Piako County Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43388, 22 October 1908, Page 2

Piako County Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Piako County Council took place in the Council Chambers, Whitaker-street, Te Aroha, on Monday last, when there were presentCrs. Thos. Gavin (in the chair) J. McCaw, Keeley, Thos. McGloin, J. B. Thomas, Donaldson, C. Manuel, W. Main, and W. C. -Ring. Minutes confirmed. Inward and outward correspondence dealt w.th. —Tenders— The following tenders were dealt with —ln Contracts Nos. 23 (forming and grading Richmond Down Road) and No. 18 (forming and grading Walton-Waihou Road), the tenders were a good deal in advance of the Supervisor’s estimate, and it was decided to call fresh tenders. Mr Beeson’B tender was accepted for building Baker’s Road Bridge, the price being £177 18s f the other tenderers were: A. C. Beera and Hughes, £196 ; A. J. Forrest, £196; J. M. Lavery, £192 ss. For forming and grading about 25 chains on Eastport Road (Waitoa Estate), Bellamy Bros’, tender £135 was laccepted ; the other tenders were Stanley Bros., £164 ; and W. Thomson, .£217.

BIDING EXPENDITURE. The following amounts were expended in the respective ridings during the past six months to September 30th:— Waitoa Riding, £3351 ; Matamata, £1,473; Te Aroha, £248; Patetete, £1059 ; ToatoarCi, £538 ; Waitoa: Estate, £260. —Road Trouble — Messrs W. Hetherington and Hepburn were present in connection with a certain road trouble at Tirau, wherein the latter endeavoured to block Hetherington from using certain paddocks in order to get from his farm. He introduced a petition to the Council supporting the deviation of a road near tbe 'lirau-Rotorua Road, —A counter petition was supported by Mr Hepburn.—Mr Hetherington stated that Mr Hepburn had decided to close the outlet, which would debar him from access to the creamery.—Mr Hepburn replied that he did not intend to cut Mr Hetherington off, but he would not allow him to go through section 26, but through 30 and 31.—The Chairman said that as the parlies in dispute were related it was better that the affair should be settled amicably, or that Mr Hepburn should not take any further steps until after the election.—Mr Hepburn said that he had already made a start with the fence and he intended to ferine off lot 26.—The Chairman said if the Council desired it could compel him to open it and take the ground under the Public Works Act. The Council wanted to be guided by what was right and fair The Counci 1 did not want to go to extremes, but such a course would have to be taken if the roadway was blocked. It was therefore agreed upon to hold thd matter over . —Mr Hepburn said he would not proceed with the fence in the meantime.

—County Division— The Chairman said the Committee had gone carefully into the question of dividing the country, and the alloting of the seats, and it had (been so divided as to constitute six ridin®, with one member each.—The Cound|l as a whole endorsed the action taken, and on the motion of Cr. McGloin the recommendations of the Committee were adopted.— Cr. McCaw said the Committee appointed to deal with the new Matamata County had decided upon five Ridings with seven members —The fixing up of affairs was left in the hands of Mr P. Gilchrist to carry out. _ , —Casual Hands — The Supervisor was instructed to reduce the casual hands forthwith. Supervisor Johnson was authorised to proceed with the experiment of making the necessary drain required for Council work. The wotk is to be earned out at Waihou, as it was more centrally situated.

- Mikkelsen’s &oad— Tenders are to be called for this work. —Reports.— Reports were read from Supervisors Mahood and Johnson setting out work requiring attention, and advising work carried out during the interim. In addition to his . usual report Supervisor Johnson submitted the following estimates for roads :-ThamesWaikato, £294 ; Moniruville-Tahuna, £;jso ; Tauhua, £234 • Murphy s, too ; Motomoho, £SO ; Richmond DownsMorrinsville, £3OO : Richmond DownsMount, £250; Ellery’s, £80; Bakers £2oo' Knight’s, £IBO ; Mikklesen s, £292 ; McCabe’s, £l4B | Taylor’s, £57 10s ; Thomas’, £66 ; fgatumanga, £69; Ross’ £l9 16s; Poole’s, £l2o ; McKinley’s, £37. Urgent Works- Thame, - Waikato, £294 ; Morrinsville - Tamiia, £2OO , j

Murphy’s new road, £55 ; Motomoho £SO ; Richmond Downs - iVTorrinsville, £3OO ; Richmond Downs to the Mount, £IOO • Richmond Downs new bridge, £l5O ; Ellery’s, £2O ; Baker’s, £2OO ; Knight’s, L 292; Taylor’s, L 57 10s; McCabe’s, Ll4B ; Thomas’, L 66 ; Ngat-imanga, L 69 ; Ross, Ll 9 ; Poole s, LI 25. —Tauhei Road Contract. — A good deal of dissatisfaction was xpressed by Councillors at the laxilaisical manner in which the contractor, \ A. Sweeney, was proceeding with this /ork. —Cr Manuel pointed out that the whole road was blocked on account of this one contract, and he proposed that the contractor be notified that unless the work is pushed on more expeditiously the Council would complete the work at his expense. —Seconded by Cr Keely and carried. —Bad Road. — Supervisor Mahood was instructed to report on the road adjacent to Watt Bros’ property, Cambridge, lot 34. Special Loan. —

It was resolved to take the necessary steps to raise a loan on Messrs Makgill and Middleton’s property, Cambridge, Hora Hora, 3,300 acres, to pay off loan to put through the Strawbndge deviation ; also from E. Allen and Jno. W. Scott, re same. From Bank of New Zealand, Hamilton, re Paroramo Estate ; That the Bank is prepared to pay Council LSOO . upon the registration of a deed of dedication ot the roads referred to, for their liability of one road. Council agreed 'to accept from the Bank L 650 for expenditure on the estate. Form Hart and Wood, JVlorven, asking that in the event of L 257 placed on the Estimates for the MaungawheraWaihou bridge, being passed, that steps will be taken to proceed with the work as soon as possible. Resolved to wire that work mentioned was to be carried out by Government.

—Traction Engine Trouble. A letter was read from A. Proud, Morrinsville, complaining of Butler s traction engine travelling the high road after nightfall without lights. lhe matter was referred to the Police. —An Exchange. —

Matthew Henry, Waitoa, wrote stating it was his intention to ask the Ohinemuri Council to agree to the transference of that part • between the Waitoa and Piako Rivers to the County Council, and should thej acquiesce in the proposal, he trusted the Piako Council would agree to the alteration of the boundary, as it wou make the Waitoa drainage area more workable. —Extension Refused. Alf. Sherer, wrote, applying for a month’s extension of time to complete contract No. 26, culvert, etc., at Waitoa. Work to proceed at once or be penalised. —Trees on Road.— Supervisor Johnson was instructed to report on trees near Jas. Walkers Waitoa property, which had fallen and destroyed his fence. —Waitoa-Matamata Road. • Mr Hanna, on behalf of the Waiata Progressive Association, wrote, asking Council to sand that' portion of the Waitoa - Matamata road from the junction of the Waiata creamery road thence northwards towards Waitoa tor a distance of, say, 46 chains. Held over for consideration by the qew Council. —Road Metal. —

A letter was read from J. S. Parlour, intimating his intention of erecting a stone-breaker near Morrinsville, and asking what quantity of metal the Council would be likely to require. --Ci Manuel said from what he could gather the metal was of a first-class quality, It was resolved, seeing that the new Council will shortly be elected, to leave the matter in their hands to deal with. —Waihou Goods Shed. — Letter was read from Premie; intimating that the erection of a new goods shed at Waihou would be proceeded with as early as possible. —Unimproved Value — The Council’s solicitor advised that after the severance of Matamata this end would be bound by the rating on unimproved values, —Tahuna Bridge— Cr. Manuel urged that a small bridge wsts urgently required on the Tahuna Road, and in response to his pleadings it was decided to call for tenders at once. —Cemetery Bridge— Cr. Thomas drew attention to the urgent necessity for pushing on tin work of replacing this bridge, as it was dangerous. —Tenders are to be called f< r the work. —Waihou Town Belt - On the suggestion of Cr. Thomas i' was resolved to again write to Mr Campbell re this matter. He pointed out that a sand pit was badly needed. —“ Thirds.” — Cr. Thomas said that certain “ thirds ” duo Messrs Bosson and others had been allowed to accumulate in order to assist towards making a railway crossing near their properties He considered the work should be done, even if the Council had to assist; he moved accordingly. Cr. Gavin seconded. —Carried.

—Waiorongomai Hill Track— A letter was read from the Minister for Mines, replying to Council’s memo, re application for subsidy of L 25 for iepairs to horse track to the mines at the back of Waiorongomai; that la report would be made forthwith —The Chairman said he had just met the Mining Inspector, who said he was prepared to report favourably on same. - Insurance — Council took exception to the high rates of interest at present charge by insurance Companies. —On the snggestion j of Cr Thomas it was resolved to approach other local bodies to see if something could be done towards forming a sort of Local Bodies’ Mutual Insurance association, and thereby take their own risks. —Accounts — The following is a summary of the accounts pafsed for payment : Taotaoroa, £7l 8s; Patetere, £l2O los 3d ; Matamata, £Bl 8s lOd ; machines, £2 18s; Waitoa Estate, £ls 17s , Waitoa, £124 14s lOd; Te Aroha, £2l 48s 3d ; miscellaneous, £35 Gs sd; printing, etc., .£l3 6s 3d ; total, £486 17s lOd.