WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1686, 26 April 1883, Page 2

W A IK ATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

♦ * A meeting of the council was heftl at the chambers, Hamilton East, yesterday. Present : Capt. Steele (chairman), . Crs. Hewitt, Primrose, Johnson; Graham, and Runciman. .

Ordinary Business. • A letter was read from the Colonial 1 Secrct.u j''s office, asking for a description of the boundaries of the different ridings in the county. The clerk said they had already experienced much difficulty in this direction locally, and he did not think a layman could set the matter light. — It was agreed to refer the writer to Mr Percy bmith, Assistant SurveyorGeneral. — The clerk reported that he had leceived a letter from Mr Sheiley, Rangiini, who was appointed to act .is returning oificer at that place, to take the poll under the Roads and Bridges Act, on Saturday, 14th inst., stating that by some means or other the ballot box, &c., had been misl.vid. and consequently no poll was taken. He had advised Mr ,Sherley \vh<it to do in the circumstances, and a poll would be taken on Saturday next. — Mr J. A. Bradley wrote, on behalf of the Waikato Steam Navigation Company, asking the council to sell the machinery formerly belonging to the Ngruawahia punt, but which was now lying on the bank of the river at Hamilton East. — The matter waa left in the hands of the chairman to deal with. — A letter was read from the Public vVoi'ks Office, Wellington, intimating that bridge rcoairs could not come under the head of new works to be provided for by loan under the main road clauses of the Roads and Bridges Act. Money applied tor for such purposes would be treated as though it Were for district roads, and charged tor at the rate of 9 pur cent. — Cr. Runciman wished for an explanation respecting this matter. — The Clerk said the letter was atiictly in terms of the act. A mistake hnd been made in sending the application.— Cr. Runciman complained of the slow progieas made at the culveit near Euieka gate. He said he knew of numerous works actually stopped owing to the break in the communication at this point. He did not think it possible that the work could be done for some time, on account of the water, and in the meanwhile a temporary structure was absolutely necessary. —lt was resolved that ,the matter be left in the hands ot the ohairman, Cr. Runciman and the engineer. — Cr. Johnson drew attention to several works required in the, Rangjriii district. The Mill Cieek bridge on the Wairangi * road had been carried away, and, together with several culverts, would reqnire to be replaced at once. A temporary rough bridge was doing duty at present. He also reported that the Puonatea bridge (the old drawbridge) and another large bridge near Rangiriri were in a rotten state, and might collapse at any moment. The former of these bridges cost a very large sum of money, but the estimate for repairing the lot under the " Roads and Bridges Act," was £1(300. — The cleik wild that though the settlers in the Rangiriri district expected all sorts of works to be executed, they were not anxious to pay for them.— Cr. Johnson had informed him that the proposal to borrow under the act the money for replacing the bridges refened to would most probably be rejected. He Mould also di aw attention to the fact that the rateable value ot property m Rangiriri had been reduced to a mere nominal sum, a great portion of the rates had not been paid, and some would never be paid. At present the tiding was only about £40 in credit.— Cr. Johnson also drew attention to the Wairangi road deviation question, which was deferred.— Regarding the bridge at Mill Cicek, &c , Cr. Johnson was requested to furnish the clerk with specifications, &i«.., in order that tenders may be called for the work. A number of accounts were passed for payment. Special Business. On the motion of Cr. Primrose it was resolved to levy a special rate of 1-1(5 of a penny in the £ in the Kirikiriroa riding, -l-32nd of a penny in the £ in tho Tamahere riding, and l-128th of a penny in the £ in the Cambridge riding, to meet charges on loans under the " Roads and Bridges Construction Act,". for main roads. In accordance with notice, Cr. Runciman moved in terms of section 32, "Counties Act, Amendment 1882,"' " That a special order be made, delegating to the Tamahere, Cambridge and Cambridge Town districts power to levyrates for the maintenance of the county roads." He was of opinion that the road boards were the proper avAorities to undertake works of this kra^as they could do so more economical^. He thought it waa advisable to separate the rates far diatnet and main roads, and so prosorvo the balance more fairly than was done at present. Instead of making a general rate of Is for instance, they could make two of 6d each.— Cr. Hewitt, in seconding the motion, warmly approved Cr. Runciman's proposal. On being put to the council the motion was carried unanimously. This waa all the business, and the council rose,

The Piako County Council invite tenders for certain important road works. Mr Knox will hold his usual sale aft the Hamilton Auction Mart, on Saturday of furniture, produce, Stc, Sec. 'A notice by the Cambridge poundkeeper appears in our advertising columns. • Notifications concerning the'bortwing of money under the Roads Construction Act on the ridings of .Pukekura, Hamilton, and Newcastle appear in our advertising columns. The latest style for parlour stoves is a combination of brass, iron, and tiles. The facings, are of polished brass, while the interior 13 of hammered iron, and encaustic tiles 1 from a framework between 'the mantle and the 'grate, ,