HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 154, 15 July 1892, Page 2

HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting: of the Hobson County Council was held on Wednesday in the Council Chambers, Aratcpu. Present—Crs. A. E. Harding (Chairman), Bassett, Berridge, Baynes, £phr*-nd M aid, " i.... ' • ■ ’.vere read and H. DuiL&m was allowed to siaud over ii.lne.xi, m ejecting. Dr. Campbell wrote in reference to the supposed non-payment of rates on Kopuru mill property for 1886. The rates had been paid as shown by receipt produced by Mr. Matthews. Mr Wordsworth wrote agreeing to give land required by Council on Kopuru Hill free of charge. Resolved that steps be taken to legally acquire the land given. Mr J. Kidd wrote re road enclosed by H. F. Beasley stating that road had not been cleared or sown in grass, and that he had placed slip rails in fence so that it was now open. Mr LeGrice wrote declining to pay rent demanded for road by Council and saying that he would remove the fences as soon as the Council showed him the line of road,—Allowed to stand over ! iil the hngiueer is in rb;it locality. Resolved that the matter of title to road through Messrs Keane’s anil Boyd’s px*operties stand over till it ex x meeting. Mr John Passeil wrote calling attention to the bad state of footpath leading to the old racecourse, and saying that the barbed wire on fence had caused damage to the clothing of several. —Resolved on the motion of the Chairman that Mr Passeil he informed that any person being injured by the barbed wire complained of must apply to the owner of the fence for redress. Mr Slater wrote saying that he only consented to contribute £lO to Whakahara road if the Council made the l'oad available in time fox' his timber drawing last summer, and as the Council failed to do so he did not consider himself liable. Resolved on the motion of Cr. Berridge that the Clerk write to Mrs Clark and ask whether Mr Slater or any other person on his behalf, paid anything for right of hauling timber through section 22 Whakahara during last summer. Mr Slater also asked to be allowed to make an outlet from his section Aratapu road to the main drain. —Granted. Resolved on the motion of the Chairman that hawkers and pedlars license fees be divided equally between the ridings, and the license fee for each vehicle be placed to the credit of the riding in which licensee resides. Resolved that Cr Raynes he placed in possession of six pedlars’ licenses lor the supply of persons peddling in Dargaville only. Resolved that the Clerk write to the Commissioner of Lands asking to have the Sandhills reserve West Coast and Bray’s Landing vested in the Council. The following persons applied for vehicle licenses for twelve months:—W, J. Cobbald, a dray, A. Underwood, a spring carriage, also a spring waggon, A. E. Harding, a four wheeler, Audus Raynes, a dray and also a wngonettee and the applications were duly granted. R. W. Widdup applied for a dray license for one month. —Granted. Resolvod that upon a proper application being made to the Clerk, accompanied by sufficient fee the Clerk be authorised to issue licenses for vehicles. Resolved on the motion of Crs Harding and Raynes tha: the Clerk write to Inspector Broham of the iuckhuid police asking him to instruct the police of : i-. district to enforce the County Bylaws. ii,._ .iiiiun moved and it was resolved that this Council strongly object to the reduction of subsidies to local bodies and a copy of the resolution be forwarded to Messrs Houston and R. Thompson. The Chairman stated that a good deal had been said as to the expenditure of moneys in the Dargaville township and other parts and he would like to have a return prepared showing the amne t .ar e’ ’ J J . ::j chairman moved that the Clerk prepare . return showing the expenditure in the Dargaville township and riding since the election of present Councillors Messrs Schick and Sjostrom interviewed the Council and asked Council’s assistance in securing certain sections at Te Kuri for which they had applied to the Cown Land’s Board. A resolution of Crown Lands Board against the sale or lease of gum lands was read. Cr. Basset t and Chairman moved that the Council are of opinion that it is a mistake to withdraw from sale any sections already surveyed and considers tnat any land desired by bona fide settlers gum bearing or otherwise, should be immediately thrown open for sale or selection and that copies of this resolution he forwarded to Messrs Thompson and Houston. —Carried. Resolved on the motion of Cr. Bassett that this Council request the Commissioner of Crown Lauds to throw open for sale or selection those lands already surveyed at Te Kuri and applied for by bona fide settlers. Resolved that Mr Brewer’s letter re sale of lands for unpaid rates be refei’red to Mr N. A. McLeod. Mr Houston wired that he would urge Minister to place certain sums on estimates for works in Hobson County, specially at Tangowahine and Tatarariki. Mr McLeod wrote re inaccuracy of County se£ J Hobson County and County of Hobson not being similar terms. James Young of Mititai wrote asking permission to erect fence across road and put gate and offering certain concessions.—Granted on the motion°of Cr. Berridge. T. Kitching asked that his son s. Leonard K itching, name be placed on Roll for section at Arapohue leased from Mr Dodd —Granted, Thomas Kitching wrote asking for lease cf s'b ulling i;i-servo at Mititai for five years with right of renewal if not then wanted for public on the motion of Chairman that the

reserve be put up for tender at an upset price of 10s per annum for first five years and £2 pel’ annum for next five. T.P.Langford wrote complaining of thefloodmg of his land owing to action of Council in allowing hack settlers to drain down upon his land without providing cutlets. His grass was being killed and cropping was impossible. Cobbald'said there was eighteen inches of . xtt . no-, flowing over the paddocks.—The •latter was deferred (ill next meeting.

Resolved that the Clerk write to Mr Morton authorising him to supply Sewell with rations up to 4s per week. A letter written by Clerk to Minister of Public Works re roads occupied by Kaihu Valley Railway xvas read and it was resolved to forward it to the Minister, also copies to Messrs R. Thompson and Houston.

Mr I’ulham, Dog Registrar, wrote asking for costs hi unsuccessful Dog case against a Native, and stating that two other cases were successful. Resolved on the motion of Chaii’mau that Mi Pulham be authorised to destroy all unregistered dogs in this County, also that the costs asked tor he allowed. Mr Bastiugs of Dunedin forwarded a scheme for the better working of Charitable Aid especially iu the way of outdoor relief. Changes in property owners were notified as follows: —Rev- F. T. Baker to Mr Handley, Okahu sections ; A. Lyons to J. Ross Aratapu , A. Buchanan to G. W\ Davidson and J. Davidson Kopuru ; T. W. Slater to Kauri Timber Co. Okahu; Alf. Walker to W.Pullan Tatarariki. Resolved that removal of Kauri Company’s name for Omu land he not allowed as Company had not replied to letter. Mr Baker’s application was deferred for further information. In the other cases it was agreed to make the changes asked fox*. The Commissioner oi Taxes wrote saying that subsidy for year (£328) would he forwarded as soon as Council retux-ned necessary form. Auckland Hospital Authorities wrote sending accounts for medical treatment and burial of Ross and H. Hannan and treatment of Mahoney. Mr R. Hunter, Redhill, wrote giving notice of his intention to fence section 100 and stating that if the Council took no steps the road through section would he closed, Mr N. McEeod wrote re same. It, was resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the Engineer and Cr. Cobbald with power to expend up to £5. James Hemphill wrote asking for information concerning road between Paparoa andMareretu. When was road deviated from 60 to 61 ? Was land taken by proclamation and what compensation was paid if any ?—-Resolved that Clerk consult Mr Matthews and endeavour to obtain information asked for. A. Underwoad wrote stating that the West Coast road along flat is almost impassable foxwant of a drain and saying that he and Messrs Morgan, Cobbald, and A. Webb would dig seven chains and throw stuff in centre of road if Council would dig another seven chains.—lt was resolved on motion of Cr. Raynes that the matter stand over Mr Corcoran sent accouut af £7 10s for hoard of Ike Anderson. Resolved that the Council cannot recognise accouut as it did not authorise the expenditure. ENGINEER’S REPORT. To the Chairman, Sir, —I have the honour to submit. to you the following report : —• Contract xlviii.— The contractor for drain along Church road Aratapu, has the work well in hand, but owing to the large quantity of rain that has fallen lately the drain is full of water, which is delaying the progress of the work. Contract xlix. Tenders for bridge culvert on the Aratapu-Dargaville road, opposite the Aratapu Pound, will be before you today, the estimate for which is £l3 I would again bring under your notice the dangerous bridge culvert across Raw’s drain, on the Aratapu-Dargaville road The drain should never have been brought across the road atari angle, but as it is there it is necessary to put in a bridge culvert that will be safe to the travelling public. The present one requires to be taken up and a stronger and more extensive structure placed across the drain. I would ask you to allow me to have an extra 10 feet placed on the culvert across the main road at the head of the Heawa road. I have had two box culverts placed across the Kopuru-Redhill road, one opposite Mr Me Mahon’s late residence, and one at the embankment. Mr S. Webb has carted the timber free of cost, as one culvert takes water from his land, and the work has been done by the surface man.

Tikinui Wharf.—With regard to the damage done by the Osprey to the Tikinui wharf, Captain Rawson and Mr Douglas called upon me and said they were prepared to repair the damage, but would like to point out, that the whai’f is not substantial enough for the Osprey, and that unless the wharf was strengthened the steamer would have to cease calling there. They then asked me to bring the matter before the Council so that if any improvement were made, the damage could be impaired at the same time and at a less cost. I would now remind you that when the wharf which is 130fb long, was constructed, the Council limited me to an expenditure of £SO, and at that time the s.s, Kina was the largest boat on the river, and it was expected that she would only make an occasional call at this wharf, therefore it was considered that a light structure was sufficient. However, now that the Osprey is running, and should she be taken off it is more than likely that a large steamer will be placed on, and the schooner Annie Wilson is also a regular trader to the Tikinui wharf. Therfore I would reccommend that the wharf be strengthened by having three strong fender piles, say 18 x 18 with bottom walings and extra bracing, a ,?o two shore piles for mooring.

Dargaville wharf.—l have had slight repairs made to this wharf, to try and keep it from falling to nieces, and those who have to use it from falling through it. The fender pile that xvas reported to have been broken by the p.s Osprey is onlv cracked and is not bad enough o require repairing, therefore I have left it. Bradleys’ landing wharf.—l have to report that Bradleys’ landing wharf is in a very dilapidated condition, several of the treads of the steps have been knocked out by a log. The outer end of one stringer has been broken, which leaves it disconnected with the pile, and the approach has from time to time been washed away until there is only sufficient to get to the wharf, and when dark is very dangerous. I believe that this wharf has been constructed without the sanction of the marine department, as the plan in this office bears no signature or stamp of the department. Therefore the Council have no authority over the wharf, although I believe it would be responsible for any accident that might happen, having had the wharf constructed out of County . funds. Therefore I would recommend that if the Council decide to repair the wharf, that a proper plan be made and submitted for the approval of the marine department, so that the wharf may be vested in the Council. I may here state that the Council have no authority over the Dargaville and Mangawhare wharves, they also having been constructed without the consent of the marine department. Road Mt. Wesley to West Coast.—With regard to this road I have to inform you that I have turned up duplicate plans of a survey by Mr Harding in February 1885 and evidently prepared to take the portion of this l’oad traversing Aoroa No. 2 block (the property of the Wesleyan trust) under ‘ The Public Works Act,’ and I presume by the plans still being in the office, that the Coxxncil have no title to the road as far as this block is concerned. Hokianga road. —The portion of this road from the Dargaville whai’f to the post office is much in need of attention. The portion unBietalled needs forming and metalling and the portion metalled badly needs repairing. HORACE HAMMOND. Engineer. ridings’ balances. Debit. Credit.

Resolved on motion of Cr. Bassett that two posts be placed by ths culvert at head of Aratapu road. Resolved on motion of Cr. Raynes that the Osprey owners be requested to repair the Tikinui wharf forthwith. Resolved ou motion of the Chairman that the Bradley’s landing wharf be repaired at a cost not to exceed £3. Resolved on motion of Cr. Bassett that the Clerk write to the Marine Department asking them to either repair the Dargaville and Mangawhare wharves or vest them in the Council, Resolved on motion of Chaiiman that the formation and repair of Hokianga road, Dargaville, from Victoria-street to Post Office be placed on list of works for next summer. The Chairman moved that the Council request the Government to subsidise a weekly steamer to Tangiteroria.—Carried. Chairman and Cr. Bassett moved that the Rate hook he made out and public notice given that a general rate of threehalfpence in the pound will be sti'uck at next meeting, 10th August. Crs. Raynes and Spiers moved that notice of striking rate be deferred until next meeting.— Amendment agreed to. Mr Matthews’ application to be allowed to put culvert across road at Mangawhare wns granted. Resolved that the Chairman and Cr. Cobbald interview Mr Andrews and ask him to keep his cows, about 23 iu number, off the main roads for winter months if possible. ACCOUNTS. The folio wing accounts were confirmed:—Vealo £3 10s ; C. M. Miller £5 ; Riugrose £7 los; Hammond £l9 3s 4d ; C. Cody £4 lGs; R. Lendrum £2 Is Sd ; W. Filhy £3 os. The following accounts were passed for payment ;—R. Widdup 19s 6d : J. Seymour £1 6s ; A. Underwood £2 0s Od ; Kauri Timber Company £9 10s 8d ;C. Cody Jr. £3 10s 6d; A. Webb £3 9s ; A. Gould £l2 8s : Miscellaneous 19s ; Offices Expenses £2 8s 9d ; Mitchelson Bros (Burrows) £1 12s Id ; A. Morton (Galeu and Collinf) £3 10s 9d ; Auckland Hospital—£3 3s (Mahouey), £4 7s 6d (Ross), £6 10 (Sullivan), £1 13 6d Hanaan ; M. Corcoran £1 11 s; J. Stallworthy £22 7s lOd. Council rose at 5 p.m.

Aratapu ...£696 Is 9d — Kopuru ..£421 8s lid — Darg-aville... — £635 12s 3d Wairoa — £304 5s 7d Okahu Overdraft ...£590 15s 2d £768 8s Od £1708 5s lOd £1708 5s lOd