Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 159, 10 January 1896, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The monthly meeting of the Taranaki County Council was held on Monday. Present: Messrs Bewley (chairman), Connett, McCullum, McGloin, Okey, Peters, Horrocks, Tate, and Adlam. SLAUGHTER LICENSE. Mr Connett drew the Council's attention to an alteration in the Slaughter Licensing Act, whereby farmers were not allowed to slaughter sheep or cattle for sale without a license. He presumed that licenses would now have to be taken out. The Chairman said that was so. Mr Adlam : I suppose a good number have paid the £l. The Chairman: There are many who have not. On Mr Peter's suggestion it was decided that an advertisement be inserted in the local papers notifying the farmers of the alteration mentioned. MOA BIDING. The Moa Foremau's report was read. He stated that the gravel offered by Mr Olson was good, but as the contracts were let the gravel would not be required. The Council decided to decline Mr Olson's offer, and it was also decided to place a 6-inch pipe culvert at Marsh's crossing instead of a paved one, as decided previously. The question of doing work on the Tariki Koad was brought up. Mr Peters did not think the Council was in a position to spend any more money on the Eoad. It was resolved, that the Foreman be instructed to see to the expenditure of the money already voted. The Foreman also dealt with other matters, and stated that the decking of the bridges during the!dry weather needed a lot of looking l after. The weather also " played up " with the roads, portions of which needed rebinding. The Councillors mentioned that the same difficulty occurred in the different ridings. The Foreman's attention will be called to the matter, and he will be allowed the extra cart for hills No 4 and 5. FLOOD TIMBER. The Chairman reported that the Railway Department had written denying their liability in the matter of the flood timber on the Piakau bridge on the Mountain Road. The Council's solicitor, Mr Roy, the Chairman added had not yet given his opinion on the question. Mr Peters : That means it will cost the Council £lO or £ls to remove the time. Mr Horrocks suggested that the Department should be asked to defray half the cost. It was finally decided, on Mr Connett's motion, that the Foreman should remove the timber to avoid damage to the structure, and that an application be made to. the Department for half the cost, and pointing out the hardship of the case. AN UNSAFE BRIDGE. The Foreman reported that the Manganui bridge was in an unsafe condition, and needed repairing without delay. Mr Peters said the damage had been caused by the heavy loads of timber that were taken over it. The question whether the Council has power to prohibit excessive loads, was discussed, and, on Mr Connet's recommendation, the Chairman was authorised to consult the Council's solicitor and act accordingly. WAITATA RIDING. The Foreman's report was also read, and referred merely to the work done during the month. STONE BREAKERS. The Chairman mentioned the advisableness of putting the stone breakers on the road in the Omata Riding. Mr Okey said he did not think they were required just yet; the money was better in the bank. The matter was deferred. PARIHAKA RIDING. The Parihaka Foreman's report was dealt with. Tenders were opened for the various works. W. Jenkins' tender for P—3 (£3) was accepted, but the Council considered the prices too stiff for the other contracts, and fresh tenders M-ill be called. METALLING WANTED. Mr W. J. Shaw, secretary of the Mangorei Dairy Company, wrote, asking the Council to form and metal the road between that which the Company intended metalling and the main road. On Mr Adlam's motion, seconded by Mr Connett, it was decided to accede to the request. A MISTAKE. W. Costello wrote in support of a claim made by him on the Council in respect of a mistake made by his agent in sending in a tender. Several Councillors expressed regret that Mr Costello should have lost through the error, but the Council could not see its way to entertain the application. OKATO. The Council's attention was drawn to the necessity of making the approach leading from the metal on the South Road to Gosling Street, near the Okato township. The matter was left to the overseer to report on. SLAUGHTER LICENSE. A slaughter license was granted to H. Bruce, Opunake. RATE OF INTEREST. The manager of the Bank of New South Wales intimated that the rate of interest on overdraft had been reduced to six per cent. REMOVAL OF GRAVEL. The Secretary of the Harbor Board wrote, asking the quantity, if any, of gravel that had been removed by the Council from the beach without order or payment. The Board will be asked to define its boundary. POSTPONED. An application from Messrs Reynolds and Co, for an assurance of the

extention of lease of section near the Chain Bridge, was deferred. FOR LEASE. Tenders will be invited for lease of vacant cottage at Okato. THAT TAX. Several letters were read with reference to exemption from the wheel tax. One writer said he believed the natives had bought over the Parihaka overseer. A Councillor: That matter still bothers us, Cr Adlam. Mr Connett: You didn't bury it deep enough 1 Mr Peters : It's only the last kick, gentlemen. (Laughter.) Mr Coffey reported that he had seen the native chief Tohu, and he declined to pay the tax. NATIVE LANDS. Mr McGloin moved —" That it be an instruction to the clerk to apply to the Public Trustee for rates on native lands held in trust by the Trustee, and should payment be refused, proceedings be taken immediately." TENDERS. The Committee (Messrs McCullum and McGloin) appointed recommended that the tender of G. Dunton to complete contract P, 11, 95, metalling, at £2 12s per chain, be accepted.—Adopted.—News.