COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2852, 5 April 1878, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wo coutinue our report of the proceedings of the County Council at their meeting yesterday afternoon. Tho*matter being discussed was the proposed purchase of the amalgamated companies' (i.e., the Moanatairi, Old Golden Calf, and New Morning Star) tunnel by the County.

Cr Thorburn suggested that the matter be gone into at once. He thought the Council purchasing the tunnel would be a monstrous malappropriation of public money. He would oppose it. Cr Spencer thought that the matter should be referred to the Pumping Arrangements Committee.

Cr Coutts was of the same opinion. Cr Thorburn moved that tho application be not entertained.

Cr Mitchell asked leave to amend his resolution, so that the matter would be referred to a committee of the whole Council.

Or Thorburn withdrew his amendment, and the motion w&a carried.

PUKE-rMEBOA TBACK. A letter was received from Mr John SheehaEnand; party re the Btoppage of the Puke«Paeroa track by Natives. It was referred to the County Surveyor.

APPIICATION FOB WATEB.

A letter was received from the Moanatairi Company applying for a small jet of water from the County supply toj-use in connection with the rock drill. Be/erred to Board of Works with power to act.

TABAEU TRAMWAY.

A letter was received from Mr Steedman with reference to the dangerous state of the first bridge on the Tararu tramway. Referred to the tramway essees.: .'"'..''.' ;

KABAKA AND HAPE TBAMWATS.

A letter was read from Mr John MeNulty drawing attention to the neglected and dangerous state of the ICaraka tramway. He accused the lessee of catting up one portion of the tramway to repair the other, and of cutting timber without a license. The Hape Creek tramway was also in bad repair. The Chairman said that he had sent a copy of the letter to MrUnthank, lessee of the tramways referred to, and he had written denying McNulty's allegations, though he admitted using part of the hand rails to patch up the lines. The correspondence was referred to the Board of Works.

AFFMCATION FOE WOBK.

An application for work from Mr Mellers was referred to the Surveyor, with power to act.

somcitob's opinion.

The Chairman said that he had sent two questions to the County Solicitor for his legal opinion, and the answers received wer6 to the following effect: —(1). The fees from the Thames Water Bace should he,paid to the County, and (2) that slaughterhouse licenses were not transferable.

THE VIOB-BBGAL VISIT.

A letter was received from the secre* iary to the General [Reception Committee, Mr F. C. Dean, stating that the County's ■hare of the general expenses was £21 3s. Eeceired.

EXTENSION OI 1 TIMS.

■ An application for extension of time * t from Mr Garr, contractor for No. 4 con- '«"' tract, Ouinemuri read, in consequence of the difficulty experienced in procuring dobbins, was referred to the County SurTeyof* o

A COMMtAINT.

A letter was received from Mr Earle, proprietor of the Orongo block, complaining that'he had not received notice of assessment in due time. The writer enclosed a cheque for the rates due on his property. Bftceived.

MINING INSFECTOB.

A letter from the Minister of Lands, returning Mr J. P. Hall's application for the Mining Inspectorship, and stating that Captain Goldsmith had been appointed, was read and received.

BIVBB STSAMEBS.

A letter, in answer to one from the Council re the payment of the license fees on river steamers to the County, was read. It stated that no alteration could be made at present, but next session, when there would be a change in the legislation on this matter, the question would be considered.

WINE MAHTJFACTUBE.

A letter was received from Mr Gough asking for the assistance of the Council in procuring him permission to sell light wines of his own manufacture without a license. Referred to Board of Works.

THE FIG NUISANCE

Several letters were received from settlers and other residents at Onetai complaining of the depredations committed by a large number of pigs which were permitted to run wild. Cr Mitchell said that there was no doubt but that the men bad a grievance. He thought a number of pounds should be established at various points. He moved that the matter be referred to the Board of Works. Seconded by Cr Coutts an'&sjerried. ::

MINING AT OHINEMUBI.

A petition was received from Mr Wick, of Owharoa, applying for leave to lay an iron pipe across the Owharoa bridge to his battery. The petition also referred to the want of crushing power in the Waitekauri battery, and suggested that the Council should hand over to him the Hape Creek wire tramway for erection there for the purpose of connecting the mines with his battery, when he would pay all expenses connected with its removal. Referred to Board of Works.

THE COLLAB3OSE SFUB.

A petition was received from some thirty residents of the Collarbone, and the vicinity, asking for assistance to construct a road, when they had no doubt but that many of the reefs there would pay. The petition named several reefs which would yield 7 or Bdwt« per ton, which would be remunerative if a good dray road were constructed. The Chairman said tliat Mr J. B. Ma«on wm present to speak in support of the petition. Mr Mason said that there were abundance of payable reefs in the district which would pay well if a good road was provided. At present it would only pay to crash- specimens. Several parties had S egged out claims in the hope that the buncil would accede to the petition. Referred to Board of Works."

BOABD OF WOBKB' BEPOBT.

The report of this committee was then

read. (An abstract of it was published by us yesterday.) '1 he report was received and adopted. rUMFING AEBAHGEMENTS REPORT. The report of this committee was read as follows :—

On the 23rd ultimo, your committee considered a letter received from Mr Totlull, iho Secretary of the United Pumping Associiv ion, which suggests the advisability of holding au inquiry on the condition of one of the new rope« supplied by (ho order of the Council to tho TJiiiie.l Pumpi.ig .Wmiri'iiu . Adixg upon the suggestion your catnraitl.ee sent circulars to the following gentlemen to not Upon the enquiry :—Captain Fra»er, 11.M., lo bo convener, Mecdr* Price, J. Brown, aud Captain Souter; Captains Best and Butt have since been invited »o attend, Oaptain Souter hiring declined from prons of business. On tho 3rd imlant your committee examined and passed liio folio >\ ing uccuunfs, namely :— United Pumping Asrotiution—Wages to 30th Marcli, £170 10* 6d ; winding, £59 6s lOd; trucking, 19s 8d ; Lamb Bros, £2 5i 6d ; balance February statement, £324 1U 3d ; total, £657 13s lOd. In examining the acrounta for the months of January and February, your riomtniCteo were surprised at the large expenditure disclosed, being £865 4e and £819 respectively. As driving on t l c ero?i-cut has been discontinued, and the Prince Alfred battery is now worked by water instead of slenm, your committee are of opinion some reduction should be made in the monthly expenditure, and the Council should be charged the cust of such winding only as legitimately belongs to pumping operation;). It will be seen on reference to the wages sheet; ended March 30, that no reduction ia made in the winding expenses. Your committee have ine'ructed the Chairinun to bring this matter under the notice of the directors of the United Pumping Association.

FINANCE COMMITTEE BEPOBT.

Cr Bagnall read the report of the above committee as follows :—

On the 23rd March the Finance Committee met to co! aider the application from Mr Yernon to be appointed permanent valuer and collector to the Council. On that day a similar Application ws« received from Mr Macky, the collector. Your committee, to whom this question was relegated, are of opinion it ejjould remain in abeyance until further information tins been obtained. On the 23rd ultimo accounts were passed, amounting to £13 18s. On the 30th the following accounts were examined and passed : —- United Pumping Association driving and pumping accounts, £244 13s 6d; other accounts, £58 j total, £302 13« 6d. On the 3rd instant your committee examined and passed accounts as follow :—Goldfields roads and track*, £232 Jss; Oninemuri main road, £1629 3s 6d; Katikati road, £140; Kauaeranga Valley rond, £35-, Paeroa and Mackajtown road, 463 16s; Kauaeranga and Waiotabi, £52 17a 9d ; Hastings riding, £16 16a; legal expenses, £7 12s ; Omahu bridge, £7 10s; travelling expenses, £24 12s $ rent; £4 6s 8d ; officers' salaries, £74 Is 8d; in aid of roads and tracks, £20; collector's commission, £22 3s 6d ; freight, &c., £6 2s 6d; stationery, £6 17b Gd; printing and advertising, £6 2s 6d; surveying and clearing Tapu road, £7416s ; United Pumping Association's accounts, £339 10a 2d; total, £2814 2s 9d. The report was received and adopted. PEOBFECTING COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

The report of this Committee was read as follows s—

Your committee have carefully considered the questions referred lo tbem, and have asked suggestions and assistance from those most likely to be able to offer advice of practical value upon the subject. The whole of the correspondence is not yet in, but your committee have the honour to lay upon the tablo all which has been received, and ask leave to sit again during the ensuing month.

The report was adopted. CHANGING OF NAME OF KAUABBANGA

BIDING

In reply to the Chairman, Cr Bagnall said that no meeting of the Representation Committee had yet been held with reference to the proposed change of the name of Kauaeranga Riding.

THE BIG FTJMF.

Cr Mitchell moved the notice of motion standing in his name, " That it is undesirable to continue, the lifting of water in the United Pumping Association's shaft at a greater depth than 430 feet; " and contingent upon such resolution being car ried, " That the further consideration of the subject be made the first order of the day for the next ordinary meeting of Council." He said he had no desire to raise a question which would cause any breach of contract with the Government. However, it was quite unnecessary that they should raise the water 240 feet more than necessary if the companies would not prospect. The Kuranui Hill Company was the only one working there, and he considered it a very great waste of money. He had been informed that they only employed two men. During last year £5,227 had been spent for raising water, and £3,685 for driving. The contingent resolution would show that he did not want to do anything hastily, as there would bo ample time for consideration of the matter before next meeting. Pumping from 400 feet level would drain every contributing mine, he believed.

The Chairman said tbat he was unaware of the notice of motion until last evening, and knowing the importance of the matter he had seen Mr J". W. Walker, who told him that there were 15 men now employed, and shortly 30 men would be put on to open out and test the value of the reef. The Kuranui company had stuck well to the work, and had contributed largely to the drainage. He admitted they , were in an awkward position. They wished to benefit the district at large, and not the Kuranui company alone, which was taking advantage of the pumping. They did not wish to injure that company to make the others which would not work smart for it. He did not think that it was sufficient excuse for not re-entering that the Government held securities over these companies. If they would not work the ground it should be re-entered. He urged the postponement of the resolution.

There was no seconder to the motion.

Cr Mitchell said he had no personal feeling in the matter, but it was just so much money going in smoke, and so much in lifting water, winding from the 640 feet level if the companies would not take advantage of it and prospect. Cr Tborburn said that if the other companies bad used half the diligence that the Kuranui Hill had done in prospecting gold would have been found, he believed. The discussion then lapsed. Cr Mitchell moved the motion standing in his name—"That a sum of £25 be appropriated for a track from the PaeroaKatikati main road to the Waitekauri Valley." The mover urged the importance of the work, and said it would open up a considerable area of good land avail* able on the 50 acre prinoiple. Cr Bagnall seconded. The motion was carried.

The Council then rose.

Mb Wat, McCouxjDOll having been appointed agent on the Thames for the Imperial Fire Insurance Company, ie prepare^ to take risks at the lowest rutes. TU Imperial Com pnny was eslnbliuheil iv 1803, »nd luis a onpi v! of £1,600,000, with it- »••■««■! office at No. 1, Old Broad ctree , London. Tho Mnl bourne directory has upon it some, of the niost influential men in l-hnt ci.v. »nd thn name the Company bus gained for it»< If by i's prompt aud liberal settlement of claims, while oharg ing moderate rates, has secured a large amount of business not only in Australian Colonies, but. in hI I jmrin of I he world in which agencies have b.en eelabliehed, —ADTI.