WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1240, 10 June 1880, Page 2

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Council was held in the Counoil Chambers, Ohaupo, on Tuesday. Present — Mr H. Buttlo (chairman), Crs Hadfield, Aubin, Germann, Cunningham, Reynolds, Wainwright, Corboy, and Steele. The minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. A telegram was read from Mr Stewart, District Engineer, in answer to a communication from the Council, stating that the site of the Te Rore Bridge had been fixed near the present ferry. tt waa resolved to telegraph to Mr Stewart, regarding the state of the Alexandra Bridge, to urge on the work of repairing it at once. The Secretary to the Treasury wrote, intimating that the sum of £359, being 20 per cent, of the amount accruing from the sale of land in the County for the March quarter, had been placed to the Council's credit at the Bank of New Zealand. The Under-Secretary for Public Works wrote, stating that the Minister for Public Works had no objection to the Council selling the Hamilton punt, and applying the proceeds to the purchase of another. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Aubin, seconded by Cr Wainwright — That the punt be sold by public auction, the Chairman to put it in the hands of an auctioneer. A circular was received from the Chief Postmaster, covering a list of mail services, and asking for suggestions from the Conncil before publishing the same. It was, after discussion, decided to make the following suggestions: — 1. That the present mail route between Ngaruawahia, through Whataw* ata to Raglan, be changed to from Hamilton through Whatawhata. &c. 2. That a post-office be opened at Ngaroto Station 3. That when the railway opens there be a daily mail between Te Awamutu and Alexandra, and one between Ngaroto and Paterangi. 4. ThatPukeritnu be supplied from Ohaupo daily. In accordance with notice Cr. Germann moved that a petition as follows be forwarded to both Houses of Parliament, and also to the Member for the district : — The petition of the "Waipa County Council humbly sheweth :— That whereas by "The Rating Act, 1876," power is gi\en to assess land and strike a rate to both the Highway Boards and County councils: And whereas, by " The Property Tax Assessment Act, 1879," power is given to the Gener.il Government to assess both real and person.il property : And whereas, ii-i compliance with the several Acts mentioned it is necessary, in striking a rate that each body ha\ c an assessor, and secondly, also a collector, the General Government likewise assessors and Commissioners : And whereas, further, in compliance with the Acts, each body is required to expend a considerable amount of money in advertising that \aluation rolls arc on view ; that it is the intention to strike a rate ; that a Court of appeal will be held, &c. And whereas, the striking of the rate and assessment may put the public to the inconvenience of attendiug three Courts of appeal : And whereas, the progres of the County is not so rapid as to require an annual assessment. "We, your petitioners, humbly pray that the various Acts may be so amended thtit there shall be one valuation of all real and personal property every third year, to be made either by the local body or the General Govrnmcnt, and the money collected by the local body paid over as required : We, your petitioners, further pray that power be given to Highway Boards for taxing lands the property of absentees, or such lands as arc held tor speculative purposes,in addition to the present provisions. And as in duty bound your petitioners will c\er pray. The motion was seconded by Cr. Steele, and after some little discussion carried. It was resolved to call for tenders for working the Te Rore Ferrry, Crs. Germann and Aubin to have power to open and accept same, and that Mrs Chester be relieved of the duty of attending the ferry. Some discussion arose on the question of distribution of the money accruing to the Council from the sale of lands in the County. Cr. Wainwright moved— That the amount accruing from land .sales be handed over to the Road Hoard or Town Board in the district in which the land sold is situated. He argued that as the local bodies had been at the expense of making roads through and adjoing the waste lands of the Crown, it was only fair that they should receive the per centage of the money receive from the sale oi the lands. Cr. Cunningham seconded the motion, and agreed to the movers remarks. Crs. Germann, Aubin and Hadfield, spoke in favor of regarding the money as County funds, and the former moved an amendment to that effect. On being put to the Council the amendment was carried. Cr Germann then proposed — That the sum of £450 out of the £000, proceeds of land sales, in hand, be de\oted among the various Highway Hoards, in proportion to the rates collected during last year. It was seconded by Cr. Hadfield, and carried. The following accounts were passed for payment:— H. Reynolds, £3; Waikato Times, £9 4s 6d; E. Porter, £20 19.s 2d ; Mrs Chester, £13 10s; W.S.N. Company, 2s 6d ; Clerk's salary for half year, £15 ; petty cash, £2. The Council then adjourned, but the following members reassembled shortly afterwards :—: — The Chairman, Crs Germann, Corboy, Hadfield, Aubin, Steele and Reynolds. The Chairman explained that he had called them back to consider a very peculiar matter. It appeared that about a week ago a certain gentleman, an engineer, had entered the Council Chambers by the window, and it was for the Council to say what steps should be taken in the matter. Cr Steele said the gentleman referred to had asked him for permission to go into the Chamber to see the County map and he had told him where to find the key. It appeared however that the Chairman had the key and could not be found and so he went in at the window. Cr Hadfield said the same gentleman had obtained permission from him to get the key. After further dicussing the matter, the Chairman drafted the following resolution which was moved by Cr Steele and seconded by Cr Germann :—: — That this Counc il having ascertained the fact that Mr T. G. Sandcs did last week enter this Council building in an unfair manner, the Chairman be authorised to place the matter in the hands of the police officer in charge of thu district. On beingput there voted for the motion : Crs Steele, Germann, Reynolds, and the Chairman ; against, Crs Corboy, Hadfield, and Aubin. The Council then rose.

The favourite flower for -weiUUug bon-uets.-rMarrygold.