Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 28, 5 October 1894, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The Taranaki County Council held its monthly meeting on Monday. Present : Messrs W. Bewley (chairman), Horrocks, Peters, McGloiu, Adlam, McCullum, Okey, Connett, and Tate. ELTHAM ROAD LOAN. A special meeting of the Council was held prior to the ordinary meeting to confirm the resolution re the Eltham Road loan. Mr Horrocks asked if it was true that a petition was being got up against the loan. Mr Adlam said it was true. Mr Horrocks was proceeding to make a statement, but Mr Okey raised a question of order, and it was decided that it was inadvisable to discuss the matter, as there was not any petition before the Council. EMPLOYING HAY LABOR. Mr Okey brought up the question of employing extra labor in the various ridings. He considered that the working foreman should do the work. After a short discussion, the Chairman intimated that he would go' into the matter, and the subject dropped. GRAVEL RESERVE. H. A. Leedom tendered £1 for the right of the gi'avel reserve at Puniho. On Mr Adlam’s motion, seconded by Mr McCullum, it was decided to accede to the applifstion. McXoWasbotoogh. uoiieouA at i-he Waitara tollgato, wrote, asking the Council’s direction as to what he should do with persons who wished to go through the gati and who had no money. Mr Okey thought it should be left to the collector, who should be held responsible. He moved in that direction. Mr Adlam said it might very often happen that a man left home without any money in his pocket. He himself had been in that predicament. Mr Okey’s motion was can led. Mr Peters also brought up the question of men employed on the roads and contractors being charged toll. The Public Works Act exempted such persons, and he moved, That imfuture toll collectors be informed that they must not demand toll from men carting gravel or repairing the roads in the Taranaki County. Mr Connett questioned whether it was desirable to exempt employees of the ‘different Road Boards. The general opinion was that it was not desirable. Mr Horrocks thought the Council might make a small concession to the Mca district, considering the large amount of rates collected there. He moved as an amendment, That all working foremen of the Road Boards he exempted while working. Mr Adlam said this raised a large question. The foremen might be driving ®ut in their carriages for recreation, and they would escape payment. . Mr Peters intimated his willingness to accept the amendment, which was put as the subs'antive motion and negatived. HEIMAMA GATE. Mr Chapman was appointed- collector at the Heiraama gate. TANGATARA BRIDGE. Mr C, A. Budge, clerk of the Hawera County Council, wrote, drafting attention to the unsafe condition of the Tangatara bridge. The bridge is on the boundary line of the two counties. Mr Peters moved, That this Council authoris'es the Hawera Council to do the necessary repairs. Seconded by Mr Horrocks. Mr Tate pointed out if they did this they might receive a pretty stiff bill. He moved as an amendment, That no action be taken until the costs be ascertain'd. The amendment was carried. WJUWAKA IK' l KJ -.IDG U. •The Cua;rman said it had been brought ruder his notice chat the Waiwaksiho bridge was in a dangerous state. He had spoken to Mr Davies, who did not consider there was any need to do anything before the present meeting. It was, however, necessary that the matter should be attended to. The Waitara Riding was in funds to the extent of something like £l7O. Mr Connett moved that the work be proceeded with at once. Mr Horrocks asked what the state of the overdraft was. The Chairman: The overdraft at present is £3170. Mr Horrocks said before the work could be done the old liabilities would have to be "wiped out. Mr Peters stated that in doing the work the Council "would not be robbing the Moa Riding, as that riding was in the same position as the Parihaka Riding—they had got.all they could possibly get. It was simply a question between the Omata ■Ridings, He thought the work should be done. Messrs Tate and Adlam also spoke in support of the proposition. Mr Connett stated that if the Council could not meet the liability he thought that the ratepayers interested would not object to an extra toll. The resolution was put aad carried. " COMMITTEE. The Chairman, and Messrs Horrocks, Peters, Connett, and Okey were appointed a committee to report and investigate Messrs Kebeley and Frauklyn’s contract. FOREMAN. On Mr Adlam’s motion, it was decided that applications be invited for the position of foreman in the Paribaka Riding; the members are to make a temporary appointment. A REFUND. Mr Okey moyed that the sum- voted for the Frankley, Carrington, and Elliott Road districts be paid. He pointed out that the Omata Riding was in funds, and the money could well be paid now. It was decided, after discussion, to allow the matter to stand over. ENGINEER. Mr O’Brien waited on the Council

with reference to his appointment as engineer of the Parihaka Riding. Tbe appointment was confirmed, remuneration to be at 5 per cent on all work dune mid*r bis supervision, and £1 per day travelling expenses on work beyond the Piu-ilio to!Jg ta. A CLAIM. The opinion of Mr J. B. Roy. tbe Council’s solicitor, was read with regard to Mr Miller’s c’a'ui, which be rtcomm nded the Council should pay.

On Mr Coniietfs motion, ib was dt cided to pay the : m unit. —Nevs.