WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1051, 20 March 1879, Page 2

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The roguiar monthly meeting of the above Council was held at Mr Dolauey's Hotel, Ohaupo, ou Wednesday, tho 12th

inst., at 2 o'clook p,m. Present: Ore. Germann (Chairman), Eeynolds, Buttle, Steele, Cunningham, Hadfield, Corboy and Sloane. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, tho correspondence received since tho 19.th of February, was read. The following accounts were passed, and ordered, to be paid : — Waikato Times, £12 8s 3d; E. Wayte, 4s 7d; J. Wells, £11 8s 2; Newcastle District Board, for Hamilton- Whatawhata Eoad, £75. ALEXANDRA ROAD BRIDGE. The bridge m course of construction, on the Alexandra road, where the railway crosses near Ohaupo, was, according to the plan, to be a grade of lin 12. Several settlers m the district, having called the Chairman's attention to it, thinking, m wet weather, it would be difficult for horses to keep their feet on a wooden incline like that, the Chairman had instructed the Clerk to communicate with the District Engineer on the subject. A reply from Mr Stewart was now received, informing the Council he had given instructions to alter the bridge to a level . one* HOSPITAL. The Chairman laid a report before the Council, of a meeting of delegates, to discuss the question of establishing a Hospital m the Waikato, the substance of which has already appeared m the columns of the Waikato Times. In connection with this matter, the Chairman read a letter from H. W. Northcroft, Esq , R.M., which caused some discussion, but, on the motion of Cr. Buttle, it was adjourned till such time as the Clerk should abtain a copy of the Chairman's letter to Mr Northcroft. eoad to ohaupo station. In accordance with notioe given at last meeting, Cr. 3uttle moved, " That, unless the Rangioahia Highway District Board are prepared to metal that portion of road m their district, leading from Ohaupo Railway Station to the boundary of the Pukekura Riding, this Council take the matter m hand, and perform the work." Cr. Reynolds seconded the motion. Cr. Steele thought it was scarcely fair to expect districts m which railway stations were situated, to bear all the cost of the roads leading to them. He instanced Bamilton, stating that the Highway Board of that district were at a very heavy expense to keep m repair the road leading to the station, while a great portion of the traffic was from Cambridge and other districts. He thought special grants should be made for these roads. The Government had voted considerable sums of money for the construction of roads to railway stations at Pukekohe, Papakura, and other places down the oountry, and as a railway was no use without roads to get to it, he thought Government should assist m forming them. Cr. Hadfield decidedly objected to any pressure being put on the Rangioaha District Board, m the matter. H e thought the Council should not attempt to ride rough- shod over the Road Boards, which had done good work hitherto, at a less cost than the Council would be able to do it at- If the Council undertook works of this description, it would necessitate the employment of an Engineer, which he had found, from experience, was an expensive operation. Cr. Corboy said, he should object to the Council making a special grant for tho purpose. It would be taking money from some of the poorer districts, to make roads for one of the richest, and they had, at a previous meeting, declined making a speoial grant to Newcastle district. Cr. Buttle explained, that he had no wish to act unfairly to the Rangioahia district, but, last winter, the road was impassable. He had simply brought forward the motion, to test the question, and ascertain who ought to make the road. If it could be shown that the Pukekura Riding ought to do it, they were quite prepared tc do it. The motion was then put, with the following result : — For the motion : Crs. Buttle and Reynolds. Against it: Crs. Steele, Cunningham, Hadfield, Corby and Germann. POUNDS. A letter was received from the Colonial Secretary's Office, m reference to establishing a pound at Kihikihi. On the motion of Cr. Hadfield, seconded by Cr. Steele, the Clerk was instructed to reply, " That this Council has decided not to take over any pounds. ferries, A communication having heen received from the Colonial Secretary, requesting this Council to take over the Watawhata Ferry, Cr. Steele proposed, "That the Government be requested to place the Te Rore Ferry under the control of the Waipa County, and that tenders be called for one year, from persons willing to maintain the Whatawhata Ferry. Tenderers to maintain the ferry and approaches m good order, for the saiety of the passengers, aud to charge according to scale hitherto m force." Cr. Hadfield seconded the motion, pro forma. In amendment, Cr. Reynolds moved, " That the control of all ferries within the boundaries of the County, be taken over from the Government by this Council, and the management of such ferries he placed m the hands of the District Boards m which they are situated." The amendment was oarried, and on the motion of Cr Hadfield, seconded by Cr. Cunningham, Cr. Corboy was requested to engage a man for the Whatawhata Ferry, and to do all necessary to keep said ferry going, till the next meeting of the Newcastle District Board, ou the 28th instant. THAMES BAILWAY. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge receipt of letter from the Town Clerk of Hamilton, and to inform him that this Counoil respectfully declines taking any part m the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Thames and Waikato Railway. COUNCIL BUILDINGS. The Building Committee submitted a plan and estimates, which they had obtained, for the ereotion of a Counoil Chamber, whioh was approved, subjeot to one or two trifling alterations, and the committee were empowered to call for tenders at once. Thia being all the business, the Council adjourned till the second Wednesday m April. ___________^_ m _