COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3136, 7 March 1879, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held at the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Present—The County Chairman, Crs Bagnall, Thorburn, Porter, Greenville, Deeble, Coutts, Brown, and Carpenter.

MINUTES.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Tho Big Pump.

Mr L. Ehrenfried waited on the Council relative to an offer which he had been requested to make re the purchase of the pumping securities by the Pumping Association. Mr Ehrenfried said he had attended a meeting of the Big Pump Conference Committee. Mr William Howe was Chairman of that meeting; and after deliberation that gentleman and himself were appointed to wait upon the Council and make an offer to them. He regretted that Mr Bowe was absent in Auckland, because he was more acquainted with the matter at issue than the speaker, but as it was of a most important nature, he , had ventured to come alone and lay before them a proposal that had been entrusted to his care. The position of the U.P.A. was fairly taken into consideration, and it was found impossible to induce the present shareholders to advance further capital so long as the mortgage which they held was standing, and they hare come to the conclusion to offer the Council the amount which the Council had spent out of the loan of £10,000. At first it might not seem right for them to make such a proposal, but if they looked into it further it would not appear so. He thought if the Council would sell, the pumps will start again, and ground be prospected. The feeling of the late meeting seemed to run in that direction. He wished them also to; take into consideration the great benefit which will be done the district if-the pumps start again, and he would therefore ask them that, whilst they viewed the monetary question, to look at the great benefit it would confer oh the district. ; •:■

The Chairman asked did Mr Ehrenfried come prepared to make a definite offer. Mr Ehrenfried: Yes, I do. It ii a positive offer I make.. Any money spent out of the loan in pumping or winding will be refunded.

The Chairman said an • offer had been made by their agent in Auckland to 'the; U.P.A.

Cr Brown asked Mr Ehrenfried how much the committee thought the Council had spent. Mr Ehrenfned: £3000 or £4000.

■ , Cr Bagnall said the Council had spent £4000 for driving alone out of the loan, and in addition to that sum, £10,000, in maintaining the pump. He jukJed^ did the offer include both sums or jone or the-"olhefc^ v;r ;" ■■■',:'■' '■: .■!<;>-t^u>:- \. '_

Mr Ebrenfried said they would pay any money expended out of the loan. ; Cr Thorburn: None of the £4000 was spent for pumping. It nearly all went for driving. ■ The Chairman said this matter came up later on, and the Council would lively gire a decision whicKMrEhrenfried could see through the press. \ „H , j . Mr Ehrenfried said that wonld hardly be treating him fairly, and in all courtesy he thought an answer should be given to him right away. Perhaps they, would appoint a committee to meet Mr fibwe and himself and conrey the answer of the Council to them. ■

Cr Brown moved " That the Council will take into consideration any definite proposal emanating from your committee." He had read the published report of the meeting at Auckland, and it appeared to him that the committee had been appointed simply to feel the Council on the matter. When he was in Auckland he came to the conclusion that the pump would not start at the low levels. The mining men they had at the meeting were] Lennox and Williamson—both good men in their way, but not representing the capitalists of Auckland. He thought they wanted to throw the onus on; the, County and Borough Councils. If a definite offer in£ s. d. were made they would consider it fairly. To-day it looked like fighting the wind. ; 1 Cr Ehrenfried maintained he had niade a definite offer. : ; . Cr Carpenter asked would committee gire them more than they had spent j out of loan. i Mr Ehrenfried said he could 'not answer. The mines had agreed to contribute something considerable. Cr Bagnall: I think the Council;will not take long to come to a decision on this matter. Some two years ago this Council was led into a trap by certain representations and offers made to us. We were told that the securities would be valueless. We continued pumping operations, and on this representation we agreed to continue the pumps. £15,000 of County funds had been expended for pumping and driving. My opinion is that we must realise on the securities. The capitalists of Auckland have not met us in the way they should have done, and I move that the offer of £4000 be respectfully declined. My opinion is that we must burst up those mines that have not been proporly worked for some time past, and throw them open to the pnblic. What is the use, I ask, of the pumps being kept going for the purpose of saving the money of the capitalists. The money would be better expended in opening up roads, Ac. It is no use.Baying, the place is going to the dogs, for it is no use increasing the overdraft at the bank for the sake of benefiting a few by the continuation of pumping. ■ I say we: ire flats if we do not take advantage of our position now, and sell the securities to the highest bidder. ' '■ ■, :'" •■■. '■ . ■•.■■; „/ . ...,

Cr Porter and others spoke in a sinuliar strain and the resolution baring been seconded by Cr Porter was carried.

Mr Ehrenfried thanked the Council and withdrew.

OUTWABD COBBEBFONDENCE. Tbe correspondence outwards was read. . CONTEACTOEB* APPLICATION. A letter was read from Patterson and party, contractors for a tunnel in connection with the race, that the country in the tunnel had turned into hard granite, and asking such relief as Council might deem fit. Cr Coutts said that this was a very hard case. • Cr Bagnall moved that the matter be referred to the County Engineer. ' Cr Carpenter seconded. Cr Deeble moved that the Council eonaider the matter. ■ nvvm , nti Cr ''Greenville 'toc6h&9&?**^ a**I*^ . The Chairman said he sympathised with the men, but there were several other contractors who were in the same condition and they would have to treat thiiji all alike. There were two contract! up at Ohinemuri which would not be finished. Cr Porter said these contract*atOhinemuri would be finished, tie was glad the Council was making a stand, which they should have done some time since, and it would have saved hundreds of ,pounds at Ohinemuri. ■ ' 9r~ Cr Thorburn moved that the Coancit regret they cannot comply with the application. .';.... Cr Brown seconded. " : "'" The resolution and first amendment were withdrawn, and the last amendment carried;; • • ■ - ~ •>-- - •■*■'• ■} CHABITABLB AID. If 1; A letter, was read from the Colonial Secretary's office acknowledging recept of the Chairman's telegram of; 20th jnit., on subject of maintenance of Hospi(»k.and Charitable Institutions, and pointing oat that any further charge dated Revenue would probably involve a reduction in subsidies payable -> to local bodies; and-the Government, therefore, trusted> the County would meetC the Borough of Thames in i liberal spirit; It the County intended a separate syrtaii for distribution of charitable aid, the Government would subsidise it separately. It was resolved that the whole Council meet the Borough Council on the matter of charitable aid, ■„■.,; .■ -.^, : , :■■, -? v-jjjj APPLICATION FOE COMPBNUTIOF.

William Adams wrote informing^Coan* cil that one of his horses, worth £20^ had fallen through one of the Hspe Creek Tramway bridges, and was killed. \He hoped the Council" would hot see him at the loss." Eeferred to the Finance Committee to report to the Council. ; V 7?'' .' CBMKTEBT MANA.GKMBKT. „ r A letter similar to the > one sent tO| the Borough Council re cemetery .manage* ment was read. The Secretary "tor the Cemetery Committee wrote aslcipg the Council to forward a cheque for County's share of cemetery overdrafts .u-i-.-j --A It was resolved to pay the £25, bat the Council declined any further expeadiiure . without consent of Council. -r -"■"■''r^ A letter was read from the EerZW. Mulgan drawing attention to the baditate of &tikatiroadV : •'!/5.:.:.* The Chairman; said that ;t^ s^amp referred to was in the Tauraaga jdounty. It was resolved to reply to the. miter informing him of the fact mentioned by the Chairman, and state that, the Council are making their portion of the road. •; ■■■■•■-■ ■•• ■ ■baTBS.^-^" I"'' A letter was read from a widow asking to be let off paying her rates Off the ground of pover^.n^everal other poor ratepayers also asked a remission of rates or extension of time, .which were variously dealtwithl'UNPAID ACCOUNT. A letter was' read!from Mr W. 8. Laurie, stating that Mr Carran was not manager of the Moanatairi Water Supply Company, and should not be rated, fieeeivecPii <<■:■ a. ,riu.a'nioais ira CHOLERAIC DIABBE(BA. A letter was read from Dr Payne, reporting a case of choleraic diarrhoea at Waiotahi Creek, and recommending the removal of case to the Hospital. A letter was read from Mr C. P. MiU chell and others, asking the Counoil to rote £26 to assist them in snt«aing the river between the wharf and thejproposed bridge. Eeferred to Board of Works. WAITAWHKTA SBTTIBMBMT. A letter was read from E.J.- Thorp and othersettlers near Waitawheta, calling attention to unimproved state «f road from Owharoa bridge to Eobinson's £unsv and requesting that a cutting bttnade round the foot of the hill. This, by opening up the "back country, wbuld induce settlement.' Eeferred to Board of Works, with power to act. paeawai. A letter was read from Mr Thomas Spencer, calling attention to the fact that there was no road from Barrett's Corner to the Kauaeranga Bridge. ; Bofetrad to Board'of Wortfs/ + TTTKfT . A letter was received from the Under Secretary or^iafieids^lsli^ftluit Messrs McKenzie and Downle'sfs»plioa. tion for a grant of ,£200; from, Barliamea* tary vote, in aid of prospecting, did not come within the intention of the rote, [and the Government. opu^d ; not .oomply with the applicants' request. IM*§*. resolved to forward a copy of the leflfir to Messrs Downie and McKeniie, - ■.'.'. '.."■■'." ■ ■■TAK^'!ipAjK^:if^. .....'. ■ A letter was read from W. H. Smith, asking what compensatidri would be given to him for the land taken for Tapu Boad. The matter was left to the Chairman and CrTborburn to settle. ' : J'!:°'"; -'-.:;;' BiyBB^OKSIBTAtoSs^ A letter was read from Mr «LC. Firth, Chairman Matamata Koad District, suggesting that a movement; should be made to have a board of Thames Eiver Conser* vators appointed. The Chairman spokein favor of the suggestion in the letter, and it Was resolved that Mr Firth be informed that the County Council, will co-operate with any movement to have a Board of Conservators appointed.

CHABGES AGAINST TALT7IB. A budget of rery well written lelteri, by Mr Lambert, one of the unsaeeessful tenderers for the County "Valuation, was read, causing, considerable amusement. The writer described MrTernon's rounding the ■ whojie - Council into the Imperial Hotel,.and tickling^, certain Councillor as if he thought'lie was a woman (as this was read Cr Greenrille looked fierce). The writer also instanced sereral cases of what he oalled Unfair raluation. ' - - , ' ■ Cr Porter remarked that the raloation of Ohinemuri was not altogeter satisfaotonr. ' r ■ ■• ?- • - 5 v It was decided to refer the eomipondence to Mr Vernon. -, „ .•

NATIVE OBSTBUCXIOK. A letter was read from :tVihikarei to Whetuiti stating he had interest in. land at Rawhitiwa and the road' from Paeiba to that place must not go through hii place.

A ietter was read from Te Hira also objecting to the Paeroa road. He said Ohinemuri was in his hands. Tukukino wrote saying if the road was made there would be trouble. The letters were left with the Chairman to deal with. GOVEBNMENT SUBSIDY. A letter was read from secretary to the Treasury* stating that the Council was entitled io subsidy at the rate of £2 to £1 of general rates received in respect of property in CoUnty and not included in a Road District. WATBB BURPIY. A letter was read from the Secretary to Water Supply Committee covering- a resolution of Council to the effect that Committee had no further proposal to make tb Cbunoil.;' ■■'■■>■> The secretary to Water Committeealso wrote asking the Council for a reply to the question,! if they were willing to transfer their interest to the Borough. , ..'. „ piIKCB AI.FBBD BATTERY.

A letter was read from the Secretary,to U.P.A., stating that he could not give the Council .authority to deduct the money due to Council for the water supply of the Prince Alfred battery from.the sum due by Ctrpncil on the U.P.A. account, as the accounts of the battery and the pump were by no means connected.

BEPOBTB

The reports published yesterday were read, and the reports of Board of Works and' Water Bade Committee were adopted. Cr Carpenter moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's report. Or Porter moved as an amendment-^ 11 That in the opinion of this Councjl, the concluding paragraph be struck out, and the following inserted :—• That the County's interest'in the J Domestic Water Supply be handed over to the Borough Council on due provision being made for supplying out-districts, and the Borough paying all costs up to date.'" Cr. Brown seconded the motion pro forma.; He said he did not see that the Council could gain anything by retaining the Supply. The Chairman said that the Council should not pass this amendment. It was infringing on the rights of the people, who should be first consulted on the matter. Even if the Council passed the amendment, as representative of a community uiing the water, he would oppose it in another quarter. It was all very well fo^bbuntry members whose constituents did not participate in the supply, to move such resolutions. Cr Porter thought the country constituents would have to pay for it though. Cr Thorburn said the County had been quite ignored; by the committee. • The amendment was then put and lost and the motion carried. V .: ; BETUBNS. .:.

Cr Porter mored the following notices ef motion standing in his name:—l. "For a return showing the amount of special rotes paid to County and for what riding the rotes were granted. Also a return showing the amount of rates collected in each and the amount remaining unpaid to date." 2. "To ask for a return showing the total amount of gold duty received by the County from January 1877 to December '1878, and amount spent in pumping and driving on TJ.P.A.'i shaft during same period. Also the amount received by the Council during the years 1877 and '78 out of the sums roted by Parliament to Highway districts, and amount, spent in each riding during lame period." He said that it was neces* lie should get the returns. : Carried. • ; Cr Porter then asked leare to postpone his motion re the Ohinemuri land fund till next meeting, which was agreed to.

MIUNGUKJBIKIBI BLOCK. . Cr Greenville moved the notice of motion standing in hi* name 4-" That thit Council do apply to the Hon. Mr Sheehan fot permission to appropriate £500 of surplus money voted for the Ohinemuri bridge for the purpose of making a road to the Maungakirikiri block." He said that there were many families prepared to settle at the Maungakirikiri block, and tha only, drawback was the • want of a rotd. 1 the £2000 fdted by the Native Minister, for, .the Faeroa bridge would not be: all required for the bridge, he thought that a small slice of the thouv sands their Ohinemuri friends had, might come to his riding, which had not been well treated. He and bis colleague had telegraphed to the Native Minister, ask* ing him if a portion of the rote could not be expended in that manner, and he had telegraphed back an answer, to the effect ;that ltttfight be done if the Council were willing. ? „ - J Cr Deeble seconded. He said it would be seen by the r telegram that the money was not Voted to Ohinemuri, but to the Council, „ „ ..,. ..,,.-:..>.. .;■::■ ! „ Cr Porter Wid', Kd; would oppose the, motion. H« thought the two Councillors who had telegraphed to Mr Sheehan had Mted with a want of good taste and judgment, and. was surprised they should hare taken such * step without consulting the '"TC^'9itc^tl: t >7 <fiii'|m IpTed1 pTed the Totes be ex« ' pended as granted. He asked the pro* auction of the Gorernment noU^Cr Carpenter seconded the amendment. He thought it was a wrong principle for money taken from specftl: rotes for "•:"othe#"pwposes.:' '■ "' ■" * ' ' „-., ; ! Cr Bagnall said he thought that the manner the Councillors for Kauaefanga had applied to the Natire Minister was quite out of order altogether, and a very reprehensible action. '--■ Or.' Brown said he must object to any money roted for Ohinemuri riding being j spent out of the riding; at the same time he would like to help Cr Greentille to get * Tote for Kauaeranga, but he believed the movers of the resolution made out a bad case.

Cr Greenville contended that the steps he and his colleague had taken were quite in order, and had not been done in an underhand manner. The Kauaeranga riding had never had justice. . Cr.Deeble said that he had done everything above board and thought' that both his riding and Cr Thorburn's should have something out of the vote. , On the suggestion of the Chairman the resolution was withdrawn till Monday.

PUMPIKG SECUBITIES

Cr Bagnall moved :—" That all interest required to be paid under the mortgages or other securities rested in this Council, under and by virtue of sec. 13 of the Immigration and Pnblic Works Appropria* tion Act, 1877, be paid by even quarterly payments on the first day of Jan., the first day of April, the first day of: July, and the first day of October in each year; and that the first day of July,; 1879, be, and the same is hereby appointed as the day for payment of all interest which shall have accrued, or become due, or payable under inch mortgages or other securities prior and up to such last, meutioned date, and that notice of such times haying been appointed by this Council be

given to the persous or companies liable to make such payments.'* Cr Deeble seconded. Carried. It was then decided to appoint Monday next as the day on which the Council meet the Borough re Charitable Aid, and the Council adjourned till Monday.