NORTH COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3910, 11 September 1891, Page 2

NORTH COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Wairarapa North County Council was held yesterday, there being present Ors W. H. Beetham (Chairman), Maunsell, Handyside, Groyes, Guild, Smith, Cockburn-Hood and Yon Reden.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A lengthy discussion took place on the question of the stopping of the old Eparaima Road and the transfer of land by Mr G. Moore for a new one. The Chairman moyed that a deed of transfer be drawn up by the solicitor to the Council and presented to Mr George Moore, if he is satisfied that the land is transferable. Cr Handyside- seconded.

Cr Von Reden moved as an amendment that no further action be taken in the matter until such a time as Mr Moore presents his title and convinces the solicitor that he is in a position to give a clear title to the land, and until the ratepayers have given their consent to the transfer. Cr Smith seconded. The amendment was put and declared carried. Correspondence.

From Mr Holmes Warren, Tiraumea, stating that the extension of time given to Mr P. Carr to complete his contract would be an injustice to the district and to the other contractors.—Cr Cockburn-Hood thought the Council, in coming to its decision, had been guided by the Engineer.— Cr Smith did not thick they could revoke the resolution already passed. From Thomas Pickett, Wbakataki, drawing attention to the impassable state of the road near his residence. —Cr Handyside said the weather had a good deal to do with the condition of the road. He had passed over it the other day and did not find it bad. —The matter was referred to the Engineer to report. From a number of residents in the Whareama Road District, protesting against the payment of costs to Mr R. R. Meredith out of the rates.—Cr Cockburn-Hood moved that the petitition be referred to the Government. —Cr Von Reden seconded.—Carried.

From the Taranaki County Council, requesting the support of the Council in protesting against those portions of the Counties Act referring to the question of one-man one vote and the exemption of native lands from rates. —lt was resolved to reply that the Council had already taken action in the matter.

_ From Ralph Manning, resigning his position as wheeltire inspector,— Cr Maunsell said Neill'd coach had been running very lightly during the winter, and he did not think his using five horses made much difference. As a matter of principal, however, they should take cognizance of the breach of privilege on the part of Neill.—Cr Groves moved that Mr Neill be informed that in future he must not run with five horses, and if he does the concession be withdrawn.—Cr Von Reden seconded.—Carried.

From Mr Henry Burling, applying for a slaughterhouse license for a s laughterhouse at Tiraumea.—The application was granted.—lt was resolved to remind the Inspectors of their duties, as it was a common thing now for cattle belonging to; other people to be slaughtered. | From tho Clerk to the Mauriceville Road Board, recommending the appointment of Jens Sigvertsen as ranger to the Mauriceville Road Board. —lt was resolved that Mr Sigvertsen's appointment be confirmed. From Mr W. G. Beard, with reference to sawmill rights. From the Clerk to the Masterton Road Board, drawing the attention of the Council to the encroachments of the Waipoua river.—The matter was referred to the Engineer for report to next meeting. From Mr E. Meredith, offering a cottage and land at Whareama for a roadman, on conditions that the land was fenced.—'Referred to the Engineer. MAKAKAHI ROAD BOARD.

The Eketahuna Road Board wrote, enclosing a resolution passed at the last meeting of the Board, to the effect that certain charges had been made by the settlers of the Wellington No. 2 Special Settlement against the Board's Engineer, and urging that the application for a new Road Board be refused. Cr Maunsell stated that in conversation with one ot the persons interested he had learnt that the settlers of the Wellington No. 2 Special Settlement were willing to be amalgamated with the Mauriceville Road Board.

Mr Morgan, one of the petitioners, who was present, stated that if the petition of the settlers for a new Board was not granted, they would perhaps combine with Mauriceville. But they would decidedly prefer combining with the Mount Bruce settlers and thus reduce the journey to Masterton by seven miles. The Chairman did not see why the settlers of the Wellington Special Settlement should not be fairly represented.

Mr Morgan replied that this was impossible. The money was not expended in a proper manner. Mr Falkoner had offered to do the engineering work for the new Board for nothing. Cr Guild: But is it fair that a private person should do the engineering for hqthiug ? Mr Morgan: We have npt asked himtoiiqit. 'H^e/offered tq do the! work.

Cr Yon Eedin said he bad inter viewed the Eketahuna Road Board, and found that the Board was about to pe divided jntp Wards. He did not believe in having SQ many small Boards.. He would move that }n cqn* sideration of the fact that the Eketahupa Board is about to be divided into wards, the prayer of the petitioners be not granted. Cr Smith: I second the resolution. This is Home Rule with a vengeance. It is coming to this now that ever; man in the district will have a Road Board of his own.

Gr Guild thought that with the division of the Eketahuna Road Board the Wellington Special Settlement would receive fair representation.

The Chairman endorsed these remarks. ' '•■ '

Or Cockbum-Hood pointed out that the Mpupt Bruce settlers bad offered to combine with those'of the Wellington Special Settlement. He did not believed in large Boards himself. The Council should give consideration to the fact that with a new Board the settlers would be brought nearer to Masterton.

Mr Morgan stated the settlers were decided that if their request was not granted they would return their loan. The resolution was then put and carried. SEW ROADS. A communication was received from the Public Works Department, requesting the estimates for new

roads through the Mount Baker Block, Eaiwbata and Tiraumea. It was resolved that the estimate as prepared by the Engineer be forwarded. FINANCES. The report of the meeting of the Finance Committee was read and adopted. Accounts amounting to £439 Is 9d were passed for payment. engineer's report. The report of the Engineer was read and adopted. 3ENERA.L. It was resolved that the Railway Commissioners be asked if they will deliver river metal at Mauganoahoe, and that the Government be asked if they will exchange land for a gravel pit at Mauriceville. It was resolved that the maintenance of the section of road from the Te Hoe bridge to the black gate be let by contract, and the Engineer be instructed to prepare specifications and invite tenders. The rates of whioh notice had been given by advertisement were struck

With regard to the alteration of boundaries of the Castlepoint Hiding, it was decided to submit proposals to the Akitio Road Board either to agree to the change of boundary which would include Mataikuna, Pakowai, etc., in the Castlepoint Riding, or subsidise the Riding out of subsidy and license fees to the extent of the rates which would be collected in that area.

The Engineer was instructed to make a preliminary estimate of drainage works in Eketahuna, The Engineer was also instructed to call for tenders for 88 chains of formation between the contracts of Britt and Eertland.

The Chairman remarked upon the suggestions contained in the Public Works Statement with regard to the graduated scale for labour, and the Council rose at 5.20.