Piako County Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2133, 23 July 1898, Page 2

Piako County Council.

The monthly meeting of the -Piako County Council was held at Morrinsville on Thursday, when .there were present: Crs Ohepmell3 Harrison, Gavin, and Mc33aw, Or Herries being engaged at Weljington on Parliamentary duties, applied for 3 months’ leave of absence, which was granted.. . Voting Reform.— Or HerriesAf # warded a copy of the ‘ Local Government Voting Reform Bill,’ which, provides for the carrying of any proposal submitted to tho. ratepayers by a bare majority ofcvotes recorded in favour thereof ; each ratepayer having one vote only. The Councillors were of opinion that thj| provision was lhost unfair, as it gavA the large ratepayer no advantage over the smaller one. They decided -to ask Mr Herries to oppose the Bill; '

Cambridge-Tauranga Road.—Tauranga County/ Council advised that. they had forwarded to Minister of Landß,a request for a sum to be placed on the Estimates for xipsapletioh of tins road, and asked 'sip!:; Council’s co-operation in the ms&telr. Council’ decided to support the Taurahga Council in their efforts; Request for Repairs.—W. Stanley, Okoroire, notified Council that the road near his farm was not passable, and the public had to go through his’ paddock.: Council decided to? spend £lO on the road.

Recreation Reserve, Morrinsville;— Messrs-T. Hinton, and H; and JV. Clifford waited upon the Council as a deputation from: the residents at Morrinsvillej to urge upon them the urgent need, for a public recreation reserve. At present they were depending da the courtesy of ;: the local managerof the Assets Board for the use of a paddock: in which to hold any football or. cricket mache.--. They indicated the. paddock situated between, the Council’s office and Clifford’s store as a suitable place for such reserve. The Council resolved to urge upon the Minister of Lands the advisability of acquiring a piece of land for that purpose, and authorised the Chairman to sign, on behalf of the Council, the petition promoted by the Morrinsville people. Finance Committee’s Report.—This' Committee met at Te Afro ha on Wednesday, and having pr%jred estimates of revenue and expenditure for the ensuing year, made the following recommedations to the Council: (1). That a general rate of £d per £ be struck. (2). A separate rate off $d per £ for Te Aroha riding. (8) That no separate rates are required for Patetere and Taotaoroa ridings. (4). That all special rates (including Taotaoroa special rate) be collected. These recommendations were unanimously adopted by the-Council. . -C A general rate of |d has not been struck since .889, and is- rendered, necessary in this case, in orddr to meet the deficit nearly £IOOO —inthe general account. This deficiency is largely due to special causey such as the cost of the Piako Bridge (£600), and the expenditure of about £9OO on the formation of tho Gordon- Waharoa road. The Chairman gave uotice that at next meeting of the C« r unci£ he would move the striking of the various rates as recommended by. the Finance Committee.

Adj ustment of Accounts —Te Aroba being now constituted a Borough, Grs Cheputell and Farmer were appointed a committee to meet the -Borblgh Council in order to adjust any loan liabilities as between the County and Borough. Gordon • Wahdroa Road. Mines Department.advised that a subsidy of £ for £ to the extent of £SO had been authorised towards cost of constructing this read. The specifications forwarded by Foreman Wuttam for repairing part of the road, and for 62 chains formation, at the Waharoa end, were approved aud tenders ordered to be called.

Waiorongomai Tramway.— A. Edwards (in charge) reported at some length on the damage done to this property by the flood of 23rd June. Council. decided .to make an application to the. Mines Department for a grant of £3SQ to repair the flood damage*

Foremen*B Reports.—Foreman Ma» hood was instructed. to plant* poplar and willow trees at certain parts of the road .in order to -prevent =banks; care to bo taken that the trees shall be planted -so that, they l may not fall over the roadway, Foreman; Wattam having urged that the Waiorongomai bridge; and the two bridges at Gordon should be attended to before the creamery season; opens, he was instructed to'repeumore fully od their condition, and to prepare specifications for the work. Both foremen were instr. c ?d to clear away all fefn growth from m idges and culverts so as to minimise danger from fires in the summer time. Accounts. The following accounts were passed for payment : E Barrett L 5 2s; W F Pepperill L2l sslod; F O Barnett L 25 12s ; G Mahood Ll 5 6s 8d; Steel Bros L 7. 11s - ; W Armstrong L 9 12s; W McLoughlinLS 12s; W Newsome L 3 ; G ,YV-ftttam Ll 4 4s 2.1; Jno Wattam J. Johnson LlO 12s; T, L62 2s 6d ; Treasury Lt 16 7s sd; P. Gilchrist Ll 3s 2d; Waikato Hospital Board L 100; A. Edwards Ll2; R Gore 7s, R. Burke Ll 4s; P. Youns 7s; P. Collins L 3 4s, Total, L 427 P2s 9d«