PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 189, 29 January 1887, Page 2

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of above council was held in the Borough Chambers, Hamilton, on Saturday last. Present : Crs Williams (chairman), J. C. Firth, W. T. Firth, Chepmell, Gould, Maclean, Murphy, and Brunskill. The minutes of the last monthly meeting were read and confirmed. Special Meeting.— A special meeting was first held re levying a special I'ate of Jd. A letter was read from the '.treasury dated Jan. 15th, stating it •would bo necessary for the Chairman to make a declaration as to the levying of the rate. The Clerk stated this of course could ' not be done till next meeting, but Government appeared satisfied with the manner in which the other formalities, had been complied with. On the motion of Cr Murphy, the resolution to levy a special rate" of in the £ on the Aroha Riding for repayment of £1500 to be borrowed for road works, was confirmed. Ordinal/ Meeting : Correspondence — Inward : Council Meetings : From the Mayn* of Hamilton, stating the Council could have the use of the Borough Council Chambers on Saturdays, or any other day most convenient. On the motion of Cr J, C. Firth, a vote oE thanks was accorded the Mayor for his courtesy. Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. — .From Premier's office, notifying appointment of the Chairman and Cr Ohepmell as members to above Board representing Piako County. Circular from the Chairman of the Bruce County Council, dated Milton, December 24th, 1886, as follows : " Since the passing of the ' Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Act, 1886/ the demands on the funds of the council to meet the expenditure on hospital and charitable aid, have been gradually increasing until a large portion of the county funds are required for that purpose. With a view to put a stop to this increasing expenditure, over which the council has no control, the following resolution was passed at the last meeting of the council : c That each county council provide for its own poor, and that the contribution to hospitals be the propfcrtion of the cost of each patient.' I have also to request yonr council to bo pleased to co-operate with the Bruce County Council in this matter, and, if approving of the same, to request the M.H.R. for your district to support a proposal to amend the ' Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, 1886,' in the direction proposed in the above resolution, as by the council distributing charitable aid within its own district each case will be personally known to the members 'of the council, and imposition will be instantly detected. — Henry Clarke, Chairman." Cr J. C. Firth expressed his hearty approval of the resolution, and remarked it would be very necessary to look closely after the expenses that might bo put upon them as a county, although they had succeeded in obtaining separation from Thames. He had observed by the newspapers that the Waikato Hospital Board,, to which they wcienonr attached, proposed appointing a doctor at a salary of £500 a year and a secretary at £150 and proposing to incur other heavy liabilities in the way of erecting costly building?, etc. He for one, and there were many others also, would far rather i Piako was permitted to manage its own affairs. Piako was almost entirely an agricultural county, and therefore not so liable to dangers and sickness as those counties where there were towns and larger centres of population. The proposal made by Bruce County Council that each county pay for its own sick and poor was undoubtedly the right one. They did not want centralisation but decentralisation in such matters as that under discussion, and he would support any measure in that direction. Mr Whyte, their member 4 , did tne best he could do for them, failing to obtain entire separation for Piako ; but he was of opinion their council should not relax efforts to have Piako constituted a separate district. The proposal right off to pay £500 for a medical man and £150 for a secretary was just another instance of the wretched extravagance characteristic of the country. He hoped their council would take every means to have expenditure reduced, and their representatives use their influence in this direction before the Waikato Hospital Board had incurred heavy expenses by the erection of hospital buildings, etc. ; as he hoped Piako would yet succeed in being constituted a separate district. The Ch airman acquiesced in Cr Firth's remarks. Cr J, C. Firth proposed : That this council approve of the resolution adopted by Bruce County Council, and will request the member of this district fo support any move in the direction indicated next session. Cr Maclean said he felt much pleasure in seconding the resolution, and was glad Cr Firth had again moved in this matter. Cr Firth had always advocated that P*iako should be constituted a separate district. He quite coincided with Cr Firth's views, and iookod upon the proposals already putt forward by the newly-constituted Waikato Board as entirely beyond fcho necessities of the case. Or Chepmell said : Nothing less than combined action of the whole country would obtain such complete separation as that referred to by Bruce County Council, and be feared to open up the matter again in the manner proposed would perhaps only lead to a retrograde

movement, and possibly end in theiv being again thrown on Thames or Auckland. Or J. C. Firth : This resolution from the Bnico County Council now being sent round to other county councils is a step in the direction of ascertaining the general feeling of the country. If the county was found favourable much would hare been accomplished towards tho end in view, if not, no harm would have been done. [f the majority of the county councils were found to be in favour of the movement it wowld be effected-, and this could only be ascertained in the way Bruce County Council had set about it. Cr Chcpmell moved as rtn amendment that the letter be received, but there was no seconder, and Cr Firth's motion was put and carried. Gordon Special Settlement. — From Crown Lands Department, stating in reply to council's enquiry that no reserve had been laid off for ferry purposes at tho Gordon Settlement, but there were two reserves fronting the river (5 acres and 27 acres), also a chain wide along *he river bank and several roads leading down to the river. Cemetery, Te Aroha, — From Rev. Jas. Marshall (as chairman of public meeting held at Te Aroha a short time since, when three Cemetery Trustees were nominated in tho room of Messrs Roche, Stafford, and Whitaker, resigned) enclosing a letter he had received from Government asking if tho county council would accept a delegation of power for the appointment of trustees. The Council decided not to interfere in the matter at all. Surveyor's Services. — From Mr P. E. Cheal, offering bis services and professional experience as an agent to the council, Government having decided that in future no information, tracings, etc., in connection with the Survey Department, entailing work on the part of Government draughtsmen, shall be given to any of the local bodies, etc. Letter received. County Tramway, Waiorongomai. — The Tramway Manager reported that the new wire ropes on Butler's Spur had been fixed during the holidays at a cost of ££0 ; 40 new rollers had to be mounted and put on the grade to Jjrevent the ropes fiom chafing. The new ropes were found to be a groat improvement and worked well. Very little quartz had been sent down during the past month owing to the dry weather and scarcity of water at the battery ; and this together with the extra expense in connection with the new ropes caused a deficit of £12 for the month. The line and rolling stock were all in good order. The revenue for the month had been £43 17s Gd ; expenditure, £5G 103 Id. Cr J. C. Firth ■: I think the tramway manager has showed a good deal of discretion in Working the line.

Proposal to Leas© the Tramway. Mr D. G. MacDonnell, as legal manager of the New Find, Colonist, and Canadian mines, and Ml* F. A. White, as legal manager of the Waiorongomai mine, wrote stating they had noticed by the newspaper reports that there had been a surplus lately in the working of the tramway, and requesting that the cost of transit be reduced from 4s Gd to 03 per truck. The Chaiman : I do not see how the council can reduce the cost of freight as every summer season there is a loss ; in fact there has only been a surplus for a few months fiom the start. I wish to propose that the tramway be leased, as there is a possible chance of doing so now. I would suggest that it be leased for 10 years. Cr J. C. Firth said : In another two or three years the council would have to meet steady demands to effect repairs that would be necessary to keep the line in proper working order, as sleepers would require renewing, etc. As he might be supposed to be interested in the matter he would not vote on the question himself. It had recently been stated in the newspapers that there was a probability of English capital being introduced to Te 4.l'oha and Coromandel, in fact a considerable arrioiirit of capital was now being introduced to Coromaudel, and a move in the same direction was on foot with respect to Thames and Te Aroha. He might state that negotiations were- in progress for conducting mining operations on a large scale with large capital at Waiorongomai. It was well known now that the old plan of working ground in small areas and by means of small companies was a thing of the past, in fact it had proved a failure and had to be dropped perforce. Working on a large scale systematically and with large capital was a necessity for success. He would support the proposal to lease the tramway, and was of opinion a term of ten year? was the very ldast a company would care to take it [ for, in fact he thought the term too short. If by any means the carriage on quartz could be reduced it would prove a great boon to the field, and be of great assistance to prospectors also. Of course if the amount of quartz conveyed over the line waa greatly increased the reduction could be made, but as the affairs on the gold field were at present, the output of quartz was uncertain. But whilst the council could not with the present small output of quartz reduce the cost of carriage, if the tramway were leased to a large company, the traffic oveV th« lino would be sure to be largely increased, freight charges largely reduced, and the county be freed of a heavy responsibility and expense. He was of opinion it was the duty of the councillors to if possible relieve the county of the liability and responsibility connected with the tramway, if it could be done

with advantage. A large amount of capital had been spent in sinking 1 duplicate shafts and winzes for small individual companies with unsatisfactory results to the shareholders, atid it was certain to be a success financially, Operations would have to be carried out in a systematic manner on a largo scale. He would suggest that the tramway be offered for lease of ten yeais at an up9et animal rental of not Jess than £100, and tiiat it be part of the agreement that the maximum charge for conveying quartz over the line be fixed at 2s 6d per truck; and further, that parties using only one grade be charged only Is per truck, two grades 2s. If this proposal could be carried into effect it would be a good thing for all concerned. By the regulations under which the tramway had been constructed, it would be necessary to obtain the consent of the Warden to the agreement. He hoped nothing would be done that would have the effect of breaking off negotiations with English capitalists ; and on the ground of the individual miners, the mining companies, and ior the whole county, if the council saw its way to assist in bringing English capital into the district, it would be its duty to do so ; and he hoped the proposal would be carried forthwith. Of course it should be part of the agreement that the tramway be given up at the end of the term in good working order. Qr Maclean seconded, and strongly supported the Chairman's proposal to lease the tramway, but objected to Cr Firth's remarks to the effect that the line would reqnire so much repairs. A great many sleepers had been lately renewed, and the line was reported to be in excel tent order. Cr J. G. Firth : All I wished to point out was that within the next ten years there would of necessity be a heavy expenditure for repairs. Cr Brunsfcill-: Ten years seems a long term to lease it for. Or J. C. Firth : I wish it was 21 years, and think it may be difficult to get any company to take it for only ten years. Cr Chepmell : Those who wish to see this scheme carried out should put the matter before the council, so that it can be thoroughly gone into at next meeting, we are now asked to go into the matter almost blindfold. The Chairman : I give of motion that at next meeting of the council the matter of leasing the tramway, and also of reducing the charge for freight, be discussed. Cr Murphy said : He agreed with Cr Firih, and would be in favour of leasing the tramway if it would assist in introducing English capital, provided fair terms were made in the interests of other claim holders. On the motion of Cr Maclean, it was resolved that the Chairman be requested to prepare and siibmifc at next meeting of the council an agreement re proposal to lease the tramway. (A resolution passed some time back, stands in the minutes whereby it is necessary to give a months notice of motion with respect to altering the rate of carriage 6rt quartz.)

Dog Registratidn.-~[t was decided that the fees for the ensuing year remain as before, viz., 2s 6d for cattle and sheep dogs, and 10s for all others Gordon Special settlement. — On the motion of Cr Murphy Mr F. Pavitt was appointed to value this block at a remuneration of £5 ss, in order that the settlers might bo placed on the roll as ratepayers. Matamata-Tapapa Road. — Cr Murphy said Mr Rich was very desirous that the road for which they had agreed to borrow £1500 on the Aroha Riding, should be continued right on to Tepapa from the Wairere stream. Mr Firth would make the portion within his own boundary, and to complete the road from Maungapiko stream to Tapapa would costabout£lsoo. He now gave notice of motion that at the next meeting he would move that this sum bo borrowed on Patetere Riding to carry oiit the work. Horse track to Trig and Colonist mine. — Or Murphy gavo notice that he would move at next meeting the Council make a horse track from Te Aroha up the mountain side connecting with the upper track near the Colonist mine ; estimated cost £120, half of which would be given by Government as a subsidy; the track to commence at the boundary of the Town District. He knew there was a reef in the vicinity of the proposed track, it would lead to prospecting, and be in many ways most useful. Cr Firth strongly supported the proposition. If the council, by so small an expenditure could give so great an advantage to Te Aroha residents, they ought to do so, apart from its usefulness for prospecting purposes, the track would prove a grefat boon to visitors many of whom would no doubt be induced to pro- 1 long their stay at Te Aroha, if they were able to ride up to the top of the hill. Thames High School. — On the mo-J tion of Cr Murphy it was resolved to

make application to the Governors of the Thames High School, for a contribution of of LlOO townrds/ the cost of road works in Waiorongomai district. General County Rate. — Cr Chepmell moved that a general County rate of £d > in the pound be levied ; and in doing so spoke strongly in favour of the rate, as thereby the council would obtain a sub- ! sidy of LlOOO from Government; besides they would be called upon to contribute; towards the cost of the new hospital board soon, and the Thames board had threatened to sue them ; whilst the overdraft was already L 2440. Cr J. C. Jftrth referred to the fact that by the new Mining Act the rental of mining leases had been reduced by fivesixths, and generally admitted the soundness of Cr Chepmell's arguments. Or Murphy (who with Cr J. C. Firth at last meeting opposed the proposed rate) said ha had found, on enquiry that the To Aroha ratepayers were in favour of the rate and h& wonld therefore now vote in favour of it. The motion was carried ; and Mr Tuck appointed collector at 2^ per cent. Tenders for Road Works. — On the motion of Cr Murphy it was resolved that the engineer be instructed to prepare plans, etc , and that tenders be invited for the various road works, in connection with the expenditure of the Ll5OO loan. Acceptance of tenders to subject to official notification of the granting of the loan being received. Tenders to be opened at next council meeting. Carried. Some discussion took place with respect to that portion of proposed woik which lay within the newly-constituted Town District of Te Aroha. It was shown that although a town district had been constituted, no election of a Town Board had taken place, so that there was no corporation yet to consult or recognise. The Chairman and Or Chepmell were requested to look into the matter) and report thereon. After the passng of some accbunts the meeting closed.

Expenditure Fo Sustenance " Advertising " Drovage " Deficiency on sales Balance ..; £ a. ... 58 1 ... 13 4 ... 22 19 ... 29 3 ... 10 16 134 4

Receipts By Poundage fees " Sustenance " Notice fees " Advertising " Drovage " Profits on sales £ 8. d. 29 18 0 58 1 0 8 5 0 13 4 6 22 19 0 1 17 0 134 4 6

To Avdha Pound.— Mr J. W. K. Giiilding submitted the following balance sheet for the year dndiug Dec. 31st, 1886 :—