Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 254, 12 February 1897, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The Taranaki County Couucil met on Monday. Present: Mspis H. Okey (chairman), Lepper, Talc, McCullam, Caddy, Ellerm, MacDonald, Horrooks, and Price. A LOAN QUKSTION. When the minutes were read, Mr Horrocks rose and said he had a somewhat important proposition to bring before the Council. It was with reference to raising loans under the Loans to Local Bodies Act for repairing bridges in the County, and as the members would probably find some mention made in the foreman's reports to be read that day as to the repairs required, he thought, if the Council bad no objection, the matter could be dealt with at once. The Chairman said he did not think the question was one of immediate urgency, and he would suggest tbat the matter stand down for a time. Mr Horrocks: I simply wish to bring a proposal before the Council for raising a loan under the Loans to Local Bodies Act. If you do not consider the time opportune I will defer the matter. The Chairman : We will see how we get on with the general business. Discussion deferred accordingly. ROAD WOKK. The committee appoiuted to deal with tenders for certain works in the Parihaka riding submitted its report. The amount of the tenders was stated to be £BIB, exclusive of cost of spreaders. OTHER REPORTS. The reports of the Waitara, Omata and Parihaka Bidings were also dealt with, and certain small works authorised. The Chairman said it would be as well to instruct the foreman of the Parihaka Biding to do necessary work only, as the riding was already overdrawn to the extent of £426. DOG TAX COLLEOTORS. Mr Hendrey, of the Police Department, wrote, informing the Council that instructions had been received that the police were not to act as collectors of the dog tax in future, and he tendered his resignation. The Council decided, on Mr McCullum's suggestion, to write to the Inspector of Police, asking him to allow the constables to collect the tax to the end of this year. WAIAUA BRIDGE. The question of repairing the Waiaua Bridge was discussed. A report made by Mr Stewart was read. Mr Horrocks said the present would he a fitting time to move his proposition. There were two bridges in the Parihaka Biding, and he moved a resolution to the effect that all bridges in the riding over 80ft span found in a dilapidated condition be repaired ; and that the Council raise' a loan under the Loans to Local Bodies Act for that purpose. He stated the Council had power to raise the loan without reference to the ratepayers. Mr Price : At a farthing rate ? Mr Horrock said 1-16 of a farthing would mean £1660 in the Moa Riding, £IOBO in the Omata, aud £1230 in the Parihaka. He explained a proposal with regard to the Moa Bidings, stating that he proposed moving that a half penny rate be struck for general revenue purposes, and part of the remaining farthing rate could be devoted for bridge building purposes. This would not mean any additional tax on the ratepayers. Mr McCullum said if the bridges were put in repair now they would last for some years, but be questioned whether the ratepayers would be agreeable to the rate.

The Chairman said he did not think it would be advisable to launch the County into loans to do repairs to the bridges. There could not be objection to a loan to erect substantial bridges, which would last for a number of years, but the matter would have to be carefully considered.

Mr Tate agreed with the chairman. Mr Price agreed with Mr Horrocks that it was necessary to make a difference with regard to the Parihaka Biding, as its financial position was not so sound as the other ridings. Mr Horrocks pointed out that under the new Act the Council had power to levy a differential rate for the various ridings. Mr Horrocks's motion was subsequently altered to the effect that the engineer report on bridges over 30ft span in a dilapidated condition. The Chairman said he thought the matter should be dealt with by notice of motion. Mr Horrocks agreed to this course. REGULATING HEAVY TRAFFIC. At 2 o'clock a special meeting was held to confirm the by-laws regulating heavy traffic. The Council went into Committee. On resuming, Mr Horrocks moved the adoption of the by-laws. Mr Capper was in attendance, and said he wanted to say something concerning " the infernal machine " on the Tariki Road. He considered the JE2S license, which the Council proposed levying, was a hardship on himself and others, and he suggested that the Council should prohibit heavy traffic during the winter months and not charge the license fee. The Chairman said the Council had power under the Act to stop traffic as suggested by Mr Capper. He would advise the Couucil to confirm the bylaw now they had gone so far, but to suspend the £25 license and prohibit heavy traffic between the months of May and October.

Mr Price moved as an amendment —" That the by-law be not adopted, and that all heavy traffic in the county be stopped daring five months in the year."

Mr Horrocks pointed out that if the amendment was carried, it would come hard on those people who had occasion to take ft load now and then on a sound road.

Mr IfcCullum thought the amend-

ment would, if adopted, meet the case. The Tarihi road was not the only road which suffered from heavy traffic. He had set n loads in the Parihaka Riding which would have made him shed tears had he been at all soft-hearted. Mr Ellerm raised the quostion, whether the amendment could be considered at the special meeting, and the Chairman ruled tbat it could not. The resolution, confirming the by-law, was put, and rejected on the voices. Mr Price then gave notice to move at the next meeting—" That all heavy traffic be prohibited during the winter months." A QUESTION OF TOLL. Mr Wells, of Puniho, waited upon the Council to urge a request anent the payment of toll. His case was, he said, an exceptional one. He lived within half-a-mile of the tollgates, and every time he went to the dairy factory he had to pay sixpence. " It's rather rough, you know," he added, " that I should pay rates—£B 16s I think it is —and sixpence a day for travelling two miles. Justice is justice, and all I want is fair play, my dear boy " [alluding to the chairman] . The Council promised to consider the matter when dealing with the toll gates. OAKURA. The question of draining the water from the front of Mr West's store, at Oakura was discussed. The Council decided to accept the offer made by Mr West, and to do the work. A GRAVELLING ACCOUNT. A letter was read from Mr Brennan, of Opunake, with reference to C. De Castro's account for gravel. It was decided to pay the account in full. COUNTY RATES. Mr Horrocks wanted to know how the outstanding rates were coming in. Mr Ellerm said before the question was answered he would like to know if the 10 per cent would be charged in the summons. The Chairman stated that for his part he thought it was rather harsh to charge 10 per cent before 81st March. The' Council could certainly claim the 10 per cent. Mr Horrocks said it was nonsensical for the Council to say it was going to charge 10 per cent and then forego the claim. If an example were made it would have a good effect. Mr Ellerm: Is it absolutely necessary to sue before 81st March ? The Chairman: We want the money. Mr Horrocks moved that the Secretary sue the first six defaulters on the list, and that the 10 per cent be charged. Mr McCullum wanted to know why the agony should be prolonged. Why not sue all ? Mr Horrocks said others would follow after the six had been dealt with.

Mr Lepper said the whole trouble arose through the Council being too mean to advertise that the unpaid rates would be sued for. Mr Horrocks said he mentioned a date in his resolution. The Chairman stated that the Press reporters put " a eertain date," which showed that the Council would get nothing for nothing. Mr Lepper : Quite right, too. The reporters sit here all day listening at times to a lot of and when it comes to a question of advertising the Council wont do it. Mr Price finally moved, and it was carried—" That a notice be inserted in the Press, that proceedings will be taken ; and that the 10 percent be net charged " The Clerk was authorised to refund the ten per cent paid by ratepayers since the 4 th. TOLLGATES. It was decided to call for tenders for lease of tollgates. The Council considered the case of Mr Wells, but decided that any alteration would involve the Council in difficulties. A Committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Lepper and Price, was appointed to draw up regulations re tollgates. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted :—Waitara Riding W, 8/97 : J. H. Colesby, 2s lid ; J. Sampson, 8s 4d; Limmer, 3s; J. Curd, 8s ; (accepted), W, 4/97: C. J. Knucky, 8s 9d (accepted); M. Free, 5s 8d; J. Colesby, 4s Bd. W, 5/97; 0. J. Knucky, 8s 9d (accepted); W. Free, 4s lOd ; J. Colesby, 4s 9d (accepted); J. Curd, 5s ; J. Cartwright, 6s; Parihaka Riding, P 14/97 ; J. Carter, 8s ; A. Phillips, 2s lid ; W. Humphries, 2s 9d ; E. Blackhall, 2s 7d (accepted). Accounts were passed, and the Council adjourned.—News.