Ohinemuri County Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 479, 11 June 1890, Page 2

Ohinemuri County Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held in the County Chambers, Paeroa, on Saturday lust. Present : Crs Moore (Chairman), Dearie, Strange, Nicliolls, Corbett, and Robson. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence: The Government and the £IOOO Loan : Several telegrams which

had passed between the Council and Government re tin- steppage of gold duty, subsidies, etc., were read. Also tlie following letter to the Chairman :

The Treasury, New Zealand, Wellington, 29th May, 1890, Sin,—Referring to the telegraphic correspondence which has lately passed between yourself and the Colonial Treasurer, on the subject of repayment of the advance of £IOOO made to the County in March, 1887. I nrn now directed to state the terms of repay mont agreed upon. All sums retained by the Treasury excepting £250 having been refunded ; the balance of the advance, viz., £750, to hear interest at five per cent per annum from Ist March last, and to be repaid in three v early instalments of £250, on the Ist March, 1891, 1892, and 1893. —I have, etc, James 0. G-avix, Secretary to the Treasury.

Resolved on the motion of GY Dearie, That a sinking fund lie created in order to meet this annually recurring liability, until the whole of the £IOOO had been repaid. G-merul satisfaction was expressed by the Council tlmt Government had receded from the position they lmd taken up, and agreed to more reasonable, terms for repayment of the £IOOO loan, Ho Lease Applied for by Cr Nash : The Chairman reported that a deputation had waited on him, and requested him to interview Mr Warden Northcroft re tho ease applied for by Mr Carrol Nash. Mr Northcroft being laid up at the time, however, he was unable to see him, and had therefore written to him iih follows:

Paeron, May 26, 1890; H. Noijtlicroft, Esq., Warden, Thames, Sib,—A deputation of Ohinemuri ratepayers waited on me on Saturday evening, requesting that I should interview you to-day re Mr C. Nash’s application for agricultural lease nt Mackaytown. The deputation on behalf of the people of Ohinemuri protest in the strongest manner against. Mr Nash’s lease including the small islands and gravel beds in the river, as they are the only source of road metal and gravel for road making purposes in this portion of the County. The deputation consider it would be a great injustice to the County were a monopoly of these gravel beds granted to any private individual, and hope you will see the necessity of reserving these for tho public good. They likewise consider that the portion of the lease applied for by Mr Nash which includes a large postion of the’late township of Mackaytown, should not be granted on the selection terms, as the grouud has been, and in all probability will again he required for residence and business sites for the people, The deputation, which I may Bay was large and thoroughly representative, hope you will see the justice of having the above public rights reserved, and Mr Nash’s boundary adjusted accordingly.—l ave, etc., John H. Moore, County Chairman-

Cr Corbett remarked tlmt it wns about the most accessible place they could obtain road metal from, and the Council ought try and reserve both it and also the right of a road to it. Chairman : Tf tho Warden grants the application in the. face of that letter, we should petition the House on the subject, Mr Cndman, member for the district, said we could do so.

In reply to Cr Dearie, the Chairman said Mr Nash’s application was for fifty acres. He wished Cr Nash had attended the Council meeting, and would like to Inve heard wlmt lie had to say with respect to this application lie had made. Resolved that the Council approve of the action taken hy the Chairman in this matter, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Warden. Rnteß on Native Lands : A circular from Cook County Council was read as follows :

“As this is the first year that the Local Bodies will not receive rates from Crown and Native Lands, this Council considers it prudent to make soto® movement towards having the Native Lands brought under the operation of the ordinary Rating Acts. To do this the Crown should define the block or sub-division, and name one or more owners as the persons liable for rates upon the whole, or toe Crown should pay the rate, giving the notice as at present; and if the owners do not pay up ft*, least once in two years, the land should be let for a term of years so that the Local Bodies should not lose the revenue. It must be clear that the value of Native-owned land has increased by the expenditure of the European rates and revenues, and it must be remembered that the expensive works constructed out of the “ Government Loans to Local Bodies,” are not a charge in any way upon the Native or Crown Lands. I trust therefore, that your Council will endeavour to impress the Member for your district with the necessity that exists for the careful consideration of a new measure, whereby the Native Lands may be retained as contributors to the local revenue.”

Resolved on the motion of Cr Dearie, That this Council approve of the circular as read, and that a copy of it he sent to Mr Cadman, M.H.R.. requesting him to support any steps taken in the direction indicated therein.

Subsidy Towards Proposed New Wharf Cancelled : Fiom the Under Secretary, tinder date Mines Department, Wellington May 20th, as follows :

Referring to letter of 19th July last; stating that one third the cost, not exceeding one hundred poinds, had been authorised towards the eretion of a wharf and approaches at Paewa, lam directed to inform you that nothing having been expended on the work, the svbaidy has now been cancelled. Received.

A Complaint: From John W, Thorpe, and R. A, Wight, junr., calling Council’s attention to the uncompleted contract of the approach to the hiidgeat the Opukeho creek on the Puke-Paeroa road, stating the approach to the bridge is narrow and dangerous, and requires to be widened, etc., and further asserting that the value of the work done up to present is barely L 4. Resolved that the letter be acknowledged, and the parties complaining be informed the contract is not yet completed. From P. Seeehy, the contractor,claiming L2 in addition "to L 4 paid by Council in connection with this contract.

Letter received, the matter to be left to the Foreman of Works.

Wanted a Right of Way: A letter from Thos. Quinn, addressed to Mr Warden Northcroft was read, in which the writer complained of having no road to lub place, etc. The letter bad been forwarded to Council enrlcrsetl by Mr Warden Northcroft, that lie thought it was a matter for the Countv Cornell to settle.

.Chairman: 'his is not an application to us for anytiing. The whole affair appears to be a matter between Mr Quinn nud Mr C. F. Mtchell. Cr Corbett nmiruled Council that on his motion a stin of L 5 had been voted some considerate time buck to assist Mr

Quinn to make n road to hi* place : it now appeared, however, that Mr Quinn \va.< not satisfied with thp road as then prop mod. md wanted a different one made. Letter received.

Hill Track Repairs : From Bridget Grayd* n, requesting Conned to take sreos to have the Hill Track between Graydnn’s nnd Sheeby’s, at Waitekauri, made passahle.

Cr Corbett said tliere was a rata tree lying across the Track which ought to be removed, and also some briars required to he cleared. Ha would undertake to ,iave nil that was necessary done by one tnan in a day. Resolved that the matter he lePt in Cr Corhett’s hands to have the necessary work carried out. Extension of Time: From John Goonan requesting three weeks extension of time with respect to his contract for breaking road metal, being unable to get stone breakers.

Resolved that the application he granted. Footpath to School : From E. Edwards, Secretary School Committee, requesting Council to expend say L 3 in improving the footpath to the Paeroa school. Resolved that the application he not granted, the Council having no funds available for the purpose, and being of opinion schools in other portions of the County had equal claims upon them for assistance, and more urgent wants. Petition From Waitna Settlers : From Allen A. Bowler, C. B. Edwards junr., W. J. McCormick, John Mellon, Edward Bowler, F. M. Strangp, F. Strange, T. F. Scott, J. F. Strangp, Thus. Brinkley, C. F. Hansen, and W. Bradley : Stating that in response to Council’s wish (as expressed at the previous Council meeting), that the settlers should contribute to the cost of forming the road in Waitoa district asked for and urgently needed, that not having sufficient funds to do so at present, but to enable the road to lie made at once, they requested Council’s permission to do woik on the road referred to to the value of their rates for the coming year. In making this request the petitioners directed Couneil’s attention to the fact that every winter they had been obliged to work on the roads in their district in order to keep them open for traffic ; had very heavy rates levied on them, etc. Chairman: I consider to grant this application would be laying down a very bad precedent ; and if we did so we should be having similar applications from all directions from ratepayers wishing to work out their rates.

Cr Strange said the old line of road had been fenced off faster than had been anticipated, nod it was absolutely necessary pome LIS to L2O worth of work be done so that the settlers might have a road. The settlers in order that the road be sppedily made were willing to do the work and wait for payment. Other Councillors expieased themselves averse to the application being granted, and it was resolved on the motion of Cr Corbett, That Council cannot, entertain the application, but that tenders be invited in tbe ordinary way for carrying Out tbe work,as soon as funds are available. forest Ranger’s Report : A report from the Forest Ranger was read as follows Paeroa, June Glli, IS9O. To the Chairman and Members Ohinemuri Countv Council. Gextlemkn, —On the 26th'last month I went to Waihi for the purpose of getting up the evidence necessary to enable the Mining Inspector to take action against the Waihi Company, I employed a person there who has a thorough knowledge of the bush, the position of the trees cut, and who cut them. He and I made careful count, and found that 139 trees had been cut, and this number he wi l swear has been cut for the Waihi Company. On returning I consulted several Councillors, the Chairman and County Clerk, and acting on their a (vice I proceeded to the Thames on 30th, and had an interview with MrWilson. After going through the bookswith him, and seeing what evidence I had, he ( decided to take action at once. Before leav>. ing the office he wrote Mr Russel a letter the purport of whioh is as follows : That the Ranger of the Ohinemuri County Council had made a complaint to him that tbe Waihi Company had cut, or caused to be cut, 139 kauri trees, and that on examining the books lie found but 40 paid for, he therefore demanded that the balance be paid for without delay. Mr Wilson will be absent from the Thames about two weeks, and if on his return no arrangement has teen come to he will take immediate action.— l remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, T. E. Shaw, Ranger. The Chairman remarked they should imprest, on Mr Shaw to follow up this matter with as little delay as possible. Necessity of Amending Mining Act:— Cr Dearie drew attention to the necessity of having an alteration made in the existing law with respect to the granting of water races. Formerly a charge of £1 was made for every sluice head of water required ; now a person could go and take up miles of water-race for a payment of ss. He could not think it was ever the intention of Government to grant this. It must have oeen an oversight ; 5s per sluice head would be a fair and reasonable charge. As tiie law now stood a mah could take up for 5s what he might sell for £2OO or S3OO. Cr Corbett agreed with Cr Dearie’s remarks, and said he thought what Government must have intended was that the charge be 5s per sluice head. Resolved that Mr Cudmnn, member for the district, be written to requesting to get the law amended with respect to this matter. Extension of Time : Cr Corbett asked that a fortnight’s extension of time be given R. Bein for completing his contract on the Waitekauri road. Granted. Foreman of Works Report : This report was read and adopted. Registration of Dogs : The fee for regis tration of all dogs was fixed at ss. Finance Committee’s Report: The Finance Committee’s Report was then read, as follows a— Your Committee beg to report: 1. That the overdraft at Bank N.Z- to date amounts to £204 8s 6d, whioh with unpresented cheques £8 6s, make the debit balance £212 i4s 6d. 2. In consequence of representations made by theChairman,with the advice and assistance ot' other Councillors, the Government agreed to modify their terms, and have eed to the Council repaying the LIOOO advance by yearly instalments of £250, commencing the first payment on Ist Marcn, 1890. Interest tor balance to be at the rate of iivc per cent per annum. By this arrangement the Government now only retained £250 of the £638 19a.

H. By tbe above arrangement, being carried out, the Council has been able to pay off the long overdue Hospital and Charitable Aid contribution, 1880 90, amounting to LlO3 10a

R" 1 . nnd other pa'sel but unpaid accounts £29 3s Bd, in addition to the last months ordinary accounts, and there i= every reason to ’elievo that with care we shall be able to carry out onr arrangements with the Bank, to be clear of overdraft by the end of this month. 4. The Committee would impress on the Council that though the new accounts for this mon f h do not amount to a lne-gc <n. vet a considerable number of contracts will fad due next month amounting roughly to £313 8s iOd, with the probability of haring to pay the balance for the Kavangahake Gorge road contract early in Aii>m«t. 5. The immediate liabilities of the Council for accounts passed but not paid arc : Contribution to Thames Hospital and Charitab'e Aid Board, 1890-91. £241 4s 9d. 6. The Council has on hand prospective liabilities, not included in above, amounting to £1362 11s. 7. The Committee recommend accounts for payment amounting to £l4B 10s lTd. Resolved that the Report be adopted. This concluded the business of the ordinary meeting. Special Meeting. New Netherlon Riding : A special meeting of Council was held immediately after the ordinary monthly meeting, the same members being present, when it avss resolved, on the motion of Cr Hobson, seconded by Cr Strange, That the boundaries of the new Netherton Riding commence from the south-east point of Waihou West, No. 4 Block, on the Waihou river, thence running south-westerly along the southern boundary of the said No. 4 Block to the most southerly point of the said Block, from thence by a lino due west to the western boundary of the Ohinemnri County, thenee in a north-westerly direction nlong the County boundary line to its junction with Thames County, thence by a line due ea«t to the Waihou river, being the boundary line between Thames and Ohinemuri Counties, thenee southerly along the Waihou river to the point of commencement. This was all the business. River Board. A meeting ot‘ the River Ronrd was next held, the same Councillors being present. A letter was read from Captain Syms, of the Ruby, enclosing £2, being rent of store, nnd pointing out the necessity of stopping persons from causing obstructions in the river. Captain Sjms, in his letter, stated that at the present several large logs, dropped from rafts, were causing obstruction in the river, also some large limbs of trees ; and already those connected with the Ruby had been put to £4O expenses on account of breakages caused by obstructions, and if something was not done the river navigation would he seriously affected, Resolved on the motion of Cr Robson, That the Inspector notify owners of land nlong the river that willows, etc. must not be planted so as to cause obstruction; also that the Inspector be instructed to go down along the river and inspect as to the extent of the nuisance complained of, and probable cost of removing same, and to report t<> the next meeting. This concluded the In sin^-R.