COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4962, 4 December 1884, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

At the monthly meeting yesterday afternoon the following business was transacted.:—

COEEESPONDBNCE

The Ohinemuri Vigilance Committee again requested that a committee be appointed to enquire into the manner in which road contracts there were carried out.—The matter was discussed, Cr Moore saying he had been spoken to on the subject, but did not intend to take any steps re past contracts, though he would see that those in the future were properly carried out. —The matter then dropped.

A letter from A. Butler, asking for allowance for a chain of road on his Mackaytown-Owharoa contract, not shown in the specification, was referred to the Board of Works.

P. Trainor again asked that the sum deducted from his Kauaeranga Valley contract be refunded.—A motion by Cr Greenville that the Works Committee enquire into the matter was lost, only Crs Coutts and Murdoch according the mover support.

A request from W. Howe, for re-con-sideration of his claim for £75, amount of deposit forfeited in connection with the sale of Big Pump securities some years ago, was not entertained, a' motion by Cr Greenville and the Chairman, that the amouut be refunded, less expenses in consequence of Mr Howe's neglect, being negatived.

Consent was given, on the Engineer's recommendation, to the granting to W. Brown, of a residence site which slightly encroaches on the Tapu road.

A letter from Wm. Creighton, again referring to the necessity for dedicating a road to his property near the Kauaeranga river, was orderd to be at once forwarded to the Chief Surveyor.

Samuel McCormick wrofe offering se* curities for the completion of his Ohinemuri main road contract, the legality of which was challenged on accouut of his being a minor.—After reading the solicitor's advice, and discussing the matter, it was decided to return the deposits, and offer the contract to the next tenderer.

J. G. Balph and party asked for a grant of £20 to repair the old Welcome road, so that they could remove Wick's ninestamper battery to another position near the Young New Zealand and Perseverance claims, Waitekauri.—Cr Moore proposed and Cr MeCombio seconded a reso lution that the amount be granted, both Crs giving it as their opinion that the erection of the mill where intended would open up a large extent of new ground.— Crs Coutts and Pitkethley also supported the resolution, which was carried.

Mr A. Aitken, County Engineer, wrote that he intended to resign his office on January 31st. —The letter was referred to the Beard of Works to report. The manager of the Bank ot New Zealand assented to the increase of the overdraft by £1500, provided that arrangements were made by the end of the year for the extinction of the whole overdraft, which will then amount to £6192, without interest. OTHEE MATTERS. Cr Greenville was appointed membGr of the Harbour Board, vice G. W. Bull.

Committees were appointed as follows for the ensuing 12 months : —Finance ; Ops Townsend. Steednian, Greenville, Moore, Murdoch, and Brodie. Board of Works: Crs McCotnbie. Townsend, Steedman, Murdoch, Pitkethloy, and Brodie. Water Eaco: Or MeCombio, Pitkethley, Steedrnan.and Brodie. Chari table Aid: Crs Coutts, Townsend, Greenville, Moore, Steedman, and Brodie.

Cr Greenville moved:—"That the Board of Works tuke immediate steps under the Roads and Bridges Construe tion Act for fhe, formation and improYe:m,ent of the Cemetery road," He said the public had shown their willingness to. help by contributing £106, which would be handed over to the loe.al body undertaking the work J. the total amount required for expenditure was about £600.— Or Murdoch seconded.—Cr fownsend thought it would be better to get a cemetery in a more suitable place—say Totara Poiufc —than to spend money ou the presont road, but it was pointed out that the amount already raised be spent 911 the existing ?oas.—• In answer to a, qu.es|ipn the Chairman 1 said the Board' of yFbVks 'would'recommend, the. extent of the district to, be ejected by the rate.— iiaoti'on was then pat and carried. Cr Greenville also moved—" That in addition to the application marie to Government for subsidies on account of

goldn'elds roads and tracks, the Couucil shall recommend the widening of the road from the bridge across the ffape Creek to the mines at Otunui." He spoke in support of the proposal, urging that the road would open up a gold bearing and timbered country.—Cr Pitkethley seconded. —On the motion of Crs Steedman and McCombie, the words " and also the forming and metalling of the T'apu Creek road," were added to the resolution, which was carried.

On the motion of Crs McCombie and Moore, it was resolved-—" That the Sur> veyor be instructed to call for tenders for the metalling of the road through the Rotokohu Gorge." The Engineer was also instructed to prepare plans and call for tenders, as soon as possible, for the erection of a bridge across the creek at Mackaytown ; and to prepare plans for the bridge across Ohinemuri river at Karangahake.

Cr Murdoch moved, Cr Greenville seconded, and it was carried—" That tenders be called at the earliest opportunity for the expenditure of £160 upon the Tapu Creek road, in accordance with the Government Engineer's recommendation "

On the motion of Crs Murdoch and Greenville, it was resolved that the £100 authorised for the formation of a prospecting track up the Maungakirikiri creek, Otunui, be spent as soon as possible.

Crs Townsend and Greenville were authorised ("o sign cheques on the Council's behalf, and the meeting adjourned.