WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1097, 12 June 1882, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

The nsual'monthly meeting.of the above County was held at the Council Chambers, Carterton,™. Saturday last,; Presenters. Booth (chairman), Donald,"Braithwaite, Matthews, Macquarie, McGregor, and Jackson, The minutes of the pre. . yiOus meeting having been'read and confirmed the-. ,; •• ' ' .'■"•-',' '" •'"■ '■•■-'' treasurer's report • '■"'■- was read, which stated that "L76115a been'received'sine'e last meeting, including LSOO on account oflthe LB,ooo"vdte. The treasurer .asked for an icslrtiotion from the .'Council .as, to -.whether the license in town districts Bhould be paid to Town Boards' less Costs' incurred in connection with the operation of the Act.. ■;...'/ " ••••■-

THE DOGS AGAIN, i

A letter was received from Mr-Ingram covering an application from Mr Bennett for a refund of fees amounting! Id Li 15a 9d paid on rabbit. dogs.-The Chairman pointed out that as Mr Bennett,, when paying the fees, did not present a certificate of exemption, ho ; had; not ,a valid plajm, and to concede it. rCr McGregor moyed a reso'.uliointo ■ thej same effect. Though their; regaia-' tions had been somewhat hazy they must abide by them. He thought settlers who' had not presented certificates of exemption were in the wrong-box,—Or Jaokson

secondedl the inotipnT If Mr Bennett had ; ; a refund: fe .ihimßelf'-w'ould expect one,; .'■ ;£ ■ \ !"-'■':;■■ : l, jdmtitution. ' ". ■'■ .'>; ; A;letter;Ps;r|ad!jfrM the Wellinßtpn" ;Beiievplen| that a man hamed;Thomas Mijls'who had resided fcr., ' 2?" yearsin .the' Wairarajpa had applied for assistance, and -asking the Council to provide l for him.—Or MAcquarib Baid : that >Mills;: had ..been a -tutor:: to Mr Brannigan'a family, and postmaster at Alfredton, 5 and had,recently voluntarily thrown up his occupation in the district. He believed that his old situation was open to him, and that Mills, though some sixty years of age, was fit McGregor pointed out that the Council never dealt directly with individual cases of distress, it simply subsidised lood Benevolent Sooieties which were the' proper bodies to deal with such applications.'—The Chairman agreed that such case's should be referred to the North Wairardpa Benevolent Society, and it was decided to intimate this to the Wellington Society as woll as inform it of the information Or Macquarie had given respecting this particular case. A MABE'R NEST. A letter was read from Mr MoKerrow re money for compensation of land taken at Mauriceville in whioh an amount vpted for compensation; at Fahiatua was mixed up.in error,—The clerk reported that it was difficult to convince the Department of tho misapprehension under which, it labored. MROASHMAN, An application was received from Mr Oashmanfor a release under a depojit. clerk reported that it had heen . dealt with in ordinary course by the •Engineer,'.' s THE WAIOHINE TOLL. Mr Robinson, lessee of the toll, applied for-a remission of two months rent (LB2) on the ground that his takings for f that period (L 18) had been'reduoed by'lrioncompletion of bridge to contraot lime, and by the toll being evaded at the old Maori ford.—The Chairman thought it: would have strengthened Mr Robinson's position if he had first paid his rent,—Or McGregor thought the request made a reasonable one; and suggested an amioable. arrangement. —Cr BRiiTHWAirE moved that rent to the amount of L 25 be remitted.- A' great deal of toll money had been evaded at the upper ford. In one instance a thousand sheep had been eroased- there.—Or Matthews seconded the proposal for a remission of L2s,—Or Donald said they had been in a false, position with the toll. They had endeavored to protect Mr Robinson bat had been unable to do so, He supported the the mo»ion.-Or' McGregor moved as an amendment that the amount to be remitted be L2O, whioh. he thought would be an equitable arrangement.-Cr Macquarie inquired. if the bridge was now open for light traffic, and :was informed that it was available for botn'luht and heavy vehicles. The Chairman, while supporting a concession in rent; pointod out that Mr Robinson was not' onlyinarrearfor the two months' rent, but had not paid for the month due on his new lease. It would not do to ignore the conditions under whioh the toll was let, and if Mr Robinson could not comply with them the gate must .go to the next tenderer.—Cr Donald concurred in this view, and the motion for remitting L 25 was carried conditionally on Mr Robinson paying up arrears ef rent within seven daya.-Cr Braithwaite asked if the toll-house would be at onoe. moved to the north end of the bridgei and the Chairman replied that it would,—Mr Robinson, who was present, complained of traffic going over tlje Mnngatarere bridge. -The Chairman said he had endeavored to see;Mr J.lngley re the erection of ut fenoe whioh would stop this, He thought the discussion 6f the matter had better stand over till he had see Mr Ingley, DEPARTMENTAL.

A letter was read from Mr Woltera, the olerk and tre'aiurer, pointing out the increase of work thrown on the office by the Pog Registration and Licensing Acts, and by the expenditure of the LBOOO vote, and asking the Council to appoint Mr Rupert Fairbrother to the position of assistant clerk and treasurer. He also reminded the Council that when he accepted the.appointment it wns intimated to him that an increase of work would be accompanied by an increase of salary,— The Chairman thought it would be unwise to appoint an assistant officer, but he thought the Council should recognise the undoubtedincreaae of work by an increase of Mr Wolters' salary/ He characterised the Licensing Act as tedious and wasteful, and suggested that the clerk's work in connection with it should be charged agakt the license fees, Mr Wolters' claim he considered a just one, and he was prepared personally to support it.-Cr Donald preferred 'the alternative of increasing Mr Wolters' Balary, He thought after a while his work in connection with the Dog and Licensing Acta would be less. He would like to have moved, the payment of a substantial inorease to Mr Wolters,'but at present did not see his way clear to propose an increase of more than L3O per annum.—Or Matthkws seconded tho proposal.-The Chairman stated that the sum now paid by the County to the olerk and treasurer was about LIBO per annum, The Highway and Local Boardcontributing another sum of about LIOO, It was. he felt sure, the feeling of every member that Mr Wolters wai a thoroughly efficient offioer. He was beyond what they could reasonably expeot or likely to obtain again, and the Council was more than satisfied with the way in which he discharged his duties. The resolution was then carried unanimously. MAURIOEVILLB SOUTH.

. A letter waß rpoeived from the Com-missioner-of Crown Lands, asking for plan of roads and other information re new blook now being opened up, with a view of same being'sold at an early date. -The Engineer was. instructed to supply the .information,

;v>;;. : ' '■"■ engineer's report. The following, report was read :- The Chairman - Wairarapa West Comity Council.

, Sm,-Ihave the honor to report on the public works of The Wairarapa West County:— Opaki to Manawatu Eoad.-The maintenance men, assisted by a few extra'hands, have recently, completed a large culvert and filling at; a point on this road about four miles a6u%,of Eketahuna (the plaoe filled in was previously spanned by a bridge 75 feet long). They are now engaged in removing two; old bridges and substituting fillings end culverts at Eketahuna, These bridges are in a very dangerous oonditlon, arid have for some considerable time required a'graat deal of attention. I therefore decided to push on with the work at once, The fillings are not very large, and if the weather is at all favorable they will soon be completed. Besides the above-men-honed works, ,the .men have.been attending to surface repairs ; arid cleaning off slips. Mr Girdwood's, contract on this-road-oulvert and filling NbV now'well- advanced, and;-will shortly be completed. ': Messrs Beese'and Dawson's contracts on this road arc not yet commenced.'!','"."'. i ;.'' Eketahuna' W'Alfredton road.—The repairs most urgently rehired oh this road have ,been attended, to.: A little ifurther attention from time;, to time during. the winter will, be nejMSsary, but the more important repairs 'and improvements can bo further effected next spring. ~. ..'i; No. i on thisioadisrieirly'finished. l l The recent wet weather has ■hindered' the contractor very much, 'andihas-'alsb' 'caused a groat •many slips, whioh will still further delay :

the. work. .All- worlds, iri. h connection with' this contraotiare ■ There ia a ■precision Vand>flhiah in every Sekilwhibh is; rare: ii this class of work, little progress .has been made on connaotNo.yisincemyjlast&repoftljwas submiUe^io'youj 'andcontraots 3and 2 are not "yet commenced'. (Mr S. L'arsen) has agpliedforan-'extension of time, at the Bajne time explaining that he has been assisting on contract 4, and and the contractor for 4 - will assist him with' 3. . Wangaelra Valley road.—Ooiitraot 1 on this road is ..completed.. The earthwork on contract 3 is a Bout half completed." No work lias yet been done on contracts 2,4, and 5. Pahiatua road.—Contract 1 of the Pahiatuaroadis not yet completed. The contractor for 4 has gone to Pahiatua to commence work. Contracts 2 and 3 are not commenced, ;;.'.■. : Hawera'road.—The survey, for the construction of the wholeroad is.completed, and contracts have been let'for the formation of the two first miles,; including bridges and culverts, Dreyer's Book road.—The survey for construction of two miles of this road is completed, and the preparation of tho plans, etc, is being proceeded with, 1 We are also proceeding with the survby for construction of a short length of road running in a weiterly direction through 1 the Mauricevilli South Block. I expect the work to be finished duiing the ensuing week.' This will complete all tho roads authorised to be. surveyed for construction in the Block,

Waiohirie Bridge.—The Waiohine Bridge contract is not yet completed.'The.first course of deck planking is laid along the centre ot the bridge, and wheeled traffic has been passing over for several days. Attached is a plan showing the recent encroachment of the Waiohine ttiver abovo the site of the new bridge, and commencing at a point, nearly opposite the toll-house.

Waingawa '■ Bridge.—The. necessary. matools, etc, for the construction of protective works at tho south pier of the Waingawa'Bridge are delivered at the site, and the work) are being pushed forward as quickly as possible. Bridge in Fitzherbertstreet. Featherston. —I have examined the old bridge inFitz-herbert-street, Ifeatherston, and prepared plans, etc.,/or a new one. The naw bridge I propose building on piles of 25 feofc on the skew, exactly in the same position with the same height at floor, and about the same amount of waterway as the old one. Tenders for the work may be invited forthwith. —I have, etc, Johh' Kino, , County Engineer, WAIOHINE EKOBOAOHMBMT, The Chairman suggested that the Waiohine Eiver Board should be inatruoted to expend £IOO or £l5O under the direction of the County Engineer.—Or McGregor pointed out the necessity of all work done being directed by their engineer, as on a former occasion work had been done at their expense which had been unauthorised.—The Chairman did not think there would be any difficulty with the Board, itnJ it was resolved the work should be done as suggested,

TOWN BOARD LICENSES, .TheChairmanaaid tliat with the assistance of Messrs Beetham and Buchanan he had ascertained that Toyn Board License fees belonged to the boards, and were nut- County revenue.—lt was resolved—That the Clerk pay them over to the Town Boards after deducting from the fees an equitable proportion of.expenßea. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE, The report of the Committee, which we published last week, was then read and confirmed, ~'.. " v . WORKS IN THE FORTY-MILE BUSH. The Chairman said the Committee were satisfied that the works in the FortyMile Bash were beint; pushed on as fast aswai desirable. They ( must not press, them forward to such am extent as would run up the value of labor) and material. THE LAKE FERRY..

The report of the Committee appointed at tbo previous meeting was read. It recommended that the present boat he kept for cases of emergehoy, and for crossiug sheep, and that a smaller' boat should bo supplied for ordinary traffic; also that a boat shed should be ejected. The cost of the whole was estimated at £'Bs.—Cr Matthews said a boat about fifteen feet long would be the'riifht size; the present one was tbo heavy for even two men to handle in rough weather.—The Council, adopted the report, and voted an expenditure of i'3s.—Or Matthews wished'fn bow if the ferryman could claim fees • : when the lake was closed.—Or Donald thought that it would be kept open in (lie future more than it had been in the past. —The Chairman suggested that the Committee should ascertain the ferryman's legal position as to fees.-Cr McGregor pointed out that with proper regulations fees could be colleoted when the lake was closed. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee reported accounts to the amount of S4B lis Bd, which were passed for payment. THE OLD WAIOHINE BRIDGE, , The Chairman asked for an instruction as to how the material of the old Waiohine Bridge was to be disposed of.—Mr King reported that some of the planking could be used on County works, but the bulk of the material was useless to him.— Or McGkegor recommended selling the whole of it by auotion, If they picked out the best pieces for themselves they would, spoil the sale of the rest,-Or Jackson thought the Highway Boards could do with a good deal of it, and expressed a hope that the Carterton and Featheraton Boards would not run lots up at the sale (a laugh).—lt was decided to sell the whole of the material by auction.

■ BORROWING THE ENGINEER, Or Donald moved that the County Engineer be.permitted to advise the Fea theraton Highway Board re an encroachment of the Huamahunga near Waihenga. -On the motion of Cr McGregor, who exposed his satisfaction at the idea of local bodies availing th6mselves,of the services of their Engineer, the permission was granted.

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE.' The Chairman brought under the notice of the Oouncil the question of the Legislation about to be made in Parliament for local bodies, and suggested the appointment of a small committee to act with him m watching the course of events and to take steps to secure a proper pro* vision being made for the requirements of the district. He directed their attention for example to the question of RAILWAY EXTENSION. It was not his wish to interfere with any opinion that might be' held by Masterton settlers on this question, but his own view was that nothing could be more fatal to Masterton interests than that the railway should stop there. They oould not,too won watch the course of legislation on this point : There was :a party jn the House unfavorable to borrowing, but he thought they could make; up their minda that a loan would be carried and their own interests would require to be proteoted. There was a disposition at present to complete the North Island trunk line through the West Coast route' and if they were not. careful this distript would be lettontitf the cold.' He was, satisfied .that no stone should be left unturned to extend: their, lino to the: Campthis.year. They ought:also to seourea vote for a first .'olassi railway bridgeaoross the ■ .•■.■;..;i ; :;; - ,-;

.:.._. RIVER, '_[' or a bridge whibli would first answer road purposes and subsequently do for railway traffio.Theywere.hbt likely to require muoh money forlroads in the Forty-Mile Bußh, this year, and the Goyernraent

Bhould bo mged to undertake this apWial work if only for the sake of the sale of Crown Lands in thSleighborhpod. The estimated coSt ,of i? 6000 would speedily be reooupgiji- by: land sales. He thought that after #iiat they had seen ef the result of the -

' DUNEDIN SHIPMENT i of frozen meat they could regard the future of bush lands as assured. He knew nothing mora gratifying or more Hgnificant of the future: prosperity of the colony than the result' of the late sale ofNew Zealand frozen - meats. ; He : was down in Duneilin a few days ago, and found the business of meat • exportation w«a no longer a matter. -of jsneculation, The maohinery for prejjjgß^ rcaue , was complete, and they the result of it with as muoh confidence as they oould reply upon the operation of any ordinary machinery. The' industry was .an. accomplished fact, and they should at once take tho fullest advantage tfit, It was just the want of an enterprise of this kind which had paralysed their efforts in; the' past in utilising a bush country.' They had now very good grounds for urging on the Government. the opening up of the bush country and the completion of a good, through road, Another matter of Importance was the opening up of roads through. NATIVE LANDS. It would be their duty, to shew the Government the necessity for a provision which would enable them to get at larger and valuable blooks of Crown Lands hy =■; taking roads through nalire The committee he asked for might, too, •■ >L consult with their engineer as to the .■:' lands which might bo more opened up by roads'. ;Thia subjoot was too large to deal with at an open meeting, .. They had before them an opinion frames "; their engineer, but his recommendation' ' only referred to a portion of the district. H« was of the opinion that it was the" - duty of. Comity Councils to open up misettled country, to increase the impoeta, .r, and exports of the diitriot and obtain a ; solid position for its population and ' Personally he would regard the appointment of the committee . he asked for as a favor. He did not desire to represent the views of the Council to the Goremment unless he was assured that what he urged had tho sanotion of his colleagues, _ Or McGregor approved of the course indicated by the chairman. It was a step in the right direction. Without suoh a course were taken justice would not be done to the Munty, It was an open question whether the colony should go > in for further borrowing. His own opinion was in favor of extending roads rather than railways. Still if a largo loan wore agreed upon it was their duty, to see that they had their fair share of it, and not to waive the claims whioh had been admitted by the Royt.l Commissioners. The question:of taking roads through native lands was of the first importance; to the County, and he was glad to see it brought forward. He moved that Cri'Matthews, Macquarie, and the mover be appointed a committee to act with the chairman in watohing the course of legislation in Parliament. ' Or Jackson seconded the motion. It was time,'he said, that they took some action- wth reference to the log-rolling whioh wsi going on, and saw that the Wairarapa got its fair share of public-' money. They would have to pay a iiM ■ Bharo of the Colonyls liabilities, andlF was only :right that they should loo* after the assets as well, '.•

Cr Macquane said he would not be ' able to attend regular meetings on committee, but he would be glad to all the information he could with respeot to the riding which he represented. The Chairman in putting the teniation, which was carried unanimously, said"' • there would be a large amount of detail • work for the committee to ?o through For example-there was au understanding,". that the two bridges recently constructed by. the County should be allowed to bo'• . brought under the operation of Major Atkinsons new Bill if it were ipassed. The County would soon bo placod in a difficult position with respect to ways and means unless they arrived at some satisfactory understanding with the Govern- ' ment. ■

major Atkinson's circular was then considered in Committee :- 1. Should County Chairmen be elected as Mayors art f . The Counoil: No I

Or Bnitfamite said "Councillorsare the best judges of who should be Chairman." The Chairman; In my:opinion itis'a pity that Mayors should be Elected the way they are.

2, -Should Counties be enabled to split up o> amalgamate, or otherwise alter their boundaries, without the consent of Parliament, as is now required J Or MoGregor :Iti« quite immaterial. Cr Jaokson: Yes Or Braithwaite: Yes.

The Chairman said they suffered too muoh from hasty legislation, and it was desirable to resist the tendency to make hasty changes. Or Jaokson objected that Parliament was not always m session. On the motion of Or McGregor, seoonded bj Or Maoquarie, the question wsa answered in the negative. 3. Should (he road districts ineaeh countu form Hie ridings ofthe county? The Counoil: No I

«i, 1 an 'J in the mode of electing the Countillors? The Council: No!

6. Can you suggest any new duties which smmbeimposed, or new powers uhieh should h conferred on Counties, mre especially as to power oj .making by-laws? Cr McGregor: We have plenty of power, but no money. Cr Jackson said he would give Counties all the power Provincial Counoil. enjoyed. They should administer the Rabbit Act. he Licensing Act, and thelDog Registra. tionAct. iee The Chairman said he would rather leave the Rabbit Act in the hands of the Government, Its administration would be an invidious task for local settlers. .'Or Jaokson said that they oould at least have avoided a collision between the Sabbit and Dog Act. , Cr MoGregor suggested that the Oountiesi should be given the necessary authority to enforce the use of broad liroi on waggon wheel..,, This wa*,of great importance where their roads weVe covered with inferior metal, -'\ 2 Cr Matlhewß aftid.lhe Highway Bo«d» had power to deal T Wth the question had not gotthe: same privilege at the road boards in this respect. ti. l 2! dhe ™« no' Bnre but l the Tf P " bho .J"* Act gave it t tut £ e . he ? -1 ,d not POBsese it they Jjj-ijJ f destroy,n R a ro id, helped to Jf",*" iD « to elicit! oinon 1 be given to local bodies. To any inch* proposal he. wai.opposed. They did not require fe make that won d operate like AcWof Parliament. : .h«.i)n?° n: l**"?*-" That Countiei , other required improvement" lepslation'by.localby.lawg, '■ iue Chairman feared'that if,they did S fl J^M^ ke » very W n ' ««w roaddistrtcti>or:aM<txistkg ones-of to ow»mo«#-o%' 0 » da petition of « ™>lon(y of the ratepayers' ■

~ The Counoil: No. 7. %uldthi Counties or the Road Boards ' ifKWpowcr of altering ffie divisions aad r !!S m . to tfthmemhm of Ik Itoad ■ < Pr Matthews: It is not necessary to interfere withthe numbers-only the size. ' , thought the ratepayers stiould have the option of putting one warden or three to eaoh Ward, His own ward in the Fentherston Highway Board , required three to do it justice. He could do very well with two colleagues la Macquario thought that Boards should have power to vary the size of ™{ r Awiu'dß as population increased not Counties, should deqjde ward divisions." Tlrv Chairman favored somo simple • plan ol adjusting boundaries, Tho present method was too cumbrous, Or' Jackson thought tho Cmmtios should - settle the divisions, as there was too ,'. much logrolling in road boards. Ho \ 'thought a county should bo an adjusting, "rather than a rating body. . .The Chairman said he would have no misgiving in intrusting the power of adjusting wards to Highway Boards. ■ Or Mncquarie held that it wsb an nn'"'necessary trouble to refer" such questions to Counties, It was resolved that the road boards should, have the power of altering iho divisions of wards. 8. What ratiwi powers tlthM Counties have? Or Matthews'. "One shilling." , .. Cr Jackson.'' uoiio except for special purposes 1 ." 9. What rating powers shouhlßoad Boards havt ?. \ Cr McGregor:' 1 Leave thai to the j ' Boad Boards," , .. . . 10. If the. operation of the Counties Act "ut . tusptnded in any County, should Itoad '.Boardsheenabled to exercise any of the . powers of the County, and, ij so, which ? Cr Jackson: " All the powers," , Cr McGregor:'' Thntmustbo modified." . Boad Boards could not deal with such a question as the election of a representative to' Harbor Boards, The Chairman: As far as this district is concerned that could bo entrusted to the Road Boards. Cr McGregor said this just showed tho absurdity of (ho duplicate system of local government. No deliberation was wanted so long as the Government adhered to tho ' ■ present dual system. The Chairman said that in the Wairnrapa they bad a special work of magnitude, and if it wore not for Ibis they might dispense with one body or the ' other. 11. Should Bead Board Members hold ojjicefor afml time, and, if *o, what, or should a proportion retire every yearl The Council: Threo year's! 12. 'Should Bond Board Chairmen the , elected as Mayorsarel i The Council: No. 13. Is it desirable to allow of Road Board elections being held in open public meetings, •,; like those of School Committee!/,'in districts tht Bond Boards, by special order, ' , adopts thisplan"! '",. • Cr McGregor: Leavo IbiEto the Road , Boards! . • . '-■ . 14. What alterations do you suggest, in the. \.,. Bating Bill as sketched in the circular enclosed '"' Herewith 1 ! . • •■' The Chairman -said these questions were a matter nf great importance. The ■■• double valuation was a serious expense.

< He pointed out'thai the government jaluation protected properly owners from juiy excessive valuation, A Belller .could • iforee the Govomment oither to purchase ft properly at ten per cent advance on the valuation or reduce the assessment. It JJMis also an advantage to bo able to Bell •Tp*operly on which rates were unpaid through the public trustee. Cr McGregor asked if the Property Tax [ were to be a perpetual and everlasting instil ution and be handed down from generation to generation. While he agreed ...with the principle of valuation adopted by theiGovemment, he complained that the official valuers of the Properly Tax department bad been in many instances incompetent and that their work was inferior to the .valuation made by local ■bodies. -. .

The Chairman said that virtually both . valuations wore made by the same parties. Cr McGregor replied that this was not invariably the case, Thoy were not likely to receive justice from Government valua- , tors until these officers worked on some defined principle. The local valuation, if more expensive, was more reliable. The Chairman thought they were in fur the Property Tax for some time to corns, however painful it might be to pay i\ He would prefer to do without borrowing if lliey could do awny with the Pro|'e r 'v ":ix, but there was no hope of this, 'i he Properly Tax did a great deal to strengthen the hands of the Government by bringing home to the people the liabilities which the colony had incurred, : ;15; Phase slate whether the -provisions of the Roads Construction and Crown, and Native Lands Bating Bills wo»W >n'i your . district, and,if not, what alkrvio. muW ■yen suggest which would male (hut umuum mortiuefull Cr McGregor said he always doubted the efficiency of Major Alkinsou's pro posals. The Government were trying to please everybody, but in the end it pleased nobody. The Government proposals ;■;', were a miserable expedient to shirk responsibility. If the Government had not courage enough to say what shape local bodies were to take, it was not likely that the bodies them«el.ves would unite to give the information. He always bellevdd the Wairarapa ceuld be governed by municipal bodies for centres of population, and counties for outlying districts. If the Government would only pin responsibility on one given body, their work would be easy, It had been said that Counties ought to be abolished, but : he himself "failed to see why Counties Could not do the work of the Road Boards. •He thought they could do it better. How did' Rffad Boards work] Why ... -Warden No.'l took £lO and spent it the -.;,_ -best way he could;but without any.de,s -■■ fined system or principle, and if the job . had to be properly finished-it had all to he done over again, In many' instances . Road Board works were a mere system of patching. 'He would not support- the Beads Construction Bill, as he could • not conceive a more cumbersome system of doing work.' •t& v'-The Chairman pointed out that it was to suppose that the mind of the Gqjgrpme'nt was not made up on the various points referred to in their circular. The Bills embodying the Government proposals were in faot already drafted. In the Eoad Construction Bill all that the. Government really offered was cheap, money. They would be able, under the ' Sill, to repayadvances out of the increased value of properties, and possibly transfer some of the responsibility on to the nextgeneration. Be said that he always regretted the division of the Wairarapa into . two Counties, but tho thing being done * ho. would not undo it. In the same way Bfc|rith dual. local Government-the thing done and they must put up with it. • Without committing himself, to details, be would support the Eoad Construction Bill. . ;Cr McGregor moved that this' Council : dissents from the Bill, but hismotion was not seconded. ' •' The' Chairman said he had a.strong objection to any further 'subsidies being ■■: again' given to municipal bodies. ■ He • complained that sums of money had been spent at the cost of the country.in centres of pure luxuries.: Without ■'• principle like thai embodied v - iiijfojor Atkinson's proposals', he did no

he did not see how the Government could escape giving municipal subsidies, On the motion of the" Chairman, seconded by Or Donald, it was resolved that the Council approved generally of the Roads Construction Bill.

IG, Have you any suggestions _ to make generally on tii6maltersdeo.lt with in the circular in which this is enclosed ?

Tho Chairman said that in replying to this they might oppress as strongly as possible the necessity of tho Government making a reasonable provision for carrying on tho work of local self-government The clerk suggested that the attention of the Government Bhould ho called to the very unsatisfactory state of tho Government audit, Tho chairman concurred pointing out that it had been very iueflicieijt for somo years past. The Council then adjourned.