STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143976, 19 December 1912, Page 4

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council was held at Stratford on Wednesday. There were present : Crs. IV. Hathaway (in the chair), J. Thomson, J. Christoffel, J. Smith, IV. Walker, IV. Rogers, and E. Marfell. Apologies were received from Crs. T. R. Anderson and J. E. Young. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer reported as follows; — Work In' hand.—The drainage contract in Makuri Valley is proceeding, steadily, and should be out of hand in. about six weeks.

The metalling of the, gap-on Man gaehu Road lias been commenced. The boulders contracts in the South and West Ridings are progressing steadily. Green has finished his antmoved out to Waiwiri Road to com menco the reinetalling contract there. The bridge gang have - completed Young’s Bridge, the concrete on Mangaehu Road, and the- rcdecking of Mangamii Bridge, and are now putting up a small structure to give access to IVaipuku gravel pit. ■ After this they will erect Finnerty Road Bridge. ■' The engine shed Ims, been completed, and the Toko cottage, will be'‘.out of hand shortly.

The grader has been put into commission, and is doing excellent work on East Road. Messrs. Anderson have not yet been able to procure a driver for tho roller. It is urgently needed in connection with reinetalling work now being carried out. t General. —As instructed, a water, cart has been ordered. Mr. Holland states that the price agreed on for tho site for cottage on Manaia Road was to be clear of all expenses, etc., hence the fencing is a matter for: tho Coum cil. ' ] ’ - The only satisfactory way of dealing with lower Pembroke Road will bo \to scarify it, add sufficient extra metal to make a fair coat, and then roll it in. This would cost about £2OO per mile, As a result of inquiries I find there; is' no chance of getting further metal from Sentry Hill, consequently it 1 will be necessary to invite fresh tenders for Toko and Gordon Road metal. A discussion ensued in reference to tho recommendation of the engineer regarding tho, Pembroke Road, in the course of which it transpired that* tho North . Riding’s finance was in a strained condition.—lt was eventually decided to get out 600 yards of boulders, which, it was explained, would be sufficient to reinstate half the road. Regret was , expressed that further metal could not be obtained from Sen-, try Hill.—lt was decided that the riding members endeitvour to obtain, through tho Public Works Department, metal from the Skinner Road pit, and failing this tenders will bo called. FOREMEN’S REPORTS. The foremen’s reports were read, and routine matters arising therein were dealt with. : ‘ GOVERNMENT LOANS. , Mr. J. IV: Poynton wrote acknowledging tho receipt of Council’s application for the following loans, viz; £3OO to metal Makuri Road, Hu'iroa; ■£1350 to deviate, form and metal IVaihapa Road; £240 to metal a continuation of Regan Street; and stating that as the Council had already reached the £6OOO limit, which was still in force, these applications at the present juncture could not be entertained. It was decided to refer the letter back, through Mr. Hine, M.P.,' to the Government, for further consideration. DOG TAX. ' The dog tax for the ensuing year was fixed as follows:—2s 6d for sfieep and cattle dogs, and 10s for all other dogs. SETTLERS’ DIFFICULTIES. Mr. Haro, of Makara Road, waited on the Council, asking that tho grades on the Makara and Ratapiko Roads be reduced iii order to facilitate settlors getting their wool out. Mr. Hare pointed out that it was costing him 6s. per bale to bring his wool but to Tariki owing to the teams having to “double bank” in order to negotiate these hills. The engineer will inspect and report as to what is tho best thing to do; though the Council does not feel disposed to expend more than £SO at this juncture. STRATFORD HOSPITAL. A communication was received from the Stratford Hospital Board explaining that the estimated revenue, for the period from December X, 1912, to March 31, 1913, was £1450, and the expenditure £1330 18s 6d, leaving ' a deficiency of £ll9 Is 6d. In pursuance' of powers vested in it the board had allocated the proportions of this sum to be paid bytho contributing local authorities as follows:—'Stratford County Council, £85,25, WhangAmoniona County £2O 3s 6d, Borough of Stratford £l3 165.-—Held over until next meeting. A PETITION. Settlers in the Hniroa district forwarded copy of a petition to the Minister of Public Works, and asked the council to endorse same. The petition reads:—“W’e, the undersigned settlers, farmers and residents, would respectfully bring under your notice the verygreat injustice done to som.e of your pioneer settlers on the route . of the Stratford - IVhangamoraona Railway through the arbitrary action (3f, the Public Works Department in not giving reasonable compensation for land taken. In some cases land has been rendered practically useless in wet weather through the blocking up of drains, and in this connection we would point out to you that previous to this railway being fonned through the country the settlers had : drained their land, but through the Public Works Departument blocking the drains they had been put to further trouble and expense. ; Jn one case, that of Mr. Huzziff, £ISOO, had been spent in draining, b.ut the railway had cut through the drains, causing the laud to bo flooded and the grass to perish, and the only compensation that was offered was £55, and this in face of losing a large number of stock. We would also respectfully point out that the worst of these sufferers arc Crown tenants. All the freeholders from Stratford to Huiroa received compensation. The late

I Minister for Public Works (Mr. MacUouald) visited the district last May; and promised to amend , the law and give a reasonable compensation. All we ask is .that the settlers be left in no worse position than their neighbours, whose property the railway has benefited and not injured in any way. We would also ask that these drains bo cleaned, out at oncp, and that this bo done every year, and that the settlers be given a fair and reasonable compensation, foi' land acquired for railway purposes." Mr. Huzziff waited on the council in support" of the request. Tne question' was "raised by several councillors that ii number of people who had signed the petition were not ratepayers in the area affected, and therefore'they did iiot feel disposed to endorse the petition. If,, however, ithese names were deleted they would be prepared to support the petition'.. During the discussion which ensued it transpired-that whilst some settlers had received compensation for land taken others had not even received Anything for bushfellrh£ s and grassing. Councillor Thomson ultimately, moved "That" this council considers the. Government should pay compensation for land taken for railway purposes, ancl that all railway drains sWnld be cleaned out annually; as at present a largo area of land and portions of the county roads were being damaged as the result of. the drains being blocked and the water overflowing on to the farms." •The Chairman seconded. Councillor Marfell did not think it was within tho province of the council to interfere between the settlers and the, department as regardes compensation, but tho other portion of the resolution had his hearty support. -The fact that the railway was being put through this country, he pointea out, was to some extent compensation. Councillor Thomson did not see any harm in letting the rnotion gp as it stood. Ho certainly thought the settlers should receive compensation'. . Councillor Smith thought some recompense should be given to these men commensurate with the injury they had received. He knew that the question of compensation was not really one for the council. It was really a political question, and the trouble was due to the maladministration of the past Gov-' ernment. He did not see that the present Government could be blamed in the matter. Councillor . Christbffel thought . the farmers should be compensated. The motion was carried, Councillor Marfell recording his vote against it. GENERAL. Season's greetings were, received from the Mayor, councillors and staff of the Stratford Borough Council. Copy of circular letter issued by the Patea County Council with regard to the collection of Native ratea' was received.—lt transpired that the question was one which did not affect this council though it was in sympathy with tho movement. The Whakatane County Council asked for the council's support in its endeavours to have the clause which prevents local authorities charging anything against Government grants for roads and.bridges to cover the cost of supervision deleted from the Act.— Endorsed?