COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3394, 7 November 1879, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

In consequence of the pressure On our spaco we are compelled to giro only the most important business at the County 1 * meeting yesterday afternoon. The Chairman precided, and all Councillors were present except Crs Brown and Bagntll, who sent apologies. A letter was received from the Public Works Qflice placing £100 at the disposal of the Council for" expenditure on "the Ohinemuri road, and £250 for the load between the Hapo and Karaka Creeks. .Received.

A letter was read from Mr C. J. Stone complaining of the unsatisfactory con* ditioa of the Kauaeranga Valley Road. The settlers of the upper valley were dependent on Mr Murdoch for permission to pass through the land.—A letter was read from the Borough giving; the conditions on - which the road would be allowed .to pas* through the Recreation Ground. * It was resolved that the balance of the vote of £300 be expended in ar ran Ring with, the property holders in tha Valley for fencing the road through their respective farm, and that the Engineer be instructed to lay - oft* the upper portion of the road. '■

A letter was rend from Mrßriicoll w the Hape Creek road contract, stating that the Council had deflated from the original contract. The writer offered tb complete the work if an extension of time was granted, and allowances made for the deviation from the original contract. He* ferred to the Engineer to .report on, . Cr Porter presented "a petition from the inhabitants of Puriri and Tairua, praying that the road works now in progress be pushed ahead. Ho moved the reception of the petition. - Carried, and referred to Board of Works. —Cr Porter presented a petition from a number of Eerilfrfiand Warafaoe residents asking that a road be laid off from the main road to the Thames River. He moved the reception of the petition, which was carried, and it was then referred to the Board of Works to report on.—Cr Greenville presented a petition from William Graham and other residents of Block 27 praying for a-water pips for domestic purposes >■ firom'the County race, lie moved that it be re* ferred to the Water llace Committee.

Cr Porter asked if the County intended* to supply water for domestic purposes, and if so would they charge anything for it. Cr Carpenter thought it would not be advisable to give tbe water uuless it was ascertained that they would not clash with the Borough Water. Supply. He moved as an amendment that the matter Ira referred to the Water Bace Committee, and it be an instruction that they see the Borough Council; and arrange the qneation of supply.—Cr Porter seconded the amendment. He thought if they carried the resolution they would break an .agreement made by the Chairman at Wellington. He thought besides the petitioners should bear .all the expense. He could very easily bring-in a bill for a young Water Supply for Paeroa. The resolution was carried on the casting vote of the Chairman.

Cr Greenville presented a petition from Mr Moore and others making a tiaular application, and offering to pay a turn proportionate to that charged by the Domestic Supply. Eeferred to the Water Race Committee.

The Engineer reported that the heir water race pipes had arrived, and were being laid. He also reported oa the state of the race, and several minor matters in connection therewith. . The report of the Charitable Aid Com* mittittee was read as follows :— Your Committee have tke honor to report as follows:—As the Government have wti* mited their intention to introduce thineiiion of Parliament a measure to deal with the important question of charitable aid, your Committee therefore abstain from submitting any opinioD, but suggest the arrangements at present existing for affording assistance to the lick and indigent sbould be continued until the issue ef the proposed legislation it ascertained. In the meantime it may be dourablo to watch the Parliamentary proceed* inga bearing on the subject, avid, if necessary, cowumunicata with the district represent*' tires. Your Commit! ea hare instituted particular, enquiries respecting the County patients in the Hospital, and the mantes of the Old Men's .Refuge, an institution under the control of the Hospital Committee. There are at present in tha Hospital—-— patients chargeable on the County fund* «nd two aged men in the Reufge* one of whom - had been resident in the Ohinemuri for the last two years, and nine years previously in the Borough, and the other for many yean associated with the natives at ' Bereipai. Both expressed themselves grateful for the excellent home afforded them in the Refuge, i The eleven indigent persons chargeable to^ the Couuty during the past month received 23 rations from the Borough at a cost of 7s per diem. The County inmates of the Orphanage are Alfred Dare ami Edward and Oliver Holmes, who were removed from the Auckland Holmes under authority from the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, any others chargeable being drafted into eerrice or taken charge of by friends. ; •

The report of the Committee re the Hastings affair was as follows:—

The committee, have the honour to report that on the 16th ultimo it held an enquiry at Hastings, as instituted by the Council. ItJt of opinion that there was a just, if not itnmo* diate cause for complaint, and a fear of nisi* administration of money voted for expenditure in the district. It is evident, and the members of the committed convinced themselves by par* sonal inspection, that works have been carried out in the past in that district in an exceedingly unsatisfactory manner, contracts having been pnsaed and paid for, where the specifications have been practically ignored. Aa assurance given by the committee that such and similar practices would not occur again, was received with satisfaction. The charges made against Carron, as foreman, were not sustained by corroborative evidence. He appear* to have exercised an efficient supervision ovej can* tract or<>, and men working on wages, but-evi-dently hold a different idea as to the noture of his duties to that entertained by the Council. Suggestions of a pertinent character wen made by witneises, and are included in tdff

following recommendation?, which tho committee submit for tho consideration of the Council. 1. Thufc \iß coon us funds nro aTailable for ttc purpopo of making a tiv.ct to connect Hastings with Sum Tow :, Mercury Buy, and Tairua, a reward of any £10 be paid to any person who sliuU blnzo tho best route. 2. Thnt U;o ron'l from Turaru to Waikawf.u bo let by tender in four sections, to persona willing io keep the pnrt of the road in e*cb ecction its repnir for a Oxed period. 8. That tbo determination of the Council that nil contracts bo carrisd out strictly in accordance with the conditions, nv,d spociGYftlfaua bo adhered to, and that no work included in any contract be passed excepting by tho County Engineer. 4. Tint foremen on roads l.avo their duties clearly defined to them in writing when engaged. 5. rJ liat no «l»ini for unauthorised expenditure by private persons, cvtn for County purposes, bo subsequently recognised by the County.—Wm. Cabpekxeb, Chairman.