COUNTY COUNCIL

Patea Mail, 17 February 1881, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL

The adjourned monthly meeting was held on Monday. Present, Messaa Dale (in the chair), Bridge, Hunter, Gane, Horner, Milne, and Winks. ROADS FOR THE PLAINS. COUNCIL V, ROAD BOARDS. On the question of accepting the members who had been nominated at a public meeting as members of a new Road Board for Wairnate Plains, Mr Gain said : Cannot we endorse their action ? Chairman : When we appoint a Road Board, we should give the public an opporfunity of saying whom they wish on it. It is for the Council to appoint a time and place for holding a public meeting. Mr Bridge moved : That the boundaries of Wairnate Road District, suggested by telegiam from a public meeting, be the boundaries of the Wairnate Road District, and that a meeting be called of which at least fourteen days’ notice shall be given for the purpose of nominating commissioners. Mr Winks: Could the work not be done without electing a board at all ? The Council’s Engineer could go and see the work, and it could be gone on with at once. The money is lying idle, and the good weather is passing by. Chairman : The Council have full power over any land where no Road Board is in existence. Mr Gane : The men on the spot know better than we can do what roads they want. Chairman : I intend to oppose the formation of a new Road Board District. If the Government will do nothing, I think the Council should take some action to say we will either have one body or the other. I think we should say we will not have a Road Board on the Wairnate Plains’ but appoint our Engineer to do the necessary work and spend the money. I don’t think Road Boards do work satisfactorily. Certain members get on the Board and work for their own particular interest, and those who don’t get on the Board don’t get their interest looked after. Therefere I intend to oppose the Road Board system altogether. Mr Hunter: The interests of the settlers on the Plains are not exactly identical with the whole district, and I thoroughly ap. prove of Mr Bridge’s motion, only I should like to see it take effect sooner. I don’t think the Plains settlers will require to levy a road rate at all, having the deferred payment money. Mr Horner : A great many parties who have bought land there are not resident on it, and do not we compromise those who come a little later in the field by placing them entirely in the hands of the present occupants ? Mr Winks moved : That the necessary action be taken to expend the deferred payment money on the Wairnate Plains, and that the Engineer report at the next ordinary meeting the most urgent works required. Chairman : I second that. Mr Gane • A greater piece of presumption never existed than to think that we Councillors living here can tell those people what they want. Are we to constitute the Engineer as the County Council? Are we to be bound by the actions of a servant ? Let the people who have to use the roads have a voice in the making of them. Mr Milne : 1 am astonished to hear the remarks of Councillor Gane. The meeting on the Plains was got up by only a few individuals, and attended by a few. Most of the owners of land on the Plains arc living at a distance, and could not attend. If we allow them to form a Road Board, and nominate their own men, they will take and spend the whole of the money that is available in making roads for themselves. Mr Horner: It is premature to form a Road Board, because there is not one-fifth of the people up there who have bought the land and intend to occupy it. It would give them facility for log-rolling. Mr Winks : I meant that the Engineer should consult the settlers as to what roads are moat urgently required. Mr Bridge, in reply ; One argument is that the pioneer settlers are not to have roads which they actually want. I think wc should do all in our power to forward their interests. If wc nominate commissioners, they would hold office only till the June elections. I have all along been against County Councils, as I consider moderate-sized Road Boards arc far better to manage than such a body as our County Council. I don’t believe in petty Road Boards. Members of Road Boards and of

County Councils are often the same men : then why should it be supposed they go into Road Boards for their personal advantage but don’t go into the County Council for the same reason ? A vote was taken : For the amendment, in favor of the Engineer reporting on roads required : Horner, Milne, Winks, and Chairman. Against amendment and in favor of a Road Board : Bridge, Gane, and Hunter. The amendment was carried by one, in favor of Council retaining control. ANOTHER TRY. Mr Gane submitted a motion with the same object as the one lost, but slightly different in terms. Chairman ; I rule this out of order. It is similar to the other motion. Mr Gane: Will you give us your ground for that ruling ? Mr Bridge : It is necessary that you should give the grounds of your ruling. Chairman ; I have done so. Mr Gane : The bye-law says you must give your reasons for it, and I want your reasons for it. Chairman : I have given them. Mr Bridge : I question your ruling. It is stated here that you shall give your grounds for ruling. You have ruled that a similar resolution has been lost. A similar resolution has not been lost. Chairman : Next business. Mr Homer : I must support the Chairman in his action. That is the same motion in substance. Mr Hunter was re-opening the discussion when the Chairman stopped him. Mr Gane : I will propose that the Chairman leave the chair. He is not fit to hold it. Mr Milne ; I must support the chair in this. This new amendment is only a loss of time, got up to humbug the Council. Mr Gane wrote out a motion and showed it to Mr Hunter. He shook his head, and Mr Gane did not propose his motion, which appeared to have reference to the Chairman. The amendment which had been adopted was then put as the original motion, and carried in the same proportion as before, 4 to 3. DOGS ON THE PLAINS. The contractor for the dog tax in the Hawera Riding had asked for instructions as to collecting the tax for dogs on the Plains, especially those used in catching pigs. The Chairman had advised him to collect and sue without delay. Sir Win. Fox had ordered the contractor not to collect north of the Waingongoro river. The Chairman had told him to pay no heed to that, but complete his work before the Government interfered, and if they did interfere he should sue the Government for compensation. The Council assented to what had been done, agreeing to take no action upon Sir W. Fox’s request until the Government interfered directly. WAIROA ROAD DEVIATION. Upon a letter from Mr Bridge as clerk to the Wairoa Highway Board, the Council agreed to proposed deviations of road through native land. NGAIRE RIVAL PETITIONS. The question of transferring the lower Ngaire portion of the Hawera Road District came up. Mr M‘Cutchan attended to represent the views of those petitioners who object to amalgamation with Ngaire. He made a lengthy statement intended to be in refutation of statements which Mr Southey had made at a previous meeting. He took the report in the Star, and proposed to review the points categorically. The Council expressed impatience, desiring him to state simply his view of the question of amalgamation. The result was that Mr McOutchan did not say all he had intended. Mr Southey was also present, and answered a few questions. After much talk, the Council resolved, on the motion of Mr Winks, to let the matter of the petitions stand over for the present, with the object of seeing whether the next elections will reconcile differences. WORKS REPORT. The Engineer reported as follows : In accordance with your instructions 1 have seen the deviation of Wilson-road, and find no reason why the Patea WestRoad Board’s decision in deviating this road should not be ratified by your Council, inasmuch as the deviation in my opinion affects no property but the one through which it runs, the owner of which has given his sanction and also the land for such purpose ; moreover the road is of much easier grade and more direct to the main road. The Government in forming a road to the railway station between Waitotara and Waverley have carried the

formation to a level with crown of main road without leaving any means for surface drainage, which will likely during the winter rains cause the water to wash the gravel from off the road. I might suggest communicating with the Government on the matter requesting them to raise the centre of main road with ballast to a sufficient height as would prevent rains flooding it. The surface men from Manawapou and Hawera I have concentrated at Tongahoe to repair the road in the neighbourhood. Tenders have been called for several contracts as directed by you. A plan and estimate of Bedfordstreet drain continuation will be laid before you. Chairman : In addition to the contracts authorised at the last meeting, 1 authorised the Foreman to call for tenders for gravelling Patea hill, as there was not much chance of lowering it. Mr Brewer : Does the Foreman intend to do anything at the Waitotara end ? Foreman : If I swept up or disturbed the ground at present, it would all be blown away. Mr Hunter : Do you propose repairing the damage done to Waihi creek bridge ? Foreman : I intend to inspect and repair it. The report was received without further comment. HOSPITAL. Dr Keating reported that 4 patients had been admitted last month and 2 discharged; 4 remaining in Hospital. It was stated that a request had been sent to the Wellington Hospital to forward Hudson to Christchurch, for treatment of his almost total blindness. ROAD CONTRACTS. Tenders for gravelling were received as follow : Jacob Dudley, Patea Hill, 6s per yard. Murphy & M‘Loughlin, Whenuakura bridge to Horner’s gate, 8s 2d per yard, Patea hill 3s 9d, Manutahi hill to Burke’s 5s 2d, Waingongoro bridge to Waihi creek 4s lid. O’Hara & Regan, widening and improving Bedford-street, Patea, £l4B. For gravelling between Waingongoro bridge and Waihi creek, Hugh M'Devitt 3s lid, Dingle Bros. 3s 6d or 4s fid according to pit, and R, Hamilton 4s 9d. For gravelling between Hawera and Rhodes’s, M‘Devittss 9d, Dingle Bros. ss, W. E. Humphries 4s 3d. Boycs’a tender was informal, his cheque not being endorsed by a banker. The following tenders wore accepted:— J, Dudley, Whenuakura bridge to Horner’s gate, 360 yards at 6s ; Murphy and McLoughlin, 300 yards between Manutahi and Burke’s at 5s 2d ; McDevitt 200 yards between Waingongoro and Waihi creek, at 3s lid ; E. Humphries, 250 yards between Hawera and Rhodes’s at 4s 3d ; J. Dudley, 150 yards between Patea bridge and top of hill, at 6s. Chairman : As to ways and means, the estimated receipts from Ist February to end of June are £2,410, aad the estimated expenditure £1,425, leaving £285 available. Mr Bridge : I make the total estimates to be £386 6s lOd, leaving out the Bedfordstreet contract. BEDFORD-STREET DISPUTE. A COMPROMISE. A legal opinion upon the Board’s position in reference to the agreement with the Town Board was read from Mr Hamerton He thought a case before the local court (not over £SO) might be expected to result in a verdict for the Council, Mr Gane proposed that the Engineer take up the box culvert previously placed in Bedford-street, and divert the surface water into the lake. Mr Horner; The Town Board has made an offer of £SO. Mr Winks: Before we start the work, let us get the £SO. Mr Horner proposed “ That the offer of the Town Board of £SO to enable the Council to carry the surface water from Bedford-street be accepted, and that on payment of the above sum to the County Treasurer, the work be forthwith commenced, this offer to be accepted without prejudice.” Mr Bridge : Wo placed the box culvert there, and if we take it up and allow the water to run into Jackson’s lake again, verv- likely he will have a claim against us. I understand there is a proposal for converting Patea into a municipality. If we can let the matter hang over till it is a municipality, Patea then can settle it for itself. Chairman ; I don’t think there is any chance of it. Mr Bridge : It seems, from what I see in the paper, that there is a strong probability of there being a municipality here. Mr Horner: I quite agree with the course suggested if this becomes a mu-

nicipality, but I think that is a long way ahead. If we don’t accept this offer, are we likely to have the offer again ? Mr Gane : If Patea becomes a municipality, it might want that water for ornamental purposes. Chairman : I support the amendment. I don’t think there is the slightest chance of Carlyle obtaining the privilege which certain paities are anxious for. I don’t think there is the number of houses within the limit named ; and I don’t think the majority of residents would consent to that being the boundary. I should like to see Carlyle become a borough within six months by the growth of houses within the present town. Mr Hunter was in favor of letting the thing stand over. A vote was taken, all being in favor of accepting the Town Board’s offer of £SO, except Messrs Gane and Hunter. WAVERLEY RECREATION GROUND. On the motion of Mr Bridge, it was agreed to let the report of the Waverley Recreation Ground Committee lie on the table till the next meeting. He said the Jockey Club wished to meet the Rccreatisn Committee before leases are made for next year. NORMANBY ROAD. Mr Winks : Is there any hope or means of putting a little metal on the Normanby road before winter sets in ? Mr Horner: If we go on that road we are trespassers, while we have not the means of doing necessary work on the County road at present. Mr Gane moved “ That this Council grant the sum of £4O to the Hawera Road Board, to be expended on the Mountain road between Hawera and Normanby, on the condition that the Hawera and Ngaire Road Boards give a similar amount.” Mr Hunter seconded. Mr Winks proposed as an amendment “That the general Government be asked to repair the Mountain road from Normanby to Hawera, and that the Chairman communicate with them as soon as possible.” He thought £250 would put the road in thorough repair. After discussion, the amendment was adopted. CLOSING WILSON ROAD. This was agreed to, on the report of the Engineer. INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES. The Foreman of Works was appointed inspector of slaughter-houses and collector of fees. LOWERING PATEA HILL. Mr Horner proposed that the necessary action be taken for calling for tenders to lower Patea hill. The Chairman seconded. After discussion, the motion was negatived, tenders having been already accepted (provisionally) for gravelling the hill as sufficient for the present. CHAIRMAN’S SALARY. Mr Milne proposed that the Chairman’s salary for the present year be £3O. Mr Horner proposed and Mr Brewer seconded that the salary be £SO, as at present. Mr Bridge proposed and Mr Hunter seconded that the salary be £25. Mr Gane : I think £25 is abundance for the work. The proposal for £25 was adopted, ENGINEER’S DIARY. Mr Gane proposed and Mr Hunter seconded that the Engineer keep a diary of his whereabouts during the month, and place the same on the Council’s table during its meeting. Mr Gane said he had been repeatedly asked to bring this forward, but did not like to do so. He thought the diary would show which works the Engineer had inspected during the month and which he had not. Other members thought the Council should have confidence in its Engineer or discharge him. The motion was rejected. CLAIM FOR GRAVEL. Mr Milne moved that £lO be awarded to Mr Dale as compensation for damage to his land through taking gravel for the Council. Mr Hunter seconded. The Chairman had claimed £2O for damage to the surface, having received £5 for the gravel taken. ' The motion was adopted without discussion. FINANCES. The monthly statement showed receipts from rates £295 5s sd, licenses £27 2s, W. Dale’s donation to Hospital £ll 2s, publicans’ licenses £ls 10s ; total £346 19s sd. Expenditure in salaries to clerk, engineer, and snrveyor £B9 14s lOd, public

V “""I v*wv 15s ; W. Dale, gravel, £5 ; D. Ballaui carriage &c. £2 2s Oil ; Hospital rations &c. £2B 14s 9cl ; -T. Wait, repairs £8 7 ; 11. A. Arthur, funeral £4 15s; Kenworthy, £2 3s 4d ; Waverley Recreation Ground, Jockey Chib £3O ; total £240 12s Bd. Accounts passed for payment : Taplin, Hospital rations £2O 15s 7d ; County Mail £lO Os 6d ; Galvin & Co. £2 17s ; Pye, stamping dog badges £1 10s ; R. A. Adams, bedding for Hospital £3 3s ; T. North, ditto £3 ; wages £B6 11s 6d ; sweeping chimneys 10s ; G. D. Hamerton, legal advice £4 0s 2d ; G. T. Potto, dog collars £l2 3s 9d. HARBOR BOARD. The meeting then became special, and Mr Horner was re-elected the Council’s representative on the Harbor Board. The Council adjourned.