OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 679, 12 April 1923, Page 3

OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Oi'oua County Council was held at Foilding yesterday, when there were present: Ors. McElroy (chairman),Vincent, McLeriuan, Greonhow, Brewster and Campboll. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. Morrison.

CORRESPONDENCE

From the Treasury Department, for/warding £I6OO 10b subsidy on rates.—Received. From the- .State Advances Department, Forwarding £llOO, the amount of the Gorge road loan.---Received. From the Foilding Boosters' Club, asking for an expression of opinion on the question of the weekly half-holiday.—Re-solved that as Wednesday was the halfholiday in the /jimty the club be informed that the council did not wish to express any opinion.

From the Manawatu Hydro-Electric Power Board, advising date of election of members.—Received.

From the Medical Officer of Health, suggesting that his department be consulted when by-laws were being drafted.—Decided to act on the suggestion. From the Department of Health, forwarding Order-in-Council apportioning representation of contributing local bodies on hospital boards.—Received. From the Commissioner of Taxes, asking the council to display notices calling attention to the returns of land and income tax.—Agreed to. From the Pobangina County Council, suggesting a conference at Ashhurst to discuss the question of the private road through Mr Akers's "Broadlands" property io Malton Block.—Decided that the question lie left to the incoming council. From the Manawatu Employers' Association, with reference to the wage reduction as effected by the Arbitration Court.--Re-ceived. From the Minister of Internal Affairs, forwarding amendments to the Cemeteries ami Rating Acts, 1908.—Received.

from the New Zealand Counties' Asso ciation, forwarding legal opinions.—Re ceived.

FINANCIAL' STATEMENT. The statement of accounts showed that, at the close of the financial year on .March 31. the debit balance at the bank was £2819, which was more than balanced by the outstanding revenue, the principal items of which were a subsidy of £1603, and general rates £l3Bl. The position was much the same as last year and, considering the amount of work done in re-metalling roads and re-placing old wooden culverts and bridges in concrete, besides general maintenance, the position was quite satisfactory. When the outstanding subsidy, which had been received, was taken info consideration, the ■position would be further improved. It would appear that the present rate would bo sufficient to allow the council to carry on in the ensuing year in (he same way as last. The hospital loan would be wiped out in four years, the overdraft loan in three years and the old roads and bridges construction loan would be paid off in four years. This would relieve the finances to the extent of £B7O per annum.—The report was adopted. Accounts totalling £2847 were passed for payment.

The engineer reported (inter alia) that, in the. Taonui riding the old bridge near Mr Scheldt's property on Bunnythorpe road had been replaced with a concrete structure and tho men were liow at work ou the culvert on Reid's line. A quantity of gravel had been carted to the dump on the Taonui-Bunnythorpe road. The timber for decking the bridge over Mangaone stream on Forlong's road had been carted lo (ho site. In the lliwinui riding little besides genera! maintenance work had been done in this riding. The Palmerston road had been trimmed with the grader. In the Otangaki riding some gravel repairs had been effected to Spur road and the Ash-hurst-Bunnythorpe road. The latter road required repairing throughout, and be suggested that tenders be called for the work immediately. The balance of the restar for the Gorge bridge decking was to arrive about the end of this week.—The report was adopted.

TRANSFERS

The following alterations to the rate roll were agreed to:—E. 11. King to Trustees Methodist Church; 11. and A. W. Akers to \. \V. Akers; 0. E. Suisted to DaG. Eorlong; G. E. Suisted to O. G. Eorlong; G. ]•:. Suisted to D. G. Eorlong;* Mrs A. I Morris to .Mrs A. L. Bauckman; A. Adsctt to W. AdseU; Estate 11. Adsett to A. Adsett: J. ■!. Cotter to National Mutual Life Association ; W. P. Blows to F. Scales; Estate 11. Adsett. to J. Thomas; \ \dsett to C. and Win. Williamson; Estate 11. Adsett lo 11. A. Adsett; R. K. Smart to Commissioner of Crown -Lands; Estate E. A. Hail to E. W. Williams; A. W. Akers to W. G. S. Romley.

GENERAL

\n item iii the expenditure with reference to the carting of metal for the crusher, by contract, gave rise to some discussion, the clerk having left the rate 10 he paid to the teams employed in the work for the council to decide: Mr Harding mentioned that, the contractors had complained about the rate of 32s per day fixed by resolution of the council, and had asked for 36s as paid for the work by other councils. The burden of the complaints was that, with the increased cost oi horse fodder and other expenses involved m team work, the price made, the contract an unprofitable venture. The chairman said he favoured increasing ,| ie ~1-iee, as he felt the council was anxious to pay a fair rate and obtain a lair dav's work in return. It was not desirable to" have men working for the council, if they were dissatisfied. The cos* ot '»»"»• lenaneo had increased, chaff,. for example, being £1 per ton, and the price of shoeing had gone up also. It was linallv decided that the matter be left in the hands of the engineer, who will go into the question of paying a ''Twas deeded that the rates for the ensuing twelve months be the same as tins year. The rate will be struck at the next meeting of the council.