WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 20, 23 January 1914, Page 8

WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY COUNCIL.

At tho meeting of tlie AA hangamomona County Council at the Council offices, AVhangamomona, on Tuesday, Mr A. Meredith presided, and the following Councillors were present—Crs. W. Bacon, A. Coyne, .1. McCluggage, Id. B. Roberton, V R, Cleland, AV. A. MeCutchan, and the Engineer (Sir E. C. Robinson). The ('hairman apologised for the absence of Mr Coleman (the clerk).

The report of the Engineer was as follows:

Strathmore Riding.—One mile and a half of Mangarewa Road has been laid off for formation, plans prepared, and tenders'invited for the work, closing on the .‘list inst. The shellrock metalling contract near Makalm lias been commenced, and is being pushed ahead vigorously. The metalling ol approaches to Hniakama dairy factory has boon completed, and the maintenance metal authorised delivered along Ohura Road between Strathmore and Te AVcra. Maintenance work lias been principally confined to the upper part of Mangaehu R tad.

Pohoknra Riding.—The approaches to Makalm stream bridge, Makalm Road; have been laid off, and the work put in hand. Maintenance work is well forward on the roads in tliis Riding.

Central Riding.—The work of clearing Putikituna Road of slips and putting it in good repair is proceeding. Re-grading of AVhangamomona township footpaths.—l nave as yet been •unable to procure material for some, but if the Olmra Road metalling contract is to be proceeded with this season, the cheapest and host material for footpaths would bo the, screenings obtainable from them. The Vera Road formation and small bridge construction has been comoleted satisfactorily.

Tahora Riding.—So far, wo have been unable to get definite information from the Lands Department regarding the section to be allotted to us in Tahora township. ■ I Claim for Injury to Horse. A letter was read from the Minister of Public Works relative to a claim made by Mr A. W. Hodder for ■njury to a horse when ridden on die tramway on the Mangaowata Road, regretting that under the circumstances, the Department could not see its way to pay compensation. Mr A. W. Hodder wished the

Council to compensate him for the locse (valued at £l2) and to take it

After some discussion as to the

ability of the Government with re-

gard to the state of the road, it was resolved that Crs, Roherton and Cleland examine the horse and report at the next meeting. To this Mr Hodder agreed. During the discussion,

,'oujicillors expressed the opinion hat the Mangaowatu Road was not

.afe; iu fact, said one, it is “ahsolnelv dangerous.”

The Chairman moved that the Puh'ic Works Department he written .to asking them to at ones remove the tramway from the road owing to Sts dangerous state and the liability of the Council in connection with any accident that might arise.—Unanimously agreed to. Foreman of Strathmore Riding Resigns. A letter was read from the foreman (J. Keane) resigning his position, and the Engineer was authorised to make temporary arrangeVnents for work on the roads, and that applications ho called for the position of foreman, to lie closed at the next Council meeting. Re Grant to Marco Road. A letter from Mr G. T. Murray (Resident Engineer) was read, stating that of the appropriation of £IOOO for the current year there was i balance of £lo2 10s od, and that the work done since the Ist of April absorbed the rest. After discussion it was moved hy Cr. MeCutchan, seconded by Cr. McClugggc, that the Council still adheres to its former position, and that the Government he informed that if they will not make a further grant the Council cannot undertake the oxuenditu re.

Special Rate over the Central Riding,

Mr K. Spence, whose legal opinion was sought relative to extraordinary expenditure, among other points, laid it down that all expenditure in the County is “general expenditure,” and therefore the necessity for striking a higher rate in any one Riding did not exist. “To put the whole position shortly,” stated Mr Spence, “once you concede that all roads in your County are County mads, and, therefore, a general County liability, the County, as a whole, must hear the burden, and any attempt to make each Riding shoulder its own liabilities is contrary to the plain language of the Statute.” Cr. Coyne humorously remarked: “The law is an ass. Everything seems contradictory.”

Cr. Bacon said he did not think there was the slightest doubt about ilie settlers being strongly in favor of the loan being carried out. and

regarded it as an urgent matter 1 hai tlu* work of metalling Olmra Road la proceeded with and the contract sign.

ed without waiting for a poll, which meant delay,

Cr. MeCutchan, supporting Cr. Bacon, said he had interviewed several settlers as to the loan, and that he was of opinion there would not be a single vote against the proposal—-

there was no risk whatever on iae part of the other Ridings. Cr. lloberton, who was not in favor of the work being done now, enquired as to whether, in the event of the Council carrying out the resolution and the whole of the County shouldering the burden, what arrangement wotdd he made for refunding ihe money to the rest of the County. “1 do not feel justified on the part of Tah ora in voting for the work being proceeded with until a poll is t»\ IvCll. Cr. MeCluggage was of opinion tne loan would be carried through. Then, he said, it is a Central Riding responsibility, and it is only a matter of adjustment between ourselves. Cr. Coyne: I would bo quite trilling to let the contract conditionally m the loan being raised. Before d truth more would take any liability t would certainly be only fair that chore should be a meeting held first. It affects Strathmore a very great leal. lam against the work being nrocecded with as suggested.

Cr. Bacon, speaking in favor of die proposed work being done now, said: “If this motion goes through >ud the loan is not carried, the responsibility will he with me just as inch as with the members for Strathuore and Tamora.” It was resolved “that the contract ■m signed and the metalling proceed-

'd with, and that failing the Council icing granted a loan for the purpose, it lie a County liability.” The contract is with Mr If. A. Julian, Eltham, and will involve an •xpenditure of £6OOO. Mr Julian, die contractor, was present at the nccting, and said that every advantage should be taken of the proamt hue weather. He hoped to start cork in about ton days.

Cr. Bacon, in referring to the state if the road in the winter,' said it was lothing- less than “a sea of mnd.” Labor and Wages. Cr, MeCntchan, who spoke on tae motion with regard to increasing he wages of the foremen, caused mine discussion as to the amount to ie paid to surfacemen and foremen, «nd it was resolved, on the motoin if Cr. McCluggage, “that the lorenen in the Council’s employ he paid 10s per day from this date.” Bridge in Township. On the. motion of Cr. Bacon, the' Engineer was empowered to renew the bridge in the township, and complete the approachs. Plans of Hospital, The Council approved of the plans of tluv additions to the Stratford Hospital.