WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 565, 10 September 1880, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL

A MEEHNG,of the above took place at the Council' Offices, Carterton yesterday. Present—o. Pharazyn (chair), andOrs Coleman Phillips,;!). McGregor, F, G. Moore, H.' H. Ja'ckson, T. Minchin, B. Boys, and J. Donald. The minutes of the previous meeting were read .and confirmed. ..■ ' CORRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence since last meeting was read. 'lnward.—From Masterton Highway Board, enclosing resolution re deputation ; from M, Caselberg, offering to contribute £3O towards expenses of protective works at Ruamahunea River near the bridge, and stating that Mr T. L. Thompson would give all timber necessary for the work as his share of the contribution; fromß. S. Maunsell, re Manawatu Ferry; from Huru te Hiaro re same; from Arthur Falloon, re acceptance' of lowest tender for works in the Forty-Mile Bush; from Publio Works Office, stating a letter re site of Matarawa station.had been received; and would be duly considered; from Engineer of Masterton Highway Board re encroachment of Ruamahunga River at Te Ore Ore bridge, and enclosing plan of same, and also estimating cost of works at £120; from Publio Works Office, re Manawatu Ferry, stating that having referred the matter to the law-officer of the Crown, the Minister had been • informed that the road was properly taken by the proclamation dated 6th January, 1875, and published in the first number of the New Zealand Gazette of that year, and the natives have no right to erect a toll-gate thereon, but that in the Immigration and Public Works Act of 1870 the word " road" is not defined as including bridges and ferries, and the easiest mode:to overcome this difficulty appears to be either to proclaim the road afresh under Public Works Act, 1876, or such portion of it as is actually occupied by the ferries, and steps would be immediately taken in furtherance thereof; from E. W. Mills, re Stoney Creek bridge contract. The Clerk apologised-for the absence of Or Bennett on important business, The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said there were one or two matters he would refer to, as they would not arise out of the business before the Council. The Government had agreed to make further payment of subsidies to local bodies, which would amount to 7b 6d in the pound on rates collected. Against this the County would no. longer receive the 20 perceut of land fund as before, which would be a very serious drawback to the lately opened blocks of bush land, as it was out of this fund the roads would have been maintained till.rates sufficient could be collected. The proposals made by the Colonial Treasurer, with, regard to local bodies, had all been abandoned, but this was no great matter for regret in this County, as he found on calculation that the whole sum receivable from native and Crown lands, would have been only L 382 per annum, which is absolutely inadequate for the purposes required on the 70-mile Bush road.- He was glad to report that a special vote of L2OOO had been passed for this road, which he hoped would enable them them to put it in a fair state of repair. The vote of L6OOO for Pahiatua block had, he was sorry to say, been reduced to L2OOO. The Council had : been, blamed for not spending the L6OOO more rapidly so as to seoure it, but he would point out that the necessary authority was only obtained in March, and since then no time had certainly been lost in pushing on the work,

Or McGregor, in speaking on the subjeot of the Masterton Highway Board's resolution re deputation, said there could not be the least doubt the Board had a grievance, although he did not think they had suffered such a pecuniary loss by the Forty-Mile Bush road as was stated, He advocated the making -of •' this road a County one. He- thought Government would always find funds to keap the road in repair, He would give a notice of motion on the subject.

. The Chairman said he would like to remark that the whole Council was agreeable, at the last, meeting, to shelve the ■discussion of Highway Board's application to another meeting, as there had been a great deal of business to get through. He would not like it thought it was himself who had taken the leading part, as he had put it to the meeting.

The other Councillors were of opinion the fault, if any, was on the part of the Council as a whole. '

Or McGregor moyed-That this Council has considered the proposal of the Masterton Highway Board with regard to the Forty-Mile Bush road, but the question of proclaiming the said road a County road will not be considered until next meeting of Oonnoil. 'lhe Council also wish it to be understood that no discourtesy was intended tq the deputation waiting upon the Oounoil with regard to this road. The absence of any official communication from the Board was the Council's only reason for postponing the question, Cr Phillips had much pleasure in supporting the motion, as he considered that the Masterton Highway Board should be released from a position he thought unfair. TheForty:Mlie Bush road ought to be declared a County road. With respect to the argument made use of, that if we declared this portion of .the. road a county road we : should be responsible for its support, and rate the County to effect that purpose, I think the Chairman's, own argument-of. the impossibility of the settlers providing such a sum as LII,OOO, as was lately required, is a sufficient reply. No Go--rernment could expect us to provide such' a Bum. The road is a colonial road, and ought to be supported out of the colonial chest. Whatever complaint the Masterton Highway Board may have for past .action, it is advisable and only just for us to release that body of a future cause of injustice or misunderstanding. Cr Moore-regretted the action of the Highway Board in the matter, as no slight or insult was intended. The delay arose through some official.papers being absent.

Or Phillips said there was not the slightest intention on the part of the Council'to insult Mr Buchanan.

Council agreed that instead of insulting they thought they had treated the deputation with unusual courtesy, The resolution was then put and carried. . ■, MANAWATU FBRRr. " . It was asked whether the report in a newspaper that a man had to pay the sum of £lO to get a mob of cattle ferried over the river, was true, the oharge amounting to Is per head instead of 3d, The Council was of opinion that something ought to be ; immediately done to settle this question. - .;. . Or Boys thought that, the Government should relieve them of the responsibility, • The .Chairman; recommended .that a telegram be at once sent to. the: Public

Works askingwhether the proclamation mentioned in the letter from the department had been issued, and to reply immediately as the Council was sitting. Until Government did this, nothing could be done, This was agreed to and the telegram sent. Or McGregor said he.and Or Moore' had on a former occasion ascertained from the legal adviser of Council as to what ground they had to stand upon should they arrest these nativesand had been told none.,

Or Boys said he keenly felt the position the Council occupied and he had no doubt other Councillors did the same, KUAMAHUNGA RIVBB. • Cr Moore said he had in company with Cr McGregor inspected the damage done to land and roads at Te Ore Ore bridge by the Ruaraahanga River. There was no doubt the matter was an urgent one.- He and Cr McGregor did not think it advisable to go the length required by Messrs Oaselberg and Thompson, and he would move, seconded by Or McGregor—" That this Council having considered the proposal of Messrs Thompson and Oasolberg relative lo the threatened overflow of the Euamahanga River at Te Ore Ore, by which the main district road is likely to be endangered, agrees to contribute the sum of £3O towards the construction of the works as proposed, and to allow the services of the County Engineer to supervise the construction."

Cr McGregor said the main road would be similarly effected unless something was done to stay the encroachment, Or Phillips thought the affair was not the duty of the County Council. In his experience he had found that protective .work iu a straight would not work well, but that they would require to be placed in a ourve.

Or MoGregor said that if the river broke out at the place mentioned it would mean the loss of the bridge, and the Council could not rebuild it.

Or Phillips wished to ask Cr McGregor why the Road Board could not do this work 1

Or McGregor said the Board had no funds at their disposal.

Or Donald was of opinion the. Council should subsidise the Highway Board to enable them to do this work, and allow them to take the matter up. The Chairman Baid it was wrong to take a view too far ahead, and instanced the case of the Greytown river, which had been subsidised and ultimately had righted itself. He thought they should be very cautious in the expenditure of money on such matters. They could spend any amount of money on protective works, and go on spending without end, He would like to see the plan receive Mr King's approbation as well as Mr Bremner's. Or Donald remarked that he did not see why they should deal with private individuals when they could do it through the Highway Board. He would prefer to see the money given to the Board to expend. The road belonged the Board, and he could not see they would have any objection in expending money on their own road,

Or .McGregor agreed with the view taken by Or Donald. It appeared, in explanation, that Mr T. L, Thompson's offer was not a fair share, of the work, The word "timber" was meant to be the logs in the bush, and not cut and delivered.

Or Phillips drew the attention of Council to the fact that the discussion was now simply the question of cutting poles on a gentleman's land! It was beneath the Council to take suoh matters into consideration,

The resolution was ultimately withdrawn by the mover, Or Moore, and the following substituted, which was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Cr McGregor : That the proposal for protective works in Ruamahunga River submitted by Messrs Thompson and Oaselberg, be referred to the Masterton Highway Board, with an intimation that the Council will contribute L3O towards the proposed works if approved of &nd carried out by that body. This payment only to be made on condition that the total amount expended on this work is not leas than LIOO. i

Or Moore pointed out that there would be no meeting of the Board for another month, and in the meantime the spring floods- might do the damage whioh was feared. ■ * CrMinohin believed there would be a special meeting of the Board on the 18th inst. The resolution was then put and carried. DEPUTATION, , Mr Parker waited on the Council l asking them to give him the boundary of section of land adjoining library grant given by Government to the Carterton Ltbrary Committee. The Olerksaid the first he had heard of this piece of land was from Mr Parker.

The Clerk was instructed to write to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and ask for information re the land,

MR FALLOON's LETTER.' According to a rule in the new by-laws this letter was referred to the Chairman tor private perusal, and- if he thought it fit to be laid before the Gounoil to do so. The Chairman decided it was not, and it was therefore passed by unread, It was ■ decided to inform Mr Falloon that the proper way to-address the Council would be by petition. If this was done it would receive attention. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Sir,—l have the honor to submit my usual report on works in progress within the Wairarapa West County Opaki to Manawatu road: Stoney Creek Bridge.-Nearly the whole of therequired materials for this bridge are delivered at the site. The erection of piers, framing of trusses, and other works of construction, are being proceeded with in a satisfactory manner. Kopuaranga Bridge.—The bulk of the required materials for this bridge are delivered on the ground, and the works arebeing pushed forward, Mangatainoka Bridge.—The works at this bridge" are being executed in a very satisfactory manner, piles for two of the piers are driven, and a large quantity of materials are delivered on the ground. Culverts and embankments have been substituted for three of the road bridges. Contract for the construction of four other similar culverts and embankments, are out; the forks are being satisfactorily ■carried out. Owing to stormy weather and heavy traffic, the work of maintenance for the last month, has been exceptionally heavy. Eketahuna to Alfredton road.—The contractors for formation, etc., of sections 5,6, and 8 (which, are the only unfinished sections), are making good progress with the works. I expect the whole to be completed about the end of the current month. Bridgeß 2 and 3! very little prcgress has been made during the past month with the past month with these bridges, ■ Pahiatua Block.-The contractors for sections 1,2, and 4, road A B, on this block are making good progress with the works. The contractor for section 4 has not yet commenced. The survey for the formation of five miles of road A is: completed, and plans for six miles prepared. John King, County Engineer. Considerable discussion ensued on the Pahiatua and Mangaone votes. The unexpended balance of the Mangaone vote, was stated to be'about £6OO, and

Mr ••Kih|jSißngine«r;-(wha;Was present), stated it wo^direquirefivrmore, bridges to ripen •: ■ Cr Minchin "advocated the opening of this road, even if bridges were made of rough timber, It could then be finished for the money available, Or McGregor thought it Would b« advisable for, the engineer to report upon.thU work at the nextmeeting.' The pepplt of Alfredton and that district had been very badly• treated; and• uptorhow-if r ;thej wanted a bridge, they had to. put it up themselves.-* ■-- -•-'• ,'■'-

It was resolved that the engineer be instructed to report to next meetihg on the best means of opening l the'Mangaeni road' for dray traffic with the balance available.

The clerk asked for instructions' in the matter cf payment to Taratahi-Oarterton Highway. Board.of the. sum' of '£3B held back from them as due to the Council for maintenance of the Black Bridge. The Board had refused to pay this; and as the Council had money to pay them the clerk had kept it back until he had been instructed by the Council. It appeared the Council had a legal right to demand payment, and it was resolved after considerable discussion—That-the clerk be instructed that before making payments to any local body, the accounts between the Council and that body be.adjustedand any monies found to be due. to that body be paid. . ~ .•;

Cr Boys wished the Council to pay over the amount due to the Board, and if the Board would not pay : the amount, due to the Council to sue for it, but the OounoU would not agree to this. Councillors also expressed their opinion that Mr Oakley, County clerk, had aoted in a very judicious and proper manner, and that credit was due to him. WAIPOUA MVBR. Or McGregor brought forward the question of the overflow of. the Waipoua river near Masterton. • The Masterton Highway Board had come to the conclusion to erect ( a toll, there, but Or Moore and himself had had a plan drawn out and it wu found that an embankment could be put up that would serve the purpose equally as well as the bridge proposed to be ereoted by the Board,'and at a muoh less cost. He would move—That this Council Will undertake to pay to the Masterton Highway Board one-third of the. cost of Waipoua river diversion at the main road, Masterton, provided the 1 remaining twothirds are supplied by the Masterton Highway Board and Masterton Borough Council. ■'-■■•-

Or Moore had pleasure in seconding the resolution, It was a much cheaper way to do the work, and it would compromise the matter between the Board and the Masterton public. ''•'.■

The resolution was then, put and carried. • ; • ACCOUNTS PIsMD FORPITMEKT. •■■■■•-.-£«■■

R, Wakelin, advt. licensing meeting-',..' ...',„ 117 6 FrankGilevprogresspayment' 36 410 John King, imprest account..,. 160. 0 0 McLeod and others ... ... if I 6 J. Payton & Co., printing and , . . , advertising .„......;. '4 7 9 J. Payton & Co. licensing advt. 117 6 John' King,-4 days' salary, '_ general account :; ... ■'■■ ... -613 4 John King, 15 days 1 salary,.-, Opaki,Marig'aone,&o.,vote!',26l3 4 John King, Hurunuioraugi vote ... ... ...',. ..;.>.._ "'B' 6 8 McDonald and Carlson, progress payment ..-' ... ... 218 0 0 J.Dayah-, firewood/.,,. ... 10 0 M. Oaselberg and Co., stores... 74 2 , 0. A. Briggs and Co., storei... 28 10 / W. Oullen, deposit refunded... 34,10 0 ' R. EChinchen,stationery ... 514 3 McGregor Bros., timber ... ; 38 8 0 NOTICE OF MOTION. Or McGregor gave, notice of motion re taking over Forty-Mile Bush road. BY-lAWB. It was resolved that the.. Standing Orders be reoeived as By-law No tMANAWATU FiRR?, As no answer had been received from Publio Works Department re proclamation, it was resolved the ChairwitlrOrs Moore and MsGregor take immediate action on the receipt of an answer to the telegram.