PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 10 July 1886, Page 3

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usnal monthly meeting- of the above council was held in the Borough Chambers, Hamilton, on Saturday last. Present: Crs. \V. L. 0. Williams (chairman), Chepmell, Gould, Smith and Murphy. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and con- ; firmed. ! T^nde*" 5 For the completion of the P!iafU'=> ury road to Gordon Settlement: Collins and Voysey, £81 j Mills and Currie, £65 ; Jas. Shine, £58 ; P. Dillon (accepted), £.">5 &$. l Tenders for the above work closed on the 12tn ult, and the Chairman stated that although the lowest tender was £5 bs more than the sum allowed for this contract, he had accepted it rather than have any more time lost before the work was pioceeded with. The Chairman's action was approved.

CORRESPONDENCE. Roches Gorge Bridge. —Cr W. T. Firth gent in a report on the above bridge and approaches. He was of opinion the bridge was not worth the amount it had cost, and suggested baring wooden sho its put in the watertables and the course of the creek straightened, approaches wattled, etc. Mr Pavitt, the council's engineer,* stated that since the last meeting of the council Mr Eoche had written drawing his attention to the necessity of doing something to the approaches, and he went up and put on a couple of men before he saw by the report in the papers that Crs Murphy and W. T. Firth had been asked to see to it: the cost of what he had done was £5 11s. With respect to Ct W. T. Firth's report as to the value of the bridge, etc., he considered it was • very unfair for a non-professional man to send in such a report as he had, and without giving any notice. He fearlessly stated as a professional man that the work was worth more than £165. If had he been notified he could have brought before the council data showing that the timber alone had cost more than £105. The Chairman agreed with Mr Pavitt it was quite likely a non-pro-fessional man might make a mistake in a matter like this, but the council thought as Mr W. T. Firth had had considerable experience in the matter of wattling and of the class of country to be dealt with, he could perhaps give valuable advice respecting the best method of preventing the approaches being washed away, etc. Mr Pavitt: Since the bridge has been built the channel has been washed two feet deeper by the action of flood water. The soil is of such a shifty sandy nature as to be most treacherous to work upon. The Chairman moyed. That Mr Pavitt be authorised to have the approaches properly secured and to use bis own judgment in the matter as to what was done. Cost not to exceed £12. Seconded by Cr. Gould and carried. Cr. Smith suggested that poplars and willows be planted near tin biidge.

Mr Pavitfc promiscl to try and got some for that purpose. Hospital and Charitable Aid.— Letters were read from the secretary of (ho Thames Hospital and Charitable Aid Board requesting payment of £163 4s 4d^ amount of contribution due April 6th for quarter ending June 30th for charitable aid ; and of £195 Is 2d for same period for hospital purposes ; also stating by direch'on of the Thames and Coromandel United Charitable Aid Beards their regret at the action taken hy the council in requesting their representative not to attend any future meetings of the board ; and as the Tnanies hospital had been madtf a sepal-ate institution that was all the more reason why the District Board shoiild take action, as had it not been for the action of their Board the Hospital trustees would have increased the expenditure £510 for the year, etc. Crs Smith and Cliepmell saw no use in a representative of Piako County going to the Thames any more. — Letter received. The Chan-man said he had ascertained the amount that wovtld probably be demanded this year for hospital and charitable aid purposes from Piako County would be about £1500. In connection with this subject ab- ! slract of j\ report of the Pdblic Petitions Committee of the House of .Representatives, on the petition of W. L. C. Williams, chairman Piako County Council, was road as follows : That as Government intended to introduce a Bill to amend " The Hospitable and Charitable Aid Act," this petition be I referred to them for consideration. ' ! The following telegram from Mr J. j B. Whyte was also read, dated Wellington, Jnne 23id : "Bill not yet lead a second time. House may object to Piako County alone forming a separate district — if so, will try and join it with Waikato, from which afterwards it may be sub-divided." On the motion of Cr Gould, seconded by Cr Smith, the Clerk was instructed to wire Mr Whyte requesting him to use every effort to have Piako constituted a separate institution ; failing that the council would prefer being joined on to Waikato than Thames. Tui Track. — A communication was read from Ohinemuri County Council expressing their willingness to co-oper-ate in forming a sledge track to Tui, provided Government subsidised* the work. No later communication having been received from Ohinemuu Council on the subject : further action in this matter had to be postponed. Gold Duty. — The Chairman stated ho had telegraphed to the Hon. Jas. Williamson and Mr J. B. Whyte re the inadvisahility of having the gold duty abolished, as had been proposed. The Chairman's action in this matter was approved. Clarkes Fence. — According to instructions given at last meeting, Mr ; Pavitt, engineer, submitted sketch plan and a report re fences erected by Jns. Clarke at TeAroha, and respecting which several complaints had been sent to the council, as obstructing the public road to the river bank, etc. The report was to the effect that the land complained of as being fenced was all swamp, an! not likely to be used for some time ; but as neighbours objected to the fencing it would be perhaps advisable to hare same removed or gates elected. Cr Murphy, referring to the plans now submitted, said : If they bad been shown when Clarke applied to the council to have drains made, etc., the application would have been very differently treated to what it had been, as it was evident the draining which the council | had carried, out would solely benefit; Clarke, enabling him to cultivate j the land drained. He considered the ( council had already spent enough for Mr Clarkes benefit. After considerable discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Smith, seconded by Cr Cliepmell, That Mr Clarke be requested to remove the oh- j struction on the line of road along the j river bank (Stafford and Itewi streets), Te Aroha. Condition of Streets and Roads.-— ! The Engineer, in his monthly report, referred to the bad state i?i which the main road to Shaftesbury, and tho approaches to the railway station were in. Letters from Messrs .Roche and Squirrel were read referring to the almost impassable condition of the road to Shaftesbury. A letter was also read from Mr Coom, Resident Engineer, Auckland, drawing the Council's attention to the need of immediate improvements being carried out on the road leading to the station, \ and requesting that something be at once done. Another |d Rate for Te Aroha. — Cr Murphy supported the statements , respecting the bad state of the roads. ! He knew however that the council had no funds and the only remedy he thought was to have a rate levied ; he therefore gave notice that at next meeting of the council he should move that a special rate of Jd in tho £ on all rateable property within Te Aroha riding be levied, such rate to be spent in the various portions of the riding where raised. Seconded by Cr Smith and carried. Cr Smith further referred to the disgraceful condition of the roads and streets, but could not see how the matter was to bo remedied just at this time of the year, when to do formation work or metal would only be a waste of money. Surfaceman. — Cr. Murphy referred to his proposition at the second bist meeting that a surfaceman be put on to

keep the main- Te Aroha- Waiorongomai road in repair, the tramway men and h«rses to also assist by drawing' gravel when not employed on the tramway, the work to be carried ont under Mr Pavitt' s supervision. Ho was greatly surprised to find on going to Te Aroha on Friday last that these men and horses had been employed in taking out a foundation at Mr Robson's who was adding to his house, and putting the soil on the road ; lie was further surprised to find on enquiry that this had been going on for some time, and he was certain it was contrary to the instructions given, which he now called upon the clerk to read. The instructions having been read, Mr Pavifct said : It appeared to be the only place in To Aroha he could get any gravel, and being the best he could obtain within easy reach he thought he was doing right in making use of it, as Mr Robson i made no charge for it. The Chairman ; I have no doubt Mr Pavitt thought it wise to make use of j the material referred to, even though not very good stuff, as no charge was made for it. I Cr Murphy : I have no desire to ; blame Mr Pavitt further than in my duty to the ratepayers I must object to work like this. That allotment has been on the side of the street for years and no one yet ever thought it worth their while to try and make use of any of it for gravel. I look upon it as simply work done to take out the foundation for a house, and by which no one will benefit but Mr Robson ; some of this stuff was being carted to the top of 13 ridge street tb fill lip' a hole with, which is proof it was not gravel. It was in fact at least three parts Soil, nnd as I do not wish the council to simply accept my i view of the matter, I now move, That the chairman bo requested to accompany myself and Mr Pavitt to Te Aroha Ivy this afternoon's train and judge for himself, whether it was soil or gravel ; the chairman could do this and still get back by train to Cambridge that ingNo one seeming inclined tosecdnd the proposition, Cr Murphy moved, That foi the remainder of the time (three months from May Gth) he had requested these men to be put on, that they be employed exclusively between Joy's house, Waiorongomai, and the Bank of New Zealand, Te Aroha, except under special permission. Seconded by Cr Smith and carried. Te Aroha Streets. — Cr Smith said something should be done for Te Aroha. He had noticed a suggestion which he thought a good one, viz : That crossings might at least be formed in the streets ; and he moved : That Mr Pavitt be instructed to make a couple of crossings in Whitaker street. Carried. Roads, Waiorongomai Township. — Messrs Montague and Lovell wrote requesting that something- bo clone to improve the condition of the streets at Waiorongomai, which were in an almost impassable condition. Cr Murphy supported the statement and moved : That L 3 be expended in improving the condition of Kenrick street to the east end of McLaren street. Waiorongomai a 9 suggested by Mr Montague, and that the tramway men and horses be employed to lay down half a dozen loads of gravel in the vicinity of the post office. Tramway Manager's Report. — The Tramway Manager stated that since his last report the tramway had been only wording about half-time, and they were again in the background as regards receipts, the cause being the ver5 r small output of quartz from the mines, and that being the winter season the lino required more attention. They had also been troubled lately with landI slips. He had now reduced the staff to eight men and himself ; they could send down comfortably '2b trucks a .day, but were only working three days a week, and were obliged to find work along the line. He would be glad if road work could be provided so as to make the tramway self-supporting-, Fergusons battery bad started, but so far had made no perceptible difference to the tramway. Considerable discussion took place on the snbject of the tramway. Cr. Smith said about two years ago a commission of enquiry was appointed to investigate into the working of the tramway. He thought ifc would be a very wise thing to have an enquiry made just at this time into the present condition of the tramway, plant, the manner and cost of working, &c, and moved that Messrs T. Gavin, J.Goldsworthy, E. Quinn, C. A. Coynes and H. McLiver be respectfuly requested to carry out his proposition and draw up a report suggesting any improvements that might be made for the better and more economical working of it. Those he" had named were experienced men whose report and suggestions would be of. much valud. Cr Murphy seconded the motion^ and I in doing so said lje was sure those appointed were most competent miners who would give an impartial report. — Carried. The chairman said, whilst quite approving of Or Smiths suggestion, he was of opinion the only way in which tlie tramway could be" satisfactorily worked would be for the mine holders to work it, as had been sdggested a couple of years ago. He would have brought up the matter before now himself, were he not anxious to see if Fergusons battery would help thorn much* A .royalty would be. better for the council than the present monthly accounts. Sledge Track to the Old Morning Star Claim. — Messrs Hornibrook anil Quinn wrote, making application for a grant of L 7, for which sum they promised to make a sledge track to t)io satisfaction of the Engineer to the

Trenton claim, formerly known ns the. Morning Star, from which they were anxious to bring down some 50 tons of quartz to sond to Wiiiorongomai bnttory. There was no road to the claim, which was near Stoney. Creek. I The distance was about 20 chains. ' On the motion of Or. Murphy; I seconded by Cr. Smith, the sum. asked for was granted. Reduction of Tramway Freight. Mr D. G. McDonnell, legal manager of the New Find Goldmining Company, wrote stating that the company had a large quantity of low grade quarto on hand which they were desirous of having crushed, provided arrangements could be made with the Battery Company for treating it at a reduced rate, and that j the council would agree to convey it at j a much lower rate than now charged. j On the motion of Cr Smith it was resolved that the matter be allowed to stand over until after the report on the tramway &c. had been received. The Chairman, as at last meeting, said there must be something- radically wrong in the management of this, one of the finest mining properties on the Peninsula, when a reduction was sought for, and now after such a length of time it was proposed to pay a paltry dividend of 6d. With proper management such a mine should pay steady dividends. Te Aroha Cemetery. — Cr Smith referred to the disgraceful condition in which the cemetery was allowed to remain, "un fenced and unprotected in any way, and suggested that the council write to the existing Trustees drawing their attention to the matter and suggesting they apply to Government to have any vacancies on the Board of Trustees filled up and something done to the ground. At present 'cattle &c. had full access to the ground. The majority of the councilors considered it was a matter entirely for the people of Te Aroha to Jook after, and the subject was allowed to drop. Waikatb - Thames Railway. — Cr Murphy moved that the council write to . Government respectfully requesting that work on this line of railway be commenced at both ends simultaneously Cr. Murphy remarkdd there were a number of men out of employment in ihe district, and it would, be a good thing if some section of this lino were let. The motion was seconded by Cr. Smith ftnd carried. Sledge Track 16 Grand Junction Claim, Stoney Creek. — The following tenders were received for this work :—: — John Groldsworthy, 86^- chains at per chiin, £1 12s ; for balance of the work, £12; Collins and Voysey, £1 10s, £12 ; Hogan and party, £1 9's, £14 : E. Quinn. £1 7s sdj £17 15s • Thaxtcr and Collett, £1 7s, £6 16s; Hyde and Comes, £1 ss, £li 15s ; R. N. Blencowe, £1 4s, £14 19s 5 Jns. Shine, £1 2s, £7 ISs ; T. Donovan (accepted), 10s, £13. Wilson's Road. — Cr Murphy asked Mr Pavitt why it was the matter of Wilson's road, Waiorongomai, had not yet been completed. Mr Pavitt said the plans were in the Survey Office, and he could not say* what was the reason the matter had not been completed. Codlin Moth.— -A communication was read from Ohinemuri County Council submitting resolutions passed by that council re the codlin moth pest, and suggesting that as the matter was now before tho House that it would be advisable 'for the various local boJies to make direct representation to Government on the subject. — Letter received. Alteration in day of meeting. — The chairman said that under the new railway time table Wednesday was tho only day on which members from Matamata way could attend, and return same evening. Cr Maclean also wired stating Saturday worst day possiblo for meeting owing to train alterations. Resolved : That the council in future meet on Wednesdays, instead of Saturdays, at 10.15 a.m., the next meeting to be held on Wednesday August 4th. ! Assets and Liabilities. — At tho request of Cr Chepmell, the clerk was instructed to submit at next meeting, a 1 statement of assets and liabilities up to ! date, and showing the financial position of the different Ridings, the expenditure ;on the tramway for past 12 months, receipts, etc. ! After .the passing 0? a number of accounts (tho principle item being tramway wages, to July Ist Llll lls 6d; ! the meeting closed.

The Mining Companies Bill has boen read a third time, and passed by the Legislative Council. '