WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1504, 23 February 1882, Page 2

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the council was held yesterday. Present:— Capt. Steele (in the chair), Crs. Wells, Ralph, Primrose and Runciman.— Mr H. Reynolds wrote complaining of the large number of dogs in the native settlement at Hokonui, which were a great nuisance. The writer wished to know whether the police could not be got to take some steps in the matter.— Cr. Runciman said the same kind of nuisance - existed in the native settlements at Tamahere, Matinga and Tauwhare, and the natives declined to pay the dog tax, contending that if they gave way the Govermnenjywould next tax their horses. An exampMJSjfcould have to be made of some of tVfcj^more prominent members of the Ifige.— At the suggestion of the chairman it was decided to write to Sergt. McGovern asking him to send a constable to the native settlements, in company with an interpreter, that so the Maoris could be made thoroughly to understand the matter, after which legal proceedings might, if necessary, be taken. — Or. Ralph was of opinion that in cases where the natives refused to pay the tax the dogs should be destroyed.—A letter was received from the Public Works Department to the effect that the Council's representations re the Cambridge Railway would be attended to.— The chairman said the Attorney-General speaking to him on this subject had said there was a great deal too much agitation going on. The Department are anxious to keep down expenditure, and could not employ a larger staff on the line, but the Government honestly meant to go on with the work. — Cr. Runciman said notwithstanding what the chairman had told them, a fearful waste of time had been going on. For weeks at a time the staff employed on the survey were doing absolutely nothing, waiting ostensibly for orders. Mr W. P. Hales,"assistant engineer, was at present engaged in the work ; seven miles of the survey were done and the rest he was now assured would be completed in about a fortnight. They would recollect that the Government had distinctly promised to invite tenders as soon as six miles of survey were completed. The vote as they were aware was liable to lapse on the 31st March, and they should take steps to keep the Government to the promise made,— Cr. Wells said the chief engineer had announced that tenders would be called for the first section early in March — The council expressed satisfaction at this information, and the subject was allowed to drop. — Mr Joseph Hastie, a settler in the Rangiriri district wrote drawing the attention of the council to the state of the approach to the Whangamarino railway station, and G'r. Ralph was requested to inspect and report upon the road by next meeting. Tenders were opened for repairing road and erecting a small bridge at Churchill, Rangiriri road, and that of Mr R. Muir, (£2l) was accepted. Several tenders were opened for forming and .me tailing road in Taupiri Gorge, ana Cr. Ralph was authorised to make a modified arraugement with the lowest tenderer, Mr Wortington, so as to bring the total cost within the amount (£l5), voted for the work. The tenders for bridge over Smith's creek, Wairangi, were considered to be too high and Cr. Ralph was authorised to modify the plans and bring them up at next meeting. — At the suggestion of Cr. Ralph it was agreed to offer Mr Saunders, Wairangi, a snm of £2 for permission to use the track through his land for a further period of twelve months. — Cr. Ralph was authorised to employ day labor iv improving the bridle track from Matahura to Toles hill.— Several small accounts were passed for payment, and a general discussion then ensued on the subject of the Premier's visit and the matters to be brought under his notice, but no plan of action was resolved upon, and the council shortly afterwards rose.