Egmont County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume XXII, Issue 772, 12 September 1905, Page 2

Egmont County Council.

Friday, September 8. The monthly meeting was held at Opunake. Present: Messrs E. Maxwell, J. Burgess, E. Lambie, J. Rothery, J. Stevenson, M. Coffin, A. Shaw. Messrs Fleming and Dudley were absent on railway matters. Mr Maxwell was voted to the chair. The minm.-M of last meeting were read and confirmed. Outward correspondence was read and approved. correspondence. From the Land and Survey Department, approving of expenditure of thirds of £l6 odl on Crown lands. From Carrington and Julian, asking settlement of money due,—The foreman explained a certain amount had been kept back from a contract payment as it was not completed.— Resolved, That as soon as the contract ie completed they will get what they are entitled to. (Stevenson-Rothery.) From Mr 0. E. Major, stating that the Franchise Bill, to which the Council objected, had been dropped for the session. From 'Valuation Department, re rates on Oeo property.—Resolved, That a request be made to the ValuerGeneral to place the names of the three Maori owners on the roll. (Maxwell —Lambie.) From Department of Agriculture, stating that the matter with reference to a diseased stock paddock for Rahotu will receive consideration. From Mr C. E. Major re North Waimate County Bill. As a number of his constituents were for and some against the Bill, he had to act impartially, and would give a full explanation as to the position of both sides. He did not know on what date evidence is to be given. He will present the petition from Messrs Cullen and Conaglen and others in Oeo riding. From Malone, McVeagh and Anderson, re co-operation against Waimate County. HOSPITAL VALUATIONS. The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote with reference to valuations, stating that they must adhere to Departments figures. Cr Burgess explained that other councils paid the rate on the valuations from the Department. It appeared to him the Hospital Board had no option but to collect on Valuer-Gen-eral’s figures. It was not the fault of the Board, but of the system. Or Lambie said he would like to see the hospital rate struck separately. The clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter, stating that as other bodies were treated the same as they were they were satisfied with the explanation. CARRINGTON ROAD. The clerk of the Taranaki County Council wrote drawing attention to the urgent need for opening the Carrington road through towards Opunake, and request that steps be taken by the Government to proceed with the required work with as little delay as possible. In support of such application he was directed to state as follows : (a) That the traffic on the county road between Rahotu and New Plymouth is exceptionally heavy, as there is no railway in this part of the district, and the Carrington road would take off much of such heavy traffic ; (b) The Crown lands which the Carrington road serves has been recently out up for close settlement, and unless something is done to provide an outlet for the settlers who have taken up the land, it is feared the consequences will be most serious. The above is a copy of the application sent to the Minister for Public Works. Councillors thought it would have been better to have had more particulars, as the opening up of the road is important. It would save about twelve miles from Opunake to New Plymouth, and also a big saving to settlers living on the side roads. Resolved, That this Council will co-operate with the Taranaki County Council in urging the opening up of the road. (Lambie—Shaw.) PAY DP. It was resolved, That the Waimate Road Board be written to asking for a settlement of money due to the Council on account of Oeo and Auroa roads. This Council has long since paid out for works on these roads, and cannot afford to wait any longer. BALANCE-SHEET. Resolved, That the Audit Department be written to, requesting the balance-sheet to be audited as soon as possible. (Rothery—-Lambie.) RATE. The resolution re striking a rate was confirmed. Councillors pointed out that they are not going to allow ratepayers to hang off for six months before paying their rates. If they will not pay within a reasonable time they will have to be summoned. A LIBERAL OFFER. Mr F. Collins waited on the Council, asking for something to be done to the Patiki road. Ha said if the foreman would estimate the cost of the work, he would do it at half the price, and wait for six months for the money. As it was he could neither get up nor down the Maungatawa hill, near his place. Councillors thought that a very good offer. The foreman (H, Munro) said the road leading on to the Eltham Road was impassable, a distance of 13i chains barring them. It required forming and metalling, which would cost £76 19s. Mr Collins will get most benefit from it. but it is used a lot by the public in fine weather. It was explained that after paying £BB 9s 6d for this work it would only leave £2B to be spent on the road for the rest of the year. After some discussion as to the advisablenesa of pledging so much of the rates, and the election coming off in November, it was considered that

the offer was such a good one that it ought not to be refused. Resolved, That the offer he accepted, and the foreman be instructed to have the work carried out (Shaw — Rothery). A councillor remarked that if all ratepayers made similar offers we would have good roads. Foremen’s Reports. , OEO RIDING. The foreman (H. Munro) reported spending as little as possible last month, the amount for the riding only being £B2 14s Od. On the Opunake-Stratford road western loan area we are greatly indebted to the settlers for assisting us with teams and labor to put their road in repair; they did the same thing last winter. He urged the necessity of forming and metalling 18£ chains of the Patiki road (north), the settlers agreeing to do the work at half the cost. RAHOTU RIDING. The foreman (M, McHannighan) reported that during the month he had been busy working on H. Corbett’s metalling contract. He suggested calling tenders for the delivery of 50 yards of boulder stone for the south end of Opunake riding. He also wanted a carpenter for two weeks to put in new joists in the Waiaua bridge. He thought it advisable to have notices on the Waiaua and Waiteika bridges cautioning the public against trotting over them as they are dangerous. The expenditure for the month was £7B 17s 6d. Resolved, That tenders be called for the delivery of 50 yards of boulder stone for repairs for the south end of Opunake riding ; tenders to be in by next meeting. (Rothery—Coffin). Resolved, That the foreman be authorised to employ a carpenter and get notices painted on bridges. (Lambie—-Stevisnson). MORE STONE TROUBLE. Mr W. Humphries waited on the Board, and asked payment for carting 20 yards of boulder stone. He contracted for 450 yards, and carted out 470. The work was done last summer. The clerk explained that the contract was No. 26, 450 yards at 2s 7d per yard. The foreman (M. McHannighan) said Humphries had delivered 20yds too much. Or Stevenson asked why the claim was not made before. It was a strange thing to let it run on for so many months. W. Humphries explained that he did not know until recently that ha \ bad carted boo much. When the heaps were counted and measured he knew there was over tfie contract amount. The foreman said it is since the stone discussion and measuring that he has made the discovery. Councillors understood there was *a shrinkage in the stone measurement, and could not understand how there could be 20 yards too much. They thought it better to wait until a full meeting before doing anything. Resolved, That the matter be held over until next meeting. (Stevenson —Rothery). LOSS THROUGH SICKNESS. M. McHannighan asked the Council if they could do anything for him with reference to his loss over his recent sickness. He had received £l6 8s 6d (half wages), but over £7 had gone in hospital and doctor’s charges, which left him out of pocket. Councillors said although the foreman had no legal claim on them, they thought they should do something for him, as ha. always looked after their interests. Resolved, That M. McHannighan be refunded the £7 out of pocket expenses daring his illness. (Stev-enson-Burgess). ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment: Paysheet for month, £l2B 12s 7d ; gravel royalties, £3 19s 3d ; transfer land fund account, £l6 5s Id ; commission, registrar of dogs, £l3 19s 6d; Opunake Times, £2 16a 6d; Taranaki News, £1 8s; W. Worsloy, 7s; A. Fraser, 2s; Skeet road payment, £5 ; councillors’ travelling expenses, £3 7s 6d ; M. M. B. Gibbons, £4 2s; total,. £179 19s sd.