WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 365, 10 November 1898, Page 4

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above was held at Ohaupo on Tuesday last. There were present: Crs. W. H. Mandeno (chairman), E. Allen, vS. Steele, J. H. Vickers, J. B. Tea'sdale, G. Totty, and R. Bell. MainTkonk Railway.—The UnderSecretary acknowledged receipt of the Council's resolution to the effect that, in the event of the Auckland-Wellington railway beiDg proceeded with, the central route was the most desirable. Bad Screet.—The clerk of the Kihikihi Town Board called attention to the state of Oliver-street, more particularly to that portion near the school.—This matter was left in the hands of the chairman. Edwards' Estate.—The District Agent of the Public Trustee again wrote regarding rates on the estate of the late Ben. Edwards, of Franktou, Lots 54 and 55, leased to the late Mr J. B. Harker. —The Council decided to reply that amendments in the valuation roll did not rest with the Council, and it could only collect rates in accordance with the roll - r », l" Ngaruawahia Bridge Loan.—Mr J. B. Heywood, Secretary to the Treasury, wrote as follows :—"Two hundred and fifty pounds loan for Waipa river bridge is now available ; what payment is immediately required ?"—The Chairman reported that he had asked for the whole amount. The council's share 6f the cost of the bridge was passed for immediate payment. Te Awamctu-Orakau Road.—Mr i. W.Lang, M.H.R., wrote informing the council that he had applied to have the sum of £SO placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the Te Awamutu-Orakau road, and would do his utmost to obtain the grant. 'Cyclists' Touring Club.—The Secretary of the N.Z. 'Cyclists' Touring Club, Wellington, wrote informing the council that the Club was prepared and willing to supply and erect warning notices and direction plates at all necessary places in the colony, and asking, if there should be any dangerous hill? or cross roads within the Walpa County the fact be at once communicated to the Club, giving the exact positions where the boards or plates are required together with a rough sketch of the locality.—The , Councillors were requested to report at next meeting upon any dangerous spots in ths various ridings and places where fingerposts would be desirable. Reduction in Valuation.—Mr McGowan, of the Land and Income Tax Department, wrote re the reduction in the valuation of Mr C. N. Orbell's property in the Newcastle . Riding. He stated that the reduction had not been made without consideration. The owner of the property objected to the valuation made by the local valuer and called upon him to reduce it or purchase the laud. He thereupon instructed the district valuer to make a new valuation of the land, and this was doue, the result going to prove that the original valuation was much too high. With reference fo the statement that some of the land had recently been sold at 25s per acre, he pointed out that the earlier sales in an estate could not aiways be taken as a fair criterion of the total realisable value. —The Chairman thought before such a sweeping reduction was made the matter should have been submitted to the Council, which had to bear the cost of valuation.—This remark was endorsed by all the other Councillors. The Clerk was instructed to write to this effect. Legertwood's Road. Mr Edwin Robinson called attention to the road between his property and the place known as Legertwood's, which was impassable owing to thefuize growing upon it.—The Clerk said that the land was unclaimed, and had not paid any rates for years. —The Council agreed to have the clearing done, making the cost a charge acjainst the land. Chairman's Repobt.—The Chairman reported that the various works let by tender at laat meeting were progressing in a satisfactory manner. He had inspected McMiken's bridge, and thought the work of strengthening it could be carried out for about £lO. This would keep the bridge safe for six or eight years. He thought the bridge might be replaced with a large culvert for about £l3. About 100 yards of fencing would be required. He had laid off a new line of road across Lot 87, Pirongia, as he found it would be a drier and better road than the present one.—The Council decided to call for tenders for the formation of the new road at once. He had arranged to have the culvert works at Stone's corner, near Ngaruawahia, carried out—The Chairman was authorised to have the repairs to McMiken's bridge effected. Royalty.—Mr W. North wrote stating that according to a clause in his lease, he had a right of way half a chain wide from his leasehold through Messrs Goodfellow's property to the station road and at any time if the gate was left open his lease could be cancelled.—The Chairman said Mr North had refused to accept the a yard offered by the Council at last meeting, and he thought the best way out of the difficulty was to pay the penny a yard and have done with it.— This the Council agreed to do. Tendebs. Cambridge - Rotorangi Road formation : C. Crouch, 4s 3d ; J. Harris, 4s. Mr Harris' tender was accepted. Tuhikaramea-Ohaupo Road : C. Drabble, ditching 3s 3d per chain, earthwork 7d per yard ; B. Martin, 7s 6d and lOd. Mr Drabble's tender was accepted. Cambridge-Ohaupo Road Formation : Thos. Cowley, 3s and 2s (accepted). Formation near McNicol's : Thos. Cowley, formation, 3s 4d per chain ; grading, 8d per yard (accepted). Innesfallen Road : C. Crouch, cutting Innesfallen Road, lOd ; draining, 7s per chain. The tender for the Innesfallen Hill and draining work was accepted, but the price for Mears' Hill was considered too high, and the matter wat left in the hands of the Chairman to arrange. Doo Fees.—The Clerk was instructed to write to the dog registrars in the various ridings asking them for an immediate statement of their accounts. Works. Tenders were called for forming 30 chains of the Paterangi Road, near Mr Webb's property. Accounis. —The following payments were authorised :—R. O. Clark, £ll 0s Sd ; C. J. Storey, £l2 lis 3d ; freight, £1 5s Id ; H. Ingham, £9 18s ; Thos. Karl, £6 ; Aubiu and Co., Is 4s.