RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3023, 28 November 1891, Page 2

RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL.

A si'EcrAti meeting of tho above Council was held at Ngarnawahia on Wednesday. Present: Crs. Wilson (chairman), Mc(luiik. Hill, Calder, Matthias, Brooks, Cogswell and Whiteside. Tuakau Punt. —In accordance with notice given, Cr. Whiteside moved that certain alterations ba mado in tho by-laws regulating the working of tho Tuakau punt, which was carried. This concluded the special business, and tho ordinary quarterly meeting was then proceeded with. Tho minutes of the previous meeting wero read, and with a few triHing alterations approved. Council Chambers. —It was resolved to inform the Raglan Mutual Improvement Society that they would have to pay for the use of the Council Chambers in future, as they had been leased. Rent. —The Native Minister had so far not replied to the demand of the Council for £5, being one year's rent of the native hostelry.—A reply was received from the Minister of Justice re the demand for £26, being rent for one year for the ground on which the Court-house stands, saying that he could not recognise the claim. It was resolved to apply again.—Re Mr Donaldson, who owed £7 1s for rent, and was entitled to £6 15s for work done for the Council, the clerk was authorised to square the account with him. —Mr Frizzell was given 14 days to pay the amount owing by him for rent of his section.—The rent for the ground on which the Anglican Church stands was reduced to £1 per annum.

Reserves. —The Crown Lands Department wrote saying that the Recreation Reserve in the Onewhero Riding had been changed for an educational reserve.—lt was resolved to ask that the reserve be reinstated as a recreation reserve.

Lease.—Mr Kellow wrote asking that tho lease of the Ferry Reserve, wliieli had been dwlv gazetted, be obtained for him. Mr O'Xiell, solicitor, had been written t>, but said he could not complete the lease until all particulars were supplied. No reply had been received from the Surveyor General asking for the Crown Grant.

Enquiry.—A reply was received from the Surveyor - General re the punt over the Waikato River at I'ukekohe, which the Pukekohe East Road Hoard say they have nothing to do with. He intimated that Captain Jackson, R.M., had been instructed to hold an enquiry into the matter, which will be held at an early date.

By-Laws.—Cr. Calder reported that the mailman (Kingi Poliepohe) had been in the habit of galloping over the bridge at Whatawhata.—The clerk had been in com munication with Mr L O'Xeill, who suggested that as the cost of proving the case would be large, it would be well to caution him, and then, if he offended again, to enforce tho by-law.—Strong dissatisfaction was expressed by the Council that no prosecution had been made, as they were of opinion the case could have been proved,— It was resolved to ask Mr O'Xeill why he did not prosecute.

Beacons.—The Minister of Marine wrote, saying that owing to the heavy weather when the Hinemoa was in Raglan she had been unable to make the necessary soundings across the bar, and suggesting that the Northern Steamship Company should be asked to do the work.—lt was resolved to make a further request to the Government, to do the work.

Karuio Deviation".—lt was resolved that Mr T. G. Sandes be asked to hurry up the specifications of the Karamu road deviation, and that tenders bo called for the work.

Fi'iizk. — Furze notices worn i-rd- red lo he so', to the owneis 11f pn.p-ily twar the e.ii t end of the Te It ire biidge, as the bridge was in diii.f-r of being burnt down in case of a tire, and also In others in various parts of the county. X.vrivi: <>nsri«TTios\—>">. Brookes said tint the natives hid stopped the old <Jo-MM-omen*-. road near < >n"vvhero. and they wr-re pulling up the survey pegs und turning the load to suit their padd-rk*.—A lot, of c irie-poudenee was read over this matter, and decided that the Council should refuse to sanction the deviation as proposed by th" nal i ves. Koah Dkvi athin. —Mr I'. Nicholson intonated his intention to fence in the ground where the road now runs through his property.—The matter was left in Cr. Hill's hands, with power to act. I'iUii'OSKti Works.—Two letters wero read from Mr W. Arch. Murray suggesting a considerable amount ot work. It was resolved to reply that as funds a;ciued, the money would be expended. Ho also wrote asking for payment for work ho Ikui done on the road. It was resolved that as any work ho had done was on his own responsibility, the Council cannot recognise the claim. Thiiids. —A letter was ordered to bo sent to the Government containing tho proposals of tho public mooting hold in Ng.iruawal.ia some time ago re thuds.

(ritAN'T. —ft was res'lived to urge tho Government to snend the tloOO granted to tho Minis'er of Lands, for opening up tho special settlement lauds.

UltmiiKs.—A letter was received from the District Surveyor saying that tho Whangaraoa Koad Hoard were willing to sell tho suspension bridge across the Waitotuna stream, and suggesting that it bo bought and used across tho Kaihu-a and Waingaro streams. It was resolved that as a body the Council object to paying for tha removal of tho bridge.

Bad Cim.vkut.— Cr. Cogswoll showed tho Council a sample of tho mortar usod by Wilson on tho culvert at tho bottom of tho Mountain lioad, and the Council expressed themselves very dissatiElied with tho work.

Account.—An account was received from the Star otHce, for ISs for advertising with a note by Mr Sandes certifying to tho account, also adding that tho Council should bo written to very strongly as thoy were not paying anyone.—The matter was allowed to stand over until Mr .Sandes was present.

Kahioi Koad Board.—A letter was received from the Bank ol New Zealand asking that the debentures fir the Kariori Road Board for £33 due on Ist Mav last bo taken up as soon as possible.—lt was rosolved to comply with the request.

Koad Deviation'.—A petition was received from Messrs Phillips and others asking that the road through Mr Thomson's at Ruapuke be diverted.—A reply was ordered to bo sent asking if tho petitioners will contribute to tho cost. Si.\ughtmiing Licknsi>.—Renewals of slaughtering licenses were granted to Messrs Langley, James and Robinson, and a new license to MrThos. Wilson. Dog Ukuistiiaiis. — A long discussion ensued upon the question of dog r'gistration, finally it was proposed by Or. Brookes that the fee bo 2s (id for sheep and cattlo dogs and 5s for other dogs, and that tho remuneration to registrars bo half of the fees. This was seconded by Cr. 0-ikler and carried. KiiliiiV.—Tenders are to be called for tho position of ferryman to tho Opotura ferry. Natiyk Asskssoii.— Considerable discussion ensued upon tho question of a native asss?ssor, and it was resolved that as tho number of Europeans has largely increased, tho Council is of opinion that it should no longer be a Xative Licensing District, as the expenses of an assessor aro out of all proportion to the services rendered. Riding Accounts.—The following is the statement of tha riding accounts:—ln credit,' Karamu, £11 -Is lid ; Onewhero, £71 13s sd; Te Akau, £3i> lis 7d ; Waingaro, £120 4s -Id; in debit, Ivarioi, £111 ISs 10:1; I'roogia, £21) Is (j.l ; Whangape, £7 l'is 101;

WHARF.—The wharf management was discusssd at length, the Council expressing great disatisfaction at it. Instances were given where goods had been lost, and broken through the carlessness of those in charge. The caretaker who has been ill, had left Walter Moon in charge, and the clerk said that when he went to receive the dues he was told there was only about 7s 6d in hand. It was resolved that applications be called for a successor to the wharfinger, as he had not found the necessary bondsmen required by the Council, and he be called upon to settle up his accounts. It was also resolved that the Chairman and Cr. Cogswell draw up conditions for both the sale, or lease of the wharf for twelve months, as the Council were of opinion that it could be better managed that way.

LEASE of Council Chambers.—Cr. Brooks raised the question of the legality of the lease of the Council Chambers for the Post-office for 14 years. He said it had not been properly advertised, the same as the other allotments, but only on a black board in Mr .Sutton's shop, and which the people had never seen. He would certainly object to the lease being signed. —A Iong discussion ensued, and when it was explained to Cr Brooks that the black board had been shown in the street, he withdrew his opposition.

Rati:.s Duk.— I Tlio Clerk reported that the rates uncollected were : — Karanui Kidins, £7 Us; Kari ii, 8s 51: Unowhero, m 12s !W; Pirongia, £22 17s lid; To Akau, I?.< ; Wiungaro I'toiis; Whangape, l'(i 10s.— It was resolved tn make an exam plo of three or four defaulters, and also to .sell the lands belonging to absentees.

Repairs.—Mr Barlow asked that some repairs be made to the footpath in front of his hotel in Raglan. There being no funds,

this work is to stand over.—Mr Bay was authorised to fence off Section 11, as he proposed. Wharf Debt. —It was resolved to liquidate the debt on the Raglan wharf by paying the amount due by the Waingaroa Road Board on tho £350 loan, provided the support of the ratepayers is obtained, and that the necessary proceedings be taken for the loan of £242 over the Whaingaroa Road and Raglan Town Districts, and that the wharf dues be lodged as security.

Lease.— It was resolved to make application to the Marine Department for full titles to the wharf and harbour endowments to give lease-holders a title, as they were applying for them.

Sutton's Deviation.—Cr. Cogswell was authorised to carry out this deviation.

Caution'.—Cautions were ordered to be sent to Messrs Cannell and Co. and Harwood that tho skidding of wheels was causing much damage to the roads and culverts, and that they would be held responsible fur dairage done.

Monky Votkh.— Application is to bo made to the! Minister of Lands for ull m mies to be lodged to the crodit of tho Council as soon as possible, so that work can be udertaken during tho summer months.

Main Roads.—A long discussion ensued on the county roads, and it was resolved that the Karamu riding pay one-fifth of the cost of maintenance of the Waipa-Raglan road, Karioi one-half, le Akau one-fifth, and [.Waingarn one-tenth ; also that the rates collected in the Onewhero, Waingaro, and l'irongia ridings be oxponded locally.

Bask Intkhrst.—'The clerk was instructed to find out the amount of interest charged by the lJanlc of Xew Zealand for the overdraft.

Lickn'sinc Account.—Tin; accounts receiled from the members of the Licemiog Committee were referred back, as tho Council did not think they were entitled to expenses, at the first meeting which was illegal.

I'ii'bs.—An account was received for C 7 -Is Sd from the Hospital Bonrd for pipes supplied.—The Council considered the charge exorbitant, and the account was ordered to be enquired into.

Sale.—The action of tho late chairman in selling the Council furniture was approved of.

Cj.ehk, ktc. —Mr Cogswell intimated that ho would give notice of motion that public tenders be called for the position of Clerk, Collector, and Treasurer, icturnable next meeting.

Xex t Mkktini;.—The next meeting will be held in Xgaruawaliia in .February. Accounts. —The following accounts were passed for payment, vi/.. (Jalder, K'2 lis ; Whiteside, At! !)•>; S-rndes, Oslid ; Whaingaroa Road II lard, interest, 1 ; Karioi Road Board Debentures, £3:j ; E. Rice, €18; Vudit fees. £1 (i* Sd ; Campbell, fl 10s; U'.ilford, t'l Is ; Rondel! and Henry, 13s Sd : Wade. £10 lis (id ; Uurd, £ti Is; Bruce, Us fid ; Travelling expenses, £17.