STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 40, 17 June 1915, Page 2

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

monthly meeting. Tho Stratford County Council hold thnir monthly meeting in the Council Chambers yesterday. There were pivat)lit tho Chairman (Mr W. Hathaway) and Councillors T. Coleman, T. Baskin, W. Were, E. Walter T. R. Anderson, J. Smith, J. Christoffel, H. ]i. Worthington, T. If. Anderson. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr W. J. Lopdell) reported that during the month the last of the crushed metai contracts were completed. There were i err,am , ing only Boulder Stone contracts to be crushed and worked. The new crusher was doing good and should prove a big saving to the Council. Good progress is being made on tho Waihapa Road with the formation work. Owing to the lateness of the season it was suggested to leave over the building of Ore Stanley Road bridge until the spring. It was also suggested that the supply of metal available for the Stanley Road, he crushed and used for maintaining the road. The Te Popo Bridge is nearing completion, the deck having been now put on. This bridge shrill be open for traffic in a fortnight’s time. When the Te Popo Bridge is finished the gang will be employed on the Pa tea River Bridges. After a careful inspection of the roads and bridges, it was apparent that an' increased rate will be necessary to enable the proposed works to he carried out. He in I called tenders for the quarrying and depositing of 300 cubic yards or shellrock on the Gordon Road. Tenders had also been called for the supply of 100 cubic yards of gravel on the Cheal Hoad. ENGINEER’S ESTIMATES.

The Engineer’s estimate? for the ensuing year were laid oefnre the f oniicil. "The following ar» the total estimates for the various ridings North Riding £3176 10s sd; East Riding, £4317 10s; West Riding, £2591 18s; South Riding, £2319; Mangaehu Riding £l6ll. The total proposed expenditure being £14,,015 18s 5d lor the whole County. The Chairman stated that Councillors should study the estimates well, and also study the present financial position of the Council. The funds in hand would not permit of very great expenditure. Rates to the amount of about £IOOO were outstanding from last year. Only one Riding, the North, was in credit, and the total deficiency of the County was £1960 7s Id. The Council would have to be careful. Cr Smith complained that the work estimated for last year on works tor the Poto and Hastie Roads had not been done. The ratepayers in his Riding were considerably annoyed about the apparent neglect of these two roads. A separate rate had been levied and paid, but the ratepayers had got nothing for it. It was no use putting metal on the side of the roads and leaving it there. It was too late in the year to do the work, as the road would break up the roads more than need be.

Cr Christoffel said that he was of opinion that these roads had been left late in the season because the Conned had only one crushing plant and roller. Consequently, the worse roads had to be attended lirst, when they were good and would stand the traffic. The good roads were easier to work in the winter months. He was sure that the Council were unanimous that the Engineer was in no way to blame for the delay. I Cr Walter held that the extra funds raised by the separate rates on the I Hastie and Poto Roads were not sufficient to justify more attention than was given them now. When the new roller arrived, the Engineer would be able to get through more work than he was now doing, which is already a considerable amount, OUTSTANDING RATES. While discussing the Estimates, the Chairman pointed oiit that rates amounting to about £IOOO were outstanding. This led to further discussion on the rates, and eventually Cj 'Smith moved that the County’s solijcitor bo instructed to sue tor all outjstanding rates without further delay. Cr Christoffel seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. CONTRACTS. Tenders were received for the quarrying and depositing of 300 yards of shell-rock on the Gordon Road. The tender of C. McPhee was accepted.

’ Tenders for the supply of 100 yards of (Travel for the Cheal Road were also received, that of Gray and Wellington being accepted. CORRESPONDENCE. James Reilly, of Now Plymouth, wrote applying for employment as toll- , gate keeper if the Council erected the gate.- The letter was received. The District Engineer wrote stating that the Department would remove the hank of earth at the corner oi Kent Terraco, Midljirst, and the Mountain Road when a works train next was in this locality.—The letter was received as satisfactory. The County Solicitor (Mr \V. G. Malone) wrote stating that the purchase of the property from Mr W. E. Davies had been completed, the Council assuming possession as from the 17th May. The TTnder-Secrettary for Public

Works wrote enclosing copy of the draft license proposed to bo issued to the Stratford Electrical Supply Coy. Ltd., to enable them to extend thenlines. The letter pointed out that the license would not in anyway increase the Company’s powers, but was issued merely to comply with the existing law.

Mr James Kcrrisk wrote asking the Council to clear the water drain near the front of his property on the Stanley Road which was blocked, and prevented the water escaping from his property.—The Chairman pointed out that the property on the opposite side of the road had an outlet which was by some means blocked. If the watei ou this property was let out, Kerrisk’s property would not be troubled aith water.—lt was resolved to give the owner of the opposite laud notice to let the. water out on his farm within thirty days.

Surfaceman A. E. Clifford wrote resigning bis position as be bad been appointed a foreman in the Eginont County.— It was resolved to forward a testimonial to Mr Clifford.

Mrs M. if. Sbute, of Lowgarth, wrote complaining of the unfair method adopted by the Ranger in impounding one ol her horses and letting another one belonging to the County run at large. It was resolved to simply receive the letter. The County Ranger wrote asking tlu‘ Council’s permission to allow him to sue for ranging fees that were un-paid.-—Resolved to grant the permission necessary.

The Stratford Chamber of, Commerce wrote stating that the Chamber had passed a resolution recommending local bodies to specify the nse of British and British Colonial goods in all contracts let by them.—lt was pointed out by the Chairman that the Council always used British material.—Received. DEPUTATIONS. Messrs Mills and Cowles, of Denbigh Road, waited on the Council with a petition from the settlers on the Denbigh Road, requesting the grant of an order to raise a separate rate of 11-16ths in the £ for the erection of bridges on the Denbigh Road. Councillors were unanimous in deciding to grant the order. Regarding the question of subsidy, the Chairman stated that no motion could be passed regarding the amount of the subsidy at present, but he was of opinion that a £ for £ subsidy would be fair. Councilors agreed, and it was decided to promise a subsidy of £ for £ on all money raised.

The Chairman concluded by expressing his opinion that the Denbigh Road ratepayers were “on a good wicket.” Mr Lane, Stratford pound-keeper, waited on the Council asking for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses incurred regarding the feeding and sale of two horses which were sold for 13s 6d. —The Council decided to defer the question until legal opinion was obtained regarding the Council’s position in the matter.

Mr R. Spence, of Spence and Stanford, waited on the Council on behalf of Mrs A. S. Stockley, of Kiore, asking the Council for a refund of an excess in rates paid by Mrs Stockley. He pointed out that Mrs Stockley some time ago applied to the Valuer-Gene-ral for a re-valuation. This was made, and by an error, since admitted by the Valuer-General, the place was valued £4 too much. The Valuer-General had promised to write to the Council notifying it of the eror and request the Council to amend the Valuation Roll. This was done, hut, unfortunately, after the rates were struck. Mrs Stockley paid the rates demanded, but protested against the amount. Mr Spence asked that the Council refund the excess for one year in common justice and in consideration of the fact that Mrs Stockley paid the amount under protest. The Council discussed the matter, and eventually decided to obtain a legal opinion as to the Council’s legal position in the matter. WORKMEN’S WAGES. The question of workmen’s wages was discussed.—Cr Baskin moved that the permanent hands receive the same wage this winter as they do in the summer.—The motion was carried. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £lBlO 15s 7d were passed for payment.