PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 130, 26 February 1887, Page 2

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held at Hamilton on Saturday, 19th inst. Present : Crs Williams (chairman), J. C. Firth, W, T. Firth, Maclean, Chcpmell, Smith. Murphy, Gould, and Brunskill. Minutes of the previous meeting weie read and confirmed. Loan of £1000 on Arolu Riding.— On the motion of Cr Murphy, the resolution levying an annual special rate on Aroha Riding for '26 years, in connection with raising of this loan, was con1 filmed. | Hospital and Charitable Aid. — A lengthy letter from Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.U-, (which will be four.d puohshed ; in extenso in another column), was next considered. i Cr J. C. Firth said he did not see that anything further could be done just at present, further than to instruct their representatives to keep down expenses. They could take no further steps in the direction of obtaining entire separation , for Piako County, until there was a more general move throughout the country in favour of each districc being permitted to p/ovide for its sick and poor, as advocated by Bruce County Council, Still Government should bear in mind that the County of Piako ia quits lnrge enough to be entitled to be constituted a separate district. Further, in the natural course of events a properly qualified medical man would have to be appointed to Te Aroha, which was becoming such a health resort on account of its famous springs, and when there was a competent medical man resident there. It would be very easy to hare a small hospital constituted and arrange for the services of the doctor at a small cost, and such an arrangement and solution of the difficulty, he thought, AYOuld be the proper one, and he looked forward to its being yet carried out. With respect to Piako County, Te Ai'oha was the proper place for a hospital. However, the time had not yet af rived, and it only remained for them to now thank Mr Whyte for his courteous letter j at the same time he did not hold with Mr Whyte's views as expressed in the letter he had sent. Cr:Chepmell : But I do. Cr Maclean ; The matter ia not ripe for further discussion yet. On the motion of Cr J. C. Fifth, it was resolved that Mr Whyte's letter be received and acknowledged with thanks. Subsidy claimed by Thames. — A communication was read from the Premier's office in reply to a telegram from the council requesting that the Thames Hospital and Charitable Aid Board be not paid any subsidies due to Piako, stating that Government felt bound to give 'effect to the request of the Board in question, in terms of section 29 of the Act. Or Chepmell : It appears to me very unfair of Government to treat us in this manner. -Why 4° ue y no^ * a 0 Boaild sue us in the same way that the Auckland Board has Waikato ? I move 'that' a telegram be sent to GoveVnment pointing out that they had not taken away the subsidies from the Waikata bodies with respect to the Auckland Board, and strongly urging that Piako County be placed ou a like footing. Also, that Mr J. B. Whyte be asked to support the resolution by writing the Premier on the subject. .' The motion seconded by Cr J. C. Firth, and carried. -Prospecting Tracks. — From Mines Department, stating that before the bahnce of subsidy £72 11s 2d with

respect to these tracks was paid, an alteration would have to be made with respect to the grading*. The Engineer staled there were, three places rather f tccp, but it was a matter that could be easily put right by the' expenditure of about £5. llesolved, that the Engineer be authorised to effect the necessary 'alteration nt 'a cosl not exceeding "£s. Conversion of Debentures. — A circular was read' from the Treasury Department, stating that the outstan ling debentures of the County under " The Roads and Bridges Construction Act, 1832," convertible into new dedentures, amounted to £1320 Is Gd, the present value of which as at Feb. Ist, 1887, was £1131 3 9s 7d, representing the amount of debentures to be given by Council in exchange, or the amount of debt to be inscribed at the Treasury under section 35 of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act of last session. Resolved, That the piopossls of the Colonial Treasurer for extending the time for repayment of the amount due under the JUoads and Bridges Construction Act over 2G years be Accepted, and the details left to him to arrange. Tramway. — The manager of the county tramway reported that during the past four weeks quartz had been conveyed over the line eighteen days, three days they were engaged in repairing the line, and the men had to be knocked off during the other throe days, owing to the batter/ being fiilled with quartz. The receipts for the month amounted to £70 Gs Gd, expenditure £G3 17s Gd ; leaving a credit balance of £G 9s. General satisfaction was expressed by the Council at the manager shewing a balance on the right side, considering how much the long continuance of dry weather had affected the conveyance of quartz. Slaughter House Licenses. — ■ The Cleik stated that only three slaughterhouse licenses had been taken out within the County this year llesolved, That the Clerk be instructed to draw the Inspector's attention to the neglect shown with respect to the taking out of licenses. Ratepayer's Roll. — Myles and Co., Curistchurch, wrote requesting that the name of E. \V. llantner who was employed on an estate fit Te Aroha for them, should be placed on the Valuation Roll. Messrs A. A. Smith and A. Downes \ also wrote requesting that vheir names ! be placed on the io!l. Resolved, That Mr Ilanmer's name ' be placed on the roll, and the necessary steps taken with respect to the others. LEASING COUNTY TRAMWAY. The proposal to lease the tramway respecting which the Chairman gave notico of motion at last meeting, was next discussed. Cr Maclean remarked it was usual in cases of losing like that under consideration to employ a competent engineer to examine and report upon the condition of the line botli^ before handins: it over and at the termination of the lease. Cr Chcpmell : The rent should be paid yearly in advace ; an inventory taken, and the same value and amount of rolling stock given up, us was taken over. It would be also advisable that the Council should reserve the right to send an inspector at any time to examine and report on the line, etc., and they should have the right to re entor into possession if it was found the conditions were not being complied with. Cr J. C. Firth : Clause 5 in the Warden's conditions I got inserted myself, fixing the maximum charge at 4s Gd per truck, etc., except when such charge did not cover the full expenses incurred, in which case the acfcml cost of conveyance might be charged. That clause would not be required now, and although safejm the hands of the county, in the hands of others it might prove dangerous. If they leased the tramway as proposed, the lessee should be compelled to convey all quartz at a certain fixed rate. It was now clearly demonstrated tuat there is a very large quantity of low grade quartz on the goldfield, and the Council should do all in its power to assist miners to work low grade ore, by 6xing the tramway charges as low as possible. Some remarks being made as to the carrying capacity of the line, Cr J. C. Firth remarked Mr Stewart, the engineer of tho line, said it should be capable of conveying sufficient quartz to keep four batteries constantly going ; he (the speaker) "would like to see four batteries at work, and was of opinion the line would be found equal to supplying them with quartz. Cr J. C. Firth : By the Tramways Act wo bavo'rt right lo lease the line for twenty-one years, with right of renewal. Cr Chepmell : I do not think the Tramways Act applies to this tramway, unless in a very small way ; J^it was constructed under the Counties &ct. Cr J. C. Firth : I , think it docs; it makes no difference how it was constructed, we are in possession. Suppose we had bought it ? It was ultimately decided that the tranjway be leased for ten years, with right of renewal,, at an upset price of £100 per annum, the lessee to convey quartz at 2s 4 Gd per truck over the whole length of the line ; the charge for using only a portion of the line tp be 6d fo» eacli hor.se, grafle^and 6d for each selfacting incline. ; Or Murphy propose^, and, Cr Maclean seconded, that the line b,e leased by public auction, Mr Alf. Buckland to be the auctioneer; the Chairman and Cr Chepmell to bb v e^. constituted-, a to. draw up tcnns;p£leasing .and for carrying out all necessary arrangements ; to ask

<ll»c consent of the Warden, etc. Ors Gould, Smith, and Chepmell were in' favour of the leasing" being by public tender, whereby the Council would have more discretionary 'power with respect to wlio was accepted, nnd auctioneer's fees, etc., "would not have tc'bo paid. ' Cr J. 0. Firth spoke strongly in 'favour of the leasing being by auction, and Cr Murphy's motion was carried by a majority. It was further resolved that the lessee shoul-l give security-— himself iv £500 and one sui ety for £500. Te Aroha-Rotorua Road.— Notice of motion given by Cr Murphy at last mooting that £1500 bo borrowed on Patetere Riding, for continuation of the inain]| road about to be through Te Aroha iiihl Matamuta Ridings to Te Papa, was next discussed. Cr J. C. Firth said this road was of more importance than he at first thought, ; and ils construction would be oi immense benefit and induce n large amount of traffic through the districts concerned. ! When completed Te Aroha would only i be 53 miles from Rotorna by direct road, i and the route would be sure to speedily become a very favourite one with tourists aud others, as it went through some of j the most beautiful scenery ; besides it would be the most direct ; passengers would be able to start from Te Aioha at 8 a.m. and reach Rotorna at 5 p.m , whereas they had now to leave Te Aroha by train at 8.20 a.m. and only got as far as Oxford by about 5 p.m., having to finish the journey next day. The portion through Matarmta would be made by the Matamata Road Board. It was resolve 1, on the motion of Cr Murphy, seconded by Cr Maclean, that £1500 be borrowed, as proposed, for this work. Prospecting Track, Te Aroha.— ln accordance with notice given by Cr Murphy at last meeting, he now moved that £G0 be granted as subsidy towards cost of constructing a horse track from Te Aroha township to junction, at the top of the range with the Waioiongomai upper hill track, and Tui track ; provided Government subsidised the work with an equal amount. Ors Murphy, J. C. Firth, and S.nith, spoke in support of the resolution, which was seconded by Cr Smith, Cr Gould proposed as an amendment, that the work be not undertaken at present owing to lack of funds, which was seconded by Cr Maclean. On being put to the meeting, the amendment was negatived, and the motion declared carried. Overdraft. — The Clerk state J the pre sent overdraft was L 2500. Gordon Settlers. — The valuation roll with respect to the above settlers as prepared by Mr Pavitt was approved of. Representation. — The Clerk was instructed to prepare by next meeting a statement with respect to the number of ratepayois, and rateable value in each Riding, in order that the question of readjustment of representation might be duly considered. Tenders. — The folio -ving is a full list of the tenders received for work in connection with the expenditure of £1500 loan on main road, Te Aroha to Matamata :: — ■ No. 1 Contract: Road Work, 40 chains, fornvng and part metalling, Race Course to Bridge Street,Te Aroha; ilyde and Redwood (accepted), L 52 7s Gd ; A. Bow, L 59 2s Gd. No. 2 Contract ; Road work, 05 chains, Main Roid from Kilgour Street to Waiorongomai Creek : Jas. Shine, (accepted), £81 Us ; McCabe and Co., L 93 ; Jas. Orr, L 97 10s ; D. Craig, Lll3 14s. No 3 Contract : New Foot and Traffic Bridge, main street, Te Aroha : J. Heathcote (accepted), Lfc.4 ; F Booth, IjBB ; J Lavery, L 94 9s ; J Comes, L 94 10s ; E O'Connor, L 99 15s ; A Butler, LlOB 14s Gd ; Jas West, LI 10. No 4 Contract : Bridge over Waiorongomai Creek : Jas. Lavery (ac cepted), L 129 10s ; S A Sorensoti, L 132 12s ; E O'Connor, L 137 17* sd; J Heathcote, L 144 ; A Butler, Ll5O 10s Gd ; D Craig, LI 51 12s. No 5 Contract : Bri Ige over Wairakau Cieek : Jas. Lavery (accepted), L 129 10s ; Peter Sege son, L 132 12s ; E O'Connor, L 139 10s ; J Heathcote L 144 ; 1) Craig, L 147 16s ; A Butler, Ll5O 10s Gd N;> G Contract : Extension of Bridge at Roches Gorge : E. O'Connor, (accepted), L 94 19s Gd; A Butler, L 99 7s; Jas Lavery, LlOl ss; H Southey, LI 14 10s ; J Munro, Ll5B 14s No 7 Contract: Road Work, Te Aroha, Metalling, etc., Whitaker and Bridge Streets : Jas. Parr (accepted), L 177 7s3d; McCain and Co, LlBB j (Informal, no deposit, E Bein, L 245 10s.) No. 8 Contract : Road Work : Metalling and formation Waiorongomai Creek to Wairakau Greek : Jas. Orv (accepted), LG4 ; Jas Shine, L 64 Ils ; McCabe and Co, L 66 13s ; D Craig, L7l 16s ; Jas Wiseman, LB7 No 9 Contract : Road Work (formation), Wairakau Creek to Roches Gorge; E. Qnihn (accepted), LB5 10s ; l Jackson and McSvveeney, L 95 2s ; Hogan and McLeod, L 99 19s; Jas Shine, LlO6 8s ; Jas Wiseman, LllB No 10 Contract : Road Work (formation), Roches Gorge to. Gordon Settlement : Jas. Shine (accepted), L5O 4s; Jackson nnd McSweeney, L 69 18s ; J ! Wiseman, LB3 |Lss; P Dillon, L85 10s; I C x Collins, LBB 10s. . „ .1 No. 11 Contract: Road work, (formation), through Gordon Settlement: j Hogan and McLeod (-accepted), L 165 ; Jas Wiseman, L 197 10s. . j No. 12 Contract : Seventeen small

bridges, along line of road : E. O'Cbrinor (accepted), L 285. Messrs 0 Collins, II Sou they, P DilJon^F Booths J Ideatbcote, E O'Connor, J Manro, and A Butler "also tendered. No. 13 Contract : Road work, etc, j Miri'phy's '"^Landing to Kilgour tili, j \Vaiorong()mni, (includes funning and fencing Wilson's road ; : E. Quinn, ! (accepted), L 95 Jas Shine, LllB Gs 9d; J Goldsworthy, LI2G. After passing a number of accounts for payment, iho meeting rose.