WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1117, 21 August 1879, Page 2

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular monthly meeting of the above Council was held in the new Council Chambers, on Tuesday, the 12th instant. Present : Councillors Henry Buttle, William Sloane, Samuel Steele, P. Corboy , Henry Hadfield, James Cunningham, arid F. C. Germann, in the chair. The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed, the correspondence, written and received since the Bth of July, was read.

A communication was received from the Treasury, in reply to a letter written by the clerk inquiring about License Fees, informing the Council that sums amounting to £290 had been paid to the County Fund Account. SUBSIDY. A copy of the return sent to the Treasury by the Chairman of the Council, dated May 15th, 1878, showing amount of rates collected by the several Highway Boards for year ending March 31st, 1878, was received, and, as the amount there given did not correspond with those on which the distribution of subsidy had been arranged, it was deemed necessary that a re-adjustment should be made On the motion of Councillor Buttle, seconded by Councillor Hadfield, it was resolved — "That the matter of apportioning subsidy, be left to the Finance Committee." SPREAD OF SCAB. The Chairman thought some action ought to be taken by this Council to induce Government to cause more stringent measures co be adopted to prevent the spread of scab, by the introduction of infected sheep into this province. He called the attenjon of the Counoil to the proposed erection of one public dip near Newmarket, which would necessitate the driving of sheep, landed either on the East or West Coasts, several miles before the operation could be performed, by which arrangflment there would be great danger (in the event of unclean sheep being landed) of the disease being communicated to the flocks before they reached the dipping station. He would, move that — " This Council being anxious to prevent the spread of scab, is of opinion that the settlers would be better served, if, instead of the contemplated erection of one public dip near Newmarket, the Government would erect one at Onehunga, on the West Coast, and another at Kohimarana, on the East Coast , and that a memorial, embodying the facts furnished in the accompanying memo., be prepared by the clerk, signed by the Chairman, and* forwarded to the Government." Councillor Buttle thought if it was necessary to dip sheep at all, they ought, in common senso, to undergo the operation as soon after landing as possible. He would second the resolution, which was agreed to. FEEBIES. Councillor Corboy, in accordance with notice given at last meeting, moved — " That half the expense of working the Whatawhata Ferry be borne .by this Council, and no deduction made from the Newcastle District Board's share of subsidy on account thereof, till such time as a bridge be erected at Whatawhata." After some little discussion, it being the opinion of the Council that it would be unjust to make any concession to the Newcastle Riding, unless the Te Rore Ferry were placed on the s*me footing. Councillor Corboy amended his motion so as to include the two ferries, which was seconded by Councillor Sloane, and carried.

Councillor Steele then proposed, seconded by Councillor Hadfield — "That the Whatawhata Ferry be let for a term of one year, the ferryman to keep ferry and approaches in good order, and be responsible for any accident by any defect." Councillor Corboy said that the approaches were now in a very bad state, and unless something was done at once, some accident might occur, and the Council would be liable for damage. Councillor Buttle thought, under the circumstances, it would be better for the Council to vote a sum for the repair of approaches, and then advertise for tenders for ferryman. Ultimately the matter was referred to the Committee on Roads and Bridges, who recommended that Councillor Corboy should be authorised to spend £10 on the ferry and approaches, which was agreed to, and the clerk was instructed to call for tenders, by next meeting of the Council, from persons willing to work it, ALTBBATION IN ACT, ' Councillor Germann gave notice that ho would at next meeting of the Council, bring forward a motion to prepare a memorial, praying that certain alterations be made in the Counties Act at next session of the General Assembly. The Council then adjourned for half an ' hour. On re-assembling (Councillor Germann being unavoidably absent) Councillor Steele was voted to the chair. hospital. / Several Councillors desired to know what action was being taken with regard, to the Hospital question. On the motion of Councillor Buttle, the olerk was instructed to communicate with the committee on the subject. CLOSING- BOADS. The Pukekura District Board having decided to close certain roads in that Rid--1 ing,.it was proposed by Councillor Steele, and seconded by Councillor Hadfield — " That a special meeting of this Council be held at 9 45 a.m., on the second Tuesday in September, for the purpose of cqn-» sidering said changes in roads, PATEBANGI RAILWAY STATION. In reply to a memorial, which had been I signed by a great number of settlers, and forwarded to Mr McMinn for presentation to the House of Representatives, praying that a railway station might be erefited, as originally planned, on the Paterangi road, instead of on Messrs Taylor Bros, land, as *ince proposed, A letter was received from Mr McMinn acknowledging receipt of petition, and stating that he had already been urging Mr Macandrew on the subject, and that the IJngineer^inChief was having trials made to determine the position of station, and believed that & lite ntfght be ft*? d Qn *t a cUstun.ce not

exceeding twenty chains from the main road ; but he was of opinion that to put the station on tha present road would bs altogether too expensive, as it would necessitate an outlay of over £2000 for earthwork alone.

A few small accounts were passed and ordered to be paid, which concluded the business.