RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2978, 15 August 1891, Page 2

RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL

The following is a continuation of the business transacted at the sitting of tho Raglan County Council, which we were obliged to hold over last issue : — Hospital Costuihution.—A demand was received from tho Waikato Hcspital Board for payment of tlio contribution of B'J'.l, before Ist September next. Cr. Wilson suggested that a Hospital rato should bo struck so that tho ratepayers could see where the money is going to. After some desultory discussion the matter dropped as tlio.se councillors whose ridings weio in credit objected to extra rating to pay for those whose ridings were in debt.

County Finance.—'The question of the county finances was discussed at great length and it was finally determined that a poll of the ratepayers of the Karioi Hiding bo taken for the purpose of borrowing the sum uf £212, under the "Loans to Local Bodies Act," the wharf dues to bo pledged as security, or else the rents from the endowments. —Councillors Mathias, Calder, Mclimrk, brooks, K. 13. ltill and Wilson vot;id fur, and Cr. Whiteside against.

Hoad Deviation.—Ho tho deviation of a road at ICaramu through Mr T. S, Weston's property. Mr 1). Finlayson forwarded a cheque for £10, being the amount claimed as compensation by Mr T. Shailer Wehton for the land taken for the road.— Tho Council considered the amount exccsssive, but ordered the clerk to forward the money to Mr Weston. New Road— Mr Mathias was granted permission to cut down some bush and open a road between Te Akau and the Hot Springs, the work to be done on the surveyed road. Drainage.— Subject to the approval of the Finance Committee permission was granted Mr W. Barlow to run a drain from his hotel in Clilf-street, Raglan, to the sea beach under the road. Accounts.—Tho clerk was instructed to adjust the accounts between the Whangupe Hiding and the newly formed Waingaro Hiding. A Request.—Letter from Mr Jackson and others asking for a grant of £12 to make a road from the beach to Mr Swan's house at Papanui.—Reply : No funds ! One man-one-vote. —The Council passed a resolution proposed by Cr. Brooks and seconded by Cr. S. L. Wilson, that the Raglan County Council are strongly opposed to the one-man-one-vote clause in the Counties Act Amendment Act now before the House. Local Bodies Audit Bill.—A resolution was also passed to the offtct. "that this Council regrets that a copy of the "Local Bodies Audit Bill " has not been submitted to this and other county councils ; as they believe that many of the clauses contained therein would not be approved of by any of the Local Bodies. Public Wokks Act.—Rcrolved: "That the Minister of Lands be written to, c tiling his attention to the fact that the method of taking land under the Public Works Act, and oxchange of lands, is cumbersome and xhould be simplified, as unnecessary expense is entailed under tho present system." Raglan Wharfinger.—It was resolved to refund the Raglan wharfinger the £2 he expended in wages for labour in discharging the steamer some time since, and that ha be informed that he must not incur any unauthorised expenditure in future. Town of Raglan.—It was resolved that the section on which the old Council Chambers stands, together with the house, thereon, be leased for a term of 14 years, at an upset price of £8 per annum. No improvement clauses or compensation on expiry of lease to be given. The Native Hostelry.— It was resolved to apply to the Native Department for a rental of £5 per year for the ground on which the native hostelry stands. Church of England Site.—Re the allotment on which the Church of England stands, it was decided to offer the site to the Church people at £1 10s per annum. (After the meeting two councillors guaranteed 15s per annum each to secure the site to the Church people). The Courthouse.—Re the Courthouse and the allotment on which it stands, it was decided to charge the Justice Department 10s per week rental, and the clerk was instructed to send in the account for rent from the date of the gazetting of the control of the land in the Council. Wharf Dues.—Regarding the boundaries inside which wharf dues can be collected in the Raglan harbour, after discussion it was resolved to write again to the Marine Department giving further reasons for and asking that the whole of the foreshore of the Whaingaroa harbour be placed under the control of the Raglan Harbour Board. Next Meeting.—lt was resolved, Cr. Hill only dissenting, that the next meeting of the Council take place at Ngaruawahia on the fourth Wednesday in November. Thirds.— Crs, Brooks, Whiteside, and Wilson (two to fonn a quorum) were appointed a committee to manage the thirds of deferred payment sections moneys, and to draw cheques oil the No. 2 account in the Bank. Travelling Kxtenses.— A telegram was, at this stage, received from the Auditor- ( ieneral, which said that, owing to information received, he could not think of removing tfie surcharge in Mr Sutton's case for travelling expenses. This means that tho travelling expenses claimed by Cr. Sutton cannot be allowed.—Notice ot motion was given, " That the resolution passed earlier in ths day be rescinded at the next meeting of the Council." Raglan Wharf,—Cr. Wilson proposed, "That in the event of the Karioi Riding not consenting to borrow £242 to pay off the debt on the Raglan wharf, and in the event of the riding not consenting to the loan, the Council consider the advisability of hanging up the Counties Act at their next meeting."—Seconded by two or three councillors. The voting was: —For: Crs. Wilson, Calder, Whiteside, Hill and McGuirk. Against: Crs. Mathias and Brooks.—lt was resolved to send a copy of this resolution to the Colonial Secretary, stating that unless some assistance was given to the council in the way of making up for native and Crown land rates, the Council could not carry out their functions for want of funds. Accounts.—A few very small accounts wore passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned, after having been at busineas from 2 p.m. till 10 p.m. on Monday and from a.m. till 10 p.m. on Tuesday ; in all seventeen hours of sitting time. This ought to be a record for county council meetings in the colony.