THE TAIERI FLOODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14281, 1 August 1908, Page 10

THE TAIERI FLOODS

SUBSIDY AND OVERDRAFT, DISCUSSION BY COUNTY COUNCIL. At the meeting of tho Taieri County Council yesterday Mr B. 13. Couston, county engineer, reported that lie was satisfied that tlte council would ha-ve to avail itself of tho flood suteidy to tho full amount of the authority. He would suggest that the amount for riding roads bo charged to those ridings, that tho money required for main roads be voted straight out, any riding to bo enabled to overdraw to the extent of £400, and in tho following year to strike a separate proportional rate to pay off tho overdraft. All the £4000 to bo considered as au overdraft for next year. He had found that a good deal of damage had been overlooked in his former report. The engineer then went on to name the roads that ho proposed to be chargeable to tho county. Or Blackie proposed that a special committee be appointed to deal with the matter. Cr Stevenson said lie thought that the black bridge had been disposed of before the'flood, and contended that it should not have been included in regard to flood damages. Tho Engineer stated that he had expressly informal tho Prime Minister that the North Taieri bridges were old bridges, the beat of which had not more than a year or two's life. Cr Stevenson: The black bridge was condemned by the council before the flood, and I object to its being put on the list. It was unfair that the Otokia Riding should be compelled to contribute towards the renewal of the bridge. Cr Freeman said ho agreed with Cr Stevenson. The motion was seconded by Cr Miller, it being understood that the special committeo should consist of the whole council, and that the meeting bo held at an early date. Aftor some discussion tho motion was withdrawn. Tho Engineer then eaid he would alter his recommendation to read "that each riding pay for its own repairs. A road traversing two ridings to become a joint charge." / Cr Blair said he thought the fact of ridings practically undamaged by tho floods standing aloof from ridings that had been damaged .showed a very narrow spirit, and was grossly unfair. Cr Freeman eaid no could not conscientiously allow what remained of his riding to "bo saddled with such a heavy responsibility as that suggested. ll© did not see how tlie overdrafiTVas to be wiped off in a year. Cr Stevenson urged that a separate rate should bo struck and extended over all tho ridings, each of which should bear its share. Let them strike a rate now. Let them see how the ridings wore overdrawn now. Cr Blackie: None of the ridings is overdrawn. Documents were produced to prove. that no grant for a renewal of the black bridge had been asked lor, either tiiis year or last. The Engineer eaid no attempts had been made at deception. His statement to the Prime Minister had been printed in the Otago Daily Times; and it. liad been in. view of tho bridges in North' Taieri being old that the Government, had given them the pound for pound subsidy instead of a straight-out grant. On tho motion of Cr'Blair, seconded 1 by Cr Elliott, it was resolved that the engineer's first proposal, as read, bo given effect to. Crs Stevenson and Freeman voted against the motion.