WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2149, 17 April 1886, Page 4

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular monthly inctinf of the Waip? County C mncil was held at the Council Chambers Oh.iupo, on Tuesday last 13th. - Present : Cr. Germ xn (chairman), Corboy. (iricp, Fisl.iv, Smith, Riddler, Moncrieff and Toasdale. Exginbku's Report. ■The . usual monthly report was read as follows : — To the Chairman Waipa County Council. Sik,— Since last meeting ot the cnunci 1 the contract for forjiiing- and gravelling the main roai from Fleming's gutly has been finished ; the contractor however has this portion of tho road to maintain for the next twelve months. Tho work of grading, forming and gravelling the main road near Te JLwamutu on the Te A.wamutu-Ohaupo road will be completed this week. This contract would have been finished, but opera tionshad to bs suspended owing to^the late rain. I recommend that an advance of £38 19i 2d, be made on this contract. The contractor for grading at Rotorangi is push ing on his work energetically, I recommned that the sum of £30 12s Gd be advanced on thu Work. Tho Whatawhata swamp drain has nearly been completed, the contractors expecting to finish uf i this week. The sum of £2u is recommended to be paid to them I would remind the council that the lovrei end of the creek down through the bush requires to bo opened up. It was agreed that this should ba done on tho completion of 'this portion of the work The gravelling' of the Kihikihi-Te Awamutu road is being carried on in a fait manner. The contractors having put on about 400 cubic yards of gravel. I recommend the sum of £76 be advanced on this work. A gravol-pit has been discovered on the property of Mr Comberston, situated about midway , between Kihikihi and Te Awamutu, close to the main road. It lies at the bottom of a gully, evidently an old river' t»d, "butr I am afraid there will be some difficulty in draining it. I examined a sample takan from near the surface ; it is fhe 'coarsest I have seen in the district, but found it was mixed with a considerable proportion of clay. A couple of shafts are being [sunk, and doubtless the quality will improve, as a "greater depth is attained. A good gravel-pit in this district would be valuable, and steps ought to be taken towards arranging for a supply, supposing it to turn out good, and it is found practicable to drain the pit. The contractor for forming in the Tuhikaramea district is getting well through with his job. He is some what behind contract time. This is owing in a.inoaaure to his being longer in finjjhin/j his grading contract at the Paterangi Cheese Factory.* The sum of £20 is recommended to be advanced on this work, The tender (Cornes's) accepted at last meeting for gravelling near Matthews', on the Alexandra-T6 Awamutu road, I have declined* as the sample of the gravel furnished itt compliance with the terms of the specifications I found to be quite unsuitable. I have therefore written to the next ■t tenderer to furnish a sample of the gravel he proposes to supply, but this I have not yet obtained. The contractor for the bridge over the Mangapiko at Alexandra had not got any of the timber on the ground when I \isited the site on the 3rd inst. I have written to him on the matter, urging upon him; to use all possible means in getting the work" started, at the same time intimating that he would be held responsible for any repairs the bridge may require in the meantime. The contractors for forming and gravelling from Ohotu Creek to Bycroft's, on the, Whatawhata-Newcastle road, and also for forming and gravelling near the Ngaruawahia racecourse reserve, have taken up their contracts, and are, I understand, pushing on with their work, but owing to the rain at tho end of last week I was prevented from making my usual inspection of this part of the district, and therefore cannot speak definitely of the condition of these two contracts. Considerable damage has been done to the Hataiilton-Whatawhata swamp road by fireij' Twjce during the month, men had to be employed to extinguish these. From six to eight chains has been burnt along the side of the^road, in some places reaching a few feet into the road bed. It will be necessary to have this made up with fresh soih The probable cost of which will be from £5 to £6. The portion of this road clayed a short time ago is considerably cut up by wheel traffic. The services of a man for 1 a few days is required to rake in the ruts, ' authority for which is asked. The bridge^ overt the bed of the Mangaohoi creek at the foot of Gilford's hill is completely clone", one end of which I have had to prop up temporarily. As the new cut renders this bridge useless, I would recommend that it be removed and the gap filled in. The approach at the Kihikihi end of the bridge should also be widened out, at present it is only about nine feet wide, and almodt perpendicular at the sides. A set of large pipes will also require to be laid under the new embankment as a considerable quantity of water finds its way into the old channel from the adjoining swamp. Part of the stuff would be cut from the road just immediately above the bridge where there ib a very bad pinch, if this did not prove sufficient; the balance could be taken from tho top of the hill. I estimate tho cost of this work at £25. On the Te Awamutu-Ohaupo road there are several very bad places, especially near Mr Hunter's, jiui., .again, at Mr Quin's, and also near Mr Thoihson's. The two former hilli are very badly water-worn, nuggety and out of shape, 'and near the latter the road is flat, and during wet weather it is impossible for a pedestrian to get along dry-ihod. This work ought to be done before the winter sets ip. The services of a man for a fewdays'on each would go a long way to make them passable during the winter months. A wooden culvert near Pukete school is completely rotten and must be replaced. Itisclojcto the surface, and timber will have to be used, the cost of which, including cleaning out the side ditch, would be £4. •• Referring to Mrs Corboy's complaint re the flooding of her property by storm water. I have inspected the part complained about, in company with Mr Councillor Monciieff and Mr Fairell, Chairman of the Town Board. The trouble is caused principally, though not altogether, in raising the county road too high at its junction with Havelock-street. This portion of the county road requires to be lowered from a foot to eighteen inches, from three to four chains in length, and proper water-tables formed past the Kihikihi "Hotel, the footpath as far as formed to be protected with timber kerbing. That portion of Havelock-street opposite Mrs Corboy's property requires to be reformed; a timber kerbing ;iaid the full length of the property and the footpath made up. The cost of the work to be executed by the Council, viz., the lowering of the county road I estimate at £10. I may add that no good result will follow unless the council and board carry out these works as suggested and to the extent stated. At last meeting I was instructed to bring up the question of painting the Te Rore and Whatawhata bridges. -Since that date I see the Government have called for tenders for these works. Several, of the decking planWs m the Whatawhata bridge are rotten, and must be replaced either by the the Government or the council. Referring to the question of levelling portion of the maternal excavated from the channel of the Man'gaoboi' ' diversion which Mr Gilford wishes left as it now stands, I have examined these slopes after the late heavy rains, bnt do not find that they have suffered to any great extent. The natural vegetation is beginning to take root along the naked slopes and no doubt in the course of twelve months or so will form a complete protection from the weather and cattle. I again waited on Mr Day. at Whatawhata, and was fortunate in finding that gentle.at home. From some cause Mr Councillor Corboy did not get my letter in time acquainting him of the meeting, consequently he was not present. However, Mr Day intimated his intention to wait on the council at this meeting so that nothing further was done in the matter of the drain. I regret to inform the council that the painting of the Cambridge bridge has not been carried out in terms of the specification consequently the work has not heen passed. The contractor • has intimated his willingness ito have the work rectified. A number of small but necessary repairs have been executed in various parts of the county during the month ; the accounts for each are handed in and authority for payment asked.' In accWaance with instructions plans and specifications have been prepared and tenders called for, to be opened; to-day, for the following 1 works :— Contf«*:N^ 35: Grading at Rangiaohia. I may say that in connection with this work I have kept the road-way all to one side, in "order to make the grade up to the entrance of theR.C.C. and other buildings aloug the piece of road as easy as the space at command would permit. Contract No. 3(5: Repairing and maintaining approaches to Campbells gnlly bridge. Contract jSo. 37 : Repairing and maintaining portion of Ohaupo-Alexandin. road from Meyers corner' to Goodfcllow's. Contract No. 38 : Repairing and maintaining approaches to budges on the Hamilton-Newcastle main

road. Contract No. 39 : Gravelling at th< Narrows Bridge. Contract i No. 40: Re pairing and maintaining approaches t< Uowloy'n gully, Walker's (Tilly, and Cam >ndge brides. Contract No. 41: Repair ing and maintaining approaches to Hunter'•reek bridges. Contract No. 42 : Gravelling vnd maintaining the main road froir Fleming's gully.—l have the honour to be, *ir, your obedient servant, Alex. Armstrong, County Engineer. Kibikibi, 12th April, 1880. HamilvTON-Whatawhata Road Outfall Dkvix. —lt was resolved on th< notion of Cr. Corboy, seconded by Cr Smith, that the engineer be empowered te u-range with the contractor, Mr Dillon, t< iave the outlet in Foxall's bush cleared. Ccmpstons Gravel-pit.—lt was re <olvcd that the engineer, with Crs. Moncriep md Teaudale, should visit the gravel-pit .vith a view of leporting upon its value t« Che council.

Damauk to Whatawhata-Hamiltox road by Fire.—lt was resolved that the ungineer carry out the necessary work* required on this road as referred to in hit-

report. BRIDGE OVER MANGAOHOI NEAR GlFkord'B.— Cr. Teaidale proposed that tenders bo called for laying pipes and filling* in banks at GirforJ's old bridga, Cr. Monorief and the mover to be empowered to open and accept tenders in a fortnight. Seconded by Cr. Fisher and carried.

Rep virs to portions of road between Oiiaupo and Te Awamutu.—Moved by Cr. Teasdale, and seconded by Cr. Fisher, that the engineer be requested to get the necessary works attended to forthwith. —Carried.

Box Culvert at Pukjste.—Resolved on motion of Cr. Ridler that the engineer be empowered to carry out this work, and it was suggested that totara timber should be used.

Mrs Cokbot's Complaint About Being Flooded by Water.—The chairman of the Kihikihi Town board wrote, agreeing to carry out their portion of the work, provided the council did their*. Mr Armstrong, on being referred to, gave it as hU opinion that- the damage wai caused principally by .the road having been left too nigh by a foot or eighteen inches, for a distance of two or three chains at its junction with Havelock-street.—Cr. Teasdale pointed out that a great deal of money had been spent in previous years on this portion of the district, and he thought that as the water had always run in thatdirectionthatMrsCorboyHhould protect her own property. Cr. Moucrieff objected to this, and was of opinion that the damage was caused by previous worki of the council, and he moved therefore that the engineer be left to carry out this work in conjunction with the Kihikihi Town Board.—Cr. Corboy seconded, and said that in view of the engineer's report and statement that all the water flowed over the road on to Mrt Corboy'i property, some action must be taken by the council. Carried.

Government Tender for Painting and Screwing up Whatawhata and Te Roue Rridges.—The cierk was instructed to write to Mr Hales, Public Works Department, pointing out that no provision had apparently been made for replanking some places in the bridge.

Giffoud's Drain.—Cr. Teasdale moved, seconded by Cr. Ridler, "That the engineer be empowered to pass the contract for Gifford's drain without calling upon the contractors to spread the clay taken out, as the proprietor had written pointing out that it would damage his grass land, and the engineer had also reported that no damage to the drain would ensue by leaving the clay in its present position, which was some distance away from the edge of the bank.

Ngaruawahia - Hamilton Road.— Cr. Corboy called the attention of the council to a dangerous part of the Ngaruawahia Hamilton road at a point known as the Soldier's Bridge, and moved that the engineer be empowered to carry out the necessary works, which were not of an extensive nature.— Or. Ridler, in seconding, stated that the expense would be light, and that the cutting down of the ti-tree round a sharp curve at this point was very necessary also, to prevent collisions, and the widening of the road for three or four chains would meet the requirements of the case.

Ohaupo-Te Awamutu Road.—Mr Robert Cunningham, chairman of the Rangiaohia Road Board, attended in reference to some formalities necessary to complete road closing at Tierney's, on the Ohaupo-Te Awamutu road. The papers were incomplete, owing to the destruction of the records of the board at Sloane's fire.—lt was suggested that there would be no difficulty in the matter if the chairman of the Rangiaohia Board made an affidavit to the effect that all proceedings necessary so far as the board as concerned had been complied with

Tenders.—The following tenders were then considered :—No. 35 contract.—For grading and forming the road near the Rangiaohia Roman Catholic Church: James Stewart, grading 3s 4d per chain, forming 4s per "chain; Corcoran Bros., grading 9d per chain, forming 10a per chain; W. Given, grading 9d per chain, forming 7s Gd per chain; H. Miller, grading 8d per chain, forming 6s per chain; McCallum (accepted), grading 5Jd per chain, forming 4s per chain.—No. 36.—Repairing and maintainance for twelve months Campbells Gully bridge approach, T^ Rore : J.> Munro (accepted), £5 12s.— No. 37.—Forming and gravelling at Havelock bridge: JLigertwood (accepted) forming 4s Gd per chain, gravelling 25s per chain. Maintenance of road for twelve months from Myer's corner to Goodfellow's corner, on the Ohaupo-Alexandra road: Ligertwood (accepted) £21. — No. 38. — Repairing and maintenance , for .twelve months of bridge approaches on the Hamil-ton-Ngaruawahia road : Dillicar (informal); P.| Munro, accepted for No. 1. bridge at £o>; James Goombes, accepted for Willoughby's at £5; Hall and Thompson, £6.—No. 39.—Works at Narrows bridge approach: Clarkin (accepted) extending wing, £5; Filling in ditch, 10s per chain ; gravelling through cutting, 12s 6d; other gravelling, 6s 3d per chain; cleaning water tables, 5s per chain; maintenance for tweJra monthi", £5. Repairing and maintenance for twelve months of approaches at Walker's Gully, Cowley's Gully, and Cambridge bridge: Norrish (accepted) Walker's Gully, £3; Cowley's Gully, £1 18s; Cowley, for Walker's Gully repairs, £810*; maintenance, £510s; Cowley's Gully repairs, £3; maintenance, £2 10s. M. Dillons tender, £15, for Cambridge bridge approach, was considered tog nigh, and the work was left in the hands of the engineer to Arrange for.—No. 41.—Heather's Creek bridge repairs: C. S. McCalhJm, £8; J. Munro, £7 10s; Walter Reid, (accepted) £s.—No. 42.—Repairing and maintenance for twelve months of road from Fleming's Gully to the Ohaupo Hotel: R. Norrish, (accepted) £30; J. Watt and G. Kennedy, £33 12s Gd. Correspondence.—A letter wa» read from Mr Day, of Whatawhata, in reply to a demand that had been made upon him to repair a culvert which he had put in across the county road, to the effect that if the council would provide pipes he would do the! work to the satisfaction of the engineer. —Cr. Teasdale moved, seconded by Cr. Grice and carried, " That the council take no responsibility, and if Mr Day does not put in a culvert to the satisfaction of the engineer within one month, then the drain be closed forthwith."—Mr F. McMinn, contractor for repairs to the Alexandra bridge, wrote asking for an extension of two weeks in his contract time.—Cr. Shjith had previously reported to the couifeil that only two loads of timber had as yet been placed upon the ground. After some discussion it was decided that the clerk should write and notify Mr McMinn that provided all reasonable speed wore made in carrying out the job, the penalty would not be inflicted.—Mr James Hume, trustee in F. Hicks estate, wrote, asking for a reduction in rates due to the council on the ground that as nhown by recent sales of portions of the property, the valuation taken three years ago was excessive. The council, however, did not see their way to acceding to the request, as most ratepayers were in exactly the same position.—The Clerk of the Ngaruawahia Town Board wrote asking for subsidy he supposed to be in the l.nndt of the council. Tho, clerk informed tho council that he had alrepdyreplied ton pre\ on- rominunication, informing him tli.it thoy ii/.d no subsidy belonging to them. The m^conception haa evidently arisen throi.Ji having seen a statement of wjlu-idifis duo to the county based upon the rtttes collected by the various local bodies in the county.—The Town Clerk of thf Hamilton Borough Council wrote enclosing a levolution passed at a late meeting of tho council re Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, and asking the Wai pa County Council to appoint delegates to attend the meeting called for Thursday, April 22nd. Mr Germann was appointed delegate. A demand from the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards of Auckland amounting to £421) 14s 4d was received. —On the • motion of the ch»irm«n>

ecmided byCr. Corboy, it was resolved that the council decline to pay the !ernind». Tlie Chairman asked, in view .f the propped meeting of delpgAtes for in exprex^iim of opinion from the council vs to the estnblishnnnt of a hospital in Che district.— Cr. Tea«dale thought at jmv>ent the district wan too young, and that it .vould be better to pay the full charge fin patients at the Auckland Hospital rather than establish ft hospital in Waikato, and when the population of the district were largo enough to warrant it, it would bf found that Te Aroha w«a the more suitable position, on account of it* mineral waters, m<t being in the centre of » mining population, where accidents of a serious nature were of more frequent occurrence than in a purely agricultural district. Tho matter was, however, left in the hands of the delegate, to use their own discretion at the conference. Letters were read from th* Public Work* Department, informing the council that tenders had been called for paintinf and screwing up the Te Rore and Whatawhata bridge*, and in the matto of tho road through Mr Jolly's property, a proclamation will at once be issued, takimj possession of the land under the Public Works Act. The application to the Government for copies of the Counties Act for the use of councillors was responded to, by receiving one copy free and an intimation that a further supply would have to be paid for at the rate of 6s 3d per set.— The Chairman was authorised to sign the agreement forwarded by the Government in reference to the expenditure of the grant of £500 for works on the HatniltonWhatawhata swamp road.— The Chairman brought up a matter referring to a report which appeared in the Weekly News, of February 13, in which Cr. Corkoy charged him with th* alteration of figures upon his own responsibility, and in making such a statement Cr. Corboy had placed him under a cloud, and he must ask him to withdraw so unfounded a charge, as nothing was done except by resolution of the council.— Cr. Corboy in reply, said this arose over the apportionment of the county funds to the various ridings, in an estimate prepared by the engineer. Newcastle, which he represented, was down for £130. He believed he did accuse the chairman of taking off the £30, and he did not think he would deny having done so.— The Chairman said that what he objected to was Cr. Corboy saying that he had struck the £30 off upon his own responsibility. — Cr. Grice" explained that various alterations were made in this estimate, but it was all done by consent of the council. — Cr. Teasdale was of opinion that Cr. Corboy should withdraw his remarks, as they were tantamount to accusing the chairman of altering figures passed at one meeting and before confirmation at the next.— Cr. Moncrieff remembered the alteration being made, but it was not done by the chairman upon his own responsibility.— The Chairman pressed Cr. Corboy to withdraw his objectionable statement, or he would have to take other steps to remove the reflection cast upon him.— Cr. Corboy objected to do bo, as he had already made his statement. The Chairman said his attention had been called to the advantages of having a day fixed as a market day for Ohaupo.— On the motion of Cr. Teasdale, seconded by Cr. Moncrieff, it was resolved that the clerk be requested to take the necessary steps for having Tuesday declared market day for Ohaupo. The committee appointed at last meeting to confer with the engineer as to amount of salary for ensuing year had nothing definite to report, beyond having had a conversation with M r Armstrong on the subject.— Cr. Grice, in speaking on this matter, thought it would be a great mistake for a small saving in salary to run the risk of losing so valuable an officer. The saving might easily become a loss on a single job. He would move that Mr Armstrong be paid the same salary as before, viz., £250 a year.— Cr. Smith, in seconding, was followed by the other councillors in testifying to the satisfactory performance of all the duties pertaining to the office of engineer, and the conscientious manner that Mr Armstrong went about his work.— The motion was carried. Mr Vaile's pamphlet was received, and the petition was laid upon the table for signatures. Accounts amounting to £296 3s lid were passed for payment, and the council rose.