QUARRY CHARGES

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6407, 27 October 1923, Page 5

QUARRY CHARGES

MORE ABOUT METAL COST TO DIFFERENT RIDINGS More was heard about the often debated question of the cost of metal at a latter stage of the ordinary meeting of the Piako County Council than that already reported in criticism of Mr Wright’s report. The matter has been disposed of for another thfee months. The question was raised by Cr. Hughes moving that the cost of ordinary metal to the ridings be at the rate of 7/- per yard, and of metai for concrete 8/- per yard. He, however, did not i think that more should be paid for the metal for Stanley road than had been agreed upon. Cr. Kennedy seconded the .motion pro forma. He did not, at the same time, agree with the proposed increase in the cost of the metal. Until it was shown that the quarry was not a paying proposition he would object to the cost of the metal being increased.

Cr. Stark moved an amendment

that the price of road metal be 8/-

per yard and for concrete metal 9/per yard. His ridings and those ridings on the Morrinsville side Were at a great disadvantage. The nearer ridings paid 7/- per yard loaded at the quarry, but by the time the Morrinsville riding got the metal it cost 11/7 per yard. The Council had the price of metal too low, viz., 7/per yard. i Cr. Hughes regarded Cr. Stark’s proposition as . unbusinesslike. If

they increased the price they would

reduce the consumption. They should mot 'put the price up, but double the output and thereby get increased profit. ’ ■ '% ; '

The chairman said that when the Council brought the price to 7/- they had not raised certain loans which he enumerated. If they could not do it on the present price of 7/- they ought to raise it. He thought they ought, however, to go on for another three months and see how the cost was working out, then’they, could reconsider the matter. Cr. Kennedy asserted that his riding 'was practically the only riding getting metal from this quarry. If Stark thought he was getting his metal cheap Cr. Stark ought to come along and get his own cheap too. He, Cr. Kennedy, however, ; could get met-

al cheaper at another quarry, If the quarry was not quite the success Cr. , Stark had expected he did not. see why his riding should shoulder the burden. He thought the matter could be held over for three months to see how; things would go. Cr. Whitechurch thought they could hold the matter over for three months and see if the quarry would then show a profit. Cr. Walters did not think it was' right to pit one riding against another. If they raised the price too high they would drive ridings to get their metal elsewhere^ Cr. Hughes said it was through the provision,of metal for concrete that the quarry was not paying. Cr. McLean thought that the present charge made his side of the County pay for the metal 1 for the concrete aVea. In reply to Cr. Hughes the chairman said that he believed that in having the quarry there the price of metal was kept down. It had the effect that co-operative concerns . had in this respect. Cr. McLean advised that instead of waiting three months they should get an Empowering Bill through, as suggested by Mr Wright, and develop the quarry and make it pay. ‘ 'Cr. Stark said if by doubling the output they could make the quarry pay he was willing to give it a three months further trial. He was willing to fall in with the suggestion of the chairman to that effect. The chairman in reply to Cr. Ken-

nedy said that the quarry had only paid a profit of £2OO during the last nine months. Cr. Kennedy: You are shouldering the whole burden on to my riding and I strongly object to this. He would resolutely oppose such a thing. After further discussion the motion was amended as follows: “That the metal at the Waiorongomai Quarry be 7/- for the next three months. If at; the end of that time the quarry does not a profit of £250 the metal supplied be charged up at 8/- per yard— the charge to be retrospective from the day of this meeting of

Council." , rphe motion as amended was carried jfeStfiennedy dissenting.