COUNTY COUNCIL

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2886, 16 May 1878, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

ANNUAL MEETING.

. The annual meeting of this body was held at the Council Cliambers at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 15th May. Present—Crs Brodie (Chairman), Thorburn, JEJagnall, Mitchell, and Spencer.

The Chairman read the clause from tlie Counties Act regulatiug the business of the annual meeting, and the County Clerk read the notice of the meeting. He then read tbe financial statement, which will be found in another column.

Cr Spencer moved the reception of the statement. This was seconded by Cr Mitchell, and carried.

Cr Mitchell moved that the statement be signed in accordance with tbe Act, and in doing so complimented not only the County, but the public, on the success attending the operations of the Counties Act. When they commenced work this year he didn't think their transaction would amount to more than £5000. He believed, however, that £30,000 would be nearer the amount required to meet the necessities of the district. The £7000 spent for ro.ids and bridges was rather small, and he hoped to see an increase in this expenditure. A Native Lands Court would sit here in a few weeks, and when they met he ' calculated that some 1,000,030 acres of land in this peninsula would be in' the hands of the Government and open for settlement. It would be absurd to "go elsewhere for money when there were to many people here with money in the bank waiting to invest it in hnd. Me did not think any sensible man would challenge the economical administration of the affairs of the County. He might say that a banking authority here had told him that the statement was of a most complete.and elaborate character. Seconded by Cr Spencer and carried. ,- The County Clerk then read the balance sheet, which appears elsewhere, and which, was received and adopted without comment. AN2JUAI B-BPOrT OF BOABD OF WOEKS.

Cr Mitchell brought up and read the above report as follows:— .

The monthly reports of your Board have fairly dealt with the works undertaken by the.Council and with the negotiations with the Natives for acquiring the right to extend the County roads commenced during the past year. It is therefore only necessary in this report to give a concise review of the various works undertaken, completed, and in progress. The total length of roads cut and formed in the County is shown in the iiirveyor's report. These roads (excepting the bridge approaches) will not be metalled •until the coming spring. The object to be obtained was to force on each road as quickly as possible through native reserves and cultivations, as the terms were agreed upon; and by prompt action avoid the hitherto inevitable procrastination attending Maori negotiations. The system has proved entirely successful. The native hapus have been entirely engaged in making the roads and draining the swamps, or their respective lands, and notwithstanding the results, as compared with European contract labor, have not been so effective as could be desired. A fair amount of work has been well done, and a great moral victory gained over native prejudice,and obstructiveness. The system possesses many-merits.. It has excited emulation in the native mind, forced them to labor for the wages they received, and made them alive to the advantages of n good road, and the enhanced value it gave to their estates. The European contracts, excepting those for skilled labour; have been taken "at a low figure, in many cases 30 per cent, below the estimated cost. In a few instances it has been absolutely necessary the surveyor should exercise a discretionary power, to enable the contractor to earn a bare subsistence out of the price of his tender, and in such cases, that gentleman's action, has b-en sanctioned and approved by your Board. It is not desirablo men should work without reward. The nine bridges spanning the streams on the road have all been well and faithfully constructed. A uniform design has been adopted which admirably answers the purpose of a pioneer bridge. The largest of these works is over the Kauaeranga stream. Your surveyor's report furnishes the details" of all these and other works. The small bridge over the Ohinemuri river was purchased from the , directors of the Morning Light G.M.Co. for £50, and will be useful until a new bridge takes its place. The most important work in the County is the Ohinemuri main road, for which the Government voted £5000. It was formally opened by His Excellency the Marquis of -Normanby in the presence of a large assemblage of both races. Its great public utility is acknowledged by all. Its extension through the Komata block is merely in abeyance. The authority given to the Council by the Government under the Public Works Act will enable them to carry it through at no distant date. Recent events in connection with the disputed Puke-Paeroa road, conclusively prove that the old chief Tukukino cannot resist the demands of the Maoris for roads, and employment in their construction. The Paerpa . and Kati Kati " road, for which £1000 was placed on the' estimates, is being rapidly pushed forward, a large portion being completed. The remainder is being executed by European and Native road parties. When finished it will place Tauranga in direct communication with Ohinemuri and Thames, and save 13 miles in the present route. A continuation of the road through the Hikurangi Gorge is in course of formation, for which £250 has been allowed by Government out of a grant for roads in native districts. Other roads and tracks are detailed in your surveyor's report. The cutting through Rewi's hill, as the commencement of the Kauaeranga Valley road, has been completed as far as the contract is concerned, but it will be necessary to metal it before the rainy season sets in; The extension of this road will open up a valuable country for settlement. The establishment of important industries at Tairua and Wangamata renders it advisable an effort should be made to place the Thames in good road communication

..with these districts. Applications for branch roads bave been received, and measures can be taken under the Public Works Act to acquire land for this purpose. The Aroba road through Jlotokohu lately .-ceded-to .the Council by the natives of that district for a moderate compensation is being cut and formed by them. The road is already passable for eight miles, and greatly diminishes the distance between the Thames and Piako and Wa,i« kato Counties. For this 1 road £SQO was appropriated out of the Jfatiye grant.

The Natives, however, are not satisfied with simply a defined road, and hare signified their determination to petition the Government for a grant to construct; a carriage road. In the County ridings about' 35 miles of goldfields roads and tracks have been either cut and formed, or largely repaired with corduroy and fascines. In some instances the old track has thus been greatly improved, in others deviations striking out a .better and more direct route have been explored and selected. Numerous petitions from miners for roads and tracks in the several ridings have .. been received and carefully considered. The surveyor has examined and reported upon them, and when the estimated cost has been within the means of the Council the work'has been done without delay. There ' can be no doubt of the policy of cutting tracts into the heart of the back country as a means of prospecting, and "strenuous efforts should be made by the Coun- ■ cil and the - people .to secure an appropriation in aid of this under* taking during the ensuing session of Parliament: Nothing could better exemplify the advantage of these works than noting the results from the Waiotahi and other similar roads and tracks in this riding, the facilities they afford"^ miners for resuming old workings with remunerative returns, and taking up well known large reefs of comparatively low grade, upon which the taring in transit upon these roads furnishes a margin of profit, he extension of the Karaka Jioad will no doubt lead to similar results, and in fact where these means of easy comtnuuicaiion have been extended they have given employment to miners, and revenue to the couutry, The now works your Board desire to recommend to the notice of the Council are : v road from Hastings to Mercury Bay, and another from the Thames to Coromandel. Both these Aorks would afford facilities for prospect* in<, and enable travellers to journey in '■ comparative comfort and security. The Thames Valley railway is: also a work commanding juur warmest attention. From statistics carefully prepared by your officials, and presented at the Conference at liumiltbn, the guarantee, required by the Kail way Districts Act would more than double the taxation of the people. It may Uirly be assumed, for three years at least, the whole guarantee would be demanded, and another two or three years be* fore the ratepayers were released from this oppressive obligation. It was for this reason the Act was deemed unfavour- . able to this railway scheme, and' a resolution passed to petition the House, either to amend the present Act itt respect to the amount of guarantee, or introduce a bill to meet the exceptional circumstances of Lhe case. Your Board entirely c ncurs in the wisdom of this resolution. It is to be regretted the sum of £6,500 on the estimates for the completion of fhe Thames water-race is not placed at the disposal of tbe Council, lhe Government is compelled to make this vote chargeable on a new loan, and thus postpone the completion of an importaot County endowment. .The revenue accrued, the first item of County revenue chargeable with the maintenance" of the U.P.A. pump is also withheld, and cannot* therefore be applied in the direction required by agreement. '! he County roads will materially assist the' settlement of the land. Two small blocks at Uikutaia of fair quality and good situation, 900 acres in extent, are to be surveyed in 100-acre sections, and will be shortly offered.for selection by V--e Waste 1 ands Board. The question of selecting u'pOH the.system of deferred payments, is strongly advocated by many who want land, hut whose means - arc limited, and in view of bona fide settlers upon primeval land it ia desirable the Council should recommend the Government to admit the principle in theThames County. A Native Lands Court will sit at Short land in the-early part of June, when it ia qui'e possible some blocks in this ('ounty will be passed through the Court Your Board is of opiuion the present administration of locaj waste lands is not conducive to the interests of the people, and erery effort ■shr uld lie made to obtain an amendment of the law in favour of all County waste lands being to some extent administered by tbe Councils of the Counties. If this were done, and the working of the Counties Act made compulsory, the land would be better distributed, and that settlement of waste lands more satisfactorily effected. The memorandum of the Minister of Lands respecting a resolution of the House of Representatives passed on the 4th of < 'ctober last, offering rewards for the discovery of payable gold* fiVlds and payments in aid of prospecting, * as considered by your Prospecting Committee. A c ircular inviting the opinions of experts was issued, and many replies

hare been received, containing useful information upon tlio direoiion of auriferous belts of country, and what the writers consider the best methods of prospecting them. Further communicalions are invited, and the circular. caa be obtained on application to the -County Clerk by those who are desirous of assisting the labours of the committee. The value of now discoveries it would be impossible to over estimate in the present condition of this goldfield. The Council should also turn their attej^ien lo the acquisition of landed estates aa. County eudowments. This should be d.me before all the land has passed into the hands of speculators and others. Prom _ the revenue so derived should hospitals and benevolent institutions 'bo subsidised. The Government circular re hospital subsidies has yet to be considered, and arrangements made with the Borough Council fur maintaining this useful institution. Measures should also be taken for supplying the inhabitants in the high districts with a good supply of pure^ water, and your Board recommend the surveyor to be instrucicd to ascertain and report upon th ■ best scheme to be adopted for that purpose. Your Board regret the County's share of the £40,000 vot^d Tor Counties in the provinciil district of Auckland has not yet been placed to the credit of Council, as

it would hare enabled them to cowpleie works in hand and commence others whc'i aro urgently required. Tljo last, but certainly not the least imporiant »übj. cl which your Board recommends most seriously to the nonce of the Council, is the great question,—How are the rising genera ion to be employe! with benefit to t!icn?selves and advantage to the State? The population of this dig. trict is not ouly large and healthy, but' moat rapidly iucreasiug, and some comprehensive gclieme should be matured to provide them *i'h the mpans of gaining an honourable and sufficient, livelihood.

At present these means »re • *ceedin.gljresirictcd It is tho d.'i'y of -\\v Govern

mcni, by wiao administration, to wafttcr this difficult ami'critical question, and i|

is suggested the strongest representations should be made urging, among other measures, the expediency of developing the agricultural and pastoral interests, encouraging the establishment of local industries, by subsidies and bonuses, or limited protection, to new manufactures. Although this question may not be considered fis strictly within the scope of a corporate body such as a County Council, your Board is nevertheless constrained to ofier these suggestions in the interests of the people. The whole of the County works have been . executed under the immediate superintendence of your surveyor, A. A itken, Ksq , C.E., and the thanks of the Council aro due to t!iis gentleman for|the zealous and indefatigable manner he has conducted many and widely extended works with a limited assistance. Your Board also desire the Council should place on record the acknowledgment of their indebtedness to Captain Fraspr, 8.M., and K. W. Puckey, Esq , for their assislance in conducting the negotiations with the natives for lands required for roadp. To tiro Under Secretaries of Departments in Wellington for their courtesy, and to the Hon, the Premier and the Hon. the Native Minister -■*Wr^their prompt acknowledgment of all communications from the Council, and for the valuable assistance and advico they, have rendered to the Council iv administering the Couuties Act.— A lexander f'BODiE, Chairman of the Board of Works." .

- Or J^itchell moved the reception of the report, which was seconded by Cr Spencer, and carried. Cr Mitchell, in moving the adoption, •aid he tfas glad to see the report took notice of t'ae future of the children in the district, a:u fully concurred with the votes of thanks to "iae gentlemen enumerated, and especially to t'je County Surveyor, A. Aitken, Esq. Cr Bagnall seconded the adoption, and, with reference to tie development of the resources of this district being pushed ahead for the purpose of employing the youthful population, he said he thoroughly coincided with the report. No one so well as an employer of labor know the number of young men growing up without employment. - Cr3 Spencer and Thorburn expressed their approval of the report, whiciv was then adopted, together with the Surveyor's Annual statement, which was appended.

Sttbveyob'sßepobt.—The surveyor's report was also read as follows, and adopted: — HASTINGS BIDING. Waieawatt to Hastings.—This track p about five miles in length, has had repairs executed on it daring the year, and several bad places have from time to time been improved. An examination of the country along this line of road has been made with a view to the construction of of a permanent line in a better position, and with better gradients than at present. Tabtt Cbebk.—The two bridges across this creek have been tarred, and necessary repairs made. The foot track from Tapu Greek to Golden Point, about a mile and a quarter in length, has been widened, repaired, cleared of projecting rocks, and in some places re-made! The dray track from Hastings to Golden Point has also been rendered serviceable for the conveyance of quartz, .and all other'creek crossings have been re-made.

Hastings to THAMES.—This track, about 12 miles in length, has been improved and kept in a state of good repair, and several rough bridges have been constructed to enable both horse and foot passengers to pass along the track with safety. All the work, however, which has been done on this track may be considered as of a temporary character only, as in making a permanent road the site of the old track have to be abandoned, and an entirely new line adopted. This new line has been carefully surveyed and pegged out, and is now in course of construction from the Borough boundary. Tabartj Cbeek Tback.—The old tracks up the Tararu Greek have from time to time been repaired, and a sleigh track has been made to the neighborhoed of the Vulcan lease, a distance of about four miles, which will enable parties prospecting in that locality to get their quartz to the batteries.

WAIOTAHI BIDING.

Shellback Teack.—ln this Creek a sleigh track has been improved from the neighborhood of the Siam claim to the Borough boundary, which will enable the miners employed there to crush the quartz they are getting out. Should the returns prove remunerative, it will be necessary to construct a road for dray traffic, which will still further reduce the cost of carriage, and cause a larger area to be taken up and worked. Moanataiabi Okeek.—The Moanatairi Creek road has been kept in fair repair as far as the Moanatairi mine. On this road there has been, and is now, a considerable dray traffic, as besides the cartage'of quartz large quantities of coal and timber have been carted. The track up the Creek to Punga Flat has been repaired and maintained. Considerable repairs have atao been made on the track from Shellback Creek to Moanatairi Creek, and'thence to the Waiotahi Creek. The track from Moanatairi Creek to the neighborhooepaf the Powis Castle has been improved abd extended, and a considerable quantity of quartz is ' being

brought down to the Moanatairi hopper and to batteries on the flat.

Waiotahi Eoad.—The Waiotahi road has been extended to Nolan's Candlelight (situate at an elevation of 1300 feet above the sea), a distance of about 1-| miles ; and the total length of this road within the County is now about 2| miles. A considerable quantity of quartz is brought down from the upper portion of this road, and from the Pretty Jane down the traffic is large. ' A number of parties are now getting out quartz from ground that was unoccupied prior to the extension of the road. Portions of this road have been pitched and metalled. The Waiotahi tramway has been removed, and a good pathway constructed in its place. All j the available timber has been used in the construction and repairing of bridges and culverts on the road. The tracks between < Waiotahi and Karaka Creeks, up the Collarbone Creek, and the Lovers' Walk have been repaired and maintained. The tracks in the Waiotahi Riding are largely used by miners going to and returning from their work, and are also a great convenience for children attending the different schools. Li KAUAERANGA BIDING. The foot bridge across the Karaka Creek has been* removed and re-erected in a more convenient place. The Karaka road has been extended about 10 chains, and a further extension has been contracted for—to Greenville's battery—a distance of 15 chains. The lower part of the Karaka road has been repaired and . maintained. Several. other - goldfields tracks are necessary on the upper portions of Block 27 to enable miners to get their quartz to the batteries. A new footpath has been constructed in Bolleston street from the foot of the Karaka road to Sealey street. The Hape road has been improved and metalled to the workings of the Hape Creek Company, and the necessary bridge and culverts put in. The • footpaths and water courses of the Eauaeranga Riding have also been re- • paired and maintained. PARA WAI RIDING.

At the junction of the Parawai and Ohinemuri main road, considerable improvements has been effected by cutting away a large slip, and thereby not only widening the Parawai road and making room for the footpath, but also improving the gradients at the entrance of the Chinemuri main road.

KAtTAEBANaA Valley Eoad.—A contract has been let for cutting and filling at Eewai's hi |1, which, when completed, will reduce the gradients on this portion of the road to 1 in 14. A survey has been made for the extension • of this road Up the Kauaeranga Valley to the first crossing of. the river, avoiding all the hills and keeping at such an elevation above the river as will be entirely clear of floods. As there are not sufficient funds available for the completion of the whole road as surveyed, it is proposed for the present te cut round three of the bluffs, which will render the line available for traffic, and will be a portion of the work required for making a permanent road. * OHINEMUKI RIDING.

©hinemubi Main Eoad. —On this road a very large amount of work has been done. The whole line of road from Thames to Ohinemiiri has been laid outi ■with the" exception of portions in the neighborhood "of Komata, where the work has been stopped. The greater portion of the work executed on this road hasj been on that portion' between the Parawai road and the crossing of the Hikutaia river, a distance of about 12f miles. The old road between those two points is about 18 miles in length, and of a very hilly character, while the new road is not only shorter,- but nearly level. A great portion of the road between Thames and Puriri, which was thickly covered with ti-tree, has been cleared by native labor. The road is now passable for' vehicles to Puriri, and as soon as the Puriri bridge, which is now in course of construction, is completed-drays will be able to reach Hikutaia without difficulty. The followworks have been executed on this road :—

An attempt was made to form a portion of the Ohinemuri main road between the

Paeroa and the Komata, and five swamp

crossings were fascined and drained, and a considerable portion of the road cleared, but the work was interrupted by the .Natives, who destroyed the fascines, and thus rendered useless the greater portion of the work done. Lines for the road were cut, and a passable track made from Hikutaia to the Kun re creek, but the swamp crossings were destroyed by the Natives, and a large number of trees felled in such a mariner as to completely block up the made tracks A branch road has been constructed 28 chains in length from tbe Ohinemuri main road to the

Thames Eiver at Kopu, and when a wharf is erected/passengers to and from Ohine-

muri may embark and land at this place.

V; Taisua Tback.—This track has been maintained and repaired during the year. A new track for the conveyance of machinery has been cut from the old track to the Phoenix G.M. Company'^ battery site, at a cost of seventy pounds, one half of which amount was paid by the Phoenix GKM. Company. The length of the track is;about 50 chains. iHikxttaia I/Adding.—A new landing stage has been constructed on the Thames Biver, at the Hikutaia landing place, «^*rbich is a great convenience to settlers in that'locality. Puke Landing.—The old landing stage at this, place being in a dangerous condi- , , r tionj arrangements have been made for repairing and redeoking it.

Paeuoa Landing.—The old landingstage having been entirely carried away was repaired by a new one of a more permanent character.

Puke-Komata Koad. —About3o chains of fascining and ten chains of ditching have been done on this road, to render it passable during the winter months, as this is at present the only available road between the Thames and Ohinemuri. This road will in all probability be abandoned as soon as the Ohinemuri main road is completed to Paeroa.

Puke ■ Paeroa Road. -— The clearing and draining of this road haa on several occasions been contracted for, but operations have been suspended on account of Native opposition. About seventy-fire chains of main and outfall drains have been cut, and clearing haa been commenced in several places.

Paeboa - Mackaytoww Eoad.— Considerable improvements have been made in various,places io the road. The hill at the eastern boundary of Paeroa has been cut for a distance of six chains to an easy gradient, and the material taken therefrom used for forming about 10 chains of swamp within the township. At this place 46 chains of drains hare been cut, and the necessary culverts put in. Beyond Takerei's Creek 30 chains of road have been fascined and 65 chains of main and outfall ditching hare been cut. A new sawn timber crossing 16 feet wide and 12 feet span, and one large box culvert have been constructed. The site of this road in the vicinity of Te Moananui's Bush has been fixed, and the work is being carried on by Native labor. In addition to the above 30-chains of new road have been filled and formed, five chains of which are fascined, 30 chains of drains have been cut, and the nscessary culverts put in. *

Paeboa-Waitexaubi Tback. —-This track, about eight miles in length; has been greatly improved. Deviations have been cleared and made, which cut off the steep portions of the road, and more than 50 chains of corduroy have been laid down. A new track, a mile in length, has been cut from the Hill township to the battery, avoiding the passes of the Wajtekauri Company's workings. It is now used bjrpackers, miners, and chil dren attending school. The track from Goonan's store to the Young New Zealand claim has been cleared, to enable pack-horses to convey stores to the mines in that locality. :

Mackaytown - Waitekattbi Boad.— 70 chains of corduroying were laid down, and a large amount of other work done to keep this road passable during wiuter, but as nearly tbe whole of this road would have to be abandoned, and a new line laid out for a permanent road, tbe work done on the old track has been only of a temporary character. The new road from Ohinemuri to Katikati, now in course of construction, will do away with the necessity of further maintaining this road.

Ohinemuei and Kati Kati Road.—r About three miles of the most difficult portion of this road have been surveyed^ and are now in course of construction; the portion referred to begins at a, point on the old track a mile beyond Mackaytown; and follows a line, with gradients not exceeding one in ten, to the old Tauranga crossing, thence by the western bank of the Ohinemuri river through the mining district of Owharoa to its junction with the road recently made by the Armed Constabulary at Earl's agricultural section. The road as laid out to Kati Kati will then be adopted. *

Te Aroha Koad.—On account of Native interference, no survey has yet been made of that portion of this road between Paeroa and Eotokuhu, bat a good line for a road can be laid out. From the last named point to the Waitaki Block, and thence to Omahu, a line of road has been surveyed. The road through the Kotokuhu bush has been cleared of timber, and the remainder being open fern country does not require clearing. Arrangements are being made to render this road passable for horses and cattle by Native labor.

Attached is a tabulated statement showing cost of necessary roads within Thames County when Counties Act came into operation ; sums since i ended in construction ; sums now available, and balance still required to complete them. . ■

AIEX. AITKEN, County Surveyor. Finance BEPOBT.—Tbe Finance Com mitlee's report was read as follows :—

Your Committee do not consider it necessary to report at length upon the balance sheet, which speaks for itself, but in accordance with the Chairman's request the following return of all monies received by him during the year ended the 31st of March, 1878, is furnished for general information:—Salary, £208 6s 8d ; travelling expenses and conveyance, £86 9s. Total, £294 15s Bd. The travelling expenses and conveyance of members attending Council and committee meetings are £169 15s 6d. Attending meetings on County matters, and of the directors of the United Pumping Association in Auckland ; meetings upon native and other business in the outlying districts of the County in connection with .roads and other works are charged to the proper accounts, and amount to £69 ps 6d. The Committee desire to place on record the clear and methodical manner in which the County Clerk has kept the records and accounts of the Council. : A detailed statement of the rates collected and unpaid in each riding is also appended.

L. J. Bagnall, Chairman, Tbos. Spenceb, Executive Members of Finance Committee. Statement. Rate Acootjht for the Year ended 31st Marcb, 1878:— - Bates received— . " £ p, d. Kanwaeranga riding ... 275 18 0 Parawai riding ... ... 183 13 ■ 0 - Waiotabi riding ... 82 13 0 Hastings riding ... 331 3 0 Ohiremuri riding.. ... 420 12 0 ■ ' -• £1,293 19 0 Arrears of Highway Rates™Kauwatrauga £86 10 0 . Waiotaln ... 8 12 6 £1,389 1 6 Rates Unpaid— Kauwaeranga £28 10 0 Tarawai .. 16 3 0" V WaiotaM- ... 12 6 0 Hastings ... 13 10 0 Obinenuri ... 162 11 0 £233 0 0 E. W. Hollis, County Treasurer. Cr Bagnall, in moving the adoption of the Works Committee's Annual Beport, said he considered that the affairs of the County were administered very cheaply,

as the cost only amounted to 7f per cent, on their revenue. In banks and other institutions the cost was much larger in proportion. He considered that the Chairman's travelling expenses were very small (Hear, hear) for the amount of good the Chairman had done, and he believed that if that gentleman went into a calculation he would find he had paid away more money for travelling expenses than the £86 he received would cover. He attributed them getting bo much money from the Government in a great measure to the Chairman's exertions. He thought they had plenty of work to show for the amount of money expended, and he could say, without fear of contradiction, that if it had not been for Cr Brodie they would not have so much work done in the way of bridges, roads and tracks. Cr Spencer, in seconding the adoption, said he concurred in Cr Bagnall's re. marks.

Cr Mitchell supported the adoption of the report. He deprecated the unfair

criticisms that had been made, accusing the Chairman of extravagance in the matter of travelling expenses. They were uufair, and without foundation.

The Chairman snid that the criticisms didn't hurt him. He had always endeavored to do his duty honestly and fairly, and to advance the interests of the County and the public as far as possible whatever might be said. He then put the motion, which was carried without dissent.

Cr Mitchell moved that the Chairman be authorised to get the newspapers to publish a full report of the proceedings of this meeting. Great assistance had been rendered them by the Press, and their thanks were due to the Press for their correctness of their reports. The item in the Financial Statement for printing, advertising, and stationery, was -very moderate, and he must say he thought they had got good value for their money. The resolution was seconded by Cr Spencer and carried, after which the Council adjourned.

. KOAD— Road, graded, cut, and formed ... ... ,10 mile* 771 chains Drains cut' 14 „ 53| „ Swamps fnscined, and covered ... ... 2 „ . 23£ „ Fencea erected... ... 3 „ 68£ „ Bbidges— No. of . Length, spans. Width. Kauaeranga Bridge ... 272 feet 9 16 feet Waipapa do ... 8 „ 1 ]6 „ Kupata do ... 12 „ 1 16 „ KiriKiri do ... 66 „ 3 12 „ Knika's do ... 14 „ 1 15 „ "Wharehoe do ... 81 „ 4 12 „ Matatote do ... 2& „ 1 12 „ Puriri do ... 61 „ 3 12 „ Omahu 'do ... 78 „ 3 12 „ Hikutaia do ...103 „4 .12 „ 720feefc 30 spans PIANK CEpSSIN OSNo. Width. " Total Length. 8 ... 16 feet ... 96 feet CtJI/VEBTS— No. Area of Water Way. Total length. 2 18 incbeß by 30 inches 36 feet 7 :18 „ „ 24 „ 159 „ 15 18 „ „ 18 » 305 „ 11 18 „ „12 „ 234 „ 710 9 „ „12 „ 211 „ 45 945 '