COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3094, 17 January 1879, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[The following is the conclusion of our report of the County Council meeting yesterday.]:— GBANT FOB PBOSPECTING. A letter was received from William McKenzie and G. Downie, on behalf of 57 miners prospecting on Una hill, asking the Council to apply to Government for a grant of £200 to be paid to Council, and administered by them under the regulations respecting aids for prospecting. Cr Deeble moved that the Council make application for the amount. Carried. PUMPING BECUBITIES. A letter was read from Mr Errington stating that it was probable some large capitalists would make an offer for the purchase of the securities, HAPE TBAMWAY. A letter was read from Mr D. Tookey, on behalf of the miners of Hapo Creek and Otanui, asking that the Council repair the H ape tramway. Referred to Board of Works. THE WATEB>BACE BTBEAMO. A letter was read from the tinder*

Secretary of Goldfields, enclosing a copy of the reply of the Government to the Borough Council re the handing over of the streams to the County. The letter stated the public interest would be looked after. A copy of a letter from the Chair* man of the Parawai Board to the Government on the same subject was also read. It was decided to thank Mr Wakefield for forwarding the correspondence, IKON WORKS. A letter was rend from Sir G. Grey stating that a Mr Mulvaney had arrived in New Zealand, who was well acquainted with mining and the working of coal and iron mines. He had splendid testimonials and Sir George Grey suggested to get him to visit the Thames to establish iron works at the Miranda side, where iron ore had been discovered. Received. WOULD-BE SETTLEBS.'

..' A letter was read from J. W. Shaw, of Ohinemuri, asking that his name be placed on the list of applicantsforrandat Te Aroha, under the deferred payment system. , , ; A letter was also received from James McGuire, of Ohinemuri, making a similar application. It was resolved to forward the letters to the Waste Lands Board. ] :.■■-,:, . . . WAIO-KABAXA^UMP,., " y,^v-.{ A letter was read from the secretary to the Waio-Karaka Drainage Associatioti applying for, sufficient water to work their pumping'machinery. ■_"."...'" | Eeferred to Water Bade Committee. COACH SERVICE TO TAXTEANGA.

Mr Vesey Stewart, of Katikati,'wrote' enclosing the copy of a letter from Mr Peters, coach proprietor, Tauranga, stating that to run a coach between Tauranga and Thames, Mr Peters wanted a subsidy; and Mr Stewart stated he would recommend the Goverment to grant it, and asked the Council to back him up. The Chairman said they all recognised the importance of the overland communi.* tion. : Cr Bagnall moved " That the Clerk be instructed to communicate with the Government on the matter of the letter to endeaver to forward the object referred to." Carried; : TAUBANGA BO AD. A letter was also read from Mr G. "V. Stewart enclosing a petition' from the Tauranga lopal bodies to the Premier, asking a grant to complete the PaeroaXatikati Hoad. • WATEB SUPPLY GUABANTEE. A letter was read from Macdonald and Miller asking the payment by the Council of their share of the Domestic Water Supply guarantee. Eeferred to Finance Committee. COUNTY VALUATION. A letter was read from Mr Vernon, the County Valuer, enclosing the valuation list for the year 1879-80. It shewed that the number of properties assessed was 1297. The total rateable value of the County was £24,663. APPLICATION FOB REMISSION OF BATES.

A letter was read from the Union Sash and Door Company's solicitor asking the Council to remit a portion of last year's rates. They had been rated for £95, but were unwilling to pay more than £50. After some discussion it was decided to consider the matter in n committee of the Whole Council.

; . ■." TB ABOHA FBBBY. ,i 0.:';-?^ ' A letter was read from Mr G. S. Q Halloran, asking that a ferry be placed lit Omaha, and he would act as ferryman free of charge. Referred to Board of Workß. .:'■■:■:-■■■<■! y\ r' XOFIT WHABF. '--' The Harbor Board sent an account for £215 3i 3d one half the cost of the Eopu wharf. Referred to Finance Committee. : PBIZE ESSAY. A letter was read from Mr F. A. Pulleine suggesting that the County and Borough Councils should offer a prise essay on a schema for the settlement of the lands in the Upper Thames district. It was decided to send the letter to the Waste Lands Board. TOTABA BIDIKG. In reply to a letter inquiring from Mr J. King, the Superintendent Collector, concerning the boundaries of Totara riding; the Clerk was instructed to send the required information.

TAPUBOAD. A letter from Mr T. Taylor, drawing attention to a dangerous narrow piece of road near his place, was referred to Board of Works. BRANCH BOAD. Or Bagnall brought up a petition from certain residents of Puriri, asking for a branch road trom the main road to Puriri landing. "Referred to Board of Works. AMBBICAN QOABTZ WAOOK. A petition was read irom certain miners of Waiotahi Creek asking that the Council proridea large American quartz wagon which would greatly cheapen the transit of quartz, especially where large,reefs were worked. Keferred to Board of Works. BEPOBTS. The reports of the rarious committees published yesterday were read and adopted without comment.

TABABU. Cr Thorburn moved—" That the sum of £200 be appropriated for the formation of 4he bridle track between Hastings and Tairua harbor/ He said a sum of £100 had been already Voted, but had Wen spent elsewhere. He strongly urged the desirability pf the work. „-, ; Cr Porter mored that all financial notices of motion be suspended till next meeting. Crs Thorburn and Greenrille strongly objected to this. !vM % i^ ' Cr Sagnall said the Council must take great care, or they might hare a financial crisis upon them. It would be useless to undertake works if there was no money available. The Chairman thought, admitting the desirability of the work, they must look their finances in the face. , - V .. After some farther discussion, it was decided to postpone the financial notices of motion.

WATEB-BACE COMMITTEE. ; Cr Deeble moved—"That Cr Greenrill^ be elected a member of the Water* race Committee." The Chairman seconded. Carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Cr Greenrille moved—" That Cr Deeble be elected a member of the Finance Committee." Cr Porter seconded. Carried. FABAWAI BOAS WOBKS. , Cr Carpenter moved—" That the County Surveyor be instructed to report upon the condition of the main road in i theParawai riding from the bridge over J

the Hape Creek to Stevens' farm on the Kauaeranga creek, and furnish an estimate of the probable cost of repairing and forming it, including necessary alterations to cutting through Eewi's Hill, and that the Board of Works be empowered to act upon such report and estimate." Cr Greenville seconded. Carried. HAPE TBAHWAT. ' , Cr Deeble introduced a deputation of Hape Creek miners, who asked the Council to either repair the Hape Creek Tramway or make a road. The Council informed the deputation that want of funds prevented, the Council doifig all they wished, but they would assist them as far as thejf could^, :i'Oti9'W*tiiuf !Sa|pP tation asked, per missionto remove some of the upper rails to repair tlie lower.. „, portion. The Chairman requested him t»pSt);hiiipplieationiiiw;rittog..a 1 TfT

■ Cr Porter moved—"That mi rieir of the termination of the agreement in re the maintenance of the ILP.A. pumps, and. the probable stoppage:.o*f theie work?on or after the lit February proiimo,;if other arrangements are nbt made Tit ilimpera-' tivejhati should tbiauCouncil consider. \i. f> n expedient in this public interests to make proposal for continuing the said pumping operation* for anjr r peri<)4? beyond that date, the sale and absolute control of all matters whatsoever in conneetioV*with the necessary expenditure be vested in the jß^na^T And^ontingentufr&thV%regoing felo^" lution being idop|ed s-*?fhat a special ■3K?*L °V% e.Pouncil .be. convened on the 23rd of'Jahokry insr ■'W "tfkrf^W matters in connection with* HW U.P A. J^securities and.the position of the Council in relation thtreto, and that such natters be considered in committee of the whole .Council." He said 1 tie 4 found'tnlf ltie rI £50,000 granted by theiCblony for &»tn pump had been spent in a most reckless ♦ manner. He had no doubt but that if* that sum had been spent properly antf:) carefully, the shaft would be now down several hundred feet deeper and the pump still kept going. Ho quoted several items of expenditure dtiring latt twelve months. He said none'of the gentlemen ' interested had done anything except the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, ' who had Bent them a ridiculous telegrtni recommending them to pump from the 400 feet level. If these people wouldn't' '*' work the mines let the Council foreclose,, and let the mines be taken up by those ' who would work them. . '' Cr Greenville seconded. Cr Bagnall said they should endeavour > to get rid of the Pump altogether. The Chairman said it was the Borough, v and not the County that were, benefited, and it was for them to decide if they ~ would again give the Gold Duty for its maintenance. « i ,<> Cr Greenville thought that the Borough ; would come forward. ' {:~ The resolution was put and lost.' \, This concluded the business. ' ' '' '