COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4632, 8 November 1883, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[After our report closed yesterday the following business was transacted :—]

lie the Moanatairi tramway, the Chair man stated to a deputation which interviewed the Council that the matter had b^en left in the hands of Crs Eraser, Coutts, and Bull, who had been empowered to make arrangements for the transit of quartz to the flat. The application of the Darwin G.M. Co. for .permission to erect hoppers^was granted, subject to the approval of the Engineer; and that for wafer for the boiler was referred to the Engineer to report to the Water Supply Committee as early as possible. _ • : LETTERS WEBE BEAD — ■I From C. B. Edwards and six other settlers of lower Waitoa, asking permission to make a road in lieu of paying their rates, the roal formerly in use, through a neighboring farmer's property, having been closed up by him.—Besolved that the rates have.been, and still are, available for the purpose requested. i Prom W. S. Greenville, requesting the Council to reconsider his claim for compensation for damage done to his waterwheel, Karaka Creek, by the big flood in 11382.—After considerable discussion and several motions and amendments, it was finally decided that Mr Greenville be awarded £7 10s.—Crs Coutts, Thorburn, Murdoch, and Fraser voting in favor, and Crs Deeblo, Bull, and Porter against.

From the manager of the Kuranui Hill G.M. Co., asking the Council to repair the water supply pipes t to the battery, which were leaking badly.—Referred to Engineer to report to Chairman, who was to have power to act. * Erom the legal manager of the New Eureka G.M.C6 ", Otutiui, asking for permission to construct a tramway from the mine to the battery, and also requesting the Council to assist the company from the funds at their disposal out of the vote passed for assisting,out-districts in the goldfield.—A deputation consisting of Messrs Townsend, Meddins, andVaughan interviewed the Council, re the above matter. Mr: Townsend acted- as spokesman, and stated the matter at length, saying that the tramway-was nd't expeoted to cost over £350, of which they were prepared to pay one-third. The road was at present useless, and carters refused to work on it. The quartz already taken to the ;mill had cost s them 36s per load forj sleighing alone, and as" they could not get any more down from the mine, they would soon' be obliged to suspend,.operations.— After some discussion, in which Councillors generally disapproved of a tramway, Cr : Fraser proposed, and Cr Bull seconded. That the company be requested to state in writing to the Council the starting point and terminus of 4he. proposed line'; the estimated cost of construe* tion ; the arrangements to be made with

other companies requiring it, and the proportion of the expenses they are pre-

pared to pay.'. This statement the Council would consider at a special meeting if necessary, so as to save time.—The deputation then withdrew. From J. Elliott, Puriri, requesting the Council to make passable a portion of the road from the Puriri landing to the township; about 30 chains in length.—Referred to Board of Works to report. : : Prom a number of residents in- the Kauaeranga Valley, asking the Council to granTlnem a ttew"vvire rope and a "fair proportion of the cost of re-erecting the bridge at the junction of the Kauaeranga and Hiki streams, carried; away by floods in July last, and which was necessary to ensure safe traffic.—Referred to Board of "Works to report to nest meeting. From Robert Blair, owner of a bush near Hikutaia, asking permission to protect the County bridge from damage by his logs floating down.—Granted.

From Alex. Hogg, asking assistance to form a track If miles long to connect with the site of the coal = seam near Paeroa. The,cost was estimated at £40.—Referred to the Chairman, and Crs Fraser, Coutts, and Bull.

: From the Town Clerk, stating that the Orphanage, being a public; school, was exempt from rates; the claim of £6 5s rates on Borough endowment, would t»p" paid if a receipt in full for all rates due on same be given, the balance of £10 charged as arrears being considered as illegally made.—Resolved that the matter be referred to the County Chairman and the Mayor to settle. From E. «T. Anderton, asking the Council: to consider the claims of \ natives (names mentioned) to compensation for land at Waio-Karaka used by the Council ;as a reservoir for water, and for which they had received no payment.—Resolved that the applicants be informed they have ■no claim on the Council.

. From Thos. Logan, Ohinemuri, asking for assistance in obtaining the Crown grant of two sections held by him, and also expressing a wish that the Council ■would recommend settlement under the Homestead Act in Ohinemuri district.--; Resolved that the Chairman forward the letter to: the . Minister of;-Jffinej3,i urging him to grani "the request, and also to attend 'to the* wishes of other in the same district who were in a similar position to Mr Logan.

From C. F. Mitchell, "Paeroa, in reference to his grievance against O'Neill. ■—Resolved that Mr Mitchell be given authority to sue O'Neill, provided that the Council be put to no expense. EEPOETS. The Board of Works reported that I tenders had been accepted during the t month for the extension of the Karangahake road for the sum of £116 16a. An additional culvert near Waipapa was re» commended to be done under the Hoads and Bridges Construction Act at a cost not exceeding £25, provided the residents in the district obtain Mr Dufty's permission to convey the drain across the corner of his land, Ec Mr Goonan's ap« , plication for payment of £54 claimed: The Board recommended that this matter be held in abeyance until the" Vest monthly meeting of the Council.— Adopted

The report re Mr Stone's offer of £86 towards repairing the JCauaeranga road was adopted, and it was resolved to call tenders for the work.

OTHEE BUSINESS. A telegram forwarded by the Chairman to the Minister of Mines, re the steps ! taken by the Waste Lands Board to object to the Warden selling kauri trees, was read, and also a reply stating that the Warden had been ordered to suspend all action till the matter was decided by Government.—A committee, consisting of Crs Brodie, Fraser, and Murdoch, was appointed to deal with the matter. The Chairman then pointed out to the Council the desirability of having a representative of the Thames Valley on the Waste Lands Board, pointing out how the <

district had suffered in the past through the want- of this. Two vacancies would shortly occur in the Board, and he thought the Council sfibuld not neglect this opportunity of pressing their claims on Government. —Crs Thorburn and Porter also spoke in favor of the proposal, the latter saying he had known of tracts of land being sold for sums which were not nearly the value of the kauri timber standing on them. —Eesolved that the Chairman make the necessaryrepresentations to Government.

On the motion of Cr Fraser it was -.resolved that steps be taken to introduce a bill during next session of Parliament, with a view to having conferred upon the Council powers under the Floatage of Timber Act, 1873.. . The Chairman suggested that it was advisable to appoint an Inspector under the Adulteration of Food Prevention. Act, but the matter was deferred.—The notice of motion standing in Cr Bagnall'a name was, owing to his absence, also deferred till next meeting. The Chairman and Cr Ball wereap* pointed to sign all County contracts. Some conversation took place *c Trainor's contract, the Chairman stating that he had seen Mr Hales on the matter, and that gentleman had agreed,. to . pass a voucher forwarded by the Council for the amount they considered fair.—lt was also stated that any amount voted by the Government would be sure to be deducted from votes due to the Council.—Nothing was done in the matter.

This was all the business.-