WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1812, 13 October 1884, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

The above Council met at the Coun* oil Chambers, Carterton, on Saturday last, Present—Messrs Booth (chairman), Braithwaite, H. Bunny, H. R, Bunny, Russell, Matthews, Barton, and Buchanan.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The Treasurer's Report was read, with a copy of half-yearly balance-sheet showiug a debit balance of £4 4s. The Secretary also laid on the table the half-yearly return of accounts. • Correspondence, inwards, was read from the Department of Justice, asking for returns of license fees on licences specified in the Act for years ending 30th of June, 1882,1883, and 1884. ,

From Public Works Department acceding to the request made in-a letter of the 17th ultimo, re grant of £lOsl.

F:om the Waitarapa East County enclosing an extract from the Fngineer's report, and copy of a resolution , and plan of Waingawa Bridge repairs,, From Wellington Harbor Board enclosing circular and some copies ot bye-laws. From Colonial Secretary asking what direction' the proposed . legislation relating to gorse should take.

From the Taratahi-Carterton Road Board drawing attention to the overflow of water on Carr's contract, From Waimato Council asking the Council's' co-operation with regard to dog nuisance, From Treasury Department asking for three copies of last audited balance sheet. From George Croot enclosing amount of insurance on the Lake Ferryhouse, and asking for time for payment af rent, From J. King enclosing particiilais and tools takeu over fiom A. McLeod, and sending account for day labor on the Gliidstone'Wainuioru road. From District Land Registrar sending certificate of title of the tiurirui Ferry Reserve, ; Outwards: From letter by Cr Buchanan to report in reference to " The Roads and Bridges Construction Act, 1882," Cr Russell asked for what amount the ferry house was insured, and the reply was £2OO. Ho inquired if it could not be done for less than £2, and was informed that it could not,

Or Bunny moved—That engineers report oil Waingawa bridge bo referred to Public Works Committee, and they should call for whatever evidence they thought fit, and would certainly suggest that they call upon Mr B. Boys, Chairman of the Taratahi-Car-terton Koad Board. Carried,

Cr Phillips said that as he could not act on Public Works Committee he would beg to resign, Cr Booth moved and Cr Braithwaite seconded—That Mr King be written to asking him to see that sufficient outlet be provided for overflow of water on Carr's contract on CartertonGladstone Road, i

Cr Phillips moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to Public Works Committee, Seconded by Cr Buchanan—Carried. Relative to application from Waimate County Council re co-operation in regard to dog nuisance, Cr Bunny thought that the member for district named should do the work for the Wuimate people. Cr 'Russell thought the main body of Wairarapa settlers would be in favor of the movement.

'Or Phillips suggested.that as it was impossible to go up-stairs without a pair of stairs so it was impossible to deal with the dog question without registration, Cr Russell asked leave to read an extract from a Connecticut (U.S.) paper, shewing that people there were alive to the fact that the dog pest should be kept under. Cr 11. Bunny moved that the question be adjourned until next meeting. Seconded by Cr 11. R, Bunny.— Carrie:!.

Cr Buchanan informed the Council that at present the Government did not intend to make any alteration in the Roads and Bridges Construction Act 1883, Mr Anderson attended to call the attention of the Council to the state of the ford across the Waihoine above the railway. The Featherston Highway Board were willing to do their share, The Chairman informed Mr Anderson that the Carterton Highway Board was the proper body to attend to the matter in hand.

Or Braithwaite moved that the Council discuss how the valuers under the Property Tax and Rating Act were appointed. Cr Braithwaite contended that this Council should appoint valuers, as lie thought the Council had a better knowledge of who were the most capable men of having practical knowledge of land, and thought that one man with sufficient time and pay for the whole district would have a better result,

■ It was moved by Or H, E, Bunny that local bodies have power to nominate valuers, and that the County member be asked to see that necessary clause be brought before the Legislature, Cr H. Bunny would like to add that valuators should be paid appropriate salaries instead of a lump sum. Or Booth thought that it would meet the case if Or Braithwaite added to his motion that valuators be given sufficient time and remuneration. On Cr Phillips rising to speak Cr H, Bunny rose to order. Cr Phillips said he had not yet spoken, which Cr Bunny said was a blessing, and hoped that Cr Phillips was not now going to break out. The Council then adjourned until 1.45.

On tho Council re-assembling, Cr Braithwaite said his motion was that County Councils nominate valuators for properly tax and local rates. Cr Phillips then spoke, and seconded Cr Braithwaite's motion. Cr H. Bunny moved as an amendment that local bodies appoint valuator for property tax, and that time and payment be allowed in lieu of the present contract system. Cr A. Matthews seconded. Cr Buchanan asked how the difficulty

of local bodies appointing different valuators wa9 to be met, The Chai-man suggested that the Government decide which of the local bodies should appoint valuators. The amendment was put and declared carried. The engineer's report was then read. Cr H, R. Bunny moved and Cr Buchanan seconded, that the engineer be instructed to take steps that the iron / work on the Kurionui bridgebe screwed up and put in order. Carried. ' Resolved—That Mr Reese's tender of £74 for a bridge on Park road, be accepted Accounts to the amount of £4O lis lOd were passed for payment, Cr A. Matthews moved that a sum .£2OOO be applied for under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, for the V construction of a bridge over jßuamahuuga river at Tuhitarata. U&r It was pointed out to Cr Matthews that the first step for him to take was to get the road placed on the main road schedule. It was announced that the elections would take place before next meeting, The Council then adjourned till Nov. 26, at 12 noon.