WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2334, 25 June 1887, Page 2

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the council was held at the County Chambers, Hamilton, yesterday, Present :Mr A. Primrose (chairman), Crs. Runciman, Johnson, and Seddon. The Camhridgh Bridge.—The Clerk of tho Wnipa County Council wrote stating that he could not find any record in reference to that council taking the control of the bridge. The arrangement had been made before his time, and 110 rrcord could be found in the office.—The clerk-said whatever arrangement had been made the Cambridge Borough had no right to review the decision of the council. The Churchill Punt.—Mr Gibb, Churchill wrote stating that ho wished to use the punt on Saturday.—Cr. Johnson said his opinion was that the council had taken a white elephant, and they would have to make the best of it. It requires baling out now. Ha thought tho terms imposed by the council were too stringent. The people were frightend at the notion of giving bonds.—The Chairman said the council would have to take thn punt away. —Cr. Johnson said they might hand the control of the punt over to Mr Alex. Gibb, who would work it for nothing.—The Chairman said the council had followed the advice given by Cr. Johnson, who was all along opposed to the council becoming responsible for any expense.—Cr. Johnson said he did not wish tho punt to be erected at all, but having put it up it was as well to utilise it. some discussion it was resolved that as the settlers did not seem inclined to accept the councils terms, they should bring forward boii)c proposition of their own. The Interference of the Auditor. The Secretary to the Treasury wrote as follows . „ rr 1 A The Treasury, New Zealand, Wellington, 25th May, 1887. Sir,—l have the honour, by direction of the Colonial Treasurer, to acknowledge the receipt of a letter, dated 30th ultimo, from the clerk of the Waikato County Council, enclosing copy of a memorandum by the county auditor questioning the action of the council in taking legal proceedings to resist the demand made upon it by the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, together with copy of a resolution of the council protesting against the auditor's interference in the matter, and requesting that such instructions be issued to him as will have the effect of inducing him to confine himself strictly to his own business. In reply, lam to inform you that a letter has been written to Mr Durneu, stating that, after well considering the matter, the Colonial Treasurer thinks that while there may be cases m which the auditor might properly comment, and, in extreme cases, even question litigation entered into by the councils or boards of local bodies, in the present case, which was virtually subjudice, and whichi the auditor admitted would come before hnn again, .and about which he was not giving a legal decision, his remarks were an uncalled-tor excrcise of power much to be censured; and, further, that this sort of self-assertion, instead of helping auditors to do their duty, will prevent the local bodies from co-opera-ting with them. The result of the litigation appears to show that the auditor was wrong and the council right.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant. „ James Gavin, Secretary to the Treasury. The Chairman Waikato County Council, Kirikiriroa. Engineer's Report.—The engineer said he had examined the .river road near Meretnere. He found that the settlers had made about three miles of it very serviceable, the rest of tho work, a few siding ; cuttings, etc., could be done for about M, but the work shouldnot be done until the spring. The Council resolved to do the work as required.—The Engineer said he had been informed that the Government would make the road around the • Wairangi station. No road deviation had ever been carried out through Mr Collins land at Huntly. A road.would be required, but it would be well not to follow the line laid down by Mr Henry, some years ago. There was no hurry for the work, ine engineer was instructed to take the necessary steps to have the deviation carried out. He reported on several other small matters.—Cr. Johnson reported that he had repaired a culvert on the Matahura road at a cost of 255. He had also visited the Miranda, and had authorised the expenditure of three days' wages for two men to repair a dangerous part of the road, xle had also promised to ask the council for another three days' wages. Cr. Johnson s action was confirmed. . Hinton's Gully.—The engineer submitted a plan showing the deviations required at this place. The whole of the parties affected were agreeable. The council instructed the engineer to go on with the 'matter. Narrows Bridge. — The engineer reported that it would be better to defer the work of putting in concrete piers for a month. Agreed to. Rangiriri Rate. —It was agreed to strike a rate of 5d in on , a " rateable ■ property in the ftangiriri outlying district. Accounts. —A number of accounts were passed for payment, and the council roße.