WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 399, 16 February 1899, Page 4

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Waipa County Council was held at Ohaupo on Tuesday. There were present: Crs. W. H. Mandeno (Chairman), Wm. Scott, S. Steele, F. J. Vickers, J. H. Teasdale, G. Totty, and R. B«ll. Rotoranoi RoAD.-Mr W. B. Park, manager of Rotorangi, wrote enclose g £4 toward! the cost of the Rotorangi Swamp Road drain. The extra £2 was given on the diotinct understanding that later on the drain would be continued in depth so as to carry the whole of the water from the road, and that the exSense would be divided between the ounty and the station, Mr Storey to have the option of contributing should be so desire—After some discussion, Crs. Scott proposed that Mr Storey's cost of the work be reduced one fourth of the whole amount. Seconded by Cr. S. Stee'e and carried. Ohaupo Cemetery.—The Under-Sec-retary for Lands forwarded an extract from the Government Gezette, notifying that the Waipa County Council had been appointed trustees for the maintenance and cara of the Ohaupo cemetery. The council agreed to allow the matter to stand over for the present. Traction Engine Bond. —Mr A. Swarbrick wrote regarding the new bylaws!, and expressing tho opinion that it would be advisable for the Counoil to enforce the bond in the case of traction engine owners. He further stated that each bond wonld require a 10s stamp and another 5s to get it stamped. He forwarded a copy ot a letter which he con•idered would take the place of the bond and save the extra expense. The Council accepted the letter in lieu of the bond - tot a Alteration of Boundaries.—Mr A. Swarbrick wrote forwarding draft resolution required to be passed by the Counoil in connection with the alteration of the County boundaries, in order to include a portion of West Taupo. Be pointed out that the procedure as recommended by the Colonial Secretary was wrong and that even if the Governor proclaimed the alteration it would be ultra vires and void. The Counties Act expressly stated that the Act did not apply to the West Taupo County. Section 3 only referred to cases where Counties had a common boundary, and dealt with land iu that boundary and within their own area. The construction put on the Act by the Colonial Secretary would enable the Council, by arrangement with the Piako County Council, to annex half the West Taupo County, which was absurd. The only way in which the area could be added to the county was by special Act of Parliament—lt was decided to obtain a plan of the locality and request Mr Swarbriok to draft a Bill, to be brought before the House next session.

Government Grants.—The SurveyorGeneral wrote, stating that the sum of £IOO had been voted for the repairs to the Wbatawhata Road and £IOO for the repairs to the Cambridge Bridge. He regretted that the funds at the disposal of the Minister did not allow of a grant being made for the Te Awamutu-Orakau Road, and this matter would now have to stand over until the consideration of next year's Estimates. Waipa Bridge Maintenance.—The Clerk of the Ngaruawahia Town Board wrote, asking whether the Council would bear a share of the cost of enforcing the Waikato County to contribute towards the cost of the maintenance of the Waipa Bridge.—lt was to reply that the Council was under the impression that a commission would be held and the cost allocated between the different bodies interested. .Cambridge Bridge. —Mr A. J. Hunter, in accordance with instructions received from the chairman, reported on the Cambridge Bridge recently inspected by him. He said the superstructure was in a very good state of preservation, and the principal work should- be in the direction of maintaining it in its present state. Although through want of proper precautions more or less of the foundation piles had rotted, there still remained ample timber in the piles to safely carry the bridge, and if steps were taken to prevent further decay, the piles would last as long aB the rest of the bridge. The abutment at the north end was in a bad 6tate, but the other was not nearly so bad.—The Council, on the motion of Cr. Steele, seconded by Cr. Scott, decided that Mr Hunter should be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for repairs to the bridge. Road Closing. The Clerk of the Newcastle Road Board wrote referring to the proposal to close several roads in that district between Lots 43 and 44 and 47 and 48, known as Shepherd's and Jack's Roads. He enclosed plans of the alteration and asked the Council to confirm the action of the Board and the ratepayers.—The request was granted. Accounts. The following accounts were passed for payment :—F. Stokes, £2l 2s ; H. Booth, £6 ; G. Harper, 6s ; C. Egan, 6» ; G. McGee, £7 12s 6d ; Pukekura Road Board, 6s 9d ; R. Waite, £1 17s ; H. Kusabs, £6 19s 9d ; T. Cowley, £22 19s ; W. Souter and Co., £1 Is ; Rotorangi Estate, £7 9s 2d ; McNauland Company, £2 7s 6d ; Local Government Handbook, 10s 6d ; The Waikato Abgos, £2 3s.

Chairman's Report.—The Chairman, in his üßual report, stated that the works in the county had made little or no progress since last meeting. The delay was chiefly owing to the harvest operations and broken weather, which has lately been experienced. The work at Melville's Bridge would be undertaken before next meeting, while that at McMicken's Bridge had been completed. The formation at the Pukete Flat had been completed. The contractor for the work had had a lot of ill-luck all through, principally owing to the constant wet and the sticky nature of the soil. He was now getting on with the gravelling, and if favourable weather was experienced the work would be concluded before next meeting. Unclaimed Lands. —Mr A. Swarbrick wrote re the unclaimed lands in the county. He pointed out that a number of the allotments would not pay for the •xpense of putting them through, but he made an offer to deal with the whole lot. Cr. Scott proposed, and Cr. Steele seconded, that Mr Swurbnck's offer to place certain unclaimed lands on the ratepayers' list should be accepted.— Carried unanimously. Hospital Contribution. £lOO was passed on account of the Council's contribution towards the Waikato Hospital. By-laws. The Chairman reported that the new by-laws as passed by the Council were as yet a dead letter, more especially as regards licenses for heavy traffic and hawker's licenses, none of which had yet been issued.-After some discussion it was resolved to communicate with the police authorities in the matter and to issue a notice that all fees unpaid by the 31st March would be sued °KoNKKES.-Cr. Bell drew attention to damage done by konekes to the roads in the West Pirongia District. matter was left with the Chairman to deal with. Willows.—Permission was given to the Railway Department to cut down the willows at tho culvert near Frankton if necessary. . Doo Registrars. The following tenders were received for the position of doe registrar for the Pukekura Riding : —R Fitzgerald, 10d per collar at 2s 6d, ls4d at ss; S. Fletcher, lOd for all collars sold. Mangapiko, Newcastle and Tuhikaramea, or the whole of the County Ridings: R. Carter, Is per collar.-Mr Fletcher's tender for the Pukekura Ridingwas accepted, and Mr R. Carters tender for other ridings was accepted - The appointment of a registrar for the other ridings was left in the hands of the Chairman!