WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2128, 27 February 1886, Page 2

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

— . —+ The UHiia.l monthly mooting of the council was held in the chambers, Hamilton Ea»t, yesterday. Present: —Mr A. Primrose (chairman), Crs. Runciman, Barugh, Johnson, J. R. S. Richardson. Seddon. Tknders.—Tenders for work* were opened as follows : No. 1, earthwork near Rangirin —R. Muir, 10^d per cubic yard: D. Murphy, Sd per yard ; P. Bolton, Is 3d per yard; H. (iibbs, £43, or Is 9d per yard ;J. Ca-sby, lOd ]>er yard. The tender of D. Murphy was accepted. No. 2cutting and earthwork near Kodd.vV, Rangiriri: R. Muir, lOd per cubic y.ird; J. S. Graham, £5 10s, or 2s per y.vrd ; P. Bolton, Is per yard. The tender of R. Muir was accepted. No. 3, building foot-bridge at Meremere, near Mr Gregory's: R. Muir, £13 17s fid. This was tho only tender and was accepted, the engineer expressing his satisfaction No. 4, fasciningf and claying bWtimp road between Rangiriri and Watraugi: R. Muir, f.u>cining, £1 3s per 100 bundles; claying, l>i Id i>er yard; and culvert, £4 15s ; J. Casby, £115s; lOd; £2 ; P. Bolton, £1 2s Gd ; Is 2d ; and £3. The lowest tender, that of P. Bolton, was accepted. No. 3, cutting at Sanders's hill, Rangiriri: R. Muir, lOd per yard; J. Casby, lOd ]»ryard ; P. Bolton, Is per yard. No. G. claying Sanders's swamp, Rangiriri : R. Muir, Is per cubic yard; P. Bolton, It. 3d per yd. The tender of R, Muir was accepted. The engineer reported thnt the works in the aggregate would cost about £S5, including engineering expenses. The Chairman said No fi, was not one of the works included in the original schedule, but as they had agreed to spend about £100 and as the other works had fallen about £15 short of this they might accept a tender for No. 6. The tender of J. Cas>by was then

accepted. Surfaceman kor Rangiribi. — Cr. Johnson drew the Council's attention to the need for a surfaceman for the outlying districts. He saw there were many portions of the roads utterly impassable in the winter. It would co>t about £24. Ha would suggest thnt the surfaceman be put under his instructions. The application was acceded to.

Doc, T.\\.-Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.R., wroto stating that he would endeavour to get the Government to afford the assistance of the police in carrying out the provisions of the Act in tho county. A second letter was read from Mr Mr J. B. Whyte intimating that the Government had refused to allow the assistance of the police.—Tho clerk said it was never intended to a^k the police to act as registrars. What was wanted was that they should .assist in carrying out the law.—The Chairman said the Government passed a law, and would do nothing to cairy it out.—Several councillor expressed their indignation at the tone of the reply from Mr B.illance. and the clerk was inhtiucted to wnte to the Minister, pointing out what the council

required. Chvui table Am, Era— Tho Clerk read a telegram sent to the Borough of Hamilton by the Secretary to the Treasury, intimating that the subsidy had been withheld pending settlement of the hospital and charitable aid conti ibution. No intimation to this effect had been received by the council.—Cr. Banish said they could not object to pay towards ho-.pitals.—Several councillors agreed with this, bntCr. Seddon said what he objected to was the basts upon which the tax was levied. They ought to pay on a population basis.—The Chairman said they must keep on fighting.—The clerk was instiucted to write again to the Government asking for tho county subsidy.

Sr.AftJiirivßiN'f, License for Tauwhare. —The Cleik read a long correspondence between the Waikato Land Association and himself regarding the issuing of a license to one of the company V employes at Tauwhare. An application for a license h.vd been made under the provisions of the Slaughter-houses Act. but the council had replied that they would only grant it under their own by-laws. To this the secretary of the Association wrote stating that they were protected by the 27th section of the Act. A long discussion ensued, the Clerk pointing out that a cane of slaughtering without a license had been dismissed by the R.M. He would sugge-st that the council intimate publicly • that they would not attempt to carry out the Act until amendment had been wade in the required direction.—The Chairman and Crs. Seddon and Primrose were appointed a committee to consider the matter nnd

report. &At£jn' Absentees' Laxd.—Correspondence was read upon the subject from which it appeared that the Public Trustee would take no steps to sell land_ for arrears of rates, unless the council would lodce £5 ou account of each case.—The Clerk said it appeared to him that the Civil servants were imposing conditions outside the act. It was decided to write to the Government on the subject, as if a guarantee had to be given, it would not be worth while to take action in the matter.

Union ov Local Bootes.—Letters were read from road boards in Raglan, promising tr> co-operate in resisting payment of tho Charitable Aid contributions. Similar letters were read from the following local bodies in other parts of the colony, all endorsing tho action taken by the Waikato County Council:—The county council* of Ashburton. Maniototo, Wairarapa East, Bruce, Waikouaiti, Whakatane, Patea, Rodney, Vincent, Cluth», Selwyn, and Mongonui.

Forest Tree-planting.—Cr. Runciman brought forward this question, pointing out how important it was that they should take stepß to conserve their forests. He had been disappointed in not receiving some information required, and would postpone Ms remarks until next meeting. Accounts.—A number of accounts were passed for payment, and the council rose.