Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 7 December 1894, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The ordinary meeting of tbe Taranaki County Council was held on Monday. Present —Messrs W. Bewley (in tbe chair), Peters, McGloin, Conuett, Adlam, McCullum, Okey, Tate, and Horrocks. THE WHEEI. TAX. A special meeting was h«ld to confirm the wheel tax regulations. Mr Peters moved, and Mr McGloin seconded, the confirmation of the bylaws, and that they be advertised as usual. Carried. IIANGONUI BRIDGE. The foreman of the Moa Biding wrote, drawing attention to the urgent necessity of immediately repairing the Mangonui Bridge on the Tariki Road. The Chairman said the Council should take action at once. The foundation was completely undermined, and the bridge would, he considered, cost about i'Boo to put it in thorough repair. Mr Connett stated in that case it would be advisable to Lave Ihe matter dealt with at once. He moved—" That Mr Davies be authorised to inspect the the bridge, and report to the Council." Mr Horrocks said that while an inspection was being made, notice should be taken of the construction of the bridge, as he understood that it was not built upon the firmest lines. The Chairman said that opened the question, whether the Council could not make a claim on the Government for assistance on the ground of the structure being faulty when it was taken over. Mr Adlam: "That's where the trouble comes in. Nine out of every ten of the bridges taken over from the Government have been faulty in some way or other." LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. Acting on a report from the Foreman of the Waitara Biding, the Council decided, on Mr Peters' motion, to inform Mr Downes that if he interferes with any of the water courses on county 'roads, legal proceedings will be taken. THE FURZE TROUBLE. The foreman of the Parihaka Biding reported that one of the settlers in that riding had been requested to remove the furze, but had declined. Mr Adlam said that this trouble was responsible mainly to the fact that the Council had planted furze on fresh cuttings, and it had spread. Mr McCullum : " I think you are mistaken." Mr Adlam: " No, indeed, lam not." Mr Peters : " If you are going to give evidence against the Council, Mr Adlam, it is very unfortunate for us." Mr Adlam : " But I'm not." Mr McCullum said the furze near the bridges had spread in the majority of cases from native land. Mr .Peters stated that as there seemed such a difference of opinion among the members he would suggest that the members of tbe Parihaka. Biding should make themselves at home, go into the matter, and submit a report to the Council. He moved in that direction. Seconded by Mr McCullum. Mr Okey moved, as an amendment, that the Council remove the furze from near the bridges, and that in cases where the furze encroaches from settlers' private property notice be served on such persons to eradicate the same. Seconded by Mr Adlam pro forma.' The amendment was put and negatived, and the original resolution carried. NOT ENTERTAINED. Mr Dickson's account for extras in connection with a contract was not entertained. UNSATISFACTORY. Mr McGloin brought under the Council's notice that the foreman of the Parihaka Biding was not doing his duties satisfactorily. He wished to give the man every chance, and thought he should be informed that he js.required to be at work at 8 o'clock in the morning. TOLL ON IFNANT STOCC. One of the gatekeepers asked for direction, as to Vhether he was to charge-for calves, lambs, &c. The Chairman said be did not think that calves and lambs running with their mothers should be charged for. Mr Peters stated that they should not be exempted. He moved—" That the toll be enforced on all animals." Messrs Connett, Okey, and Adlam also spoke. - Mr Tate considered that lambs, &c up to a certain age should not be charged for. A division was taken on the motion 'Ayes (4): Messrs Connett, Peters, Horrocks, and the chairman ; Noes (5); Messrs Tate, Okey, McCullum, Adlam, and McGloin. The motion was therefore lost. Mr Adlam said they should notify the gatekeepers that animals up to a certain %ge should be exempted. Mr Peters strongly protested against it,.and the matter dropped. Mr Tate subsequently gave notice to move that lambs, &c, up to to a certain age be exempted. STONECBUSHER. • , Mr fyde gave an estimate of the stonecrusher for sale.—On Mr Peter's motion, it was decided that the plant be advertised for sale. DOG TAX. Pursuant to notice given Mr McCullum moved, " That the dog tax be amended so as to read owners of sporting dog§ cannot register their dogs as cattle dogs, but must pay the fee charged." Mr Connett seconded the proposition. Mr Adlam pointed out that it would be difficult to tell a cattle from a sporting dog.

Mr Peters ridiculed the statement. He stated that if any" man wished to register a pointer as a cattle dog the collector should take the 2s 6d and ihen sue the owner for having an unregistered sporting dog. The Magistrate would be able to distinguish between the animals. The motion was carried.

CLIFTON COUNTY. The Chairman moved, tbat tho Inof Vehicles be instructed not to enforce tbe wheel la?; with reference to bona fide residents of not les.s than three moitlis in the Clifton County conducting business in the Raleigh township. He pointed out that it would be a great hardship to the ratepayers in tbe Clifton County to compel them to pay the tax. After a short discussion, permission was granted tbe chairmau to hold over his motion until the wheel tax becomes law. * FOREMEN'S DUTIES. Mr Okey moved a lesolution defining the duties of tho working foremen. The proposition was seconded by Mr Connett, but it was decided that a committee, consisting of Messrs Okey, Peters, and the chairman, be appointed to go into tbe question.— News.