WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1190, 12 February 1880, Page 2

WAI PA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING. A. special meeting of the Council was held at the Council Chambers, Obaupo, on ' uesday morning, for the purpose of confirming or otherwise dealing- with the action of the Pukekura Road Board, in closing certain roadn in that district. There were present — Messrs H. Buttle (chairman), Reynolds, Wainright, Hadfield, Corboy, Cunningham, Steels, and G^rraann. The minutes of the last ordinary meeting of the Council were read and confirmed. On the motion of Mr Rpynolds, it was resolved, " That the action of the Pukekura Board be confirmed."

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Council was held immediately after the above, at which the same members were present. The minutes of the special meeting -were read and cosfirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved. The Chairman reported that answers had been received from the different valuers, stating that they were willing to supply the lists at the price named. A letter was read from the Undersecretary, forwarding copies of the Bill [ dealing with the question of hospitals : and charitable institutions, and desiring the < ouncil to remit to the (Government any suggestions affecting the same which they may deem expedient. It was thought that the subject could not be well discussed at that meeting, and it was accordingly agreed to distribute the copies among the members for perusal, in order that the matter might receive attention at the next meeting A letter was read from the Undersecretary for Public Works, intimating that the bridge at Alexandra had been placed under the control of the Council. < r. Steel 3 thought they should ask the Government to allow some of the Constabulary to work at repairing the bridge. Cr. Germann having explained that the O-overnment had promised a sum of money to repair the bridge the matter dropped. Ihe Colonial 'ccretary wrote, asking the opinion of the Council regarding the advisability or otherwise of proclaiming a close season for hare--. A petition had been forwarded to the Government praying to have a close season declared. Cr. Steele stated that it appeared to be the object of the petitioners in this case to prevent the destruction of pheasants by persons who were ostensibly in search of hares. He was not, however, blind to the fact that the same rule would have to be followed in the case of rabbits and sparrows, for persons would still go out shooting these last-named pests, and would bring down whatever came in their way. Cr. riadfield spoke against a 010-e season, and Cr. Reynolds followed in the same direction. Cr. Germann then moved, " That this Cuuncil is of opinion that a close season for hares would be most injurious to the settlors." He spoke strongly against various " acclimatisation pets," which had become a nuisance to the settlers, and urgpd their destruction. Cr. Corboy seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, forwarded a list of certain ( allotments which have been reserved as timber reserves and for other purposes. The Under-Spcretary for Public Works wrote, informing the Council that the Hamilton bridare, and that at the Narrows had been placed under the control of the Waikato • ounty < 'ouncU. The Clerk to the Mangapiko Road Board wrote, forwarding detailed accoiur of the amount Bpent on the Mangapiko bridge, and returning half of the balauco unexpended. The Clerk reported that the valuation rolls for the various road districts had not, with two exceptions, come to h.tnd ; and it was ordered that steps be at once taken to procure them. A letter was read from the Clerk of the Tuhikarampa Highway Board, asking the Council to convene a special meeting for the purpose of taking steps for the erection of a bridge at Heather's creek, the boundary between the Tuhikaramea and the Alangapiko road districts. The Chairman stated that no special meeting had been called, because he thought the matter could be dealt with at the ordinary meeting. Cr. Hadfield explained the circumstances which gave rise to the application. He said that before the separation of Tuhikaramea from tne Mangapiko district the Mangapiko Board had declined to forward the 1 petition praying for a diviMon. The petition was, however, forwarded in due cour.se, and referred to the Mangapiko Board by the Government The Board objected to the boundaries as laid down in the petition, and fixed the southern bank of Heather's creek as the boundary, at the same time depriving the new district of a large slioo of land. This j alteration was adopted and gazetted by the Government without allowing the ; Tuhikaramea ratepayers the right of appeal, i^ince then the Mangapiko Board 1 had resolutely refused to spend a penny lon the bridge at Heather's creek, asserting that it was not in their district. He thought it was a case which came under the provision of the 85th clause of the Public Works Act He moved, " That this Council erect a bridge over Heather's creek, charging the cost equally to both Boards." Iho bridge was in a very bad state, and if something were not done an accident would bo the probabie result. Some considerable discussion then ensued between Cr&. Germann and Hadfield as to whether or not the Mangapiko Board was legally liable for a portion of the bridge until a chanare in the boundaries had been gazetted. Ultimately, the following amendment, moved by Cr. Cunningham, and seconded by • r. "• tcele, was carried:—" That a copy of the letter be sent to the Mangapiko Koad Board, | for their remarks thereon ; and that fur- ' ther consideration of the question be postponed till next ordinary meeting." The Chairman reported that the H timilton punt had been handed over to die Council. He also said that applications for a punt had been received from Ngaruawahia and Pukete. They had, however, only one punt to dispose of. The matter having been discussed, it was resolved, " That the Hamilton punt should bo sont to Wbatawhata, aud that the disposal of the punt now at the latter place should be loft ia the hands of the

committee on roads and bridges, together with the management of all other punts and femes." Accounts amounting 1 to £41 were passed for payment, and the Council ro«e.

A meeting of the committee of roads and bridges was held after the above, at which the following resolutions were passed: — "That the Clerk be requested to instruct the Waikato Steam Navigation Company to convey the punt at Hamilton to the ferry at Whatavhata, together with all appurtenances." " That the Chairman request Or. Corboy to receive, take charge of, and fix the punt on arrival." " That the Ulerk be instructed to write to the Hamilton and Kirikiriroa Road Boards asking, in the event of the Council handing over the punt at present at Whatawhata for use at Pukete, what proportion of the cost of working those bodies will be prepared to contribute." This was all the business.