WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 356, 20 October 1898, Page 4

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Council was held at the chambers, Ohaupo, on Tuesday. There were present: Cr,s. W. H. Maudeuo (chairman), E. Allen, W.. Scott, S. btetle, D. Fullerton, F. J. Vickers, G. Totty, R. Bell, and J. B. Teasdale. Public Trust Rates.—Mr E. F. Warren, in reply to a demand for rates from the Council, stated that the property of the late Ben. Edwards, of Frankton, consisted of 15 acres—l 4 of which were leased to Mr J. B. Harker, who was responsible for the rates for that portion of the land.—The Council decided to inform the Public Trustee that the property appears on the ratebook in his.name, and it looked to him for payment of the rates. Trouble over a Drain.—Messrs Daly and Nabbs, Mangapiko, wrote informing the Council that the charge made by Davidson at last meeting, that they had caused damage to a drinking place on his property in cleaning up a drain, was a malicious and deliberate falsehood, and that they intended giving Mr Davidson an opportunity of producing his proofs in a Court of law.— Letter received. Fitzgerald's Drain.—Mr M. litzjterald reported that the outfall drain from his place through Mr Story's farm at Whatawhata was in a bad state, and completely flooded his land after rain.— Cr. Fullerton recommended, that the side drain along the road should be opened, for the benefit of the road.—The Chairman agreed .with this, but did not think Mr Fitzgerald had any claim upon the council on account of the water running through his property.—The matter was allowed to.stand over until it was ascertained what funds were available. Transfer of Ohaupo Hotel.—Mr M. Delaney, of Paeroa, wrote stating that about two years aeo he had, in anticipation of transferring the license of the Ohaupo Hotel to his son, deposited the Bum of £2. As the transfer had never been effected he asked tor a remission of the amount.—The Chairman explained that, although the transfer was never made to Delaney junr., the license had been transferred to Mr Bridges.—The Clerk said he had written to Mr Delaney to this effect. Subsidy,—Subsidy amounting to £3BS 15s 4d was received from the Treasury, distributed as follows :—Newcastle Road Board, £24 18s lid ; Rangiaohia Road Board, £44 3s 3d; Tuhikaramea Road Board, £l4 1b 6d ; Pukekura Road District (Board of which'did not levy), £lB5 10s 9d ; outlying districts, £122 10s lid, leas amount recovered in respect of the Counties' share of the cost of the inquiry re Ngaruawahia bridge. Government Valuation. —The Taranaki County Council forwarded a lengthy circular, protesting against the exorbitant cost of that council's share of the late Government valuation, £417 3s, and expressing its intention of declining to pay more than £2BO until compelled by action in the Supreme Court.—The Chairman said Mr F. W. Lang had been communieated with on the matter, but no reply had yet been received.—Several of the councillors characterised the charges for valuation throughout the colony as scandalous.—ln reply, the council "stated that they had already moved in the matter, and would support any united action to obtain a reduction in the charges. . Grant.—The Chairman was instructed to write Mr F. W. Lang,, requesting him to obtain, if possible, a grant for the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi and Orakau Road. Alteration in Roll.—Messrs H. and J. Goodfellow, of Te Awamutu, wrote informing the Council that part of Lot 186, Pukete, which was valued at £45, had, after much difficulty, been sold to Mr C. Limmer for £lo.—The Clerk was instructed to make the necessary alteration on the roll. Nawton Road.—Mr E. Exelby wrote enclosing amount of his rates, and calling the attention of the Council to the nscessitity of reforming the Nawton Road.—The Council decided to call for tenders for this work. Domain Reserve, Ngaroto.—Mrs H. Bartela wrote stating that she could not see ber way to take the reserve, 176 A,, Ngaroto, alongside her farm, and asking the Council if possible to let it to someone else.—Cr. Scott said a Maori named Nero had offered to give 15s a year for the land, to clear it and build a house on it.—The Council agreed to call for tenders for the land. Gravel.—The Newcastle Road Board gave the necessary permission to the Council to take gravel from the road near the Pukete School for road works. % Chairman's Report.—ln his report the Chairman stated that with reference to the deviation of the road running between Lots 74 and 82, Mangapiko, the members deputed to inspect the place thought the alteration was desirable. Tenders had therefore been called for the two lots together. Iu this case the present road would have to be stopped,aud this could only be done under the Public Works Act. As instructed, he had called for a number of new works in different parts of the County; a number of these were returnable on the 26th of last month, and these had been dealt with by a committee of five councillors. He had passed Mawhtnney's contract at the Whatawhata swamp. A rough resume of the work done for the Government grant of £IOO, made at the 1896 ses&ionT showed that the "B" outlet drain had been deepened and widened for a distance of 40 chains from the road, and the " A " outlet deepened and widened 30 chains down, and a new drain cut continuing the outlet down to the creek, a distance of 37f chains. In addition to this, between 70 and 80 chains of road drains had been cleaned out and deepened. About 25 chains of the swamp road had been covered by a coat of sand, and a great many small repairs had been effected. A search of the vouchers showed that the amount spent upon the Whatawhata Swamp Road during the last three years was £122 7s, or an average expenditure of £4O Bs—just the amount they were asked to pay Mawhinney for the five years' term of maintenance. Since the last meeting he had agaiD been over the road, and was more than ever convinced that this was the most economical plan they could adopt, if the road is to be kept in a fair state of repair. Work not included in the con- • tract would have to be done, particularly on the 14 - chain swamp ; a portion of which will have to be fascined before long or it would be impassable next winter, further provision for getting the water from this portion of the road would have to be made. He suggested that an attempt should be made to obtain a grant of £IOO from the Government, and that an arrangement should be entered into for the maintenance of the road for a term of three years.—ln reference to this road the Chairman said that on finding that only the sum of £25 had been set down on the Government Estimates, he had wired to Mr F. W, Lang, M.H.R., pointing out the unfairness, and aaking him to endeavour to have the amount increased.—Cr. Allen did not think it would be advisable to accept Mr Mawhinney's offer until they found 0..;t whether they would get a grant of £loo. Cr. Fullerton said there was a feeling abroad that in taking the proposed action the council were favouring one individual, and he moved that in the event of a caretaker being appointed, tenders should be called for the work.— The Chairman said that the present case was rather an exceptional one, and, unless the council had full confidence in the man, he would not he in favour of lettin" the work for shi extended period. If tenders were called, he thought it should be understood that the lowest need not necessarily be accepted.— Several of the councillors objected to the work being let for a longer term than

one year.—Eventually, it was decided to allow the matter to stand over until a reply had been received from the Government. Tenders. —The following tenders were received for various works within (he county :—Contract aSIo. HOI (Huvelock's to Mayer's): C. Crouch, 5s 4d ; McNaul Bros.', 4s 4d ; R. Carter, 4s 6d ; Tliok. Karl, 4s 9d ; E. Offerson, 5s 2d ; C. H. Drabble, 3s 9d.—McNaul Bros.' tender was accepted.—No. 302 (Orakau Road): G. McGhie, 5s 9d.—No. 303 (Kihikiht Domain) : G. McGhie, 53 9rt —Neither tender was accepted, and the chairman was authorised to deal with them.—No. 304 (Pirongia): F. Stokes (formation), 8s (jd and 4s 6d ; cleauinjj ditches, 7s and 2s 6d ; rounding up, 2s ; C. Crouch—formation, 5s 4d ; cleaning ditches, 3s Id and 6s ; rounding up, 3s 6d.—As there was some difficulty in deciding which tender was the lower, the matter was left in the hands of the chairman and Cr. Bell to deal with. —No. 305 (Bosanko's Hill) : C. Crouch, 4a 5d ; McNaul Bros.', 4s 4d.—The latter tender was accepted.—For the lease of the Pirongia Reserve (14 years) two tenders were received: G. Berry—First five years, £5 per annum ; second five years, £7 per annum ; remaiuiug four years, £lO per annum ; A. G. Smith—First two years, erection of boundary fence, balance of term £5 per annum and improvements.—Mr Berry's tender was accepted. Road Works. —It was decided, on the recommendation of Cr. Allen, to call for tenders for 40 chains of formation on the Roto-o-rangi road, and about 40 chains on the Ohaupo-Cambridge road; also, for grading and formation n-ar Mrs McNicol's, on the Hamiltou-Ohaupo road; and cutting down Mears' Hill on the Tnnesfallen road, and formation from the main Ohaupo road to the railway station. Reduction in Valuation.—The clerk was instructed to write to the Valuation Department asking why the valuation on Mr Orbell's property, "consisting of 1236 acres, at Pukete, had been reduced from £1 to 10s per acre, notwithstanding that no objection was lodged by Mr Orbell at the Assessment Court held for that purpose. Culvert.—Cr. Fullerton reported that a culvert at Stone's comer, near Ngaruawahia, was in a dangerous condition.— The Chairman was instructed to inspect the place and have the necessary work done. Rival Routes.—Cr. Teasdale said he thought that now the question of railways was agitating the minds of many at each end ot the Island, the Council should express its opinion as to the most desirable route. He moved that the Council is of opinion that in the event of the Auckland line being constructed the Central route is the most desirable.—Cr. Steele seconded the motion, and Cr. Allen spoke in favour of the proposal The Chairman thought the construction ot either line was premature, but if they were to have a line he favoured the Central route.—Cr. Scott thought the line was not required at all. —iitber a short discussion the motion was put and darned Ngaruawahia Bridge.— The Chairman said he had received an invitation to be present at the ceremony of the opening of the Ngaruawahia Bridge, to be held on Wednesday, but was sorry to say hewas unable to be present, and had replied to that effect. Accounts.—The following accounts were passed for payment :—P. Cooper, £5 13s9d; W. Vickers, £1 19s; Thos. Qnallrough, £1 ; W. Souter and Company, £7 6s 3d : H. W.Gleye, 16s ; H. Booth, £24 18s ; Mountain Rimu Com pany, £1 17s 9d ; Wm. Mawhinuey, £47 12s 9d ; Wm. North, £2 8s 9d ; T. A. Alexander, 9s ; The Waikato Argus, £6 Is 3d ; W, J. Weeks, £5 2s. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting was held for the purpose of confirming the resolutions passed at the special meeting held on Septem • ber 13th, 1898, making special orders relating to striking a special rate and enacting by-laws.