Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 22, 14 September 1894, Page 4

Taranaki County Council.

■ & The Taranaki County Council met on Monday. Present—Messrs Bewley (chairman), Horrocks, Tate, Connett, Obey, McCullum, Adlam, Peters, and McGloin. HEIMAMA BRIDGE. A letter was read from Mr Dixon stating that the Heimama Bridge could not be finished in contract time 1 baring to tlje bad weather, and asking for an extension of time to the 16th September, and for a progress paymement. Mr McGloin moved, That an exten sion of time be granted. Seconded by Mr Connett and carried. A “LIBERAL SCHEME.” A lelter was read from the Commissioner of Taxes stating that it was not proposed to allow the various local bodies or their valvers to search titles at the Land and Deeds Registry Office free of charge. Mr Horrocks said that if this was part of a scheme for the relief of local bodies, he was astonished. It was decided to send a copy of the letter to the member for Taranaki. ' TOLL GATES. A letter was read from the toll gate keeper at Waiwakaiho, stating that persons were taking firewood to the brickyard without paying toll. The Council did not think it desirable m take action in this matter, as there was no evasion of toll. The Chairman said that while they were on the subject it would be desirable to go into the evasion of the gate at the saleyards. Mr Peters moved, That the chairman take action if he is advised that an evasion of tolls is being made. Seconded by Mr Tate and carried. Mr Peters moved, That a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Samuel for bringing under the notice of the council the fact that the toll gates had not *been legally established. Mr McGloin opposed the motion. He thought that instead of passing a vote of thanks, it should be the other way. The motion was carried. Mr Connett suggested that the toll gate keepers of second gates keep a strict account so as to see whether the second gates pay. He did not think that the gate near Waitara would pay. Mr McCullum said he had been told '.hat the gate at Waitara was almost useless, as it could be evaded through a bye road. Mr Tate said that he had told the foreman to put the gate where it was, vs if it had been on the other side of the road, the tolls could be also evaded ihere. The Chairman said that he would enquire into the matter. Mr Adlam moved, That tenders be ailed for the Heimama gate, tenders .) be opened on the last Saturday of ■eptember. The motion lapsed for want of a ; zconder. Mr McGloin said that an offer had 1 ?on made by the settlers to give £2OO > the Council to abolish the Heimama ■ dl gate, and he moved that the offer .2 accepted. The Chairman said that if the offer was accepted it would mean doing way with the Council’s revenue in the future. Mr McGloin’s motion lapsed for rant of a seconder. It was agreed to defer calling for :nders for toll gates till November COLLECTING RATES. Mr McCullum moved, and Mr Conn.tfc seconded, That the clerk be ranted £25 for the purpose of collectI ig overdue rates. RATE ROLLS. Mr McGloin complained that settlers id applied to have their names placed u the roll, and it had not been done, his had led to considerable difficulty, u persons did not know what they hid to pay. Mr Peters moved, That when appliitions are made by persons wishing i-» make alteration in the roll, no alteriion be made without the consent of .he Council. Seconded by Mr Horrocks and carried. Mr McGloin said that there were ■everal large properties in Parihaka tiding that did not pay rates, because he names of the owners had not been placed on the roll. Mr Peters said that it was not necessary to have the names, as long as property was on the roll, as if the ■ate was not paid the Council could sue the property. THE WHEEL TAX. Mr Peters stated that he had drafted a letter to the Colonial Treasurer, urging on him the necessity of obtaining the Governor’s assent to the pronosed wheel tax by-laws, in the present inancial position of the Council. He vould move that the letter be forwarded without delay. The Chairman said that it was very lesirablc that some steps should be fakon. Mr Roy, the Council’s solicitor, had, under instructions, written to the Colonial Secretary, but the communications had been treated with contempt. The resolution was put and carried, and it was also decided to write to Mr Smith, M.H.E. THE BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet, as audited, was adopted. Mr Horrocks said that he had noticed a slight discrepancy in the balance-sheet. When the late clerk was asked the amount of the liabilities at that- date, he stated them to be £4761, but according to the balancesheet they were £4350. If this were true, the Council would have £4OO odd more to spend than anticipated. The Clerk stated that he was certain the liabilities mentioned in the balance-sheet were not sufficient. The Chairman said he thought so. The difficulty was in correctly estimating the contracts. Messrs Okcy and Peters also spoke,

and Mr Horrocks moved that returns be made (1) showing the amount voted by the Council since 81st March; (2) the sum expended to wipe off the old liabilities; and (3) the amount of liabilities at the present date. Mr Peters seconded the proposition, which was carried. CARTING GRAVEL. Mr McGloin pointed out the necessity of completing the contract of carting stone between the Waiaua and Mangahume Rivers. The contract was entered into some time ago, but was never finished, nor had the contractors been paid for their work. It was ultimately decided, on Mr Peters’ motion, to measure up the gravel and pay the contractors, a a to allow the remainder of the contract to remain in abeyance.

The Council then adjourned.— News.