COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1134, 4 January 1884, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The above Council met yesterday. Present: The Chairman, and Crs Bridge, Taylor, Morgan, Durie, and Howie The following business was transacted, the standing orders being suspended. DOG TAX COLLECTOR. Tho lender of Mr J Maysmore for the office of dog tax collector for the Patea County for the current year was accepted. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment: —Patea, Mail, £3 2s Cd ; Clerk’s salary, £6 13s 4d ; York and Cornfoot, £4 12s 61; 11 VVright, £29 18s; J Smith, 19s. The accounts of Messrs Taylor, Cornwall, and Stanford for wages were passed. An account of Mr H F Mason’s, with reference to some metal was passed, subject to Engineer’s report on tho matter. OEOTUKU ROAD DISTRICT. The Chairman said that in the absence of Cr Foreman, who had been appointed a committee with himself to see that the provisions of the Act had been complied with in the case of tho Okotnkn ratepayers, he had examined everything himself, and found it correct. Cr Howie moved, “That Okotnkn district be proclaimed a new road district, number of members four.” Cr Durie seconded. Cr Bridge said that he could not conscientiously vote for it, nor would he vote against it. The Chairman said he was sorry to see ail these road districts. He thought it looked like a family scattered to the winds. Whether it would end in good or evil he did not know, but he thought it would be evil. However tho matter rested in their own hands. Motion carried. RETURNING OFFICER, Mr E. C. Horner was appointed Returning Officer to the Council on the motion of Cr Bridge. Fees: nomination, 10s ; poll, one guinea. RESIGNATIONS. Cr Foreman’s resignation was read and received with regret. A letter had been received from Cr Sullivan, but the Council decided that it was not a formal resignation, and Cr Morgan agreed to endeavour to obtain Cr Sullivan’s address, he having gone to Kawhia, with a view to getting the matter placed on a better footing. members’ expenses. Cr Durie moved “ That the usual expenses be allowed members for attending meetings from date.” Seconded by Cr carried. MANAWAPOU BRIDGE. A discussion took place with reference to the ; .request of the Hawera Council that the Patea Council should make a better approach to the bridge. The Chairman said that on account of the bridge being built too low, there was a drop of some six inches on to it from the road. Cr Bridge thought it would be well to write to the Hawera Council, informing them that as the road is, it cannot injure the bridge, and stating that the Council was quite willing to meet their Council, but pointing ont that anything which was done should be done at the joint expense of the two councils. He accordingly moved “ That the Hawera County Council be informed lliat tbis Council is of opinion that the approach to the Manawapou bridge on the Patea side wil not, now that it has been altered, injure the bridge, but that they are willing to meet the views of the Hawera Council as far as reasonable, but any work that is done will have to be done at the joint expense of the two councils.” Seconded by Cr Morgan and carried. The Chairman moved “ That a committee consisting of Crs Bridge, Howie, and the mover, bo appointed to interview the solicitor re County reserves and other necessaiy remaining business.” Seconded by Cr Taylor and Carried, The Council then adjourned till 3 p.m. On resuming, tho chairman and Crs Bridge and Howie being present, they went into committee for a con-

siderable time in connection with the reserves., QLD MANAWAPOU BRIDGE. With reference to a letter from the Hawera Council asking that the old Manawapou bridge he offered for sale; by auction, it was decided to agree to this. ; OLD WAIROA HIGHWAY BOARD. ' A letter from Mr D Fleming, chairman Whennaknra-Waitotara Road Board was read, asking whom the Council had appointed in charge of or as clerk for the remaining portion of the Wairoa Highway Board since it was dissolved, and until a now staff of members was elected, as the Whennaknra-Waitotara Board wished to got a statement of accounts made out. The writer would also, as chairman of the new Board, request the Council to stop any further payments of monies by the Wairoa Highway Board until such time as the two Boards got their accounts settled. The new Board considered the late members of the Wairoa Highway Board were acting illegally in holding meetings and letting so much work since they were dissolved. The Clerk had replied that Mr Fookes was Clerk to the Wairoa Board. The Council had no power to stop payment of monies. THE HOSPITAL. From Gr. 8. Cooper, stating with regard to the report of the committee appointed by the Council to examine the Hospital accounts, showing a balance of £144 Is 3d in the County's favour, that he was directed by the Colonial Secretary to enclose a copy of a memorandum on the subject by the Assistant-Controller and Auditor, pointing out several considerable errors in the statement, amounting altogether to the amount of the Council's claim. The letter was referred to the Hospital Committee. ROADS AND BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION ACT. The Undcr-Sccrctary for Public Works wrote, stating in reply to an application made by the Council under the provisions of the Roads and Bridges Act, that the money for main roads had not yet been apportioned, but Government expected soon to be able to distribute the fund, when the Council would be at once advised of the share coming to their district, SLAUGHTER-HOUSE. William Palmer applied for a slaughtering license for section 103, Okotukn block. Granted. The Council then adjourned.