WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2679, 12 September 1889, Page 2

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Ohaupo, at 11 p.m. on Tuesday. There were present: Ci\s. Lang (chairman), Grice, Teasdale, Fiuch, Smith, Ridler and Farrell. Mr A. Armstrong, County Engineer, was also in attendance.

The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and adopted. Engineer's Report.—The Engineer read his monthly report as follows:—"To the Chairman Waipa County Council. —Sir. —I beg to report that Mr Nicol, the contractor for Walker's Gully bridge, lias signed the contract. He expects to have all the plant and material on the ground within the next fortnight. At your request, I conveyed to him the desire of the farmers in the district —viz.; that the present bridge should be kept open for traffic as long as possible, in order to enable them to get their manure, &c., from the station. The contractor readily consented to postpone this part of the work to the latest moment. In accordance with'instructions, I have called for tenders for repairing the Alexandra' Pound. These are due to be opened to-day.—l am, dkc., Alex. Armstrong, County Engineer, Ivihikihi, 9th September, 1889.—The report was received and adopted. Riding Accounts. —The following statement of riding accounts to date was handed in by the Engineer Amount of Araonnt Riding vote. expended. £ s. d. / s. d. Newcastle 34 0 0 42 4 ti Kangiaohia 03 0 0 SIS 7 4 Hamilton 52 0 0 47 2 5 Mangapiko ... ... 0 0 08 8 4 I'uhikaranica 'Jft 0 0 43 1G 0 Pukekura S3 0 0 100 15 10 Hospital Kxpuniiitcuk.—Cr. Teasdale, one of the representatives of the Council on the Hospital Board, reported as follows on the above question At the last meeting of the Board he spoke against the proposed

increase in the doctor's salary, and had voted against the appointment of the probationary nurses, but was told that they were absolutely necessary, as the other nurses were considerably over worked. The question of expenditure was fully gono into and Messrs Sandes and Chepniell, who had gone fully into Dr. McGregor's report, had carefully compiled tables showing that there had not been any extravagance with regard to patients, but the large expenditure was dne to the erection of tho new buildings, and the proper equipment of the same, in the matter of instruments, &c., &c., and this expenditure, of course, would not be recurring. From tho remarks of Mr Primrose, Chairman to the Board, he was convinced that tho management was as economical as possible. The arrangements with regard to the doctor had not been altered, and he thought things would go on as usual. The levy next year would not be quite so heavy. The Two Rates.—This question was also discussed in connection with the above being introduced by a letter from the chairman of a meeting of Mangapiko ratepayers, enclosing tho following resolution patsed at the mcetinc That this meeting is of the opinion, that owing to the low price of produco and general depression, the County Council ought to reduce their expenditure, and this meeting protests against any increase in the rates." Tho Clerk stated that the rates could not be struck then, owing to an informality in the advertisement. The chairman said he was strongly in favour of levying tho two rates, as otherwise they would not have sufficient money ko carry on. Last year the rate amounted to £700, but about £2,178 had been collected, a considerable portion of which was part of the previous rate, but in spite of all this the overdraft now stood at £801 0s lid. On account of tho lower valuation this year, the proposed rate would give about £1,140, and the proposed special Hospital rato about £500. If the special rate were struck it would bring the matter of the Hospital more prominently before the ratepayers, who would then see how much of their rates were going on the roads. There had only been protests about this special rate from two districts, therefore, he concluded that the other districts were in favour of the rate almost. All he had spoken to about the matter were of the opinion that to strike the special rate would bo one of the best steps the Council had taken for some time. Cr. Pinch thought that there would be no need to strike the extra rate, as although they would not get in so much money, the deficiency could be made np by spending less on the n.ads. Ratepayers n his district were quite willing to adopt this course. —Cr. Riddler said, in his opinion, the Council could not carry on with a ffd rate. In his district (Hamilton) two out of evory three were in favour of the special rate being struok, as they would then see where their money was going. The rates would not come any heavier than the last rate, on account of the lower valuation.—Cr. Farrell said to leave the roads another year would be false economy, as they would then require a much larger expenditure on repairs.—Cr. Toasdale said he had attended a meeting of the Ranpiaohia Road Board, and had been requested to lay before the Council the necessity of striking a $d rate only if it would bo possible to carry on with it, but he thought thoy should not let their roads go to rack and ruin. Personally ho was in favour of striking a special Hospital rate, but in deference to the wishes of the ratepayers in his riding he would support striking only a jjd rate if it were possible to carry on with it. —Cr. Farrell said without tho special rate they would not be able to reduce the overdraft which they were paying interest for. —Cr. Grice thought the County was just as able to pay interest on an overdraft as the ratepayers were individually, and he would oppose striking a special rate.—Cr. Finch moved that the Council strike a rate of jd in the £.—Seconded by Cr. Grice and carried.—Cr. Ridler moved that a special rate of in tho £be struck to meet the demand of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.—Seconded by the Chairman.—Cr. Ridlei said the Council could not possibly work more economically than during this year, and next year there would possibly be some heavy demands on the Council for repairs to bridges, and they could not therefore carry on with a smaller revenue.—The Chairman concurred with the remarks made by Cr. Ridler.—Cr. Finch moved as an amendment that the Council do not strike a special rateat present or enquire into itat all. —Seconded by Cr. Grice. —Cr. Smith said that the Council thought they would have to strike a special rate at any time during the year ; the present was the best time to do it as it would save expense in collecting. The amendment was then put and carried, the votinp being :—For: Crs. Finch, Grice, Smith, Fairell and Teasdale. Against: Tho Chairman and Cr. Ridler. The original motion was declared lost.

Traction Engines.—The clerk of tho Piako County Council wrote, stating that owing to a defect in the Act it was not possible to pass a joint by-I<iw regulating, the traffic, of traction engines, the l'iako County Council had resolved to pass a bylaw similar to that already submitted to the Council, and they requested the Waipa C.mnty Council to pass a similar by-law.— Cr. Ri'dler said lie thought they should have such a by-law as he knew of several narrow escapes from accidents in his district lately. At present men are not sent ahead of the engine to give notice of its approach and in some places this is absolutely necessary. He proposed that this Council pass a similar by-law to the one passed by the Piako County Council.—Seconded by Cr. Finch and curried. Alexandra Pound.—A petition signed by 21 ratepayers of the township of Alexandra, praying that the Council take the necessary steps to abolish the pound at Alexandra was received. After considerable discussion the clerk was instructed to reply that the Council could do nothing until the termination of the agreement with the present poundkeeper in February. Hospital Legislation.—The Southland County Council forwarded a copy of resolutions passed by tho Council with regard to amendments in the proposed Hospital Bill and requesting tho Conncil to support the same. The circular was received and laid on the table.

Waipa Bmih;ks. — Major Jackson, M.H.R., forwarded a letter ho received from the Survey Office with regard to these bridges, stating that both Raglan and Waipa Counties had applied for the control of these bridges, but the Surveyor-General recommended that tho Te JHore bridge be under the control »f Waipa and tho Whatawhata bridge under Ilnglan, with power in each case to collect half the cost of maintenance from adjoining local body, and would so advise the Governor to vest them unless tho local bodies interested object, in which caso a Commission would have to be appointed to enquire into the matter. A similar letter was received from the Survey Office direct.—Thp Clerk, acting under instructions from the Chairman had replied, giving the position of the county in the matter and stating that the bridges had always been under the control of Waipa, and they only wished now to have them vestedby proclamation as was done in the case of the Cambridge bridge. The action of the Chairman was confirmed. Ngaruawahia Furry.—'The Clerk was instructed to reply to the Survey Office, stating that the Council agreed to their action re this ferry, viz., that it be placed under the control of the Ngaruawahia Town Board, the County to contribute onequarter of the cost of maintenance.

Tenders. —Only one tender, that of Sage and Co. (£4 lGs 8d), for repairs to the Alexandra pound was received, and it was accepted. Alexandra Reserves.—The following tenders were received for the reserves No. 323, Alexandra West: E. J. Sinden, £3 per aero for live years, and £4 for the second five years; if tho longer torm were ipvon he would erect a fence, valued at £20, and would leave it in good repair ; Cassin

and Garnrionsway, £3 3s for the first year and £1 each for the second and third years, with the right to remove the fence at expiration. The latter tender was'accoptei on the motion of Cr. Ridler, seconded by Cr. Farrell. No. 320, Alexandra West: W. S. Rutherford, £4 4s per acre for five years, and £1) per acre for the sixth and seventh years, with the right to fence Lot 324. This tender was accepted. Furze.—The Council resolved to apply to the Land Board for control of isolated portions of Crown lands for the purpose of eradicating furze. Payments.—The following accounts were passed for payment:—Salaries, £20 8s 3d; petty cash, £1; E. Offerson, £1 lis 4d ; W. Bearsley, 7s (id. This was all the business, and the Council rose.

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