PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 451, 22 June 1899, Page 4

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of this Council was held at Morriuaville on Friday, when there were present,: Councillors Chepmcll (Chairman), Hemes, Gavin, Hunt, Harrison, King and Farmer.-Cr. Aitken applied for, and was granted, leave of absence from the meeting. Publican's Licenses:—ln accordance with certificates from the Licensing Committee, the following were granted publican's licenses :—John Bertie, v\ aiorongomai; Frank Rose, Tirau ; Laurence Cillaghan, Okoroire ; 0. F. filing, "Waihou; W. Scholium, Mornnsville; arid Jaß. Shorley (accommodation license), Putararu. mi Government Gkant?. The Mines Department advised that the following amounts had been voted for the respec the works :—£so for Gordon-Waharoa Boad ; £l2 for Murphy's Bridge, WaiRoad, and £l5O for Waiorongomai Road; total, £312. Tenders.—lt was reported that the committee had received the following tenders for contract 121—building bridge as Roche's :—A. J. Forrest, £32 15s; J as. Orr, £32; M. O'Grady, £2B 15s (accepted). ' The ordinary meeting was then adjourned, and a special meeting constituted. The Chairman then moved that a Bpecial annually recurring rate of ODetenth of a penny per £ be struc* on the Taotaoroa Riding to meet the annual payment of £9 Os 2d for interest and charges, tbe same to be done by Bpecial order.—This was seconded by Cr. Hunt and carried. Ordinary me ting resumed. Ranoeb.—The Waitoa Road Board wrote concerning the nuisance caused by stray cattle on the roads, and suggesting that the Council co-operate with the Board in appointing a ranger for the district. The Council agreed to do VVaioronqomai TrAxMway.—ln reply to the Council's ißtimation that they desired to surrender their title to the tramway and requesting them to take concrol, the Government wrote that they could not see their way to accede to the Council's request. A wire was received from Mr Cadman agreeing to contribute to the cost of new wire ropes for the tiam, and authorising the Council to procure the same at ouce.—Some discussion ensued on Cr. Harrison's motion to abandon the tramway, but the genera opinion was that this could not very well be done at present, as the Government had frequently assisted in maintenance by granting votes of money and also by way of giving material when the tramway was originally constructed. This would lead to a mingling of interests and Mould put difficulties in the way of total abandonment by the Council.—Cr. Harrison withdrew his motion. Thirds—The scheme of expenditure of " thirds " submitted by Cr. Herries was approved. Valuation Expenses.—The Clerk was instructed to press for a reply from the Valuation Department to the Council's request for a reduction in these charges. Pile Drivkr —Foreman Wattam was authorised to get this machine put in

order. Bridge at Shaftesbury.— Cr. barmer brought forward the necessity for a bridge across the river at Shaftesbury, connecting the Diagonal Road. He had received promises of financial assistance from the settlers adjacent amounting to £BO. He himself would guarantee £45, and he asked the Couucil for a £ for £ subsidy on that amount (£125). This would make £250, and he suggested the Council should approach the Government for a £ for £ subsidy. This would bring the total amount to £SOO, and he had had an estimate of the cost of the bridge supplied, which placed .the outside cost at £SOO, although he thought it could be done for less than that.—The Council agreed to grant the required subsidy on the footiDg that Cr. Farmer raise £125, and that the Government agree to give £250. County Office.—lt was decided to paint the building, material to be supplied by the Couucil, and also to plant a few trees on the office section. Tesders.—The following were re ceived :—Contract No. 122, widening Thomson's track and building bridge : McCarthy and O'Grady. £BS ; Fori est and Warren, £74 15s (accepted). Contract No. 123, widening Thomson's track, 85 chains : McCarthy and O'Grady, £2 7s 6d per chain ; E. Summers, £2 5s ; Forrest and Warren, £2 2s 6d ; P. Collins and Party, £1 19s 6d ; H. Gallagher, £1 19s 5d ; J. O'Brien, £1 18s 6d ; B Montague, £1 3s (accepted). Permission to Close Road.--Jas. Orr applied for permission to close the road leading from the main Gordon Road through bis section to the river, as it cut up his farm and was of no use to anyone. Re was willing to pay all costs relating thereto.—On the motion of Cr. Herries, it was agreed that on Orr placing the necessary expenses in the Clerk's hands, the Council take etep3 to close the road. Traction Engine Tbaffic. —As per instructions given at last meeting, both Foremen reported on the condition of the roads in their districts.—They reported that the roads were in good order for ordinary traffic, but that one or two bridges were hardly good enough for traction engine traffic—The Clerk was instructed to forward copies of the reports to the Manager of the Estates Board, who is desirous of bringing wool by menus of steam traction. Accounts. The following accounts were passed for payment :—G. Mahood, £ll 10a ; Tawharangi, £9 ; E. Barrett, £3 12s ; J Walker, £1 lis 9d ; W. Hyorth, £7 4s ; D. Lusby, £9 ; W. Stanley, £4 ; R. Craig, £7 4s ; Taha, £5 5s ; W. P. Benton and Co., £4 5s 3d ; \V. P. Benton and Co., £8 9s 3d; G. Wattam, £ll ; Jas. Orr, £4 13a ; D. McCarthy, £SO ; Jas. La very, £3 2s 4d ; J, Chambers and Son, £76 3s lOd ; H. and J. Clifford, £25 7s 4d ; P. Gilchrist, £42 2s 7d ; R. Coulson, £4 10s ; A. Laybourn. £2 7s 8d ; Smardon Bros'., £3 7s 6d ; Te Aroha News, £5 2s ; wages (tramway), £29 17s ; W. P. Chepmell, £5 lis ; N. I. Huut, £6 ; W. H. Herries, £1 ; T. Gavin, £2 12s.