RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 296, 2 June 1898, Page 3

RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council resumed their sitting at the Council Chambers on Friday morning, at 9 a.m. Present: Crs. McGuirk (in the chair), Bankart, Smith, Lcwry, Bruce, Hewett and Whiteside. HosriTAii Contribution.—lt was decided to pay the sum of £56, contribution to the Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

Claim for Damages.—Mr Jus. Long, storekeeper, Onewhero, wrote, enclosing an account of his claim for the loss of a draught horse and harness, amounting to £2l, by an accident at the Tuakau puntin March last.—The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Long that the Council declines to bo held responsible. Ho was also instructed to write to Mr Gall, ferryman at Tuakau, asking him to report to the Council on this matter. Leave to Build.—Mr John Galvan wrote, asking permission to erect premises in Cliff-street, opposite his brother's shop.—To be informed that the Council cannot comply with his request. Pn\T Rope.—it was decided to forward the account for Bplicing the wire rope at the Huntly punt to Messrs Walsh Bros., with a demand for payment. Quarry Reserve. Section 85, Whaingaroa, has been vested in the Raglan County Council as a quarry reserve.

Overdraft.—A resolution was passed as to the usual bank overdraft. Gate.—lt was lesolved that as J. H. Thompson is not the owner of section 113, and that as it is not fenced, the Council decline to allow a gate to be erected.

Road Obstruction.—A letter was received from Mr J. H. Pohlen, drawing attention to an unlawfully closed road which gives access to his land, and asking to have the unlawful obstruction removed, so that he could get from his land to Lot 291, on to the main road by the public road. This road is closed long enough now, and it ia not kept closed for any honest reason. "An evil tree cannot bear good fruit." And neither can an evil scandal bring any good into a district. This party interest has been carried a little too far, and he was not the only one who has suffered from it in the riding. If you had opened that road when asked to do so last May, you would have done what an honest Council ought to have done, and would have nipped in tho bud that trouble which led to the unfortunate death. How much nicer it would have been for you to hear people say, " You made for peace in the district, than to have them say, and rightly, "Thatyou are to blame for the whole trouble." What do you suppose roads are made for, if they are not for the public, who require them ? Why then let the friends of Councillors use them for private property. Now, the sooner the scandal is put down the better for all of you ; and if you had done when asked for last May, it would have saved us from that trouble, which the present generation will not forget. He also in the concluding portion of his letter asks for the erection of a bridge over a creek about Lot 93, Harapipi, at a cost of £3, giving a good road to Lots 96 and 169."—1t was "resolved that the clerk be instructed to bring the matter of road at Harapipi (Pohlen's) before the Chief Surveyor, and that a reply be sent to J. H. Pohlen accordingly.

Waipa BnirGE—A letter was received from the Department of Lauds and Survey enclosing a warrant authorising the Njjaruawahia Town Board to construct a bridge over the Waipa at Ngaruawahia, and apportioning the cost of same between that Board and the Raglan and Waipa County Councils in terms of section 113, of the Public Works Act, 1894, viz. : Raglan County Council, 50 per cent. ; Ngaruawahia Town Board, 30 per cent. ; Waipa County Council, 20 per cent, of half the cost of the work. Siding.--A letter was received from Mr A. L. McDonald, Akatea, asking permission to make & siding off the main road to give access to Section 99.—This matter was left in the hands of Cr. Hewett toarraDge. Huntly Punt.—A letter was read from the Survey Department re deviation of approaches to punt at Huntly, with plans, etc., by Mr Frissel and approved by the Department and found correct, together with Mr Frissel's account, £l4 Is 2d. Fencing Bridge;- Resolved that the Clerk and Cr. Smith arrange with Mr Cogswell re fencing of bridge at Parawai, a place for animals to water to be left. Surface Work.—The offer of J. H. Cogswell for surface work on the Waite* tuna-Wa ; ngaro Road for the sum of £4 was accepted.

Tb Uku Road.- The sum of £5 was voted for improving the road to Section 118.

Culvert. —The clerk was instructed to get a culvert put in at Calders', and to order pipes if necessary.

Gkants.—A letter was received from Treasury enclrsing grants of £95 and £47 3a od for Aotea Road ; also stating that £6OO had been paid into Bank for Ngaruawahia Bridge. (Cr. Mathias at this stage took the chair).

Road at Pirongia. Resolved : That Mr Rollo be written to and informed that the Couucil see no reason for altering their decision re alteration of road at Pirongia. Fuezk Inspector.—Mr A. R. Langley was appointed Furze Inspector till the end of the present year at £lO per annum.

Sundry Mattfrs.- The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr W. A. Murray that the Council does not feel inclined to take action in the matter of the destruction of hawks, stoats, etc. ; that the Council understand that the Government have the road works already in hand ; that the matter of the site for the Churchill punt has been left in the hands of Crs. Whiteside and Lowry; and with reference to telephone com munication and Mercer wharf charges these matters might be brought before the Government by petition.

TCAKAU PrXT APPROACHES. —PlaDB and specifications for the approaches to the Tuakau punt were received from Mr E. Fairburn. surveyor.—lt was resolved that Cr. Whiteside be empowered to expend the sum of £6O on the approaches ou the west side of this punt, and to consult with Mr Fairburn on the subject. YVaingabo Riding.— Cr. Hewett, who had previously given notice, moved : That the contribution of the Waingaro Biding to the maintenance of the JU'g-lan-Waipa Road be rescinded. In doing so he pointed out that the road was of no use to his district, especially now that the new bridge at Ngaruawahia will soon be available for traffic—Cr. Bankart thought that this resolution was out of order. The existing resolution, re maintenance, should first have to be rescinded.—The Chairman agreed with Cr. Bankart.—Cr. Hewett then gave notice of motion to rescind the resolution.

Financial Statemknt. Balancesland fund—credit: Whangape, £'264 4s 7d ; Waingaro, £l2O 6s 4d ; Karamu, £ls 12s lid ; Karioi, £5 Ss lid; Pirongia, £ll Is 2d ; balance in bunk, £3S9 10s lid. General Riding account—Cr. : Te Akau, £O7 Is 9d ; Onewhero, 5s 2d. Dr.: Whangape, £2 8s lid; Karioi, £470 9s 8d ; Pirongia, £24 3s lid; Karamu, £54 lis lOd ; Waingaro, £154 6s lid ; debit balance in bank, £946 8a lid. Charitable Aid Board: £7O 4s was debited to the ridings during the quarter. Harbour Board account: Against this there is a contract covering £ls, which will be transferred before the 30th September to the county fund, provided there are no extras incurred. License fees (£SO) come in next month, but until the new rate is struck and begins to come in, there cannot be much reduction of the debit balance. Whatawhata Bridge. Tweaty planks are to be procured for the Whatawhata Bridge,

Rate.—lt was resolved that the rates be struck the same as already on the minutes. Waingaro Riding.—Cr. Hewett called attention to several woiks required in the Waiugaio Riding, and requested that they be attended to. Churchill Punt.—Cr. Lowry was empowered to have the sum of £sospent on repairs to the Churchill Punt, and tho clerk was instructed to ask the Government for a £IOO grant for the punt. Onewhero.—Cr. Whiteside asked the Council to graut the Onewhero Road Board the sum of £2O, provided thoy did not strike a rate—The Council granted this request, also the expenditure of £ls for road metalling. Karioi.—Cr. Bankart moved that tenders be called for leasing the Quarry Reserve at Te Mata ; also to spend £8 on surface maintenance of the Te Mata road.—Carried. New Newspaper, Raglan. —Mr Langley at this stage interviewed the Council on behalf of Mr Beckett, who was in the district a few days ago for the purpose of starting a newspaper here. Mr Langley asked for the support of the Council as to advertisements, etc. Work Near Huntly.—lt was resolved that Mr Leathen be offered £5 for work near Huntly.

Appointment. Resolved that Cr. SmUh be appointed to the Financial, Works and Harboar Committees, also to sign cheques. Tenders.—Tenders for road work at Okete were received : Wilson and Armstrong, £29 10s ; Saunders, £lB ; Vernon and Houchen, £l6 lis (accepted). Mr Horsant's tenders for various surface work on roads, Mangatawhiri to Waitetuna £6 10s and Okete Road £2 lis were received, but it was resolved to offer him the same sum as granted last year for surface work. Culverts.—The Inspector of Works was instructed to examine and report upon the culvert at Three Streams and the culvert at the junction of the Kauroa Road.

Accounts.—The following accounts were passed for payment :—Frissel, £l4 Is 2d ; SuttoD, £6 5s ; Middlemiss, 12s ; S. Vercoe, £3; J. LogaD, £3 15s; Northern Steamship Company, £8 12s 8d ; P. 0. Dawson, £2 12s ; H. Rawiri, £lB 16s; Newson and Co., £1 7s; F. Thrupp, £9 3s ; E. Bregmen, £2O 13s ; Hospital, £63 10s ; Rendell, £72 lis 4d ; Johnstone Bros., £ll ; W. Adamson, £sl 13s 6d ; Beswith, £SO; W. Best, £9 6s ; Tuimata, £9 ; Langley, £2 10s ; J. Bregmen, £32 16s; Webster, £1 13s Id ; Silvester, £l9 3s ; Vernon and Co., £2 ; Shaw, £5 10s ; Murray, £8 18s 6d; Harsant, £1 ; Takerei, £49 6s 6d ; garoa Road Board, £23 lis ; Kempthorne and Co., £23 12s ; Daw, £3 ; Dromgool, £8 10a; Karioi Road Board debentures, £33 ; Andrew, £2 0s 8d ; Sheldon, £l6 14s; Hill, £1 10s; Moana, £7 15s; Trew, £l3 4s ; A. E. "Wilson, £3 9s 6d ; Moon, £1 2s 6d ; Iwerson, £1 10s 8d ; Wade, £l2 16s 6d ; A. E. Cogswell, £2 12s ; Saunders, £1 Is; Scott, £2 Is 8d ; Gerrard, junr., £22 10s ; Lutener, £7 14s lOd ; Paterson, £2 2s ; Seaver, £1 Is ; Baker, £1 Is ; Dobbie, £1 Is; Cuthbert, £1 Is ; Reily, £1 Is ; Calder, £1 Is; Cummins, £ I Is; Matahura and Co., £36 ; Land and Survey Department, £6B 13s ; Makatu, £l4 ; Rawiri, £3 ; Goodwin, £5 6s ; Collins and Co., £29 5s ; Evans, £2 ; Seymour, £3 ; Barton, £l2 ; Watson, £lB ; Fauset, £3 3s ; Beet and Stevenson, £6 ; Capper, £35 ; J. Whiteside. £27 ; Morrow, £3l 5s ; Orr, £lO ; Fairburn, £6 6s ; Sutherland, £3 ; Moir, £8 3s ; O'JSeill, £1 Is ; Gibbs, £5 5s ; Wilson and Horton, £2 ; Douglas, £6 10s 4d ; J. Cogswell, 8s ; J. W. Roffey, £ll 0s 3d ; Little, £2 ; Long, £1 9s 6d ; Morgan, £3 13s ; Dun wood ie, £5 12s 6d ; audit, £6 3s 4d. The Council concluded its business at 10.30 p.m. on Friday evoning. They meet ac Ngaruawahia in August next. ENGINEER'S RErOItT. No work is at present being prosecuted out of rate?, and he respectfully suggests to tiie Councillors of the Karioi aud Waingaro Hidings to abstain from expending rates tmtU the finances of those ridings are on a better footing. Karioi, luckily, has a good share of Government grant money to expend, and will be able to reduce its present debit balance if the above suggestion is carried out. Waingaro.—The sevsral works let in the spring and summer are completed, and good work cone. H. Takerei has finished his contract in the Kahuhura Valley, and the amount (£115) paid over. Rawiri has finished the Ktrikeri contract, and made a satisfactory job. Hepata also made good work on the road near the Springs, also at the entrance to the Domain. The contractors (Coates and Co ) for the removal of the Kahuhura Bridge are well on with the work. The bridge is rebuilt on the new site, and is put up in a workmanlike manner. The late broken weather will be againßt them completing the earthworks and metalline, but owing to the proximity of the metal, they will be able to complete the work. Good metal has been struck in the cutting of the western approach, and as this metal is required it will gradually open out the approach, which for a time will be rather sharp. Waingaro Landing.—The contractor has finished re-erecting the shed. Have had to replace the flooring with new timber, the old flooring being rotten, and have had 6 x 1 undressed timber put in. A derrick is urgently required here. The Northern Shipping Company have supplied a winch, and at a small cost I am arranging to put up a derrick, utilising the old timber as far as it will go. The roadway opposite the new site will require lowering and widening, and with the Council's permission I will have it attended to ; the cost will be under 30s. Waingaro Te Mata Grant.—Works covering the whole of this grant, mentioned in the minutes, have been laid out, specifications approved, and the work let. The two contractors were Messrs Cogswell and Sutherland. T am afraid the work cannot be completed this winter, and I have warned the contractors that I expect to see the quantity of gravel above the surface when passing the work, so as to prevent them putting it on when the road is not in a fit state to receive it. The contracts let at the last meeting of the Works Committee are mostly under way. Raglan- Waipa Grant.—Three contracts have been let; one at Whatawhata, repairs to Waitetuna bridge, and a portion of metalling near Henry's. Kempthorne and Co. have finished, their contract, aud on receipt of instructions at last week's meeting I cancelled the order for the gravel and let another portion of sanding at the same rate as the original contract. The contractors conclude, however, that it is impossible to do anything in the way of carting in the meantime. An outlet drain is required opposite Mr MuLeish's; this could be done at once. Did not know at time of writing whether Mr N. King intends going on with the Waitetuna bridge work or not. I would suggeht that the woodwork be gone on with only, leaving the earthwork over until spring. A. Collins has made a start nccT Henry's, but doubt whether he can finish, as the road, on which there is a considerable amount of traffic, is bound to cut up badly. The bulk of this grant 1 have held over until the spring, and trust you will support me in this matter, as good work cannot possibly be made in the winter on roads where there is any traffic. Karioi and Pakaka Grant.—The amount of this grant has been covered by works let. One contract has been thrown up. Cr. Baukart thinks it would be best to hold the work over in the meantime. A start has been made by the other contractors, and as there is not much traffic as yet on this road, they will be able to complete the works, which are mainly side cuttings. Aotea-Raglan Grant.—One Bmall contract was let, and the contractor, R. La Trobe, has finished, making good

work. The other grants are not yet in haud. Some of them could be gone on with during the winter ; but it is a mistake to lot works so late, when there is all next summer to finish them. The small contract on the Tunaki road is completed. I visited the Kaniwhaniwha Bridge, and concluded that we could wait over until the spring. Okete Deviation.—l interviwsd Mr C. E. McDonald and informed him that the Council intended taking a road there and requested him to write to the Council as to the compensation required, and he promised to do so in time for this meeting. With his permission I graded a new road with the understanding that the bush is not to be interfered with. The new grade is a good one, the steepest one in fifteen. Tenders have been called for the work and will be submitted at this meeting. Planks.—l would suggest that a few planks be procured for the Whatawhata bridge.