Piako County Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43339, 18 June 1908, Page 2

Piako County Council.

The following is the balance of the report of the above Council meeting, unavoidably held over from last issue :

—Concrete Culverts —

For some time past Foreman Mahood has been making culverts for his portion of the county, with good effects. The pipes are stronger and more serviceable than wooden culverts. Several pipes were on view at the Council meeting, and highly spoken of by the members. —County Horses — Cr Manuel said that while quite convinced it was profitable to keep the horses, and instanced the profitable work done by them, he proposed that they be sold at the next Waihou sale. He said the ratepayers did not think the horses paid, and hence his action. The Council received more abuse over the horses than anything else. He moved that the horses, harness, drays, etc., be sold, and the grader retained and hired out to contractors. —Cr. Donaldson seconded.

Crs Thomas and McGloin contended the horses were not a success. The former was in favour of getting all work done by contract.

Cr Gavin said contractors were usually busy at a time when Council work was mostly required.—Resolution carried, Cr McCaw objecting. —Proposed Bonus— \

The Chairman proposed and Cr Donaldson seconded that Foreman Johnson receive a bonus of £25 for his work on bridge constructiou. The Chairman pointed out the long hours the Foreman had worked in doing this work. —On being put the motion was lost ;/ Crs Donaldson, Gavin, and McCaw voting for, and Crs Manuel, Thomas, McGloin, and Keeley against. —Waikuku Road—■ A letter was received from H. Gillies, solicitor, enquiring when the certificate for Bell’s Road, Waikiku, would be sent. —The Chairman is to sign dedication and forward same, on. —Lower Waitoa Drains— After some discussion it was resolved on the motion of Cr. Thomas, seconded by Cr. Manuel that the Council agree to pay half-cost of outlet drains within Ohinemuri county. —Hospital Rate —

Cr. Keeley asked if it was not time the Morrinsville Road District was rated separately. It was no part of the county’s dnty to rate them. He thought they should pay pro rata. Cr. Thomas : If we are not careful we will leave the matter like the Waipa Council did Franklin—until it is too'late.

Cr. Manuel explained that the question re rates had been settled up to the present, by an agreement of \ allocation drawn up by the Road Board, Chairman, and Mr Gilchrist.

—Waitoa Roads —

Cr. Manuel said he understood that Mr Brookfield had power to act up to a certain amount, and he thought it advisable, in the interests of the settlers, to hold a conference with Mr Brookfield to see if an amicable arrangement could be made.

Cr. McGloin said he favoured a conference. \

Resolved on the motion of Cr. Manuel, seconded by Cr. McGloin that the Clerk write to Mr Brookfield stating the Council were prepared to meet him on the matter.

—Gravelling at Gordon — Mr B. Montague wrote expressing regret that the Council could not see its way to accept a tender for gravelling Forrest’s contract. He offered to carry out the work for 4s 6d per yrrd. —Finance— The.. Clerk reported that the] bank .balance is as follows :—Debit at Bank of New Zealand, £4,8021459d ; cash in hand, £l5O ; total £4,64214s 9d ; plus accounts presented, £1,508 8s 7d ; total,, £6,151 3s 4d.