MIDHIRST MATTERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 300, 17 December 1914, Page 8

MIDHIRST MATTERS.

The condition of the Beaconsfield Road entrance from Mountain Road to the railway was the subject of a good 'deal of discussion, which was initiated by Cr. Baskin, who consid-

ered that the matter should he attended to at once. The Coyncil, however, decided that the Engineer had better report to next meeting. Cr. Baskin drew attention to the state of the Beaconsfield Road and Kent Terrace railway crossings, which, lie said, were in a disgraceful state. — ft was agreed that the Railway Department be written to drawing their attention to the position. THE RANGER’S DUTY. A complaint was received from J. Cubbon, Bird Road, drawing the Council’s attention to straying stock. Last week the writer’s son was knocked off his bicycle and hurt his arm. Mr Cubbon wanted to know if the Council had a ranger at present, and stating that he would hold the Council responsible for any damages in the future.

The Ranger (A. Cnthbertson) reported: On 27th inst. I impounded' S bullocks on Finnerty Road and 1 cow on Waiongongora Road; 28th, 1 horse, Midhirst; Ist inst., 2 horses and 2 yearlings,. Nash Road; -!tii, 3 cows, Skinner Road; sth, 1 horse, Denbigh Road ; 9th, 2 msbs of calves, Bird Road; 10th, 2 cows and 2 nobs of calves, Toko Road; 14th, 4 cows, Puniwhakau; 15th, 2 horses, Tahore Road; 16th, 1 horse, Midhirst.

Cr. Baskin remarked that it was a very “skimpy” report. He knew positively that one Sunday at Midhirst the ranger got a team of bullocks, and nothing was in the 'epotfc. Again, a heifer on the road was passed, no notice of it being taken at all.

This opened up the whole question of ranging, and members revelled in the discussion.

Cr. Smith said 9 the whole position was very unsatisfactory. There would he no satisfaction until a new r ar-

rangement was made. In one case ■n the county for six calves six shil. hngs were while a team of bullocks in the same locality were not touched. It was a rather big order, to do the work, there being 200 miles if roads in the County. An assistint ranger was, in his opinion, required. He moved that applications be invited for two rangers and tax col'ectors.

The Chairman explained that there vas no honorarium attacned to the uosition, and the Council got nc benefits in any shape or form.

Cr. Worthington said it appeared to him it was in many cases the same rattle which were caught straying. V prosecution would do more poor!. (Hear, hear,’ and signs of approval from members). Cr. Anderson said that if the ianger got no cattle he did not get any nay, and the speaker inferred that

t was to the interests of the ranger hat cattle should be on the roads i position which should not be allow-

Cr. Baskin asked why the vangei hould have a book of receipt foims

beaded “Stratford County Council

ind should he allowed to impress upin residents he was under the author-

ty of the Council when he ready die

mt have to account for the monies ■ollected. Again, on one occasion m the Salisbury Road, before ho was i councillor, the speaker found • a “little fellow” in charge of some cows,

md ho said ho was assistant for Ins "ather. That should not be allowed, is the ranger had no authority to lepute his duties. Cr. Walter: Ho you think you nil! ever get a satisfactory state of affairs in the ranging business? Cr, Baskin did bot reply. Cr. Smith said he would dissociate the position of dog-tax collection from die ranging, and he would moVe that ipplications lie called for two rangers, it being’optional to take up dog rax collection.

Mr Christoffel seconded the motion

Cr. Worthington further stressed tlie point of a prosecution for the second offence, and pointed out in reply to an interjection that the ranger would never prosecute that if the names of offenders were laid on the Council table there would be a great reduction in the trespassing. The motion was then altered to include that applicants state salary required, and all fees to go to the Council. Seconded by Cr. Christoffel, and carried. THE ROYALTY QUESTION. Mrs Julia Schumacher, of Midhirst, owner of part section 3, Manganul district, black XIII., Huiroa S.H.. which abuts on the To T*opo river, wrote through her solicitor (Mr T. C. Fookes) re tlie action of the Council taking stone from the hod of the river between her property and that of Mrs Baker on the opposite side of the river. Last year, the letter stated, the then Engineer agreed to pay 3d per cubic yard as royalty on all stone, and Mrs Baker was paid 4cl per yard in respect of the same stone. This year the Council took stone from the river for which it is .stated they are contemplating paying , only 2d per yard, Mrs Schumacher protests against this, and declines to accept anything less than 3d. It was, also understood that the Council’s contractors were not keeping tallies of stone taken from the To Popo and Manganui rivers, which would lead 'to serious complications when the Relate of settlement arrived. I This opened up a field for dia»cusrion that lasted for two hours.* 1 The Chairman stated' that until last

year the Council paid Gd royalty, and thoi.) was no trouble.

All authority submitted by the Engi ncer stated that there was no legal distinction between streams and ri\ers in Taranaki, and that the boundaries terminated at the bank and not in the centre ot the stream. [

Cr. Smith read opinions by the Solicitor-General and Mr Skerrett, K.C., on the sale of allotments on the bank of the Huatoki stream, New Plymouth, giving just the opposite view. f Cr. Walter said in the future if the Council did not get in under the Public Works Act they would have to pay what was asked. If too much was asked, they should give notice of the terms.

The Chairman pointed out that Mrs Baker’s land was being used as a crusher site.

After discussion the Chairman moved that Mrs Schumacher he paid in terms of the letter, and that unless satisfactory terras be arranged in the future notice be given to Mrs Baker and Mrs Schumacher before anv more stone is taken.

Seconded by Cr. Baskin and carried. It was resolved, on the motion of Crs. Coleman and Baskin, that Gd per yard be the standard price. NORTH CARDIFF BRIDGE.

Cr. Smith moved that plans be prepared for the north Cardiff bridge ovei the Patea for submission to the Department. The present structure was worm-eaten and rotten, and lie was afraid the bridge would collapse. The sum of £250 was on the estimates, and £l2 o would have to be provided each by the North and West Hidings. ■ It was agreed that the North Hiding should pay £IOO as its share. Seconded by Cr. Baskin, and carried. $ RATES. Resolved on the motion of Cr. Smith that ratepayers be publicly notified that ten per cent, penalty be added to all unpaid rates after February 4.—Cr. Baskin said that ratepayers often went to the Council with rates, but on account of not

knowing the office hours, had often to return home without having paid the amounts. He was not complaining, but he w6uld like to see the office hours advertised along with the notice re the penalty.—This was agreed to by the Council. ' GENERAL. Mr Eredow waited upon the Conn, cil re drainage works on Makuri stream, having received notice to clear same out. He considered the benefit to be received would not be commensurate with the cost involved.—The Engineer and Cr. Walterexplained the circumstances, and the question was fully gone into.—lt was resolved that the Engineer inspect and report on the matter, as affecting Messrs Bayly and Bredow, pro-perty-holders. The Waitara Borough wrote offering their road grader for £3s.—Resolved to thank the Council for the offer-, and receive the letter. Members prrt a shilling in in reply to a circular letter requesting support to the Belgium Christmas Fund. The Engineer submitted proposals for Cambria Street, Midhirst, to cost £3l 6s or £26 10s. The Chairman moved that Xo. 1 proposal be approved of, and be considered with next year’s estimates.—Seconded by Cr. Baskin, and carried. Resolved that the reserve at Mangaehu be fenced and made sheep, proof. The Ngaere Dairy Factory was granted a few loads of gravel, under th° direction of the foreman.

Certain work on the Mangaehn tunnel road is to be proceeded with under Government grant. It was resolved to approve loan of £SOO for Croydon Road west re-grad-ing and metalling.

A loan of £7OO will be raised for metalling and grading on Aliuroa Road. Holidays for the staff: Christmas Ray, Boxing Ray, New Year’s Ray. Accounts amounting to £IOB7 were passed for payment.