RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2947, 4 June 1891, Page 3

RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The quarterly meeting of the Raglan County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Raglan, on Wednesday, May 27th, and the following day. Present: Crs. Mathias (chairman), Brooks, Sutton, Whiteside, Hill, McGuirk and Calder. SI'KOIAL MKKTI.Vfi. Division of thk Whangai'k Riding.— Proposed by Cr. Biooks, and seconded by Cr. MeCuirk, "That the motion to divide the Whangapo Riding be confirmed.I'—1 '— Carried. Onkwhkiio Punt.— Considerable discussion took jilaco in reference to tho management of this punt, and Cr. Whitesido submitted rules for its regulation, the other councillor for the riding taking part in the discussion. — Regulations, as suggested, were mado and passed by the Council. County* Roaiw. ■— Cr. Whiteside proposed that the riad between tho ALinakau and Raglan counties be made a county road ; also, that all main reads in the several ridings be declared county roads.—Tho consider ntion of theso subjects was deferied unti next meeting. OIUIIXAIIY MIOETIXU. The minutes of tho last meeting were read and confirmed, after slight correction and tho out-going correspondence for the month adopted. Incoming CoiuiKsrONOENOK. —The following letters were received:—From Mr Wilson, contractor for the culvert on the mountain road, re tho completion of his contract, and requesting the Council to forego the line inflicted for over-time, &c.— From the Colonial Secretary, that the result of the poll taken for the £242 loan for wharf purposes had been gazetted, and requesting to be informed under which Act it was intended to borrow the money,— From the Commissioner of Crown Cands re a map showing the places where thirds money was desired to bo spent.—From Mr John Oodsell, who had tnken up land in the county, and access to whose lots was most difficult, pointing out to the Council whero it would be better to do tho work required, and making it most liberal offer to the Council, viz., to advance the money required.—From the Police Department, that in futuro the constable in the district could be appointed to collect the dog tax.—From Mr Kellow, re the punt at Ngaruawahia, of the loss incurred.—Froir Messrs Hallamore and Belhouse, re the valuation of their respective properties.—From Messrs Hill and Malioney that their client, Mr Weston, claimed £10 for land taken for a rond in the Karamu Riding.—Letter referred to Mr Fmlayson.—Prom Mr P. Viniug, Hot Springs, declining to pay the rates levied, as his name did not appear on the roll.—The clerk was instructed to reply that tho amount must be paid.—From Mr W. P. Cogswell, re the petition of ratepayers against merging the Whaingaroa Road Board, and asking that the petition be adjudicated upon by a commissioner, and that the Council is not in a position to merge the Board.—From Mr Langley, re charges upon the storage of flax in the wharf store, and requesting the Council to fix the charges at a lower rate. —From Mr J. Douglas re work on the western side of tho mountain.

Waincaro Roads.—Letters were received from Colonel Dawson, Mr Secombo and Mr J. K. McDonald in reference to required works oil the roads around the Waingaroa Hot Springs, and an application from Mr Secombe re a suspension bridge over the rivur, leading to the settlers' homes there. All these gentlemen pointed out the urgent need of repairs to roads. Mr J. K. McDonald waited upon the Council in referenco to repairs much needed on tho Xgaruawahia and Hot Springs road, and printed out that tho motley could be obtained from thirds now due. Tho road was, in some places, very bad, and required immediate attention, and .W5 would be rr-nuired to be spent on the worst place.-.—'lho Council having given a favourable reply, Mr McDonald thanked them and withdrew. Wharf Changes.— Mr Langley next

interviewed the Council, requesting them to fix a lower rate for storage, as the charge of from 4s to 6s for a ton of flax was excessive, and beyond the just requirement of the case; and also that the Council would determine the street levels of Raglan town, as he was erecting buildings and wished to know the proper level before completing the same, so that he might be spared further trouble and expense in after alteration of approaches.—Some Councillors thought Mr Langley had little cause of complaint. —Cr. Brooks and Sutton both spoke in favour of a reduction in the charge". —It was proposed by Cr. Hill and seconded by the chairman (Cr. Mathias) "That owing to the way in which the roads are cut up by the haulage of flax in different parts of the county, the Council do not see their way to make any reduction in storage charges as at present fixed."—Cr. Brooks proposed as an amendment that 1s per ton for all produce be tho sum charged from trip to trip of the steamer. Seconded by Cr. Sutton. On the amendment being put only the mover and seconder supported it, and the resolution was then put and carried. Chaitkl's Account. — t was proposed hy Cr. Calder and seconded by Cr. Whitesido, that only fcS be paid to Mr Chappel as authorised, and that tho Whatawhata bridge ho not inspected at present until the Council give authority for so doing.—Carried. Waikato Furry.—'The Chairman having informed the Council that the < Jovcrnment are ceasing t > contribute to this ferry. The arrangement for carrying on the samo was left in tho chairman's hands. Loane Contractu. —In accordance with notice of motion, Cr. McGuirk proposed and Cr. Calder seconded, that n former resolution of the Council ro the letting of contracts to K. Loane be rescinded.—Cr. Brooks spoko against the resolution, finding fault with tho work of this contractor, saying that work had not been dono as it should have been m the past, some of which ought never to have been passed for payment. They were spending the ratepayers' money and not their own. Contractors should do their work according to specifications.—Cr. McGuirk thought that Cr. Brooks was too severe upon this contractor as he was only one in a party, and it was an endeavour to punish him, whilst letting tho others go clear.—Cr. Sutton also expressed similar views, and said that Loane had spenk more than £20 uuuii his last contract, nn-< that ho supported the resolution. —Cariicd, Cr. Brooks dissentltig, WnAN'tiAru Ridino. — The resolution to increase the representation ot this riding was rescinded, the riding having, by resolution of the Council, been divided into two parts, each having one councillor. Road Repairs.—lt was resolved that the sum of £25 be allocated to the improvement of the road between the Hot Springs and Ngaruawahia, subject to the approval of the Land Board, Messrs McDonald, Dawson and Wilson to inspect the work. Suspension Bridge.—The Clerk was instructed to request Mr Secombe to furnish an estimate of the cost of the suspension bridge, and to obtain the sanction of the Land Board foi the payment of thirds on the works required. Doo Tax.—lt was decided that the Inspector of Police bo requested to appoint registrars for the ridings of Whangnpe, Onewhero, Karioi, and Te Akau, in accordance with a circular received from the Police Department, Wellington. Punt.— A reply was ordered to be sent to Mr Ivellow, ferryman at Ngaruawahia, to the elfect that the Town Board should summons defaulters and see to the loss of fees. Works.—Cr. Brooks was authorised to call for tenders, to be submitted to the Finance Committee, for the works referred to in Mr Goodsel's letter.—The repairs to the road to Mr Eyres' place will be carried out on permission being received to spend the thirds there.—Repairs to the road near Zolfell's, and the removal of logs at Kauiwhauiwhaat a cost of i' 2, were authorised. — Cr. Hill having called attention to the bad state of the Runpuke road, he was authorised to spend 4'5 on the same.

Harbour Control.—On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Hill, it was resolved that the Government be written to, requesting them to give this Council authority to have control of the harbour, so far as to making wharf charges is concerned, until such times as a Harbour Board may he formed ; also, that Mr Bryce be written to, asking him to use his influence in getting the above request granted. Wharf Business.—A large amount of correspondence was read to the wharf management.—As to shipping goods at the old wharf and receiving fees there.—From storekeepers as to the way goods are stored on the wharf, and as to goods being delivered without instructions from the agent of the steamer, thus making it more difficult to collect the freights for the same. — From the manager of the Northern Steamship Company re the delay in discharging cargo from the steamer.—From wharfinger re labour he had to employ in storing cargo, etc, and sending in his account to the Council for same. —From Capt. Norbury as to the shipping arrangement and the arrangement made by the wharfinger for the same. A great deal of discussion took place upon the duties of the wharfinger, and it was resolved that the wharfinger's duty be only to collect the dues upon incoming and outgoing goods.—lt was decided that the. account for shortage of goods be paid ; that the claim of the Northern S S. Company for labour employed be not paid ; and that the surety of Mr G. Robinson for Mr McMaster be accepted on condition of his signing the necessary bond.—At this stage the wharfinger brought forward his books, and on the proposition of Cr Whiteside the Council went into committee. Harbour Board Reserve.—A letter was received from the Government stating that the harbour endowment had been vested in the Council.—lt was resolved that the reserve be cut up into suitable allotments as the Council directs, and the same to be surveyed and offered by public auction at an upset price to be fixed by the Council. Before determining areas, the surveyor shall apportion a certain amount of land around each building already erected, and shall provide a sufficient roadway to the whole of the front of the waterway.—lt was decided to employ Mr Frissel to survey the allotments, the work to be completed by the 6th inst.—Cr Sutton, on behalf of Messrs Sutton and Co., offered to sell the land without charge, and the offer was accepted.—The fixing of the upset price and other matters in connection with these allotments were left in the hands of the Finance Committee, a solicitor to be employed to draw up the conditions of sale and lease. Levels.—lt was proposed by Cr Whiteside that the levels in the township of Raglan be not proceeded with at present, as funds aro not available. Seconded by Cr Hill and carried. Hates. —The following rates wero struck for tho current year:—Whangapo, .jd ; Pironfjia, Ad ; Te Akau. Id ; Karioi, i'd ; Karamu, £d ; Onewhero, \d. Smdriks.—Tenders we're ordered to be called for the Opoutura Creek Ferry.—The local bodies opposite the Waikato and Te Akau Ferries are to be requested to contribute to the same.—A proposition to make the cost of the Tuakau punt a general charge on the county fund was lost. —As soon as possible the balanceof the Onewhere Hiding account will be paid into the Road Board account.—Legal action will be taken against defaulting ratepayers within one month. — The next place of meeting of the Council was fixed for Ngaruawhia.—lt was resolved that the wharf store be insured. Auckland day by day continues to consume more and more of Arthur Nathan's Reliable Tea; a sure sign that it has hit the public taste. Nobody cau supply anything like it. It is a marvel of economy ; it goes so far. 2s and 2s lid per lb. 47 Yes ! It is certainly true. Ask any of your friends who have purchased there. Garlick *"(1 Cranwell have numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from country customers on the'r excellent packing of Furniure, Crockery, and Glass, &c. Ladies and gentlemen about ti furnish should remember .Hat Garlick and Cranwell's is thu Cheap Furnishing Warehouse of Auckland. furniture to suit all classes; ~iso Carpets, floor Cloths and all House Necessaries. 11 yout new house is nearly finished, or, you arc K°ing to r i*t married, visit Garlick and Crainvell, Queen-street and I.orne-street Auckland. intending pur-