ROBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 206, 14 July 1893, Page 3

ROBSON CO UNTY CO UN CIL

A special meeting of the Hobson County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Aratapu, on Wednesday, the 12th iustant. Present: Crs. A. E. Harding (chairman), T. Bassett, S. Dodd, G. Nairn, and F. Dargaville. In the absence of the Clerk, through measles, Cr. Bassett wielded the pen. The tusiness was the consideration of the Half-'X early and Yearly Balance Sheets. The Year’s accounts for Dog Begistration shewed a loss of fivepence, and this the Council thought must be an error so deferred the consideration till the cadet had had an opportunity of interviewing the Clerk for explanation. .The Balance Sheet was afterwards approved by the Council as read.

The ordinary meeting of the Council was then pi'oceeded with. Crs. Cobbald and Spiers being now also present. Cr. Bassett read the minutes of the previous meeting and they were duly approved. Timber Floating Licenses. —The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote that the Council should lay information against those floating timber without licenses and press for the penalties allowed by law, Resolved that the Clerk write to those persons believed to be offenders, forwarding a copy of the Commissioner’s letter, and informing them that the Council intends taking action if licenses are not taken out. Gum Commission. — The Chairman reported that the Commissioners had gone, over his block and he had shown them how gum lands could be cut up with benefit to settlement by including some goo 1 land in each section and he thought the Commissioner of Crown Lands had seen how the withholding of gum lands was a drawback to settlement. Cr. Spiers said that in connection with this matter he wished to know from the Council whether he had stated at last meeting that he wished to drive diggers from Crown Lands on to private lands. It was so stated in Mr Dargaville’s paper, and also before the Gumfields Commission, and as no such thought had ever crossed his mind he would like to have a statement contradicting the newspaper report sent to the Commissioners. Mr F. J. Dargaville was certain that he beard Cr. Spiers say that it was just what be wanted to drive diggers from Crown to private lands. "What would lead him to make such a report if he had not heard it P Cr. Dodd said he heard some such remark made but not by Cr. Spiers. Cr. Spiers moved and the Chairman seconded that the statement made in the Northern Advertiser, and before the Commissioners, that Cr. Spiers had in the Council meeting stated tbs the desired gumdiggers to be driven from Crown Lands to private lands be contradicted, and a copy of contradiction sent to the Gumfields’ Commissioners by the Clerk. —Carried with only Cr. Dargaville dissenting. Cr. Bassett said that he also had been misrepresented by Mr Dargaville. He did not say that there were 1000 diggers on the Crcwn Lands in this County, nor that he considered £1 per annum a proper fee. He did not care for himself but thought it very bad taste Lr one Councillor to misrepresent another. Kauri Timber Company’s Rates on Opanaki block.—Crs. Harding and Nairn moved that the Clerk write to Mr Houston and state the facts of the Opanaki Kauri Company rates case, sending copies of all cones pondence and lawyers’ letters in connection therewith, and ask him to lay the matter before the Premier and urge him to introduce an amendment to the Rating Act with a view of affording relief to this and all other Counties similarly situated. —-Carried. Mr Edmeads wrote that he was closing the road through his property, aud asking that the Government road be opened at once.

Messrs Jones Bros, asked permission to erect gates on unused road at Okahu, and tuidertpking, in return for concession, to fell bush on rpadas far as their property extends.—Permission granted on terms asked. Hospital authorities sent account for maintenance of Mrs Callagher in the Hospital. Cr. Cobbald reported that Mr Callagberhad agreed to repay the cost as early as be could. Mr P. Lamb wrote that taking the road through ,'his property would destroy his garden and orchard which were well wrought well manured, and well drained, but offered to give land for £2O. In a later letter Mr Lamb acknowledged the benefits that would accrue from the making of the road and agreed to take £lO only,—lt was resolved that Mr Lamb be offered £5. A letter was read from the Lands Department to Mr Houston acknowledging application for £4OO for bridge over Tangiwahine creek and for £2OO for Tatarariki road front Natiye church, and promising that both "vvotild be considered when forming roads estimates. —Besolved that a letter, of thanks be sent to Mr Houston for action taken; with a request that he continue to press the importance of the works before the government.

Cr. Dargaville did not think the Council ought to thank Mr Houston ; he was only doing what was his duty. Chairman: Well, let us thank him for doing his duty. Okahu Pound.—No tenders were received for the position of poundkeeper in this district, and it was decided to return Mr Webb’s deposit. Cr. Bassett considered that £l7 would be more profitably spent on the roads than in the erection of a pound. If the settlers wanted a pound they should do the same as was done by the Tatarariki settlers and erect one for themselves. Andrew’s Fence.—Cr, Cobbald reported that he had erected his fence on the boundary of the Tatarariki road, and that there was now only a width of eleven feet between his fence and the opposite one. Bank Overdraft.-—The Chairman reported that an agreement had been come tojwith the Bank manager, to meet cheques passed by the Council, by which an extra overdraft of £2OO had been allowed on the understanding that it be paid off by the 30th September next. —The agreement was approved by' the Council. Kopuru Wharf.—Cr. Cobbald moved that the Marine Board be written to asking that in vesting the Kopuru reclamation in the Kauri Timber Company the Board will conserve the rights of the public. Tangihua Road.—Messss J. Clark and others wrote thanking the Council for its speedy reply to their pelition an! asking for further information re proposed work. Striking Drainage Rate.—On the motion of the Chairman it was finally resolved to strike a rate of sixpence per acre over those lands specially benefited, and three pence per acre on those less benefited, in the Tatarariki Drainage district, such rate to be payable in one sum on 28th August.

Resolved on the motion of Crs. Harding and Nairn that the Clerk be instructed to take proceedings fourteen days from this date against all those who have not then paid the Drainage rate for the fast year. Kidd’s Drain.— Mr Widdup Senr. attended in person and complained that nothing had been done to this drain since it was cut, and it was now completely choked : the consequence being that his paddocks were flooded and he had lost some £2O worth of grass seed, aud had been forced to dispose of his cattle as he had no grass to feed them. Ho asked that the outlet might be cleaned out. Cr. Spiers moved and Chairman secon led that when Leabourne’s drain is completed the Engineer have the outlet cleaned from the main road at the expense of the Council. Whakahara Road.—Mr G. Clark wrote offering to accept £SO and the return of the old road in lieu of fencing claimed in connection with the road from Whakahara wharf.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Bassett, that the former resolution of Council offering £4O he adhered to. O’Sullivan’s Land Grant —Messrs Jones Bros, wrote asking for deeds of land tendered for by them and which tender was accepted by the Council. Okahu Main Road.—Messrs Gelston, Young and several others petitioned the Council to cut red hill on Mititai road down ten feet further as it was impassable in winter. Cr. Dodd considered the work a most necessary one as it was a road used by every one in the district.—lt was resolved on tho motion of the Chairman That the consideration of the petition stand over till next Spring. Dreadon’s new Deviation. Mr B, C. No v wrote calling attention t© the necessity of something being done on this road and asking that it should be made passable. He offered to log up and clear the i-oa.d from Dreadon’s corner to Hamlvn’s for the sum of £lO. Mi - New, who was present, said that the rAftd was the only one available to some ten or twelve settlers. He had plenty of work on hand but offered to do the work on the road in order that it should be gone on with at once. Ho had already knocked up two horses by having to force his way through this road. Cr. Dodd considered tho side road would not be used after thepresent time and thought it better to allow the matter to stand over until the £lO could be spent in permanent road improvement. If one piece of road had to stand over till spring, then this piece might also stand over. TheChairinanconsidered thatthese settlers had done more than any otheis in assisting the Council. They had raised £6O for compensation to Mr Dreadon and had also done one-third of the work on the road. The road really needed something doing ; he had ridden over it only this week and his feet scraped the mud as he rode Besolved on the motion of Crs. Nairn and Chairman that Mr New’s offer be accepted. Mr Jobn Collins wrote asking for truss as he was unable to work without one. Resolved that the application lie over till next meeting, Councillors being of the opinion that a man able to buy whisky should not be a burden on the ratepayers. The N. Auckland Charitable {Aid Board asked that the Council petition Parliament for a division of the N. Auckland district making each County a separate district for

run ; • Houston asking him to support, m,- p-.u***.-as above. The same wrote notifying the striking of rate and asking that the £9l due from County be placed to the credit of the Board. Hukatere Ballast.—The Otamatea County Council offered to allow County to take ballast at one penny per yard for two years, if a wharf were erected. It was resolved that the Engineer be empowered to procure any parts that may be missing from the stone-breaker, in terms of Mr Mitchelson’s letter. Mr J. C. Bassett wrote agreeing to exchange roads on the Mangaru blocks as asked for by Council.—The offer was accepted with thanks. Resolved that Mr Hendrickson’s deposit on metal contract be returned. It was resolved that the Engineer be instructed to examine the Whakahara ballast ground, and also to prepare an estimate of cost of a suitable punt capable of carrying 100 tons of metal.

Several applications for renewals of licenses were granted ; and it was resolved that Mr Seymour be notified to take out a license for his dray. Tenders for Contract . LXV. —Culvert at Bradley’s Lauding Road : W. H. Haswell, £ll ; W. Holford, £lO 10s.—It was resolved that Mr Holford’s tender be accepted. Tender for Foreshore, Victoria - street, Dargaville. W. A. Spiers offered £4 per annum. Mr Theo Cooper telegraphed urgent as follows:—On behalf of the Attorney General of New Zealand I have filed this morning a statement of claim and notice of motion for injunction restraining your Council from letting any part of Victoria Street. I warn you not to proceed with such intentions. Will Hesketh and Richmond accept service of proceedings. Resolved on motion of Chairman that Mr Spiers tender be deferred to next meeting. Resolved that the Engineer utilise odd available metal in repairing metalled roads.

Resolved on the motion of Cr. Dargaville that a cutter load of shells be procured for the Dargaville footpaths Resolved on the motion of Cr. Cobbald that the Engineer inspect the Redhill district to find best position for road to coast. Breach of Privilege.—The Chairman said he had a matter to bring before the Council which might be termed a breach of privilege. He saw that it was given in evidence by a witness before the Gumfields Commission that the Council did not examine the accounts for Charitable Aid dispensed. to paupers through the storekeepers, as they were not rendered in detail. This statement was false ; every account is checked and every item of accounts examined, both as to whether the items are proper and necessary to life and as to the charges. He would move that a contradiction of the statement made be sent to the Gumfields Commission. Cr. Spiers seconded. Cr. Dargaville—Who are the accounts examined by ? Chairman—By myself and by the Clerk, and if there is anything in them that is overcharged or not allowable we strike it out and. bring it specially before the Council. Cr, Bassett remembered instances of the accounts being brought before the Council and tobacco disallowed. Of course if storekeepers supplied tobacco and chai-ged it as tinned salmon the Council had a difficulty in discovering it. The motion was then carried without dissent. Cr. Cobbald moved that the Clerk write to the Marine Department asking them, to reconsider their refusal to vest the Te Makaka creek in tho Counciljand that Mr Houston be written to asking him to push the matter. He (the mover) felt sure that the Department had not a proper knowledge of the matter. When Mr Houston was in the district he had given him full information and he had promised his assistance. Motion carried. The Chairman moved that Sergeant Black be notified of the fact that handcarts are being drawn over the footpaths in Dargaville, and that the Council desire him to see into the matter. Cr. Cobbald informed the Council that the Tatarariki road was being destroyed by extraordinary traffic, and the work done there by the Council at considerable expense was being destroyed. Many settlers had complained to him and expressed a willingness to have a toll bar erected and pay toll rather than that the road should be destroyed. He would move that a toll bar be erected somewhere about Walker’s Spur. Cr. Spiers suggested that the matter be deferred, as the Council could hardly move in the direction indicated unless on petition from settlers interested.—This Cr, Cobbald agreed to. The Colonial Treasurer forwarded account for £122 14s od interest on loan for half year. Mr Easton, Audit Inspector, wired that the Auditor-General had surcharged the amount illegally expended on Tangiteroria road. Chairman: And thus is laid rest the Dargaville-Tangiteroria bogie.

Accounts ruui £2 10s, Stamps £4, W, Ringrose £lO, and Capt. Robinson £4 17s 6d. Total £B2 0s 4d. The following accounts were passed for payment : —A. J. Laurenson 16s, E. Thompson £1 17s, J. Snowdon £B, P. Holt £1 Is, Kauri Company £8 14s Bd, A. and G. Price £4 17s 6d, Wilsons and Horton £2 ss, Auckland Hospital (Callagher) £9 Bs, T.. A-sher £1 10s, C. Dilly 13s 9d. Total £39 2s lid. hidings’ balances.

Aratapu Dr. £815 13 5 Kopuru 410 11 7 _■ . Okahu 595 16 6 Dargaville Wairoa - £734 0 4 216 8 6 Overdraft £961 14 6.