WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3008, 24 October 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL

The usual monthly meeting of the above Council was held in the Waikato Council Chambers, yesterday afternoon, whan there were present : — Crs. Primrose (chairman), Seddon, Barugh, Johnson and Forrest.

Riding Accounts.—'The state of the different ridings was declared as follows : In debit Rangiriri £18 lis 4d ; Kirikiriroa, £2 8s ; Cambridge, £73 153; Model farm, £149 5s lOd. In credit, Tamahere, 13s 6d.

Takiwha Road Contract. —A petition was read from Messrs Mcßae, Lindsay, Ross, Bruco, sen., Muir, Bruce, Koss and Lindsay with reference to theTaniwha road contract and dealing very severely with the chairman and engineer. The petition asserted that the specifications had not been carried out and that gross negligence had been shown all through.—A letter was received from MrT. G. Sandes, the engineer, saying that ha was called away unexpectedly to Cambridge, and could not attend the meeting,—Cr. Forrest said that the petition was an important document and that something should be done in the matter. It was very evident that something was wrong, or else tho Council would not have received the petition.—Cr. Johnson said that he was not a stranger to the petition, and said lie had been hauled over the coals over the matter. He quite agreed with everything in the petition. The work had been done shamefully, and not according to specifications, and the engineer had shown neglitrence in passing the work. When Crß. Primrose, Forrest and Johnson showed Mr Sandes the work, Mr Sandes was left to cut the lines, etc,, but instead Mr Sandes had left almost immediately after, and charged £8 12s tor virtually doing nothing. The contractor had to do the work by guess work, and the outlet drain had been made seven or eight chains more than it need have been, and work had encroached on Mr Muir's property so much that it needed about £10 to clear it off.—Cr. Forrest said they must have the engineer with the specifications present before anything could be done, and the matter was deferred till tho next meeting.—On the motion of Cr. Forrest, seconded by Cr. Barugh, a vote of censure was passed on the writers of the petition, and all the councillors spoke of the slanderous and impertinent tone of the petition right through, and that if in the future a similar petition were presented it would not be read. Expesbes.—Messrs E. L, Hope and Polwart wrote, asking that more expenses be allowed them in connection with the late Matahura road deviation case, but as they had been p lid the award of the Court, the Teqnests were not acceded to. Work Done. —An account for £2 Gs was received from Mr A. Johansen for work done at Huntly, and was deferred till the next meeting.

Rates. —It was resolved to apply to the mortgages of tha Miranda Coal Company for the rates due by them before suing. Hospital Rate.—Some discussion ensued upon the Cambridge tiding refusing to pay the Hospital contribution. —Cr. Forrest said they would willingly pay a Hospital rate, but they must have it a special rate and called a Hospital rate, so that they conld see what they were paying for. It was a protest from the Cambridge riding against the heavy contributions levied. —After a little further discussion, the matter was dropped, and Cr. Forrest will again consult with the other members],of the Cambridge Road Board.

Taniwha Road.—The Clerk was instructed to write to the Chief Surveyor asking if the Taniwha road was a surveyed road, and if so, to take steps to have it stopped. Accounts.— I The following accounts were passed for payment, vizChamptaloup and Cooper, £1 Is !)d ; travelling expenses, £2; Hamilton Borough, £5 7s ; salary, £12 10s.