TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 177, 3 July 1900, Page 2

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The County Council met on Monday. Present: Messrs. Okey (chairman), Horrocks, Price, McDonald, Adlnm, Phillips, Lepper, and McCullum. The Moa Foreman reported that a new pipe culvert was necessary at Mr. Kenny's, on the Junction Koad; also, that a timber culvert wag required near Mr. W. Paul's. He also reported that all the large hales had been filled in between Inglewood and Kaimate. The Foreman was authorised to obtain the pipes and put in the culvert near Mr. Kenny's. He- was also authorised to procure a barrow. Mr. McDonald reported that the entrance to the Dudley Road was in a very bad state, but that the Road Board were willing to contribute one-half of the expense.—A subsidy of 30s was voted to the Road Board for the required repairs. The Waitara Foreman reported that some of the deck planks in the long bridge near Sentry Hill had been replaced where broken, and two new joists put in to replace those which were rotten. The Chairman moved that £2OO of the revenue of the Waitara Riding be set apart for the Waiongona Bridge.— Carried. The Omata Foreman reported the neeessity of getting stone from somewhere for use on the road between Allen's Hill and Honeysuckle Hill, as be was unable to get any broken stone in that section. The Parihaka Foreman reported that the approaches to the culvert near Okato schoolhouse had been trampled and torn down by cattle, and required to be fenced at both sides. He suggested that tenders should be called for the supply of firewood for the engine.

Mr. Adlam pointed out that the expense of repairs to the culvert approach was one that the settlers could well pay in return for the convenience of having a drinking place for cattle. It was decided that tenders should be called for the supply of firewood where required for the crusher engine. Mr. McGullum brought up the question of inequality of wages, quoting i Mr. Barr's case as an example. He moved that the wages for the men under the Foremen be 7s a day,— Carried. The Bridge Oarpenter reported that he had stored all tools and bridge gear for the winter, but was prepired at any time to return to duty in case of emergency. The Solicitor (Mr. Roy) advised on the question of damage by trespass by pigs on the County road ; the remedies were either by common law action or by impounding. As, however, the owners were probably natives, there would be a difficulty in enforcing the remedy. Mr. Phillips advocated a Ranger being appointed. Mr. Adlam moved that instructions be given to the Overseer to send in the names of the owners of the pigs, with a view to aotion beiog taken. —The motion was carried, A petition from the settlers on the Junction Road East was laid before the Council, but the matters therein referred to had already been dealt with. A circular was read from the President of the New Zealand Counties Association painting out that in view of the expreised intention of the Government to reform local government, a conference was necessary, and asking the Council to appoint a delegate.

I The Chairman was appointed to represent the Council at the conference. i The question ef the necessity of charging for traction «ngines miog the roads was discussed, and it was decided to bear the matte. 1 in mind when reletting the tolls. In the meantime the existing bye-laws will be enforced. Tbe Department of Agriculture notified that Wednesday, July 18tb, had been proclaimed a holiday for the obgsrvance of Arbor Day throughout the colony, and pointed out the great benefits from planting reserve* and waste places with trees suitable to the position selected. The hon. sec. of the New Plymouth Patriotic and Demonstration Com-

mittee (Mr. 0, B. Bellringer) submitted a programme of the proceedings on the proclamation of peace, apd asking the Council to co-operate.=-No action taken. The Chairman gave notice of motion to strike a rate of two-thirds of Id in the Omata, Waitara, Moa, and Parihaka Ridings. Mr. Adlam advocated a |d rate for Parihaka, and he moved in that direction, The work required could not be done for the two-thirds of one penny. Mr. Price, in seconding the motion, 1 gave Mr. Adlam credit for the backbone shown in advocating an increase in the rate in his riding, and as the additional money was required he was in favour of its being levied, Eventually the amendment was withdrawn, owing to there being legal difficulties in the way of carrying it out,

i A refund of £lO was allowed to Mr, Sangster in ref pect of repairs to the '/stone crushed. { The question of accident insurance : was diecuese.l, arid several motions ! wer,) made, but eventually it was | decided that the matter be left in the hands of the Chairman and Mr, Iforrocks to insure in the office which | offered the bast terms, Mr, Horrocks brought forward the necessity of employing a Foreman for the June ion Road East, the work of the riding being too much for one man to properly attend to. He moved that the appointment be made, Mr, Price poipted out that the adoption of the proposal would be reversing (he principle laid down by the Council some few weeksbapk. that there should be only one foreman in a Riding. He i-uigested the employment of a re? spjLeible man to work under the Poreman. Mr. McDonald protested against such .acomse. * The Chairman advocated adhering to f he pietont system of having only one/ foreman—a policy which tended to , keep the Ilidiog funds in due order. . Mr. Horrocks supported the appoint- ] ment of another Foreman. , Qa a divjsiop, the motion was nega- , l 'wl j Mr. Phillips inquired when the dog < tax collector was going to start getting i

in the tax.—lt was decided that the collector be written to on the subject. Mr. Horrocks brought up the question of a new plant for road-making. He described the present plant as antiquated, and considered that the time had arrived for the Council to sell it. He gave notice of his intention to move at the next meeting that a traction engine, a No. 4 rock crusher with all necessary parts and a steel roller, be purchased, and that the present plant be sold. He contended that the investment would be a good one, and the plant could be hired out. The price was stated to be over £I OOO. Accounts amounting to £672 9s 4d were massed. The Council rose.