WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1055, 18 January 1879, Page 2

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held, at Mr Burke's Hotel, Ohaupo, on Tuesday, the 14th inst., at 9 o'clock a.m. Present: Crs. Cunningham, Sloane, Buttle,lJßeynolds, Steele, Aubin, Carboy, Hadfield, and Germann. in the chair. The first business was the consideration of proposed changes of road in Newcastle Riding, which consist in exchanging a portion of old road for land belonging to Messrs Carpenter and Byron ; the new road striking oft at the foot of Bumfrey's Hill, and again near "Whatawhata, passing through a portion of Mr Handle's property. The Newcastle Highway Board had advertised the alterations, and. complied with all other provisions of the " Public Works Act," and, as no objections were lodged against closing the old road, the Council confirmed the deoision of the ratepayers. NARROWS BRIDGE. Cr. Steele then introduced the subject of the Petition from the Narrows Bridge Committee, by asking that the Uouncil should make a special grant of £250, towards approaches to said bridge, and, also, a grant to the Rangiaohia Board, for making roads to the railway station. He said, the Narrows Bridge, as was well known, had been built by public subscription, and that the expense of the approaches had been greatly increased by the, proprietors of the steamers, running on the river, having lodged a complaint, that the structure was too low, although, he believed, it wa-* something like foar feet higher than the Ngaruawahia Bridge. It had, in consequence, been raised several feet mere. The Waikato County -were going to do their side of the river, and he thought they were entitled to substantial help from this Council, for this side. Or. Hadfield objected to the funds in hand being divided in such a manner, leaving other districts out in the cold. He thought, if the Council were simply going to distribute money in that manner, it was a pity the whole of " The Counties Act" had been brought in force, as it would have been just as easy to divide money in that way, with the Act hung up, and much expense might have been saved. He would rather see the Council take over the main roads, through the different districts. The Chairman read a letter, which he had received from the Chairman of the Pirongia Highway Distriot, asking for a grant of £250 towards the bridge they were about to erect over the Waipa, at, or near Te Rore. The letter stated that the Pirongia District Board had £1000 in hand, which they proposed devoting to that purpose, and Government had promised £500. They thought the bridge would benefit both sides of the river, and this county ought to assist. Cr. Aubin said, the bridge over the Waipa, at Alexandra, was in a very bad state, and he thought the Counoil ought to grant something to -repair it. Cr. Germann was of opinion that, the bridge being so much used by natives, and our present relations with them being .so satisfactory, ii the matter were brought under the notice of tho Native Minister, he would induce Government to do the necessary repairs. Cr. Corboy asked for a grant of £200 to the Newcastle Board. He said, they had bridges to erect, which would cost £600, besides other heavy works, which must be completed. He urged that his distriot had no roads anywhere. Cr. Cunningham wanted to know if it were correct that the Ngaruawahia Board was promised £800 by Government. Cr Corboy said, he believed they were to get £700 out of tho native vote. The district was very thinly populated, and could not undertake the needsd works without help. Cr. Steele said, the Newcastle District had always struck low rates, aud valued their property low, too. Ho thought peoplo, to ba entitled to help, should show a disposition to help themselves. Cr. Buttle said, Pukekura had always taxed themselves heavily, aud, in consequence, were in a comparatively independent position. Cr. Aubin thought it was scarcely fair to compare a wealthy district like Pukekura with the Newcastle Riding. Cr. Corboy said, large tracts of land, iu his district, paid no rates. Cr. Buttle said it appeared to him that what tho Council had to consider was the amount of funds at disposal, and not the cost of works in any particular district He would propose that the sum of £100 be granted for the purpose of assisting in forming the approaches to the Narrows Bridge, aud also a like sum of £100 towards the erection of a bridge over the Waipa at Te Rore.— Seconded by Cr. I Reynolds. ! Cr. Cunningham moved an amendment, " That the sum granted to the Te Rore and Narrows Bridges be £50 each, instead of £100 as proposed." On being put to the vote, Cr. Cunningham's amendment was carried. Cr. Hadfield proposed, and Cr. Aubin seconded, " That money be allotted to the varions Highway Boards as under :— £so to Tuhikaramea, to be expended on route leading from Ngabinapouri Plat to Rnkuhia Railway Station; £100 to Rangiaohia for road to Ohaupo from Havelock's Leap; £50 to Mangapiko Board for bridga; £50 to Pukekura for gravelling main road ; £50 to Hamilton Board for bridge on Whatawhata Road ; £50 to Hamilton Board for road to Rukuhia: £75 to Newcastle for road to Hamilton Station,— these sums to be charged to tho several districts." ORDINARY MEETING. At the olose of tho special meeting, the ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held. All Crs. being present, the correspondence having been read, Cr. Buttle, in accordance with notice given at last meeting, proposed that, in future, the ordinary meeting of the Council be held on the second Wednesday in each mouth, at 2 p.m., instead of Tuesday. Cr. Cunningham moved, in amendment, that the meeting be held on the second Tuesday, at 9 a.m. Some little discussion took place, the general feeling being in favor of the amendment. Cr. Carboy said, he oould not get there in time for 9 o'clock meeting. The amendment having been put, the original motion was carried, on vote of the Chairman. Cr. Cunningham afterwards gave s notice, that he would, at next meeting, ] again propose an alteration in the day. ERECTION 01? QFFIOE. Mr Edwardes, having promised half- < an-acre of land for an office site , Cr. Reynolds gave notice that, at next meeting, a committee be appoiuted for * weaftug ii Council Qhamhw, <

PUIJLIC RISERVEB. «. A Aubin S ave »otico of motion, " That the Council take measures to take over all reserves and lands for public recreation, within the jurisdiction of the County." POUND AND FERRY. It was decided thai the Council decline taking over the Whatawhata Ferry, also, the Pounds. J This being all the business, the meeting adjourned till the second Wednesday in h ebruary, at 2 o'clock p.m