WAIRARAPA EAST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1658, 12 April 1884, Page 2

WAIRARAPA EAST COUNTY COUNCIL.

TnE ordinary meeting of tlie : above Council was held at the Council offices, Mastei'ton,, on, Thursday afternoon. Present—-Ors McGregor (Chairman), P. Maunsell, Chamberlain, Bellis, and Beetham... ':. \

■• /The returning,officer reported tho resignation of Mr J. Williams and iho. return of Mr IV Maunsell in liis plaee;- ' : • Theininutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, ,; - ; . .

. Tho .treasurer reported a credit .balance of .£535 16s on the general account, and of 4808.13s Gd on the'' special fund. - Accounts amounting ; tb : '£1447.12s were certified tolas correct, and presented for payment.;' \ '. CORRESPONDENCE? . .From James .McCarthy,- re balance on To Ore.Qre-Bidpford,road contract.' From Cr Williams, resigning his seat on the Council, - From., the Chief Surveyor, saying that he could only legalise a portion of the Black Hill track. Prom Mr Mcllutcho'n- asking if the Gastlepoint Board were to, discharge all hands on tho MastortbnWiiiniata/ road. (Tho chairman said that as a reply was required immediately he, by advice of the Engineer) replied in the affirmative), .From the Property Tax Department-stating that tho Commissioner' ■gf Crown Lands would furnish information as to all roads alienated From the Public Works Office advising passing a certificate for the Masterton-Waimata road, From the Gastlepoint Board asking for authority to expend£lsoontli'e Tonni and Gastlepoint road, From Mr- D. 0. Macquarie asking that grass seed be sown on four miles of new formation on the Tiraumea road, and offering to sow the seed free of charge From Colonial Secretary re Alfredton and Upper Taueru road districts stating that further special orders wcro necessary. , From W, Badger asking for the County to purchase a copy of his " Whole law of New Zealand," From Gastlepoint Boad Board.stating'tbafca balance of'£639 'lis lid wiis due to the Board from the County. (The Clerk'said the account would require to be corrected prior to adjustment). From T. Collier & Son asking permission to scour wool on the County side of the Waipoua. From the Masterton Eoad Board making out a claim on the County of £477 10s 4d. (The Clerk said there was also a discrepancy on this account).

Or McCarfle said the Pahiatua Board was entitled to a portion of the £4OO voted to the Road Board, The Clerk said tho Masterton Board claimed the whole, The Chairman said the. Pahiatua Board would have to make its claim to the Masterton Board, ..

Correspondence, : continued.—From John Wingato urging the survey of the Castlehill route. Prom Alfredton settlers recommending the appbintmonfc of Mr Charles Macqinrio as Clerk anil Returning Officer to the Alfredton Road Board, From Mr 11. R. Elder re name on rate roll. From John Groves Jim. resigning as ponndkeeper. • From H, Burgess & Son asking for an extension of time on their contract, they had seeur cd eight teams and expected to obta in as many'more, 'From Cr Mackay stating that the Black Swamp road was all but impassable. The attention of the Engineer was directed to the.Black Swamp road. MUNGAPAKEIIA METALLING. , •- Mr Burgess waited on the Council in support of his application for an extension of time. He had had a great difficulty in obtaining suitable gravel; and a sufficient number of carts;} Weather permitting he thought ho could complete tho work in about six weeks.

'".; Crßellis said but little work had been done during the past month. : • Mr Burgess said that there had only been eleven days on which they could work. :. ;;... - ; .

The Chairman said he was willing to grant an extension of time if ;Mr Burgess would'do all he now promised, Mv Burgess said bo bad to make about three quarters of a mile of road out of his own pocket to obtain gravel.. Tho Chairman moved that the time he extended for six weeks. Crßellis moved that the time allowed ho a month.

Or Chamberlain .supported tho. extension for six weeks in fairness to the contractor.

. Or McOardlo said the utmost leniency was necessary in dealing with contractors, and thought that they ought to grant the full tirao asked for by Mr Burgess, Or Bcetham did not think the time asked for was excessive, and would be agreeably surprised if the work was completed within the six weeks. ;

Ci Bellis said the Overseer reported that only two drays had been at work on the road. If 'he went on well for a month he could then receive another month's extension, Mr Burgess said he had noyer- yet' failed to complete a contract; , ' Or Bellis' motion for one month's: extension was carried, '"■-■•• ' >. : '"• TINUI POUND. Or Bellis said it would be necessary to_ make inquiries % to .obtaining! a suitable pqundkeeper in place of ijfr Groves, jun. ■ ■

lt was left to him to roporfc on same at next meeting. WOOL SCOURING, The Chairman said some objection had been raised to wool-scouring creating a nuisance. He was favorable to encouraging any local industry of this character, but the ■ Council had no power, as he understood, to give a right to the use of the water,

Cr McCardle supported the opinion of the Chairman..; He thoitght that no nuisance had . beon. . created- by the scouring,: and that the complaints made had not been well founded. He. thought'the bathers could, get a bettor spot Mri the: one they' now used,

■: I; --BADGERING LOCAL BODIES.

The' Council declined to purchoso "The Whole Law,of New.Zealand," as o6eredbyMrßadger.','l;.:.l ; . i ... , 'w'IIAKATAKI ROAD. ~ '.i Or Bellis moved : that.'.the; Council supplement .the *£lso proposed to be apent by the Road Board !in metalling this road, • Another £l5O would put "tlie road in fair order. .. i'',- ; ,- The Ohaiman said' they were scarcely in a financial: position to advance the money. On the-'Masterton-Wairnata r'oac} already a; Jarge ; share/of their revenue, hadbeeji expended," Cr Bellis?'saiil., there would be a ■danger of .the road becoming impassable. "'.''"' ' ' '': '■"'' '■'.

The Chairman mpyed that the Council.give permission : to the board to expend £l5O, and regretted its inability to supplement this sum.

Cr Beetham moved that the grant be supplemented as soon as they were in a position to;find;tlia money. .;. Cr McCardle. objected to- pledging monies which they had not in hand. Cr Beetham said,.Mr Burgess' contract would block Tenui settlers this winter; they must have an outlet to Gastlepoint. ' / . ; Tho ChairmanV motion was put and carried. The amendment was withdrawn. CHARITABLE AID. The Clerk of the Caversham Borough Council wrote on behalf of his Council, asking tho co-operation of County East in obtaining endowments of land for charitable aid purposes. 1 lie..Chairman said their experience of suclr endowments; was very. much against'them. They; locked lip the county from settleme.it, and were utterly useless for the purposes for which they were intended. Cr McCardle moved that while sympathising with the objects .of tho Caversham Council, this Council could not co-operate with them in obtaining endowments for charitable aid, this Council having' found from e'xperienco that endowmentswere.a great mistake. Cr Beetham seconded.—Carried. '.. /extensionof!time. ■ Messrs Stevens and Madsen wroto applying for extension of time for their contracts, A months extension was granted to Mr Madsen, and three weeks to Mr Stevens, SOWING GRASS SEED. Mr Macquarie wrote re sowing grass seed on (he Alfredton-Eketahtwa road. 11l reply to the Chairman, the Engineer, said he was of opinion that the side of the new. roads should be sown. Cr McCardle pointed out tlafc tho tho roads in the Forty-Milo Bush also required attention of this kind. The Engineer stated that most of the roads had been sown with grass seed. THE MUNGAPAKEIIA ROAD. Cr Bell is called attention to various matters which would have to bo attended to before the winter. The Chairman stated that now the road was altogether under tho control of the Council the engineer would attend to these matters as soon as possible. Cr Bcllis staled his attention had been called to the fact that contractors had gone on to Mr Vallance's land and dug.holcs for metal without leave from the owner, who now threatened to turn the contractors off and stop'the supply of metal, as no notice had been given of the Council's intention to take metal. It was decided .to write, to Mr Vallanco expressing regret at the oversight. . FERRIES. . The Clerk reported that no meeting of tho Ferry Committee had yet taken place. He also reported that there was no authority in the Counties Act io give permission to erect gates on roads, though the Road Boards Act gave authority to Boards to givo pererect gates on district roads. The meeting of the Ferry's Committeo was fixed tor Saturday fortiiiglit,;

.'■;:■,;'.. payments, . ' -... Tho'usual payments (amounting to £373 0s 3d) were passed for payment, and progress 'payments raado amounting to-£l f 144 3s lid. ■'.:■■■ i • •: engineer's RDPOMV Sir, —I have the honor to report on the Public Works of the Wairarapa East County:— ..■;■.. . Opaki-Manawatu Eoad.-DiirinE tho past '. month tho maintenance men assisted by a fow oxtra hands, besides attending to tho ■ordinary surfacerepairs and drainago, etc, have been employed in procuring and depositing along the road-for repairs during the ensuing winter gravel and broken atono. Ekctahuna-Tinui Road,-On the Eketa--huna to Alfredton section of this road soino - v slight repairs aro urgently required, Tho metalling of Go chains of Contract No. 5 is •completed, the works nro being fairly well o'xecutcd. On the swamp portion of this contract three chains haw been laid with fascines, but the contractor will probably not bo.ablo to conipleto the metalling this season, Tho earthwork on 140 chains of cpntract No. 3 is almost complotcd, and nearly the whole of tho culverts are constructed, Contract No I was completod nearly a month ago, .the works throughout are well executed.' The clearing away of slips on contract No. 1, and the formation of approaches to the fords at tho Tiraumea riyer and Te Hoi creek are being prooeeded with, and will be completed about the end of ,this week. ..' ■'.■•■■■■ To Ore Oro Bidcford Road, Contract No 8 (erection of a bridge over the Tauora river,) -About twenty four thousand feet of timber and four thousand pounds of ironwork aredelivered at the site for this bridge The whole: of the.piles:.for the piers are driven and both trusses are framed. If tho weather is at all favorable the trusses ! will probably be erected before tho next ordinary meeting of the Council. .Coniraot No. 1:.. The earthwork on thiscontract is well ; advanced j-and nearly, the whole 1 of'the culverts are built j but no.work has .yet been :donoon.either-of the two'bridges. .Timber for ono of the bridges has been delivered at

the site for spjno considerable time. Contract No. {, (bushfalling). Tho whole of .. «»«undei-acrubbniE is completed, and about ten aunti of tho heavy timber foiled, tho work so far 18 fairlywoli done. • Aboat three or four months ago Mr McKay felled a tree ..... across one end of a small bridge on the road near his residence, breaking several of the now planks, and also one' of tho stringers. ho has neglected to repair tho damage'done. . a "ho Ugh ho has several times promised to do so. The bridge is now in a dangerous conuition, IwuMrecoinmond that ono man be employed on this road to removo slips, and keep tho water as lnuchaspoßsiblofrom the road surface, until tliocompiotion of the carting for the season, Makakabi road, Contract No, 1.-Tho • whole of the earthwork on this contract is almost completed, About ten thousand • ■ feet of timber and tho wholo of the ironfrork for the bridge is delivered at tho site. Tho construction of the piors and trusses is being proceeded with, Hawera road, Contract No. C—On this contract the bush on about forfcy-fivo obains of tho road line is felled and cleared, ten chains of the earthwork executed, and,two " culverts built. Dreyer's Rock road,' Contract So. 2. . This contract-with tho exception of feu chains, the construction of which is deferred until the soheine of roads through tho adjacent lands is decided on, is completed, Mauricevillo South road.-'1 ho side drains on this contract are being cleaned out and tho worst of tho slips removed. Central Mangaons road.—Tho cuttings to the ford at tho Jlakakahi river on this road have been executed by day labor. ■ Mnßtertoii to Waimata Road, ContiaoiNo 2—Tho metalling of 50 chains of this contract is about completed, Tho contractors for Contract No. 4 have commenced operations Contract No 1 (Mungauakeha bridge) —Abput twenty-five thousand feot of timber. aud:all tho necessary ironwork for this bridge is delivered at the site, .All piles (except the piles for ono of tho wing walls) aro driven. Ono truss is framed and tho framing of tho othor ono is being prococdod with, llanawa Bridge.—The wholo of tho material required for this bridge (except oue ' piece of timber) is delivered at the site. The pier on tho right bank is built and ready to receive the trusses, The piles for the pier and wing walls on the left bank ami also iho wholo ol tho tio piles are driven. Tho framing of ono of the trusses is almost completed, As tho Masterton to Waimata road will probably bo placed under my care I beg to direct your attention to the fact that tho whole of tho road from Masterton to Castlepoint is very much in need of repairs, tho drainage especially on tho wholo line is exceptionally bad, and a great many addi- ■ tional culverts are urgontly required. Tho same remarks apply to the Tmui Mauawa i ' section of tho Elictahnna Tinui road. Survojs.—ln the Castlcpoint road district twelve miles of. the Oahauga Volley nad . has been located and surveyed for. construeturn, the plans for tho some are in courso of preparation in this office, Tho survoys for constriictiou-of several miles of road in tho Cartertou-Taratahi district arc being execn- . tod; 'J he location and survey of a road ■ ■ for contraction in the Fcatherston Kcad District is also being attended to. I have &e. Jons Kiko, Couuty Engineer, Eo Mr McKay's neglect to repair tlio bridge damaged by him, it was resolved that lie be requested to repair tho damage without delay, The engineer's request that one man be kept on the Bideford road was agreed to, the man to be kept there for one month. With regard to tho MastevtouWaimatu road the engineer snid a body of men should be placed on this roadone at every ten miles, The road was now in a very bad state. The chairman said though their funds wero low they must koep the roads open, and il they could not organise an efficient stall they must do the best they could,with tlioir means, The engineoi' said tho cost of keeping the men as'required would be about £SO a mouth, It was resolved, That Mr King be authorised to keep six, men on tho road from Masterton to Waimata. TRKASPUEIt's liErOKT. " Sir,—l have the honor to report for the infnimalion of the Council, that tho credit balance at this date on the— Central Fund Account is at £ s. d. this date .. .... 535 16 0 Special ditto .. .. .. 808 13 C Cash in hand 4 13 £l-108 10 P Tho receipts since the dato of your mootng have been as follows ; £ s, E, Hates 591G 4 ' Dossils on coat-acts'.. .. 23 0 0 Conditional license fee .. 10 0 831 C 4 The yearly and half-yearly accounts, required by law to bo furnished for the durposes of audit, up to the close of tho last financial year, have been prepared, and aro now submitted for your iuspection prior to being sent for audit. These accounts show the re- £ s, dceipU from nil.bouvcm during 'the financial year just closed to have been 14 010 18 8 Thu expenditure has reached... 12.G76 17 11 Leaving a credit balance of. .£1,343 ■ 0 0 .The main items of expenditure have been a>i follows -,- New roads, survty, and con- £ s, d. alruction ... 319211 3 Existing roads, repairs and improvements 1588 10 11 Eoads for opening Crown lands G027 5 0 Salaries .... .. ...' 231 sfi ' The miscellaneous expenditure, which includes interest on loans,'refund of deposits, and «undry expenses incurred ou account of various local bodies, baa been .. 1519 14 2 A statement of asasta and liabilities as existing on tho 31st March last is also submitted for your information, I have not prepared an ostimate of receipts and required expenditure for tho current flnanctpl year, as it has been impossible to any fram day to day for somo tune past wbelhor the prayer of tho poiition for tho suspension of tho operation of tho Counties Act would be given effect to; but, I may point out that it will, in my opinion, be 'clearly ueoessary for the Council to mako a a general rato for this year. Tho reasons for s this are obvious, as not only is there a liability for current expenses which cannot bo met from any other eource, but the ltngth of formed roads'in the county is continually increasing, and their maintenance must be provided for; and, considering tho claims and nr.ccsßiticß of the various portions ef the district, it is not easy to see how this can effectually and properly be carried nut, without levying a rato equal to that of hut ycar - „ ; I need hardly urge on the Council tho necessity which exists for watching cloflely • tfie expenditure of its revenue, and of exorcising that economy which existing circumstances force upon it, Accounts amounting to £1447 Is 2d aro presented for your approval and payment, ■ Theso have all been duly certified to by tho proper officers respectively. • I have, etc,, . F, G, Mooee, The Chairman, -.'... Treasurer, Wairarapa East County Council. ' ■-- County.Uouncil Oflice, '...-, . Masterton, 10thApril, 1884,". . : Tlio Council then adjourned;