WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1020, 13 March 1882, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Oounoil was held at the County" Chambers, Carterton, on Saturday laßt. Present—Cra Pharazyn (chairman), Phillips, Boys, Booth, McGregor, Jackson, Macquarrie, Chamberlain and Donald, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, treasurer's report,

The Treasurer reported a oredit balance of L 329 4s 4d, also that temporary arrangements had been made with the Bank for any advances required, Accounts to the amount of LIOBB wero presented for payment, He asked for an instruction as to the fund into which the license foeß for the Featheratontown district were payablo. It was stated that the Colonial Secretary had advised another County that the town license foe belonuod to the County fund. Cr Booth said he had looked through the Act and could not see that the town districts could claim them, The Treasurer also reported that the valuations for the various Ridings had been prepared, and that the total of them was L 61,916. THE OLD PUNT. A letter was read from Mr J. Manns asking for the old punt which was washed down the river a year ago and stranded. Tho request was complied with, as the punt was of no value to the County and the applicant had frequently rendered services to the Council in connection with the ferry, TRYING IT ON. An application was received from J. Vile and T, Moore askjng for a road expenditure on some outlying land, which they had purchased, on the ground that a portion of the purchase money had come into the County treasury. Tho applicants were informed that they were miataken in this supposition, and that their request could not be uutertained. MASTERTON'HOSPITAL. The secretary of .the Masterton Hospital again called, the attention of the Council to the question of subsidy. Tho chairman said that on a former occasion they agreed to postpone the application, Cr McGregor recommended giving the grant, but withholding the payment till their finances were in a better position.

Cr Donald thought that if they acknowledged the debt the; might as well pay it. Mr Puyton as treasurer to the Hospital, was asked if there was any urgency for it, and replied that if it were held over longer the Hospital might lose the GoTomment equivalent, On the molion of Or Ohamberlain, seconded by Cr Donald, a aubsidy of £35 to the Masterton Hospital and £35 to the Groytown Hospital was votad, being 5 per cent, on the County subsidy recently received. THE SOUTHLAND COUNTY. A letter was read from the Southland County Council asking the cooperation of of the Counoil in obtaining a substantial subsidy from the Government and a fair proportion of the land revenue. Cr McGregor considered that the Counties had a legitimate claim on as much it the land fund as was not already swamped if only as compensation for past errors which had been made in dealing with it. Unless the Government met them in this direction he failed to see how thoy were to meet their obligations. He moved that they should co-operato with the Southland County in pressing this question on the Government. Cr Booth supported Cr McGregor. He saw no more legitimate source from which assistance could come than from the laud revenue.

The Chairman said that if thoy applied for subsidies they played into the hands of those who wereopposinK their interests. Thoy were now getting LBOOO out of the land fund. Wbb not this bettor than a system under which large centres of population like Wellington got LIO.OOO a year. It would weaken the hands of the Government for resisting the claims of large centres of population to press subsidios on them. Cr McGregor agreed with the Chairman that suhsilies should be applied only to open up waste lands and not to go to centres of populations. The Government however, limited their present grants to Crown Lands for immediate sale and this crippled tho country in. providing for the wants of settlors in outlying districts in which the lands had been made without any provision being made ior roads. Cr Booth poiuttd out that if Couuties were to maintain their position they must have a lund over which they could exercise some discretion. He quite agreed that the subsidy system which provided for largo centres of population and neglected outlying districts was an abominable one. Cr Philips moved that the communication of the Southland County be merely acknowledged. Ho pointed out that the injustice of subsidies consisted in giving the bulk of them to large centres, and very little to small centres. -He was not quite clear whother people in Bottled districts were entitled to a proportion of any subsidy. It would be wrong for the County to hamper the Government or Parliament on this question or to follow the lead of any other Counoil in doing an, He represented the Council at the conference of local bodies.. When in Wellington, he suggested that the key to local finance was to classifyroads and classify land, and instead of a general subsidy have apaoifio ones for each class of roads.

Or MoGregor said he advocated no system of begging, but simply a legitimate claim for aid to bo presented in such a form that the Government. could not ignore it.

Cr McGregor's resolution which ran as follows was then carried.—" That the Council having considered the circular of the Southland Council agrees to the necessity of providing substantial aid to tho looal bodies for opening up.its waste lands and the formation of bridges in the unsettled portions of the Country, thb £BOOO VOTE. A letter was read from the SurveyGeneral agreeing to the expenditure of £4,540 on the following works : Opening up Crown Lands at Mauriceville, £250; Pahiatua township, £600; Hawera road, £2,000; Makaka road, £1,000; Eketahuna-Alfredton extras, £290; 2 miles Mangaone road, £SOO, The Government objected to the proposal to connect the Mauriceville line with the Mauriceville settlement, as the expenditure would not, in its opinion, promoto the sale of Crown Lands,

Cr Booth moved that tho proposal of the Government be accepted, and its attention called to other votes which the County bad recommended, and which had been overlooked in the letter. Or McGregor supposed tho extension of the Mauriceville road was abandoned ? The Chairman; Yes, ALFKBDION-TIRAUMEA ROAD. Cr McGregor called attention to this road, a portion of which would be made by County East, and which would be useless mthsut the co-operation of County West in connecting it with the Alfredton road, The Works Committee recommended joint action .between the two Counties. The Chairman said tho omission of the road from their first (schedule had been an oversight. They could, however, now recommend it to the Government. It was decided that the Council should ask the Government to agree: to £3OO being appropriated fer this work,

TB ORB ORE. Or Chamberlain pointed out that a road' on the east side of the Euamahunga at Te Ore Ore should be placed on the schedule. Or McGregor said it had been included in a former reoommendation DOQ DEPUTATION, Messrs J. Stuckey, A. Stewart, and Brown Hunt were then introduced by Cr Chornberlain as a deputation re dog registration. Mr Stuckey stated that at a meeting held at Masterton on Wednesday evening last an opinion was expressed that the present charges for registration were too high. It was a great addition to the cost of registration to have to'pay for unnecessary collars. • . The Chairman : Can you show' us how wo can do without collars, wo only desire to make the registration self supporting.

Mr Stuckey: County East only charges one shilling for registration and you chargo one and ninopence. The Chairman; We propose doing the work efficiently. It remains to be seen whether County East can register successfully for a shilling. We claim that we havo done it successfully, that a great mauy dogs have been registered and a groat many useless curs killed. I would like to havo been at the meeting iu Masterton as tho views expressed there were hardly thought out. Mr Stuckey : People don't object to registration, what they are opposed to is the excessive charge made for it.

The Chairman; We went into the cost very carefully, and came to tho conclusion that the work could not be done under tho amount named, lam quite certain that the proposalof County East to register through rabbit inspectors will be a failure. In the southern division of this district we have had in Mr Laimbeor a very enorgetio inspector, who has received to date £lO3, a sum only sufficient to cover the expenses, Mr B. Hunt: What is the objeot of enforcing the collar. The Chairman; The law requires it, Cr Phillips: A badge would not be sufficiently tangible without a collar, but there is no necessity to work the collar. We are floodod with a large number of dogs, I advocated in the first instance a shilling registration fee but it has been found thai after paying for collar, badge, and coßt of registration, the shilling estimate is exceeded. The Counoil does not wish to make any revenue out of dogs only to regulate their enormous number, On my own run I have four rabbiters. When tho registrar came round two, who I knew to have 20 dogs, only registered 10, and when asked about the balance said, "we thought they were not worth registering, and so we killed them." These ten useless dogs were the ones that were doing all the damage. The more trouble of registration makes the rabbiters more careful of his dogs. I hang up my collars till I want rhem. They are worth the money I pay for them, The Chairman: Collars will not have to be renewed next year. I find from the Secretary that wo have now to the credit of thedog account £6215s 6d, and liabilities against it of £03155, being £1 out of pocket, against which we may place a small number of collars in stock.

Cr Phillips: I find my men were in the habit of "swopping dogs." Now, dogs must bo exchanged through the registrar, aud here tho use of tho collar comes in.

Mr Stuckey: The dogs that kill sheep are the unregistered dogs. Cr Boys: Dogs which are unregistered are being killed. On one station from which 1 sulferod damage last year there were 50 dogs, there are now only 12, the rest having been destroyed to save registration.

Mr A. Stewart: A man with BO dogs can kill more rabbits than a man with 10, I do not begrudge paying one shilling, but I do object to paying one and niuepence, The Chairman said they were very glad to have received the deputation as it gave them an opportunity for explanation, The Council had taken a good deal of trouble over dog registration, and hoped tho public would not throw obstacles in their way, but give them a fair trial. Cr Booth ; If it be found that the effective and complete registration of dogs can be done for a less sum than is now charged the fee will be reduced.

On the suggestion of tho Chairman, it was resolved that a distinct account bo kept of the dog registration rovenue and expenditure, and that if there were a surplus on ono,'year, tho next year's fee should be reduced,

Or Jackson thought threepence should be enough to cover tho future cost oi registration. Collars were not required. Cr Phillips; How do you tie your dogs up.

Cr Jackson : I don't tie them up at all, Cr McGrogor thought the fee was either top high or too low. For mere registration it was too high, and to provide efficient dog rangers it was too low. At present honest men paid, and lawless and careless men went free. The deputation then thanked tho Council for receiving them and withdrew. Cr Phillips proposed that a months grace he given before tho five Bhilhng foe w»6 enforced.

Cr Chamberlain seconded tlie proposal, Cr Macquarrie supported the motion, as in the outlying districts many settlers knew nothing yet about it. Or Jackson opposed the extension of time, The Chairman thought it would be impolitic at present to enforce a higher rate, The'motion was carried, Mr Laimbeer pointed out that he had already enforced the five shilling penalty in several cases, and he was instructed to refund the charge. NATIVE DOOS. The Chairman stated that the Registrar reported that he had a difficulty in registering dativo dogs. Cr McGrogor let him Bummon the owners. The Chairman: The Eogistrar must do his duty, we cannot interfere. If necessary he can apply to our solicitor for assistance in taking proceedings, THE COUNTY RATE,

The chairman then moved the resolution standing in hit name for striking a county rate of 3d in tho £, He did not propose to say much on the question as tney were all pretty well aware of the circumstances of the ca'e. His resolution was a natural corollary of the one proposed at the last meeting. Taking over the main line of road moant finding funds for its maintenance. The County no longer be worthy of respect if it made no provision for the obligations which it had undertaken, The road, at present, was in a very unsatisfactory state. Prom his own experience he could state that in the southern part of it, it was unpleasant to drive along it. If they let the matter slide they would be justly blamed for undertaking the duty and not fulfilling it, It would be dishonest to go on dealing with the money which was placed in their hands for another purpose. That alternative satisfied some members who were content to wait till the Government did something for them, There was no chance of the Government aiding them, The Government would be blameable if they gave a penny towards the maintenance of any road which ran parallel with a railway line. A district with 10,000 people in it ought to be able to maintain suoh a road. The only practical alternative was a rate. Of course there would be a good deal of publio outcry, as thore always was against any rate; but he proposad to put

on the screw so lightly that ho did not think there would be any objection. It would be hard to rate settlers in outlying districts for the main line, bnt this might be met by expending this portion of the rate in the districts where it was raised. The county rate would, in time become fairly distributed over outlying distrioti. He brought the motion forward on the present occasion because he desired to record his opinion on it before leaving the Council, and it was convenient to decide it before the Highway, Boy?*', ■truck their rates for the ensuing jHLa. He trusted thai those who opposed tni - rate would show from what other source the money was ■to come from. He believed that their debt of £I6OO for bridges could be provided for outside the rate, but the yoarlj recurring charge for the maintenance of roads could not, and he hoped members would feel this responsibility in giving their votes. This was a turning point with the Gounoil, If it let matters slide, it might be swept away by Road Boards. His own aim had been to gradually build up a system of local self-government, and this was a step which had co.no to be necessary.

Cr Phillips asked the Chairman to with* draw his resolution. The Chairman pointed out that it was not yet seconded. He had moved the resolution quito independently, and had not even asked a genslcman to second it. Cr Booth seconded tho resolution. At the last meeting ho had opposed taking over that road,Jbut,he bowed to the decision at which tho Council then arrived, and was now prepared to take the necessary steps to give effect to it. Though he held that for some time to come littlt money need be expended upon it. Then was no other honorable course open to them (whether they spent little or much) then to assume the peounary .obligation, and to levy as small a rate as might b* necessary for the partial or complete repairing of the road, Cr Phillips aßked the chairman to withdraw the resolution, because when the County took over the road, they did not contemplate an immediate rate, only a small minority of the counties in the colony had yet declined votes. It would not be doing justice to the council to fly in the face of popular opinion. He did not believe in a dual rate and was not sure that after all it would not be better to allow the Highway Boards to maintain the permanent way ot the main line. Ho was not sure that if the Highway Boards were asked by the Council to do so, they would refuse. The county should look after the bridges and the Highway Boards after the permanent way.

the Chairman said that Cr Phillips' arguments had not convinceo him that he ought to withdraw his resolution.

Cr Booth understood that Cr Phillips supported the County taking over the the road,

Or Phillips said oe only supported trk- ' itig over the road because he could not got the bridges without the road, Cr Jackson said he voted for taking over the road because all the money was spent lo the worth of Maslerton and h» would like to see some spent on' the Eim>w atuka, He hoped tho rate would not be struck till the season was over. The Featherston Highway Board was going to strike a 9d rate, because that was all they required for their roads, and not because they had 3d to spare for the County. Ho had not met mot a aingle man in favor of the County rato. He told everybody ho should vote against it, and he could do no more.

Cr Philips; Have all tho subsidies been expended I The Chairman: Every penny. Cr Phillips: How much will be required! .

The engineer said that tho road from Opaki to Greytown required immediate attention. Holes were large and at close intervals.

Cr McGregor saidthut if ho had been one of those who voted for taking orer the road at tho last meeting he would not that day have refused to respond to the rate. He was of the epinion that having for some years maihtaiued the road without a rate they might be able to continue to do so in the future. If it came to a question of life and death he would vote for the rate, but not till then. The action of the last meeting he held to be a mis. take, They must wait and see what thfl Government would do, and in the meantime they must do a little financing, Cr Boys supported taking overthe road, but when he did so ho did not think that the present motion would be brooght before the Council. He thought it premature. Though he miijht be accused of inconsistency, he yielded to tho opinion expressed outside and that was adverse to a rate. He thought for the preßent very slight repairs were required. Cr Macquarrie thought it was the duty of Highway Boards to maintain a road of this class, and would oppose levying • county rate for it.

Cr Chamberlain thought the Highway Boards were quite as capable of maintain* ng the road as the County was, and op* posed the motion.

The Chairman, in reply, said the debate showed the divorsity of opinion which existed, Was it possible to argue that the the Highway Boards would maintain the mad, after the Chairman of one of them had declared to them that it could not spare a single penny for its maintenance 1 Town Boards, too, were prohibited by law from spending money on the main line, If they did not settle the diffioulty now, it would bo an increasing one, About £BOO were now necessary to put the road in a decent state. ' He was not disappointed at the result of his motion, knowing that the feeling of the Council was against it. He felt sure, however, that before long the rate would be leviod, and that the present disoutsioa would prepare settlers minds for it. He warned the Council that when the road bocame impassable they would be blamed for permitting it to lapse into suoh ft state.

Tha vote was then taken:—Ayes: 3- . Ors Pharasyn, Booth, and Donald. Nqei; 6—Crs Phillips, McGregor, Macqnarrie, Jackson, Chamgerlain, and Boyß. The Chairman: What haß the Engineer to do with the road I Or Philllipj; Spend the toll money on it, & The Chairman: That ia next to nothfflf. Cr Phillips moved, That the toll money be expended, and that the Highway Board be requested to look after the permanent way. Cr Booth moved, That (he road be kept open, but ai little money expended as possible. Cr McGregor said they had net come to such a pass yet as to require tho assistance S of the Highway Board. 1 The Chairman pointed out that the tolL' fund had already been allocated for a • *■ special purpose. Were they to use it twice over. Cr Phillips proposed to release the toll fund by another arrangement for tha Waiohine Bridge. Cr Booth said he should resist tha toll gate if its proceeds were spent on tho summit of the Rimutaka and beyond Masterton, The only consistent oour» was to levy a rate and abolish the toll. * Is was resolved that the road be kept , open, but that nothing more be done. v^' engineer's report, The enginrer reported that section * and 2 in tha Mauriceville South oontraot was commenced; that Mr Girdwood w»a making fair progress in the Pahiatua contract. On the Opaki-tyanawatu roid Mr

Oashmati had complotod two '■>■■ '-> •! span bridges; the work was well oxecuted aud the matorial of excellent quality. In Mr <y John McDonald's contract {or three small bridges, one hud been completed in a thoroughly workmanlike manner, with the best materials. • He recommonded an extension of timo for complying the other two on account of a difficulty in obtaining band sawn timber. Mr Hudson had cumploted a culvert and embankment No 18 on tho main line in n satisfaotorjvnjaniier. Mr Girdwnid had ttadejipjprogress with No 'JO, and Mr Neilsen with No 19, The maintenance men during tho past month had tnkon down a 20ft. span bridgo and ropliiced it with a culvert, and filling. Tliey had also felled scrub and timber near bridge sites, and kopt tho surfaco of the road in fair repair, Fair progress had been made with tho Waiohino bridgo during the month aud all requisite iron work had been delivered at tho sito. Tho Waipoua Bridgo was completed excepting the improvement in tho Channel and tho extraction of temporary piles which wore now less necessary as tho river had scoured the channel. A month's cxtonsion of time was granted to Mr McDonald. V The Chairman said th.it siuco the last ' meoting ho had passed through tho bush and was satisfied that a great work had been accomplished there. Tho hundro.l rotten bridges had been reduced to throo or four. Their Engineer deserved great credit for the way the work had been done (hear I hear!), It the bridges had been rebuilt instead of being replaced with oulvorts the cos t would have been doubled, and they would havo had a fur worse road. . WAIPOUA BR.IDGE. The Works Committee reported that tho action of the stroam had rendered the excavation of the channel, as specified in the contract, unnecessary. Tho contraotor was entitled to £1317s for extra metalling. The Chairman pointed out that the contractor had not takon Borne thousands of •yards out of the channel which ho had undertaken to do, and that tho cost of this should bo deductod from the money due to him. Cr McGregor explained that aftor the exoavatiqn was commenced the rivorcamo down and took possession of tho channel, so that it could not, be continued. The work was taken too low, tho contractor and the sub-coutractor having lost monoy by it, Ho thought the Council could fairly cry quits with him. The Chairman : We cannot rnako 414 yards extra filling a set off against 5000 yards not done. Cr McGregor; We cannot make him dig out the channel now, Mr King, in answer to the chairman 3fid that if the channel had been cut in the first instance, it would have been better than it was now. _ Cr Phillips thought that tho oxcavation should havo been provided tor before the river came down. Mr Chapman (the contractor) said that through tho engineer's absence at EkehhjMiit. he had to act on his own judgment, Mr King stated that definite instructions were given to tho contractor iu the first place and all ho had to do was to follow them out, Tho river did not come down till the timo for completing tho contract had nearly expired. Cr Chamberlain considered tho river had dono all tho excavation that was necessary. Cr Donald cansidered it would be a pity to waste either the Council's or the contractor's money, and it would he better to arrange the matter by arbitration. Cr Phillips wished to refer it to tho Works Committee. Cr McGregor assured him that if they did the Committee would at once cry quits with the contractor, Mr Chapman said he did not want a penny for himself; all he desired was to assist Mr Baumber, the sub-contractor. The Engineer reported that by tho strict terms of tho contract there would bo a balance of LIOO in fivor of the County. Cr Macquarrio supported tho proposal foe arbitration, Mr King pointed out that the oxcavation actually made in tho channel could not now be measured. Cr Chamberlain pointed out that the delay with the excavation in the first instance had occurred from another sub-con-tractor throwing up the work, Cr McGregor moyod that that the deduction of 1100 be not enforced. Cr, Phillips would rather soo the matter compromised. Cr McGregor; Isn't my proposal a compromise (a laugh), The Chairman :We propose to make the contractor a present of 1100. Or Donald : And the contractor did not do the work, Cr McGregor: Still tho work has been done though not by him. Cr GhamVerlaia atconded Cr McGregor's proposal, An aoicndment, on the motion of Cr Phillips, seconded by Cr Macquarrie, was finally carried—That tho Engineer reuort on the matter at the next meoting of tho Council, DOG RKOISXRATION. Mr Ingram, the Registrar for Wairarapa North, reported 462 dngs registered, and fees received £37 14* sd. Some settlors, he said, objected to collars, and others to rabbit dogs being registered, There was great opposition to the Act, and he inquired whether, in enforcing it, he could have the assistance of a solicitor. Mr Laimbeer, the Registrar for the uo-ihern district, reported 1,365 dogs rejfterod, and fees received £lO9, 0 RESIGNATIONS. The Chairman said, "aftor this day's meoting is-nverl shall hand in my resignation to the clerk, and before next meeting my successor will bo appointed and have an opportunity of voting for tho new L Chairman.. It has been suggestod to mo ■ that I ought, myself, havo voted as a Councillor for my successor as Chairman, but this I did not consider fair, I shall ■ in leaving the Council, take tho same .' interest in its welfare though absent, as I ' have done fchile with it, and hope to find ' the same &«ful work which it has . done during the past three years continued in the future, I trust, on my ; return, to .find the county system moro firmly developed. Cr Boys ; : It is my intention also to resign after the preseut mooting. I made up my mind to take this course two months ago.

Or McGregor said they all heard with regrot tmnt two of thoir membors were about la resign. He was unaware of Cr •: , Boys' intention till that day. He had, however, for soma time been aware of the chairman's intention. It was only due to both to pass a voto of thanks for the energetic manner in which they had discharged their duties. It might be lafely Raid of the chairman that his action !• had been attended with beneficial results ». to the whole district. (Hear! hear!) The I county system had filled a gap between > the local bodies and the central adminis- '; tration, and Mr Pharazyn had pressed on the action of the Government in a very '•■ able and influential manner the requiremeuts of all. They would be wanting in their duty if thoy did not frankly ao- " knowledge the services he had rendered in this direction. He would carry with him the beat wishns of the Council and of the dtitriot, and they trusted that during his tour he would- acquire nuch' information

as .would enable him to take a still more active part in public hfo on his return. Cr Booth had great pleasure in seconding tho vote of thanks. He was rather taken aback at the suddon announcement of Cr Boys. He did not know whether he was going on his travels also, but he felt sure that they would all rogret his retirement. Thoy would also one aud all regret tho loss of their Chairman. His absence would leavo a much larger gap than was expected. Though he had been an active opponent of Mr Pharassyn's on sumo questions, ho could bear testimony to tho admirable, self-sacrificing efficiency with which ho had discharged his duties as Chairman. In this he had laid tho whole district under a heavy obligation. If, as yet, his services wore not appreciated, tho timo was not far distant when they would bo fully recognised. He heartily joined with Mi McGregor in offering Mr Pharazyn their best wishes, and in assuring him that they would welcome his return.

The Chairman said he was extremely obliged by the flattering terms in which tho resolution had been placed before tho Council, and ho honestly bolievcd that it expressed the sentiments of Councillors, It had been a satisfaction to him to havo worked so amicably with them. He always felt that tho office of County Chairman was ono worthy of his ambition to hold. He ha»l had special opportunities of being useful, at tho same time he felt that .they had exaggerated the services which he had rendered, Ho felt, too, that in leaving he carried away with him a larger amount of good feeling than he could have anticipated. When he first commenced his public careor ho laid down tho following course for his guidance, viz., not to be in any hurry to obtain a position through any temporary popularity, but to gradually work his way into one which he would care to hold, and which would have the element of permanency. If a man at the end of his life succeeded in achieving the respect and confidence of tho community in which ho dwelt, he had in his opinion, done well. Nothing would ever induce him to leave the colony, A man who had become accustomed to watch the growth of a young country, and to take an active part in assisting its development was very unlikely to aeok another Hold of usofulnoßS, (Applause.) Cr Boys acknowledged the vote of thanks accorded for his past services He had always taken great interest in the affairs of tho Council and tho courtesy with which he had always been treated since he had been a member of it, Two months ago he had resolved to relinquish his public duties. His health was such that he required mental rest. Tho Council then adjourtiod.