PIAKO COUNTY COUNGIL

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 224, 18 December 1897, Page 4

PIAKO COUNTY COUNGIL

The usual monthly meeting of this Council took place at Morrinsville on Thursday last, whm there were present: Crs. Chepmcll (in the chair), Gavin, Harrison, Hunt, MoCaw and Aitkin. Cutting Grass. —Mr Frank Marshall was granted permission to cut grass seed in the Morrinsville Cemetery, the grass to be cut clear out. Dog Collars.—lt was decided to arrange that dog collars be supplied by Messrs Mcludoe and Hill, Te Aroha, aud F. Marshall, Tirau, according to samples. The tax was fixed at 10s for sporting dogs, 2s 6d for sheep and cattle dogs, and Is for professional rabbiter's dogs. Slaughter Houses.—Constable Wild reported that all the slaughter houses in the To Aioha sub-district were well kept, and that there had been no complaint during the past year either as regards tlie sanitary arrangements or the quality of the meat killed. Bank Balance.— The clerk reported the overdraft at bank at date was £3lB 5s 7d.

Piako Bridge.—Messrs Newson and Coulson, contractors, wrote objecting to the fine imposed on them (£ll 2s) for delay oo this job. They pointed out that they had had very bad weather, which had delayed them considerably. The bridge was stopped to the public exactly nine weeks and one day. They were only five weeks and two days over contract time, two weeks of which the bridge was open to the public. As they had not earned wages themselves, they hoped the Council would not enforce the penalty. Mr Newson was in attendance, and was heard in support of this application.—Having heard him, the Council decided to rescind at next meeting, their resolution re penalty, and reconsider the whole question.

"Waioroncomai Tramway. —C. R. Firquaharson, general manager of the Great Western Goldminiug Company, intimated that this company were willing to contribute £l7 103 towards cost of repairs to tramway, and hoped the Council would give special attention to the May Queen grade. The total cost of repairs is estimated at £250, which will be raised as follows :—Government subaidy, £125 ; County Council, £62 10s ; Aroha goldmines, £3O ; Great Western Company, £l7 10s ; Cadman L H., £5 ; Loyalty Palace, L H., £5 ; and Grand Result, S.C., £5. The Aroha Goldmines were granted the use of the tram for another month on the usual terms. Scktey Plans.—Mr E. de C. Drury forwarded two tracings of plans of road through Tuaraparaharaha and Rangitanuku, Nos. la, Ib, and 3a., surveyed by him in accordance with instructions from the Council.—The plans themselves would be returned with Governor's warrant and schedule of lands taken as soon as the Chief Surveyor, to whom they were Bent, had approved of same. He also forwarded bis account (£35 10s) for the work.

Socthey's Road. The Foreman (Wattam) reported that he had inspected this road, which was in a bad state during the winter, There being only a narrow ti-tree track, about 50 chains of ti-tree would need cutting. In several places fascines will be required, some draina will have to be covered with earth, and a few loads of gravel required. He estimated the cost at £7.— The Council decided to pay half the cost, provided the parties interested would pay the other half. Avenue Road, Morrinsville.—On the Foreman's recommendation the Council decided to put gravel on about half a mile of this road, and the Foreman to prepare specifications for the work for. next meeting. Allen's Road.- Mr W. S. Allen complained about the state of the road drain from his gate to the Poplar bridge, which had become choked up. aud had caused the water to overflew. The clearing of this drain was absolutely necessary for the presevation of the road. Mr Allen was willing to pay half the cost. The Foreman estimated the cost at about 3s per chain.—The Council decided to inform Mr Allen that on this basis they would pay half the cost, the work to be done to the satisfaction of the Council's foreman. It was also decided to put a coat of c'ay on half a mile of road from the Poplar bridge towards Morrinsville, and a few loads of sand at railway cros ring near Allen's. New Works.—The foreman (Wattam) forwarded specifications for the following works :—53 chains formation of road near Larney's ; 18 chains formation of road nc°.r Osborne's gate, Gordon, and grading Osborne's hill ; re-forming and grarelling 48 chains near Gordon school; re-forming and gravelling 40 chaius of road commencing at the north end of the Gordon Settlement. —The Council approved of the specifications and decided to call tenders for the works, returnable at the next meeting. Gordon Waiiaroa Road.—The Gordon Settlement Association wrote, calling attention to the defective state in which this road was apparently going to be left.—The Council decided that when the Engineer reported that the work was completed a deputation of the Council would visit the district and inspect the whole of the contracts.—A budget of correspondence re Tcnge's bridge contracts was laid before the Council, being principally claims for wages by workmen employed by Tongc.—lt was remitted to Cr. Gavin and the clerk to try and arrive at an amicable arrangement with the parties, failing which the moneys due to Tonge would be paid into Court. Foreman's Report.—G. Mahood suggested that the following works be undertaken before the wet weather sets in : Cambridge-Napier Road, re-tabled and done up about three miles between Fergusson's Gorge and the Waikato River, estimated cost £2O ; near Lichfield to county boundary, about 10 miles general repairs, £lO ; near Tirau, Ballinger's hill cutting, Coombes' cutting, and Piro flat, £lO ; Rotorua-Tirau Road, general re£airs near junction Te Aroha Road, £3O ; iichfield-Tc Aroha Road, re-forming 30 chains, widening and lowering bill, £ls ; Putararu-Waotu Road, general repairs, £5 ; Lichfield-Waotu Road, general repairs, £lO ; Cambridge-Waotu Road, do., £lO ; Cambridge-Tauranga Road, between Norris' corner and Stamford Bridge, £ls ; Taotaoroa Riding, Bridgewater Road, cleaning up watertables, etc., £5 ; Buckland's road, £3.— The Council agreed to have all these works completed before next March.— In accordance with specifications prepared by Mahood, it was agreed to call tenders for 88 chains formation on the Cambridge - Tauranga Road, between Tauranga and Maungawhara. The question of providing a horse and dray for foreman in Southern district was discussed, and it was agreed to increase Mahood's wages to £2 17s Cd per week, on the understanding that he provides the horse and dray. Doo Registrars.—The following were appointed for their respective districts : —T. Johnson, Matamata ;K. Cooper, Pateterc (subject to a guarantee being given) ; G. Collins, Taotaoroa ; A. Bremner, Wyitoa ; T. C. Bell, To Aroha. The remuneration was fixed at same rate as formerly. Accounts.—The following accounts were passed for payment : —W. Stanley, £24 12s Cd ; W. 1 hompson, £2 5s ; W. Weir. £3 14s; Jno. Wattam, £5 lis; Waikato Akgus, £1 14s (id ; J. Rivers, 18s ; J. Brookes, £4 4s; W. Souter and Co., £3 6s Od ; F. Rose, £2 0s lOd ; T. Barker, £5 ; J. Read, £5 14s ; JL\ Gilchrist, £37 10s ; Newsome and Coulson, £203 10s 3d; W. Hogan, £5 lis ; G. Mahood, £7 2i 6d ; G. P. Goorlfellow, £3; G. Wattam, £8 14s 2d ; MeNicol aud Co., £l7 17s; J. Lavery, £1 17s; total, £346 15s Bd.