COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4631, 7 November 1883, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting was held in the Chambers, Mary street, this afternoon. Present — Crs Brodie (in the chair), Eraser, Murdoch, Porter, Bull, Thorburn, Coutts, Deeble, and Bagnall.

The minutes were read and confined and a precis of the outward correspondence since last meeting read over. Treasury vouchers for £504 Is and £146 10s 9d, goldfield's revenue, for September were received. lETTEKS WEEE READ — From D. O'Sullivan, manager of the Darwin G.M.Co., asking permission to erect hoppers near the Waiotahi road, and also to use water for the boiler from the tank near the school. From Mr. T. Eadford, manager of the Alburnia, asking the Council to repair the Moanatairi Creek tramway without delay. He stated that since 1879 the Alburnia Company and tributers had enriched the Council's coffers by £2000, and considered it hard that they should not be able to get their quartz down to the flat.—W. A. Sawyer, a tributer, also wrote in the same strain, further stating that the men were in debt to the extent of £15 each in consequence ofthe stoppage.—The legal manager of the Alburnia also wrote on the same subject.—A proposal from Messrs Bestic andlnglis to work the tramway according to conditions forwarded was also received. FINANCE COMMITT E. The financial report was read, and showed the receipts during the month of October to have been :—Goldfields' revenue, £650 11s 9d: water race, £277 10s 6d ; County rates, £48 10s 3d ; total, £976 12s 6d. The expenditure for the same period (accounts presented at this meeting) would be £896 6s Bd, leaving the bank overdraft at £3651 5s Bd. subveyoe's bepokt. I have the honor to report that the severe weather during the past month has necessitated the employment of more men than usual, to keep various roads open for traffic. The specifications have been made out, and tenders called for two sections of the Ohinemuri main road, for re-formation and metalling. The necessary measurements are now being made and specifications.prepared for reforming and metalling large portions of the main roads in the Ohinemuri "Riding. Tenders hove been invited and accepted for the continuation of the Karangahake road, from Noble's to the battery site. The Kauaeranga Valley road, in the neighborhood of the booms, is almost impassable, and steps should at once be taken to raise and re-form this portion of the road. A great necessity exists for rendering passable the branch road from the Ohinemuri main road to the bank of the Waihou river, near the mouth of the Hikutaia creek, where a large number of settlers are engaged in reclaiming extensive area of swamp land. On the hill track to Waitekauri there is still considerable traffic, and it is in many places dangerous for pack* horses. An expenditure of £30 would improve and make safe for traffic the worst portions. The punt rope at the Eangiora ferry has been rendered useless having been out by the men aboard of the cutter Otahuhu. It appears that the ropo was caught by the cutter, and instead of the parties on board attempting to clear it without damaging the rope, they deliberately cut it with an axe. —Alex. Aitken, County Surveyor.

Eeport of the water race Committee in the matter of the Kuranui Hill G.M. Co, recommending as follows:--" That the Kuranui Hill. Company be informed, as the present charge for water was made under special arrangements with the Company, the Committee cannot recom mend any redaction in the accounts rendered to date, but suggest existing arrangements should be cancelled, and the water charged for in conformity with the new By-law. Ec C. J. Stone's offer of £86 towards Eepairs of Kauaeranga Koad,—Sub-Com~ mittee's Beport thereon ;—" Your Committee recommend Mr J. C. Stone's offer of £86 be accepted in aid of repairs required on the Kauaeranga road, in the vicinity of the booms, the Council con tributing an equal sum,- provided Mr Stone will order protecting piles to be driven along the line of road to prevent further injury by the logs."