ROBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 219, 13 October 1893, Page 8

ROBSON COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hobson County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Aratapu. on Wednesday. Present Crs. A E. Harding (chairman), T. Bassett, M. Cobbald, F. J. Dargaville, S. Dodd, G. Nairn and W. A. Spiers. The minutes of the last, meeting were read and approved. Timber Floating.—-Resolved that a letter be sent to Mr Matthews informing him that the Council have not yet had any communication from him re timber floating as promised. Resolved that the leasing of the Dargaville Foreshore stand over till next meeting. Parliamentary Votes. - Telegrams received from Mr Houston M.H.R., were read conveying information of votes passed for works in Hobson County.—lt was x’esolved that the Clerk bo instructed to write to the Government asking to have agreements sent for the expenditure of tho votes by the Council. Mr A. C. Black wrote asking Council to push for immediate prosecution of works or they might yet be diddled. Andrew’s Kink.-—The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote in reference to this matter stating that Mr Hazard had reported that the evidence of the different parties interested in this matter was practically balanced, and the Commissioner declined to interfere in the njadtej’, especially so as Mr Cobbald had in a jettpr to tfye if-urypy office to Mr Hardy’s survey and expressed himsalf sa*. , ‘ t ®' e^i _ ■, A copy of Mr Cobb/ 1 ' 1 3 was f ' a , Mr Cobbald said when 1® i® 9 '

letter ho ahi so minor threat; and ue only did se knowing that he had a way out. Tho land referred to ia the letter was not his ; be is only occupier. The Trustees cf the property refuse to allow the road to betaken as surveyed by Mr Hardy and there is no severance. As far as the road is concerned the matter might be allowed to stand, but the straightening of the road is necessary for the efficiency of the drainage. Received on the motion of Or. Bassett that the question of the encroachment on the Tatarariki road be referred to the new Council. Mr Hunter interviewed the Council in reference to the blocking up of a road at the Redhill. Some of the posts were already in and when closed the settlers would have no way out. There were three settlers there and they would contribute half the cost. Resolved that the Engineer inspect the road and if the cost to Council does not exceed £5 he be empowered to let the contract. Mr Hodges wrote re a hole in the road at the Bluff. The Engineer reported that he had authorised two days’ work on the road. Road through Lamb’s.—Cr. Nairn reported that Mr Lamb had closed the road through hispla.ee, and the Natives had done the same, and were claiming payment for passing through. The land is being taken under Public Works Act. Cr. Bassett moved that the Government be requested to vest Section 42 Kopuru Block in the Kopuru Domain Board as a recreation reserve.—Carried. James Johnston wrote offering to make road by his property for £o.—Deferred to the incoming Council. Geo E. Smith wi’ote asking for information re the formation of a drainage district at Aratapu as several persons had expressed themselves favorable to such being formed.— Information given. The Education Reserves Commissioners wrote granting the Council permission to erect stone breaker and take metal from Green Hill for ten years for Council’s own use free of charge.—Received with thanks. It was resolved that Mr Barstow, Manager Kaihu Railway, be asked at what price he will deliver shingle ballast in Dargaville Re reservation of read through Section 41 Okahu. The Commissioner of Lands wrote asking for survey of road it is proposed to take.

Rate Summonses. —The Clerk reported that about fifty summonses had been issued. In one or two cases for special reasons summonses had not been issued.

Cr. Bassett objected to any person being exempted on promises to pay. All would pay in time and it was unfair to allow some to stand over and others not. The Clerk went through the list of those exempted and the Council were satisfied with the various reasons given. Mr Matthews wrote thanking Council for their vote of sympathy and practical expression of same. Webb Bros, and G. Meredith wrote asking for permission to erect awnings in front of their shops.—Granted subject to approval of Engineer. M. Harding wrote sending cheque for rates, and asking that the £lO due to him on agreement re roads on Mangatawhiri block be placed against the balance. The Wairarapa County Council sent report of Committee on Rating of Lands on unimproved values, urging the importance of change being made and of pressure being brought upon Government to bring about the same. James Vaughan wrote that the Hon. John McKenzie had been so much pleased with the report of the Engineer on the work done on the Kai Iwi road that he had expressed his approval of the same and had placed a further sum of £l5O for expenditure on the road. He asked the assistance of the Council in securing the contract for the settlers. He also asked for a polling booth at Kai Iwi for County election. It was resolved on motion of Chairman and Cr. Spiers that the Returning officer be instructed to open polling booths for County elections as follows : Aratapu riding : Council Chambers, Mangawhare and Opanaki ; Kopuru riding : Te Kopuru and Moloughney’s store, Tikiuui ; Dargaville riding: Dargaville and Quirk’s; Wairoa riding : Slade’s residence and Tangiteroria store ; Okahu riding ; the Hall. Mrs DeGrantviile wrote re rates that all arrears must be recovered from the purchasers of her property. Geo. Simmonds and Son wrote asking for information re quarrying work required. Perpetual Lease Thirds.—An amount of £57 had accumulated for expenditure in various parts of the County for the benefit of perpetual leaseholders. Resolved that £l6 Ss 2d be allocated to Wilkin’s road and Brown’s road; £6 6s 8d road to Tikiuui wharf; £8 Os 7d to metalling- Simpkin’s road between Dreadon’s and Buchanan’s ; £l9 10s 4d to Scotty Watson’s road ; £lO 18s 3d to West Coast road. Resolved that the County Solicitor be instructed to enforce outstanding judgments for certain rates still unpaid. ° Vehicle License was granted to Mark Sanford, and Mr Rogers’ license was transferred to Mr McArieny. S. Vincent was granted a for one mouth.

H. Sla.de wrote forwarding rates and stating that he had some road metal on his property. Resolved that the Clerk’s action in allowing R. Lenard to dig drain on road be confirmed. N- A. McLeod, County Solicitor wrote re Dargaville Foreshore question and other legal matters. Also re amount to be allowed him for appearance in Court as ou the new scale no costs were allowed on small claims. Resolved that the Chairman be empowered to make arrangements with County Solicitor M. McCormick asked permission to erect fence three feet on road to protect trees planted, also to put. gate on by-road near his property.-—-Granted* Kauri Company’s Rates —This Company again refused to pay rates demanded and a lot of correspondence had passed. The rates are to be sued for without further notice. Dargaville Wharf. —Marine Department wrote asking for plans &c. of this wharf. The Engineer had forwarded plans and only awaited Mr Dargaville’s signature to complete same. engineer’s report. The Chairman, —Sir, I have the honour to submit to you the following report : Contract I,XVII. —I have prepared plans, specifications etc., and called for tenders (which are returnable today) for quarrying and spalling 500 cubic yards of stone at the Green Hill, which I estimate to cost Is lOd per cubic yard. Contract LXVI.—AIso for bridge and repairs ou the Mangakahia road ; my estimate for which is £72. Mang’atara Drain. —As instructed I have taken levels for a drain from the road (at the Mangatara Creek) to the Kaihu Creek which is a distance of 22 chains. The smallest drain that I could recommend would be of an :> verage of 7ft. Sin. deep, 3 feet wide on the bottom, 13 feet wide on the top with a fall of 1 in 961, and I estimate the cost at £69. Mangawhare. — -The work of lengthening the Mangawhare culvert is being carried out by the surface man. Aoroa. —The old culvert opposi+e Mr Pulham’s house has at last broken down, and it will be necessary to have a new one put it. Dargaville to Ounuwhao. —In company with Cr. Nairn and Mr E. Harding- I visited and inspected the road from Dargaville to Ounuwhao and would suggest that the first black swamp be raised two feet and provided with an extra culvert to carry off flood water. Along the flat through the bush on Dargaville side of the Awakino I would recommend that a drain be dug along the west side and the earth thrr wn on to the road. Further on at the second black swamp I would sug’gest the surface man and another man, with a horse and dray be sent for six or eight days which will be sufficient to make that part of the road fairly good. Ounuwhao Deviation.—Mr Hosking has surveyed the deviation through the Ounuwhao Block but Te Hau refuses to consent to the deviation therefore it will be necessary to take the land under the public Works Act. The plans of the road to be stopped through Mr Boyd’s property are completed and I have advertised the intention of the Council to stop the road.—l have the honour to he etc , Horace Hammond. Engineer, Tenders for Quarrying at Green Hill.— Estimate Is lOd per yard. A. Herkt at 3s per cubic yard and £3 10s per chain for maintaining fence; J. C. Cody 500 yards at 2s 6d per yard with £6 10s for fence. Resolved that the deposits be returned, and neither tender accepted. Kerikopene Contract.—TV. J. Hand £95 10s lOd.—Resolved that fresh tenders be called for this contract. Mangatara drain.— Mr Wiggins wrote that Messrs Trounson, Mitchelson and himself would contribute £ls between them. Resolved that Mr Wiggins be informed, that the estimated cost of the drain would be £69, and the Council will make the drain if those intei’ested will contribute £4O. It was resolved on the motion, of Or. Naini that the Engineer prepare plans and call tenders for new culvert opposite Pulham’s house on Aratapu-Mangawhare road* Resolved that Mr Hosking be instructed to prepare plans of Dargaville-Oirauwhao-road deviation preparatory to taking land required under the Public Works ActResolved that tenders be called for eight days’ carting, more or less, at Ounuwhao at the second black swamp. Cr. Nairn asked to whom the wells in Dargaville township belonged. He was informed that the Council owned no wells there. Resolved that Mr Harding be given permission to slaughter two wild cattle at the Q m u. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were confirmed : D. Clark £45, H. Hammond £l9 3s 4d, R. Lendrum £2 10s, F. Filby £3 ss, Riusrose £8 Interest on Loan £452 14s sd. Total £230 12s 9d, Overdraft, 11th October, 1593, £463 9s 2d The following accounts were passed for payment : P. Langton £6O, ,J. Young 14s. M. Harding £lO, G Cody Jr. £7 4s 6d , Little Sisters ot’ the Poor - (O.Aid) £8 10, N. McLeod £5 7s 9d: N. Heiuv £6 6s, Stamps £2. Clr, Bassett gave notice that he would at next meeting move that the three ridings on. the west side of the river be merged iutoone, and the two ou the east side into one,, making two in uIL