COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4578, 6 September 1883, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual meeting was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Crs.Brodie (Chairman), Bagnall, Bull, Coutfcs, Deeble, Fraser, Murdoch, add Thorburn. Paeroa residents complained of the number of wandering cattle in the township, and it was decided to point out that provision was made for punishing offenders in this direction, and to inform those complaining that the local pound would shortly be completed. In response to a communications from the Postmaster and Mrßradly, mail contractor, it was resolved that they be informed that as soon as the grants under the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act are available the repairs will be procseded with.—A request from the Borough that delegates from the County meet; a sub-committee of the Borough Council re a water supply for Irishtown was referred to the Water Supply committee.—The Tauranga mail contractor enquired when the road between Owharoa i and Mackaytown would permit of a coach travelling over it, and the not uncommon reply, that as soon as the Council is in a position to spend money under the Koads and Bridges Construction Act, was authofy ised to be sent. —A Treasury voucher was received for £271 17s 6d. progress pay-* ment on account of subsidies towards? goldfields' tracks ; gold fields revenue, £96' 5a ; £110 la 6d final payment on accout of grant for Paeroa Owharoa section of Thames-Tauranga ro»d ; and for £126 16s lid, gold duty during April, May, and June. —The application on bohalf of the Seymour mine for permission to construct a tramway was referred to the Engineer. The manager of the Beuben Parr G-M.Co. asked permission to deposit mullock on the Moanatairi tramway reserve, and it was resolved that Crs Thorburn. and Coutts and the Engineer report on the matter to a meeting to be held on the 10th ■ inst. —A letter asking that the Katanga* hake road be connected with the battery was received, and it was decided that aa goon as favorable weather permits the work would be undertaken, the cost to be defrayed out of the Government grant. —The Bank of New Zealand wrote demanding that the County overdraft should be,reduced from £6166 to £4000 before the 30th Sept. as;per agreement. After some discussion in the matter of the damage done by floating logs in the Kauaeranga B-iver, it was resolved that the Engineer be instructed to report as to the feasibility of diverting the present road, as suggested by Mr Stone, by placing it on a higher level, out of the reach of the'floods. Authority was given to carry out Some repairs on the Karaka Road.—The Engineer was instructed to report on the repairs required on the Puriri bridge, and ascertain, what assistance the settlers would give.—The Treasurer's report was read as follows :—Receipts : Gold duty and goldfield's revenue, £407 13s 9d; Government grants and subsidies, £215 Is 6d; water race, £94 18s 6d; County rates, £13 8s 3d; miscellaneous receipts, £12 Os *7d — £743 9s ; to balance, -66046 175—£6790 6s.—Expenditure: Bank balance Ist August, £5807 13s Id; July accounts paid in August, £982 12s lid—£679o 6s ; balance brought down, £6046 0s 7A. August accounts: For wages on road work 7, £331 11s 2d ; contracts, £464 9s ; water race, £12913s 8d; sundry accounts, £21 12s 6d; printing and advertising, £1114s 6d ; £53 3s 4d ; aid to drainage, £20; petty cash, £10—£1042 4s 2d— £7089 Is 2d.—Several minor matters were brought before the Council and disposed of, and the Chairman reported that he had received several complaints from Ohinemuri residents regarding work required to. be done in that district. The Chairman was authorised to communicate with the Government relating to the selection of the Eomata Block under the deferred payment system.—The special committee appointed to fix the commissions to be paid to the County Clerk and the Engineer in addition to salaries, reported that the Engineer was to be allowed 2J per cent, on the amounts of expenditure out of Government grants for roads and bridges, provided the amount so paid does not exceed £100 in one year. The sum so expended during the last six months had been £1558. Also that ,'the collector be paid for water race revenue at the rate of one per cent., and for general rates 2| per cent, on the amounts actually collected in • each month, and that no travelling expenses be allowed to this officer.— It was resolved, "That in view of the present insecure state of the water race where the Ohaene creek junctions with MeCowatt's boundary, the Engineer be requested to inspect and report upon the cost of a tunnel to be driven through the spur at that point, and also upon the cost of a sil twell and let-go at whatever point he may approve of, above the high-water trestle work at the Maungakirikiri creek."—lt was resolved, on the motion of Or Bagnall, "That the Chairman communicate with the Licensing Committee, and ascertain whether the stipulation that the licensee of an accommodation house should repair the road leading to his property has been complied with, and, if not, what steps the Committee proposed taking." Cr Porter gave the following notioe of motion—" That the payment of commission to the Engineer be not agreed to."

The Oounoil then rose.