HORSON COUNTY COUNCIL

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 225, 24 November 1893, Page 9

HORSON COUNTY COUNCIL

The first meeting of the newly elected Councillors was held in the Council Chambers Aratapu on Wednesday at noon. Present.—Crs. A. E. Harding, T. Bassett, M. Cobbald, W. A. Spiers, H. J. Slade and Peter Jones. The Clerk called the meeting to order and read a memo of the Returning officer notifying the election of the above named gentlemen together with Mr E. J. Dargaville. Crs. Cobbald and Bassett proposed that Mr A. E. Harding be appointed Chairman and Treasurer for the year.—Carried unanimously. Mr A. E. Harding then took the chair and briefly returned thanks. The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and approved. Timber Bloating.—lt was reported that Mr Win. Chadwick had taken out a license and that Messrs Mitchelson Bros, were taking similar steps. The County Solicitor reported that it was not legal for Mr Harrison to take out a license for owners combined, as each owner of timber had to take out a separate ©ne. Resolved to notify owners by advertisement that proceedings will be taken against all persons floating timber on the Wairoa River and tributaries without a license after Ist January 1894. Dargaville Foreshore. The County Solicitor wrote expressing surprise at Judge Conolly’s decision in this matter and stating that he considered the case a fit one for appeal. The Chairman stated that he had interviewed Messrs Hesketh and Button on this matter and both gentlemen had expressed great surprise at the judgment given. Cr. Slade thought the amount of ground available hardly worth fighting for. The Chairman considered the ground would be worth £IOO to £l5O per year to the Council ; if the Council would accept an offer from him he would himself give £IOO per annum for the foreshore. Some of the Councillors had been much abused in connection with this matter but he did not heed this. He was so convinced of the justice of the stand taken and the unsoundness of the Judge’s opinion that he was willing to deposit £lO towards- cost of appeal, the same to be returned if Council were successful. Cr. Bassett said he was willing to contribute six guineas on the same terms, and Cr. Spiers offered £2O, Resolved that should Messrs Hesketh and Button advise an appeal being made, the County Solicitor be instruced to lodge notice of same. Government Votes.—Secretary Survey Department wrote that £2OO was available for repairs Taugiteroria-Wangarei Road through Tangihua blook and asking Council to undertake the expenditure of. same.—Resolved that the Chief Surveyor be asked to send tracing and the Council undertake the work. Same wrote saying that £IOO was available for road at Opanaki.—Deferred until information be received as to vote for Opanaki bridge. Andrew’s Kink, Tatararikiroad.—Cr. Bassett moved that Messrs W. J. Palmer and M. Harding be written to for information re the old survey and re-survey of the road at Andrew’s. Cr. Bassett asked Chairman to call in and see Mr Day of Aratapu with a view of giving him an order for admission to the Hospital. Resolved that the Engineer be empowered to have culvert placed in road at Redhill near Hunter’s. Stoke’s Section, Aratapu.—Mr Houston wrote that he had taken steps to secure this for a reserve. Section 55 A Kopuru.—The Land Department wrote that they intended to retain this section as it is too narrow for a reserve. M. Egan, J. Johnston, E. West and J. Thompson wrote asking for road to be made passable and safe by their properties.—Cr. Slade objected to anything being done unless it was absolutely necessary.—Resolved that there are no funds at present. TENDERS Lease of Reserve at Redhill.—W. Mailer offered £2 for two years £3 for five years. J. Johnston offered 30s per annum for five years and enclosed 15s for first half year’s rent.—(Accepted.) Contract LXVI, Mangakahia Road. — Estimate £72. J. H. and W. W. Anderson £7l 15s; John Hendrickson £7B 12s 6d; M. Karlson £7l 10s (informal).—Chairman considered that this money could be better ■pent at present on the Main road. Cr. Slade considered the old Council had no right to call for these tenders unless they left money to pay far them. He considered that no work should be done until the overdraft was wiped off.—Cr. Bassett considered that it would be unwise to let the summer pass without doing any work, for the Council would then have some £ISOO lying on hand through the winter when no work could bo done.—Resolved that no tender be accepted. Contract LXVIII, Awakino Drain.—Estimate £46. P. McDermott and Hockey £45; P. Peterson £2B; John Hendrickson £56 Jij,—Reserved that Mr Peterson's Jeweler be

accepted on bis finding sureties within three days, failing this that. Messrs McDermott and Hockey’s tender be accepted. Contract LXX.—Estimate £sl 10s. Dar-gaville-Tangiteroria Road.—T. Asher £65 12s ; M. Karlson £46 (accepted): J. Hendrickson £56 1 Is. Manager Kaihu Railway wrote re ballast from Valley saying that none would be available till middle January. He was about to open a pit and would then be able to state price per ton. Receiver of Crown Revenue wrote that £57 5s 3d Perpetual Lease Thirds had been placed to credit of the County.—Resolved that the Engineer be authorised to have works done as per schedule approved; tenders to be called for any work over £lO in value. Cr Bassett moved and Cr. Cobbald seconded that the Kopuru and Aratapu Rid ■ ings each contribute £5 t® the £lO 18s 3d Thirds set apart for the West Coast road. Post dated Cheques.—Cr. Slade asked Chairman whether there was any truth in the rumour that while poor settlers and others had been summoned for their rates, others had been allowed to go free on post dated cheques ? And he asked who the ratepayers were that had paid post dated cheques. The Chairman replied that there was no question of rich or poor in the matter. Only those ratepayers who came forward to make arrangements were not proceeded against ; those who took no steps were all summoned. He knew that Mr Hammond and Mr McLeod had both paid rates for poor settlers and he had done the same. If the Council wanted the names of those who paid post-dated cheques the clerk could give them.—Cr. Bassett considered the names should be given as hitherto only one person had been pointed at.—The Clerk said the gentlemen who had given these cheques were Mr B. C. New, Messrs Mitchelson Bros, and Mr J. M. Dargaville^ P. McMahon complained of Mr Dickson being allowed to put a fence on the road at Redhill. —Resolved that Cr. Bassett and the Engineer inspect the fence and road and report at next meeting, and that Mr Dickson be instructed to substitute plain for barbed wire.

Amalgamation of Ridings.—Cr. Bassett said he would not move as he had given notice for two reasons namely,—the ratepayers are against the proposal, and it cannot be done till the March before next elections.

Election for Dargaville Riding.—-County Solicitor reported that a petition had been lodged in the E. M. Court against the election of Cr. Spiers on the ground that Mr J. Mitchelson had voted for Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co. without proper authority.—The R M. desired to have the ease adjourned as he would be unable to attend within the time allowed by law for b eading the petition. —Resolved that Crs. Harding and Bassett wait ispon the County Solicitor and advise him in the matter.

The Chairman and Cr. Cobbald were appointed to represent the Council on the North Auckland Charitable Aid Board;

B.esolved that Crs. Spiers, Cohbald and Bassett be appointed to sign cheques on behalf of the Council.

Peter Laugton wrote asking for his cheque of £6O for compensation, and demanding that Cr. Spiers and his associates be made to pay for all unnecessary legal proceedings they had put the Council to.

The Chairman and Cr, Bassett were authorised t» sign the documents closing the roads through Boyd’s, Mangarahu and Whakahara and Langton’s deviation deeds. J. and E. Butterworth wrote objecting to the clssing of the old Whakahara road.— Council have no intention of closing this road and it was resolved to send reply to that effect. R. Widdup wrote asking whether Council intended to make drain along Tatarariki road this summer. —No funds. Opanaki Bridge.—The Under Secretary Lands Department wrote that the Department were unable to vary the vote far this namely that £1 for LI only would be given. Decided to keep matter moving. Thomas O’Carroll wrote re flood and work done by him to save bridge.—Resolved that Cr. Slade and the Engineer visit the Tangihua district and report as to its most urgent requirements. Resolved that the 6 inch pipes on Bradley’s Landing Road be pulled up and sold at cost price, and a culvert put in. Resolved that the settlers interested in the making of an outlet drain at the Aratapu Creek bridge be written to and asked what they will contribute towards cost of same. Mr J. Nelson wrote asking for some expenditure on the Opanaki x-oad. —No funds. Okahu Red hill cutting. —The petition of ratepayers asking for the deepening of this cutting by 10 feet was read. It was estim ated that the work would cost L6o.—Cr. Jones considered that the short pinch scarcely warranted such an expenditure, Cr. Slade said, that the back settlers had shown the more wealthy settlers a good example and he moved that the petitioners be asked what they will contribute towards the work asked for.

The Kauri Company wrote refusing to pay rates on Maungaru and Te Karaka blocks, but on the owners being threatened with proceedings the Company had paid the rates.

Marine Department wrote that Kopuru Landing reserve had been transferred from J. L. Campbell to Kauri Company and that the latter had been called upon to put the wharf in repair, but that the portion improperly reclaimed had not been included in the transfer. —Resolved that Mr E. E. Broad be written to asking him whether the Company will give the public free use of the wharf at northern end of reclamation on the understanding that the Council will not interfere with the butcher’s shop and other buildings, and also when they intended to put the wharf in repair according to their agreement with the Government. John Hendrickson stated that he had been a heavy loser in the contract for Leabourne’s drain owing to the Council having delayed him till the wet weather, and asked for some consideration. —Declined, Mr Shaw wrote offering to quarry and spaul at Green Hill for 2s per yard. Mr Watson wrote re obstruction on Taugiteroria road by Mrs Lamb. Mr W. Hand had now taken over Mr Lamb’s interest, and it was resolved to give him £5 for road through his lease. S. Cooper wrote asking to have Mititai cattle yard fence repaired.—Resolved that Mr Cooper be allowed free use of the yards for his Auction Sales, provided he repairs same. Engineer’s Repoet. To the Chairman, —Sir, I have the honor to submit to you the following report : Tenders —I have taken levels, put in pegs, prepared plans etc. and called for tenders (which are returnable at noon today) for the undermentioned contracts which I estimate to be worth : Contract. LXVI.—For bridge and repairs to tlie Mangakahia road £72. Contract LXVIII —Bridge culvert Aratapu Dargaville road £lB. Contract LXIX. — For drain along DsrgavilleTangiteroria road at the Awakino through the bush £46. Contract LXX —Road formation Dargaville Tangheroria road across the first Black Swamp £sl 10s. Mr Hendrickson the contractor for Leabourne’s drain has completed his work and considering the excessively wet winter (which has caused a large number of slips) that he has had to contend with he has completed his contract in a satisfactory manner Kidd’s IN'o, 1 Outlet.—l was instructed to have Kidd’s No. 1 Outlet cleaned as soon as Leabourne's outlet was finished but owing to the amount of water still in the drain it is impossible to have it properly cleaned out. Therefore I would suggest that it be done by contract and tenders called for it by the February meeting as February and March are the proper months for cleaning drains. If possible Kidd’s No 2 drain should also be cleaned before next winter as it will save the road, Wharau. —I had the repairs on he DargavilleTan „ iteroria road near the Wharau done at a cost of £.9. Ounuwhao Deviation. —I had an interview with the Native owners of the Ounuwhao BJock with regard to the deviation of the road but with the exception of Mr Pouaka Parore the Natives will not allow the road to be deviated except upon payment, therefore I would suggest that the road be taken under the Public Works Act. pumpkin's Deviation.—l have now completed Simpkin’s deviation survey as far as was iutendeU but would suggest that upon Mr Powell’s return from England he be asked to give the continuation through his land and if he is agreeable the deviation be continued to the Main road near the Arapohue Cemetery, and that the old road through Mr Powell’s and fronting Benger’s land he stopped and given in exchange for the new road. Stopping Roads. —I have advertised the undermentioned roads to be stopped namely : —Road through N. W. pt section 16 Arapohue Parish the property of Robert Boyd ; Road through the N. VV. pt Section No 22 Whakahara Parish the property of Mrs Clark and the Road through sections No 5, 7 and 10 of Whakahara Parish the property of Mrs Clark. The plans have be::n open to public inspection and all other acts done as by law required except tho signing of the certificates which needs to be signed by you and forwarded to the Registrar of Deeds. Auckland. Metal.—By the Onyx I have received 150 tons of road metal which I had carted and spread on Victoria Street, Dargaville ; the metal cost 6s per ton and the carting and spreading 10)d per ton. From the M. A. Doran I procured 70 tons of stone which I had placed along Victoria Street, Dargaville, and which is now being broken. The Grasmere and the Bell have together lauded stone at Mangawhare amounting to 150 tons. I would suggest that if satisfactory arrangements could be made with Mr Thompson this stone be broken by the stone breaker, and if possible obtain another load or two to have broken with it. HORACE HAMMOND. Engineer. Resolved that Engineer call for separate tenders, returnable at February meeting, for clearing Kidd’s No 1 and No. 2 outlet drains. Surface Man’s programme of work—Culvert at Hunter’s, bridge repairs at Flaxmill, clearing teatree on Kohekohe road, holes in road Oruariki. Resolved that Engineer inform Messrs Fitness Bros, that one of their logs has damaged the Maßgawiiare wharf to the extent

of 30s or £2 and ask whether they will repair same or allow the Ccunty to do so at their expense. Resolved that the ordinary meetings of the Council be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were confirmed:— H. Rowland £2 10s, Filby £3 ss, H. Hammond £l9 3s 4d, R. Lendrum £2 10s, P. Langton £6O, D. C. Moore £1 Is, W Ringrose £8 3s, Metal £SO ss, Hendrickson £76 14s. Total £223 11s 4d. The following accounts were passed for payment— W. Tierney 14s, N.U.S. Company 12s Sd, N.A.C.Aid Board £26 Is, J. B. Pulham £l6 8s (Election), J. Hendrickson £5, Kauri Co. £5 5s 9d, T. Asher £9 11s 9d, Metal £l2, A. Underwood £2 2s 3d, McMulkin £4 4s 3d J. McAneny £2 15s 3d, J. Martin £1 12«, E. McCowan £3 16s 6d, C. Cody L 4 16s, B. C New L 6. Total L 99 18s 3d. Cr. Bassett asked that the L 5 voted for road at Coast reserve be now expended— Agreen to. ridings’ balances. Debit. Credit.

Aratapu L08O 2 0 Kcpuru 306 18 8 — Dargaville L830 5 10 Wairoa 313 2 5 Okahu 487 9 7 _ Tatarariki Drain 170 6 4 H. and C. Aid Overdraft 95 7 3 496 15 7 L1640 3 10 L1640 3 10 Council rose at 7 p.m.