WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1480, 29 December 1881, Page 2

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the council was held yesterday, there being present : — dipt. Steelo (chairmaD), Messrs Wells, Primrose, Ralph, and Captain Runoiman. — A petition was read from ten settlers in the Rangiriri outlying district praying that that portion of it lying between the Mangawharo creek and Rangiriri be constituted a highway district — It was the unanimous opinion of the councillors that no good object would be attained by canying the proposal into effect, and on the motion of Mr Wells it was decided to decline the petition with the understanding that if a petition for the formation of a highway district which would include the whole of the Rangiriri district should be presented it would receive the favorable consideration of the council. — The clerk reported that Mr Walsh the contractor for forming the road between Toles hill and Matahura had not touched the work since last meeting— Mr Primrose and the chairman &aid Walsh had finally decided not to finish the work — It was ultimately resalvcd that the clerk see Mr Walih -with a view to getting a receipt in full — The Railway manager wrote stating that allowing for the cost only of material and labour, the sum of £55 voted by the council for the cattle pen at Huntley had been absorbed — A. letter was read from the Crown Land's Dept. Wellington, intimating that the Government had no power to give the hospital reserves to the county. As to leading it was stated that the longest term allowed was 14 years. — It was agreed to pursue the enquiry further through the Commissioner at Auckland, as requested. — The following tenders for the engineering work of the county were opened and considered : — J. Gwynneth, 5 per cent, on total expenditure ; two gnineai per day for surveying Avithin a radius of 10 miles from the Hamilton Post-office ; beyond that l'adius two guineas per day and actual travelling expenses, or Government rates, if prefened. G. F. Hosking : — Five per cent, on expenditure on contracts ; surveying, superintending works not let by contract, &c, £1 10s per day. W. C. Breakell : Five per cent on expenditure, with expenses when more than 10 miles from Hamilton ; £2 2s per day for engineering, and £1 ]Is 6d per day for surveying. T. G. Sandes : £2 2s per day for field woik, and £1 10s for office work, to include plans, specifications, stationary, &c, &c. — After some deliberation the tender of Mr Hosking was accepted. — Mr Ralph said urgent need existed for doing something to the bridge at Wairangi, and for carrying out the road deviation at Saunders farm. He thought £50 would put tbc road in good order. The road between Churchill and Rangiriri was also in bad condition. — It was decided that the comity engineer should proceed in company with Mr Ralph to inspect the works, and to survey the proposed road deviation, tenders to be in by next meeting. — The clerk was authorised to appoint dog registrars throughout the county for the ensuing year, the commission to be at the rate of 10 per cent. — The action of the Tamahere Highway Board in closing certain roads through the properties of Messrs Tinne and Ormerod, and opening others with the consent of owners was confirmed, and after some other business of minor importance had been transacted the council rose. -

Thb Japanese telegraph system, established ten years aso, has now 3929 miles of lino aud 9345 miles of wire.r Twenty words are sent sixty, miles for les? than a penny. ' Last yexr the, numb-n; of, mejsages transmitted was 1,272,75,6. There are 343 Mors-i "instrument:} iii r.S2, 26 single needie-i lobs and 29 Bell tel jphomes.