Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 219, 9 October 1896, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The Taranaki County C> unci! met on Monday. Present: M ;-srs W. Bewley (chahmau), Honooks. Connett, Peters, Gane, McCullum, A'llam, Tate ana Ckey. CLEARING FURZE. Mr Peters moved that demand be made on Mr Hills for recovery of cost of removing furze from the land of which he is occupier. The foreman had sent notices repeatedly to the person mentioned. The Act clearly stated what action the Council was empowered to take. Mr McCullum seconded the motion. Messrs Tate and Connett pointed out that the Council should be quite assured of its position before taking action, as the Act had been amended. Mr Gane wished to see the Act. Mr Peters pointed out that the case came under the provisions of the old Act. The resolution was carried. WAITARA.

The Chairman said the Council had £2,700 in rates to come and £4OO in subsidy, so that the overdraft could be considerably reduced when the rates came in. The County is now in a very satisfactory condition, and unless there were broken down bridges the Council could work very well, and consider that it was in a very good position. They had enough money in hand to carry out the necessary works for the next four months. He would withdraw his motion.

Mr McCullum expressed pleasure with the clear statement of the Chairman, and with the financial position of the County. Mr Peters said it was only a question of forming tbe road at the present time, his objection would fade away. However, he had always found while he had been a member of the Council that the estimated expenditure was not always correct.

PABIHAKA BIDING. The report of the Foreman of the Parihaka Biding was read. The suggestions made,' which in the main were of a routine nature were dealt with. METAL BEQUIBED. The Foreman of the Moa Biding submitted an estimate of the gravel required, 2950 yards in all. The Chairman pointed out that the Biding had £6OO to his credit, and assuming that the metal would run into 6s 6d a yard—which was an outBide estimate—it would only cost £958, and much of that would not be due until next year. The Council would also be doing next summer's work. He moved " That the Engineer take the necessary steps to give effect to the Foreman's recommendations. Seconded by Mr Peters, and carried. The stone required in the Waitara Biding was put down as 2050 yards. The stone will be supplied. The Omata Biding estimate is 1600 yards, which will be obtained. The quantity required for the Parihaka Biding is 2320 yards. It was decided on Mr Okey's motion, to refer the report back to the Foreman to state definitely what roads require metalling; and that a supply of gravel be obtained for winter patching. NATIVE LAND BATES. Mr Martin, Public Trustee, wrote in reply to the claim made by the Bonncil for rates on native lauds. Mr Peters said the reply was equivalent to saying that the Trustee would give what money was available. He therefore hoped the Council would deal with that gentleman with the softest gloves possible, because he would always have the back doorno funds—-to go out of.—News.