WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2926, 16 April 1891, Page 2

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

Thb usual monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Ohaupo, at 11a.m. on Tuesday. Present: Crs. Lang (chairman), Finch, Anderson, Shepherd, Teasdale, Exelby, Smith, Kusabs and Farrell. The County Kngineer (Mr A. Armstrong) was also in attendance.

Kngixekk's Report.—ln his monthly report, the Kngineer etated that tho dfiepeiiing and widening of the Hamilton-Whata-whata Swamp Road side drain had been completed, as had also the forming between Whatawhata and Clark's biidge. A box culvert has been laid in the crossing at Frankton, and a timber crossing put in at Dinsdale's. The repairs to the bridge over the Waikato River are in hand. The. greater number of the piles are decayed about a couple of inches deep where embedded in the soil. It is proposed to remove this decayed mutter and give the limber a coat <if hot tar; this will help to arrest the progress of the decay. Four now piles will be required. The Knpineer pointed ont tho necessity of rigorously enforcing the by-law regulating the tratHc over this bridge. The watering trough near Heather's creek bridge has been found to be in a position difficult to get at from ono side, and by moving it a little way down the hill, access from both sides would be improved. The approaches to Heather'.* creek bridge are in bad order, and would be improved by a littloclay, and the watertables require cleaning out. The approach at the Alexandra side terminates rather abruptly at the side ot the gully, forming a rather dangerous drop, which has been exposed by the gorse being cut down, and the roud should be widened out for a few feet in the worst place. The approaches to McMicken's bridge also require repairing beforo the winter sets in.—The Clerk was instructed to request the police at Cambridge the enforce the by-law with reference to crossing the bridge over the Waikato River at Cambridge at other thnn a walking pace.—With reference to the work at Heather's creek bridge, it was decided to have it done, and the watertrough to be removed so as to ke more easily available from the approach on the Mangapiko side. —It was resolved to allow the clearing of the drain near Mr Dinsdale's to stand over.

Whatawhata Deviation*.—The Newcastle Road Board supplied all the information in their possession regarding this road. —The Clerk reported that he had had no reply from the Government to his letter of February last, and he was instructed to ngain write on tho subject.—A vote ;f thanks was passed to the chairman of the Newcastle K/iad Board for the trouble he had taken in the matter.

Finance. — The following statement of riding accounts for the period ending April 13th, IS!U, was laid_ on the table by tho engineer: — Newcastle Riding: Amount of vole, £34; amount expended, £G1 15-< Id ; over-spent previous allocations, £2 IS fls 5d ; total expended to date, £310 4s (id ; over-spent, £27G 4s Gd. Tuhikaramea Riding: Amount of vote, £25 ; amount expended, £33 !)s lOcl ; total expended to date, £33 !)h 10d ; credit balance from previous allocations, £20 13s Id ; to spend, £13 3s Gd. Hamilton Riding: Amount of vote, £52; amount ex-nended, £27 14s ; total expended to date, £27 14s ; credit balance from previous allocations, £58 Us Sd ; to spend, £82 17s Sd. Pukekura Hiding: Amount of vote, £S!J; amount expended, £3G Gs 3d ; over-spent previous allocations, £253 ISs 10J ; total expended to date, £320 0s Id; over-spent, £231 0.5 Id. Mangapiko Riding : Amount of vote, £!>2; amount expended, £G1 15s 3i ; over-spent previous allocations, £32 lils 10d ; total expended to date, £94 15s Id ; over-spent, £2 IBs Id. Rangiaohia Riding : Amount of vote, £'J3; amount expended, £24 7s Gd ; over-spent previous allocations, £18 8s 3d ; total expended to date, £42 15s ild ; to spend, £50 4s 3d. Expended on bridges and culverts:— Newcastle, £193 12s 7d; Hamilton £22 18*; Pukekura, £24(5 4s 3d; Mangapiko, £G2 7s 2d.—The Clerk reported that the county fund was £IGO !)s in rredifc.

Ngaruawahia Accounts.—Further explanation, with reference to tho accounts received from the Nearuawahia Town Board at last meeting, was furnished. With reference to this matter, it was again referred hack for more enquiry with regard to Mr Hay's account of £15 14s KM, in connection with the prosecution of Paul Hopere for damaging the punt.

Drains.—The manager of tho Rotorangi estate drew the attention of the Council to tho weeds crowing in the drains along the Rotorangi-Te Awamutu road. Some time ago they had cleaned 25 chains of the drains out themselves, but now they were as bad as ever. If the Council would clean out the whole length of tho drain, the estate would halve the cost ot deepening tho drain. He also asked the Council to do something to the outlet drain through Mr Storey's property, which was choked up. Mr Storey also wrote with reference to this latter part.—The first portion was deferred till next meeting to allow of the engineer reporting on it, and it was decided to comply with the application for the drain near Mr Storey's.

Siosk's Koad.—Ar the result of a meeting of ratepayers at Xgaruawahia on Saturday (reported in full thvs issue), a deputation, consisting of Messrs Saulbrey and Dawson, waited on the Council with reference to the state of the road into Ngaruawahia from Stone's corner, and other matters of interest to the Newcastle riding.—Or Shepherd introduced the deputation, and Mr Daweon said that the road was in a bad state, and the Council could nut expect the farmers to pay rates if they could not get about. The roads were worse now than they werq when they were takeu over by the Cuuncil, and ho hoped they would be able to do something to this road for the settlers as there was considerable traffic on it with the milk-carts.—Mr Saulbrey said the road had never been formed from Stone's comer to Nfjarunwahia, and there had been several accidents to ratepayers travelling along the road. He also chew attention to the bad ruts in the road in the township near Mr Simmelhag's. He pointed out that the settlers in the neighbourhood of the township were increasing, land to the value of £200 having lately been taken up, and this would increase the rates. He also asked that another moinber be allotted to the Newcastle riding, and a polling place appointed at Nearuawahin.—The chairman said the settlers at Ngaruawahia did not seem to understand Cr Shepherd's action at the last meeting. The enginear's report dealiiifi wfth the'road had been discussed and deferred, and liiving tq pho of funds he moved that £5 be spent iir, repairs. [This is as appeared in our report of the last meeting.] The ciiairmin said that he thought the deputation must recognise that Cr Shepherd had done his best (or tlit. rulibg.—Cr Shepherd said Le Ud

only taken office as councillor on being preyed, but he cinld si-sure the: doputati.ni that ho would not do no again, lie had always dono hi* best for the ri Jing, and Ik: did not csnsider it fair to pitch into tho member for tlio faults of a system that he had always opposed. When ha found that the funds would uot allow of tin: wholo work being dono ho Rot £Ti to bo. .spent on repairs, and if he could not havu got that ho would have tried for whatever he could get.-Mr D.iwson said the County Council were themselves to blame for not having money t<> spend on the roads as they would not l?vy a liiph oikuirli rate. Tho Newcastle ridinf? would bo glad to separate from the county and they could then manage their <ivvn affairs.—Cr Shepherd said that the present plan of raising rates, ostensibly for roads, and spending a large portion in hospital contribution, was a rotten one and tho county would always be in the same str.to whilo it obtained. They must strike a highor rate, or a separate one for hospital purposes. The •uiioimt of tho allocation. £3-1, fur tho Newcastle ridinß was absurd, In reply to Mr Satilbrey, tho clerk, at the request of the Chairman, explained that if every individual property in Ngaruawahia paid even aid rate, the highest that could bo levied, it would only produce £40 1-h. (id., and the punt alone cost that amount for maintenance last year. The Rxtra amount of rates from tho property mentioned by Mr Sanlbrey, as lately taken up would under the present rate give less than 10s. a year. With reference to another member for Ngaruawahia, l'i3 said, the limit of the Council was nine members and to give the Newcastle riding •Kiother one, some other riding would have to be reduced. As to a polling place at Xgaruawahia, for some nine or ten yearn there had been no election in this riding, the difficulty being to gat any one to stand. When an election becomes necessary, ho said that, as returning officer he would give the matter his consideration. Cr. Teasdale said that the swamp road would take all this rates of the Newcastle riding for years. Mr Dawson : "Then close tho swamp road up." The Chairman said tho work asked in the resolutions presented by the deputation would cost £2!)0, und how it i-u'uld bo done out of tho riding rates he could not see. Tho riding was now over drawn £276 more than the allocation. The deputation having thanked the Council withdrew. Closing Road.—Tho blerk was instructed to call a meeting of tho ratepayers of the Hamilton riding to be held in Thk Waikato Times Buildings, Hamilton, at noon on May 2nd, to consider tho proposal for closing a road at Te Kapa. Mr Kxelby was Appointed to attend on behalf of the Council. , , Bhidue.— Tho manager of tho Kotorangi Estate wrote asking the Council to shift a bridge over the Kotorangi-Te Awamutn drain to where a set of pipes now are and shift the pipes to whore the bridge now is, tho Council to provide any timbor necessary. This ma tier was left over to next meeting. Whatawhata Bridge.— An account for £12 Is 4d for the Council's share (34 per cent) of the cost of repairs to the Whatawhata bridge, incurred by the Raglan County Council amounting to £33 10a, was authorised to be paid, with the exception of their share in om; item of £2 is for inspection, which the clerk was instructed to enquire into. I'ranktok. —Mr Crowley asked that the Council do something to the road to his home at Frankton, which is in such u state that he is hardly able to get a dray to Ins place. This road being one of those taken ovor from the Hamilton Koad Board, and the Council not knowing the state of the Board's funds, the matter was deferred to next meeting. Alexandra. Brhwk.— Mr (■. Harper called attention to the shaky state of the Alexandra Bridge, and he ottered to give the timber necessary to elfoct the repairs, delivered alongside a road in the bush. The Kngineer said that he did not think there was anything urgently needed at the bridge. Or. Finch said that the bridge was the most important work in the district, and tiny necesj>iry work should be dona to it. The engineer was instructed to report on this matter at next meeting.

O'Bkibs's Road.—The engineer was instructed to inspect a road through Pnkete which Mr O'Brien requested the Council to form, and report on it fit next meeting. Si,.\UGHTBU-HOi;sK License.— A renewal of his license was grauted to Mr Jno. Bettley of Hamilton. Af.KXANDiu L.vxns.— The following extract was reciiiivud from the Crown Lands Board with reference to tho waste lands in Alexandra West:—" On the motion of Mr L-ike seconded by Mr Moat it was resolved that the commissioner write to the chairnun of the Wai pa County Council, regrettin? that there is no power to deal with the town sections of Alexandra West save by giving an occupation licence from year to year at a nominal rental, and ask the Council whether they nro of opinion that if the remaining Crown lands in the township wore reclasaih'od as surbnrbnn lands, they would be taken up.—Cc Finch said there was no use dealing with this land unless it is opened for free selection, and the clerk was instructed to reply to this effect.

Audit Fkk.—A letter from the Paymaster General was received notifying the payment of tho subsidy due to the Council sundry items for advertising, and the amount of the audit fees claimed by the Au-ditor-General for auditing the County accounts as follows : Subsidy duo, £53 4s 3d less advertising, 10s. Gd., and audit fees, £21 Is. Bd., leaving the amount at £31 Gβ. Id. The Clerk was instructed to wntn protesting against the audit fees being stopped from the subsidy, and also to write to the member on the same subject protesting against the illegality of the proceeding. Tenders.— There was only one tender for the gravelling and forming r.f the Ohaupo-Cambridge road, viz., T. Cowley at £1 7s. (id. per chain, Tho engineer considered this price a fair one, and on the motion of Cr. Finch, seconded by Cr. Kusabs, the tender was accepted. There was no tender at all for the work on tho Ohaupo-Hamilton road, and it was decided to hold this work over till next season.

Cui.vkht.-Ci-. .Shepherd pointed out that the cattle worn trampling down the embankment at the brick culvert near Wlmtawhata, and on his proposition it was decided to fence both sides of the culvert with barbed wire.

Ti-tbkb.—Cr. Shepherd asked if he obtiiined a guarantee of sufficient money would the Council agree to put m> u fence along the ti-treo by Mr Dinsdalu's on the Hamilton-Wliatawhata marl, where great inconvenience is caused to settlers by cattle I getting into the ti-tiee and being hut.—On the motion of Cr. Shepherd, seconded by Cr. Anderson, the Council decided to do the work if the settlers provide the necessary funds. It was als.) decided to have the ti-tree cleared on the Ohaupo fiat road near Mr Myers, the cost not to exceed £1. Mystery Crkek.—Cr. Anderson called the nttention of the Council to the bad stalo of the Mystery Creek crossing on the Putney road, where there is a hole quite three feet deep, and great danger is caused to passers by. One settler lately had to make some temporary repairs before he could get across it. —The matter was left in the Engineer's hands to bo attended to. Rukuhia. —The Engineer was instructed to inspect the Rukuhia swamp road, and report on the same at the next meeting. Dog Tax.—Cr. Lang moved that the fee for the registration of dogs be 2a (id for all dogs except for sheep, cattle, and rabbit dogs, which shall be Is each, and that Mr Maunder be collector. —Seconded by Cr. Shepherd and carried. Maxgaimko.—A petition was received from a majority of the ratepayers in the Mangapiko riding, praying that the Council make the necessary special order abolishing the Mangapiko Road β-jara and merging the Mangapiko road district in tho county of Waipa. The petition being in proper form and having been duly advertised, the clerk was instructed to call a special meeting to consider the petition at noon on May VMi. Repairs.—Tho Engineer wan instructed to call for tenders for some necessary work on the Kihikihi-Orakau roarl. and also to | have some repairs executed on the Te : AwainuEU-Kihikihi road.

Payments.—The following acccunU weru passed for payment:—H. Myers, £1 2s Gd ; C. J. W. Barton, £2 11sSd; James Ryburn, £1 la; D. Henderson, £1 14s; C. S. MeGalium, tTJ 3s 10d ; W, Mawhinney, £14 10s; R. and J, Drabble. £3 10s '.id ; R. Nor-ri-h, £1 17s; R. Waite, £7 0s ; Kauri Timber Co., £4 13s; Fletcher and Pike, £3 ; J. Kennedy, £2 17s Gd ; W. (liven, £7 2s Gd ; H. J. Sibley, £1 12s Gd ; Engineer, £15 2s Gd; W. liearsley, £5 7s Gd ; J. Hughe.-, 13s; Clerk, £S ; Petty Cash, £3; Wilson and Hortcn, £2 Bs.