Ohinemuri County Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 471, 14 May 1890, Page 2

Ohinemuri County Council.

The ndjnnni<d monthly meeting of the Ohinemnri Comity Council was held in the Council Chambers, Paeroa, on Saturday last. Presen r : Crs Moore (Chairman), Nicholls, Dearie, Robson, Corbett. Strange, ami Nash. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting, also of special meeting Imld on March 29ih, were rend and confirmed. Tenders: The Chairman said that seeing the financial position tlie Council were in, he did not think they could accept any tenders at present. Cr Nash thought the Council ought not to have invited tenders in that case. Cr Robson moved that the tenders be opene 1 and considered, and the lowes* tender accepted ; the work to be gone on with as ,soo*i as the Council were in fun Is.—Seconded In* Cr Strange. The Cnainnan sail lie could not see how tlm Council would be able to have the work earned out within the next, four months, as the Council were about LIBOO in debt.. Cr Corbett remarked Mint if the Council were not going to proceed with the work f--r several months, he though licit, it, could then b<* .lone for much le.cmonev ; ami he therefore moved as an amendment, that the tenders bereturned. Seconded by the Chairman. An fcmen'inent was t ien propose- 1 .. That the tenders lv* opened, but tin* acceptance of tlm lowest or any tender to be bd I over until next monthly meeting.—Seconded by Cr Niclmlls and carried. The Chairman said tint, lie con«i lere I the course decided mi was a very unwise ami unsatisfactory one, and not a proper wav of doing business. Several contractor* who had sent in tenders were present, and expressed their willingness to have their t nders returned unopened. After some further discussion it was unnnimouslv resolved on the motion of Cr Niclmlls. seconded bv' Cr Deatle. that theresohition just past, t-e rescinded, ami that the tenders he returned unopened . Correspondence : Collaring the County Revenue : A communication was read from the Colonial Treasurer, together with a statement of accounts, showing the Government had been deducting during the past couple of years monies due to the County ns revenue, and placing it to the credit of the L.IOOO advanced in March, 1887, to enable Council to pay the balance of Thames County award (of L2OOO, on separation being obtained). For this purpose it appeared that over L6OO had lieen kept back from the County by Government, the balance still owing being only L3GI Is. Valuation Lists: It was resolved on the motion of Cr Niclmlls, seconded by the Chairman, that a Committee, consisting of the whole Council, lie held on Monday 12th inst, to consider the Valuation Lists. Valuation Roll : Vincent Kernal, wrote, asking that his name be put on for Section 1, Block 4,12. It was resolved that his name be put on the Roll for next year. State of Roads : From J. Phillips and Son, calling attention to the bad state of the road in front of their premises. better received. From E. Edwards, calling attention to the bad state of the road leading to the Paeroa school, and asking Council to re-form ami gravel portion of the road.—Letter received. Stagnant Water : From C. F. Mitchell, acknowledging receipt of a letter from Council ; an I asking Council to take steps to have the stagnant water removed from the back of his premises, which had lodged there from the background. The Foreman of Works stated that this matter had been attended to Extension of Time : From T. Quinn, asking for three weeks extension of time for completing his contract, owing to the wet weather. Resolved «that The request be no granted. From Kelly and Polton, asking for one month’s extension of time oh their Gorge road contract. Resolved' that the application he granted. Waihi Bridge: From Government,

f< rivarding agreement re tlie bnil. ing of a nridge at Wfiihi. It was resolved that the Chairman sign the agreement on behalf of the Council. Sale of Flax : From H. 11. Adams, acknowledging rec-ipt of a letter from Council, and stating that lie would start cutting the flax about July next, ami would then forward one quarter of the amount, in advance to Council. Forest Ranger: A letter was read from T. E. Slniw, Forest Ranger, forwarding a statement of the number oF kauri’ trees cut, etc., stating he had a cbietothe persons who had been cutting kauri trees, ami asking for authority to employ a man for a time, who could assist him in following the matter tip Resolved tnnt the application he granted. Road to Native Settlement : From Mr F. Pavitt, to the Chairman, as follows : “ I have the honour by direction of the Wait'-a Road Board, to address yon relative to the proposed road towards wimt is known as To Hooataiini native settlement, west, of Pinko river, and as 1 have seen Mr Kenny, the County Clerk, on the subject, nn-l explained the matter to him I would ask him to give you particulars. The Board are anxious t-> survey ami make their portion of the road to the County Inuml.'.rv. and wish me to make the survey at once, ami if von decidetohave your portion surveyed, l will do the work and prepare the necessary plans on the Government scale, to satisfy the Chief Surveyor. The Mangatepnru Block, in the Waiton district, is in the hands, or undir the direc-' tint) of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and a* the date has expire 1 for taking necessary roads throuMi the Block the Chairman of the Waiton Rond Board is arran ing with the Company fo v the road. I noticed the names of A. Willis and F. Whitaker are on the maps as holding lands in vour County, and it would be necessary to ascertain from Government if the time lias expired for taking roads through their blocks, as tlie propnse-l mad would run through them. I would remark that if the work is to he done, or tlie survey made, the fine season stionl I lie taken advantage of for so doing, I remain, etc.” The Council expressed their willing-ne.-s to carry out the work mferred to when in funds, lint as they could do nothing with ivsfeet thereto owing to their present financial position, fn- tl e consideration ol the letter was meantime deferred. M atnmata Waihnii Road : Cr Strange adst-d that about Lit) to [.ld might la* expended in Fomcng ami c ••vring - a portion i-f the road km-nn as the Matamat;' two elm in ro-il, which led down tthe Wai on liver at tlie northern end of fl-e T<* Aruba Block. The work was one of pressing tieces-iiy to emtl-lc the S' t’Drs residing in the Lmver Waiton portion of the County to conn-cl with Te Aroha. the owner- < f tli * lan I tlnoug - which the track they ha I hitherto used passed, having lately fence-1 in the lan I, and so cut off the track. Tin* Waiton Ro-nJ Boar-1, recognising the nece-siti of the work, had agreed to expend L2u in improving the portion of the rout ic ferred to up to their C luuty Ivmii hoy. Tiie work was one that req-ii-ei to be car.ied out, ns soon as pos-ii-.'e. Cr Nash addressing Mr Hausen (one of the settlers residing in the district nffecte I. who was present at. the meeting), asked him what assistance the settlers concerned would give toward* having the work carried out. Mr Hansen replied he could not reply for the others, but be would see them nn-l ascertain, and inform tlie Council at their next meeting. He was personally quite willing to give a few days work. Culvert Needed : Cr Strange said a set of pipes to form a culvert across the road near Mr C. B. Edwards was very much needed, and further stated Mr Edwards would do the necessary carting ami work, if the Council would provide tlie pipes. Resolve-1 that the request be granted on the terms stated by Cr Strange. Te Aroha Main Roa 1 : Cr Dearie drew attention to the bad state portions of this road were in, and the need of its being repaired. A letter was read from the Foreman of Wciks, forwarling. a report, which was rea-l and adopted. Health Officer : It was resolved that three month’s notice be given Dr Cooper, to dispense with his services as Health Officer. Notice Motion : Cr Nash moved a resolution, re travelling expenses. After considerable discussion it was resolve! that the travelling expenses of Councillor’s remain at one half of the present amount, Cr Robson moved his notice of motion, That tlie salaries of the County staff be reduced. It was resolved that the SlaughterHouse Inspector’s salary be reduced from LIO to L 5 ppr annum. This was ail the business. Finance Report. The following report of the Finance Committee was read and adopted : Your Committee beg to report: 1. That the overdraft at Bank of New Zealand amounted to L 555 Os 2d. This is considerably more than it should be, and seriously effects our position with the Bank. The cause is that the assets in the shape of Crown Land Rates, Gold Duty, and Subsidies, etc., which were due to us have been held by the Government to liquidate its advance made to the County some years ago to pay first instalment of award to Thames County. 2. The Committee would point out that the Chairman, assisted by certain k Councillors, have taken action in the

mailer of the stoppage of ihe revenue above reiVi'Hii to by the Government. 8. T*-e o nm-ig.T of the B uk of New Zeeland, Tiie lues, hm* Ut*ll inhumed that., owing to th« p-culiar ami unexpected action of the Government, this Council cannot cany out at pre.-ent the arrangement come to in December last, ami the Committee has mucli pleasure in stating that the Bank sliov.s much consideration amt exhibited no desire t<* press us unduly for our unavoidable bieach of agreement. 4. Ihe immediate lial i’ities of the Council for accounts passed hut not. paid are ns follows : £ s. d„ Contribution 'to Hospital Board, 1889-90 ... 51 15 4 "Contribution lo Charitable Ai-1 Board, 1889-90 ... 51 15 4 E. Ryan, F.P. contract, 242 7 0 0 ~ contract deposit, 242 3 7 0 C. B Edwards ... ... 5 0 0 -Salaries ... ... 18 1G 8 £ 132 14 4 5. The Conned Inis on hand prospective liabilities, imt, included in above, tinionniing to 1.131 18s lid. G. Two items for peUy cash (unauthorised), have been paid since last meeting—both urgent.—ami tlie Committee reeommemm that tlie paymentsbe" now validated.. . ,i<: 7. The Committee recommends tlm payment of accounts amounting to LBO7 15-t 4-1, when funds permit.