WAIKOHU COUNTY COUNCIL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2441, 4 March 1909, Page 5

WAIKOHU COUNTY COUNCIL

councillor Macdonald elec-

TED CHAIRMAN

The first meeting of the newly-con-stituted Waikohu County Council Avas held yesterday at noon, 'at tho Road Board’s office, To Karaka. Iheic were present: Ore. MacDonald, A. M. Lewis, jH. E. Tiften, M, Campbell, H. Telford, and E. M. Hutchinson. Mr. John Warren, the clerk, appointed by His Excellency tho Governor, presided. The Chairman read his authority to conduct the elections, and to .preside at the meeting, and 'also formally annoil need -tlio result of tho election. On tho motion of Cr. Lewis, seconded by Cr. Hutchinson, it was resolved that Cr. MacDonald be chairman for the ensuing year. . , . Tho chairman-elect returned thanks to tho councillors for Hie honor conferred upon him, and explained at length the circumstances which had led up to tho severance from Cook County, one thing being that the Loans to Local Bodies Act limited the borrowing poAver to £6OOO, and the development of the back country was urgently needed. He thanked the Cook County for the maintenance pi tho roads up to December 31st, and he had given his pledge to pay for the men’s wages since that date. CORRESPONDENCE.

On behalf of Mr. F. Hall, Messrs Nolan and Sheet applied lor a license to lay a tram-line along the \Y ;n----hora Valley road, from Nicholson's gate to Kauakanaia bridge, a distance of a mile, with the permission to stack timber on the side of the road reserve at the bridge, the license to be for five years, with the right of renewal. The tramway would be used for the haulage of timber and firevw. from the new mill. . After discussion, the Chairman reau the Tramways Act, setting forth the details of procedure necessary to obtain the consent. It was decided that the customary notice regarding objections be advertised. Mr. de G. Fraser, county engineer, wrote offering the Council his advice and assistance until they_ had made their arrangements.—Received. The Minister for Labor wrote asking the Council to fix a day for the weekly half-holiday for the shops. It was stated that Mr. Sefton had replied that Thursday had hitherto been held, hut the Department had lixed Wednesday. . On tho motion of C>r. Lewis it was decided that stops be taken to ascertain if the day could not be altered, as it is inconvenient to close on Wednesdays. . A letter was received from Mr. V • L. Spence offering a site at Puha for the new Council's offices. Mr. W. L. Rees wrote asking that a, committee should be appointed to meet- him and discuss the question of constructing tramways on the roads in various parts of the district. J.t was decided, on the motion of Cr. Hutchinson, seconded by Cr. Telford. that Cr. Tiffcn and the mover he appointed a committee to meet Mr. Rees at his office to-day, at 2 p.ni. A letter was read from the v aluerGeneral asking the Council to appoint a nomiueo to act upon the Assessment Court. It was proposed by Cr.tHutclmison, seconded by Cr. Telford, and carried, that Cr. MacDonald be appointed. Mr. H. Keuway. manager of the Huanui Company, asked that Huauui station be cut out of the V aikoliu County. The Chairman said that he hud asked Messrs O’Ryan. Fraser, and W arren to confer on the best natural divisions to bo made for both counties. They would meet about March 12tli, and the suggestion could be considered on March 23rd. Mr. E. R. Renner and a number of other settlers in the Hangaroa Riding of Cook County petitioned for inclusion in the new County. It was resolved that the matter be held over until the question of boundaries had been considered. Mr. A. T. Hayes applied for the position of clerk to the Council, and Mr. J. Jackson for that of road engineer. It was decided that the letters be received as the Council were not yet in a positionvto deal with the matter. A request was received from the Counties Association asking the Waikoliu County to join—lt was decided to accede to the request. GENERAL.

It was decided that the ordinary meetings of the Council be held on the third Friday an each month, at 11 a.m., in the To Karaka office. Regarding tire rates for 1908-J, , n was resolved, on the motion or Or. Tiffen, seconded by Cr. Hutchinson, that a general rate of l:‘d he struck in the Motu. Ngatapa, Karaka, Kanakanaia. Mangatu, and 'Waipaoa Rklin(Ts, and that a Charitable -Aid rate oAmo-ninth of a penny bo levied m each riding for the period ending March 31st. 1909 It was decided that the next- meetino- of the Council he held in Gisborne on° March 23rd. at 11 a.m., and that the Council, at 2 p.m., meet the Cook County Council to discuss the question of boundaries and rates. A petition was presented to the Council by Cr. Campbell from settlers iu the Mangabania district, asking leave to raise a loan of £285/ for constructing a; .new road, with a special rate of Id in the £. It was proposed by the Chairman, and seconded by Cr. Campbell, that a special order be made. The Chairman and Crs. Tiffen and Hutchinson were 'appointed to arrange financial matters,, and tiicy were empowered to sign cheques on behalf of the Council. . Mr. George Warren was appointed temporary clerk at a salary of £3 pel week, until after the next ipoeting. The Chairman mentioned that lie had arranged with Mr: Money to .carry road repairs since January Ist, and a wages account for tins work, amounting to £2Bl 9s\ 8d was passed for payment. The. Chairman suggested that if the Finance Committec r \voro jvblo bo liiivlco ScVtisicVctoi \ arrangements that the wages as shown to be due should bo paid. It was suggested that tlie Cook County by-laws be adopted for the new County., with the exception of that relating to wheel tyres. On tlic motion of Cr. I<ew:s, seconded h.v Cr. Tifren, it was resolved that the Te'Ovaraka pound, lately controlled by the. Waikolnt. Road Board, be declared a public pound. ¥ The meeting then adjourned. A y ~ . Ac..' - - -A