Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 8 November 1895, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The Tarauaki County Council met on Monday. Present: Messrs Bewloy (chairman), Horrocks, Peters, Okey, Adlam, McCullum, Tate, McGh>in and J. B. Connett. OMATA BIDING. The foreman of this riding reported that the road was in good order, and that he had been employed in repairing bridges, &c. PABIHAKA RIDING. The Parihaka %remau drew attention to the necessity of effecting repairs to certain culverts, and to the Kaitaki bridge. Mr.McOwllum explained the nature of the repairs needed to the bridge, and it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the two foremen. Mr McCullum drew attention to the necessity of having the furze cleared from the approach of the surveyed bridge. One native had distinctly refused to eradicate the furze, and he would like the Council to decide what should be done. The Chairman : Well if he is not prepared to grub the furze, the Council will do it, and charge the cost to him. Mr Adlam said if the people would not keep the approaches -clear, the Council should go for them. Mr Tate moved a resolution to the effect that the Council clear the furze a chain on each side of the bridge. This was subsequently amended to half a chain and seconded by Mr Adlam. Mr McGloin moved an amendment —" That all occupiers of land haying furze fronting their property be given fourteen days' notice to clear the same, failing which the Council will take notice." —Mr McCullum seconded the amendment. After some farther discussion the Clerk read resolutions previously passed, which clearly dealt with the question. It was decided to put these into operation, and the motions proposed by Messrs Tate and McGloin were withdrawn. It was proposed to" paint the Heimama bridge at a cost not exceeding £2 2s. Mr Peters: I would like to know where the money is to come from. The riding is already down to £5, and they have still four months of the financial year to rin. Paint won't keep the bridge up ; it is not a necessity. Mr McCullum : I am \ery sorry to see members of other ridings take up such a stand, if we are low in funds. It's a sign of weakoess, I think. The Chairman: That is a question we cannot go into now. Mr McCullum continuing, said they should try and help one another instead of casting slurs. The proposition was carried, and it was also decided, on Mr McGloin's motion, to have a culvert made on the Eltham Eoad. Several other matters were also dealt with. The Opunake Town Board wrote asking the Council to hand over the control of the main road through the town to the board. The Chairman said if the board would take it over without any conditions it would be as well if the Council acceded to the request. Mr Peters had much pleasure in moving that the control of the road be handed over. Seconded by Mr McGloin, and carried. BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheej; as audited, was adopted. SLAUGHTER LICENSE. A license to slaughter was granted Mr W. Barnard, subject to the Foreman's report. ARREARS OF RENT. The Clerk received instructions as to what course to pursue in regard to the arrears owing by R. Ellis. EGMONT ROAD DISTRICT. On resuming after the luncheon adjournment, a deputation from the settlers in the Egmont Boad district waited on the Council to present a petition, which pointed out that owing to the increased valuation, toll and wheel tax, the Council was in a better position than foremerely, and in view of these circumstances the deputation asked for a debate, not in money, but 'for 150 yards of metal. The Chairman pointed out that the deputation was wrong in assuming that the fd rate was more than sufficient to meet the demands in the Waitara Riding. As a matter of fact the Waitara Riding had not sufficient money to meet the liabilities, according "to the foreman's report. Mr Colson ; But you have had some extraordinary expenditure, which will not probably be required again. The Chairman ; There is a portion of a road in the Waitara Riding that requires re-metalling, but we haven't the money. Mr Horrocks said he sympathised with the deputation to a certain extent but it opened a very large question, as, if granted, the Council would be inundated with similar claims from other districts in the Council. Mr Connett could not agree that it would open a fresh question, seeing that it had been done before. It was true the Waitara Riding was not in such a very good position, but he thought the Council might assist the deputation to a certain extent—say 50 yards. He moved a resolution in that direction, Mr. Tate seconded the motion. He thought the deputation had some claim on the Council. Mr Hill, senr., said what the deputation wanted was help, and not sympathy. He thought if the councillors could only see the position the Egmont Road Board was in they would see that the request made was a just one. If the Council did not grant the request, the petitioners' remedy was to erect a tollgate on the Egmont Road. Mr McGloin said he was oppose to grants, but, seeing that the Council

had made concessions to local bodies in the Omata Riding, he would favor a grant of 50 yards of metal. Mr Okey pointed out that the local bodies that had received grants were not on all fours with the present case. Mr Peters opposed the application He contended that the case was not so bad as that part of the district near Inglewood, and the Council must recollect that it was not flush of funds. Mr Hill said, for one, he would refuse 50 yards ; it was not enough. Mr Connett said the reason he had not moved for a larger sum was owing to the Council's financial position. The motion was carried. DEVIATION. Mr H. King waited on the Council with respect to the road deviation in front of Mr Allan's place. He spoke on behalf of Mr Allan. It was decided that the previous resolution be rescinded, and that the Council will pay the expense of conveyance in Mr Allan's case. CHAIRMAN'S ALLOWANCE. The sum of £25 v\as voted as Chairman's allowance. TOLLGATE CHARGES. The tollgate charges submitted by the Henui Road Board were approved. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted :—Moa Riding: No. 10. G. Gordon, 2s 3d; No. 11, G. Gordon, 2s 3d ; No. 12, 3s 3d ; No 13, Tarry, 2s 8d and 2s Gd ; No 14, C. Tapp, Is lOd ; No 15, D. Todd, 2s Bd, No 16, D. Todd, 2s Bd. Omata: No. 3, W. Loveridge, 2s; No 4, W. Julian, 2s 9d ; No 5, W. Julian, 2s 3d ; No 6, W. Bishop, 2s 2d ; No 7, J. Kendle, 2s ; No 8, Bayly and Loveridge, 2s 3d. Parihaka: W. Humphries, £2 4s Id per chain or 2s 3d per yard ; No 10, Sorrenson and Carter. £2 2s 3d per chain or 2s 3d per yard. Fresh tenders will be called for No 9, Omata.—News.