Piako County Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43353, 23 July 1908, Page 2

Piako County Council.

The followihg is the balance of the report of the above Council’s meeting :

—-Gate Across Road—

It was agreed to allow Mr Wynyard to erect a gate across Diagonal Road between Urvwhia and Knight’s Road, subject to certain conditions. —Work Done — Resolved that. Foreman investigate as to an account for 8s due W. Lockycr, and report at next meeting. “Slaughter-house Licenses' McKibbin’s application for a slaughter-house license was recommended to be granted. —Returning Officer—

Mr C. F. Spooner was appointed Returning Officer for the Te Aroha'Riding, in place of Mr F. Pavitt, resigned ; Mr Hamlin was appointed to a similar position for Patetere Riding. - -Matamata Poundkeepor—-

Resolved on the motion of-Cr. MeCaw, seconded by Cr. Main, that applications be invited for the position of poundkeepor at Matamata. —Lamoyßros. Drain— Letter read from Messrs Earl and Kent, solicitors, Auckland, stating they were quite willing that Council should discuss details with their clients, but only on condition that Council write admitting liability to do the necessary work in connection with the drain They added that they did not wish to unnecessarily force tbp matter, but their instructions were definite to take action at once, failing their receiving a letter to this effect within seven days after the next Council meeting.

Cr McGloin expressed surprise .at hearing the letter, as in course of conversation with Mr Robt. Larney he (Larney) admitted that nothing could be done at present, and thought it would be better to allow the matter to stand over until the dry season, as lie required the drain cleaning up from the ,river.—Cr Keeley : Let them fire away.—Cr Manuel : If they threaten law, sometiling should be done to protect the Council.—Cr Keeley :If they like law, let them have a shot at it.—Cr McGloin thought Council liable to clean a portion but Lamey Bros, said they wanted the whole drain cleaned. It is a large swamp or lagoon.—Cr Thomas : We have admitted responsibility to a certain extent. Messrs Larney have spent a good deal in law on this matter, and they wanted something definite.—The Chairman thought the letter should be received, and if another lawyers’ letter was sent —receive that also.—Cr Manuel: If Larney Bros, desire law, we have 110 rig]it to see them through.—Cr Keeley said the letter rhould be received, as ihe Lameys were fighting with lawyers and playing with the Council’s Committee. —It was eventually decided that the clerk reply stating that Council had arranged with Mr It. Larney to let the matter stand over until the water recedes. —Waitoa Roads and Drains — The manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Te Aroha, under date July 10th, advised that £I,OOO had been placed to credit of the Piako and Ohineumri County Fund (Waitoa account) by the Bank. The funds thereof to be disbursed as ak-eady agreed upon between the Bank and the Councils. The Ohinemuri County forwarded draft agreement as between the and asking that same be returned when approved.

The Chairman was authorised to sign cheques on this account.—ln connection with the agreement it was resolved ou the motion of Cr. McGloin, that Mr Gilchrist’s opinion be obtained foil certain matters connected therewith. —Money Wanted — Resolved to make application to Government for money to be placed on the Estimates for Thompson’s Track, Cottage Hospital at Te Aroha, Good’s Station at Waihou, Tahuna and Tauhai roads. —Waitoa Estate Roads — Mr I Walker waited upon Council re Waitoa Estate Roads.—After sorno discussion it was resolved that certain relief work be done, provided the settlers interested indemnified the Council against further work or liability.

—New Bridges— Mr R. Johnson, Foreman, considered preparing plans for bridges beyond the scope of his employment. - Cr. Manuel Avas strongly of the opinion that as close on £20,000 would be spent by Council in roads, bridges, etc., it would bo preferable to engage a proper engineer, and let Fore-man-Johnson continue under bis original agreement.—Cr. McGloin said the 2s a day rise granted to Johnson was on the understanding that he prepare plans, and make out specifications for bridges, etc. —Cr. Koeley 1 favoured an engineer for whole country.—The Chairman said that Foreman Johnson was the best man in that position the Council ever had, he (Johnson) had made enemies because ho had insisted iipon contractors carrying out their work according to specifications. It was eventually decided on the motion of Cr Manuel seconded by Cr Main that an engineer be employed to prepare plans for the three bridges, that the permanent surfacemen be disposed of, and that Foreman Johnson continue according to his original agreement.