HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 141, 14 April 1892, Page 6

HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of ihe Hobson County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Ara - tapu, on Wednesday. Present, Crs. A. E. Harding (chairman), T. Bassett, F. J. Dargaville, H. Berridge, B ynes, and Oobbald. The minutes of a Special and also last ordinary meeting were read.

It was resolved that the verbal alterations made by the Colonial Secretary in By-law No. 4 be approved.

It was decided that the By-laws when completed be printed in one book and be open for sale to the public at one shilling per copy. Mr Simpkin of Arapohue appeared before the Council as a deputation from the settlers at the back of Mr Dreadon’sand urged the Council to do something to give them an outlet. if the Council would make some offer they would endeavour to fall in with it, but they had already contributed £SO in cash and could do no more in that way. They would be prepared to do one third of the estimated work necessary if the Council would complete the road, and they would prefer that their third of the work 'should begin at Hamlyn’s and as soon as possible for work at present on their lands was slack. After some discussion it was resolved on the motion of the Chairman that provided the settlers do one third of the work required the Council undertakes to complete it before 30th November next. Cr Baynes moved that the Clerk write to Messrs Douglas Bros, informing them that the wharfage dues on p.s Osprey for the three remaining quarters of the year must be paid on or before the 30th inst, otherwise the regular fees will he collected —Carried.

The Clerk reported that. Capt:-.in Waters had decided not to pay the amount demanded by the Council for wharfage dues on s s Tangihua for present year, but had agreed to pay Is every time he touched at a County wharf. Mr Bazzell had not replied to the Council’s demand for the payment of a fixed sum per week to defray the cost of his son’s treatment in the Hospital, and it was resolved that the Clerk write to the North Auckland Charitable Aid Board submitting a report of Mr Bazzell’s case to them.

The Clerk reported that the wharfage dues on the barque Bebecca, amounting' to £2 11s lid had been paid by Mr Matthews and the timber removed from the wharf. Beselved that the Clerk write to the Colonial Secretary requesting him to have the vesting of the Dargaville and Mangawhare wharves in the Council completed. Mr E. E Broad, of the Kauri Company, in replying to the Council's letter requesting the Company to complete their contract for the delivery of crushed metal, asked that the price might be increased by Is per ton. Besolved on the motion of Cr. Baynes that the letter be received and the former resolution of the Council adhered to, Mr,A- C. Black wrote urging that the £3O

available for Aratapu-Bluff road be expended before the wet season, and suggesting that the Council would get more work done by putting two men on for seven weeks than by spending the money on contract workIt was resolved on the motion ot the Chairman, that the Clerk write to the Surveyor asking him to approve of the amount being expended on day labour as the work was one of patching and would extend over a considerable area. Owing to the Rate books not having been received the Council was obliged to defer the striking of a rate to a future meeting, It was resolved that the Council confirm the resolution passed at the meeting of ratepayers in the Okahu riding held on April 2nd consenting to the closing of certain roads in that district. Cr. Berridge reported that as the closing of the roads entailed some expense on Mr J. Matthews he had agreed that the Council should asS^S Re the damage to Mititai wharf by s.s Durham. Mr Gow. manager for the N.R.S.N. Co., wrote

saying that the Council must nave been misinformed. ;*s tho steamer did not come in contact wivii ihe vvbarf, but it was only in swinging round that the vessel got jammed under the Campbell, late masterof the Durham, wrote that the steamer did not carry away the steps as they were broken before he went alongside as well as out of place ; had they not been so the vessel'would not have caught her belting under the wharf, which compelled him to cut a few feet off the stringer as the tide was Gow further wrote that the Company did not wish to shirk their responsibility and would pav for the damage done by the Durham , all that he objected to was the extent of the damage claimed to have been done. It was resolved on the motion of Cr Haynes that the Council adhere to its resolution of last meeting as to the repair of the damage done to Mititai wharf. ~ TVTr JLangton wrote objecting to give the land required for road through his property. Mr J. B. Pulliam, Dog Registrar, wrote informing the Council that, in spite of his protest, Mr J. MoMulkin had registered his dog as a cattle*dog. and had made a false declaration ; he had no sheep or cattle.—Resolved on the motion of the Chairman that the Dog Registrar be instructed to take legal proceedings against Mr McMulkin for making a false declaration and that he he empowered to employ the County solicitor.

Mr Cr. Mills wrote complaining of the bad state of the culvert opposite the Aratapu pound and asked to have it further repaired. Captain Waters and Mr Tupari wrote asking permission to cut i drain along the road near the pound to the Aratapu creek and asked the Council to put a culvert across the main road. Mr Mills wrote saying that owing to insuffiei'eufc outlet his land was under water in winter Besolved on the motion of the Chairman that

upon Captain Waters and Mr Tupari completing a drain, not less than 10 feet- wide and _ properly graded, to the satisfaction of the Engineer the Council will put a culvert across the road. Mr T. Nield, Secretary to the Aratapu School Committee, wrote asking the Council to open up the drain in Church road. The Committee had cut drains through the school ground but they would be useless until the work asked for were done.

Cr Bassett said that the Committee could not expend their funds off the school grounds and if the work was not done the children would be up to their knees in water on the school ground —The matter was deferred to next meeting there being no funds at present. Mr Vousden wrote stating that last year he had had the drain cleared from Aratapu road to Webb’s creek and asking the Council to do the same now. —No funds. Mr G. Nairn wrote asking the Council to shell the footpath from the last house in victoria street to the bridge and offering to contribute £5 if the Council would give £S. —Besolved that the matter stand over till next meetingOn the request of Cr Baynes it was decided that the surface man should spend a week in Dargaville as there were several things wanting attention there, such as the drain by Corcoran s hotel. . Mr Thomas Webb wrote requesting the Council to clean the drain opposite his land at the Kopuru hill for it was by the Council » work that the sand had been diverted into it, Besolved on the motion of Cr Cobbaldthat as soon a 3 the surface man is at liberty he be instructed to clean out the drain.

An account purporting to be due to Dr L. D. Evans and E. Townshend for medical attendance on Ike Anderson from November 7th to December 22nd 1891, and amounting to £l9 17s 6d was received frewn Mr Townshend.—Besolved on the motion of Cr Baynes that the claim be not recognised. Mr Schwarbe, owner of a section in Whakahara, wrote expressing his willingness to treat with the Council for the land required for the road. —Besolved on the motion of Cr Berridge that Mr Schwarbe be offered £2 per acre for the land required. The Public Works Department wrote saying that the Government could not reasonably be asked to take any action re the roads occupied by Kaihu Valley railway, the Council should have seen to the matter when the railway was under construction.—Deferred to next meeting The Clerk to Waitemata Council forwarded syllabus of business to be considered at Conference to be held on April 20th. Messrs Mitehelson Bros, wrote asking to have the names of B. and J. Mitehelson and John Dennin entered on the Bate book as comprising the firm. Mr N, A. McLeod asked that the name of J. Mitehelson should be entered as agent for Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co’sMaropiu property —Deferred, the chairman to seek further information. Mr Alfred Walker wrote asking to have his name taken off the Bate book for sections 48, 49, 51 and 52 Te Kuri Block, and the name of W. Pullan substituted. The Clerk reported that Mr Pullan objected.—No action. Mr Boler of Tauhoa wrote asking for infoimation re the constituting of the Council as a Harbour Board. Mr E. Griffin wrote an original letter coin* plaining that he had no way of getting to his landat Tangihua and asking the Council to give him £5 to do it. If the Council would not do it he would have to give up his land as it was no use to a man when he could not get into it. —Besolved on the motion of the Chairman that when there is money available from the thirds the request be attended to ENGINEERS REPORT.

To the Chairman —Sir, I have the honour to submit to you the following report : —According to instructions I have jmt in grade pegs along Dreadon’s deviation, and taken all necessary informaxion for plans and specifications, but have not had time to prepare them. I have made an estimate of the work to cut six feet out of solid ( along right sidling and seven to eight feet on very steep sidling with necessary culverts, and omitting the five chains of the old road which is passable. Estimate £BB. I have not had the Mititai wharf steps repaired, as I was requested by Mr Hitching on behalf of the settlers to have new steps constructed in a more convenient place, and as it means slightly more expense I decided to let the work stand over for the meeting today. I have taken levels and soundings for a bridge across the Tangiwahine Creek on the DargavilleTangiteroria road, but have not had time to prepare plans, only just being able to get oiit a rough estimate of cost, namely for a light structure 115 feet long, 8 feet wide and 40 feet length of approaches without tar £IOO, tar £lO extra. Eor a strong structure of the foregoing ; length and 12 feet wide, with approaches to match £240. These estimates are for a bridge without draw or swing spans. I have not had time to thoroughly inspect the drains at Tatarariki but from my hurried visit I should say that the cost of dealing the drains would be about £45. As to the necessity of cleaning them, I consider that the benefit would be more for the settlers than tlie roads, and am of opinion that if the £45 were spent on the roads in sandstone or metal annually it would do more good to the roads as the swamps are all now settled, and are not likely to give way even with the heavy winter rains. Messrs Clark and Oates have now completed their contract for the formation of the Okalxu main road from Moginie’s swamp to the Whalen - hara main road. The work was not finished strict!y according to specifications, but they have done extra work to make up the difference, and without extra charge. Mr B. Gardiner has completed his contract for

bridge, culvert and earthworks at Keiikopene and Tnngiteroria subject to two small deductions for difference on timber used to that specified. In this contract I found it necessary to order some extras as I decided to keep the road to be surveyed through Native land along the river bank from Brice’s to Tangiteroria and as the bridge and culvert was designed for the old track they would not suit for the new road and this caused extra work. There was a bad place on this road between the Native school and Wilson’s which I have had made good at a small cost. Horace Hammond, Engineer.

Be the Tatarariki drains.—Cr Bassett said that his opinion differed from the Engineer’s. The swamp roads would not stand and it was useless to put sand on them in their present state If the drains were kept clear there would be no need for sand. Cr Cobbald said that if the drains were not cleared the water would lie on the read and injure the formation. The Chairman agreed that the work was a necessary one but the overdraft at the Bank was already above the limit, and when the accounts due had been paid would amount to £650 Clerk’s Bepoet. The Clerk reported that the lands hereunder enumerated bad been finally vested in the Hobson County Council : Section 71, Parish of Tatarariki, lac. 2ro. for a road reserve. Section 72. same parish, lac. 3ro. 12per. for road reserve. Section 73, same parish, lac. 3ro 34per, for road reserve. Section 91a, same parish, 17ac 2ro, for public purposes. Section 130, Kopuru Parish, 17ac lro, for public purposes,. Allotment 72, Aratapu village, 2ro 29per, for County Council offices. It- is impossible for me to place before you today a correct statement of balances owing to the want of the Bank pass books which 1 have been unable to obtain made up to March last, therefore do not know what interest is due on overdraft and cannot tell what cheques may not have been presented. Owing to the want of these books I shall not be able to have the County balances ready by the 15th inst., as required by “ The Counties Act 1856.”

I have received fr-.m M.'- E O. Beale a deed of conveyance. B. M. Masetieid to the Hobson County Council and certificate of title of land from W, A. Marriner of road through Mt Wesley.

Since last, meeting I have received from the Commissioner of Taxes the Assessment x’oll for Aratapu, Dargaville, Wairoa and Okahu Hidings with the usual request to examine them and report to the Commissioner. I have examined the three last named and reported thereon, but. have not yet had time to Lok at the one for Aratapu riding. The examining of the three rolls took the cadet and myself four days and this and other extra work has been the cause of much overtime work, and delaying of the ordinary County work. Horace Hammond, County Clerk. ridings’ balances.

ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were confirmed:— H. Hammond £l9 3s 4d ; B. Lendrum £2 Is 8d; F. Filby £3 5s ; W. Bing-rose £10; C. Cody £3 11s ; H. Haswell £6 10 ; J. Johnston £S 8s ; P. Gardiner £BO ; Total £132 ISs. The following accounts were passed for pay - ment:—

P. Gardner £22 ISs; J. J. Weathers £5 2s; W. Pullan £1 10s ; C. Bau £4 ; J. McLaren £4 4s ; Clark and Oates £l7 8s Sd ; P. Gardner £3 ; Kauri Company £5 17s 2d ; Northern Advertiser £1 Is 6d ; J. B. Pulliam £4 Is ; N. A. McLeod £32 19s 2d: Auckland Hospital (D. Sullivan) £6 Ks ; Mitehelson Bros. (C. Aid, Burrows) £1 11s; J. Johnston £1 8s ; B. Widdup £3 12s : Clark aud Oates £44 6s lOd ; Kauri Company £22; St an afield £1 5s ; Miscellaneous £1 7s 3d.

The Chairman reported that he had been applied to for an allowance of 2s 6d per week for an old lady named Shick It seems that she had been brought out from Hamburg by her son who lived down the river and who had, lie believed, considerable property Some of the settlers at the Bed hill w*v o ring up a house for her and they de.-i. v-u t ».*e Uju-iCU to grant

her 2s 6d per week to keep her in clothing : her son evidently refused to support her No action was taken, the Council considering that the son should be compelled to support his mother It was resolved on the motion of the Chairman that the Clerk write to the Police Department stating that the Council is willing to allow the use of its room for Court purposes at a rental of £lO per annum. The matter of the lighting of the lamp on the Aratapu wharf was left in the hands of Cr Bassett. The Council rose at 4 15 pm,

Aratapu Kopuru Dargaville Wairoa Okahu Overdraft Debit £643 7s lid £382 7s lid £457 13s Sd Credit £603 2s 6d £352 9s Ocl £527 18 Od £1483 Os 6d £14S3 9s 6d No interest on overdraft is included. LOAN ACCOUNT 33 AL ANCfc'S. Okahu Main Road . £44 6s lOd Aratapu to Bluff Road...