WELLINGTON NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1560, 16 September 1905, Page 3

WELLINGTON NEWS.

■(Per Press (Association.) Wellington, last night. The delegates to the Education Board Conference waited on the Premier this evening to lay before him the resolutions passed during the session. Replying, Mr Seddon said that in regard to building new schools, he did not want to slight the boards, but he had to safeguard the interests of taxpayers, He was at first inclined to favor a oentral system of eduoaj tional administration. He had seen it worked in Australia, but had since come to the conclusion that the New Zealand system was the boat. Government had no | desire at all to trench on the powers of the boards. The adequacy of the amounts I paid to teachers depended a good deal on individual cases. Compared with other employments girls were reasonably paid. He would look into the question of inoreasiog the boards' powers in the matter of transfers, and would give all matters touched on at the conferonoe full consideration. At the annual meeting of the Wellington Woollen ManufMtwiog Company the

Tbs Chairman said that there was no Item in the estimates (or Puatae rooks or deviation. The Engincor said that would be a work, costing £2OOO. Or Matthews said that they should urgo on the Government tho ncooesity for doing this work. It was decided to telegraph Mr Oarroll asking tho position of grants, particularly Puatae rooks • and Waipaoa bridge, being essential to keep East Coast roads open. Cr Richardson said £776 bad been voted for the Waimuta road. Ho did not think | thero was sufficient funds in the riding, and be moved that it bo reduced to £SOO. The Engineer thought the amount set down was as little bb oould be dono with, and was proportionate with the others. Cr Gray moved an amendment that the Engineor’s estimate of £766 should stand. Or Matthews seconded. Cr Riohardson said he did not question the Engineer’s estimate, but whether they had the funds to meet it. Last year they spent in this riding £1858,' but had only £658 to meet it. This year they wore spending £llß6, and had only £6OO. The amendment was parried. Tho vote for the road from Eaitaratabi to Waikohn bridge wbb increased from £845 to £500; also the vote from Waikohu bridge to Waipaoa station from £270 to £400; the road from Waikohu to Poututu was increased from £9O to £2OO. Or Riohardson proposed a vote of £240 for tho Motu village road, in response to the Farmers’ Union’s request. Cr. Harding seoonded.—Carried, Cr White voting against. Cr White presented a petition from Mr D, J, Parker and 45 other ratepayers of the Arai road district, praying that the Council to merge the Arai road district into the Cook County Council, but finding the signatures insufficient withdrew the petition. A petition was received from ratepayers in Mangamaia loan district, consenting to a special rate of 7d in the £1 for a loan of £BOOO to construct a dray road from the Mangamaia road to section 15, Mangatu No. 1. Order made. : It was resolved to take the necessary steps to declare the Kaiparo road, from the Royal Oak Hotel to the junction at Awa puni, leading to the abattoirs, a oounty road. Tho American Steel Bridge Company offered to supply the steel work for the proposed new Waipaoa bridge at Matawbero for £I6OO. Considerable discussion followed as to ways and means. The Cha ruian sa\l bo had informed Mr Carroll tho public looked for Government assistance in erecting the bridge. Discussion followed as to the loan area. Cr Matthews gave notice to move that Hangaroa, Te Arai, and Patutabi, with. Gisborne riding, be included in a special loan distdot to raise £SOOO tQ sreot the new bridge. This would give time for consideration of the matter, and in a month's time the Council would perhaps know if they were going to get £2OOO from tho Government, ■ The Engineer was authorised 1 to make improvemenls on the Ormond road near ■ Captain Tucker’s property to prevent the water flowing on to the land and doing damage. On Cr White’s motion the Council decided to grant Mr Bayly £lO for expenditure on Wharerata-Mahanga road, Mr >Bayly to expond the money as he thought fit.