COUNTY COUNCIL.
[We 'conclude our report of the proceedings at the usual meeting yesterday afternoon: —]
On the motion of Cr Bagnall, standing orders were suspended for the purpose of receiving deputations.
The first introduced consisted of Messrs Murdoch, Kilgour and Stone, from the Kauaeranga Valley, who waited on the Council regarding the laying out of the road and the construction of it as far as possible. Messrs Murdoch, Kilgour and Stone strongly urged the claims of the district. The Council decided to postpone consideration, LUCKY HIT. Messrs Richard Feeney and other miners of the Upper Karaka, then waited on the Council offering to make the road from the head of the Karaka tramway to the Lucky Hit—about 20 chains for half wages. The chairman asked the deputation if they would make over lialf the road would they make the other. This the deputation agreed to, the council subsequently determining to have the work carried out from the first goldfields' vote. MEBGING- PABAWAI. The following discussion took place after the reading of Miller's letter :— Cr Carpenter moved that Mr Miller be informed that the Council wish to retain his services in the event of the Commission of Enquiry. The Chairman read the resolutions passed some time ago to the effect that the Parawai petitioners' be assisted to procure the merging of Parawai into the Borough, and from the date of passing that no more money be spent on Parawai by the County. Cr Carpenter said that these resolutions he had, regarded as a joke, and pointed out the loss of importance the County would sustain by losing the area and population of Parawai. Perhaps Cr Porter had had an ulterior object in-view in passing these resolutions, hoping even tually to have a County of Ohinemuri. Cr Bagnall seconded, pointing out that the merging of Parawai with the Borough would give the Borough a say in the control of the Water Eace, and would also cause a considerable dimunition of their revenue. Cr Brown moved that Mr Miller be informed that his services will not be required. Cr Greenville would vote for the motion. He objected to the dismembering of the County, Cr Porter seconded the amendment. With reference toCr Carpenter's remarks concerning him having an ulterior object in view, he might state that they all knew he had always believed in having only one local body for the goldfield, and one for the out-district. He had been thrashed three times in the Council on the motion, and he had the same opinion still. He thought that the merging of Parawai into the Borough would be a •step in the right direction. Cr Greenville supported the motion and argued that Mr Miller's action in writing the letter was inconsistent with his relation, as solicitor, to the Council. When the finance report was read he would move that Mr Miller's retaining fee be struck off. Cr Thorburn said he was thoroughly in earnest when he voted for the resolutions at the meeting before last, and he was thoroughly, in earnest now. They had had quite enough of the petitions and counter petitions re Parawai. At this point Cr Brown raised the question of the legitimacy of Cr Carpenter's motion, pointing out that it was equivalent to a rescinding of a motion already passed by the Council. This could not be done without notice. j Cr Deeble said the majority of Parawai now wisned to remain in the County. The Chairman ruled that Cr Brown's objection was. good, and after some unimportant discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr' Bagnall, that Mr Miller be informed that the Council does not intend to take any further steps in the matter. % TOTAHA. Cr Bagnall applied that the Hauraki road, Totara riding, be improved, it being impassable during winter. It appeared that £10 had already been voted, but the amount was too small to be expended with advantage, so nothing had been done. The matter was referred to the Board of Woiks to report,on. REPORT ,OF BOARD OF WOBKS. The report of the Board of Works was read as follows :—" Your Board have j the honour to report the following recommendations re Dunlop's contracts:—l. That the surveyor be instructed to estimate the value of the work done on this contract, and that Thomas Dunlop and party be paid after the rate of 75 per cent, of such valuation, and the deposit money returned to them. 2. That John Bead be authorised to proceed with the work asked for on the sawmill road at Eeri Keri on the terms specified in his application. 3. That John Benney be paid the sum of £6 to repair the damage done to his flume. 4. That the sum of £30 be paid to Mr E. W. Puckey in consideration of the services he has rendered to the Council in the matter of roads through native landt. 5. That the County solicitor be instructed to proceed against Win. Everett, of Te Aroha, to recover the ferry punt, illegally detained by him. 6. That the Surveyor be authorised to call for tenders to complete Dunlop's contract on the Tapu Creek road. 7. That the Committee's report upon Cr Greenville's resolution re payment of contractor's wages men is that " The Contractor's Debt Act" affords the necessary protection to wages men. 8. That the road mentioned in the petition presented by Cr. Coutts is provided for in the schedule for goldfields roads and tracks.-—Alexander Bbodib, Chairman." ' WA.TEB BACK BEPOBT. " Your Committee have the honour to make the following recommendation: That the surveyor be instructed to complete the
necessary survey and plans, and so adjust his arrangements that the Hihi creek will be introduced into the race on or before the commencement of the next year's dry season. —Alexander Bbodib, Chairman. The adoption of the report was moved. Cr Greenville moved, and Cr Brown seconded, that the report be adopted with the exception of clause one. The adoption of the report in its entirety was carried. Gr Greenville moved that, seeing the Council had made a concession in one i case, that Messrs P. K. Donnelly and ! party's request to refund certain contract j moneys to them be granted. He said • that they should treat all alike. i No one seconding, the motion fell to ! the ground. i \ FLOATING TIMBEE IN THE BACE. ''• Cr Porter moved that an enquiry be ■ held concerning the alleged floating of timber down the water race. Cr Greenville explained that he was partially to blame, having given the man permission The Chairman said it was a piece of presumption on the part of any Councillor to take Jupon himself to give such permission. The motion waa carried. MR W. BO WE. Mr W. Rowe waited on the Council, and asked that the £75 detained some time ago in connection with the purchasing of the Caledonian be refunded. It was decided to consider Mr Rowe's request at the first meeting of the Fiuance Committee. SLAUGHTER HOUSE. A license for a slaughter house was issued to Mr E. J. Thorpe, of Ohinemuri. VALUER AND COLLECTOR. Mr J. Smith was re-appointed, Valuer and Collector for the ensuiDg 12 months. WAIHOU BBID&E. Cr Porter moved that the Engineer be requested to visit the Aroha and lay off a site in the best locality near the point indicated iv the Borough's letter and that application be made to the Government for a vote, for the purpose. It was resolved to* comply with the request and likewise to ask the Borough what they would contribute. OVERDRAFT. C/ Bagnall moved •' That the Finance Committe be empowered to obtain from the bank an advance of £5000 for the purpose of carrying out works other than those, about to be performed, and that a committee of the whole Council decide what works shall be carried out." Seconded by Cr Carpenter and agreed to. HARBOR BOARD. The Harbor Board forwarded an account for £30 3s 3d, rent on the foreshore allotment occupied by the Imperial Crown battery. Referred to the Finance Committee. MOTIVE POWER. Cr Brown spoke on what he considered an underchange to the Queen of Beauty, and urged the advisability of measuring the water once a month, to see what each consumer really took. He Showed that each sluice head was 10 horse power. MR MILLER. After the reading of tha financial statement, Or Greenville moved the striking out of Mr Miller's retainer, £5 ss. It failed to find a seconder and fell through. THE GOVERNMENT VOTES. The Warden wrote stating that they had approved of a grant of £300 towards the cost of making and improving the Thames-CoVoinand' lroad in the County of Thames. Cr Carpenter said that some of the statements made at a former meeting of the Council about the action of the Warden in reference to bis nou recommendation of certain votes for roads and tracks on goldfields. It would be a graceful act if these assertions were retracted. He trusted members would give credit where credit was due. The Chairman said that the time for discussing that matter would be when the copies of the recommendations of the Goldfields Department were before Parliament.
This concluded the business
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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3830, 7 April 1881, Page 2
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1,535COUNTY COUNCIL. Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3830, 7 April 1881, Page 2
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