Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 193, 10 July 1896, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The monthly meeting was held on Monday. Present: —Messrs Bewley (chairman), Horrocks, Peters, Adlani, Okey, Gane, McCullum, Connett, and Tate.

Mr Gane, the new member for Parihaka Biding, took his seat. When the Council met, a special meeting was held for the purpose of striking the rates. After this was done the ordinary meeting was held. The Parihaka foreman reported that timber had been stolen. It was resolved to inform the police. It was decided to put on an extra surfaceman for three months, and that £lO be spent during July foi extra supply of metal on road to fill holes. The foreman also reported on propping work being required at Te Namu bridge, and fencing at Warea bridge.—Mr Gane moved that the work be done. —Mr McCullum who seconded, said the props should be seen to by an engineer.—Messrs Adlam and Connett advocated a practical man could do the work. —Mr McCullum stated that props were put in the centre of the stream before, and when a fresh came down, these were carried away by flood timber. It would be well to avoid placing props in the same position again. The resolution was then carried, the members of the riding to see the work carried out. The foreman was instructed to get metal broken before employing day labor. Other matters in the report were discussed. Mr Kenningston reported on screwing up the bridges between the Okato and' Heimama, and gave details as to the condition c* each bridge and repairs required—The report was referred back for the estimate of costs of repairs to Warea, Waiweranui, and Oaonui bridges. Mr McCullum said he asked Mr Kenningston to supply a report.

Mr Okey moved, That the hole be filled up opposite Mr Harvey's blacksmithshop at Pungarehu.—Mr McCullum seconded. Mr Adlam opposed the expenditure on the ground that it was to benefit a private person.—The Chairman and Mr Connett said the expenditure would be against the principle laid down by the Council.— Mr Okey said he did not see it in the same light, as the application was to drain water from the front of his shop. —The resolution was put and lost on the voices.

Mr Stewart, engineer for Parihaka Riding, reported on the insecure state of Mangahume bridge, which he thought would not last through another summer. The Chairman said the whole question was one of funds. They must try and make the bridge last a little longer. The engineer reported on Cameron and Watson's contract, which was progressing satisfactorily. He also reported on the state of the road through Opunake, and on the Te Namu bridge.—The Chairman said the wants of the Parihaka Riding were serious, and the Council should treat the Riding as generously as possible. The Riding would in future receive a large sum in native rates.— The matter then dropped. Correspondence was read relative to the thirds from sections abutting on the main roads in the Parihaka Riding, which had been paid to the Parihaka Road Board.—Mr Peters said the Land Board were authorised to allot the money for expenditure, where it was most beneficial to the settlers. —Mr McCullum suggested getting the solicitor's opinion.—Mr Connett said as the money was paid out it was hardly wise to go to expense over the matter, but they could approach the Land Board on future cases.—Mr Adlam advocated the solicitor's opinion being taken.—Mr McCullum contended that the thirds should have been paid over to the Council and not the Road Board.—Mr Okey: It is no use crying over spilt milk; the money is spent now.'—Mr McCullum : But it is a matter of £SO or £6O. —Mr McCullum's motion to refer the matter to the solicitor was lost on the voices.— A further motion by Mr McCullum to prepare schedules and forward same to Land Board claiming money was also lost on the voices.

The Opunake Town Board wrote declining to take over the south Road through Opunake on the conditions imposed by the Council. A resolution moved' by Mr McCulInm to set up a committee to enquire into the expenditure in the Parihaka Riding was negatived on the voices.— Herald.