WAIRARAPA EAST COUNCIL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1366, 30 April 1883, Page 2

WAIRARAPA EAST COUNCIL

The East County Council met at the County offices, Masterton, at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday last. Present— Ci's. Beetham (Chairman), Mackay, Meredith, Chamberlain, Bellis, McCardle, W, H, Beetham, and McGregor. 'lhe Returning Officer- reported the resignation of Mr E. Meredith, junior, as a member of the Council, and election of Mr E. Meredith, senior, to fill the vacancy. The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and confirmed. . METALLING. \ A question arose out of the outward correspondence as to whether any portion of the three-eighths grant under the Roads Construction Act should be i expended in metalling,——The Chairman. stated that the committee considered that it would be expedient to spend the whole of this ins'alment on formation only.--.Cr McCardle desired to know if they were certain of obtaining another instalment;—— The Chairman thought they were,-—Cr McCardle said that he had been given to understand that metalling would be proceeded with, and had told'some, of his constituents so. —-Cr W. H, Beetham deprecated, metalling in winter time. Last year more harm than good had been done by putting metal oh the Tauehi road,-—The Chairman, remarked that Or McCardle was not present at their last , meeting when the question wasamnged,——,Or McCardle said that unfortunately he had been detained up country on that occasion, treasurer's hsport. ' The Treasurer reported; the West, County had adopted the adjustment of accounts recommended by the joint. Committees, and effect had been given to ic, he paying balances due to the other County, amounting to £960 4s Od, and receiving balances., due Jo East County ;amounting to £1502 14s 2d. The bank- overdraft /on. the general account now amounted: to £ll4B 19s 9d. ; With a view, to reduce this, application had been made to the Government

for progress payments to the amount " of £3050. On special votes the credit balance on the special fund account • amounted to £B6B 13s 6t). The Treasurer stated that as yet from pres- ■ sure of othor work lie had not been able to go into the accounts as fully as he would have wished,——The Chairman thought that the Treasurer had ' given them a very good report. GOVERNMENT GRANTS, i A letter was read from! the undersecretary asking fop a joint recoramen- » dation from both ■ Counties' an to payments of grants underload Coni sruction Act,. for which a joint application had been made.-?-—The Chairman I explained that prior to." the. alteration' of boundaries, the roads'traversed both Counties, now each was within the boundaries of one County only,, i, { FAILING BOSH ON ROAD LINES, '' An otter was received- .from -Mr Richard Caldwell to fall bush on a road line at Pahiatua adjoining his owif-land,-—(jr. McCardle saidihe-did not know the applicant, - but he ; knew the' section, arid thought' the plearing of the bush on the road line would.be an' advantage to both the settlers, \and to the Council. Mr Caldwelkonly had • access to his land by the riyer, ' He suggested that maps of such -localities.' would be. very useful toithoiOouncil.' -—The Chairman approved of the suggestion re maps, and recommended; that the Clerk be instructed .to apply, for them.——The Clerk reported that ho had been informed by Mr Matchaiit ' that new maps were in would shortly be available. Cr W. H; Beetham approved of the 'idea of settlers clearing road, lines,7~The ' Chairman pointed out that unfortunately the line referred to was not a " County road, and all they could do : would be to refer the applicant:to tho,- : Masterton Highway Board,——Cr W." H. Beetham pointed out that the rates; received from that part of tliei district: by the Board would not enable it to make the proposed expenditure;— McCardle said he had been informed " by Mr Chamier that they had not received o. behalf of this district the' 25 per cent to .which it was entitled •' for Crown Lands sold within it.—-On .the motion of Cr McGregor it: wasresolved that Mr Caldwell's letter be referred to the Masterton • Board with a favorable recommeilda:• , tion.

EKETAHDNA-TIItAUMEA ROAD, v • i [ Mr Macquarrie, • with, reference , to - the poll of ratepayers, on the huna-Tiraumea road, wrote asking on . what portions of the road the £3,000' ; ■ under the Boads Construction A.ot wan', to be expended, as some settlers were . . hazy on this point.——The Chairman was afraid .that Mr Macquarrie had been misled into the belief that metal- , ling would be proceeded with out of; the three-eighths instalment.-—-Cr; ■ W. H. Beetham said that metalling :: nov. vould be like pitching money into ■ a bog.—Cr McGregor said'they could explain to settlers that it would be impossible to undertake metalling . at this season of the year. Cr" ; - McCardle considered that a refusal to ; proceed with metalling would be regarded by settlers as a breach of faith, It would, at all events, be necessary that the intentions of the Council should be expressed to settlers. • —-The Chairman held that at present they could do more good by completing formation than by metalling. .—Or Bellis said there were settlers at Tirauinea with no access to their ! land.—Cr> W. ; H. Beetham said he ! had visited the Eketahuna-Tiraumea road ivitli the Engineer, and they had come to the conclusion that formation was of the first importance. Or McGregor pointed out that as Cr Beetham had been specially appointed to visit this locality it was their duty to give effect to his recommendation. ■ —-The Clerk was instructed to reply that metalling would be undertaken in due course/ but "that in the interim it was expedient to proceed with formation. THE BOLL. Applications were received for the. names of a trustee of Mrs E. Meredith, ' jun., and a brother of Mr Elder to bo placed on the roll.—Cr Meredith stated that the applications were made in view of the approaching special poll. —The Chairman said the applications could be dealt with when the amended roll was dealt with ,by the Council.

PAHIATUA. Mr Chamier, on behalf of the Palliatua settlers, wrote," asking whether the £IO,OOO vote of the Government was expended. 2. Pointing out that the rolls were incomplete. 3. Asking that copies of plans i,and specifications of county works be sent to the Pahktua Post Office.—-The Chairmen asked for authority to amend their roll by adding to it new names on the Road Board : ' ■' rolls. —-This was . agreed to on the motion of Cr Mackay.— also resolved—That information £IO,OOO vote be : forwarded'to Mif#' Chamier.—-With' regard to: plans, Ac!, Cr McCardle explained that Pahiatua was sixteen miles from the Eketahuna office. The Chairman ~ remarked that. oxtra, copies : qf plans. involved a good deal of expense,On the suggestion of Cr McGregor, this matter was referred to the Works Committee, who would be able to take - all the circumstances of it into consideration; . SEVEN AND SIXPENCE, A letter was read from the Survey Department. enclosing tracings of Brown's line, Whakataki, which had been asked for, and charging seven and sixpence for them.—:Ci' W. H. Beetham mpypd that the Chairman caliph Mr Marchant and remonstrate with him for making such a charge (a laugh), —-The Chairman, desired to know/if it was the •wish of the Council that local bodies should be\supplied free of I charge with suclv tracings.——Cr-'Mc-ttregor waß of the opinion if ,: these facilities were obtained for nothing too much labor .would be thrown on the Survey Department. 'DtjPLIOATE SURVEYS. • •• Viti Cr W. II; Beetham took the- oppor-' . tunity ot pointing out that years. ago the Provincial Engineers surveyed the same ground that, their own Engineers

were nowj, traversing., -Their. staff stumbled, in the ferii on old.'Provincial pegs, and if tliQ Government i placed at their'disposal tlio old field which were|f no'mortal use- to . tiieiivtliey miglit'be salved a considerable expense. —r-The Chairman said he heard that the books were in Mr Baird's charge. —-Cr \7V"H. Bectham considered thatJMr. Baird had no right to them.— Tho Chairman said he was glad that attention had been drawn to this question, and it was resolved that a formal application be made for the field books . : .MANAWATU FERRY. '' ' A letter was read from a Maori, stating that tho Natives were anxious that. Mr Carver should retain his position as ferryman.— Cr McGregor explained that Mr Carver was appointed fbrthreo years, and that his term expired in June next. Though appointed three years ago, ho was unable to obtain possession of the ferry for a twelve-month, owing to tho dispute between the Government and the Natives. Ho boro testimony to the patience and perseverance which Mr Carver had displayed in dealing with ! and to his efficiency as a ferryman. It was arranged in the agreement that when a bridge was erected the appointment should bo cancelled. He' considered that it wo&ld only be fair to extend Mr Carver's term for another year, so that it would cease by the time the new bridgo -was completed, and moved a resolution, to this effect. Cr Beetham seconded the resolution— Cr McCardle hardly understood how the matter cropped up. He thought that in the absence of a formal application tho extension proposed was premature, and that tlio Council was in too'great a hurry to do business.—The; Chairman said Mr Carver had written to him on tho question, but he had, mislaid his letter.—Cr Chamberlain thought-they might as well settle the • matter at once as only another month wopld lapse, before the expiration J/r the original turn.—Cr McCardle said lie did not oppose the motion.- It only appeared to him that it 'came unasked. Crs Mackay and Chamberlain said they had received letters from Mr Carver asking for their support to an extension of his term. Th 6 resolution of Cr McGregor was then put and carried; it being understood that when the new bridge was completed the appointment would lapse.

engineer's report,

The following report was then read: Sib.—l have the honor to report on the Public Works of the Wairarapa East County, Opaki to Manawatu Road.—The main-' tenanco men havo been employed during tho < month on surfaco repairs, and in getting out and depositing gravel along the rond for use during the muter. Fridge contracts 15 ' and 16 are being proceeded with. ■Mauriceville South Roads, -Reese and Dawson's bridge contract on' the Mauriceville South Head is now almost completed. The works are fairly well executed. Grass seed should now be sown on the side slopes and along both edges of the roads in 'the Mauriceville South Block. Dreyer'sßock Eoad, ContractNo, I.—On this contract the hush is lolled throughout, and about half the earthwork is done. So far the woikß are fairly well executed. Central Mangaone Road, Contract I. On' this'contract about 20 chains of the bush is felled and cleared,away. The earthwork is not yet commenced. .Hawera Ko»d, Contract No. 2—Very little -work has been done on this, contract during the month, Contract No. 3.—On this contract the bush is felled throughout and cleared away, except about 10 chains, 73 chains of the earthwork is partly done. Makakahi Koad, Contract No 1.-On this contract about 20 clmius of the bush is felled and cleared away. Pahiatua Eoads, Contract No, 3,-On this centract the bush felling is completed, and about 35 chains of the earthwork is partly executed, Contract No. 2,—Very little work has been done on this contract since I reported on the same about a munth age. To complete the roads already formed, and those in 'c'ouise of. formation through the Pahiatua Block, several short span bridges will be required. 1 would ask authority to proceed with their orection. Surveys.—The surveys for constiuction of the Castlepoiut to Waimata, and the Tenui to Alfredton roads are being proceeded with,

1 have An., John Ki.no, County Engineer. • Cr McGregor thought' the proposal to Bowlgrass seed would be a wise expeudi ure ofimoney.—The Chairman eaid it would keep down the growth of ihe scrub. It,was decided that it should be autho tised,—-Cr McCardle, speaking on the question of the Pnliint.ua rortds, said they were absolutely useless till the bridges were built, Though a large amount of land had been sold in the distriot and tr considerable sum of money Bpent in ■ improvements, people could not get to and from their land, In proportion to the'.claims it had on the Government, jhis.'difltrict was worse off than any other. 'As.soon as the Government Bold the land, ■" if -'discontinued its road expenditure. = This tended to discourage people from vieltitojfin new blocks. The Government failed .iff-its. duty by not expending a proportioaate amount on roads out of the money-received from the sale of lands, ——Mr. King, in reply to a question, 'esiltliated'tho cost the cost of the bridges '&t from £6OO Jo £Boo,—-Cr McGregor ■ en'dbtsed'agood deal that Cr McCardle had .said. 1 ' in these . rfiattera wise and. pound tried to get long lengths of ' lines open at a small cost. Experience in otlierparts of the colony proved that it • was a,wise policy to metal as well as form • : roads, The Government Bent up three or four thousand pounds and expected with ... ' this to open the whole of the Forty Mile Bush, They made a bit of road in a '. block, then sold the land and dropped all connection with it. No money was now available for the bridges, but he would co-operate with Cr McCardle in urging the Government to provide for them.—Cr McCardle was under the impression that : «ome Vote for settled lands was still 'available.-—-The Chairman thought that .. a sum of £2000; was available and that Pjjiiattia"had 'a claim on it.—Cr ' Beetham asked-what proportion of the ; amount received for the sale of lands was returnable ?—,-rThe Chairman replied twenty-five per. cent.—Cr McCardle did not believe that ten per cent had been .returned : toPnhiatna.-—The Chairman recommended' the appointment of a committee to consult with the engineer as to whatiwere thfl most ureent works to be 1 undertaken out of the unexpended bal■•v - ances. There was ;01J80 for the Mangahao ; block not. dealt with at all.—- —Cr McCar- • : die said that the Pahiatua district was included in the-Marigahao block.-—The Chairman said if such were the case they might be able to .prqvido for the bridges. r-rrCc McCardle pointed out that it was . eypedient f»r the Cduncil to do a« ranch possible for settled.bloclis, as the Government: would make; further advances for V -.unsettled ones.;-*-.—Cr.McGregor desired .. impression that the Council for the expenditure 1 of

monies on various roads, 'l'he Council hid no power to allocate' u"«'ijif*lis |:i ; nny to any particular dißtrioti The Council, in the (listiit'iition of :: thii exjutmliimy, had to accoiit iliti direction of ohn Oi.Virnineiit.—Or Mackay. -.hiMed that tl.e question of • coil's rupiing tlio bridges bu referred to Ilia Works Committee,-™— Or McOardlesaid that 1 Or' 1 McGregor bad shown that the Council was merely a distributing body. He'considered that the Government wero not so well able as the Council to dolcrmine where.money would be-spent to the best ad vnnthpG, and trustedtheir representative would eudeuvor, in Ins place in Parliament, to bring about a change in this direction. He regretted ihat the Council should be subjected to the dictation of the Government on every Small Vote.——The Chairman desired to place the Government point of view before the council. Where counties had got their own way in spending money it had been found, though not in' the Wairaropa, that the money had been expended in opening roads to Bottled districts instead of in opening up Crown lands. It was necessary for the Government to take great cure that the money was applied to tho purpose for which it was yoted. He thought Cr. McGregor had gont) too far in stating the position of the council with respect to tlio Government, Eeconimendations from the Council bad always been received by the Government with favor. But when tlieao tecommendationa Were accepted the Government was quite right in insisting upon thorn being strictly carried out. County West had exercised considerable power by the recommendations it .had made to the Government. Mr Kolleston had spoken in terms of the highest praise of the works carried out by this county, the only fault he found was that the roads were made too well. Mr McKerrow and Mr Marohfint liad just inspected their works and thqy expressed themselves well satisfied, tbViigh they constantly urged upon them the necessity of opening up Crown Lands instead of assisting settled districts. Ho agreed with Cr McCnrdle that any sum available from rates or other general revenue should bo expended in settled districts. Tho resolution of Cr Mackay was,then put and carried.

RESOLUTIONS. A question nro9o at this stage whether members should writo out their own resolutions or depend upon the clerk to do so. It was decided that it would he more convenient for the olerk to draft them. UNEXPENDED BALANCES. On the motion of Cr McCardlo; the committee were 'authorised to call for tenders to the amount of the unexpended balances available, . TELEPHONE SERVICE. A pelition signed by some sevenly Bottlers in favor of a telephonic service to Eketahuna was read.—Or McCardle in moving that it be received pointed out that a similar petition was in course of* preparation to connect Woodville with Pahiatua, He pointed out tliß advantage of direct communication between Wellington and Woodville, and expressed a conviction that a through lino nould be as convenient to the telegraph department as it would be to the public,—Tbe Chairman approved of the Council supporting the prayer ; of the petition. —Cr McCardle moved lhat the Counci favor the extension of telephonic communication between Mnstorton and Woodville,—The Chairman said the Government would, when the railway was finished;' reqnire telegraphic communication with Pahiatua, and they would bo merely'anticipating their own necessities, MU.NGAPAKEHA BRIDGE. The public work's report relating to the above having been read, Cr McGregor explained that they had accepted a tender on the advice of their Engineer. Although the weather now prevented material being placed on the ground, there was a prospect of the work being proceeded with early in the sprint;, FINANCE COMMITTEE, The Finance Committee reported the passing of accounts remitted to their consideration amounting to 14s 2d, WAINGAWA BRIDGE. Cr McGreuor pointod out that aa the Waingawa Bridge was a joint liability between the two Counties, it was desirable that one or the other should bo appointed to look after it, and moved that County West be asked to decide whether it or the East County should take charge of the structure.' The expense, of courao, would he equally divided between the two Counties,—Cr McCardle seconded the motion, which was carried. VOTING FOR SPECIAL RATES. The Chairman said it would be necessary for the County to appoint some one to vole on lis behalf at the polls fur special rates undor section 61 of the Rnada Construction Act,—After some discussion, the Chairman was appointed to discharge'this duty. MEETINGS. The Chairman pointed out lhat four-, weekly meetings were inconvenient to the working staff, and suggested either delegating their power of paying employees to the Public Works Commitiee or altering their fixed meetings.^—Cr McGregor pointed out that if they Bolected a fixed Saturday in gach month they would clash with Highway Board meetings, ■ The Road Boards were as much m love with a four-weekly arrangement as they were, with monthly periods.— : Cr Chamberlain pointed out that the County as the newer body ought not to try", to disturb; the older arrangements of the Hoad Boards, -t— The Chairman •suggested fixing some day other than Saturday. —Cr Mackiiy said Thursday would not be a bad day for t|ie Castlepoint representatives.—lt was decided that the future meetings of the Council should be held on the second Thursday in each month at 1.30 p.m, ACCOUNTS, ■' The following accounts were passed for 1 payment Survey office, 7s Od; Smith & Hogg, 18s; J. Payton & Co,, £lO 2s 6d; grass seed, £3 Gs lOd; stationery, £3l9s; carriage, 8s; rates. £2l7s od ; insurance, £4los. TOLL GATES. Cr Mackay asked permission to postpone his notice of motion re abolition of toll gates till the question of a'County rate was settled, It was perhaps foolish to abolish them till tbey put on a rate. —Cr Bellis said they would be bound to put on a rate for the maintenance of the road.-—Agreed to, EKETAHUNA POUND, Or McCardle said he had been requested to inquire the terms of appointment of Mr Jones to fho Eketahuna pound/. Cr Chamberlain said he was appointed by the West Councils—-Cr McCardle said he had received no complaints with respect to him, but merely had been asked to make the enquiry, . BATES,. The Chairman said that as a new Councillor was present he might explain the position in which they stood with respect to the special rates. It .was not the intention of the Council to levy those rates, They took the polls merely to conform with the law. Having complied wth the act in this manner, they proposed to provide out of one general rate for the amount of the special rates, for interest in loans and for repairs of roads, In order

to equalise the general rate with the different BBclinns'df'"the*Ouuhty,' : they'intended t" debi'. each district with the - charge's for which it^^'^^ll^'-fialilei 4 ,ipS 'make grants for roads: tojthtae,districts' which bad a oredit balance'..undet .this /.arrange* mem.- —Or' W. Hj, Beethom suggested that they. might give the grants to the Road Boards to.expend.'—-Or -Meredith inquired whether .there .would not be a great deal of difficulty in apportioning a general uniform rate.—The Chairman replied that at pi'eaent nothing definite had beoh settled,:, but they anticipated, that there wbtildbb Ibbs : difflqulty iii' arranging a division, of money'than there would be in defining"certain', districts and collecting .'email special' rates within their arena.—-Or; Meredith thought tolls might;bo useful to enable thorn to modify the distribution of the APPLICATIONS. .. Or McCardle' inquired whon would be tho proper.time to: bring forwiird applications under the Bonds and fridges Construction Aot. —-The Chairman replied that in .the beginning of June -would be early .enough. Applications closed on the 30ili o£ that months ' A FARTHINGIN TUP, POUND. Cr Mcckay gave notice-'that at. the next lie would move that a, County rate be levied of a farthing in the pound,t-—The Council then adjourned. • :