COUNTY COUNSIL.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3622, 5 August 1880, Page 2

COUNTY COUNSIL.

The monthly meeting of the above Council was held yesterday afternoonCouncillors Brodie (Chairman), Coutts. Bagnall, Thorburn, Carpenter, Porter, Greenville and Deeble. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. CHABITABLE AID. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, asking for a return of money expended by the Council in charitable aid during the year ended 31st March 1880. The clerk was ordered to make out the statement. NATIVE LABOB. A letter was read from the Public Works Department in reply to a request, that a sum of money should be set apart for employing natives on roads in native districts, that there was no vote out of which funds could be furnished.—Letter received. FBNCE. A letter was read from Hiruoa te Moananui, asking that the fence promised by the late Native Minister be erected alongside the road near Takerei's place. The matter was referred, to the Works Committee. , FIBE BRIGADE. A letter was read from the Shortland Fire Brigade soliciting a donation towards the funds. Cr Carpenter said he thought the Fire Brigade should receive some assistance. He moved " that the letter be referred to the Finance Committee to report." Carried. BOAD TO OHINEMUBI.

Mr J. M. Robsonvfrote that it was his intention to fence'off half a chain of road at the junction if the council would lay it off for him he would be willing to do the fencing at his own expense.—The matter was referred to the engineer to report, on the motion of Cr Carpenter.

A letter was read from the directors of the Moanatairi Company notifying that the Big Pump would cease operations in three months time. They requested the Council to take such action as would pro* tect their interests.—Keceived.

The Finance Committee's report showed that a sum of £1003 5s 4d had been spent in salaries, works, etc., during the month.

A letter was received stating that £103, gold duty for May and June, had been paid in to the credit of the Council.

The directors of the Alburnia Gold Mining Company wrote complaining of the insufficiency of the water supply. Messrs G. W. Bull and JR. Perry of the Karaka also complained that the water was frequently cut off without notice from their batteries.

Both matters were referred to the Water Race Committee.

Mr J. R. Perry drew attention to the bad state of the Karaka road. —Referred to the Engineer. , . : Messrs Chaltoc, Moore and others petitioned the Council to open a road in their district (on the west bank of the Thames.) They offered to contribute £25 towards the work.

The petitition was referred to the Engineer to report at next meeting on the motion of Cr Porter seconded by Cr Brown.

Messrs Barrow, Bead and Co., of the Thames River sawmill (Kirikiri), wrote asking that the road from Kirikiri to their mill might receive attention. Referred to the Engineer.

The Council could not recognise Mr H. Gash's claim for work done in connection with the Karaka-Hape contract. A letter was read from Mr o'Halloran which stated that a new punt had been constructed for the Waihou crossing at the Hot Springs, and he invited the Council to be present at the formal opening on the 7th inst.

It was decided to thank Mr O'Halloran for the invitation, and Cr Sorter was nominated to represent the Council. Th<? Committee reported that they saw no reason to alter the present salaries of officers.

Report adopted.' Mr F. McLiver wrote in regard to the main road in his district (Tairua). 'The Council ordered a reply to be sent to the writer intimating that the necessary steps were being taken in reference to the matter. HANBABD PAPEBS. Cr Porter moved that copies of Hansard from 1866 to 1880 be obtained. Cr Porter after some discussion withdrew his motion. ■ ■''■-.:..' AfrAITOi. BATES. Cr Porter moved and Cr Carpenter seconded, "That all rates received from

the inhabitants of the Waitoa highway district be refunded to them on the same conditions as those granted to Parawai. • A good deal of discussion followed, and it was ultimately decided to defer the matter until a special meeting had been held. THE BIG PUMP. A notice of motion ." That 75 per cent, of gold duty, obtained from the subscribing mines to the Big Pump, be refunded for drainage purposes," was deferred until steps were taken to legalise payments by the Council. WATER BACE. - The third interim report of the committee was read. The only recommendation the committee made was that - the application of the Golden Crown Committee for water for motive power should be favourably considered.—After some discussion, in which Cr Greenville said those who had applied first should receive the priority, the report was adopted, and the application referred to granted on conditions to be agreed upon. The Engineer's report was read. Cr Deeble moved, and it was carried, to call for tenders for forming a track round Eocky Point, near Brokenshire's claim in the Hastings Eiding. The consideration of constructing a dray road in the Eauaeranga Valley was deferred until after the special meeting to be held shortly.