WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1466, 24 November 1881, Page 3

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held in the Chambers, Hamilton East, yesterday, for the purpose of electing a chairman, and to dispose of other important business. There were present : Capts. Steele and Runciman, Messrs T. Wells, S. S. Graham, Primrose, and R. Ralph. Mr Wells in moving that Capt. Rteele be re-elected chairman for the ensuing three years, dwelt at some length upon that gentleman's qualifications for the office, and spoke in eulogistic terms of the manner in which he had discharged his duty. The motion was seconded by Mr Primrose, and on being put to the council by the clerk, was carried unanimously. Capt. Sfceele upon taking the chair, thanked the proposer of the motion for the kind manner in which he had referred to him, (Capt. Steele) and assured the council that he would endeavour in the future as he had hitherto done, to fulfil the duties devolving upon him, _ faithfully and earnestly. He took occasion to remind them that no chairman or councillor of the Waikato Council had ever drawn upon the funds of the county. Tho clerk then read the election returns for the two ridings, and the outlying district of Ranginri. After the usual preliminary business had been disposed of, a communication was received m reference to the punt at Huntley, and it was resolved to inform the Government that if they will establish the punt the council would agree to manage it free of charge to the Government. The Under-Secietary for Public Works wrote, intimating that an engineer had been instructed to make a working survey of the Cambridge branch line forthwith, and it was resolved to write to Mr A. J, Hunter, Resident Engineer, asking him it he was the officer so appointed. Mr Wells drew attention to the dog nuisance in Cambridge. He complained that no steps had been taken to collect the tax, and thought it an injustice that he should be compelled to pay while others were allowed to get off.— The Olerk explained that the Deputy Registrar at Cambridge had informed him that owing to the lateness of the season it wad not advisable to attempt to collect the tax.— Mr Ralph thought that an excellent opportunity now presented itself for getting rid of a number of useless curs, as the owners would not care to pay now and again at the beginning of next year. —On the motion of Mr Wells, it was agreed to instruct the Deputy Registrar at Cambridge to proceed at once with the work of collecting the tax. — Messrs Primrose and Ralph thought the same thing ought to be done in regard to the other parts of fche district, and the latter complained very much of the mischief done by Maoris' doga. — The ,clerk said the police had taken the matter m hand, and the subject then dropped. Mr Wells speaking 1 with reference to the hospital reserves in the county, suggested that the Government should be communicated with, with a view to getting those of tho reserves situated in Cambridge leased for a term of 21 years or longer, for building — The suggestion was adopted. Mr Wm. C. Breakell C.E. atteuded and reported that in company with Mr Ralph he had visited the Wairangi district, with the object of ascertaining the best route for a road. He found that the cost of making a road upon the surveyed line would be about £190, while by making a deviation and following the present track, the cost including survey, compensation for land taken &c, would only amount to £) 30. He therefore strongly reoomraended the latter course— Mr Ralph corroborated what had been stated b) the engineer — Some discussion followed, in the course of which Mr Wells expressed a wish that the district in question would form itself into a highway district. He thought they would not be justified in spending the sum required upon this one work to the exclusion of many others in the aaiae district. He moved that the question be defered for the present, Mr Ralph to have power in the meantime to repair the small bridge over the creek to give the settlers access to their land— This was peconded by Captain Runciman and carried. j At the suggestion of Mr Wells, Mr Ralph said he would take steps to call a public metting of the Rdttgiriri district and endeavour to get the Highways Act brought in force within it. Mr Breakell, C.E. handed in a written report, stating that Mr Walsh, the contractor for the road at Toles hill had broken his contract, and recommending that the council should finish the work. — After considerable discussion it was resolved to write to Mr Walsh, giving him one mouth to' finish the contract, otherwise it would be taken from him, and the balance due upon the completion of the road, together with the deposit of £15, in all, some £25, be devoted to completing the job under the supervision of the council The action of the Kirikiriroa Highway Board in exchanging roads at Kiddle's hill was approved and confirmed. Tho following accounts weie passed for payment : — William C. Breakell, for engineering services, £12 6s Gd ; J. Cochrane, £1 ; Scott, £1 ss ; election ex- j penaes, £3 16a 9d, Waikato Times, £7 18s j 3d. Capt. McPhersQO was re-appointed clerk to the couucil, and it was resolved to hold the meetings of council on the fourth Wednesday in ea6h month, at 11" am. The council then rose.

Ujpwabds of 200 tons of preserved ' rabbits, packed in tins and cases at' the Colao meat-preserving' works, are- now ' ready for shipment to the United King*