EAST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2477, 15 December 1886, Page 2

EAST COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting was held in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, Present—Crs Maekay (Chairman) Maunsell, Hawkins, Beetham, Hunt, Dugg, Smith and McCardle. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, CORKBSJONDENCE, From Premier's office, with order iu Council appointing representation of contributing Local Bodies under section 6 of the Hospital and Charitable Aids Act, 1886. From Mr J, J, Freotli, applying for combined salary and travelling allowances, also a bonus as Clerk of Licensing Committee. From Thomas Adams re additions mado to Rorokoko cottage after ho ceased to be roadman, From Mr C. G. Good claiming £l4 7s 6d expenses iucurrod in moving fencing owing to stltoratiou to road line. From Mr John Taplin, renewing his offer to act as ranger, and repair pound at Taueru, also enclosing petition in same matter. From United District Hospital Board with amouut due, from Council to the funds of the Boavd, viz., £l4O 3s 9d. From Commissioner of Waste Lands, stating that the Land Board do not proposo to take further action re disposal of Crown land in Waingawa river bed at present. ' From Or E. Smith, claiming £8 13s expenses incurred in attending Council ■mooting and daputatinn to Wellington. From Oastlepomt Road Board stating that tho Board cannot recognise the claim for more than cost of Engineer's report on tho Whakaroro Branch Ltoad. From-Property Tax Department re rate Btruck in County for 1886-7.

From Colonial Secretary's office with Gazette notice of constitution of Akiteo Road Board District and amondod description of Ciistlepoint District. From Colonial Treasurer's offioe stating that application for loan will be considered on hfc December. From Secretary United District Hospital Board, with notice of meeting for Councillor Beetham. From Public Works Department re maintenance of Forty Mile Bush road. CHARITABLE AID. On the claim from the United District Board being dealt with, Cr Smith asked how the amount waß incurred by the County, and how tho computation wan made. Cr Hawkins said the letter was inconsistent and absurd. He would like to know how they got it that 4-9ths of £7OO was £l4O. He should imagine it was nearer £3OO. The whole thing appeared to be a completo bungle.

Cr Smith called attention to tho fact that only about one in every twelvo children charged as having been sent to the Industrial Sohools came from the Wairarapa. It appeared to him that they wanted the county to pay for the town. The Chairman remarked that tho Premier was wrong in stating that the poor gravitated towards the large towns, This might be the caso with adults, but not with children. The settlers of the Waira-

rapa had their own poor to provide for, and it appeared that they aro now asked to assist those who did not subscribe privately. He thought the up-country Bottlers assisted the poorer class more than «my other portion of the community by the number of swaggers they fed, and if somo of the trainers of the Act were to exchange places with the station holders they would fiud that the country settlers were doubly handicapped. Cr Dagg moved "That the demand bo not entevtainad until more information had been given on the subject, and that this County- is of opinion that great injustice is dono to them in being taxod to that extent after supporting their own institutions."

Cr Smith, in seconding the motion, thought that 90 per cent of tho oases came from Wellington. Cr Hunt said it seemed very much like making the County people pay for tho support of the Wellington poor.

The Chairman thought the Industrial Schools and Homes were a great mistake, the children were Bent to thorn, and mixed up with all sorts of characters and became contaminated. They should adopt the system of boarding them out; it had been tried in other places with success, and was found more cheap and satisfactory. Cr Hawkins severely criticised the document sent from the Board. He said, as a business statement, it was execrable, to put an amount down to a certain body, without any statement as to what it referred to, and it seemed as though they could put down what they liked, and to whom they liked, As a statement, one of their own charity children could make it out as well as it had been done.

Cr Beetham, as a member of the Board said that nothing had been done at the meeting ho had attended, beyond electing a Chairman. There was a proposition that a clear statement of affairs be sent to each contributing body and he had no doubt the present one was the result, He could give no other information to the Council as that was the only meeting held. Ho had boen informed that a meeting was to be held at a certain time and place, and when ho went there (Wellington) another body had possession of tho room and he was ordered out,

Cr Hawkins said that Mr Beetham, as their member, should ask what was tho meaning "'of the figures quoted, as it seemed a most ridiculous statement, that the Council should be asked to contribute £IOO a year to Wellington. He would ask "for what?" Tho tesolution was then put and carried, TAUERU POUND, On Mr Taplin's letter and petition being read, a counter petition, Rxgued by ten persons residing at the Taueru, was handed in, praying that a ranger he not appointed, but that tho Council repair the pound. It was pointed out that non-resident carriers came down from up-countiy, stopped at the Taueru for tho night and turned their horses on the road, the fencos in the district boing considerably damaged in consequence. ; Cr Hawkins said; in the face of the petitions they mustklo something to tho pound. They had one with sixteen an d one with ton signatures, The Council should act with firmness and decision in dealing with the-' question, and protect the interest of the settlers in tho district, Ho thought it was necessary that the pound should be repaired, and would bo in favor of appointing a combined ranger and poutidkeeper. Cr Smith suggested that the surfacemen should act as rangers. The chairman isaid he was afraid they were the greatest offenders in using the roads for grazing their horses, Cr Hunt said nothing was worse for the roads than heavy horses being turned loose on them. They broke the fences down and damaged things generally.' After a long discussion was resolved— That Mr Taplin's offer to extend and put the Taueru pound in repair for the sum of £lO be accepted, and that when this was done to invito applications for tho office of ranger. A SWEEPING REDUCTION. - On the motion of Cr Smith, seconded by Cr Beetham,'it was resolved, "That Mr Chas. 6. Good he allowed the sum, of Sjhfoneraoving the fence off tho roatj

line, and the Council cannot recognise any further portion of the claim of £l4 10s, roadman's grievance, •■Thos, Adam's letter occasioned considerable comment and explanation. It appears that Adams was employed on tho Rurokoko road, and the Council promised to enlarge and repair a cottage lor lain to live in. After waiting some time, during which he was paying 9s a week for himself and family, he wrote and promised to bear part of the expense of putting the cottage in repair. At last his patience miß exhausted, and he left tho County employ; his successor was appointed, and tho building in question was tixud up for his reception. Tho object of Adams' letter was to point out this, and ask the Council if they thought he hud beeii justly dealt with, and said his character was generally known throughout the district, where he had resided all his life.

Tho mombors of the Council expressed regret that Adams had acted so hastily in leaving their employ, as ho was one of the best men they ever had. The work he complained of could not be done

before, as the Council was at the time short of funds for that particular job, and had. he a littie more patience ho would now have been in the position of his successor. It was decided to write and explain the oiroumataucea to Mr Adams. HOSPITAL BOARD NOMINEES. As the time for electing representatives on the Uuited District Hospital Board had lapsed it was decided to recoramond to His Excellency the Governor the names of Crs Dags;, Hawkins, and McCavdlo as the County nominees for office. Tho discussion that ensued on the subject was anything but favorablo to the new Act, and it was questioned whether it waß Local Government or uot, the impression boing that it looked very much as though tho whole of the governin?' waß to be done in Wellington. PINANCE.

The Finance Committee's report was read showing a debit balance of £G37l3s 3d, with £lu'o lis 4d collected during the month, and recommending accounts to tho amount of £57813s 2d be passed for payment. An application from Mr J J, Freeth for remuneration as Clerk of the Licensing Committee, at the rate of £35 a year, and a bonus for past services, was left to the Council to deal with.

The Chairman said the expenses iu connection with tho Licensing Committees were very great, and swallowed up 25 per cent of the fees received. Tho Clerk had to travel to Eketahuna and Tiuui, which was very expensive, mid he thought that'men might be appointed to act at these places at about a guinea a meeting,

It waa" resolved "That whereas it appoara the Licensing expenses absorbed fully 25 per cent of the fees received, and that it is desirable to reduce the expenses as far as practicable, the Council communicate with the Government with the view of an appointment of some persona, as Licensing Committee' Clerk, who are residents at tho.places whero such Committees meet, and that Mr Freeth be informed that this has been done. WORKS COMMITTEE. The report was read and adopted, and will appear into-morrow'e issuo. AKIIEO BIDING.' Or Maunsell moved "That the petition for the constitution of the Akiteo Hiding bo granted." Considerable discussion ensued on this question, when it was discovered that tho order would have to be passed at a special meeting, and it was decided that the next general meeting be a Bpecial one to paBS the required order. Akiteo RoadDistwot. Mr McHutchcn was appointed Olerk and Returning Officer for the election of tho Wardens of the new, Road District. The election was fixed for the second Wednesday in January, aud the first mooting of the Board to be hold on January 16th 1887. ' GAB. The following tenders wero received for fixing the necessary gaß-fittin«6 (labor and material) to the Council Chambers : Accepted—Messrs Howard and Williams £4 7b (id; declined—Mr D. Pickering £5 10s, MrS. Kingdori £5 Ma. writs eopk, On the application of A. Smith sufficient length of the old wire rope from the Manawatu Ferry was granted to put over the Tiraumoa River on the Alfredton road, as the ford was at times dangerous to travellers along tho road. A similar application from Cr McCardle was granted for tho Tawatia Special Settlement to go across tho same river, TAHIATUA IMPROVEMENTS. Cr McCardle made an application from the Pahiatua Town Board for tho control of the main road through that township. He stated that tho Board was about to effect great improvement on tho road, but were not in a position to take over the road in question unless tho Council gave them the control of it. As regards the levels tho Council could, through their Engineer, have the management of them. Ho moved a resolution accordingly.

Cr Beetham would like to know if the Board would bear all the expense in connection with tho work to be done on tho road.

Cr McUardlo could not say what tho Board wero prepared, to do in connection with the expenso of-the road. They wero at present clearing the stumps from the whole width of the road.

The Chairman said it was a question of future maintenance, if,tho Board increased the width of the road it would mean increased expense. He was not opposed to the application but would like more information on the subject,

After further discussion, Or McCardle obtained leave to withdraw his resolution and substitute a notice of motion for next meeting,

PAYMENT OF MEMDERS, The Chairman in moving that a resolution abolishing the payment of Councillors expenses, be rescinded, and that actual travelling allowance be paid, said he brought the notice forward on tho representation of the Alfredton people, who elected their member on the understanding that his expenses would be paid by the Council, and he thought it would only be doing justico to them to abolish the hard and fast rulo. Let those members who chose to apply for oxpenses, have the opportunity of getting them.

Cr Hawkins said he did not know what had transpired since the resolution was passed to make members resoind it. As far as he was concerned, he did not object to the motion of tho Chairman, as tho Act provided that actual travelling expenses could be paid by the Council. Or Mannsell, as a long distance membor, said he was in favor of the Is per mile allowance, but now the' Council had settled tho question he did not like chopping and changing about. In the case of Alfredton he would like. the representative to be in the position of claiming his expenses.

Cr McCardle spoke-in favor of the Alfredton representative being paid, as it entailed considerable loss of time in attending the meeting. The previous resolution was, then rescinded, and the Chairman moved that actual travelling expenses bo paid to members of the Council, and that in the case of. Cr Smith the resolution be retrospective^.': Seconded,by Cr Beetham and carried. A long dlsoussion ensued as ts what were actual travelling expenses, when it was resolved on the motion Cr Hawkini seconded by Cr Maunßell "Thai the

Auditor-General be written to for his opinion as to vhat were actual travelling expenses. THE £2500 LOAN In bringing the oft adjourned question forward for the allocation of the interest on the above loan, the Chairman aaid that Cr Meredith had asked him a few days ago to request the Council to postpone it until next meeting as he was unable to be present. Cr Smith asked that the question be j Bottled at once, and handed in the copies of resolutions passed at Alfredton to the effect that the nmount already paid by the Alfredton Riding bo refunded, and that a re-adjustment cf the rates bo made so that the district benefitted be rated for it, Cr Da?g drow attention to the amounts paid by the various ridings, the Masterton and Alfredton ratepayers paying more than those for whom the loan was raised, viz,, Castlepoint and Wainuioru. He moved that the Finance Committee's report on tho 'subject bo adopted. Cr Smith secondod the adoption of the repwt. which was carried. Cr Dagg movod, " that tho money paid by the Masterkon, Alfredtou, and Pallia-

tua Ridings, with the exception of the portions interested, towards tho £2,500 loan bo refunded, and that the ridings liable be charged for their proportions, and that the proper accounts be kopt for

the future. Cr Smith, in seconding the motion, pointed out the injustice done to the Alfredton.Riding by having to pay for works they never received benefit from, and at the same time had to make their

:oads passable out of their own pockets, Cr Maunsell moved as an amondment 'That tho period for which the claim shall be allowed shall not date from tho iimd that tho separate rates wero struck

in 1884-85." He said ho considered the

parties interested condoned the aotion by not moving in the matter before, and therefore he did notconsidor their motion for allocating the interest should be retrospective.

Cr Dagg pointed out that Cr Maunsell was wrong inhis romarkß about condoning the action. If tho matter had come to

light before, and they were awaro of the state of.things, it would nothavo boon allowed to rest. He claimed justice for his riding, and said that jußtice half done was not justice at all. Cr Hawkins said it would only be fair to charge the refund from the timo the separate rates were struck. He did not think it should be retrospective aB far back as the time when boundaries of the Counties had been altered. Or Dags; drew attention to the fact that the Masterton Riding would then be paying £9O odd for things they never had. ■ Cr Maunscll said the injustico was not so much as members tried to mako out. He considered the other ridings were favorably situated for road making compared to the Castlepoiut Riding, where they had great difficulties to contend against in having to make hillsido cuttings and clay formation for their roads, and also had to quarry their metal. Or Dagg contended that the loan was raised for a special purpose, spent on special works, and the' interest waß supposed'to bo allocated over those special districts. The Chairman said- when all things were taken into consideration especially with regard to Crown Lands it would not be found that the other ridings had not paid so very much towards the interest. He thought the Masterton Riding should bo a bit merciful to the struggling outlying district, as the success of the one was the mutual improvement-of both, and one could not do without the other. Cr McOardle that justice should be done to all portions of the County, they shpuld bear in mind that the .progress of one part wsb felt all over tho district, audho was 6uro councillors would act justly in settling the question. Cr Hunt said they had overlooked the fact that tho Masterton Road Board bad made aud kept in repair the road ■to the Taueru, which was the key to the East Coast and Tinui. He was of opinion that tho Masterton Borough felt more benefit from the road tlwn the Council did, and thought tho Couucil in doing justice should take into consideration tho riding that bora tho brunt of tho road making work.

Cr Hawkins pointed out that although the question of the loan had been bofore the Council since January, 1885, it was only recently that the allocation of the interest had cropped up. The Ridings to bo relieved of the debt had to thank a member of tho Castlcpoint Riding for placing things before thorn as clearly as they were, Tho County, were now bound to take tho responsibility of the debt, and pay the Ridings back, that wero not interested, from tho tirno the separate rate was Btruck.

Cr Beetham in seconding tho amendment, said the money wa3 raised for a special work, but at tho same time ho would like to see the Councillors take a broader view of things, and not try and localise every little bit of work done, if tho practice of localising county affairs worcjearried out he thought that the intentions of the Council would fall short of the desired objects. CrDagg having replied, tho amendment was carried by consent of tho proposer and seconder of the resolution. It was resolved to refer the question of adjusting accounts to the Financo Committee, TOLL-OATES. The Chairman, in moving that Toll Gates be erected on tho Forty Mile Bush Road, for the purpose of raising funds for the maintenance of tho bush roads, said that there was no alternative for tho Council, as the Government had thrown them over, and all responsibility rested on their own shoulders, if the Council erected a toll-gate on the Gorge Road, no doubt tho Waipawa and Manchester County Councils would prefor to tako over that piece of road to prevent a heavy tax to the travellers in their districts. With respect to the Forty Mile Bush .something must be done at once so that the road could be put in repair before the bad weather again sets in. Or McOardle called attention to the fact that there was a considerable area of Crown Lands in tho County, and he would advocate that tho money from these lands should be spent in their immediate district and not spent all over the country as heretofore. Ho dwelt upon tho expenses of running toll gates, and would not be iu favor of more than two through the bush, one at Haatwell's cleaving and one at tho Manawatu Bridge. He did not think one would be wanted this side of Ekotahuna for more than three months, as there was every prospect of the lino being completed by them. If the Council made the roadmen collectors he thought they could work the tolls economically.

Cr Hawkins thought that tho Council, needed to be very cautious in dealing with the question they had no data to go upon, and when it was proposed to h:tve a half wotkman and toll collector to scrape a few pounds together for the r<iad, it showed a very bad state of things. If the toll did not pay they would .have to fall back upon a rate, and the ratepayers would not like that. They should have something to guide them, and not tako. a leap in the dark, Had they any idea what the road would cost ? How . ( inucli could be collected ? The Government aa their masters could step in and say "you, must keep the road in good wise we will confiwaU your r*t« pud BUbnidiei «ad do the wank oura»W'

Or Beetliam sail l Cr McOardle's opinion.. was reliablo and that appeared to be avorse to tolls, He would rather see ft rate struck .over tho whole County to keep the raufiu repair than to see toll* erected. Ho thought the 'Council'' could put their heads together and devise some means of.keeping it passable, without these gates. The Council were compelled to keep it open, and they, should strike a'rating area for the purpose. ' ; There was new country .being openea up, and he would not like to see it cramped ~. by the means of numerous toll-gates, and ; he felt that when the railway was opened ■ the traffic would fall shore of supporting f them. ~.Q . Cr McCardle said he'wow not like theidea to get abroad that he was averse ti> tolls, for ho thought it-Was the fairest way /Jk to levy the tax, as'tho settlors were \ strutting against excessive taxation now, and. a great many did hot use the road. He argued that tolls would reach those that used the roads.' He would move- " That the quostion of tolls be deferred till next mooting, and that the roadmen j be asked to keep an account of the num.. ber of vehicles and horaomeu paßtw along the road; so that the Council ciraa have an idea of the amount to be- •-♦- collected." ' "• ; The Chairman said something must b* • , done at once, the road was now patched * with whitcwocd and rubbish and wouldbe in a deplorable state unless repaired ' permanently before tho wet,seasori. Hecould not agree with Cr Beetham'a idea, as the settlon were' now taxed up to thelimit of their means in some districts, Or Smith agreed with the Chairman* that tolls were tho most equitable. means ~ of raising money for,the road, Therato-- mfipayers were now paying the maxirinim. ; and could not possibly do more. j Tho Council went into an estimate of, ' the probaplo receipts and experiditare')* but as thoy nothing definite to guide'W > them in the matter it waa eventually de- \ cided that the question be deferred, and Or MoOardle's motion was cacriod. The Engineer's proposal was to have three gates through, the bush, to be worked in conjunction with each other I for through travellers.. The estimated, cost for erection was £l4O. A proposition that a-general rate be Btruck over' the whole county to keep the ■ road ins order, did not meet with any encourage- * - ment, Tho Council then adjourned.