WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2557, 29 November 1888, Page 2

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL

The regular meeting of the Waikato County Council was held yesterday in the Council Chambers. Present : Messrs Primrose, Seddou, Smith, Barugh, Steele and Johnston.

Chairman*. — Before proceeding with the business, Cr. Seddou proposed and Cr. B.irugh seconded that Cr. Primrose be again elected to fill the chair for the ensuing year.—Carried.—Cr. Primrose, in taking the chair, briefly thanked the Council for their continued confidence in him. The minutes of the last meeting were road and coufiim;d. Audit. —The Clerk reported that the the annual accounts had been audited and ce. tilied to by the Auditor-General. Threats op Pains and Penalties. — The Chairman referred to threatening letters received from the Audit Department with reference to the expenditure of sums of money by the Council. He thought it very objectionable that the Council or local bodies should be irritated in this way when they are using the public money to the best of I heir abilities and according to law.—The other councillors coincided with tho remarks of the Chairman, and said some remonstrance should bo made against such treatment. Balance-sheet.—The Clerk read the balance-sheet for the year, certified as correct by tho Audit-General. Correspondence. — Legal cost': The Clerk read letters to the Audit-Inspector giving particulars of the voting of legal costs to Mr W. M. Hay. Narrows' Bridge Case.—The Clerk read a letter he wrote to Captain Jacksou, R.M., referring to the judgment given in the late case Waikato Council v. Hay, which had appeared in The Waikato Times, drawing attention to a misapprehen- [ sion the magistrate had been under with regard to the non-production of any document showing that control of the bridge had been vested in the Council, The Clerk also explained that the Court had only referred to the absence of any Gazette notice. There were letters from Government and resolutions of the House placing the control of the bridge in the Council, which was also provided for by the Road and Bridges Construction Act. These documents could have been produced had they been required. In reply to some of the council lors, the Clerk stated he did not produce this evidenco as he relied on Statute law (Counties Act IS7G). A statement of the case for appeal was submitted. Cr. Seddon thought the Clark should have produced all the evidence. The Cliainnan was opposed to appeal. He moved the Government should bo asked to vest by proclamation the control of this bridge, and one over the Whangamarino in the council.—Cr. Seddon agreed to this course.—Cr. Smith thought the council should get out of the false position it had been placed in. The motion was agreed to. Public Works Amendment Act.—With reference to the clauses about gorse, the Chairman thought it would be a dangerous power to place in local bodies. Ho thought no local body could ever recover the cost of clearing the nuisance from private land. He quite agreed there should be provision made for prosecuting any man harbouring a fWTsairce dangerous to his neighbours' land. —Cr. Seddon said that unless they cut down the gorse all over the colony, it was useless legislating in this manner.—Cr. Barugh said that if land was worth clearing, the owners would not allow their land to be overrun with it.—Cr. Johnston thought there was already sufficient power to prevent the spread of gorse.—Crs. Steel and Smith opposed the clauses.—The Clerk was instructed to write that the council recommended no change in the present Act.

Traction' Engines.—The Clerk, Piako County Council, n rote asking the council' to join in making by-laws to regulate the traffic on the roads by engines. The council were unwilling to interfere in the matter, but consented to the Chairman meeting the Chairmen of the other counties to discuss the matter.

Financial Reform.—A manifesto from the Auckland Financial Reform Association was read and received.

Pkach Ghovb Rkskrvk.—The sub-com-mittee recommended that improvements, to cost about £150, be expended on the Reserve, particulars of which have already been published.—The Chairman said they had power to devote funds for model farms and agricultural purposes. He moved that the report bo adopted.—Cr. Smith seconded. — Cr. Johnston asked what it would cost to clear the furze and briars on the property. Ho thought it would be a perpetual trouble to keep them down, and they should be careful before entering on the proposed expenditure. He would oppose the motion.— Cr. Barugh said he had six miles of furze fencing, and found no difficulty in keeping it down. He strongly supported technical education and a practical knowledge of agricultural chemistry.—Cr. Seddon asked, if they were to do nothing with the land now they had obtaiued it ? Should they allow the whole property to be destroyed by tho spread of furze, which at present was only on a small portion of it? Most of the money w.rnld be used in fenoing, and the rental would more than pay interst. Cr. Steele and Cr. Smith thought they should decide what to do with it or give it back to the Government. The Chairman hoped they would in the course of a few years see suitable buildings erected for the purpose of a model farm. The motion was carried, Cr. Johnston only dissenting, The same committee were re-appointed to carry out the works proposed! n the report. Accounts.—The following accounts were passed for payment:—T. G. Sandes, £9 f)3 (id ; Vowless, £9 ; Jackson and Co., £25 8s 2|d ; fi. McGill, £22 Os 8d; W, Thomson, £29 19?; Owen and Churches, £15 ; Waikato TtijES, £2 8s; J. Gall. £10; Cr, Johnston, £110 s; Cr, Smith, £10.