PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2220, 30 September 1886, Page 2

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL

The u=sual monthly meeting of the Piako County Council was held at the Hamilton Borough Council Chambers yesterday. Present : Mr W. L. C. Williams (chairman), Crs. Chcpmell, Murphy, J. B. Smith, and Gould. The Clarkes Drain Nuisance.— The Clerk repotted that the obstruction had been removed since the last meeting, but Mr M.ickay hwd again filled it up. Notice to remove the obstruction had been served on Mr Mackay, but nothing had been done, — A long discussion ensued, the opinion of councillors being that the council had made a mistake in having anything to do with it. — An understanding was arrived at that steps should be taken by the chairman to compel Mr Mackay to remove the obstruction. Road to Gordon Settlement.— Correspondence from the Land-? Department was read, intimating that the offer of subsidy of £ for £ was intended to apply only to the bridge and not to the road. The Government would, however, instruct an officer to inspect the road, though this must not be taken to bind the Government to make any further grant. — A letter was read from the chairman of the Gordon Settlement Association, stating that two-thirds of the settlers were unable to get on to their land, owing to the want of roads.— Cr, Gould said the third who could get on the land had not yet shown any disposition to go upon it. The council had not got anything out of these people yet. and he did nofc see' why they should be asked to make roads. — Cr. Murphy said £100 would be payable to the county next year for the purpose of making roads. — Cr. Gould said they might wait till this money was in hand. — No action was taken. — Cr. Murphy said he had been informed that damage had been done to the bridge near RochVs by the late freshes. The engineer, MrPavitt, reported on the natnre and extent of the damage, and said he had done what was neces&ary in the way of repairs. He would watch the bridge, and do what was required. He had planted the poplar trees on the embankment as requested. He would sow the couch grass as soon «s possible.

Hospital and Charitable Am. —The Secretary of the Thames Hospital Board wrote demanding the immediate payment of the contributions owing by the council, £780 4s 9d. The Charitable Aid Board made a similar application for £G52 17s 3d. A telegram had been received from the Premier's office to the effect that £800 had been advanced to the Thames Boards to be applied to hospital and charitable aid, the amount to be deducted from any subsidies that may be payable to the Piako County Council. The Clerk reported that the chairman had telegraphed to the Government, protecting against the appropriation of subsidies for the purpose indicated. — The Chairman said that a careful reading of the new Act made it clear that they were bound to pay the hospit.il contributions, though some doubt existed on the question of charitable aid. — Cr. Smith asked if tho council could not dispute the payment on the grounds of its injustice. — The Chairman said such an appeal might bo made, and was about to be made by the Waip a County, in the expense^ of which they were asked to share. — Crs. Chepmell and Gould demurred to this course. Their quarrel was with the Thames, not Auckland, and they must tight their own battle. If Wai pa won its case Piako would be no better off.— Considerable discussion ensued, and it was ultimately agreed to obtain the opinion of Mr W. M. Hay as to the practicability and advisability of appealing against the assessment of the Thames Board and the Thames and Coromandel United Board. Stoney Creek.— Messrs E. and J. Cookson and 13 others wrote drawing attention to the state of Stoney Creek sledge track. A large quantity of quartz was waiting to cmne down, but could not be moved until the track was finished. It was agreed to expend a sum of £25 on this track out of the balance of grants, under the supervision of the engineer. A Grievance.— Mr G. R. Beeson, late clerk to the tramway, wrote asking the council to appoint a Commission to inquire into certain charges made against his character. — As the council had made no charges of this nature, and knew of none, it was agreed to take no action. A Local Bonr for Te Aroha..— Cr. Murphy said he had been deputed to ask the council whether, in the event of Te Aroha failing in its efforts to obtain a borough they would object to the establishment of a town district. He understood that it required two-thirds of the councillors in favour of the proposal. He was not prepared to say whether the people of the town would form themselves

into a town district, but many were desjrous to know what attitude the council would take up before they took any steps in the matter.— The councillors present expressed themselves in favour of the proposal, though they reserved the right to deal independently with the question when it again comes up. Wohksin Matamata Riding.— lt was agreecUo levy a special rate in the Mataniata riding for certain road works in that district, Accounts.— A. number of accounts were passed for payment, and the council rose.