Piako County Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43319, 30 April 1908, Page 2

Piako County Council.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tub ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council took place in the Connell Chambers, Whittaker-street, Te Aroha, on Monday afternoon last at 2.30 o’clock. EresentCrs. T. Gavin (chairman), C. Manuel, T., McGloin, Keeley, J. Donaldson. —Apologies— Crs. Thomas, Main, and Bing, forwarded apologies for their unavoidable absence. —Finance MeetingOwing to the amount of data required not| being quite ready, and the absence of Crs Bing, Main, and Thomas, it was resolved on the* motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr McCaw, that the Finance meeting stand adjourned till next month. ; .VYY ' —Flood Damages—

A voucher for £705 12s 3d was received from the Treasury, being £ for £ subsidy towards repairing damage by recent floods. —Eailway Land at Matamata— / The District: Engineer forwarded a copy of

plan and agreement relative to piece of land to be given for railway purposes at Matamata.

—Waikuku Road—

From W. P. Chepmell, forwarding certain information concerning Waikuku Block Road, giving access to section 3, lately sold by A. Bremner. —Roads on Landsdowne Estate — Letter received from A. Swarbriok, advising that owing to the action of the Road Department it is impossible to carry oat the scheme for closing and opening roads as arranged between the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, and the Couneil. Under the circumstances he suggested that a new, piece of road be taken under the Public Works Act. Resolved that the portion of disused road he offered to Mr Bell at £5 per acre. —Roads on Waitoa Block — From A. Swarbriok, solicitor, Hamilton, forwarding a statement of accouuts showing total costa amounting to J 8399 14s lid in connection with Waitoa Block. From this has to be deducted £139 10s Bd, costa recovered from the Bank, also the Ohinemuri Connell’s share of:the costs. —Drain at Ngutumanga—

MesSrs Earl and Kent, wrote stating they had been requested by their olients, Messrs Lamey Bros, to reply to Council’s letter of 3rd inst, in reference to drain at Ngutumanga. In view of the arrangement that was made between the old Road Board and their clients predecessor in title (Mr Mellar), whereby the Road Board undertook to pay all expenses in connection with this drain, their clients were astonished to receive your letter. They (Messrs Lamey, Bros.) instruct us to state that they intend to hold Council to the arrangement made, and that they will hold the Council liable to any damage which may be djOne owing to the drain not ibemg kept in proper order. Councillors expressed surprise at Mr Lamey rushing to solicitors and forwarding a letter couched in such language. The Council thought it would he as -well if settlers first waited on the Council re their needs, and then, if they thought fit, take extreme measures. Cr. Keeley said it appeared as if the Council were reaping some of the rotten administration of the late Waitoa Road Board, it looked as if every drain under the Board had some penalty clause affecting the county. On the motion of the Chairman seconded by Cr Keeley, it was resolved that the Clerk reply to the effect that the Council know of no agreement and repudiate all responsibility. —Too Many Roads — The Chief Surveyor intimated] that he did not consider it necessary to put a road through Wilson’s seotion at Litchfield. It appeared to the Chief Surveyor that the roads at present are ample, and for the general good this road is not needed. —A Request Declined — The District Engineer, of New Zealand Railways replied to letter of 26th Frbruary last, with reference to the railway gates on the road at Taumangi railway station, Btatrag that the Council’s application to have the crossing converted into a public one must be declined. —Taupo Tramway — From Under-Secretary asking what fa required to be done to make the crossing Ngutuwera safe for public traffic. The Chairman moved that the Department be informed that the Council have always considered the crossing a dangerous one, and that they repudiate all liabfily. —Tirau Township Roads—

Reply from Mr F. E. Shera, solicitor, Auckland, stating that none of the roads in question are legally dedicated. —High School Endowment Rates— Letter received from Secretary of Thames High School Board of Governors, in reply to Council’s of 18th ulto., forwarding a demand for rates on High School Endowment at Waiorongomai, and stating that the Board adheres to previous resolution disclaiming liability for rates on an educational endowment. On the motion of Cr Manuel it was resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the Clerk to enquire into. —Extension of Time— Mr S. Hamilton requested an extension of time to'complete his contract. The Council thought he should increase his staff, after which they would consider the qurstion of extending his time. Mr Brokenshire asked for an extension of time tq complete his contract, which had been delayed by weather. The Clerk is to inform him that the Council expect him to push on the work as quickly as possible. —Deputation— Mr Middleton waited upon the Council with reference to deviation of roads through his estate.

Cr. Seeley and Foreman Mahood were appointed to inspect and report at next meeting. Mr W. T. W. Hughes threatened to stop the traffic on the road through his property at Hungahunga, unless the Council arranged with him to purchase the road which he offered them at £4B.

The Chairman, with Crs Donaldson and the Foreman, was appointed to investigate and report on the situation. —Price’s Boad —

Foreman Johnson reported on the formation of this road at Lockerbie made by the Bank, which they now ask Counoil to accept dedication. The foreman reported that the work had not been done according to specifications, the grades were bad and the culverts were not large enough. The Chairman said it was most important that these roads should be made well before the Council accepted dedication. It was decided to forward the foreman’s report to the Bank authorities, explaining that the Council expected the work referred to, to be carried out before dedication. Resolved that the Chairman and members of the riding deal with this matter in the interim. —Waitoa Drains— Matthew Henry complained of the Council’s delay in commencing work on the above drains. To be informed that the Council have done all possible to facilitate matters. —Manawaru — Mr Alfred Steele complained of the state of the road near his place. Foreman to inspect and repair if necessary. —School Boad Drain at Aratiatia — Jno. Moreing complained of a blocking drain near the school, oausihg damage to his properly and offered to conmbute to cost of cleaning. Work to be attended to. —Tenders to he Called— Tenders are to be called for the following works:—Sanding a portion of Thomas’ road; sanding approaches to Morrinsville bridge; sanding 100 yards on thelGordonWaharoa road ; cleaning and openiug drains on the Waitoa roads as soon as Council accept dedication of the Estate roads. —Surfacemen.— Moved by Cr Manuel, seconded by C r Donaldson, that the foreman be instructed to employ three surfacemen for the winter months, wages to be 8s 6d per day. Carried. —Accounts.— Besolved that in future all accounts and wages-sheets shall be handed to the clerk on the Thursday preceding the meeting, and that all accounts he paid on the Wednesday following, the meeting. Carried. —Works Required.—

The members present thought the weather too broken to undertake any road works this winter in the Waitoa Riding. Besolved that Crs Manuel, McGloin, and the Chairman be a cemmittee to go over the main road with the foreman and see what patohing can be done to relieve the traffic at present.