Piako County Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43338, 16 June 1908, Page 2

Piako County Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council took place in the Council Chambers, Te Aroha, yesterday. Present: • —Crs. Gavin (in the chair) McCaw, Keeley, Thomas, McGloin, Donaldson, and Manuel. , Minutes read and confirmed. Inward and outward correspondence dealt with. —Finance— Prior to the ordinary meeting the Finance Committee met in committee to go into matters of finance. —Poplar Bridge Drain — J. C. Allen, wrote advising that the drain was cleaned out, and he would be pleased to receive Council’s contribution. Cr. Manuel said a good job had been made of the drain, and it was very satisfactory. Resolved to comply with request. —Goldfield’s Revenue—

The treasurer advised that the sum of £l6 4s, goldfield’s revenue, for period ending 31st March, had been placed to the credit of the Council.

—Government Grant—

The sum of £SO, Government grant, was received as subsidy towards formation, etc., of Uruwhao Creamery Koad.

—Taupo Tramway—

The Under-secretary acknowledged receipt of letter of Bth, respecting the road crossing at Ngutuwera, and pointing out that it is impossible for the Department to act on so vague a statement as that contained in Council’s letter, and until full details are furnished to the Minister for Public Works to enable him to form an opinion on the matter he cannot inform the Company that he upholds the Council’s views regarding the alleged dangerous condition of the crossing. From Eaglan County, asking for certain iuformation re tramway rights.— Matter attended to. —Matamata Railway Station— Letter received from District Engineer re new road at Matamata station, and forwarding fresh agreement for Council’s execution. Resolved that the agreement be signed and returned as requested. —Slaughter-house Licenses — Applications for renewals were received from W. J. Sweeney, Te Aroha; Geo. Tetley, Matamata. Renewals granted. Esau Pretty, Morrinsville, applied for slaughter-house license, one and a half miles from Morrinsville.

In connection with Mr Pretty’s application for a new license at Morrinsville, no objections were received. It was resolved on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Manuel, that the application be granted. S MeKibbra applied for a slaughterhouse license for section 15, block 16, Waitoa Survey District. The Clerk was instructed to point out that nothing could be done until the regulations were complied with, viz., advertising, etc., —Lamey Bros. Drain —

Messrs Earl and Kent wrote acknow” ledging receipt of Council’s letter of Bth inst., as follows: —As indicated by our telegram of this date, we hold quite apart from the question of any agreement between the Waitoa Road Board and Mellon. The fact that the drain was constructed by the Road Board renders it a public drain within the meaning of section 229 of the Public Works Act, 1905. Consequently, under section 230 of the same Act, the County Council is under an obligation to keep it in repair. We can only add that failing an immediate assurance that the Council recognises its liability and will take steps to put the drain into order and prevent any further damage to our client’s property we are instructed to take action forthwith to enforce our client’s rights. We might add that apart from the above considerations, we are perfectly satisfied.

We can prove the agreement referred to in our letter of 24th of April, as both Mr Mellon (the late owner) and Mr Win. Abbey, formerly clerk of the Waitoa Road Board, are willing to testify to its existence and terms. Or Thomas said that at presont the Waitoa river was flowing up the drain for seme 50 chains. The drain was not in bad order. It would be useless to do anything at present. —Cr McGloin said Mr Larney, junr., had told him that the drain must be cleaned down to the river when the river goes down and dry weather sets in.—lt was resolved that a reply be sent to the letter stating that a satisfactory arrangement would be made with Mr Larney, junr. —Endowment Rates —

Letter received from Thames High School, disclaiming liability for rates on educational endowment at Waiorongomai. Resolved on the motion of Cr. Manuel, seconded by Cr McCaw, that the Clerk be instructed to write to Council’s solid tor asking if any further amendment had been made since his last advice on this question. —Loan Proposals—

The Returning Officer for Waitoa Riding (Mr Abbey) advised that the proposal to borrow £5,000 for bridge works had been carried, 111 for and 65 against the proposal. F. Pavitt, Te Aroha Riding, advised that the proposal to borrow £1,500 was lost, 19 for and 18 against the proposal. i —Richmond Downs Roads —

Messrs O’Neill and Stewart, on behalf of Mr Thos. Mitchell, who has purchased the Richmond Downs Estate, forwarded a plan of land showing the roads ready for dedication. They expressed their willingness to meet the Council in order that an expeditious settlement of the road in question may be arrived at. It was decided that the Chairman, Cr MoCaw and riding members visit the roads in question as soon as possible.

—A Request—

F. Bomrose, Aratiatia, drew attention to the dangerous approach to his property through Council making drain across his entrance. He also requested Council not to take any more sand from the gravel pit in front of his property. The Council instructed the Foreman not to trespass too much on the frontage mentioned. —“ Thirds”— A schedule of “thirds” showing balance due to Council amounting to £6B 17s 7d. —Lower Waitoa— From Mathew Henry re road drains near his property. This matter is to be attended to later on. —Waiorongomai — E. Chinnery wrote drawing attention to road drains alongside his property from Waiorongomai Hill along to Hanks property. —Okaiiia Block —

From W, Graveson, Matamata, drawing attention to bad state of road leading to his section on the Okauia Block, ancl stating that in consequence ot bad road

carting costs fully fifty per cent, more than if the road was graded. —Taylor’s Hill Road — Letter from John H.' Stanley, attention to the state of road , Over the Tonehi Creek at foot Hill, and requesting that something done to make road passable as,m its p_ sent state it is dangerous to vehicular traffic.

—Rating on Unimproved Values Petition received from Matamata ratepayers re rating on unimproved values.

—Waiorongomai Tramway The Under-secretary advised that a grant of £9l 7s 6d had been authored towards the cost of repairs to the W rongomai tramway. '__ , , H. D. Abbott, Secretary of Hardy 8 Mines, Ltd., wrote stating that the company had been doing prospecting worh for some time past and it is unlikely the tramway at Waiorongomai, l® ol ® from the Council outlie 23rd January, 1905, will be required during the ten? ® the present lease, which expires^ January, 1910. On behalf of the Cordpanyhe petitioned the Council to our surrender of this lease and to sta that the Company is willing to pla® o tromway in good order or provide necessary funds for that purpose. . , . E. F. Adams, surveyor, Thames, m ms report for the Company, estimated, that m would cost £164 to make the necessary repairs and maintenance to the pennanent way to prevent further serious deterioratloA letter was also read from the directors of. Hardy’s Mine?, statmg that it was resolved that the sum of £o offered to Council as compensation tor Council’s acceptance of the surrender o the lease held by the Company over the Waiorongomai tramway. ... The Chairman explained the position of the tramway; and said the presen lessees had kept it in good repair, an thought that in order to allow them to go on with their prospecting alterations^ Resolved on the motion of Cr McCaw, seconded by Cr Manuel, that the L3OO be accepted and the release asked for granted.

—Temporary Tram— t \. John Murphy, asking permission to erect a temporary tramline across, tne Te Aroha-Waihou road, so as to enter r% Baine’s gravel pit. The tram is required to run material to fill the western approach to new traffic bridge. Evwy precaution will be made for the safety ot the travelling public, —Timber Royalty— Selwyn Timber Company, Putaruru, re timber royalties paid by Government on sawmilling timber They pointed out that the royalties on their present ngbts amount to over £2,000, so that if a moiety was refunded, the County should benefit to a considerable extent, . The Clerk was instructed to make inquiries re this matter. D, Maroney, Waharoa, asked'to nave a road defined near his property*. The Council could not scents way to grant request, as it is a pri'vnte ma tte r. - Rating Unimproved Values On the motion of Or. eecondf d by Cr. Thomas, the matterV. was left n the hands of the Chairman and Clerk to attend to.

—Waiata Roads, etc

The secretary of the Waiata Progressive Association wrote drawing, attention to certain roads, drains, blinding, etc., and asking Council to attend to same. _ . Decided to do what is possible in matter. ' ‘

—Poisoned Wheat— Resolved on the motion oi the Chairman that the sum of £25 be expended on poisoned wheat. —Waiaiti Road— The treasurer advised that the sum of Ll 9 had been placed in the Bank as subsidy towards this road.

—Accounts—

The following accounts were passed for paymentG. Mabood, £l4 8s; M. Strong, £10; P. Barden, £8 16s; W. Lock, £B’l6s ;J. Hutchinson, £-1 8s: H. Phillips, £8; Te Hou, £8 Vh‘ F. Peperill, £2 8s ;W. Brennan, £8 ; Brown, £l4 3s 6d ; Wharepouri, £ll 52; Wharepouri, £2 14s; A. Barker, £9 16s; Scudamore and Co.. £l4 17s ;R. A. Stanley, £BS 8s lOd ; J. Mahood. £26 2s 6d ; Mahi, £4 10s 6d ; D. Skeely, ,£6 8s ;A. Weeks, £5: Souter and Co., £l6 8s Id; J. Hutchinson, £4 8s; H. Phillips, £1 12s; Te Hou, £3 12 ; J.

Mahood, £44 14s 3d ; D. Skeely, £2 8s; J. Coyle, £9 12s; R. Brennan, £3 12s; A, Weeks, £6; J. Fitzgerald, £2 8s; G. England, £3 12s ; J. Jack, £1 16s; F. Blackmore, £4 12s; R. A. Stanley, £26 11s lOd; Eastwood and Stafford, £S7 13s; J. Middleton, £72 ls9d ; Long Bros., £6 4s 4d ; John Hanks, £1 19s 6d; A. Bygrave, 10s; Patrick Sheehan, £l2 5s 9d; W. Holmes, £ll 16s; W, R, Johnson, £3 12s; G. R. Beeson, £25; W. R. Johnson, £1 4s ; McCarthy Bros., £3; P. Gilchrist, £1; R. S. Hanna, £SO; E. Brokenshire, £5 3s; Geo. Ritchie, 4s; N. E. Mikkelson, £8 15s IOdA. Mikkelsen, £ll 10s 9d ; J. McSweeney, £24 16s 8d ;|H. Marychurch, £3 16s 9d; S. Hamilton, 6s ; Hamilton and Keen, £l9; Kieley Maurice £1 4s ,* L. Burch,

£10; T. .Bellamy, junr., £8 fls; T. Bellamy, jnr., £1 4s; T, A. Gratton, £9 1 8s; James Burke, £5 ; E. Yoysey, £8 1 8s; A. Best, £8 14s; W. Watson, £8 8s; D. Cotton, £8 4s; T. Earl, £8 14s; W. Williams, £8 6s; F. G. Oates, £lO 12s 6d ; W. R. Johnson, £9 12s ; W. F. Walker, L 25 ; W. F. Walker, LlO9 3s 9d; W. F. Walker, L 5 17s 6d ; R. Peterson, L 24 19s 6d; E. Coulter, L 9 14s 2d; Cribb Bros., Ll 7; T. Donovan ; L 4; A. Mikkelson, Ll 68s 8d; Cook and Ritchie, L 37 10s; Scherer and Given, Ll 6 ; Scherer and Given, L 7 ; Plummer & Wilson, L 1 0; R. Parr, L 6; H. Oi Osbourne, sb; W. Franklin, L 5 4s; G. Comes, 8s; J. Hanks, L 3; E. Timmins, L2; J. Roach, McCarthy Bros. LI 0s 3s ; R. Parr, L 47

5s 7d ; J. Winter, 10s; G. Twidle, 14s;, McCarthy Bros, L 97 0s 3d; Erwin Foster, L 8 ; S. Overall, L 4 ; J. Wallace, LBl6s; J. Trethaway, LI 17s 7d; J. McSweeney, L 52 2s; J. Robinson, LI; Glimmer & Co., L4O; J. C. R. Watts, LSI 10s lid ; Ed. Jones, LI 14s 6d ; J. Frauklin, Is 9d ; T. J. Davenport, 8s; Johnson & Gwilliam, LI 16s; Wigg and ' Co., LI 10s 3d; Stark, Ll 4556 d ; A. Coad, L 8 10s; A. Davie, LI; William Abbey, £6 17s 6d; T. F, Holt, £1 Is; Waiorongomai School, 10s; F. Pavitt, £1 Is; F. Pavitt, £8 13s; P. Hogan, £2; Waikato Times, £5 14s ; WaSato Argus, £2 8s ; Te f °ha Mafl, £$ 18s ; Colledge & Son, £3 2s fid ; J. B Johnson, 7s 6d ; Leighton, & Son, £4 5s • Joseph Nathan, 4s ; Whitcombe and Tomb, G 1 3s ; Typewriter Company, 3s 6d ; J. E. Wild, £1 5s ; petty cash, £5 ; dog registration, £1 11s 6d ; machines, £7 5s Bd.