COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2905, 7 June 1878, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Thames County Council was '.eld at the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. Present—Crs Brodie (Chairman); Bagnall, Thorburn, Mitchell, Thorp, and Coutts. MINUTES. The minutes • f the previous meeting were read and confirmed, as also were the minutes of the special meeting, and the meeting of the committee of the whole Counc:l. OUTWABD COBBEBPONDENCB. A precis of letters sent since last meeting was read. HUNTLEY, THE PBOBPECTOB. A letter was read from Mr Huntley, the Ohinemuri prospector to whom the Council granted some aid some time back, giving au account of the progress he was making with the tunnel at Mangakerikeri Creek. The writer asked for a further supply of powder, etc. The Chairman said that the Council had agreed to give Huntley a fortnight's tucker, and, according to the account sent in, he and his mate had consumed a great quantity—some £20 worth. It was resolved that the Clerk be instructed to reply to Mr Huntley the de^ termination arrived at re the Prospecting Committee's report. THE BIG PUMP. A letter was read from Mr G. Black concerning some statement made in regard to the expenditure of the Big Pump (already published),-and also a letter from Mr Tothill covering the same. Cr Mitchell said with reference to Mr Black's letter that he thought that any Councillor could make remarks re the pumping expenditure, without their being taken exception to. Cr Thorburn said he had a few comments to make on all that had been said respecting the remarks he made at last meeting. Mr Black in his letter to the Council re the expenditure had carefully ignored the expenditure for the two winding ropes, and the money that had been appropriated for the new poppet legs, which had been a most heavy expenditure. Some months ago Mr Black had stated at the outside the expenditure would be £100 or £125 per week, or £550 per month, in case of breakage. Mr Black had averaged 10 months out of the 15, but let them take the average of the first thr,ee months and the last three, and they would find that the expenditure was undoubtedly increasing. While making these remarks he wished it to be understood that he found no fault whatever with the management but he objected to being hauled over the coals. Concerning this matter the Chairman said that a conference had been held at Auckland the other day. All the companies interested in the lodes cut at the 640 feet level being represented but the Manukau. These expressed their concurrence with the experts' report, but as they were not authorised by their boards they could do nothing definite. The meeting had therefore been adjourned to obtain the needed authority, so that there was every probability of operations being started shortly. OHINEMUBI PBOSPECTING. A letter was read from Mr. Combie, of Waitckauri, on behalf of the Waitekauri prospectors, stating that as the Waitekauri miners had stopped work, the prospectors would have to cease work, unless the outhorities stepped in and gave them some assistance. , They had been kept employed by miners, storekeepers and others. A similar answer as ordered to be sent to Mr Huntley was ordered to be sent to Mr Combie. COUNTY CONTBACTS. ■ The following letter was received from Mr C. A. Comes :—

To rlie County Chairman and Councillors. —Gentlemen, —l wish, on behalf of the ratepayers and self, to ask who is responsible when contracts are tafcen over' before they .are finished according to specification ? Instance one, the Qwharoa road : Ifc is riot finished in accordance with specification, that is to say, it ought to have been cut ten feet in the solid, w'.iereas it won't average seren feet; but if it pleases" the members to allow contractors to have their contracts passed un 3orr*pleted, the ratepayers look to the members of the County Council to finish the work at their own expense ; also the bridges constructed on same road are of taua, which won't last over twelve months with safety, whereas there is any amount of Kauri and Totara along line of road. Another matter I wish to draw your attention to is private contracts let on same for bridges amd filling approaches, which we consider is not lair to the public; and what the ratepayers want is all parties taking contracts to make them complete their work, which would give every- bond fide contractor fair play.—l am, Ac, C. A. Cobnbs. Thames, June stb, 1878.

Cr Thorp said he did not think that the contracts had been carried out according to specifications. .Several landslips had occurred through the banks of the cuttings being made perpendicular, so that when it rained, they had slipped away. It would take about £100 to repair the damage dene. He referred to the whole of the contracts on the road, and thought that men should be forced to carry out works according to specifications. Cr Bagnall moved that the matter be referred to County Surveyor. He thought that before making any remarks on the letter it would be well to hear what Mr Aitkenhad to say.

Or Thorp seconded. Cr Mitchell said he had a 'ew remarks t > make on this matter. He might state that there was a good deal of feeling at Ohinemuri about outsiders getting contracts. He inspected most of the works himself. Sometimes Mr Aitken was not able personally to pass the works, and the Foreman of Works did it, but always kept back some of the money, so that the Council would not lose. Cr Mitchell referred to the difficulties in making the road referred to, and caid that the slips were paused by the river washing away the stuff thrown over the bank. The motion was then carried. THE HOSPITAL. The Chairman explained to the Council the reason the Conference of the Borough and County Councils had fallen through. He said that it was for them to fix the day when the meeting would be held. He might state that a Conference of County Councils would shortly, be* held at Wellington, when, doubtless, tbe question of Hospital Maintenance would be considered. He had obtained the following opinion from the County solicitors concerning the power of the Council to con. tribute to the support of the Hospital :— Thames, June 4,1878. To the Chairman Thames County Council.

S:r f —ln reply to your quei-y "whether, under Section 19J of 'Tho Counties Act,

1876,' you are empowered to contribute to the maintenance of such, an institution as ' The Thames Hospital.' " We are of opinion that you are not, for the reasons following:—, 1. Any Institution you contribute to the mnintenejce of must, in the words of the Section, be

•• In the County, or without tlis limits of the County." The Thames Hospital does not come under either of these beads, as it ie ivtthin the limits of the County, but is not in the County.

2. Any Institution you contribute to the maintenance of must have for its object, in the words of the Section, "^lbe relief of such poor persona as, through age, infirmity, or accident, are unable to help themselves." This is not the case with the Thames Hospital, whose only object, according to'its Rules, is " Affording gratuitously surgical and medicil aid to any peison requiring it." So that unless you are entitled to send any poor and destitute within yeur County to the Hoepital referred to for such relief as tbevmay severally require, we do not think yoj3*£}h?« the power to contribute to its maintenance. Of course the convene of this last proposition would still leave it subject to the first reaton we have given.—Yours, &c, Macdonaid and Milteb.

The speaker said it was for them to decide whether the conference of local bodies would be held, or should it be held at all.

Cr Bagnall advocated the holding of the" conference of local bodies, »nd said that he thought the Hospital should be made a charge ou the consolidated revenue. He did not see why the Hospital of this district should be different from the other colonial hospitals supported out «f the public funds. He moved that a conference of the two Councils be held on Tuesday, 25th inst. Cr Mitchell supported Cr Bagnall's remarks, and en passant remarked that though he concurred with Cr Bagnall he thought, however, that'the hospital should not be taken from local control, as serious abuses had been proved to exist in the Auckland and other hospitals managed by the Government. Ho seconded the motion, which was then carried. " .' THE COUNTY CONFERENCE. . A letter was received from the Chair* man of the Westland County stating that as the majority of County Councils wished the conference of County Councils to be held at Wellington in the middle of July, it would be held there, and at that time The writer trusted that the Thames County Council would be represented. The Chairman explained what steps had already been taken relative to this matter. The Thames Council had recommended that one member for each pro* vincial district would be enough, and that representatives should be members of Parliament, and at the same time members of County Councils, if possible. v Cr Mitchell said that he did not concur with the scheme of a member of Parliament representing County Councils,.and would more that the Chair* man be the representative of this Council at the County Conference. He might confer with a committee of the whole Council before he .went. , The Chairman said he would prefer some other member of the Council to go, as most of them knew his an-ipathy to a visit to Wellington. He referred to his previous visit when many people had con* sidered the money wasted. Cr Bagnall seconded the motion. He knew the Chairman's objection to proceeding to Wellington, but at the same time he thought that it was the interest of the Council to send the Chairman as their representative to the conference. The Southern Councils were sending their ablest men to the conference, and he would strongly urge the Chairman to go, and sink any personal feeling he might have for the interest of the County. Cr Thorburn strongly urged the Chair* man to represent the Council, hoping that he would overcome his repugnance to. go. The premier Cotn'y in the colony should be well represented. The Chairman, after referring to the disagreeable nature of a trip to Wellington, said since they so strongly urged him to go he would. He referred to the injustice the Thames had suffered in the distribution of public fund*, and they should get their share of the 3 j million loan. ' The motion was then ctrned. NATIVE BESEBVES. A letter was received from the County Council of Tuapeka asking the opinion of the Council re Native reserves, etc.. Referred to a c6mmittee of the whole Council. MULLOCK TIP. A letter received from Mr P. Berguson of the Harbor View claim concerning a complaint made by the Mining Inspector of his mullock tip encroaching on the road. Referred to Board of Works. COUNTY BUILDINGS AT PAEBOA. A letter was received from _Cr Mitchell recommending that application be made for a piece of land for the erection of County offices at Paproa. Referred to Board of Works. i^ ANOTHER FBOSPBCTOK. * An application from Baird, a prospector, for assistance to work a reef near Wick's battery was dea't with the same a 9 Huntley's and Combie's applications. EXTENSION OF A BOAD. A petition signed by a number of resi* dents of Paeroa urging the Council to extend the main road at Paeroa was received. COMPENSATION. A letter from Mr Snodgrass, of Ohinemuri, csking for compensation for the road being made through nis land at To-Rau-o* te Huia, was referred to the Board of Works. NAVAL BRIGADE. It was resolved that the. Council strongly back up the application of the Naval Brigade for additional artillery, etc., in accordance with a letter from Mr Lawless, secretary of the company. A similar application had already been sent to the Borough. THE THAMES VALLEY BAILWAY. In answer to Cr Mitchell, the Chairman said that through a mistake he had received instructions for the Governments draft a Thames Valley Railway Bill. He had seat the letter to the Chairman of too Railway Committee. Some discussion on the matter ensued, but lapsed without resolution.

PETITION OP TB ABOHA NATIVES. An amusing letter was read from some Te Aroha Nat>es, asking the Council to back up an application for money to the Government for the purpose of making a road to Tauranga, whereby the writers could get shell fish. Eeferred to Board of Works.

BEPOBT OF BOASD OF WOBKS. The report of th's boerd gare the Uiual

monthly account of the works in progress. With reference to the Ohinerauri main road the report read as follows :—

All the bridges and culverts contracted for are now completed, and the road is in fair condition for a newly-made and unmetalled road. At Hikutaia and Puriri Maoris have keen employed in completing unfinished portions of the road, and a few men have been clearing drains, and making provisions to keep the road clear of water during heavy rainfalls. The filling in some of the swamps has subsided considerably, and a few of them will require another layer of fascines and earth to bring the formation up to the necessary level for a permanent road. Means are being taken to improve th© oufot of the Omalm Greek, as the present outlet is not sufficiently clear to carry off rapidly the water of the creek during floods.

Tho report was adopted without comment.

PUMPING ABBANGEMENTS COMMITTEE'S

BEPOET,

The report of this committee gave the resolution passed at the meeting of the committee, held on May 7th, for the purpos^>f considering the resolutions of the mmnK of the U.P.A. on April 24th. The resolutions, which amongst other things nominated Mr Hall to act for the Council to report on the lodes in the south crosscut, have already been published. After giving an account of the result of the inspection of the reefs, the report ended with the/ollowing important suggestions :— Tour committee recommend that an offer be made to the Association to purchase the redemption of these securities; and, in the event of this offer being deolined, that tenders be advertised for tho purchase thereof, in order to afford capitalists the opportunity of investments, and reorganising an association or company, which, b"y the removal of a heavy incubus, would have a fair chance of success. In the interests of this gold field it is necessary some immediate steps be taken to place the Association (or its successor) upon » belter and more permanent footiDg, to enBure the continuation of pumping operations after the expiration of existing agreements. Your con mittee also recommend the Council to adopt tho application made to the mortgagees for authority to apply the balance of the JBIOjOOO mortgage upon tiie United Pumping Assotiation's secui ities to pumping operations, and thus save the expenditure of the gold duty.

Cr Mitchell moved—" That the Pumping Arrangements Committee be authorised to take all necessary steps to carry out the recommendations of the U.P.A. report presented to-day, re the the £5,000 securities." He said it was evident something would require to be done. This was a very severe drain on the County, and looking at the fact that no prospecting had been done, there was no benefit present or prospective to be gained by the Pump, so that they must take steps tb bring this to a conclusion, or else bring the arrangement to a conclusion. It was no use splitting straws about the expenditure per,jnonth. They represented the people that paid the piper, and if the companies would not dance, they, as public trustees, would have to stop the music. Cr Thorburn seconded the motion, and ! cordially supported it. The Chairniaii also supported the motion, which was then carried. }(r FINANCE COMMITTEE'S BEPOBT. i The report of the Finance Committee showed that the following accounts had been passed:—On acjount of Be*3s and contracts in the County, £238 12s sd; Te Aroha Eoad, £310 16s; Tapu to. Waikawan, £157 16s; Kauaeranga and Waiotahi, £118 2s 9d; Ghinemuri main road, £563 19s 6d; Ohinemuri Biding, £59; Puke Paeroa road, £218 6s; Mackayiown roads, £68 2s; E&tikati ro-.d, £1 Os 8d; Hikurangi Gorge, £75 5s 6d; miscellaneous, £7 4s 6d. Total—£ls79 16s lid. The Committee recommended an alteration in the Counties Act, so that the'ratepayers might be empowered to elect two auditors. . The report wai adopted. PBOSPECTING COMMITTEE'S BEPOBT. The interim report No. 1, and the final report of the Prospecting Committee were read. The final report, after dealing with the various suggestions to the Committee, made reference to the small amount of done in the district. The report concluded with the following recommendations:—

1. That for any discovery, not -within the present goldfield, yielding 5,0000za within three months from the date of reporting the discovery to the Warden, or other authority, a sam of £250 he offered; and for the first 10,000o« a sum of £1000. 2. That any discovery within the provincial district of Auckland, whether quartz or alluvial, capable of ■teadily employing one thousand persons, a reward of £2,5000 he offered. 3. That for the disclosure of any actual find, proveahle to the satisfaction of this • Council or an authority appointed by the Council and the Government, although it may not presently be possible to work such find, a reward of £500 be offered; the amounts stated in recommendations 1 and 2 to be also available to the discoverer or discovers on its being possible to fulfil the conditions. 4. Having made these recommendations to meet the requirements of the circular issued by the Minister of Lands, your committee now turn $& those recommendations made for the assistance of persons or parties prospecting, and who may either have had small meansto begin with, or may h>ve exhausted those means which they were possessed of at the starling. Notwithstanding all that haa been Bitid and written against it, your committee can see no better practical solution of the difficulty of aiding prospectors than in rendering assistance to such miner*, of known knowledge and experience, as are willing, either ■eparately or in organised parties to undertake the work; but, taking all the circumstances of the case into consideration, aud also the law under authority of which your Council acta, your committee is of opinion that it is quite impossible, and would be wholly illegal, to apply the County funds to prospecting" purposes. Your committee, therefore, report that it would be impolitic for the Council to engage in prospecting, as the expenditure might be declared illegal, and there is no other fund than the County fund upon which the Council could operate.