OHINEMURI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 241, 11 February 1888, Page 2

OHINEMURI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thb ordinary monthly meeting of above Council was held in tho Council Chambers Paeroa on Saturday last, commencing a* 3.30 p.m. Present Crs Nicholls, (chairman) Corbett, Moore, Dearie, Robson, Nash, and Quinn. Minutes of tho previous meeting wore read and confirmed. Correspondence ; General Rates :— To Colonial Treasurer, stating that the amount accruing from a general rate levied of 6-4 d in the £ on rateable value of County £92,702, amounted to £576 7s 9d; and requesting payment of Government subsidy to tho extent 75 per cent., under Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act, be placed to the Council's credit. Thames Harbour Board;— To Mr A. J. Cadman, M.H.R. informing him that continual complaints were being made re chnrges for wharfage etc, levied by the Thames Harbour Board, and asking when the proclamation granting the extended powers to the Harbour Board would be rescinded. From Mr A, J. Cadman, M.H.R. in reply to the above, stating he had communicated with the Minister of Marine who informed him re the rescinding of the proclamation referred to, that he was waiting for communication from Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.R. and on receipt thereof the matter would be settled without further delay. Letter received. Slaughter-house Licenses: — From Mesarß Peter Foster (Junotion),Kinseela (Waitokauri) and Vuglar, Paeroa requesting a renewal of their Slaughter-house licenses. Resolved that the applications be granted. Applications for Aid to Prospecting :— Fred Lipsey, Maurice Kelly, John OBrien made application for assistance towards prospecting under Class 1. " Regulations for Aid Towards Prospecting", Gazetted in May last ; whilat Louis Deharsmade application for similar aid under class 2. Debars prosposed to prospeot on the banks of the Waitawheta river ; and OBrien between Karangahako and Tui Cretk; Kelly, in the Waitawheta district : Lipaey at Komata. The Chairman read part 16 of Regulation* for aid towards prospeoting, under the Mm' ing Act, 1886 ; and stated it would first of all be necessary for the Council to adopt the Regulations. Resolved that thoßegulations for aid towards prospecting be adopted by Ohinemuri County Council. Cr Moore : I notice two parties apply t 0 prosper^at Waitawheta, but by the regulf tions Council can only recommend subsidy for one.

It ia important too that the applicants clearly understand thai tho County Cjuncil canno t possibly at prosent flnl sab^idy themselves ;if the prospectors are to avail of the assisfca nee offered by Government they mast themselves find the coun ios portion. On the mofcon of Or Daarle, seconded by Or Moore, it wa=) resolved that the consideration of tho applications received for countyaid to prospecting be deferred till next monthly mooting of Council ; the clerk meantime to ascertain if the several applicants were willing to fini the Counties portion of the subsidy themselves £2")00 Award:— From Thames County Council stating no satisfactory arrangement had y*t been made for payment of balance of tho L2OOO award, and the Thames County Council were thereby sorioualy inconvenienced, and suggesting that the Ohinemuri County Chairman, and ono of the Councillors should communicate; fixing a lay, and go Thames to try anl make some settlement in the matter. The chairman said on receipt of this letter he sent 'word to Mr Broilic, Chairman of Thames County Council fixing a day of meeting, and not hearing to tho contrary he and Or Robson procee led to Thames on the day appointed, but on their arrival found Mr Brodie was absent in Auckland and had not received the message sent ; so they had to return without having the proposed interview, but he told Mr Hollis the county clerk, when they received tho rates due from Government on native lands they would remit. Subsequently they had received a communication from Thames Council expressing regret on the part of Mr Brodie that he should have been absent when they went down, and requesting Council to submit proposals in writing re payment of the balance o award. Resolved on the motion of Cr Moore, seconded by Cr Dearie, that a letter be written to tho Thames County Council stating that as soon as the rates due Council from Government on native lands were paid, a cheque would be forwarded for amount of the balance of first instalment. County Engineer : — From Mr L. Jackson.tha newly appointed county ongineer, stating that ho could not possibly comply with the resolution passed by Council when appointing him as regards residing at Paeroa, until they provided him with an office where he could keep his instruments etc, as they undertook to do. Letter received. Cancelling Subsidies Promised ; — From Mine 9 Department, Wellington, stating that as it was understood Council were not in a position to proceed witli tho undermentioned works, the subsidies promised with respect thereto (as follows) were withdrawn. Continuation of Prospecting Track Karangahake towards Te ArohaL366 6s Od (balance of original grant of £1000 for track along top of the ransje). Sledge Track to Tui Mines £213 6s 8d ; Traok to Parakawai £200 ; Owharoa Low Level Tunnel, £199 14s 8d ; and no funds would therefore be further available from Government with respect to any of the works mentioned. The Chairman, in reply to one of the Cr paid tha subsidy of £150 for track to Whangamata was still available. Specifications: — From Mr F. Pavitt, forwarding specifications of Bowler's road, and road contract let to Collett. Assistance for Dcvelop.ement of Knrangahako ; — From C. S. Brown, Karangalvike, forward in 2 copy of resolutions passed at a public meeting held at that place on 20th January, (particulars respecting (lie meeting, and copy of the resolutions referred to will be found in the Auoka and Ohinemuhi Nkws of January 2Slh). Some discussion took place re this letter, and the matters refe-red to therein. With respect lo the p oposil to urge upon Government the necessity of forming tho Waitawheta Gorge roai. Cr Moore, sai I, if he recollected aright thee-m-mated cost of carrying onh tins work wasUiOOO and application w>m mile to Government in tde matter when Government was far bettor off as regards the funds at their disposal ; nevertheless lie would be gla I to have any assistance possible given towards fu-thering the object in view, anl thought the re.jiU'st, that the plans an I specific itions prepare.! for Council some years ugo, should be made available to the applicants, as desired. Resolved on the motion of Cr Moore, That a reply be sent to the letter, stating that Council had written for the plans and re port of the proposed Waitawheta Gorge Road, and would be happy to lot the applicants have a copy thereof so soon as they came to hand. It was state. l the plans and report had been forwarded to Mr Adam Porter, Auckland. ! Resolved on the motion of Cr R»bson that the clerk be instructed to write to Mr Porter requesting that they be returned. Inspectors of Nuisances ;— From Mr E. Edwards, the recently appointed Inspector of Nuisances suggesting that Council take steps to have the Californian thistle growing in Mr Cassrels paddock abolished. Letter received. From Mr E. Edwards suggesting that Council take steps to have all pit water closets within the township in .close proximity to wells etc, closed up, and that a night soil man be appointed at a remumeration of say 6d per week for removal of night soil. | Cr Corbett suggested that the letter be laid aside until Paeroa was large enough to be conBtituted a Borough, the proposal to abolish all pit closets now, was quite premative. Cr Moore :— Mr Edwards should confine his attention to having bad olosets, those in i dangerous proximity to wells etc, filled up, and existing nuisances suppressed. This was all that was required with regard to this matter. It was not the thing to place further ratea on tho people than could not be avoided. If necessary a few simple bye laws could be passed, empowering the Inspector of Nuisances to do his duty. Cr Robson also objected to the appointment of a night soil contractor as premature, and oalculated to entail unnecessary expense on the ratepayers. Resolved on the motion of Cr Moore, That the Chairman and Crs Robson bo appointed a committeo to draft a code of simple By-laws whereupon the Inspector of Nuisances might take action; same to be submittad to next meeting of the Council for approval. Extension of Drain : —From O. Sorenson, requesting Council to supply pipes ; to enable applicant to complete drain. Referred to Engineer to report on tho matter. County Offices : — From A. Cassrels, stating he had been informed Council considered it advisable to obtain moro suitable offices, and I offering to build same, if guaranteed occupancy by Council for six years at a weekly rental of 12s 6d ; building to be handed over ' at end of the term in good order and condition, and to be kept insured by Council. From D. Snodgrass, offering to build offices for Council, if guaranteed occupancy for three years at nine shillihgs per week, Reaolved on the motion of Cr Moore, That the proposals be not entertained pending result of Council's application for a loan. Supplying Road Metal : — From Thos. Quinn, offering to supply broken road metal at Takerei's creek for 5s 6d per yard. Resolved that 5s per yard be offered applicant, tho metal to be broken to tho satisfaction of the County Engineer. Junction Road. — Cr Robson presented a petition from residents at the Junction, and Bottlers on tho western Bide of Ohinemuri river, requesting Council to ropair the road loading to Junction, over which there is considerable traffic ; the petition was signed by F. Foot, T. E. Shaw, E- Shaw J, Shaw; W, Tetley and others,

Cr Eobson spoke strongly in support of Council having something done tovrardß improving this road and the approaches to the bridge &b Tuitui creek. The Chairman also spoke in support of tho. application, and reminded Council this road lead to the Junction sawmill, from whence local residents obtained their supplies of timber. Keaolved on the motion of Or Eobson, That the Engineer be authorised to repair the bridge and approaches thereto. Arizona Mme :— John O'Shea and party, j shareholders in the Arizona mine, Marototo, wrote requesting Council to "grant them £7 about half tho estimated amount, towards cost of repairing horse track leading to their claim, as they purposed sending away a parcel of ten tons of ore from this mine, and stating they had already done a great deal on the roads in the district referred to at their own expense. Cr Moore spoke in support of the application and ."said these men had saved the Council a great deal of expenditure on roads, and moved that £5 (considering the state of county finances) be granted applicants towards cost of making the branch track referred to, Carried. The Chairman in putting the resolution ; said, whilst he should not oppose the expenditure, he would remind Council that the land on which the mine referred to was situated was naticeproperty,and it wan highly j desirable Government should purchase these lands, and then the County Council would obtain oho rovenue accruing therefrom. Tenders. — On the motion of CrCorbett ifc wag resolved that the tenders invited for PaeroaMackaytown road (whinH woro to Lnwo been opened on 4th inst) be not opened till Wednesday Bth inst at noon, in order that intending contractors have a further opportunity of inspecting the work ; the Engineer to show the work on Monday 6th at 9 a.m. It was also further resolved that the Chairman, Crs. Corbett, Eobson, and Nash, be appointed a committee to open and deal with the tenders referred to on Wedneabay, Bth inst. Acceptance of Contracts: — The Chairman brought under the notice of the Council the necessity of appointing Crs. to sign all contracts, as provided by clause 230, of the Counties Act, 1886, which reads as follows ; "Any contract made with the Council shall be in writing, under the seal of the Corporation; and shall be signed by two members of the Council on behalf of and by direction of Council. On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved that any two Crs be empowered to sign contracts. Terminated Contract : — The consideration of a letter from Edward Bein (adjourned from last meeting) was_ next proceeded with. Bein requested permission to be allowed to complete metalling contract, which had been terminated byCouncil.owing to delay in carrying out the contract until tho wet season set in. Reference was made to the necessity of having the road (Mackaytown-Owharoa) properly formed prior to any more metal being laid down, and on the motion of Cr Robson it was resolved that the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and ipecificationa and call for tenders for this work with as little delay as possible. It was also resolved that Bein be allowed to complete the original contract and to start on tho work as soon aa he received instructions from the Engineer, The metalling to bo spread as may be directed by the Engineer, Gold Duty: — Resolved on the motion of the Chairman, that the clerk be instructed to write to the Thames Borough Council, requesting them to refund the amount of gold duty wrongfully paid to them, being derived from gold resulting from the treatment of Ohinemuri ores. Proposed Loan of L1300:— On the mofon of Cr Pearle seconded by Cr Moore it was resolved, That this Council apply to the Coloniul Treasurer for a loan of Ll3OO 0s Od under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act 1886, LUOO 0s Od to be devoted to the purpose of prosccut ing public works as per schedule below, and L2OO 0s Od for purpose of erecting counly offices: and further, that the necessary steps be at once taken to levy a special rate as security *for the loan, (and to provide a sinking fund for the same), ami to obtain the consent of the ratepayer?. Schedule of Proposed Loan Expenditure : — Roa la ; Paeroa to Owharoa, L2soj Owharoa to Wailri, L 175; Paeroa to Te Aroha, L 200; Paeroa to Hikutaia, L 220; Mackaytown to Karangahake, L 100; Upper Waitoa, L4o; Lower Waitoa, L 45; County offices, L 200; Interest L 65 : Total LI ,300. Finance ; — The report of the Finance Committee was road and the report adopted. The accounts passed for payment amounted to L 272 5s 8d ; L 76 8 3d of the amount being recommended for immediate payment, the balance when funds were available. This concluded the business and Council rose at 5.35 p.m. having transacted the whole of the business in a little over two hours.

WecLnesday- February BfcliThe following were present at the meeting of Council on Wednesday last to deal wilih tenders for Mackaytown— Owharoa road, ; Ore Nicholls, (Chairman) Kobson and Nash. Tenders as under were received. Nd 1 see* tion : Snodgrass and Phillips, LB9 15s 0 : B, Bein, L 59: John Kennedy, with broken metal L 64 15s 9d ; with shingle, L 54 15s 9d. Section 2 ; Snodgrass and Phillips, L 65 7s Od ; Thos. Quinn, with broken metal L 56 10s 9d; with shingle L4B 10 9d; E. Bein, LU 10s Od. Section 3: B. Bein L 95. The only contract accepted was that of John Kennedy L 54 15s 9d for No 1 section.