WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1788, 15 September 1884, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the above County Council was held in the Council Chambers Carterton, on Saturday,- September 13th. Present-Crs Booth (Chairman), H. Bunny, C. Phillips, H. R, Bunny, H. Braithwaite, and W. C. Buchanan.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed,

The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £144 16s 3d. Correspondence. Public Works Department enclosing specimen of debenture form to be used by County Councils. From same, asking for detailed plan and cost of timber of hridge over the Wainuioru river. From Wairarapa East County Council enclosing account of engineering expenses made by this Council. From P. Carr, saying that he is prepared to proceed with contract Car-terton-Gladstone road, and giving tender for same. From Treasury Department, ackuow - ledging receipt of ten debentures of £3213s 6d each. Outwards—From letter book, report of Public Works Committee, It was proposed by Cr Phillips that the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, 1882, be considered by this Council.

Cr Phillips moved that the finance committee members of thb Council who signed cheques for 'overdraft on general and other sundry funds, be held responsible for same. (Laughter,) He considered it decidedly wrong to divert money from the works from those to which they were voted, therefore he moved that the finance committee be responsible for the excess of Public Works Committee,

Cr H, Bunny seconded the motion pro forma, Cr H. Bunny reminded Cr Phillips that as he'(Phillips) was on.the Public Works Committee and authorized the spending of the money, he must be equally responsible. (Laughter.) He moved as an amendment that the Chairman waif on the Public Works Department to see if something could not be done in order to relieve the Council from their financial difficulties,

Cr Buchanan said he was afraid it would do no good.

After further discussion the amendment was seconded by Cr Matthews and Carried.

Cr Phillips moved that the matter be allowed to stand over till after the discussion on the Koad and Bridges Construction Act, 1882. The motion was then put and lost. Cr Phillips then moved—That this Council form itself into, committee to consider the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act 1882, with the view of making some alterations whereby the loca) bodjes may be enabled to borrow money witjiput gpipg tp so much expense in,engineering. Cr, W. Booth said that he did not think the Government woujq 1 agree tp give ,£75 out of every .£IOO without having something to guide them with reference to works for which the money was borrowed. ... , ■,.,.. j

Cr H. Bunny seconded pro forma, and then moved as 1 an amendment— That our member be requested to ask the Government if the Act cannot be so amended this session so that local

bodies cim be allowed to take their own engineering estimates for works., required instead of having an engineer sent who knows nothing of the locality where works are needed, and if the Government intend making any amendment, then, to send a. copy to the Council to be considered at a special meeting called for the purpose. Cr Buchanan said he could only tell the Council what Mr Beetham told County East in reference to the matter. ,

It was resolved—That County East be written to asking them to defer taking. Bteps ,in reference to the Waingawa bridge till after the meeting of ibif Councilj so that they would then have a full'report from the engineer as to probable cost.

Cr Henry Bunny moved and Cr Buchanan seconded—That P. Cair's tender for Carterton-Gladstone road be deferred till after the interview with the Pnblic Works Department. The Chairman read a letter from the engineer in reference to the Waingawa bridge. Mr King being present he. was asked by the Councillors if he had any idea what would be the cost to repair damage. He replied in the negative.

Moved by Cr H. Bunny and seconded by Or Braithwaite—That Crs Booth, H. R. Bunny, Braithwaite, Matthews, and the mover form a committee to go through Boads and Bringes Construction Act and report ((hereon.

Cr H. Bunny moved and Cr Matthews seconded, that in future tint Council meet at 12 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. Carried.

The meeting them closed.