WAIRARAPA EAST COUNTY COUNCIL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1936, 11 March 1885, Page 2

WAIRARAPA EAST COUNTY COUNCIL

The .ordinary; monthly meeting of the above OourioU was'* hold: yesterday afternoon. PresemWOrs Hawkhiß (chairman), Macquarie, Chamberlain, Dagg, McCardle, andßeetham. The minutes: of the previous meeting were read and confirmed;. Con'espbndence, inwards, was read from Cr Mackay stating he was ii'natle to attend the from Masterton Road Board'" with agreements for signature ; from*' Alf redton; Road Board. re maintenance of main roads; from Stevens and Reeve asking for a metal spreader to beput on their contract;, from Hawke's Bay County re a substituted Native roll furnished -by'..the. Government 'which eeduced the payments to the County- and asking for. the assistance of the Wairarapa East County to, obtain the full grant under the original roll; from Town Clerk of Masterton stating that .»' deputation would wait on the Council; from Sur-veyor-General re roads in Pahiatua town reserve, asking for.particiilars'of a certain grant as it was alleged a portion of the money . had • beou divered; from Town Clerk re valuation of County Office; from A. McHutch'eo'n re - Castlepoint Licensing olection;'. from-Mastertonßoaid Board re taking over main road; from Caßtlepoint Road Board enclosing a statement froni R. McOullooh, a hand placed on Burgess'.contract, who stated that the remuneration he was receiving : was insufficient; from Caßtlepoint Road. Board asking that certain .timber supplied to the Council be returned; from Treasury remitting £395 for. rates on Grown L>n4" i sVgm West County Council agreeing to the: additional protective works for the Waingawa bridge; from Public Works Department re control of ' Waipoua Bridge, vesting the northern' part of the stream id theOounty and the southern part in ftejppnty; from CommissiQner Prqperjy Tax re valuation of 500aorespfland.at Te. Ore Ore; from Town Olerk re §1? 14 54 due to the Borough Council fgr re-sheathing the Waipoua Bridgo j from Michael Dowling applying for J7a fid due to him for work on the Mungapakehft Roa.d; from Publio Works Department declining to. allow rimu to be used for bridge planking in the Seventy Mile Bush; from Ohanga ferryman asking that his grant be remitted; from Crown Lands Department stating Mi'Ballance would receive a deputation any time during the month; from Crown Lands Commissioner re deputation; from Publjc Wprkji Department re brjdgo in dispute, between Mr K,iu'g and Mr Reese; from T, Perry re completion Bideford road contract; from Mr Burgesß asking for a progress payment on his contract; From Mr G, H. Shuje calljhg attention to the d'angerqijs of the Upper Taueru road.

IMPUTATION, The Mayor of Magterton an<J Or Mp waited on the board with reference to the question of a morgue, the Mayor, in introducing the question, pointed out the objection fo place dead bodies as formerly jri'stables and outhouses. The Borqugh Council had affirmed the necessity qf a morgue, Tlje cqst of suoli a, stricture (Jevqlyed by law upon the local bodies in the neighborhood. The sura required was £42. Tlje Masterton Highway Bqard. had stated that they iyere nqfc jn a position to contribute, They therefore proposed that the cost should be divided between the County and the Borough, He thought that the County might be called upon for more than the half as no bodies belonging to the torn were likely to betaken to the proposed morgue. The Chairman stated that by a previous resolution their contribution had been fixed at £lO, This sum was considered fajr as they had supplied tho plans of the mprgue withqqt chargo, The. Council would be giai} to meet tlje wkyWof the Borough the only consideration which would deter them would be their financial condition,

Or MoCardle moved that iho question be postponed in order to receive a MAUMCEVILLE DEPUTATION. Messrs 0. H. Osborne and A. Stewart waited on the Council to protest against the new District proposed to be made in Maurlcevllle, Cr Dagg said the section of the act which enabled a new Board to be formed was a sad comment on the legislature. He objected to the petition on behalf of the deputation and those interested. Fifty ratepayers had not been included in the application fop a new Board. He objected that tho petition was notßigned by two thirds of the ratepayers interested He had a written opinion as to the illegality of the petition. The Chairman asked if the deputation had a counter petition, Or Dagg said they had not, Cr McCardle thought the' generalities which Cr Dagg had gone into were quite unnecessary at that stage of the proceedings. Mr Stewart said they objected to be jn ; eluded in the proposed new Board, and they only asked to haye thejr properties excluded and they would be satisfied, The Chairman intimated that the Council would consider their request when the petition came up for discussion. The deputation then withdrew. SOOTH WAIPOUA BRIDGE. _ Or McCardle said up to the present time the new bridge was in the entire control of the County, and half of the ok] one. He did not know what the Borough Counoil had been thinking about, but he considered it would be a good thing for the County if thev took over the bridge and five chains of road as suggested in the letter from the Minister of Public Works. . The Chairman would ljke to know what it meant, what object'the Borough had in making the' application. He could see that financially the County would be losers by the proposed change. Cr Dagg moved that further informa'tion be obtained frqm th,ePuhl}c Works, Department as to the effect financially of the proposal contained in its letter, Cr Chamberlain seconded.-Carried. TIMBER, Application was made by the Castlepoint Road Board for timber lying near Kahaumingi, which had been taken out of an old bridge, they requiring it. • The same body asked for a refund of certain timbers amounting to about 3000 feet supplied by them to the County. . Or Beetham proposed that the first request be granted, subject to a valuation to be placed on it by the Engineer, Or Macquarie t Re the 8000 feet of timber, on the motion of Cr Macquarie it was resolved to make further enquiries into the matter, RATES ON CROWN AND NATIVE UNDS. The Chairman of the Hawkes Bay County had written, seeking the cooperation of the East County Council in protecting their interests, The Chairman said the question tow too large to be dealtivith right off. The Governor had power to alter the roll, but it did not appear to him that where properties were already on the roll he could alter the valuation of them. ' It was resolved to reply to the Hawkes Bay County that tho matter, would bo taken into consideration and the government communicated with, and a further oommunlc&tion sent them, , It was resolved that the Council obtain a solicitor's opinion upon the power of the Property Tax Commissioner to alter the

value of the rill, and the Commissioner be then written.to... • BRIDGE REPAIRS. ... The half cost of repairing-the Waipoua Bridge was considered,.and passed.for payment. INSTRUMENT' AIipWANCE. • A letter was read from' 0. E. Bremner, County Engineer, asking that an allow-' ance'of £l2 per annum be' made him for instruments. ■;, ~.,.,.. j.'.; The Chairman said, the matter had been taken intoconsideration, attfte time, andit:was felt that not .pay' .any extras. -.. '''^i:..*,^-.: Cr McCardle moved that whilst sympathising with Mr Bremner on the ques--tion, he be asked to leave the matter oyer; for future consideration.—Carried. ROAD REPAIRS. . - ' .-. Re the dangerous portion of the Upper Taueruroad. 'Mr-T. E Shute wrote drawing the attention of the-Council to ''*•■■ .: '"' V.' .-■. >• ' The Chairman said the point referred to was certainly dangerous, but it was a question of funds. Cr McCardle moved that the question be referred to the Engineer with the. power to expend a sum not exceeding £lo.—Carried. . * MAIN ROAD. ■ On the motion of Cr McCardle the Engineer was instructed to examine with a view to at once take, over anew tion on the Opaki-Manawatu road nearMrs Dorsets, as the present road was impassable for coach traffic. MUHOAPAEBHA BRIDGE. . A letter was read from the UnderSecretary of Pubuc Works as follows : Sir—Referring ■ to previous correspondence on the subject of the charges made .by Mr Reese against Mr King, late engineer to. your Council, in connection with the construction of the Mungapaieha bridge, I am now directed by the Minister qf Public Works to enclose herewith a copy of a statement prepared by the Engineer-in-Qhief, containing estimates of the coat qf thjs bridge as contracted for and as actually constructed, which the Minister hopes will supply the information whioh you require, I have, <k, 0, Y, O'Connor, Under-Sec for Public Works. Bridge No 1, Bridge No 2. 1 span of 60ft truss (as built) and 2 spans of 1 span of 90ft 20ft platforms, trass, Estimate accordingtoMr King's quantities and Prices .„ ,„ £722 0 0 £733 4 4 Estimate acoordingtpMrßeese's quantities and prices.,, ... £7OO 0 0 SqQQ Q 0 Estjmakeonbasis " '"' ' ' qfguantitiescalr lat'ed in Public Works Office & prices suppljei by Engineer:inChief ... .;, £845 0 0 £684 0 0 Cr McCardle said that statement showed that Mr Reese was quite justified m bringing the matter before the Council. There was no occasion f Qr ft motion. Or Beetham considered they owed the late Engineer a great deal more than that. The charge made against him that the bridge was let as a job had not been

proved. The estimate compared very favorably with the price that was taken, and they had got good value for the money, Without allowing anything for contractors profit they estimated the bridge at SB4 and the. eoßt was £7OO. They were bound to thin contractor at any rate. They had to change the site and that necessitated a change of design, For a much leas job Mr Roese wanted £IOO to back out, CrMacquarrie would move as a new member that the consideration of the lotter he left over to a future meeting. Or Dagg understood that the decision of the Government was to be final and lie did not see what was to be gained by further discussion, The Chairman said the award had actually been made by the arbitrator, and it was not for them to discuss it, He could see no object in the discussion, and it seemed to him'the matter was settled. Or Maoquarrie withdrew his motion and Or McCardle moved and Or Chamberlain seconded that a copy of the letter be sent to Mr Eeese.—Carried. OVERSEERB. Cr Beetham moved and Cr Maoquarie seconded that McCullagh be paid by the Council £1 a week for overlooking the work on the Mpgapakoha contract in addition to his wages of 7s per day.—Carried. Cr Dagg asked that the overaeer at the Waingawa be paid at the rate of 10s a day for 31 days overlooking pile driving Or Chambertain seconded.—Carried. AWARD DOCUMENTS. The seal of the Council and the Chairman's signatures were attached to three awards to the Bahjatiift,' Alfredton, and Upper feerqfyadßp'da,,' WOT OONMJOTB, '' The bank account shewed a debit balance of £073 0s 6d. The receipts since last meeting were £976 6s sd, It was resolved that immediate payment of outstanding rates be enforced. Accounts amounting to £1212 0s 5d wero passed for payment. OVERDRAFT. _ The Chairman said with regard to the Finance question when they arranged with the Hank for an, qypriraft they mM £IBOO from the Government TOoJi they did not get and they had now Jdobtor balance of £945, Instead of being in funds thoy would have to go to the bank to renew their overdraft for SIBOO Practically unless the rates brought in a large amount they would be in the Bame position next meeting. The position of the Council was certainly a most unsatisfactory one. Applications had been made to the various Beards, to take over the debts of the Council and maintenance of roads, and they had one and all declined. The Castle. Ppjnt Board deeded to take over the debts, but would take over the maintenance if the Council would find all expenses. The Masterton Road Board and Alfredton Road Board made similar replies, The Oounoil had done all in their power to divejt'themselves of the responsibility of making a" rate and it had been thrown back on them. The extent to which they could overdraw was limited and the responsibility was serious if they vent over tho legal limit and he objected as one to a personal liability, He hoped they would take into consideration what course they should adopt to carry on and disch t a jß?th,eirdeht. TjieCjpcjl had done m it could to get the co-operation of the Boards and they had refused only offering to repair the roads If they found the fwwy, He'could only say to them: Thank vou fo.r nojhjnfl," The position must befaoed and id business meri,t«ken into their serious consideration. .'•, Or Dagg moved that a special meeting be called for the purpose of considering the financial position of the Council on Tuesday, 17th inst,, at '1 o'clock. Cr. McCardle seconded the nation which was carried, . . :, ■ NEW ROAD BOARD, The Clerk read the petition of certain residents in Mauricevdla'to form.ft new Road district and the action p.f the Council taken with a" copy of bounr dariesas advertised. Cr Dagg thought the Counoil was too hasty in passing that resolution at the last meeting, .The actual number of •ratepayers should have been ascertained There were 110 on the properties named, and only 51 signatures. The Act required

Iwo-fliirdsV 'They had afeM«ii a large slico of Crown Lands, ovorwhioh curtain settlors had a claim; ;:;.

Cr McCardle moved-that the'.-prayer of the petitioners be {(ranted, Atibjedtto the exclusion of the name.s-o( .tlibiSjll^.had;. objected. They M'-be6h;M>:tEia-.' : strong petition would' : W, : J t against it but '■ suoh'' had tiM- fltotf whe';X They had'only had Mr MM#&'an'd. ; . he thought it fight-thef. ■MM : W out. If, any. .one -objected. ; inej| flhoiild'.:; put in -their" objection' in' wfftifijf. vTh'ei petitioners had'done all in tbeir.po«!er4o •' legally constitute themselves ft newßoM'" and'the Council should,not raise imaginary objections, .They were there to administer'the'Act, and had' nothing to do with hearsay objections : .^ The Chairman said the Council had no? right to declare the/.new- Koad without two-thirdsdf the ratepayers the petition and he was' not aware. that; the required numbor had signed..-... With., regard to non-residents, the 153 rd blaiise of the Act provided that thoy should not be reckoned unless their lands were occupied. His own mind was that the Council should be satisfied by checking the ratepayers and properties, and that he imagined the Council should do, ~,., ."''.•,- Or McCardle said he the Paluatua Board, the'oW.'of the whole thing rested with the" petitioners , themselves, and he understood the peti- : tioners in this case had ascertained from the roll that they had complied with the

Cr Dagg said there were one hundred - . and ten properties. The chairman pointed out' that absentees were not counted. What they should \v* know was whether the Council was satisfled that two-thirds of the householders ' had signed. . Cr Chamberlain said he for one was not satisfied as to its correctness." Or Dagg pointed out the description was wrong, Cr Beetham thought technical objections should not be raised. The chairman said doubt had been thrown upon the petition on a strong point, namely, that two-thirds had : not signed. He thought the matter should be. referred to the clerk to check. Cr Macquarie moved that before the Council finally decide the question, tlie clerk be instructed to go tliroughthe list. Cr McCardlo asked- who was'going to-, pay the expenses of advertising caused through the vexatious opposition made. The Chairman said an adjournment could be made until the result was pertained. ..'-/-•' t Cr McCardle drew attention to liis motion that the petition be granted subject to the objectors being excluded, The Chairman said, they should have' altered the boundary before they advertised it. Cr McCardle's motion found no aecon= der. Cr McCardle then moved that the ' Council declare the proposed district as advertised a new Road District, to be called the Mauriceville Road District, Cr Macquarie seconded the motion pro forma. Cr Beetham said his objection to the resolution was the boundaries; they were bad, and the interests of one part of the district were not identical with the other. Cr Chamberlain endorsed all- that was said by Cr Beetham. They,bad come across the Miki Miki block and cut off Crown Lands without contributing anything towards the roads. The motion was put and lost; The Chairman said it was open to the petitioners to go before the Governor in Council, Cr Beetham said his only objection was on account of the boundary, he would not object to the separation of the district if the boundaries were modified. The Chairman said the petitioners could amend their boundaries and apply ■ again.

Cr McCardle moved that the promoters •' of the proposed new Board be Written to, to appoint a deputation to.meet the Council with a view to the adjustment of „■ the boundaries, at the next ordinary' meeting of the Council. Cr Chamberlain seconded.—Carried. OPENING UP CROWN LANDS. Cr McCardle moved and Cr Beetham seconded, that the resolution appointing a deputation to wait upon'Mr Ballance in conjunction with the Waste Lands Board be rescinded, and that a letter be sent to Mr Ballance on the question of the County undertaking the opening up of Crown Lands, and asking him to. stay the proceedings of the Central Board in Wellington for the present.—Carried. Cr McCardle pointed out that the Government refunded one-third of the pro-' ceedsof the sale of lands to the Eoad Boards, also 25 percent, on all lease-• holds. RETURNS. Cr McCardle moved for a return of all expenses incurred in connection with the new Waipoua Bridge, since the flood.— , Carried, ACCOUNTS, The accounts passed by the Financial Committee were confirmed. An account from Mr Baker for ferry £25 was passed for payment. ENGINEERING. Mr McLachlan'B services were granted to lay off a road on the Upper Taueru. Cr Hawkins was authorized to have slips romoved whore urgent in his district, NEW WORKS ■',, r It was resolved that the name* of those members who wero not on the Worka I Committee be now added., The Engineer's report waa read, Cr McCardle moved and Cr Beethamseconded the adoption of the report. Cr Macquarie moved as an amendment That the portion of the Engineers report referring to the Ekotahuna-Road metajl. ■ ing be not adopted and in the event of : any tender for metalling on ■ Tenui road that all tender* be declined, and that the available balance for this be' included with balance of new vote of £669 and made one contraot and that'the Engineer be instructed to. lay off for metalling those sections that have been fascined and to be pointed out by the mover, The.secfcionsto.be extended according to amount of available funds. The mover protested against the ' Engineers action in this matter and thought he had no right to depart from : his instructions.—The motion was carried. - : Cr Macquarrie moved and Cr McCardle seconded that the Government ty'je, '< :• |" in( *ed of the application madViplet the Eoadß and Bridges Construction Act ; ' for flood damage on the Efeetahuna-Tinui "•" main •■ ■••••-•. WA|?QTJAPROTiiCTrVE WORKS, ■ The following, tenders were received for the above works.:-J. Dawson, £B9, accepted ideolmed,!. P. Girdwood, £B9 tlv^'J 941 A -McLeod, £9Blßs :•• ■ Job Vile, £llß. ■ y. Opaki-Manawatu : "Boad.-Hto*B»rii^' chaws metalling,. accepted, 4fefof. •. £l36■: deohned,,A.. Anderson' WW? P. Girdwood, £164, Job Vilev'£lfe jo^l , It was resolved that'the -'EpgHisw^'"' mstmcted to call for. tenderi .fpf/thi Te; :•• Hoe bridge as soon w'-plata' p»«' ■■■■ pared on-the ; basis of; pr^pK^>■■■•; necessary timber in the vioinity. ' m: P r ;-\-\ , The Oveweer'a wport'.on : Bureeu' -. contraot, and. hia general ?ep«i.'J§-'