AKITIO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 11 March 1913, Page 7

AKITIO COUNTY COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The Akitio County Council met last Saturday at the Council Chambers, Pongaroa, whore there were present the County Chairma.ll (Councillor I?. Robertson (Rakanui), Councillors Ellinghain and Ferrick (Waihi Riding), Crs. Burling and Dickins (Pongaroa Riding), Cr. J. W. Murray (Mataikona), and Cr. P. V. Smith (Akitio). The following correspondence was considered : From tho Under-Secretary Public Works Department, stating that the District Engineer, as desired, would visit the Waiowaka Road (the major portion of which' has been declared a county road) and report thereon. The Chairman stated that two bridges were required. From same, relative to the Waiokura Grant. The Clerk had informed cision to clear the slips ou of tho general fund moneys, and the Department replied that the statement "that the Council wa.s being forced into the position, of having to clear slips after the work had been carried 1 out ac cording to specification" was incorrect. However, the Council did 'tot agree to the .Department's opinion, the Chairman stating that the Publie Works Inspector had ample opportunity' of vi-s-itins.' the iroad before the dins occurred, although lie reported otherwise, a? tin work was earned out bv contract and the contractors maintained the road for a month. ,Tas. Martin, contractor for contract 174 ('metalliii!/) and 187— (protection work at Akitio) —asked to be allowed to do short carting, which request was not granted. The contractor stated that timber had been ordered and tho wo>'k would tfart at once. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by (Ynncillor Diekins. ft was* resolved to give the contractor three months notice to terminate his work, ■otherwise penalties are to be inflicted. A t.dei/rnin received from the oistrict Engineer -stated that plans could bo inspected, fin connection with various bridges proposed to be erectvd) a: his office, and that he wns not prepared to sunply estimates -and Quantities, even if reimbursed bv th<?> C ouncil.—Cr Ellingha.m stated that lie had interviewed the Premier and the Hon. The Minister for Public Works, with the result that the Council's request to lie supplied with quantities. etc., would in future be conceded. A letter was received from the late County Engineer, Mr A. Court (ipie. who had reported to the .Council that he had purchased a. complete Aerial Plant for £l2O. f.o.b. It, turns out that about double that amount will be ne?ded to complete, the plant Mr Opie was supposed to have purchased. The Council greatly regretted the position, and the was reom-ed.

Tho District Engineer advised by telegram that the balance of smut monies would be paid almost im mediately and that the balance of bridge plans may be expected any day. The Superintendent, N.Z. StateGuaranteed Advances Office, returned seven cancelled debentures, bearing interest at 3J per cent. These are replaced by the debentures tor £7,000 recently received bv the Department from the Council with interest at 3 7-8 per cent. Mr Jas. Wright intimated to llie Council that be wanted 3d per cubic yard royalty for right to take metal "from Civek to Pongaroa-Masterton .Road. —Not accepted. The Palmerston North Chamber o! Commerce forwarded a lengthy circular in connection with the Sancton tram line. The letter runs,-r"Tt is hardly necessary to jwint out that if the. Levin-Marton line eventuates it will be used as part of the Main Trunk line, Auckland to Wellington, and would therefore most adversely aP'-ct the welfare and prospects of Palmerston North and Feilding." The Cornell did not take the matter seriously, and wonderfd in what manner the subject affected them.—The communication was received.

Mr N. Speedy's application for rabbit proof gate at Waiotiaki was referred for further consideration and report. The ranger reported having col-let-ted £2O in dog tux. A petition signed' by nine ratepayers re metalling of the Waikereru road: was held over for consideration. —The clfrk reported that 110 tenders had been received for metalling this I'Oa.d bv either burnt papa, or hard rock. Mr G. W. West waited on the Council and agreed to accept.£so as compensation for the loss of two top joints on fingers on left hand'. The county overseer will report re Greep .Fill Quarry Pongaioa - Waione road. The Council resolved that all gates on the Pongaroa-Akitio Road be abolished when the bridges are erected (about 18 months hence). The expenditure of £l5O loan money for metalling Makuri-Pongaroa road was left to the county overseer, Wages and accounts amounting to £1234 14s 8d ,were passed for payment —general, £BOI 7s 2d; loan, £433 7s Od. Tlici l>aiance-sheefc showed Akitio ('Ounty Fund, dr. £899 8s 10d;. loan, 101 edit £62 GO 4s 5d ; £BOO loan or. £3OO 1-ls 7d ; interests accounts £4GO Is Id credit. Wages allocations totalled, Akitio County Fund, £268 lis Id; loan, £B2 12s 9d ; grand total, £351-3s lOd,