COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4045, 15 December 1881, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following is the balance of the report of the meeting of the above Council:— LETTERS. Letters were received from Mr W. S. Greenville applying for temporary per* mission to use the water from the County race for his berdacs and tables, his own aqueduct having been injured by the flood ; also directing attention to the fact that the drainage from the new road was pouring into his mine.—The Chairman said the water had been granted on the usual terms, and the other matter had already received attention.—From the shareholders in the Diamond claim and Welcome tributers complaining of the delay ensuing with regard to the repair of the Welcome tramway at Waitskauri, and requesting the Council to take some steps. A copy of this letter was despatched to Mr Brown, who had entered into a legal agreement to complete the repairs.—Prom Mr J. M. Coote, requesting the Council to lay off the line of road from the Junction to the County road, near Wick's property, the property holders being prepared to do the necessary fencing immediately. The surveyor was! instructed to lay off the line of road in accordance with the application.—From MtWm. Macduff, complaining that his house had been undermined by the recent freshets, and as the work he had done for its protection had improved the foundation of the new bridge on Cemetery Boad, he asked that he be allowed half wages for the time he had been employed in securing it—viz., two weeks' pay. Referred to the Engineer to report upon.—From Mr-Wm. Hearn, complaining that the road from' Tapu to Mercury Bay was not being carried out according to specifications, and asked that an investigation be made, or that his expenses in tendering be refunded. Keferred to the Engineer.— From a number of settlers in the Puru, enclosiug a petition to the Waste Lands Board praying that the land lying between Tapu Creek and the Puru should be opened under the Homestead Act, and asking the Council to use their influence in obtaining the desired result. Cr Fraser said it was necessary that the land should be thrown open. He would more that the petition be forwarded to the Board, with a strong recommendation to comply with the wishes of the petitioners. A Cr asked if the freehold of the land had been obtained by the Government, and received a reply in the affirmative. Motion carried.—From Mr T. Horsbrugh, manager of the Smile of Fortune mine at Owharoa, asking for the use of the waterpipes now on hand belonging to the Council. It was agreed! to grant the application, if any pipes remained in stock after complying with prior grants. —From the Health Officer, reporting in connection with, Mrs Papa's complaint,

that he had visited the family, and found that the three children who had suffered from scarlet fever were low convalescent, but a fourth was showing symptoms which might possibly lead to the disease, under these circumstances, he considered the time which bad elapsed too short for him to guarantee that the quarantine should be removed from the house.—From Messrs Crosbie and Crisp, and a number of other settlers in the Waikawau block, complaining that the contractor for the road leading to their farms had not per* formed his work in accordance with the specifications, and suggesting that a committee of inquiry be appointed; The mutter was referred to the County Surveyor, with instructions to report upon it at next meeting of the .Gouncil.-!-—From Mr Hume, secretary of the Parawai Highway Board requesting that a committee be formed to consult wita his Board on matters relating to local rates. The Chairman said that in company with Cr Murdoch, he had attended the conference,.and he found the Board were willing to strike a rate and collect it, contributing therefrom a portion to the CouDty funds. Improvements were needed in the approaches to the new racecourse, beyond the liob Boy Hotel. The footpath being narrow, it was not improbable that accidents would arise, from careless. Jehus. On the motion of Cr Murdoch, seconded by Cr Fraser, it was decided to authorise the Engineer to proceed with the widening of the footpath. —From Mr James Say, applying for a license to slaughter at Punri, and com* plaining that £5 was totrmuch. The Council decided, to comply -with the request, and finding they had,powert to reduce the amount, decided to grant^he license at the lowest possible price,— From Mr G. T. Wilkinson on behalf of certain natives at Waiomo, protesting against the passage of the main road across one of their burial places. fiesol* ved to forward the letter to the Native Minister, with a request that the prayer should be considered.—From Mr T. Fogarty requesting the Council to extend the Earaka road as far as the Spring Hill claim, as he was anxious to get his quartz to the mill before Christmas,. . This matter had already been dealt with.— From Mr William .Newman complaining of the defective state of the culverts under his premises on the'Cpunty boun* dary, which had been promised attention on a number of previous occasions, and threatening legal proceedings againsMhe joint Councils unless some steps were taken. Referred to the/joint Works Committees of the Borough and County Councils.—From Mr Carpenter, enclosing a statement of the iron sold, by aim for the County. Cr Fraser did not approve of allowing large amounts to' be putstanding, and thought the money, should be paid in at once. Refefredto Finance Committee. . .

, FINANCE. The report of the Finance; Committee, showed that the overdraft at the btginmnft of November month had beefr£l9p7,' and the accounts now passed would increased it to £7,117. The Treasurer informed the Council that "since.'line, balance sheet had been made a aiini.of ££600 had. been received, which reduce the overdraft to about £50C3.—The report was revived and adopted. . ",'£',,„. . - ELECTION BXPMWBg.', ; ' The following accounts in,coMeiftion with the recent election was Jjisjed for payment: —D. £. Gellioß, .Returning Officer, £15; expenses/ (specified) of various booths, £60 3s* 9d ; Advertiser, £31 Is 9d; Stab, £17 6s 3d. Cr Bagnall said he would Wish the reporters to take a note of the amount thee:; elections cost, 123 11s 9d, and expressed an opinion that if the county elections took place annually it would be better.as each year £130 or £140 would be distribo* led amongst the public.' ' . COMMITTEES. The following are the committees ;for the ensuing year:—Water Bace: Crs Brodie, Bagnall, Coutts, Thorburn, Bull, and Murdoch. Finance: -Crs Brodie, Bull, Murdoch, and Fraser. Charitable 'Aid: Crs Brodie, Porter, Deeble, Bagnall, and Murdoch. Works: Crs Brodie, Bagnail, Thorburn, Deeble, Porter,' and Mufdoch. CHEQUES. Crs Deebie and Thorburn were appointed to sign cheques. block 27. Cr Deeble moved the following resolution :—" That, inasmuch as the" Borough Council has refused to supply the residents of Block 27 with water,.the Council undertake to lay sub-mains .from the main race, and charge the same-wjrter rate ait ii levied by the Borough Council." He characterised the proposed" undertaking." as a most necessary one, and as it had only been estimated to cost, £60 or £70, he considered the matter should ba attended to. After discussion) ttieWtion was carried. '""V. BETBENCHXBNT. Cr Bull's resolution (fast a vOOmmittee be formed to enquire, into the state of the County.finances was carried, after discus. sion. , .■"••■' ' "■'■■',• i CHANGE OK>B£ (UfDABX litNS. -$j V/ , ' Cr Bagnall thought' it advisable .thai the boundary line between the Hastings,; and Totara Eidings should^N altered/foe., the sake of convenience, at the'point where the Tairna-iii»>wniii tulf present ■- line. ~ At. the present time it was thence , carried from the head of the Kauaeranga stream to the East Coast,by a direct line. He proposed to go to the first branch of the Tairua stream, and follow the latter all the way to its mouth, forming a natural boundary instead of an artificial one. He moved that the Clerk be authorised to * call a special meeting for that purpose on the 11th day of January, 1882.—Agreed to. . -->_<-. THE CEMETEET. " 7 Cr Murdoch moved, and Cr Bagnall seconded, that steps be taken to improve the road leading to the cemetery, and that the Borough be called. upon to contribute towards the cost.—Carried.