OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9089, 7 March 1908, Page 5

OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ' monthly meeting was held yesterday. Present Ors. G. Wheeler (chairman), W. G. Pearce, W. Reid, J. H. Vincent, H. Rowling, H. G, Oornfoot and H. Burrell. CORRESPONDENCE.

From J. F. Greig and J. H. Taylor, stating that they had not received rate notices.—To bo advised to pay the amount due and save legal expenses as rate had been issued in due course.

From J. Evans, Bunnythorpe, claiming compensation on account of the bad condition in which his gravel pit had been left by contractors.—The Chairman and Gr. Pearce to inquire into the matter. From Thos. S. O. Pemberton, asking if thhe Council would accept his offer for land cut off from Spur road. —To be asked to make an offer.

From R. Broadbny, stating, that the people at Halcombe desired access to the Rangitikei river by a gate on Maori property. If the Council was unable to move in the matter it was intended to bring the matter before the House of Representatives.—The Chairman to acertaiu whether the request can be legally acceded to. From N. E. Gifford, drawing attention to bad state of road leading to his property from the Cemetery road.

From Rangitikei County Council, explaining what repairs required to be done to the Onepuhi bridge. From O. J. D. Skinner, asking to be appointed assistant ranger in the County.—H. P, Sorensen, ranger, wrote approving the application, as regards his district.—Consideration held over until the next appointment of rangers.

From G. D, Halford, pouudkeeper, Ashhurst, explaining that he had charged H. R. Oornfoot poundage rates according to the Act. He had impounded 5 horses during the month.

From the Ferryman at the Gorge, giving a record of the tolls received each mouth during the past five years the amounts having been in 1304 £143 11s 6d, in 1905 £l5B 13s 6d, in 1906 £lB4 IBs 7d and last year £lO7 3s 2d.

From Secretary of River Conference Committee, stating intention, to ask Government to appoint a Royal Commission.

JpFrom 13 ratepayers, requesting the Council to rescind the resolution giving C. J. D. Skinner the power to impound cattle in the County within one mile of the Feilding Borough boundary. Cr. Reid proposed that the motion be rescinded, Cr. Rowling seconded the motion. Speaking to the motion, Cr. Reid said Skinner was worrying the ratepayers and the Council did not desire such a thing. Skinner was doing the work without discretion. At the present time there was no need whatever of a ranger. Cr. Burrell said the owners of cattle should not allow them on the road. If the motion was passed cattle would be placed on roads to graze at once. Cr. Pearce thought it would be a mistake to take off the ranger. The ratepayers who had petitioned apparently desired the run of the roads the whole 24 hours. Cr. Corufoot said Mr Skinner had been given permission to range in the County, at the request of the County ranger, and now the stock were kept off the road, but it would not be so if the motion was adopted, as ranger Sorensen was living too far away to do duty in the part of the County the motion referred to.

Or. Vincent said it had been said of Mr Skinner, that he had no discretion. This was a quality to be commended in a ranger. The Chairman said a popular ranger would not be popular with the Council; as he would not be doing his duty. There was no greater danger to the travelling public than quiet dairy cattle. Cr. Eeid’s motion was lost,-thus leaving the matter as before. REPORTS. The Treasurer reported Riding Accounts as follows :—Taouui riding. Dr. £309 19sl Id; Eaumauga, JCr. £406 17s 4d; Otaugahi, Dr £147 13s lid; Makino, Or. £449 3s 9d; Raugitawa, Or. £ll 7s lid; Maugaoue, Or. £29 16s 2d ; Hiwiuui, Cr. £52 3s 7d. Amount of general rates levied £4822 9s 3d ; collected £4713 Isvkl. Bank balance, General Account, Cr. £1650 7s 3d; interest account, Dr. £237 8s Gd ; No. 4 Loan Account, Or. £I7BB 2s.

The Acting Engineer reported that the work on Grove road, No 3 contract was progressing satisfactorily. The formation of Grove road, contract No. 4, had been completed, and he recommended that the road be metalled. He had made arrangements with B, Poole to complete the formation of Greenhow’s road and Heneghau’s Line with a grade not steeper than 1 in 12 for a total price of £7O. He expected the Stoney Creek bridge would be finished today. The total cost with the filling was £l7O. About 400 yards of metal had been put on the BunnythorpeAshhurst road contract, but owing to the poor quality of metal on Mr Evan’s property it had been found necessary to take gravel from Mr Currie’s pit. Contract No 5, work on Pearce street, had been completed, and he recommended the final payment to be made. Vogel street, Halcombe, had been trimmed up. He recommended replacing the collapsed culvert on Ouepuhi road by four feet concrete pipes, some smaller;culverts on, this road, Stan way road and Wangaone road should be replaced by concrete pipes.—The report was adopted.

OTHER BUSINESS. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Burrell. It was resolved that the Ridings of Raumanga and Makino, guarantee the payment required by the Postal Department, for five 3ears to obtain extension of the telephone along the Makino road. It was resolved :

That the County Council be requested to clean out drains and culverts, across the road between Bailey’s Crossing* and Nannestad’s road, so as to give an outlet to the work done by the Railway Department, and this Council, That rabbit poison be obtained and distributed to ratepayers.