WAIRARAPA EAST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1681, 9 May 1884, Page 2

WAIRARAPA EAST COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held yesterday afternoon in the County oifico, Maste'rton. Present—Crs McGregor (Chairman), Maunsell, Meredith, Chamberlain, Mackay, and Beetham. The minutes ot the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Tho outward correspondence was then read.

The inward correspondence included letters from the Treasury enclosing £3O. for the Hawera road, £250 for clearing slips, etc., on Mauriceville road, and £3oo' for Dreyer's Rock road ; from Macquarrie Bros,,' re fencing on Madseu's contract.; from Castlepoint Road Board, re claim against County.; from Property Tax Commissioner, re taking native roads; from: Colonial Secretary, re alteration in boundaries of new road district, and stating that special orders constituting the. new districts would be gazetted for what they were worth, Cr Meredith gathered that tho gazetting of the new districts was unlikely to take place at once. The Clerk said' that in a former instance no special order had been required in a new district,

A letter was read from the District Engineer, re diversions at Kopuaranga uecejs iiaied by railway construction j from the'(Provincial District Auditor, stating that balance sheet was correct; from Mr; Cave, complaining that his property \tas damaged by flood-water, arising out of County works; from H. Burgess, reporting better progress with his contract, and asking for a further extension of time; from the Returning Officer of | Castlepoint Road Board, stating thai there were no nominations for No, 7 (Division, but that John Harvey was'willing to be appointed.

BLAIRLOGIE ROAD. On the motion of Or Mackay, it was resolved that an unexpended balance of .£4 os on | tho Blairlogie road be spent on repairs, no. 7 subdivision. • ' It was resolved —Thixfc Mr John Harvey ho appointed Warden, for No,: 7 Subdivision of the Castlepoint Road Board. \ ■ Some discussion arose as to whether a non-ratepayer'could be elected, Or McCardle 1 , understood that Mr Cox was willing'to serve on a previous occasion, aud that lie had objected to Mr Harvey as ineligible. rAIIIATUi. ROAD BOARD. Or McCardle> asked that Messrs Dauid Crewe, D. Hall, and D. Ohamier be appainted members of the Pahiatua Eoad Board, Their re-election had fallen through owing to au informality. A resolution was passed, making these appointments, MB CAVE'S LETTER. ■ '' Cr Chamberlain moved that the Engineer be instructed, to attend to the overflow complained of by Mr Cave. .

' Tho Chairman : suggested that the Engineer should be limited to £2O in removing the causo of the complaint, The Engineer expressed an opinion that from £SO to JJ6O would require to be spent. He was not aware that the County works had caused the overflow on Mr Cave's property. Other causes such, as choking up the river with logs Lad tended to'create'it. It was resolved—That the letter be referred to the Engineer to report upon at next meeting. ' EXTENSION OF. TIME. ; Mr H, Burgess applied for a further extension of time for his contract in the Maungapakeha. The Engineer stated that the application was referred to in his report. The Engineer's report was then read as follows: Enoineeb's Ropobt, Sib,—l have the honor to, report on the public works of .the JWairarapa East County.. Opaki Mnnawatu Road.—Tho maintenance men on, this road have been employed during the past month in. attending to eurface repairs, drainage, painting bridges, and metalling the worst parts of the road. .Makakahi Road,—This contract is now completed, The works throughout are well executed. . Hawera Boad.—Contract No, 6.—Fair progress has 1 been made during the-past im6rith_on this contract, about 45 chains of lorniatioh, etc,, are completed,. ; ,'. '■■■ 'Eketahuna-Tinui Boad,-Contract No. 3, .—This contract: is now completed. The :works th'rougdout m fairly, well executed,

, OontraoY,Nq, e No, 1 of this "cohtraot: (80 ohaiiMimetaliing), is' now commanner. On sedtioh No. 2 fosoines have been laid and tho ;rpad-bed otherwise -prepared for metalling, but the seasonis now ; too far advanbedto admit of the metalling being' done. I would : be allowed to defer':ihe metalling until noxt summer. The c'nlverUnd filling let to Mr Stevens on this road is now completed. 1 Contract No. 3a (bridge over the Wliatoama river at Manawa).—On this contract good progress* has been made during the month/ Bolh trusses are erected and the laying of thojoisling and deck-plankinp is being pushed forward rapidly* If the weather remains favorable, the contract will be finished daring the')ensuing week, Some slight iopairs on the Eketahuna-Alfredton section of this road are being executed by day labour., Bridge contraots'No. 6 and 7 aio not yet commenoed,- Now that the formation connecting these bridge sites is completed,'.the works.should be pushed forward with as little delay as possible, so that the road maybe available early next summer.

Masterton to Bideford Boad.—Contract No. I.—No work has been done during the month on this contract. The timber which wastohavo been delivered at.tho sito of tho 35ft span bridgo immediately after the last'meeting,of the Council is not yet delivered.. No effort has been made during the late fine weather to push forward theso works, ■■ I;would advise that a definite time ,for tho completion of the contract be fixed, and the, contaot determined at the end of. that time, if the works are not completed Contract : No. 3 (Bideford Bridge).—Very fair progress has been mado during tho month on .this contract. All tho piles for tho piercing walls are driven, the falsa workscompleted, and the lower chords laid down... With a continuance of favorable weather,-the contract should be completed within a moiith.

Contract No. 5 (Bushfalling).-This contract is now 'completed. -Another two or three acres should be done as soon as funds are available. Tho email bridgo that was partly destroyed by Mr George McSay falling a tree across it, some months ago, is in a dangerous state.. Mr McKay has frequently promised to repair it, but has not done so. I would that tho repairs necessary, bo at' once undertaken by the Coiiuoil.' j' '- •■ ..;.'• Masterton to Waiuiata Road.—Contact No. .1.-fMungabakelia Bridge,) The piers of this bridgo are complotej, the trusses erected, aud. the planking'of tho deck is being. proceeded with, If tho weather remains favorable for another tbreo or four days all the works included in the contract will-be finished.,

" Coufract'No. 2, (motalliug).-Tho length which haJs been partly executed' daring the mouthou this contract is ahout 26 chains. The work is very indifferently executed, and only four cartsare employed on tlio job. Contract No, 4 (30 chains metalling).— This contract is now completed. The works throughout are fairly well executed. Contracts 5 and (i will at once be proceeded with,' Thertjis a large quantity of timber in the bed ot the Wangaehu JRiver above and also below the bridge on the Bideford road, in consequence of which the slightest fresh causes the river to overflow its binks and damage the adjacent properties and the ■To Ore Ore and Bideford Itoad, The Bide and outlet drains on.theTo Ore Ore and Bideford road between the Maori pah and the Wangaehu urgency require cleaning out and improving. Opaki to" Mauawalu road—diversions.— Road diversions at 75 miles 45 chains. The present road'at this point is nearly level, having a fall of only lit 2 jin in 18 chains, When the proposed deviation is made, in travelling from Mastorton an ascent of 23ft 2Jin will have to be made, and a descent of 24ft in G chains, so that vehicles iusteadof travelling along the almost level road as heretofore, will have to be lifted a perpendicular height of from 23ft to 24ft, thus adding considerably to the cost of transport and the danger of travelog, 1 cannot see a sufficient reason for diverting the road at this point.; Tho railway could be made shorter and straighter by crossing tho Kopuaranga river twice, or the road-bed could be made sufficiently wido for the common read, and the railway, , . , .

KoadDiyorsion 77 Miles.;— This diversion Blio\ild ; 'bo extended about three chains farther, thus avoiding the necessity of having three angles in so sh?rt a distance A sufficient culvert should also be put in the creek.

Road Diversion at 77 Miles 25 Chains.— Any deviation o| the main load at this point is particularly undesirable and unnecessary. The commencement of the proposed deviation is close to the northern pier of the road bridge recently erected over the Eopuaranga river. In consequence of the heavy giades to and from the old bridge, I had the new onebuiiso that its deck would be about 3ft Gin higher than that of the old one, lluu easing somewhat ,'tlw grades of both approaches. It is proposed by ihe railway engineers to increase- considerably the steepness of the already steep grade at the north end of the bridge, by raising it 9 feet above its-preset lovel at the point where the proposed crossing is to bo made, thus lnaking'the-road much steeper than it was when the old bridge was in use, aud necessitating tho lifting up, and lowering again of the traffic a perpendicular'.distance, of about •28ft 7m. This especially sleep grade, especially where there is a sharp turn in !he road close to t]ie bridge, will make tho road dangerous and difficult, aud' will compel thoso 'who ,us.e it to provide additional strength/or take lighter leads. • There is no necessity for the main road crossing the railway at this point, as there is plenty of room for the road between the railway and the river, and a convonient place for'a crossing (if such ba necessary) can bo obtained a few. chains farther on, Boad diversion 78 miles 10 chains.—l caanot say what is.intended t3 bo doßd here as no working seotions accompany the plan, but I think that the deviation should b9 extended about three chains faither, and by doing this an additional:unnecessary angle in 'the road would be avoided.

It is to iio 'regretted that so littlo cafe is taken to keep in a "state of usefulness so valuable apiece ofpublieproperty as the* Fort} Mile Bush road, aroai that cost the country only a few ..years ago very nearly,'if'not quite, £IOO,OOO, land,which is hardly yet completed,.. .;: •■"-■ ■

v '■■'■'■■■ rhave;-'A6„ ..Jons Kino, .! -.'..•-■•'■ County Engineer, . With regard to Mr//Burgess'application,, great dissatisfaction was expressed as to the dilatory way in which he was carrying out his .contract, and as to the quality of. the metal placed ou the road. .■'•• : -

Cr Mackay moved that Mr Burgess' contract be determined forthwith, as the wort was being done in a very unsatisfactory manner, and the sooner it was'taken out of ;his hands the better. ''■'■■■'.'-

Cr Maunsell seconded. He quite agreed -with Or 'Mackay, and expressed an opinion that showing, so much forbearance to Mr Burgess was unfair to other contractors who carried out their works well'and speedily. '•' . Cr' McCardle spoke against the motion, pointing put that Mr, Burgess had never failed to complete any contract he had undertaken, and that the Engineer Lad thejpower tosee.that.the work was finished in., & satisfactory manner. : '

Or Beetham agreed with Or McCarthy and pointed .out that ; Mr Burgess had had difficulties,to contend with at the commencement; of his contrad;, and. that bb he was oh the ground Iwith his .carts lie should • he allowed to go on with'the work with a reasonable extension of tiine, ; ; •' ■. ; ■;" :: ' *'"•■'- ; ■; Qi". Meredith aalced if! the -Engineer had; the power to compel'the-contrac-tor to complete the - works efficiently bofore:b6ing takehover. It seemed to ;him that* all; that was required was,

not so much to'hurry the contractor as to havo the work .well done when it was completed. '■■' •'■.-..

Or McOardle: moved as an amendment, that the contractor be allowed an extension of time of. one month, Or Beetham seconded! ■ There was no doubt that the Engineer had power to withhold passing the work till it was properly completed. 'The Engineer said no part of the work had been token over; nor would be till all was completed. If itwas not done satisfactorily it would have to be done over again, The amendment was then pnt.and curried.

EKETAIWNA-TINUI ROAD (SECTION 2.)

It was resolved that the .contractor be allowed to hold over the metalling of this contract, as mentioned in the Engineer's report, till next summer. UPPER TAUERUUOAD (NO. 1 CONTRACT.) The Engineer's recommendation re this contract was considered and then adopted on the motion of Cr Beetham. m m'kay's oesteuctiok. ;

The Engineer was instructed to repair the damage caused by MiMcKay to the bridge as reported, DANGEROUS CUTTING. Or Chamberlain moved, that the Engineer examine tho cutting on Day's Hill, with a view to reducing tho grade to a much easier one than at present. —Carried. .) '■■«;)•• \„ ROAD DIVERSIONS. ' .

The Engineer's report on the road diversions made by the railway authorities on the .Forty-Mile Bush, road were considered.

The Chairman said the Act provided for plans of proposed deviations to be submitted to the local body having jurisdiction, but the railway department had actually let contracts for deviations on theForty-Mile Bush road before communicating with the Council at all on the subject. They had interfered very considerably and injuriously with the road, making more curves in the road and steep grades still steeper. This was a very unsatisfactory state of affairs, and the Council should protest vigorously against the action of the railway department. They had had rows time and again with the department en similar matters and they had better have another at once.

The Clerk read clause 136 of the Public Works Act on the subject. Ca Beetham pointed out that in Government contracts any alteration could be made that might be required, so that a remonstrance from the Council would not be top late. Ho moved,— That the Engineer's report on the road deviations be forwarded to the Government, and that it be informed that the, Act had iiot been complied with in regard to the plans, which were very unsatisfactory, and could not be approved of by this Council.

. Or Mackay seconded,—Carried, FINANCE COMMITTEE, Tho Finance Committee's: report was as follows :-Tho CommittGo mot ou the Bth of May, Present -Cw Ueelham Meredith, McGregor, Maeliay and McCiirdlc. ,Tho Treasurer reported a debit bjlaee on general fund accoa'at of £li"4, arid a -'credit balance on special fund of £B6B 23 2d. Accounts' amounting to JC2OG3 2 j 2d were recommended for payment. A discussion took place on subject of financial requirements lor .the current year, on which tho following resolutions were carried i-Propasod bv Or Mackay, seconded by Cr Meredith, " That considering tho'necessity which exists for making a County rate for the year 1881-5, this Committee recommends for the consideration of the Council tho advisability of making a light general rato and a separate rate on the several Eidhss of sueh amounts in tho £ as the circumstances of each may require." Proposed by Cr Meredith, seconded by Cr Mackay, "That in order to give effect to the previous resolution the Committee recoainiond the Council to take the iry fltep3 to have tho Ridings so re-constructed as to distribute the liabilities and' cxpsndituro with the greater fairness than cm bo done under the existing divisions of tho County." Tho accounts recommended : for payment by the Finance Committee were passed. .■'.'. In reply to Cr Chamberlain, the Chairman said | of a penny in the £ general rate had been mooted in Committee which would give £7OO for ordinary expenses,- but the matter was one for the whole Council to deal with. The question was left over till ; a later hour. BALANCE SHEET. It was resolved that the balance sheet as returned by tho auditor be adopted. PERRY COMMITTEE. The clerk reported that he had failed to get a meeting of the Ferry Committee, and the matter was now urgent. . >s: • BLACK HILL TRACK. " ' Cr Mackay asked whether the track through Messrs Elders' land had' been taken legally by the Council, as it had been rumored that Messrs Elder intended to close the road, which was very convenient to settlers in and near Tinui.

The engineer reported sending the plan of the track to the Chief Surveyor and asking him to legalise it as soon as possible. Tlio Surveyor had replied that he could only legalise the road through sections 270,746, and 747.

Or Beetham moved that the line he legalised wherever the crown grants had not matured, and that where they had so matured the necessary steps be taken to retain the line undor the control of the Council.

It was decided to obtain further information and that the Government be written to on tho matter, and its attention called to the fact that the track was surveyed some four or five years ago and used ever since, certain concessions having been made to the occupiers through. which it passed to secure the track for the public. MAUNGARAMA ROAD, Cr McCardlo asked if the unexpended balance on the above road would be handed over to the Pahiatua Eoad Board. , The clerk reported : that the balance .was .£2l, and the Chairman stated that, they could not transfer- a Government balance, but no doubt tho money would be spent on the road when the Pahiatua Board required it. THE PEBRY, COMMITTEE, .1 'V; Cr Mackay moved that the Jerry j Committee be .discharged. ■-.-./ I

The Chairman: With a caution? (Laughter.) . ■ ..> The motion was carried.

Or McOardle urged that the ferry question should be settled forthwith by the Council. The charges were too high, and settlers complained, though Mr Carver had made several small concessions to them. The ferry should be let by tender.

THE RATING .QUESTION. The Chairman suggested that they should deal with the Finance Committee's recommendations re the rate to be struck, for the ensuing year which was more important, than the ferry matter. If desirable the ferry questiou could be taken afterwards, 110 was not enamored of the Committee's proposals, but he was quite prepared to givo them a trial if it was found on consideration that they were more fair to the general body of ratepayers than the present system. , Cr Chamberlain asked what was the hurry for dealing with, the question. A month's delay would surely make no difference ? The Chairman: We are out of funds. Cr McOardle: Wjiero has the money gone? The Chairman; In making good roads. Cr Beetham moved—That the Committee's recommendations bo adopted, Ho did this because the present system seemed very unpalatable to many of the ratepayers, and under the proposed scheme, those who did not require much work in their district, could be relieved of taxation to a large extent. Jth of a penny would have to be raised over the whole district to provide the £7OO for general expenditure, but they would require .£2700 to keep tho present roads in efficient repair, and this sum would have to be raised in the fairest manner possible.. It .could be found what each riding required in tho way of expenditure, and the rate made , accordingly. It required on Abe whole County to raise the £2700, in some ridings it might be only neces sary to raise a little over the {th of a penny which would be balanced by the .Ridings which required a larger expen. diture contributing a larger proportion.

Ci Mackay seconded. He knew a great deal of dissatisfaction existed wii h the. present system of rating, some ratepayers stating they did not require any expenditure in their districts, and therefore did not like being rated as much as other localities in which lame works were required, By the proposal of the Committee an attempt would be made to meet the circumstances of each Riding, ,Cr McCardle thought the time had arrived when the Council should consider the advisability of voluntarily suspending the Counties' Act, It was quite apparent that the universal voice of the people was that the Council should be suspended. In the face of this feeling the Council had no right to say that they would give a fresh system a year's trial, without first going to the people. The suspension move" ment was far from dropped. The people were determined to have the Act suspended, and the Council in lighting against them were merely prolonging an existence which must soon come to an end. In other portions of the colony the Councils had at the request of the ratepayers voluntarily suspended the Counties' Act. He would ask the Council to take into consideration tho very largely signed petition recently presented which had failed only through clerical errors. These errors were being rectified, new names were .being added to tho roll, and in a few days a fresh petition would be prepared and carried through. Though he admired those who stuck to their opinions he would remind them that they had their constituents to condor ts well as their own opinions, and he was convinced that if put to the people the Counties Act would be suspended by a universal vote, and if fresh Councillors had to be elected he felt sure only County siispensionists would be returned. His own firm impression was that the Council should bow to the will of the people and suspend its operations. He moved as an amendment that the Counties Act be suspended in the East County. The Chairman stated that he could not take that as an amendment; Cr McCardle would have to make a notice of motion of it.

Cr McOardle thought tho amend-' ment.could be taken then, but on iho Chairman ruling against him, ho moved as a further nmendment, "That the further discussion of the Finance ■ Committee's proposals be held over to next meeting, so that be could give his notice of motion. , Or-Meredith seconded, Cr Beetham opposed the amendment. With regard to a rate, they must keep the roads open, and they must • have money to do it with. When the wishes of the people with regard to suspension were properly registered, d the Council could cease their In tho meantime it was the duty of the \ Council to face their position and • ' stride the necessary rate. Or Ilaunsell quite agreed with Ur Beetham. They could not have roads without money, and under the new proposals those who did not want roads would not have to pay for them, while others who did require them and were willing to pay ior them, would be able to get them.

Cr McOardle asked if it was intended to re-arrange the ridings and strike a fresh rate without giving the ratepayers a chance to know what was going on I The Chairman stated that he was not anxious to pi ess the matter through in a hurry; but if they were not careful they would get into a financial fix, They could not allow the matter to drift, but if any Councillor could givo a good reason for postponing the matter he was quite willing to do so, but he thought it improbable that such a full mealing would be again'obtained as they then had.

Cr Meredith said ho supported tho •amendment as it was then too late in the day to consider such an important question,,.; Councillors had been engaged on other matters for some hours, and. were not in a condition to discuss the: matter ..as. it should : be dißeussed, He had no doubt on such a vital question all the Councillors would make ifr

a point to be present, If they too not they would deserve to bo requested to resign their positions, The Chairman said they only required to affirm the principle embodied in the Committee's recommendations. Or McCardle's amendment was then put unci lost, AyesiCrs McCardle Chamberlain, and Meredith, Noes: Ore Beetham, Maokay, Maunsell and McGregor. The motion was then put and carried. &•_ Chamberlain then moved that tho discussion on tho details be postponed to next sitting. Or McCardle approved of this as Cr George Bcetliam would probably be present, Or Beetham said that was possible. I He hoped that whenever the discussion was postponed to, all Councillors would come prepared with full information of -the requirements ■of their respective Riding. Or Mackay moved-That a special meeting of tho Council bo held that day fortnight at 11 o'clock to consider the question of rating, ferries, and general business. Cr Beetham seconded. Cr Chamberlain withdrew his motion and that of Or Mackay was carried, NOTICES OF MOTION. That, taking into consideration tho oxcessive taxation with which the County rate- • payers aro iiow burdened, and in deference to tho general leplin'j of hostility to a County rate, tin's Council is of opinion that it is not justified in lovyiuj a rate more than sufficient to cover tho interest on tho existing County debt. That it is desirable to transfer to the control of tho Eoad Boards such portions of the County roads as bo within tho boundaries of their respectivo districts.