PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 447, 19 February 1890, Page 2

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

This ordinary montlVv meeting of the above Council was held at Cambridge on Saturday last at 11 a.m. Present: Crs Chepniell (chairman), Hanmer, limit, Horrel IWilliams, Brunskill, Murphy, Mills. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence: In error : To W. A. Murray, informing him he was in error in stating the Council had given a road to one of its members, as such was not the case.

Exchange of Hoads : From James Haile} 7 ,, Manager Auckland Agricultural Company,:. Limited, acknowledging letter from the Clerk dated January 21st, and in rep’y stating that the Company never undertook or agreed to supply Council with any plans in connection'with opening and closing roads (Oxford-Matamata road). Also further stating lie had deposited the amount Council had claimed for costs, and charges of survey, etc. Received. Alleged River Navigation Obstruction : From John A. Beale, solicitor, Auckland, dated January 23rd. 1890, as follows: “I am instructed hv Mr R. P. Gibbons, to claim from your Council the sum of £25, for damages which he has sustained by reason of his steamer being unable to pass up the river on the Bth inst, on account of the obstruction to navigation in the shape of the Waiorongoinai bridge, unlawfully erected b} 7 yon. My client informs me that helms frequently complained to you of the above obstruction, and he has instruc ted me to inform you that he will bold you responsible for any subsequent loss which he may be put to through the said obstruction, and that he will commence proceedings against you unless the above amount with £1 Is costs, be paid to me by the 4th February, prox." The Chairman said he had instructed Mr Pavitt, Engineer to the County for Te Aroha Riding, to make enquiry into this, matter. Mr Pavitt said : On January Bth the Waihou river rose Gft at Te Aroha railway and traffic bridge ; and sft Gin at Waiorongomai bridge. The Te Aroha bridge was 19ft above ordinary level of the river and the bridge at A'aiorongomai 18ft Gin do. The height of Mr Gibbons’ steam launch funnel was 15ft 9in ; so that :i would be 2ft 9in above the available steamer passage way on the date referred to. General discussion followed. Mr Pavitt stated he understood in Australia matters of this kind had been settled by an Order in Council providing that the funnels be hinged. Cr Hanmer remarked tint at Home the funnels of river steamers were generally hinged and thereby all difficulty avoided of obstruction, and it did not take more than two or three minutes to lower or raise the funnel. Cr Murphy said all the other steamers trading on the river had hinged funnels. Me had been living on the bank of the Waihou for about ten years, am! during all that time, even in the highest floods, tho bank near the bridge had never, been covered with water, and the-budge was six feet above the bank. The general opinion of tiie members appeared to bo that the claim was a vexatious one, and even if there had been a loss and that the Council'-were liable the claim was most excessive, more in fact than the value of the whole cargo of fl >x The Chairm .n said they could not give any reply to the-letter unti 1 they had obtained a legal opinion. A Councillor remarked Mr Gibbon’s punt had damaged Paeroa Wharf, and Oliinomuri Comity Council held him liable for the cost of repairs ; perhaps lie would like to receive L 25 from Piako Comity Council just now, as it might save him putting his hand in his pocket for repairing the wharf. Resolved : That the Chairman be empowered to act on behalf of the Council with respect to this claim as he shall think fit, also to ascertain if the Governor has not power to compel owners of river steamers to have their funnels hinged. Proposed Road to Okoroire Hot Springs : Cr Williams,-who acted as presiding officer at the recent poll of ratepayers in Patetere Riding, as to whether £B'JO should be borrowed for constructing a road to Okoroire Hut Springs, reported that 15 voted for the loan and 22 against, it was therefore lost by a majority of 7, There were two informal votes.

Cr Williams said a great deal of feeling was evinced at the last poll with respect to this proposed loan, much more so in fact than on the occasion of the first poll. Ho did not think so many votes were recorded simply because peopled) bjected to the loan or the road, but there appealed to be other reasons which influenced them in so doing, and people, travelled long distances to record their votes.

Tices near Hail way Crossings : To the Railway Commissioners directing attention to the danger to persons travelling when pasbing over the ruilway - line at level Crossings where trees had been planted, and the necessity of their being no obstruction to the clear view of the line for a distance on each side such crossings. From Railway Commissioners acknowledging receipt of said letter, and stating it would receive consideration. Gates on . Public Roads : To Messrs G Walker, McNicol Bros., G. Given, Jas. Bailey, Murray Bros., etc., etc,, forwarding copy of resolution passed re removal of gates On public roads. Cemetery for Morrinsville : From James Hume, Manager Bank New Zealand, Hamilton fin reply to Council asking if the Bank would dedicate about three acres of land on the Lockerbie estate for cemetery purposes), stating the Bank would not dedicate the land, but would be willing to sell it for £7 an acre. The Chairman : From what we were led to understand before we asked them, we believed they would readily agree to give this bit of 1. 1 ml. Cr Willi ms : The Bank of New Zealand gives nothing Sir, but realises on everything it can ; and Mr Hume has got to do as he is told. Several Councillors laughingly remarked they had no doubt the Bank would like to get £7 an acre for it, and be willing to part a good many more acres at the tame price, or a good deal less. Cr Horrell said he would give a piece of land if that would do. The Chairman.said he was afraid his (Mr Ilorrell’s) p ace would not he central enough, but thanked him for his kind offer ail the same. Cr Hanmer said Mr W. S, Allen might be willing to give a piece Of land for the purpose. The Chairman sail he believed he w ould if he were ticks d, Letter received.

Piako Bridge : Mr Pavitt reported that some of the piles of tin’s bridge were considetably decayed, but would perhaps last a couple of . years longer. Also that the wings required repairing, Resolved that the Engineer get the wings repaired ; and also have the fern ent away on account of the danger from fire. Road to Isaacs’ : From A. Isaacs stating he understood when he gave £ls towards cost of road from Te Aroha-Lielifield road through to Waihou river, that same would be formed. The Clerk read tho past correspondence re this matter, from which it was clear no promise was made to form the, road, but simply to survey and take the road, which had been done. Resolved that Mr Isaacs be informed the Council had done all they promised with respect to the road referred to, and had no funds available for forming it. Road Drain : From Hugh Ross, offering to clean out the drains for a distance of about three chains on each side of the road, leadingfrom the Waitoa sale .yards towards Woihou township ; if allowed permission to cart away the soil cleaned out. The work to he done to the satisfaction of the County Engineer. ' Resolved that the permission asked for he granted, only actual cleaning to be done.

Tramway Horse : From the Acting Manager Te Aroha S. and G Mining Co., stating that on or about the time of the transferof tram horses to theCompanv there was a foal from one of the mares "which has since been at pasture; and asking if the Council make any claim to tho filly, as if so he would direct the man who has the filly in charge to send his bill for pasture and breaking to Council. He thought the filly would bring as much as the bill (£3) if placed at auction sale. Resolved that Cr Hanmer be requested to see the filly referred to and enquire into the matter. Gates on Roads : From Geo. Given, of Walton, complaining of the bad condi tion of some of the gates on the public road in his neighbourhood. Cr Hunt said Given before writing the letter to the Council just read, wrote in much tho same style to the Matamata Road Board and others, but was informed the places referred to were i.» Piako outlying district. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Pavitt said some of tho pates referred to were in bad order and difficult to open. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, that a letter be written Messrs Murray Bros, informing them that complaint had been made respecting the condition of gates erected by them on public roads, and that-they could not be allowed to erect gates on roads without first obtaining permission from Council ; and in the event of permission being granted the gates must be erected in accordance with Council’s conditions and provisions of the Public Works Act : Also that tho Clerk acknowledged receipt of Mr Given’s letter. Gate on Road : Cr Hunt requested permission to erect a gate on the CambridgoTauranparoad. Resolved that the application he granted. Hospital and Charitable Aid : From Secretary Waikato Hospital acid Charitable Aid Board,-requesting paym -nt of £lls 8s 4d, balance.duo by County tor year endim 7 March 31st. Resolved that the anot.nt he paid. Slaughter Hoiwe Licenses : Applications were read from the following requesting renewal of their slaughter-home licen-os : J. Wood ; 11. B tskiville; J. If. Rowe ; Thus. Rowe ; D. Hcelly ; F. J. Marsh ill. Resolved that the renewals lie granted. Alterations in Valuation Roll : The following applications ware received for alterations in the Valuation Roll of the several Ridings : From Ann Devey to have her name placed on the Roll of the Te Aroha Riding as occupier of Section J, Block 27, Te Aroha. From J. Winsfone to have his name placed upon the Valuation Roll of Te Aroha Riding as occupier of Sections 1,2, 3, Block 2 ; Section 8, Block 6, Te Aroha. From W. Brumby to have John Read’s name placed upon the Valuation Roil of the Te Aroha Riding in place of his, as occupier of Section 9, Gordon Special Settlement. From J. A, Dobson to have John Wallace's name placed upon the Valuation Roll of the Waitoa Riding in place of his as occupier and owner of Section 70, Block 12, Te Aroha Survey District. From Thos. Gavin to have the name of J. D. Hargood placed upon the Valuation Roll of the Te Aroha Riding in place of his as occupier and owner of Section 8, Block 10, Wairere. Resolved that the necessary steps be taken for these alterations. Engineer’s Report : Mr T. G. Sandes’ report was next read. In i.t he stated that about the 23rd of January,, the bridge over the Mangawhaia, creek on the Cam-bridge-Tauranga -oad was partially destroyed by fire, caused it appeared to him by a fern fire, winch had burned the whole flat round about.

On the motion of the Chairman, Mr Sandes was authoiised to have the necessary repairs effected by- Copeland, of Matamata, estimated cost, about£lß. Overdraft: Deficit: Balance Sheet : The Clerk reported the overdraft at about £SOO, or including balance due Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, £615. He also said, that, judging by results for the year so far, he feared the revenue would fall short of what it was estimated to yield by several hundred pounds. The half-yearly balance sheet had been returned duly certified to by the Audit Department. Notice of Motion : Cr Mills gave notice that at a special meeting of the Council to be held on Saturday, March lsth, he would move, That the resolution passed by Council on April 12th, 1888, and confirmed on May 12th, whereby the control and cost uf maintaining that portion of the county road within 'ie Aroha r J own District was transferred to Te Aroha Town Board, be rescinded. • The Chairman said it would be necessary for some Councillor to move that a special meeting be held, if Cr Mills’ motion was to be considered Resolved on the motion of Cr Mills, seconded by Gr Murphy, that a special meeting be held on March 12th, for the purpose of considering the motion referred to. Shaftesbury Road : Mr E. Y. Cox having sunt in a claim for two amounts, one for subsidy of L2O for work done on the diagonal road ; the other for subsidy of Ll 4 t‘>r work done <m main road ; Cr Hanmer said he and other ratepayers in the di-trict considered the stuff thrown out of the ift tin road drums should hgv@ !

been fpead on the road, and not left on the rift 01 drain where it wiis liable to fall back or b(s knocked in again, Mr F. Pavitt was asked a fitimber of questions as to how the work was done, it under Ins supervision, etc , etc. In repiy Mr Pavitt stated the price paid by Mr Cox for the work, and said what had cost Mr Cox L 36 8s he estimated * iave been done by public tender for L2B. . lieGlerk read the correspondence which r? to ie - P romise °f a subsidy to Mr * or carrying out the work referred to, and the Councillors were of opinion it certainly embraced the spreading of the stuff thrown out, aud proper completion of the work. Resolved that the L2O be paid for work done on the diagonal road, and that tho account.for LI4 be held over, until the stufl thrown out of the drains had been spread on the crown of the road, Accounts : The following accounts were passed for payment:—C. Ahier (pipes for Waiorongomai £3, and 5s for do. for To Aroha-Lielifield road), £3 ss; Geo. Wat tarn (Cambridge-Oxford Road), £2 8s ; Waikato Times (advertising), £3 12s ; C. Tuck (salary and commissions), £lfi 4s 9d ; T. Marshall (dog registration—collars), £1 Us lOd; J. S. Bond (printing), £3 16s Gti ; .Tas. Mills (travellingexpenses, two meetings January 18th anil February 15),£2 18s; D. Murphy (do.), £2 18a ;E. Y. Cox (subsidy for work done on diagonal road), £2O; Geo. Walker, junr, (Cam-bridge-Tauranga road, 3rd progress payment), £SO. Total, £lO6 14s Id. This concluded the business.