WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 487, 14 September 1899, Page 3

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thk usual monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council was held at Oliaupo, on Tuesday. There were prescut :—Crs. W. H. Muiideno (chairman), Ed. Allen, Wm. Scott, S. Steele, F. J. Vickers, J. B. Teasdale, G. Totty, H. J. Bell and W. Fullerton. Chairman's Report.—The Chairman read his usual monthly report as follows :—Rotorangi Drain : It will be within the recollection of the Council that when this matter was before it a few months since, Mr Park consented to increase his contribution towards the work done at that time on condition that the drain was carried further on through the swamp and alongside the road. Some correspondence has been received in reference to this, which will be brought before you.—Cambridge Bridge : On the 16th of last month, I received a wire from Mr Cooper, stating that one of the suspension rods of bridee had broken in screwing up. I went over next day and found that one of the third pair from the south end of the bridge had snapped at the nut in screwing up. I instructed Mr Cooper to have it welded, but the trouble is that the lower boom, at the particular spot where these rods pass through it, proves to be very much decayed. The only thing I could see to be done was to place a piece of solid hardwood under the boom and pass the rods down through it. In order to do this some support had to be provided while the job was being done, and I told Mr Cooper to get an extra rod to put in for this purpose. I then wrote to Mr Hursthouse :—Dear Sir,—Re Cambridge Bridge : I received word from Mr Cooper that one of the tie rode had snapped in screwing up. I went over and found that one of the third pair, a l£io. rod had snapped at the nut, not twisted off but a clean break, evidently part of the break was of long standing, i arranged to get it welded, and a new extra one put in as well. The reason for this was that the bottom chord is so dosey in this particular spot, that the iron strap, which takes the ends of the tie rods, had been drawn right up into the wood. I thought it best to put a pieco of puriri under the chord through which the new rod will go, so as to carry the whole wHth of the chord. I should be much obliged if you would give me your opinion on two points : First, the centre tic rods (four pairs) are only lsin. iron. Are these sufficient to carry the strain of say a traction engine passing over the bridge, or what is worse, a mob of cattle. Do you think it would be worth while to get an extra one put in each set. Second, do you consider it advisable to compel people to go over nt a> walking pace. At present no one does so, aad, of course, this largely increases the vibration, and a few days later received a reply and accordingly inserted an advertisement in The Argus, notifying that the weights over three tons would not be allowed to cross, and that no one would be allowed to cross at other thau a walking pace. I would like here to point out that it is to the interest of everyone in the district to endeavour to minimise the wear and tear oh that bridge, and that the Council will be compelled to enforce the by-law in reference to walking over bridges if the public do not obey the notice given.—Mears' Hill : This job is completed and passed, and it has made an immense improvement in the road. There is still a small piece of this road beyond the cutting, which should be attended to, about 20 chains ; also a short piece this side of the railway line, which was left in a horrible state by the traction engine. It is made ground over a swamp and the engine has apparently been right through it. It requires a good coating of clay at the present time and some gravel later on.—Tenders for workti, ordered at last meeting, are in today.—l think it would be well to authorise the most important works to be put through this season, at this day's meeting, so as to get them in hand as soon as possible. The gravelling of Millar's Hill has not yet started, as I found people too busy with their crops just at present. The report was adopted. Cunningham's Profeiity. —Mr R. Cunningham, wrote asking the Council to allow a peppercorn rent, say £5 a year for the use of lot 336, through which the Kihikihi-Cambridge Road runs, as he did not wish to endow the Council with it or lose it through the law of user.—The Council was strongly opposed to such o, course ; but decided to ask Mr Cunningham what amount he would be prepared to accept for the land, the matter being left in the bauds of the Chairman and Cr. Teasdale. Rating Native Lands.--Mr F. W. Lang, wrote on the subject of rating native lands, and expressing his willingness to support Mr Herries as requested by the Council when the question comes before the House.

Grants.—The Under-Secretary informed the Council that the request for grants for £SOO for the Whatawhata Swamp Road, and £250 for the KihikihiWaotu Road would be considered when the estimates were being framed. Waste Lands.—The acting-Minister for Lands informed the Council that the list of wabte lands in the town of Pirongia was now going through the Lands and Survey Office with the view of being offered for selection.

Accounts. The following accounts were passed for payment:—D. McKinnon, £7 15s ; W. Vickers, £3 17s ; McKaul and Co, £7 7s 8s ; T, Tebbs, £3O 4s 6d ;P. Cooper, £4O; W. Mawhinney, £7 16s; A, Swarbrick, £6 5s 7d ; W. Bearsley, £5 3s; W. SouterandCo., £llßs6d; R. Waite, £1 ; H. Smith, £1 2s 6d ; C. J. Rickett, 4s 7d ; Davys Bros., £1 19s 3d ; Waikato Argus, £3 13s.

Subsidy.—The Land and Income Tax Department wrote requesting that as the Pukekura Road Board did not levy a rate for the year 1898-99 the Council and the Chairman of the Road Board should make the usual declaration in order that the Council might claim subsidy on the general rates levied by it.

Ohaupo Cemetery.—Mr H. Kusabs wrote offering to rent the Ohaupo Cemetery Reserve.—The Council decided to lease the section to Mr Kusabs for seven years for the sum of £2 a year.—The Council then appointed Messrs Ed. Lake, J. T. Edwards, H. Kusabs, Thos. Prince and M. S. Laurie trustees of the cemetery. Pine Trees.—The attention of the Council was drawn to the tact that Mr D. Turnwald, of Ohaupo, had planted a row of pine trees along the outside of his fence near Ohaupo, and it was decided to request him to remove them. Fbdeeation.—The Auckland Branch of the Australasian Federation League forwarded a lengthy circular on the subject of federation, requesting the Council to take steps to form a branch of the league in the district.—The Council considered it would be useless to attempt to form a branch of the league, as people were apathetic oc questions which affected them more closely than federation.—A resolution was passed requesting tho Government to submit the question to the vote at the next general election, and asking the member for Waipa to do his utmost to bring this about.

Rotoranoi Drains.—Mr C. J. Storey wrote ro the deepeninq and widening of the Rotorangi swamp drains. He forwarded a sketch plan of the work, estimating the co3t at £33. The Rotorangi Estate, he said, would contribute a fair share of the cost and also clear the ti-tree from the road side of the drain.—The Council dccidod to have the work carried out at a cost of 10s per chain. Te Rai'A Creamery Road.—Mr E. White, of Frankton, in reply to the Council, stated that the settlers who required the new road opened up to the Te Rapa Creamery were unable to render auy financial assistance, but would be willing to assist in the work of forma-

tioti. —The Council decided that as the cost was so great it would doc be justified in undertaking the work unless a substantial guarantee weie forthcoming.

Cambridge Bridge.—The Treasury notified the payment of £75 on nccount of the work done at the Cambridge Bridee

Ploughing Roadsidks.—ln reply to Mr E. E. Rushbtook, the Council slated that it had no objection to his ploughing! the sides of the road in order to get rid of the furze, provided he did not interfere w th the formation.

Wilc ck's Crossing.—The Railway Department notified the Council that the application of Mr Wilcoek for a crossing below Frankton had been approved by the Department, aud would be carried out as soon as a cheque from the Council was received for the cost of the work (£ss).—The Council agreed to forward the letter on to Mr Wilcoek.

Alexandra Creamery.—Mr Jas. G Berry wrote enclosing a tender for the lease of the Alexandra creamery, and asking the Council to hurry on the lease, as he was under a penalty if the transfer was not completed by a certain date. Mr Berry's tender was £1 a year for 14 years, subject to the present valuation on the property of £4oo.—The Council decided to call for tenders for the lease of the property in accordance with the Act.

Laxon's Claim.—The matter of Mr Laxon's claim for medical attendance upon his child, whose arm was broken a short time ago by an accident, alleged to have been caused by a wire from a fence lying across the road, was again considered.—Cr. Fullerton explained that some children going home from school had laid a broken post on the middle of the road for fun, and Miss Laxon coming along shortly afterwards waß thrown from her horse, which shied at the post. This was the explanation of the accident as given to him by Mr Laxon. Under these circumstances he did not think the Council was liable for the amount claimed

(£4 4s). —The other members of the Council concurred in this opinion, and the clerk was instructed to write and inform Mr Laxon that as the accident was the outcome of children's play the Council could nob recognise any liability. Gravel Pits.—The question of obtaining a gravel pit on the Innesfallen-Tuhi-karamea Road was again raised. It was reported that Messrs Williamson Bros, refused to part with a suitable site for a pit at less than £lO per acre, the Council to pay all expenses for fencing, etc.— Considering the fact that the land was valued at £1 10s per acre, the Council objected to giving more thin £5 an acre, their original offer.—After some discussion it was decided to give Messrs Williamson the option of accepting £5 an acre, or having the land taken under the Public Works Act. The members for the Pukekura Riding were requested to interview Messrs Lake and Fi6her with a view to obtaining gravel pits in that district. —Mr Hurdwood offered the Council a suitable site for a pit at £s. Ttiis was left to the Chairman to deal with.

Danobrods Drain. —Mr Poynter, called the attention of the Council to a dangerous drain 75 feet long which had been opened up some yeara ago on his property. He asked the Council to supply pipes and offered to do the work, and further to lay pipes right across the road if the Council would supply the pipes.—The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman.

Tenders.—The following tenders were received and dealt with :—Contract 330, Munro's Hill: D. Munro, 7Jd ; Higgenson, Bd. The lowest tender was accepted. Contract 328 and 331, formation at Paterangi Road and at grading Ryburn's Hill: McNaul Bros., formation 5s per chain, grading 6|d per cub yard ; Drabble and Carter, formation 4s per chain, grading 6d per yard. McNaul Bros., tender was accepted, Cr. Teasdale dissenting.

Works.—The Chairman was authorised to call for tenders for the following works :—Repairs to Greenhill, Pah Hill, back Kihikihi Road 50 chains formation, Low Alexandra Road 60 chains formation, Te Rore-Tuhikaramea Road, 60 chains formation between Messrs W. Scott's and Mr J Fisher's, repairs to Big Cutting near Germaun's at Paterangi, three miles formation Te Kowhai and Stone's corner and on the Hamilton-Ngaruawahia Road, formation near Diusdale's, Bridge, Whatawhata Road and other works. Riding Balances. The Chairman read the following statement of the riding balances ;—Cr. : Pukekura, £194 ; Rangiaohia, £224; Hamilton, £l4l ; Newcastle, £IOO ; Mangapiko, £lO6 ; Tuhikaramea £lB.

Casting Gravel.—The Chairman laid before the meeting an estimate of the coat of building two trucks for carting gravel similar to those used by the Railway Department, the idea being to cart and lay gravel by means of traction engines during the summer months. The price of the waggons was somewhat surprising ; but the Chairman and some of the Crs adhered to the opinion that the experiment would pay handsomely in the end.—The matter was then deferred until the opinion ot some of the traction engine owners had been taken on the subject.