Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 71, 8 March 1895, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

, The-nvuilhly meeting of fclio Council was held on Monday. Pteseut— Messrs Bewley (chairman), llnrrock*, Peters,-McGloin, Adlarn, McCullam, Okey, Conceit, and Tato. STATEMENTS. A resolution was passed requesting the clerk to prepare statements showing .expenditure &c, to be submitted to a meeting on April Bth, on which date the next ordinary meeting will be held. Mr Horrocks then gave notice of motion, That the Council, after -considering these statements at next meeting, fix the estimated revenue for the financial year ending March 31st, 1896, and make the appropriations as follows :—(1) A sum to discbarge Co3t of administration to date if account be overdrawn, and a sum to discharge any other account overdrawn, in which all the ridings are equally interested if .any;. (2) a sum to provide for-the administration during the year ; (3) a ■ snm to provide the requisite number or". Burfacemen, in each riding at so much per surfaceman, such sums to be a first charge against those ridings in credit, and a second charge against those in debit, the number of surfacemen to be fixed for each riding ; (4) a .sum to balance those ridings in credit from this financial year; (5) the -balance to be divided between the ridiogs pro rata according to rate money in each riding; (6) those ridings overdrawn to March 31st 1895, inclusive of outstanding liabilities of each, to have such sums placed against each as a first charge for the ensuing year. MOA foreman's report. The Mta foreman reported on water ■. drainage near Mr Cliff's property on Junction Road. Mr Peters said that ,he had looked at the place and it was ike natural flow of the water. No action was taken. The foreman also reported on a charge for certain articles . put in a railway truck. The Council considered that the consignor should pay the charges for the same. The foreman also reported on several bridges that needed attention. Mr Davies, the engineer, will be requested to report on the state of three bridges in Moa Biding. The foreman reported -that he was most of his time during the past month repairing bridges and clearing fern from same. With respect ■to the. wheel tax he said that as no dockets were to hand he was not collecting the tax. The Chairman said that the dockets came to hand last Friday, and Mr Mills, the clerk, would visit the various centres to collect the tax. All defaulters after a eertain date would be sued. A discussion took place on the payment of the tax, on which Messrs Adlam, McGloin, the Chairman spoke. Mr Horrocks said he would move that the settlers be allowed till April 1 to pay the tax. He contended that sufficient facilities had not been given to the settlers to pay the tax, and he was oi opinion that receivers should have been appointed for each riding. Mr Adlam seconded the motion, and pointed out that it would bo wrong to sue settlers forthwith after Mr Mills' return from the country. Mr Bewley pointed out that £6OO was already received, and he held that there had been sufficient time given, and if the Council allowed another three "Weeks he was of opinion that ainp'e time would be given. Mr McCullum said that they should not show weakness in collecting the tax. They had the law on their side, and should collect the tax. He was surprised at Mr Adlam's attitude, as that gentlemen was •• father of the wheel tax." Mr Adlam : I object strongly to that remark. That remark has been made in this room two or three times, and I mean to put mjself straight. When I Went around Oakura, and other places with you Mr Chairman, did I not object to the tax if we were going to have toll-gates iu addition ? Mr Okey said Mr Adlam was out of order. Mr Adlam said he was not, and appealed to the Chairman to answer his question. The Chairman said he could bear Mr Adlam out in his contention. Mr Peters said that they now had Mr Adlam's assurance that he was not the father of the tax, and that he repudiated the paternity of the "infant." (Laughter.) Mr Horrocks motion was then put and lost. Ayes (8), Messrs Tate, Adlam, and Horrocks ; Noes (6), Messrs Connett, Okey, McCullum, McGloin, Peters, and the Chairman.

SLAUGHTER BY-LAWS. ■•■ The Council bere resolved itself into a special meeting, and confirmed the new slaughter by-laws. DANGEROUS BRIDGES. It was decided to advertise all bridges in the County* as dangerous. It was pointed out that this would make carriers regulate their loads. OMATA FOREMAN'S REPORT. The report was read and adopted. Timber will be supplied for necessary work, the foreman to give estimate of cost .of labor &c. CEMENT ON HAND. Mr McGloin reported that Mr McKeynolds, of Pungarehu, offered 12s 6d per cask for l!) casks of cement stored down the coast. It was decided to retain - the cement till the Kaihibi bridge tenders were in, as price offered .was considered too low. FOREMAN PARIHAKA RIDING. The Council went into committee to consider applications for the position of foreman for the Paribaka riding. There were nine applicants, and Mr McHanegan was appointed. TENDERS. Tenders for toll-gates were considered in committee, and the following applicants' offers were accepted : Mountain Road gate, B. Morris; Inglewood, M. J. Spearman ; Junction Road, G. Taylor; Omata, J. Mace; Punibo, M. Wallenstein; Heimama, G. Thomas. METAL SUPPLIES. Mr Oke\ moved that 1000 yards of metal be contracted for the Paribaka Riding, and 750 yards of gravel be placed on the road j 1000 yards for

Oinata B'dinr, 1100 for Moa. and 1000 yards for Waitara. The motion was seconded by Mr McCullum ancarried. Tenders are to be in by next meeTiiVg. KAIHIHI BRIDGE,. . Messrs Okey, Connett, Adlam, and McCullum were appointed a committee to open and accept tenders for the Kaihihi Bridge, part of the money for the reconstruction of which has been subscribed by residents in the Okato district. COMPENSATION ORDER. Mr Roy, the County solicitor, gave an opinion on Mr Julian's claim for compensation from the Council through damage done to his team and waggon while crossing the Kaihihi Bridge. The opinion was to the effect that the Council was not liable for compensation under recent ruling of the Court. Several minor matters were attended to, some accounts were passed, and the Board adjourned.—Herald.