KAITIEKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 248, 9 July 1915, Page 2

KAITIEKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Kaitieke County Council was held on Saturday last. Letters were received from The Commissioner of Crown Lands re the Kakoriki Special Hating District that the Minister of Lands had approved of the Kaitieke County Engineer’s appointment and order the work of dray road formation on the connecting road between Koakoriki and Kohaknui involving an expenditure of £1,765 12/S.- —Received.

From the Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that lie could not agree to the sale of Section 2, Block V, Eaurimu Township, at the price set on it at the original sale. The upset price at which the section was otTered was £75. —Received.

From Messrs. Manson and Clark, stating that Mr. Manson should visit Saurimu to arrange re putting in a private siding between Raurimu and Oio. —Received.

From the Fields Inspector, Agricultural Department, stating that payment would not be granted for clearing ragwort on road and Apple Tree reserve, Kaitieke Township, during the month ending March 31, 1014. —Received. From the Secretary Taumarunui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, ntifoying htat the Council’s share of maintenance and administration would cost £417 1/10 for the year 1915-16. —Received.

From the Methodist Church of New Zealand re rates on the church property at Kakahi. —Rate payable unless building is erected on the action. From Mr. Neal Dempsey, Rotarukc. asking leave to erect a swing gate across the road opposite Section 8, Block 9, Kaitieke, for a few months. — Granted.

From Mr. ,T. A. Colledge. Taumarumii, complaining .that the Ilawatahi road was almost impassable through slips. It was even difficult to pack on this road. He suggested putting two men on to clear a track before the road got past repair.—The Engineer said it was useless to do more than keep a track open at the present time. This would cost about £lO. but this would not make a dray road. —Or. McLeod said the settlers would not expect a dray road till the spring.—Cr. McLennan produced a letter from Mr. W. A. Timmons also complaining re tills road.—On the motion of Gr. McLeod, It was resolved that the sum of £2O be spent on the Kawatahi road.—The chairman said they had, of course, to work on financial lines, and had not yet struck a rate:—Cr. McLennan sale the Council had never yet spent any rates on this road. All moneys expended had come out of “thirds.’’/ —The Engineer: “That is quite correct.”

Tenders were received and dealt with as under:—Contract No. 26, ‘Wanganui Valley, .Road, Bros nan and O’Leary. £697 14/-; P. McLean, £694 IS/S (accepted). Contract No. 29, Erua Road, G. Scatt and Co., £349 6/-; E. L. Eggers, £298 5/8; T. Brennan, £371; Brosnah and O’Leary, £292 14/S (accepted). Contract No. 28, VTaniarino-Re-taruke Road, O. Halon, £774 6/41; A. J. Woolston, £737 3/1 (accepted). Contract No. 31, Kokakoriki Bridge, E. Poole, £315 12/8; F. E. Hesebeck, £262 6/- (accepted). From J. Bunt, Raurimu, stating that he would undertake to put a culvert at the junction of two roads near the bridge and to corduroy and pumice about 2J chains near the mill at a cost of about £8 on condition that the Council would allow him to use bullocks for drawing about four loads per week to the station, the loads not to exceed 1,200 feet each. He would keep the road to the bridge in repair, and for the use of the balance of the road he would pay £3 license.

On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. Alanson, it was resolved that heavy traffic be nlowcd on County roads to those wishing to do so providing a cash deposit is made to the Council from month to month equal to the estimated amount required by the Engineer to repair the damage affected by such traffic. —Cr. Alanson remarked that to make drawn lines prohibiting the use of bullocks ,cn roads was like retarding an industry.

Gr. McLennan complained that certain persons \rere carting in the district without a license. One he knew or paid a tax on one waggon and carted with two waggons. Messrs McLennan and Murray (introduced by Or. Alanson) waited on the Council complaining of the charge or £3 tax for wheel traffic as affecting their business. Mr. McLennan said he originally took his mail contract as t> i pack-saddle job but he had to give * vehicle service now two days a week. This was very light traffic and he wa» called upon to pay £3, which was out of proportion to the amount charged to those who made greater use of the roads. The cliainna/M stated that, he waiter oj) the Minister for Public Works ts connection with the Main Trunk fcaO ;-Ttd found him fighting every inch o? the ground. lie pointed out to the Min'c-tor that the grant of £SOO would bo enough if the County did not suffer from the disability «? not receiving any timber royalties. The Minister, preavtsed that Vffeen Mr, cams . down. i» dvny hr - ! ivodld go hot-a the mat , thouc ps»« s phtwce thor

The clerk having gone into the legal aspect of the question of the Council's liability for accident he read several opinions to the effect that the Supreme Court judgments showed tha the Council would not be liable for any accident that might occur through anyone falling through the County’s bridge.