COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3782, 10 April 1891, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Wai-1 rarapa North County Council was] held in the Chambers yesterday, there being present Crs W. H Beetham (chairman), Maunsell, Stuckoy, j Handy side, Guild, Smith, Groves, Hood and Bayliss. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. EPARAIMA ROAD. Cr Hood moved, in accordance with notice given, that the resolution passed at last meeting, " that steps be taken to close the road on either side of the Eparaima Native Reserve between the points at which the deviation joins it," be rescinded. In doing so ha stated that the ratepayers appeared to be of the opinion that the road should not be closed. Cr Guild seconded the resolution. Cr Groves referred at some length to the action already taken by the Council. Crs Maunsell and Smith supported the resolution. The Chairman said that he had moved that the road be closed, a.id nothing had been done in a hole and corner way. His own opinion was that the matter should at ouce be settled. He had seen sufficient of Eawson's line to think that the road was one of the best in the district. He thought bis resolution that the road should be closed would result in an expression of opinion ofthe the rotepayers, and the matter would be settled in about six weeks time. He had not had sufficient eVidence before hirn to change his opinion. Mr Buchanan, a party interested in the road referred to, was present, and being asked to express himself on the subject, suggested the taking of the opinion of the group of settlers. He would not give his opinion as a single settler. His object in ing the meeting of the Council was to ask that the road from Kaiwhata to Carswell's be attended 10.

Mr Meredith, who was present by invitation, Ptatsd that be bad been requested to attend tbe meeting of the Council to give his opinion. Cr Stuckey thought it was. rather premature of the Council to take evidenceon the question. They should wait until the resolution was put into operation. The Chairman was of opinion that the evidence should be heard. Cr Hood, who was anxious to leave the meeting, asked that bis resolution be put. The Chairman declining to put the resolution, Mr Meredith stated he was present by invitatiou of the Council. He was well acquainted with the road in question. Mr Moore had been instrumental in getting the road made and in getting most ot tbe money expended upon it. No question as to the legality of the road was raised until the whole of tbe money was spent. If the road was closed there was going to be a great injustice done on tbe part of tbe Councillors who had the legalising ot all roads at beart. He then referred at length to the history of the road. He asked further that tbe Council take no steps in tbe direction of closing tbe road, as it would be a gross miscarriage of justice. Cr Guild asked if the resolution of tbe Chairman that the road should be closed was in accordance with tbe Act. Tbe application had been made by a private individual. Tbe ratepayers should be consulted on tbe matter. If they said they wanted the road stopped, it would be stopped. They had a vast amount of correspondence before them, but they had not tbe opinion of the ratepayers. Tbis appeared to be a tight between Messrs Meredith and Moore, and he wished it to be brought to an end.

Mr Meredith pointed out that the position was that one road was formed and metalled pud the other unmade. The Chairman stated that the deviation in the road had not been made on the evidence of one person. The Masterton Highway Board had decided, on the opinion of their Engineer, and by the weight of evidence, to take the road knowu as Rawson's line. Mr Meredith would like the evidence produced. He was prepared to show that the report of the Engineers was against the new road. The Chairman replied that up till the time of the passing of the resolution by the Highway Board the evidence was in favour of the new road.

Cr Handyside did not understand the position of the Council in the matter. He would like to know if the Council was asked to close the road, and if so, who asked it. The application of Mr Moore was then read, with the agreement of the Masterton Road Board that the deviation should be made. Mr Meredith : This is the first I have seen of this agreement. It has not been handed to the Whareama Road Board, and it certainly should have been.

Mr Moore, in reply to MiMeredith's remarks, stated that there were not two roads - available, The Supreme Court had said the old road was not a legal road. He was one of several who had written to the Whareama Road Board, calling atteutiou to the state of the old road, and requesting that the best road be taken. Mr Meredith had done what he liked for a number of years, and had misrepresented the district. Mr King had not altered the road laid off by him. He was sorry to take up so much of the time of the Council, but he would like to see the matter settled. He was quite willing to abide by the decision of the Court. Cr Guild thought that if the road was stopped on the application of Mr Moore and the Act was complied with, the applicant should pay all costs.

Mr Moore said he did not ask that the road should be closed. He only asked that the resolution of the Highway Board bo put into operation. Mr Meredith said that all he wanted was to see nothing done. The Chairman suggested that a vote on Cr Hood's resolution be taken ~ Mr Moore : In due respect to the Council I niust request a hearing. Mr Meredith s side of the question has been heard, and I submit I should have a similar privilege, Cr Guild said the question was whether the application was in accordance with the Act. Mr Moore had made a private application. The Chairman said he had proposed his retortion at last meeting in the interests of the district, Cr Smith asked that the resohitjon j be put. Sufficient time had already been devoted to the subject, and there was more important; business to transact. Cr Stuckey thought Cr Guijcjl ha<J taken a wrong view of the matter. Cr Bajliss asked if ttye Conncjl was compelled to ratify the aotioa of the Road Boaid. Tfce Chairman UjiJugbt the

Council could oveiride anything done by the Board. It would be scarcely courteous to prevent Mr Moore irorn speaking Mr Moore then gave his version of the affair, and urged that his application was in the interests of the district.

Mr Buchanan expressed a hope that the Council would have mercy on the settlers of the district and put an end to the matter at once, so that communication may be had with the common centre.

Cr Bayliss asked, if the resolution wa3 rescinded, whether the settlers would have power to apply in the future for the closing of the road. The Chairman replied that there would be nothing to prevent such an application being made. If Cr Hood's resolution was carried the matter would be practically unsettled.

Mr Meredith asked that the Engineer's opinion on the question be takeu.

Mr Moore objected, and the resolution of Cr Hood was then put and negatived on the voices.

Carswell's to Kaiwhata Road. Mr Buchanan waited upon the Council and called attention to the urgent necessity for putting in repair the road from Carswell's to Kaiwhata, to prevent further damage being done during the winter. He suggested the putting of a couple of men on the road, and thought the ratepayers would be pleased if the Council would take upon itself the responsibility of the work. He thought the Council | should also consider whether it was not advisable that the rates should be expended on the road from Kaiwhata to Carswell's rathor than from Carswell's to Masterton. The outlying districts should receive more attention. The Chairman expressed the opinion that a portion of the separate rates might be expended on outlying districts, Correspondence. From Pohaia te Tau, asking for permission to erect a gate on the Masterton-Bideford road.—Cr Guild thought gates were a great inconvenience, and opposed the application.— The application was refused, on the motion of Cr Guild, seconded by Cr Stuckey. From Messrs Gazzard and Baker, asking that they be allowed to pass through the Taueru toll-gate free, as they went through daily to their work.—Cr Groves thought it very unfair that a working man should be made to pay three shillings a week. They should receive some consideration. He would move that the applicants he allowed to pass through the gate for the payment of £1 per annum, the fees to be paid monthly. —Carried.

From H Weatbrook, requesting an extension of time for the completion of his contract on the Taueru road. —Referred to the engineer.

From Holmes Warren, requesting that repairs be made to the Tiraumea road, as slips had been brought down by the heavy rains.—On the motion of Cr Smith, seconded by Cr Groves, the Engineer was iustructed to remove the slips from the Tiraumea road and repair the bridge. From several settlers on the Upper Plain, applying for the services of the engineer to take preliminary survey of the Waingawa river, and promisiug a guarantee.—lt wa3 decided that a resolution passed at last meeting be put into operation. From the Chairman of the Horo»vhenua County Council, asking that joint efforts be made to move Parliament to enforce an Act for the collection of rates on Native lands.— Cr Smith thought the Natives should | be made to pay their rates, and moved I that this Council co-operate with the ! Horowhenua County in the matter, and that the member for this district be asked to give the matter his support.—Cr Maunsell secouded.— Carried

From the Eketakuiia Road Board, askiug for permission to widen the road at the junction of the Alfredton and Mangaone Valley roads. —The request was granted, subject to the. approval of the Engineer. From H. Burling, junior, asking for instructions as to whom he should apply for payment for loss of time and damages sustained through the negligence of the Council. The Clerk stated that he had replied, asking for more definite information. From Mr F. Janett, stating that the difficulty between himself and Mr Meyer had been amicably settled, and offering to submit to the ruling of the Council with reference to the reserve. He pointed out, however, that it would be to the advantage of the Council to renew tho lease.— The question of a renewal of lease was left to the Engineer for a report to next meeting.

From the Auditor-Goneral, stating that in accordance with a letter written on September 25th, he could not pass the costs in the case Moore v. Meredith, as, although equitable, it was an illegal expenditure.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Cr Guild, seconded by Cr Groves, that the attention of the Auditor-General be called to the fact that no communication was received on September 25. TAUERU TOLL-GATE. The Clerk stated that seventy-three circulars had been sent to the ratepayers in the Taueru District, with reference to the Taueru Toll, and fifty-four replies had been received. FINANCE. The report of the meeting of the Finauce Committee was read. The Chairman reported the result of the Conference with the engineer, which was that he should get £SO a year additional, and the services of an overseer, The report was adopted, the recommendation regarding the engineer to be dependant upon the consent of the Masterton Road Board. DIVISION OF ALPREDTON RIDIXG. It was decided, on the motion of Cr Smith, seconded by Cr Bayliss, that the Alfredton Biding bo divided as per notice given, ORDINARY. It was resolved, that in the event of the poll for the £'2QQ loan for the Tiraumea road being carried, tenders be called at once for the fencing. The Clerk was instructed to ascertain what were the terms of lease of the Aobanga Ferry Reserve as to the payment of rent. It was resolved that Mr George Moore be authorised at his own expense to rempve the fence .line between the point a.a. on the plan submitted by turn to a distance not exceeding 120 links at the narrowest point from tho edge of the terrace as shown by the dotted line on <he said plan, subject to Mr Meredith's approval thereof. The Engineer's report was read and adopted, and the meeting (hen adjourned.