TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 204, 2 October 1900, Page 2

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thi Taranaki County Council met on Monday. Present: Messrs. Okey| (Chairman), Herrocks, Price, McDonald, Adlan, Philips, McOullum, Tate, andLopper, Messrs. Hadley and Co, submitted a quotation of £550, delivered at New Plymouth, for a portable breaker, with a capacity of 107 yards per day (30 cwt to the yard) with elevator, screening apparatus, etc.

Mr. Horrooks moved that a crushing machine be procured. He said the engine, crusher, and scarifier, with shed, eto., would cost £I6OO, and the present plant would fetch £3OO, thus makiog the nett total expenditure, £IBOO, which at 5 pgr cent, would entail an annual oharge of £65. The total working expense would .be about £SOO a year, and the nett profit would be £I9OO, The Borough Council, were willing to have 3000 yards at 2s per yard, This would take 30 days and realise £3OO, or after deducting expenses, £247, If this were continued for 5 years the whole of the plant would be paid for out of that one item. In addition to this other local bodies weuld probably require the use of the machine for, say, 90 days. If the cost of crushing were put at 6d a yard (he believed it could be done for 4|d), and crushed 7000 yards, the cost would be £175, as against the past expenditure of 3s per yard. It would be a retrograde step for the Council not to go in for the plant, Messrs. Price, Adlam, McOallum,and McDonald opposed. The Chairman supported the motion. He admitted that the outlay would bring the overdraft to £7OOO, but incomes would reduce that amount,

[Mr. Horrooks here interrnpted the speaker and wai called to order by Mr, Price, whom he told to mind his own business. Interruptions of speakers were constant, and it was with difficulty thrt the Chairman and others suoceeded in concluding their remarks], Mr. Tate supported the motion, as he was satisfied i ne<f crusher would bave to be obtained sooner or later, Mr. Horrooks, in reply, said most Councillors agreed that the jaws of the crusher were worn out, but it did not appear that their own jaws were worn out. (Loud protests). Many points mentioned in opposition were ludicrous. The motion was rejected by 5 to 4. It was decided not to purchase a scarifier.

The Moa 7oreman reported that Messrs. Cliff and Richards had been notified re gorse, but had taken no aotion. He requested that the Council would make owners grub the gorse, so as to allow the water tables to be cleaned out. About 20 yards of metal was required for repairs at the zig-zag. The approach to the Karapiti bridge had given way, but had been repaired. He asked that J. Tarry should receive an order for 100 yards of metal. He also reported that on the night of September 24th, some persons took ofl the toll gate and put it over the Ngatoro bridge into the river. The gate was recovered and replaced securely. Authority was given for the 100 yards of metal asked for. Mr. Colesby waited on the Council relative to price for shifting gravel. A long discussion ensued, and eventually it was decided that Mr. Colesby finish his contract, the question of extras to (be left in the hands of the members for the district.

Mr. Billings waited on the Council as a deputation from the Curringion, Frankley, and Elliot Road Boards, to ask the Council for the usual subsidy. Mr. Lepper moved that a subsidy be not granted, there were other Boards who were equally entitled to a subsidy, and the Road Boards in question had no toll in their districts. Mr. Price seconded the motion. Mr. Phillips agreed with the previous speakers.

The Chairman said that ever since the Council was formed the subsidy had been granted, and if it were withdrawn now it would not only place the Road Boards in a financial difficulty, but the Council would lose the grant from the Government, as the Road Boards would strike a jd rate and a special £d rate. Mr. Price again spoke. Mr. Tate pointed out that the subsidy would come from the Government, go there was no hardship on the ratepayers. He moved that £2O be granted. The Chairman pointed out that the Ridings were the sufferers, not the Council, Mr, McDonald said it was not reasonable to give to one Board and not to another.

Mr. Tate moved that the subsidy be granted this year, but that it be not repeated. It was not the County funds that were being diverted. Mr. Adlam moved, and Mr. Tate seconded, That the Boards receive two-1 thirds of the psst subsidy for this year. On a division the amendment was rejected by 5 to 4. The Waitara Foreman reported that] the deck planks of the big bridge near Sentry Hill had broken, but bed been repaired.

The Omata Foreman suggested that a contract to supply 400 yards of stone at Omata should be let. He stated that Mr. Adlam had tried to put him off getting the pipes ordered by the Council for the school road at Oakura, and he considered that after orders were given he should not be interfered jwith. He mentioned several small works that required attention, A further report stated that the Omata toll-gate had been again removed about 2 a.m. on October Ist, four bars chopped through, and the gate .placed in a paddock opposite. | It was decided to call for tenders for the 400 yards of stone at Omata.

Mr. Rutherford is to be requested to repair the road cut up by his carts. Notice is to be sant to those owners where furze was growing on the road. Mr. Adlam exp'ained what he bad done with regard to the culvert pipes. Mr. Price maintained that whon an order was given by the Council individual members should not interfere, 1 Mr. A. Bayly wrote, claiming 10s per day as from September 6th as damnges for removing one of his gates and placing it on the Omata toll. The Clerk read his isjly to Mr. Bayly, wherein the latter was referred to the police. A letter from Mr. C. W. Govett, (topjaudtDg M 15n damages, and fchql

Olerk's reply thereto, referring Mr. Govett to the police, were also read. Mr. H. Bayly wrote, stating that he had been requested by the various ratepayers at Omata to appeal to the Council to remove the toll-gate. Mr. Tate said it was deplorable that such steps as moving the gate should be taken, it was an underhand way of protesting. The proper course would bave been to call a public meeting. He thought there was some underhand work going on. He moved—" That upon the return of the County's stolen gates in good order er guarantee of refund of cost that the County have been put to through the unwarrantable aotion of the law-breakers who removed and destroyed the gates in question, the Council will then consider Mr. Bayly's application." The Chairman seconded the motion. Mr. Horrooks moved—"That Mr. Bayly be informed that the Council cannot see its way to discuss the question unless the matter is brought before them by petition from a large number of residents in the County."— This amendment was carried.

The Omata Foreman reported that Messrs, Rundle and Son's slaughterbook was in a very unsatisfactory condition. It was pointed out that there i bad been no transfer of license from | Mr. C, Atkinson. ,

The Clerk was directed to communicate with Mr. Atkinson,'

The Parihaka Foreman reported that the men at pick and shovel work demanded 8s per day . and carters with their teams 14s a day. He submitted an estimate of £lO3 14s for a new concrete wall, oulvert on the Main South Road, near the English ohurob, at Opunake. Mr. Phillips considered 14s was fair for a team. It was decided that 14g a day be. paid for. a two-horse dray, and, 12s for a single horse and dray. The wages of the men ,to remain as at present.

The question of the culvert was| ordered to ataad over.

The toll-keeper at Ornate wrote stat- ■ ing that he estimated his loss through the removal of the gate at 10s per week, and asked for some allowance. The matter was adjourned, The Paniho gate-keeper asked for a rebate, as he was from £i to £5 short in his takings owing to the traffic having dropped off. No action was taken. Application for a slaughter license was made by Messrs. Halford and Buxton, on sections 144, 148, block 6, Parifcutu. Consent was given. J. P. Kennedy wrote with referenoe to the complaint made by P. Johnson that it was false and a fraud, as there was no Buoh parson in the district.

The Farihaka foreman wrote stating chat most of Mr. Birr's complaints igainst him were untrue, and gave his version of what happened on the occasion.

The Inglewood Town Board notified their willingness to pay half cost oi clearing and continuing the drain on the east side of the Mountain Road as t'ar the Primitive Church,

The Opunake Board wrote urging that the culvert near the school should be put in hand, The Council were unable to comply with the request. A. petition in favour of the Mount Oook site for Victoria College, sent for signature, was ordered tj lie on the table.

The Land and Surveys Department notified that before the control of the cemetery and recreation ground at Rihotu could bo vested in trustees, ii would be neceisiry for tae Piirihaku i Road Board to resign their present control, and for the appointment of the Council as trustees of thocemetery to bt revoked, and inquiring if this course was desired. A copy of the letter is to be sent to the Road Board, The Treasury forwarded £2OO towards Junction Road formation.

It was decided that the Opunake contract be proceeded with within a month.

Accounts were passed and the Council rose.