HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 150, 17 June 1892, Page 2

HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hobson Cdunty Council was held in the Council Chambers, Aratapu, on Wednesday, June loth, beginning at 10.45 a m Pretiient —Cra. A. E. Harding (chairman), F. Dargaville, W. Spiers, H. Berridge, A. Raynes, T. Bassett and M. Cobbald. t The minutes of last Special and ordinary meetings were read and approved. The resolution adopting Special Order for the making of Bye Law No 5 was confirmed on the motion of the Chairman. Mr MeCraith’s letter re the road deviation "thVougb M r Drt-adah’s. deferred from last meeting was ri ’ ti. ..sited that the work should be dpt** uow.-e-Cr. Bei ridge thought that the letter shouid not be entertained as the work could not be t-o well done at tha present time >od, moved A fiat the Council adhere to its former resolution.— Carried.

Re Dog Regis'ration ease-* in Court, the Chairman reported that the R.M. declined to allow solicitor's costs in these cases and the Registrar desired further instructions. —Some discussion took place and the matter was ultimataly the bands of the Registrar to use his own discretion. It was resolved that the rates in respect of Section 96. Redhill, be charged to Mr A.. Morton. MrtMcLqod J !y application to have his name repladed on the Roll for the same section was not complied with.

Mr S. Powell, who was present, informed the Council that he bad agreed with Mr Woodhead, ghe late Chairman, to pay 10/- per. week towards Mr Jenkin’s maintenance in Costley Home and he was unable to pay £1 per week as claimed by Council. He allowed the old couple 16e per week, and the ten shillings he bad agreed to pay for Mr Jenkins left only 6s for the wife. <Crs Ravnes and Dargaville corroborated the term* of the agreement as mentioned by Mr Powell. It was resolved on the motion of Or. Raynes that Mr Powell be requested to pay JS3 ss.

- Resolved on'the motion of Cr Dargaville that the Charitable Aid Board be informed that D. Sullivan, now in the Costley Home, is the owner of 60 acres t>f land, also that the Council has been put to an expense of some three or four pounds in procuring the deeds of the same from Crown to Sullivan and that a refund of the same he asked for.

The Secretary of the North Auckland Charitable Aid Beard wrpte. forwarding cheque for

£53 2s 6d and stating that the Board had been unable to pay the County's claim as two of the contributing Boards had failed to pay their contributions.

A list of persons who Lad been treated in the Hospital and who had been charged to this County was read, when it was found that many of them were unknown to the Councillors. It was then resolved on the motion of Cr. Bassett, that the list of Hospital patients be referred back for further information as the Council is aware that many of those named are able to pay cost of their own maintenance, and asking that in future the Council be at once informed of all claims made on behalf of persons hailing- from the County admitted without Chairman's order. The N. R. S. N. Co not having yet paid the cost of repairing damage done to Mititai wharf by s. s. Durham, Cr. Raynes moved that the Clerk be instructed to write informing the Company that unless the £6 4s be paid within fourteen days the matter will be placed in the hands of the County solicitor for recovery forthwith. Carried. Mr John Ross applied for a Slaughter house license for premises near Johnny White’s bridge. —Granted. The Manager of the Kauri Company, Aratapu, applied for permission to put a twelve inch culvert under footpath near Mr Black’s corner. — It was resolved that permission be granted, the work to be done subject to the Engineer’s approval. The Chairman reported that he had authorised the sending of a man named John Ross to the Hospital from the Wbarau. Oliver Mays wrote stating that the expense of Counties Conference had been £25 and asking the Council to contribute 30s towards same. — Agreed to. The Clerk wrote informing the Council that the owners of Kopurti Mill property had paid no rates for year ending 31st March ISS6 amountingto £ll 9s 2d in one sum and various smaller amounts.—Resolved that Messrs Brown Campbell and Co. he written to asking -whether such rates were paid by them and to whom, and if not whether they will kindly forward cheque for amount.

George Edwards of Redhill wrote asking Council to place his name on both rolls.—The Clerk had replied stating- that the name was on the Kopuru roll. T. W. Slater wrote asking that rates on pt. sections 42 and 44 Okahu be charged to Kauri Company in future as the property had been transferred to them. Janies Johnston, Kopuru wrote asking (ha road to his property be made available for wheeled traffic. M. Egan, Catholic presbytery, wrote asking for connection with the main road.—Resolved on the motion of Chairman that the Clerk write to Mr Wordsworth asking him if he is -willing to give land for a road through Section 5 of his property. The sum of £24 Gs sd, perpetual lease rentals, having accummulated the Chairman moved that the sum of £l4 6s 5d be spent on Tatarariki road from Perry’s towards coast, and the balance of £lO at Kai Iwi. The Kauri Company wrote asking to have the Company’s name taken off roll for block at Omu and asking that Brown and Mansill’s name be substituted. Messrs Brown and Mansill wrote stating that the Kauri Company were still in occupation, and tl. at they had acquired no rights ever held by the Kauri Company nor had they undertaken any of their obligations. Their tenantcy too was expressly subject to the Kauri Company’s lease and they considered the Company still liable for the rates. Action was deferred to next meeting to hear what the Company had to say in reply to Messrs Brown and Mansill. Alex. Buchanan wrote informing tlio Council that Section 35 Te Kopuru had been sold to Messrs George and John Dayidson. Alex. Lyons wrote that he had transferred his property to John Ross. Mr George Mills asked whether the Council intended to take any steps towards removing the flood waters from his property. The Council had stoj ped several blind creeks, as well as reduced the width of the Aratapu Creek by the road formation and now out of his 137 acres he had not one dry. Owing to the work of the Council his property had decreased in value ; at the last Assesment a reduction of £SO had been made. His property was much more flooded now than before the road was made.—Cr. Bassett and Chairman moved that a 12ft. culvert be placed across the road near the Pound. Mr Mills also stated that he was willing to place 400 bundles of fascines on the road beeween the Pound and the hills if the Council would coyer them. Resolved that the Engineer he instructed to cover the fascines when Mr. Mills has placed them on the road. Mr. Morton wrote complaining of the roads in the Redhill district. The Councillors generally considered the roads in that part specially good in comparison to others and it w as decided to inform Mr, Morton that the Council could not spend any money on the Redhill —Kopuru road at present The Minister of Agriculture wrote in reference to Counties taking united action for the suppression of the small birds nuisance.—lt was resolved that the Clerk be instructed to write to the Minister of Agriculture and inform him that the small birds are not a nuisance in this County.

Mr Moloughney Senr wrote informing-the Council that the p.s. Osprey had broken the centre fender pile of the Tikinui wharf so that it was now hanging loose. Resolved that it be left iu the hands of the

Engineer to have the pile repaired if the owners of the Osprey do not repair it after fourteen days notice. S. Webb, Whakahara wrote asking what the Council would take for Section 24 Whakahara. Resolved on the motion of the Chairman that the balance of Section 24 Whakahara be offered for sale by tender at an upset price of 10s per acre, COUNTY ROADS OCCUPIED BY SETTLERS. Mr D. Clark, Whakahara wrote stating that the road on her property was open for use. Mr W. Pullan, Scarrotts, wrote that the Council were in error in thinking that he had a road fenced in on Section 27. The road on 28 was fenced at one end but was not used by public. He had for some time given the public free use of some two miles of road which are absolutely necessary to them till road is opened from Maori church. He also asked permission to drain into the County outlet and offered to keep the same op<n. —It was resolved that in consideration of what Mr Pullan Las granted the public, he be allowed the use of the road through his property rent free till farther notice. Also that the Council will allow him to use the County outlet at Bascombe’s on terms state! by him. M. Harding wrote that he had no roads fenced in, and as he supposed that the Council would have no objection to their resolution being taken conversely asked /for a cheque for £4 for some eight acres of his grass land which was now being used by the public. Mr T. Webb wrote that he had no road fenced in. Mr S. Bradley wrote stating that he had no road fenced in except in name as it had never been used. No replies had been received from others. It was resolved on the motion of the Chairman and Cr, Berridge that the Clerk be instructed to write to those who have roads enclosed informing them that if the amount demanded be not paid on or before the first day of July the Council will clear the road of all obstructions at the expense of the persons who erected the same.—Cr. Bassett stated that the only one who had yet paid the amount demanded was Mr A. Webb This gentleman had latelygiven the Council for road purposes at least two acres of his best grass land, as well as other land free of any cost and in consideration of this he moved that Mr Webb be allowed the free use of the land occupied by him during the term of the present Council.—Carried. A petition signed by a considerable number of settlers in the Okahu, Aratapu and Kopuru ridings was received. It set forth that as many of the settlers had no roads on which to drive cattle, nor could they take advantage of the water carriage, the Slaughter-houses act mads their cattle of no value to them. They depended on the sale of their cuttle to provide money forth e payment of their rates and they asked the Council either not to enfoice the Act or to give them relief in some way. Mr Behersing, one of the petitioners present, said that many settlers could not drive iheir cattle to a slaughter house as they' had no roads and even those who had roads lost much time and found it very difficult to drive one or iwo beasts If settlers could not sell their beasts it would be impossible for them to exist. It was hard enough for settlers to rear cattle, but harder still on them to be prevented from malting use of them except on such conditions as imposed by the Act. It was all very well for people to griu but they would not do so if it effected them. Any fool could laugh hut when the boot pinches he grins in another way. If the Council couid give some relief by which settlers could kill a beast or two it would be all right, but if not he felt sure that the Act would stop settlement. Cr. Berridge said that Mr. Behersing had not told them what relief was wanted, and he would like to know what was ihe cause of the present stir. The Slaughter-houses Act had been in force for several years. The Chairman said that previously the Act had been hut carelessly enforced. ’Under the Larceny Act it was almost impossible to convict anyone of cattle stealing and the Slaughter houses Act was of great assistance in such cases. Half of the settlers who had signed the petition had suffered from cattle stealing, and though it might be hard as Mr. Behersing said to rear cattle and not sell them, he found it very hard to rear cat tie and have them stolen. He himself had lost fifty in five years and Mr. Topp had lost four within the last few months.

Mr. Behersing said he had lost some in a very mysterious maimer. Mr. T, Nield said some settlers were so situated that he would not take their cattle as a gift if he had to drive them to a slaughter house to be -killed. It was resolved that in consideration of the hardship felt by settlers because of the Slaughter houses Act the Council will upon the application of a licensed slaughterman grant permits for the slaughter of such cattle as cannot well be got to a Slaughter house. Each beast so“ slaughtered to be entered in the register, and a fee of one shilling to be paid. engineer’s report. To the Chairman, Sir, —I have the honour to submit to you the following report : Nairn’s footpath.—Mr Nairn has paid in his £5 contribution towards cost of repairing footpath along Victoria street, Dargaville, and the work is now being clone. Gorse on Tatarariki road. —lam having the gorsc on the Tatarariki road near Mr Andrews’ cleared as instructed, and expect that it will be completed by Thursday next. Kai Iwi District —On the 14th ultimo., in company with the Chairman, I visited the Kai Iwi district, where Mr Vaughan (one of the settlers) showed us over the settlement and pointed out their wants, one of which is a bridle track along the bush portion of the road to Maropiu, and I would recommend that this road be cleared 10 feet wide for a distance of 60 chains

from the Ngakiriparuri stream, into the settlement with a small quantity of earth works, which could be done for about £2O. Church road drain. I have taken levels, prepared plans etc. for a drain along Church road, Aratapu, for which tenders will be before you + odav, and the cost of which I estimate at £ls. Mangawhare,—The road at Mangawhare between the Wesleyan Church and rhe wharf is being repaired, and the metal at Aratapu is being punted up and put upon Ihe road. As instructed Twr te to Mr McLeod offering him 6s per yard for 2 Jin. metal delivered at Mangawhare, but he has returned me no answer. Awakino.—As instructed I am having the Dargaville Tangiteroria road at the Awakino repaired temporarily. When visiting the work I found the water running over the road in many places, even when the water in the Awakino was some five feet lower than the level of the road. To remedy the evil it will be necessary' to excavate a drain or a deep water table along the western side of the road and grade it into the Awakino, an 1 the work ought to be done before winter, as otherwise the fascines and blinding will be gradually washed away. I am aware that the Council is short of funds at present, therefore I would presume to suggest that a list be prepared and added to from time to time, of all works requiring to be done during the summer with a rough estimate of each work. That before the Spring (say September) the Council decide which are the most urgent works on the lists, and if funds will allow give me instructions to prepare plans etc. and call for tenders by, say the November meeting, so that all works certain to be done in the year may be well in hand duriug the dry weather.

Rock bush deviation.—l have completed the plan and calculation of the deviation through section 22, parish of Whakahara (Mrs Clark’s), and forwarded them to the Survey office for examination. I have had great trouble in completing this work as the sectional lines had never been defined, and Mr Blythe’s survey does not coincide with Mr Hardy’s, therefore I had to refer the matter to the Chief Surveyor for his opinion as to data for computing the boundary lines, which has caused the work to be so long delayed. Dreaaon’s deviation. —The plans of the roads to be stopped in connection w it h Dreadon’s deviation have been open to inspection for the prescribed time, and the notices required by law have been published, therefore it will now be necessary for the Council by' resolution to say whether the roads shall be stopped or not. No objections to the stopping of this road have been received, and as it is being stopped under the “ Public Works Act 1882 ” Amendment Act 18S9 section 33 there is no need to call a meeting of ratepayers, as under the Act of 1882. WOkahu Main Road. —l inspected the work done by Mr Rogers (as ordered by Council) in the construction of culverts and earthworks along the Okahu main road, from the Whakahara road to Lusk’s road. He had done his work Well, but as there was a rather soft place notin his agreement, I ordered him to do some extra work in draining and forming at a cost of £4. The total cost of work in clearing and culverts etc, is £2B being £2 more than the Council authorised. The deed of the piece of road through Mr, Vincent’s (section 12, Arapohue) has been executed, and the compensation, £lO paid, and as the old road is in a bad state I think the new and should be opened by baviug the fences removed. Horace Hammond, Engineer. Resolved on the motion of Cr. Dargaville that a gmall culvert be placed across footpath to Naims’, Dargaville. Mr Vaughan of Kai Iwi wrote in reference to the road required by the Kai Iwi settlers who, he said, were wil’ing to do £ls worth of work if the Council would contribute another £ls towards making a track 10 ft wide near Ngakiriparauri Creek. It was resolved that the Council spend £lO as suggested by the Engineer provided the settlers contribute another £lO worth of labour. It was resolyed to instruct the Engineer to prepare a list of necessary works as suggested in his report. Resolved that Mr. Slater be asked to forward his promised contribution of £lO towards the making of road at Whakahara. Resolved that Mr. Vincent be notified to remove the fences from the road deviation through his property.

It was resolved that the Clerk write to the New Plymouth and North Auckland Charitable Aidßoards informing themthat Henry .Hannan being resident in this County only a fortnight had been sent to the Auckland Hospital. It was resolved to send Wm. Sewell to the Redhill Home. Accounts passed at last meeting, amounting to £SO 2s were confirmed. NEW ACCOUNTS PASSED. For "Work at Opanake —Ringrose £lO 12 Bd, K. JVC. Rope £7 16s Bd, W. T. Brown £l, £2 Os, J. B. Smith £5 Os Bd, Cody £2 11s Sd. Total £2O 10s Bd. W. G 1 Rogers £4, J. Johnston £4 11s, C. H. Millar £2l4s J. B. Pulham £1 6s, N. Advertiser 5s 3d, N. Henry £2 12s, Mitchelson Bros. £3 10s, Hugh Jones £3 13s 6d, J. McMulkin £1 7s 6d, J. W. Stansfield £9. Council rose at 4.30 p. m.

ridings’ balances. Aratapu Kopuru Dargaville Wairoa Okahu Overdraft Debit. Credit. £674 14s 2d £408 lCs 5d £584 6s 6d £305 8s Id £581 15s 2d £775 5s 2d