STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9193, 22 September 1891, Page 2

STRATFORD NEWS.

[PROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT.] j COUNTY COUNCIL. - September 18.— The Council held an ordinary meeting to-day. Messrs Marchant (chairman), Irvine Monkhouse, McGregor, Read, Thompson, and Youngraan were present. The minutes of the last meeting were read, and confirmed. Chairman's Mission to Wellington. — The Chairman reported that in accordance with the wish of a public meeting, he had proceeded to Wellington to interview members of the Ministry on the matter of the delay in calling tenders for the extension of the East Road to Mangaero, and the failure to provide funds for metalling. On reaching Wellington he had first consulted the members for Egmont J and Waitotara, and had then called on the Under-Secretary, Mr Barron. In reply to his enquiry as to why contracts had not been let as promised, ho was at first told that the matter had been deferred till spring, and that this was , done in accordance with the wish of the Stratford County Council. He was able to show that this was a total misapprehension, and was then told that the fault lay with the Survey Department in not having furnished proper plans and specifications. He oxpresped his opinion on this pretty plainly, and then went and interviewed the , Premier, putting it to him as forcibly, as possible that his Government was doing practically nothing for the road, the £10,000 on the Estimates being, with the exception of £700, nothing more than the £10,000 placed' on .the late Gpyernment's, Estimates, revpted. He suggested that the North Island Trunk Railway loan should be put under further contribution, but to thisitho Premier would '.not listen, and they agreed to differ. Ho next saw the Minister' of Lands', \y\\o flatly denied having promised ,any nietal for the road. Fortunately, documentary evidence was forthcoming "to prove that Mr McKenzie's predecessor had undertaken to metal the bad places, and that Mr McKonzie, hilnsolf when at Stratford, had "gone one better," and undei taken that the metal should commence at the town to 'be continuous. At a second interview he found the Minister more reasonable, and received an assurance that" a telegram should be sent that day instructing Mr Weettnan to have prepared plans arid specifications for metalling, starting at the Mountain Road. He also obtained an advertisement for insertion in the local newspaper calling fresh tenders for the 10 miles of felling and formation. He called the attention of the Department to the ob jections to the contemplated deviation of the road at McQueen's, and was told that it should be carefully considered. The matter of the Toko Road extension he also brought up, and found the Department very unwilling to do anything, arguing that the purchasers should have seen that the original owners provided roadsr He pointed out that the present owners of the Matemateonga had not bought from the same vondors as had the purchasers of the Toko, and had no claim on the Toko proprietors. Ho also tried to make it clear that the Government would find the road necessary to tap the large area of Crown lands behind the Matemateonga. This was about all he had to report. Mr McGregor spoke on the glaring discrepancies between the Government's promises and performances, and on the hardship involved in the Council having to be continually paying travelling expenses to Wellington to keep the Government up to the mark. — Mr Irvine hoped that it would be all right, but had doubts even now ; he condemned the proposed deviation of the road. The Town Loan. — The Chairman stated that it was proposed to hold, at the close of the Council meeting, a meeting of the Committee appointed by the ratepayers to allocate the proposed loan expenditure.— Mr McGregor raised the question of the proportion of interest the Council would have to pay. — The Chairman supposed that it would be necessary for each body to strike a sufficient rate to cover the whole of the interest, the actual provision of which, however, would be a matter of arrangement. The understanding was that it would all come out of the ordinary revenue of the two bodies, and the proportiou paid by each would of necessity be regulated by their respective means. — Mr Youngman aaked if other ridinga would be liable if the Central Riding made dofaalt. — The Chairman said the interest would be secured by a rate on a special district, and that district would alone be liable. — A long discussion ensued, and Mr McGregor appearing unsatisfied, the Chairman suggested another conference with the Town Board.— Mr McGregor then suggested the propriety of obtaining an estimate from the County Engineer of the cost of the proposed works on the County road, and moved a resolution to that effect. — The Chairman and Mr Irvine thought that, as the Town Engineer had already made an estimate, to prepare another would be a waste of time. — Mr Monkhouse supported the motion which was eventually carried — It waß then moved by Mr Monkhouse, and carried, that the Council should hold a special meeting on Friday 25th, at 11 a.m., and request a Conference with the Town Board, at 2 p.m., tho same day Tenders. — The Council considered, in Committee, tenders for supplying 1000 yardd of crushed metal, from Messrs Murpljy and Kerrisk at 5s 6d per yard, and Mr Mulree at 5s 7|d ; also applications for the pOBt of engino , driver from Messrs Parsons,- West,; Cann, 1 Stanton, and Guy. On resuming, resolutions were adopted accepting Murphy^and Kerrisk's tendei for metal, and appointing Mr Stanton to tho pest of engine driver.' I ' Re-decking Pu'.ea Bridge.— Tlio Engineer was instructed to call for fresh tenders for new diagonal planking, on the top of the prosent planking, all unsound joists to be replaced. Opunake Road. — it being reported that damage was being done by heavily loaded carts not keeping on the metal, the Engineer was instructed to have fuchsia posts put in where necessary to keep tho traffic in the centre of the road. Upper Waingon oro Road. — In response to a petition from a number of residents, the Engineer was instructed to call for tenders for stumping and logging. Dingle and I'a/p's Contract. — On the motion of Mr Monkhouse, it was resolved that notice to start tho work of metalling should be given; also that tenders should bo called for making up the einbankmeuts to proper width; also that Messrs Dingle and Tapp should' be required to 'move the crusher from its present dangerous position. fAli<lhi>Btf Ali<lhi>Bt Improvements. — On the motion of Mr McGregor, the Engineer was instructed to call for tenders for filling a hole between the hotel and Mr Win Kee's A Strange RequfSL—Uv J. Barleyman wrote asking- the Council to remove the bank of earth which had been deposited in front of his town soction on the Mountain Road. It was pointed out that tho alleged i obstruction was tho now footpath lecently formed by the Town Board. Tho mutter was referred to that body. Settlement of Accounts.— The Patea County Clerk wrote asking the Council to appoint delegates with a view to adjusting accounts betwe-n the two bodies. It being pointed out that the Patea Council's idea of an equitable settlement was a division of assets and liabilities on the arbitmr}' basis of the proportionate aioa of the severed portion to the remaining one, it whh considered hopless to • expect any settlement without the aid of the Auditor General. It was resolved that tho Piitea County Council should be informed that the CoHßcil would prefer to call in tho

Auditor-General. Jaws for Stone Crusher. — It was decided to order one full set from Mr D. Berry. Inpounding Cattle. — Mr Blakejwrote for permission to impound cattle from the county road. Ho was reforred to tho Impounding Act. Mr Blake also drew attention to a defective culvert. Tho engineer was instructed to give this attention. Upper Hystings Road.— -A request for road unprcromerts from Mr Brodorick was referred to the engineer for report. Ronald Road.— Mr Coutts asked for Borne second growth to be cut. Tho engineer was empowered to pay settlers for clearing their frontages at a rate not exceeding one shilling per chain. Ahwoa -R.W. --The Engineer was instrrcted to report on bridging tho Wawiri stream, as the bridge on Mr Green's land would shortly be closed by bush felling. Midh rst.—An app'ication from Mr 801 l to have a bank of earth moved waß left to the engineer. Bastings - Rowan Road Loan. Mr Monkhouse moved that tenders for format'on and metalling bo called at once, in advance of tho poll. He contended that by so doing valuable time would be saved. It appeared likely that the measure altering tha requisite majority to two thmis.oE those polling would become law, in which case tho result was a foregone conclusion, and at the worst they would only be ripkinga few sbillingp in advertising. Motion agreed to. Separate Road Accounts. — Mr Monkhouse moved that the Olerk keep separate accounts for each road. The system was the most satisfactory and worked well in other districts. The Chairman - pointed out the increase in book-keeping • entailed and generally dissented. The motion was carried. Deferred Payment Money.-rThe Clerk read a schedule of the proposed expenditure of £85. The schedulo was approved. East Road Metalling-~TA.T Irvine moved that the Government be recommended to let tho formation and metalling in one contract. Ho considered this course would result in the work being put through more expeditiously than in small . -contracts. — It was considered inadvisable to interfere, and the motion lapsed. Accounts. — Accounts to the amount, of £80 5s Od were passed for payment/