WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1211, 3 April 1880, Page 2

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting: of the Waikuto County Council was held yesterday morning. Present: Crs. Steele (chairman), Henry, Primrose, and Cumming, The minutes of the proceeding meeting having been read and confirmed, the following correspondence was read, namely : — A letter from the Council instructing Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond to defend the Council against an action brought against them by the Hamilton Borough Council, for the recovery of a sum of £110, claimed by the latter. Also a letter to the Colonial Secretary, agreeing to allow the Inspector of sheep and cattle to have the use of the County Council offices for business purposes. A letter was received from Cr. Henry, stating that the papers for the Waierangi contraot had been duly signed. A letter was received from the Waipa County Council, stating that the Pukete people were anxious to have the Haini ton punt fixed at Pukete, for the use of the | school children, and further asking the i opinion of the Council as to the desirability of placing a ferry there, and if deemed advisable, whether the Waikato County would be willing to co-operate ! with the Waipa County in the establishment of the ferry, the Pukete settlers being willing to work it free of charge, when established. A letter was also received from Mr Wakefield, secretary to the proposed Colonial Exposition at Wellington asking* for information as to the local industries and manufactories of the district. Cr. Henry drew attention to the state of a bridge at Rangiriri, a structure alongside which was in danger of falling, j and if allowed to do so would bring part of the bridge with it. It was decided to take down the shaky structure, and put a hand-rail in its place. A letter was read from Mr Birss, stating that the planking of the Rangiriri bridge had been attended to, but that the large bridge was getting into a very shaky condition, the piles giving way, and the bridge in such a state that it might full at any time ; also, that the bridge was jpast repair, and that a new oae was required in its place. Cr. Henry thought the state of the big bridge was made the worst of ; but that in the case of the other the rotten structure should be removed and a handrail be put up, The cost would not be more than about £5. On the motion of Cr. Cumming, seconded by Cr. Primrose, it was agreed that a sum not exceeding £5 be expended on this work, and that the superintendence of the execution of it be left with Cr. Henry. The Clerk stated that the subsidy for the last six months had been received. It should have been £695 18s 6d, but the Government had deducted 71y per cent, for hospital and charitable purposes, leaving only £200 18s 5d to come to the Council, being a tax of 11s 6d a head on the electors of the district. The Council expressed an opinion that the propostion was preposterous, and that a very strong 1 remon.stranea should be made to the action of the Government in the matter. The Chairman thought the Clerk should write to the Government, asking on what basis the calculation was made. With respect to the establishment of a ferry at Pukete, the Chairman thought the Clerk should write to the Waipa County Council, asking information as to the probable cost of erecting the prooaed ferry. Cr. Primrose said the settlers of the Kirikiriroa side did not care for the establishment of a ferry, as there was going to be a school established amongst them shortly. The impression was that the object of getting a ferry was rather to enable the settlers on the west side to get their cattle across to run in Kirikiriroa. Thj Clerk was instructed to reply to the letter of Mr Wakefield, above referred to. The Clerk stated that the closing of Runciman's road had been agreed to by a public meeting, and it now lay for the Council to finally decide whether the road be stopped or not. Cr. Cumming said that the road only affected Mr Runciman's property, and moved that "The action of the Highway Trustees re Runciman's road be approved of." Cr. Primrose seconded, and the motion was agreed to. The Chairman stated that Cr. Cumming and himself had waited on the Cambridge people with reserence to the railway, but that the matter fell through. It was, however, since understood that a deputation of Cambridge and Tamahere fentlemen with the County Council eputation, should wait on the Minister of Public Works on his arrival, and place the two lines before him. Cr. Primrose thought the Council should act independently of the Cambridge people, and appoint a deputation of its own. The Chairman suggested that the Council form itself into a deputation and invite others interested to join them. It was finally resolved that the Chairman and such of the Councillors as chose to join him should form a deputation, and invite such other gentleman as were interested to join them in their interview with the Minister of Works. An application from Mr Birss for drain-pipes to put in a culvert across the road at Rangariri, so as to carry the water from his land, was agreed to, the pipes to be delivered at Ohinewai, and all further expenses defrayed by Mr Birss. Sundry accounts were passed and ordered to be paid, and the meeting separated.