WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2308, 31 May 1886, Page 2

WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY.

The regular monthly meeting of the Council was hold on Saturday, at Carterton. Present—C!rs W. Booth (Chairman), C, Phillips, H, Bunny, H. R. Bunny, J. Martin, A. Mathews, H. Braithwaite, W, C. Buchanan, and J. Tully.'. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The balance-sheet for the half year' ending 31st March, 1886, was laid upon the table, Moved by Cr H. Bunny, seconded by Cr Mathews, that the balanoesheet as presented be passed.—Carried. The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £6ll 19s 6d. The Clerk read the statement of valuations within tlfe County, also revenues for current year, CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary's office re the codlin moth, asking for suggestions from the Counoil on same; from Olutha County Council, re the rabbit pest, asking this Council to express their opinion en the same. Cr Phillips expressed his opinion that until the rabbit question waß left in the hands of a competent local body there could be nothing done under the present laws. . : The Councillors generally expressed their views on the mattor, and attributed the inorease during the year to the very dry Beasoti which'they had had. ■' Cr Buchanan, speaking on the motion, stated that he considered that the Government were the best to carry out the Act, inasmuch as that if the Aot were placed in the hands of a local body they might

be vory loath to sue a neighbour, lie also considered that the Inspectors used rather harsh means' towards settlers in respect to dipping for lice in sheep, He did not think that the Legislature ever Intended the Act to be so stringentlyenforced. Tho question of the utility of ferrets cropped up, and Borne Councillors thought that the ferrets, in some pases, were useless as rabbit destroyers. The Clerk was instructed to reply tO' the letter, stating that the rabbit pest depended on the insufficiency of- the Inspectors, • From Peatherston Road Board re loan to Council, stating that they were not prepared to lend more than £3OO, It was referred to the Works Committee with full power to act. ' ' From Chief Surveyor re contracts <&»., > stating that the specifications and plans should be more explicit. Referred to the Public Works Committee, and the Chairman stated that the remarks made in the letter wore quite uncalled for. Two contractors asked for further time to complete thgjr contracts. Moved by Or H, Bunny, and seconded by Or Bunny, that the toll house be allowed to stand where it is till tho next meeting, and that Mr Robinson be asked to hold possession of the same in the meantime.—Carried. At this.stage the Council adjourned for luncheon, and on resuming, the> County Engineer's report on the washing away of the Wainuioru Bridge was read. The contractor said that the water rose eleven feet above the usual height. The Chairman stated that Mr Dawson waited on him and said that the timber would shortly be on the ground, and that he would have tho job completed in three months, It wa3 resolved that it be left in the hands of the Public Works Committee with power to act according to their own discretion. From Wairarapa East County Council re protective works at tho Waingawa Bridge. The Chairman stated what he had done in the matter, which was approved. From Mr Sexton re extension of lease. Resolvpd that Crs W. 0. Buchanan and H. R. Bunny seo to the matter and report at the next meeting of the Council, From Masterton Borough Council on County by-laws re the lighting of carriages, and tho slaughterhouses. From Wairarapa East County. Council referring to the same, and stating that they did not seethe necessity of any bylaws on the matter. From Greytown Borough Couuuil on the same. Tho Engineer reported that something required to be done for tho protection of | the Waiohine River banks. Cr Phillips proposed that a sum of £SO be expended on the aaid works. _ The Chairman suggested that the Oouni cil be cautious about taking the workß ' out of the hands of the River Conserva- : tive Board. i After some' considerable discussion it , was resolved that it be left in the hands i of the Publio Works Committee. i Tho by-laws- were allowed to stand ; over till next meeting. Cr'Matthews drew the Council's attention to the dilatory action of the Government in respect to the lake, and pointed [ out the loss which the delay was causing . to the settlers. He moved, and Cr H. 1 R. Bunny seconded, that the Government , be requested to expedite the matter,— Carried. 1 Cr H. R. Bunny moved that Borne repairs be done at the Hurunuiorangi ( bridge which has been damaged by the late floods. Referred to the Public Works Committee, 1 Cr Phillips read a letter from some settlers re a bridge over the Waiohine river in the place of the swing bridge. It being a question of money, the engineer was instructed to prepare a rough estimate of the coat. Cr Martin moved that the deposits of j tenderers be not returned unless a vety r satisfactory reason be given for so doing. Cr Matthews seconded the motion. ■ Carried, This concluded the business.