WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 318, 23 July 1898, Page 4

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Waika'o County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Hamilton, at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. There were preeent :—Crs. S. T. Seddon, A. Furze, J. Bailey, A. McKue, \V. H. Thomas. In the licence of the Chairman (Mr A. Primrose) Cr. Seddon was voted to the chair, on the motion of Cr. Bailey, seconded by Cr. Furze. A Disputed Claim.—Mr I. Coates wrote acknowledging receipt of an account for £l7 l'2s lid, beiDK half co=t of erecting tence between the Model Farm Reserve and his property. He denied any liability and refused to pay, and stated if the Council decided to sue him for the amount, he would be glad if they would do so at once so as to get the matter settled. He had ample reason for his action, but did not feel disposed to give it.—The Clerk stated that or. 30th November he had served on Mr Coates a legal notice re fencing, and a legal fence, as provided by the Act, had been erected on the boundary as defined byMrDrury. Mr Coates had given no reply and as such became a consenting partd.—Cr. Seddon said all through this matter Mr Coates had agreed to pay half the cost; of the fonce.—On the suggestion of Cr. Bailey.it Mas decided that Crs. Seddon, Thomas and Fmze see Mr Coates, and report at next meeting of the Council. Pile-driver. —Mr T. Slade wrote offering to take charge of the Council's pile-driver for £1 per annum, but he would not keep it in repair for this sum. He would deliver it to persons properly authorised and would see that it was returned in proper order, and if damaged he would report the matter to the Council.—lt was decided to accept the offer. Rolls.—The Valuer-General forwarded the copies ot the rolls of the various Ridings. Bridge Aitroaches.—lt was decided to grant A. Scott 10* a-year for keeping the approaches of the Rangiriri and Whangamarino bridges in repair. Subsidy.—The Cambridge Road Board wrote applying for a payment of £7O ■ subsidy, for the purpose of gravejling the Hamilton-Cambridge Road. Cr. Thomas said that the Road Board was short of funds, having an overdraft at the bank, the riding account was in credit some £l5O, and the money had been already spent otf work on the road. —The request was acceded to. , Finakce.—The Clerk reported that at present there was cash in bank, £ll 9s Id ; but that did not include some small items in hand ; subsidy due from Government ; £3OO, and rates unpaid, £3O 17s 7d ; making the total assets, £342 6s 8d ; out of which the accounts to be passed would leave to be paid. The state of the riding accounts at date was in credit : Huntly, £lO9 15s lOdi ; Tamahere, £26 17s 8d ; Cambridge, £156 10s o£d. In debt : Whangamarino, £29 18s 3Jd ; Kirikiriroa, £ll 17s 4\d ; Model Farm account, £235 Is. Rate.—On the motion of Cr. Furze, a general rate of Jd in the £ was struck.— The Clerk in reply to a question by Cr. Thomas, stated that the Council did not receive any subsidy on ihe county rate ; but receive half the amount, viz., £o" in the £5 on the amount collected by the Road Board.—Cr. Mcßae said he had noticed on looking over the Blue Books that the Tamahere, Kirikiriroa and Cambridge ridings had only struck rates of id in the £.—(Cr. Furze and the Clerk : Tamahere now strikes a |d rate), and they, therefore, lost a subsidy on the extra id, which could be struck, while the ratepayers' had to pay the Jd to the county. He thought it would be better it the Council did not strike the -Jd rate ; but that the Road Boards struck the full fd on the whole of which they would receive subsidy. This in the Kirikiriroa and Tamahere Ridings would be over £l7O extra. The Road Boards then could pay over the subsidy to the Council.—The Clerk said this had been tried ; but had to be stopped, as the Audit Office objected to certaiu payments—amoDg others contributions to the Hospital Board—being made by the Road Boards.—Cr. Furze said that if the Council did not strike a rate they would be unable to get any advance from the bank if necessary.—The Clerk suggested that the easiest way out of the difficulty would be for the Road Boards to merge into the couuty.—Cr. Mcßae thought it would be better to wipe the county out, but Cr. Seddon pointed out that there was no machinery to do this, and he doubted if the Government would pass an Act to do so.—Cr. Mcßae stated the county, with respect to the proportion of the cost of management to revenue, was the fourth in the colony, 7s in every £ beiug 6pent in this way.—The matter then dropped. Accounts.—Payment of the following accounts was authorised, viz. : T. White, £1 6s Id ; audit fee, £2; interest on debt, £4B Is 9d ; Gas Company, 6s ; Champtaloup and Cooper, 8s 2d ; T. Slade, £1 4s ; A. Scott, £1 13s fid ; The Waikato Argus, !)s; Huntly Ferry, £2 17s sd; salaries, £8 6s 8d ; Hospital Board, £lO4 7s 5d ; T. Slade, £2 19s 6d ; travelling expenses, £3 7s fid.