Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 148, 3 December 1895, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The annual meeting of the Tarauaki County Council was held at noon on Wednesday. Present.: Messrs Bewley, J. B. Conuelt, Okey, Peters, McCullum and Adlara. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The secretary took the chair to receive nominations for chairman. Mr Peters said be had very much pleasure in moving that Mr Bewley be re-elected. That gentleman had, he said, served the Council so well in the past that he did not think they could do better than re-elect him. Mr McCullum seconded the proposition, which was carried. Mr Bewley thanked the members for the honor done him, and stated that the Council had got along very satisfactorily during the past year, and he had no doubt it would continue to do so. The state of the County was gradually improving, and although the Council would be without the wheel tax this year, he still thought that with less expenditure on bridges, they would be able to maintain and improve their position. He had visited the various roads, and from what he could see, with a little judicious remetalling, they would last until the Couficil, with the aid of the increased revenue from the increased ratable value, was able to overtake the present condition, and put them in good repair. Mr McCullum mentioned that the ratepayers in the Parihaka Riding would like to see the chairman in that part of the district, so that he could see the state of the roads. The Chairman: It is considerably less than twelve months since I was down there. Knowing the position of the Parihaka Riding’s finances I cannot see that anything can be done. The Council may, towards the end of the financial year, see its way to make a further expenditure down there, but as the matter stands at present there are no funds available. At the same time I am quite willing to pay a visit. The roads, I understand, are in a fair position, with the exception of those between Stony River and Eahotu. charitable aid representatives. The Chairman said the Council would have to elect representatives on the Charitable Aid Board. Instead of four as in the past there would only be three elected. Mr Okey moved, “ That Messrs Peters, Connett and Adlam be appointed the Council’s representatives.” He did this with all due respect to Mr McCullum, but as Mr Adlam was nearer town he thought it might be less expensive. Mr McCullum said personally he did not care, but he thought a large stretch of district like Rahotu and Opunake should be represented. Mr Okey’s motion was seconded by the chairman and carried. The Council then adjourned.-News.