GRANT MONIES.

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1913, Page 2

GRANT MONIES.

PRIVATE LOANS ACCEPTED,

At yesterday's meeting, the Whangarei County Council went into committee to discuss the accepting of tenders for various works. Two contracts were advertised, one in Hikurangi Riding, and one in Kiripaka Riding. Tenders were received for the work, which was to be paid for out of Government £ for £ grants. This means that the Government subsidise every pound spent on road work by the Council within a given area, by an equivalent up to a certain

sum. ] The first tenders opened were those dealing with the Hikurangi Riding. Mr Me I lines, who is councillor for the j riding, stated that "there was a £ for £ grant to carry out the work, but as the Council was not in a position to pay the £50 required, to avail themselves of the grant, he had arranged with settlers whose properties benefited by the formation of the road to advance the £50 required, this sum to be repaid to them in two years. In view of this offer the Council decided to accept the tender, the chairman, Crs Morey and McKay voting against it. Shortly after, tenders were opened iv connection with the contract in Kiripaka Riding, and Cr Grant notified "that, in view of the work being done by a £100 £ for £ grant, he was prepared to have the Council's liability advanced by settlers, this to he repaid in twelve to eighteen months In making the offer, Cr Grant impressed on his colleagues that the work was to be done in connection with widening a two-foot track between Kiripaka and Ngunguru, and if he were fjiveu the best buggy in the country he could not get it to Ngunguru by road. The settlers at Ngunguru were absolutely shut out for '■want of a road. _ At this stage Cr Morey, chairman of the Finance Committee, pointed out that, the Kiripaka Ridings account was overdrawn beyond its legal limit by a considerable amount. *Cr Grant replied that the present one was an exceptional case, and the Council should avail themselves ot the opportunity offered to secure the Government's quota. The Council had only just previously granted the concession to the Hikurangi Riding. Cr Morey: "Oh, yes; but Hikuraagi Riding is within its legal limit." Cr Grant: "All I ask for is a square deal, and I am not getting that square deal " He then went on to quote a case where the Council had allowed a ratepayer to have certain work done on a road, which had already been formed, and that ratepayer was providing the money, to. be repaid in a vf-ar The road for which this was allowed was one which had already been formed, was near town, and only required a few repairs. He appealed to the Council to give the "backblock fo-llows a chance." The Council decided not to accede to Cr Grant's request. The County Clerk, Mr H. C. Hemphill pointed out that the Council was doing a very irregular thing in accepting any loans from private individuals for these works, and placed his notification to the Council on the record of the minutes.