less, if we had done it J:he fight wqjv Many boroughs have dej btinccj to lay a rate for their. Hospital, and the'(Government have'haq to jjiy the wh'olc amount, : : ' The Cljainrnn—Natne thcip.

Or Horncr-A'es, give us names, u Cr Gane—Plenty of Toroughs have declined to accept the bait from the Government; They said “ No.” The Ciiainnan —But yon don’t name one*. Cr Gane—lt should be a colonial;affair, and the money should fae-distributed by Government vyjjereyer fl;e pick, happen to bfn, t '‘ If there he 'd batch b| unemployed /non sent up froin Wellmgtoli here, nine-tenths of them might sickdnTaud; simply becauSS they are located Here the Courtty l of Pate a h4? to ho taxed’for their support. ‘ ' ,i(l ! The Chairman—lt is Very ’easy for Cr Gane to say- lliis thing Stja til ©other filing but* when he says any New ssa| land can got out of paying’ for, cjiarifable and If we had not taken tips fjogpittil ip foippj,

’Jtlfp Government would have found means the money from us. IE j r ou left : 3|ie Government to manage the matter for Sybil, the expense would be pretty considor,‘able. This County has worked its Hospital affairs far cheaper under its own management than it would have done under any other system. If wo had not taken the management of our Hospital, the Government would have managed the treatment of sick for us, and have taken the expense outtoJkmr-aubsidiea Cr Gane—The question is not settled yet. . „ f , r ' The Chairmanr-fYeSj-itis sot tied... ‘They have done it in New Plymouth. Those Councils and municipalities which do not manage ~ Tiow com plaining, and say they would hive managed their own Hospital cheaper. Cr Horner moved, bnd Cr Winclicomb J seconded, “That this, Council agree to t vote a sum of £330 for Hospital purposes.’’ t Carried.

ROAD ’BOARD : ' The Council fixed; the elections for road board commissioners thus :—Patea West, Juno 3rd ; llawera, sth : Paten East, 'sth. ■ - a ' - • PROPOSED RATE. . : The Chairman—ls any Councillor going : to propose how to devise ways and means to keep the road-men on, for there is no money. The estimated expenditure for .. * the year is £9,100. East year we : got £Bll 2s for licenses, and: £IOO for dog licenses and miscellaneous receipts. Subsidies will be nothing this year, and tho Hospital donation is doubtful. Our licenses and miscellaneous receipts arc about . £IOOO. Onr rates for last year were* £1450, making a total of £2450. I will* ask you to say whether all County work is to be stopped, or how funds are be found to carry on with, for there are no funds left. Cr Gane—l suppose it will he necessary to propose a resolution before you stop ? The Chairman—Yes. Cr Gane I will propose none, then. The general opinion is thatwe shall , want lio roads directly. Tliey arc going' to have a steamboat up the Patea river. (Laughter.) The Chairman—The Hospital expend!- ; tuve to end of March was £1152 19s 3tl, including the new building, which was £657 9s 2d. A “RUSTER.” Councillor Gane—Yosterdaj - , in coming down the Waimatc, I saw the road-man at work cleaning out the culvert. I consider it is dangerous to open the culvert in the way he was doing it. I told him that I would take the responsibility, if he would.. leave that work and go oh with something else till I mentioned it to the CounciTtoday. Ami he has, done so. The Chairman—l consider that Councillor Gane has acted very wrongly in interfering with any of the County Council’s workmen. If he had seen any: matter of • emergency requiring something to be done, it was his duty to have acted at once according to his judgment ; but to order a man to go away simply because,- in Cr Gane’s opinion, he was not required at that particular place, was a very wrong thing to do. We. employ a foreman; of.works to keep the roads in order, aiid if Mr Hardenconsidered these things .necessary, it was : theman’s duty to carry out his instructions. ; I do not think any Councillor has a right to order workmen: about.’ ; ■ Cr Gauc—Now I did not order.the man away. ■ . - , . . The Chairman—You just said you did. Cr Gane —I slated distinctly I did not. I told him wlm ami what I was, and that if he chose to leave it I would take the J whole responsibility, land if ho chose to ’ stick there he could, f saw that the work he was doing was dangerous .; ami I consider it my duty as a ratepayer, leaving alone as a Councillor, to endeavor to prevent accidents arising on the County road. And, what is more, I w ill do so. If I see a man doing .wrong.’ I consider it my duty to stop it,'if possible. It is too much of tho monkey altogether. It is all veiy well for 3*ou to sit here and preach such yarns as that. Cr Hunter—There is no question that " this culvert would occupy a position identical with that which caused till* accident to Southby, and Mr Gane’has not exceeded his duty very much. He simply takes on himself the responsibility of being answerable to the Council, providing they should refuse to pay the man’s money, or object to his leaving this job. He agrees : to stand betwixt the man and all damages. Foreman of Works—l do not know this particular culvert referred to. It is down the Waingongora; ■ . ; - Cr Horner—Arc those culverts just put down, or are they old culverts ? Fqrcman :—They qre q]tl opes. Cj - Isomer —Jf fljcy arc left cqt off just beyond the metalling, w ; e ,ought to oojuo * to some understanding as to whether they / are to be carried across to the fence and' ditch. I could point out hundreds of, culverts that arc exactly in the same position. Cr Gane—And: it is on a; decline. ; Here was a man deepening this ditch, and ho had to sink 2ft Gin. alongside the metal. If I see the same thing done to-morrow I : shall repeat it. • Cr Horner—l qnjte admit the'pfjtjciplo of ppeycqtiqg accklcqts ; bqt'tlpj qqcqtiqq is whether it is to be Uie duty of a Councillor to interfere with the orders of the Foreman. I think we ought -to coino . to some general understanding. - Cr Wmchcomb—l certainly must object to, any councillor going along the road and ordering a workman to do this or that. 1 It would simply bring chaos into our business. . 4

Ci- Ganc—l deny that I ,did order the man owaj'. • i ■ ’ (Jr Wiiiclicomb—The principle is .wrong. Or Gaiic—Balj. T ; f ■ The Chairman— I must call ,CV C}.i||c tq order. It j-> tv j ehe lias said bijli.” fje must not use such words here.

Or Wmohconjb—Jt does nut affect me. Cr Gane—T shall please myself, I suppose, The .Chairman — You shouldjnot.- i“ $ i Cr Gane—Then whom should I please?-: Or Horner—l object to this outrageous language. ■ . The Chairman—While I sit in this chair Twill not allow it. ' That is plain English. I have told Cr Gane before. ’ ? tCr Hunter—This is an exceptional case. He did not imply, bylvhat he said, to make it a general rule ; and the tiling has common sense in It! ■ The forehiap of wprjq? has 'noptiedH asare of' what Wife' lYian W!ls doing. I|e says he* knows nothjnghbout: it. A councillor sees that this work Is going tqj Imperil The responsibility of the Council for any damage. ’ The Chairman—Most members of this Council-understood Cr Gan6. to say that he I ■had simply ordered the, man away, and so | on. That is what* the Council object to. None of the councillors object to.a,councillor giving advice to.a man. Cr Gane has made 'an explanation, arid that has'satisfied us. ! ' ‘ * ,!: * ■' s ’ : ;; • ‘-** l d fCr Gane—The whole matter is wrong. :It \y\as ; ,nffer, the; explanation’ I that'Cr Winchcombjarose ; an,3 thatis why llsaid ‘[ bah” to him. Why, it is shear rot. ’.i dmJvo “ i The Chairman —It was the principle (j£ , the thing lie' was bbjcpting to. | The matter then ijrqpped, ...

STRIKING A RATE. ; ' The, Chairman, resuming the previpuf topic," said—lf wc arc'not likely to strikes ratc, the bank:/ will.' not give us ,nn overdraft. Ido not know where the money is CQiping.from to, pay labor. If the bank; would,advance £3OO 0r ,£400 .for the next month or two, .we could get over the difficulty. ,Cr Hunter—Have they agreed to that ? • Tlie Chairman—No.- .'in a day or two, unless'the' Government find funds, every workman must be knocked off the Mountain Road. .Wc are not going to spend county funds there. . CV Winchconib—The. bank will have to be applied to for an overdraft, I suppose, Tho Chairman— lf the Government, go in for scl'ing any land, wo shall get some land revenue; but there docs not seem to be any sclling in the county, and •■wo cannot calculate,, much on that. Gr Gane—lt is become a cilmc to hold land now. The Chairman —There are plenty of people in New Zealand who would be g'ad to hold the land, and pay tlie rates too. Cr Milne gave notice that ho would move at the next council meeting that a rate of Is in the pound be struck, payable jBL Cr Gane—l propose that no notice for a be received at this meeting. Even a rate will not do one-sixth of what isreqnircd. We make a mistake in taxing ourselves Up to Is. Cr Hunter supported this view. C’r Horner—lt would be open for discussionas to the amount, at next jnoeting,' if yon give notice howof bur intention to strike a rate. 1 give notice of motion that a rate be struck at next meeting. The Chairman jrulcd that notice could not be given in that form, Cr Homer —Then I propose that at the next meeting of tho council tho question of striking a rate for the present year will be discussed. Cr Gane seconded. i The Chairman said that if the council passed a resolution now affirming its intention to strike a rate of Is in the pound at next meeting, the council would be bound to that sum, and could not vary the amount except by giving fresh notice for a future meeting, or unless there were a full meeting of the. council. A motion which did not fix a sum could be received. Cr Horner’s motion -was then adopted, affirming that the striking of a rate will be considered at next meeting. CLOSING OF ROAD AT HAWERA. On the motion <of Cr Winchcomb, seconded by Cr Gane, the Council confirmed a decision of, the ratepayers of the Ilawcra Itoad District re the closing of a road between sections 259,26G, 25G, 258, and 241, Paten district, in accordance with plan deposited. ROAD WASTED AT STRATFORD. The. following letter from Stratford, signed by George Gordon, Samuel Larcom, Charles Quinn, and Michael Galvin, was read :—“ We bog t© call your attention, to the road leading into our several sections. We bought our land over a year since, and took the responsibility of clearing the road and waiting until,;tbe Board- could repay for the clearing of the same. -The road is now cleared and the fire has beeii ovcr it, so that wo"lire bnd year ahead of‘any other roada'sonth of ; the Patea river; but Ayi| liave’onc obstacle in our way still, namely three small, creeks in the centre, .which render the. road almost ''useless,. Fifteen pounds Would make the road passable fur the present and some time" to come. All the scttlefa who have .land leading.'from the road are using it and we hope you will Help us m.purdifficulty. A The Council resdlyed to inform the petitioners that"they must..apply to the .Komi Board within which their land is situated,"" M t WORKS- REPORT;, ? ; fl I,” % ’ } :•

Tli&'fdreinati works reported 'for the montlf as follows : Coiib a ts Nos. 50, 52, and 53 are completed to my satisfaction, and in accordance with specifications. The metalling’of Mahawopou Hill is iii progress,*!ancl I feel confident will give general public satisfaction when completed. The culverts on this hill have been renewed where : required, previous to metalling. I have increased in number the staff for repairing road, in order to have all watertables clear and nits, filjed i>i before the wet sbaSotD sets’«ini f : A’-roaiJ-cfossing Las been formed in -Waitotara', wlie're the river bank and main roads meet, which in * my opinion is not safe for public traflic. . From enquiry, I ain led to believe that this crossing has been formed by the Highway Board.. : Aii estimate for current year’s expenditure will be laid before youalso a memo. relatiVo toinformation -required by the Council. Or Hunter : .Has the Waitotara drain been palled to your notice ? foreman—rNo, I have po information, but tho thing is hearly.half a chain below the bridge. ; WAITOTARA'BRIDGE. ' The Chairman-: I: think it r is. desirable our Foreman should 'go, and see, whether the bridge is in bad order. 1 Foreman: -T will see It, and 'also look!'at the drain. 1 ' Tbc-Cbairman: I will write to the Wan-; ganqi-Cpuhfy Council,’if you report that it 19 clangorous. Then, J presmno, if any ; thins occurred^,that council wpujd become responsible for damages. i- . CROSSING 'AT "WAITOTARA., Cr AVihclicomb moved/and ,Cr - Horner seconded, that-the-Wairoa Highway Board be requested to‘[make secure the crossing Fiver Bank road, Waitotara, to the satisfaction of our engineer.- , HOSPITAL ..VISITING’ COMMITTEE.' The committee’bad met oh the 2Gtb April? and resolved fl) Aitcbison and' D. Coutts bo. asked if they will act as members mf-this committee ; (2)‘ jibat Mndames Baddolqy/.’and> Co’iycqi he asjjodj }£- they will act as members of this pouunittee. _ At a meeting held last Tuesr day, it wag' resolved (1). that the council bo asked to.increase number of committee, and that two ladies bo.appointed members; (2) that ,tbc council, ,be. recommended to purchase for Hospital use 4 new beds arid bedding, \vith wardrobe ; that thc‘ kitchen be lined ; that, strips of,carpet, four pairs of slippers,rone; dozen ; pint mugs, two. chairs; step for door; and fixing of tank, are needed; that a double brick chimney and range arc required ; (3) that Messrs Horner and Coutts visit the Hospital once a fortnight, and Messrs Gape and Aitchisbri do likewise?, taking alternate - ' yppqmvnondatiQiiS' were adopted,; Striking out the brick chimney and; tho range, ,a fountain to be got for the latter purpose.. v. .v : ACCOUNTS.: • of receipts and expenditure for the.month showed £124 Os 3d received forliccnscs, fees, and rents; and the month’s' expenditure had been £1239 10s, chiefly on public works. ; !i ~ - BLAPKSIHU’iI’s WORK. ; Of J^anc^^owisu tljat’ Williams «&Sons l>]ackshiitli;adcoun¥s/c’omb':S'p often.'in. the jialhpce-sheet,’ jylich MpCnrty \& dpp-t get apy >york 2 Why is the Work given tp thc other? '’'lf h'blirdo it'copal ly" \VBn i diV^ e^loff0 % :c fij1 f ' ! i ' '*• ’ | 1 p}e|nah : o| Works—l lipvc no particular 1 reason ifl giving tho wprk to' ! W}iJ\arp's Sons, v-*'

t f Tl i Cl iai r i nan If 'you wjsli to ideal with, that a‘s/ a pj'inciple,, I , ; vf*isfi the Council to pass a",’resolutionfpr ; tli q gii idaiico of buy" -for cm an. j. V, ~ , : ' Tlid subject droppeti. ’, / , * . ! The Council sat till, nearly, 5 o’clock.

To balance duo on contracts Nos. . 12, 13 , & 14 ... £ 105 Less deduction by in specter of works ... £187 10 0 Contract price: for 22 chains, No, 15 .. • 1G2 0 0 Contract price for remaindcr, ]S io. 15 500 0 0 Extras £40G 5s Less on act. 151 Os 345 5 0