KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 284, 10 August 1910, Page 2

KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following is a continuation of the report of the last meeting:— A deputation comprising settlers from Oparau and Te Kau a-moa waited upon the Council with regard to road matters,

Mr J. A. Ormsby stated that the object of the deputation was to bring under the notice of the council the state of the. Pirongia West road. He wished to impress upon the council the importance of the Okupata road. Mr Bathe considered that £3OO would meet the present requirements on the one and a-half miles of road in question.

Mr Judd said he hoped the council would open the road for wheeled traffic, particularly in view of the approaching milking season. The chairman said Cr Davies had already referred to tho matter, and the council would assist as far as possible. Three was no doubt that the Public Works Department were going to spend a considerable sum here during the coming season. There was already £7SO voted for this road, and he was convinced that a further application would be favourably received by tho Government and would be strongly supported by the council. Ho recommended sending all requests through their member, in order that applications would receive the consideration they deserved. The question of striking a rate was then discussed.

The chairman considered that, in view of the contribution to the Hospital Board and the necessity .for employing a permanent engineer, they must face the question of increasing the revenue. He thought they must itrike a higher rate. Most of the incidental expenses would increase. While speaking to the subject ho wished to refer to criticism of the councillors' travelling expenses. Compared with other counties, these expenses wore considerably less that those which he had come in contact with, one of which he instanced. Ho gave notice of motion that a rate qf lAd in the £ be struck. Cr Davies said that he quite approved of a more liberal scale for travelling allowances. But councillors and ratepayers must appreciate the benefits derived from an occasional deputation to Wellington, and he considered these'trips could be made more frequently with benefit to all concerned.

Other councillors spoke, in support of the suggested increased rato. It was resolved that the dog tax be 2a Gd and 10s as previously. It was pointed out that all dogs must be registered, and it was necessary for owners to register their dogs by application to the clerk, who was appointed registrar. During the current yonr the council had not insisted on this registration. With reference to roads to Native sections, Cr Elliott stated that there were a number of sections which had been leased by Europeans or were still native land, and the council was continually asl-od for roado. Thu general opinion was that these matters were outside the province of the council. ■ It was resolved to reinstate Mr AArmstrong as permanent engineer at the original ualary, provided he lived, in Kawliia,