WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3100, 28 May 1892, Page 2

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL

Thb usual monthly meeting of theWaikato County Council was held yesterday afternoon, at the Council Chambers, Hamilton East. There were present: Cr. Primrose, (chairman),' Barugh, Paton, Coates, Johnson, Seddon and Forrest. Briars, etc. —Cr. Forrest reported that the blackberries near the Narrows bridge were encroaching on Mr Way's property and he recommended that permission be granted to Mr Way to cut a drain to prevent further uncroachment. The recommendation was agreed to. Rates. —The clerk was instructed to notify the Council's intention of striking a rate of Id in the £ for the Rangiriri district, at next meeting. Cr. Johnson was anxious that the question of striking the rate in this district should be deferrod until next meet ing so as ascertain if it would not be possible to reduce the amount to jd in the £. It was understood that should it be considered practicable the rate could be reduced to Jd in the £ before being passed. Subsidies. —In reply to a latter asking for an advance of subsidies due to tho local bodies in the county the Property-tax Department wrote that as th6se advances had been made before 31st March he could not certify to them now but they would all be paid in full after June 30th. Hontly Roads. —The Survey Department wrote stating that the Huntly township is a private township, and there is no dedication of the roads to the Queen. The petition on this subject presented at last meeting was therefore allowed to lie ovor, Thihds. —The Land Board'notified the payment of £27 15s lid, portion of thirds for works approved by the Board. Injory.—lt was decided to pay Mr Cowan £2 for injuries received to his horse by its going through the planking of a bridge on the Matahura road. Rates. —The clerk repnrted that he had received £3S 7s Id by summonsing defaulters. Enginkkr.— The County Engineer, Mr T. G. Sandes, wrote statiug that he could not accept the Council's offer of 7i per cent, on all works for as the majority of the works to be undertaken are likely to be small ones, he would bo out of pocket owing to the distance he would have to travel.— Cr. Johnson said that he was not anxious to do away with the services of an engineer, but he thought that he might be authorised to do small jobs of £4 or £5. An engineer could be employed when any larger ones were undertaken. It would be a saving of expense, he said, if this course were followed. He said, that there was a piece of work passed by the engineer which was now impassable, and which the engineer was instructed at the December meeting to have put right in three months. This had not been done and it bad created considerable feeling in the district.—The Chairman paid that he would not agree to power being given to any Councillor to authorise any works even up to £6 or £B.—Bearing on this question, a letter was received from the engineer stating that the timber used ia Ellia bridge was not what it should have been, and the whole cost of the job «hould not have exceeded £21 instead of £2C—Cr. Forrest said that he gathered froin what Cr. Johnson said, that they had not been well served by the Engineer, —The question of the employment of an engineer for the Rangiriri riding was deferred until next meeting. Mr Storey's Bill.—A bill of particulars for re building Ellis Bridge by Mr Storey was reported on by Cr. Johnson, who objected ti overcharges in several items, amounting to £6 3s 3d, leaving the cost of the bridge at £20 17s 9d — The Chairman eaid that Cr. Johnson had incurred a great responsibility in undertaking this work on his ewn authority, and without any agreement with the con tractor. He would not submit to this, and would oppose the matter to the bitter end Cr. Johnson should have taken some steps to communicate with eome other member before undertaking the work, and he should recognise that any money he expends in this way is on his own responsibility. Cr. Johnson said in explanation that he had at first thought the work was only a small job, but on opening it up, he had found the whole bridge rotten, and had to get it repaired bo as to allow the traffic to go on. He admitted that the cost was excessive, and had said it was a swindle. It was resolved that Mr Storey's account for £15 2s Id be not paid, and it was referred back for amendment. Accounts.—Pnymont of the following accounts was authorised : —John Flannigan, 18a Id ; Pennell, £110s ; law costs, 5s 10(3; travelling expenses, £2 103 ; H. Fitzgerald, £8 3s; salaries, £12 10s; books and stationery, £2 6s 10d ; petty cash, £3 Gs 10d; Cowan, £2.