TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 66, 2 April 1901, Page 2

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

AN ANIMATED MEETING. TUB MEMBBRS RESIGN IN A BODY. The County Council met oa Monday. Present: Messrs. Okey (Chairman), Horrocks, Price, McDonald, AdlariJ, Phillips, McCullum, Tare, and Leppar. Mr. Adlam, by leave of the Council, withdrew his notice of motion relative to payment of costs in the toll-gate case. It was decided on the motion of Mr. Lepper, that the 0 hair man and Mr. Horrocks look into the Act relativo tc insurance of the County em ploy earn against accident, Mr. Phillips drew attention to the fact that the engine-driver, who sent in his resignatioft last meeting, was standing idle. The dark was instructed to send notice of termination of his engagement.

Mr. Horrocks moved that the trac tien engine he sent as soon as possible, in charge of a competent mac, to roll down the new metal m Karapete Hdl, the contractor baing willing to provide fine screened metil for blinding at 3s lCd per yard, to be put on after once rolling. He considered it would be a good experience and one which, if ir answered, might be tried elsewhere.

Mr. Price seconded the motion. Mr. Tate advocated the metal being blinded before rolling. Mr. McOullnm doubted if sufficient screenings could be obtained, but he was strongly in favour of some sort of blinding being done. The motion was carried. Mr. Horrocks moved that provided the Inglewoed Town Board allow the County to take stone at a low rate from the town pit, the Oouoeil will racrown the whole load by Brewer's Hotel and roll it with the traction engine.—Carried. The Inglewood Town Beard wrote relative to the curbing and pitching of James-street, Inglewood, stating that the Board wished to do work, but under the supervision of the County's foreman, the County bearing two-thirds ef the cost. After some discussion the application was complied with.

The Moa Foreman recommended doing away with tbe pwed crossing near the railway in the Inglewood township as it was dangerous. He reported that the under structure of the Manjauui bridge was getting weak and should be looked to. Mr Horrocks was in favour of taking no action at present relative to the paved crossing. Mr Price said a new creasing was necessary and moved that 60 feet of 9 inch pipes be procured for a oreesing. Mr McDonald seoonded pre forma. Mr Horrocks explained the reason for his views. On a division the motion was lost by 5 to 4.

An extra £5 was granted for ragrading Vickers' Hill. The Waitar* Foreman reported that the deck planking of the Waiwakaiho would soon want replacing—also that the Mangnraka bridge required 14 new planks. There was a bad place on the unmetalled part of the Richmond road that required attention. i Some fencing was required at B'g Jim's Hill. Mr. Lopper suggested that before the fencing was taken in hand at Big Jim's Hill the fi'lins should be widened. Mr. Tatengiwd. It was decided thit fhe work be done. The question of raetilling for the j Richmond Road was postponed till the [next meeting, when the allocations are ! to be made. The Omata Foreman reported the roads in fair order. Two culverts require! attention. He recommended that tenders far carting metal on boy. re] contracts should be called for.

Mr. McOullum pointed out that the culvert near Mr. J. Looney's was, no 1 large enough to carry away storm water and urged that na repa-rs should be done until a report had b:en made on the matter. It was decided that repairs be fleeted and that the Overseer be instructed to arrange for a drinking place. Mr. Price moved that a foreman for the whole county be appointed. Mr. Tate considered that an important matter should not ba done hastily, and should ha made the subject of a notice of motion. Mr, McDonald agreed. Mr. Horrooks was of opinion that the present system, woiked very well, and that the county was toe large to be administered by one foreman. The Chairman said that for some months the work in the Parihakn Riding had been very unsatisfactory. He had sent Mr. foreman of the Omata Riding, to Parihaka, and he had found that too many men were employed, and teo little work done He ('he chairman) considered, if the county were to make a saving one foreman should bp appointed for thi> county, and ke had arranged that if the Council were willing Mr. Evett should be appointed. Mr. Price considered that a, practical foreman in the county would sava his wages five times over by going about from p»e ptace te another and seeing [that the work was prarerly and economically done. Mr. Lepper objected to have a foreman over the Waitara foreman, Mr. A4lam thought that the chairman's action in amaging with Mr. Evet l ; was premature. He objected to that manner of doiog business, vai he |considered the chairj&an should ha»e ' ; brought tha. matter before the Council ' before anything further. Mr, McDonald Qbjoctfd to another ' foreman either in the Moa or Waitara ' Ridings, I

The motian was lost, only two voting for it. It was decided, on the motjm of Mr. McCullum, to give the present Farihaka Foreman notice of termination of his engagement.. Mr. McOullum moved that Thos. Julian be appointed Foreman in the Patihaka Riding, under Mr. McHanigao. The Chairman s'ated he had already arranged for this to be done. Mr. L°pper considered the Council were not justified in paying McHanigan full wxges, and he moved that he rec ive only half pay till able to resume full work. The Council should have insured in such a way as to recoup the expense. The Chairman protested agaioit nuch.

'a course a* tbe man wai injured'in the Council's service and should b«u paid iu full. Mr. McCullum thougkl such a courts wou'd be inhumm. Mr| Adlam blamed the Owneil for Ml insttrißß. Mr. Price considered tbe Couocil had only done its dnty iokeep. ing the man on full pay, and he thought another thru* months should be allowed him at full pay. --tfjjjtfMs 1 The Chairman suggested that it wit unfair to charge the Riding with ts« expanse and that it was properly jbargf able to administration account. Mr. Pri?e moved in that directica and Mr. McCullum seconded, Mr. Lepper opposed. He thought tho members hrineiug this motion fori ward were entitled to a Human" iSnciety'H med«l|for shifting the expend I 11 other Ridings. Mr Horrocks suggested a time limit for fall wages—say six mexths front the time of the accident— and after than half wages till able to resume full work. The motion was carried.

The Engineer (Mr J. R. Stewart! wrote with reference to the Waits* bridge, that he did not intend to ioti« mate that the bridge was in danger of collapse hut as between that brida and the Werekino the former wai tSt more urgent. He estimated the r*. newal of the super structure at £3so* He recommended a concrete culvert wer the Werekino, at a cost of f rem £260 to £275 including fearing. Mr A. Bayley wrote on behalf of tfc* ■essees of part 13 Omata asking th« Couneil to make a crossing te give aa entrance to the road. The Chairman explained that the entrance in question was to girt to* cess to the evasion road. Mr Lepper suggeeted that tbt plicantß be informed that u the tell* are not being paid the Council hare bo money to spend. No action was taken.

The toll collector at Omata repsrtset. that several persons whom he named had evaded piyment of MI. The Chairman moved that an information be laid against the evaders. Mr Tate in seconding the motion urged that while the tolls existed it was necessary to treat everyone alike. The Council must take a firm h**i >iut if there was any notion of thai Council playing with the business it would be better to abolish the gates and the Council resign. After ««mt further discussion it was decided to proceed against one evader and oa » ballot Mr. Mont Mills was declared to be the person to be proceeded against Tbe Chairman mentioned that tbs Magistrate had intimated that ke> would decide on Tuesday whether or not he would hear the case against Mr. MeCullum. In the event of the 4*l cision being in the negative the Chairman aaid h* proposed to forward all the papers to the Minister of Jtttttbt, and to urge that a magistrate should be oent here who would Lear the case, aadj he desired to know if the Council would: back him up in that course. Assent was given. It was deeided that the time far accepting sureties for the lessee at tbs Puniho gate be extended for two weeks, Mr. Adlam brought up the question)" of the legality of the appointment of Mori is 88 lessee r>r the Inglewood Soutk gate, as the gate was not seld at sue. Tien but arranged for subsequently. After some discussion it was decided to take the solicitor's opinion on the. matter,

The soliciter afterwards attended* and the Council went into cemmittee to consider the mattsr. On resumm? ifc wag decided that Morris be appointed temporary collector, and tWt an advertisement be issued oajted for staled tenders for kusing the crah,, such tenders to be sent in by a iixod data. An application by E. Bennett e*. Vloyed in spreading metal for an «tr» one shilling per day was campiicd with Messrs. Kyndon and Berridge wreta rriatiw to haying to pay 4 royalty of 3d per yard for carting »et.l fro. Pantuki in addition to the royalty Mid to the Harbour Rorrd. Theiattar was referred to the Board, it beiaw considered tbat a road aboold be provided by the Board for carting away tho stone. * 3 A lettor was read from R. James offering 4d a yard for the condemned gravel in a pit. on the Junction Road The matter was left to Mr. Price to* deal with.

T, Kidd .wrote romplaining of tke stats of the Opunaka-EHham Bead and asking the Council to effect some' improvements. The foreman will be. instructed to look into the natter. An account was received from Ifr. A. H. Anderson for the traetioa esgine, roller attachment, etc., aaaunt. me to £B\X and was ordered to b* paid. in reply to Mr. Horrooks, the Chairman stated that tbe fcarißer had not yet b«en ordered. , Ji 6 T' HftdUy M ** * quotation of £770 for a crusher. It was aceompimed by a report from Auckland on mat*) broken by the maohine. The Opunako County L«afw> wrotestating that at a public meettog a resolution had been passed in fawnr of creating a sepurat© County at that and of the district, and asking the Council'* co-operation in securing an Act for the purpose. Consideration of the question was postponed, ' Mr -i JP PP v w > Porsuanl to notice, moved that th* resolution deciding to move the Mountain Read gate be. rescinded.

Mr. Tate soconded. TbeCkorman stated that U Ba«f communicated with the solicitor, who considered that removing tke gate te within a mile of leglaweod raised m very flue as the Tew» Board might be in a position to object, but he had not formally given an opiaion. Mr. Adlam was in favour of ing the gate. Mr. McDonald considered therewould be a great deal of difficulty with regard to the removal of the gate; he therefore supported the motion. Mr. Prion twitted Mr. McDonald with turning round. With regard to. Mr. Roy's statement, he contended] that the County oould place the gate where it pleased, as tho Town Board l hid not the Bama power of objection at a Borough. Mr. Hoi rocks was surprised at those' Councillors who had been in favour of abolishing tolls, but were now advoeat ing more tolls. By placing a gate nearer .Inglewa-d h would have the efffot of creaing annoyinee and irritation fay the iuhu.icuuts of that town. m$

would probably hasten the formtioa of a Boroagh thero. Mr. Adfam pointed out that the expense of removing tho gate would only be £5, and it would then bring in at least double its present revenue. The gates ought to be placed where they would biitig in the mas'; monoy. Mr. Lepper roplied, and the motion was carried without a dissentient yoke.

Mr. Adlam mcved that (ha Ingle wood South gate be abolished. Mr. Horrocks opposed. Mr. Lepper supported the metion on the ground that the cost of collection was greater than the tell produced. The Chairman poinded eut that it w.\s not-mwroly tLu 1 occasioned by the abolition of the gate, bur, tt>e Inglewood Koith gate would suffer ss the seltUrs weuld go round by way of Durham Road. Mr. Tuto thought that by doing away with tho gate ona section of the ratepayers would be set against aßOther section. It seemed to him thst every oppor! unity was taken to throw mud against the toll gates which were necessary to provide revenue. The Olerk was reading the minute of 1899 relating to the game question whea Mr. Price warmly protested against such a course, but the Chairman ins'sted. The motion was carried by 5 to 3, Messrs Okey, Horrecks and Tale voting with the Noes. Mr. Adlsm, pursuant to notice, moved that a eate be put on the road between the Windsor R<nd and Inglewood. He contended that the rovenae frem this gate would ba tubstantial as it would catch most ef the settlers. Th< action lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr. Horrocks gave notire of motion to reconsider-tbe question of abolishing the Inglewood South gate. Mr. Adlam moved that the Omata gate be moved to a spot nearer town. The motion was seconded pro forma. Mr. Price moved that the gate be abolished and Mr. Adlam withdraw his motion in favour of the amendment. The Chairman thereupon with some warmth exclaimed against the course being pursued by some of the Coun- .. ciilors. He said they seemed to be in a humour for playing ducks and drakes with the County finances and it wag time Jo arrive at a clear understanding. He had brought forwaad a scheme that ensured the abolition of the toll gates in two years' time, and yet in face of that and of the extraordinary expenditure to which the Council was committed some Councillors were doing their best to thwart the object in view. He maintained that if the Councillors acted like men they would take the only course open to them under the circumstances and resign in a body at once, tho responsibility ef a future policy wculd then be cast on the ratepiyers. It was impossib'e to carry oa the business of the Oeuneil, unless they were agreed as to their policy. Mr. Horrocks cordially endorsed the Chairman's remarks, and expressed the greatest sympathy with him in the trying position he W6B placed by a section of the Council. At one tino he said the members were a happy family, but new a very different state of affairs existed, ard evry atan's hand seemed agains l ; his neighbour. Instead of cesducrirg busies? in a s r nrible memer member' were «onti»uilly " poking borax" at one another [Mr McCullum: " Yau are tho one most to blame for thit"] Tt e 1 sob tines brought forward both i.y the J Chi it man and himself were eitiielv in I the interests of the ratepayer?. Nol representative deputation of ratepayers had ever waited ra the Council to re-1 quest the removal of the gates bat there i wera some ratepayers who simply trie down the gat s and acted like low tip- i room larrikins. Such persons as tfcow could not be looked upon as reprrs' ntativts in any way. If the Council wns not entitled to the confidence cf the ratepayers then let them all resign. Ho admitted that tolls were unpopular but the ,C»mncil had been unable to do witboat the revenue derived from tbat j siurce. He wsp, however, quite sure; Jihat if the question of abdishing tie! ts£'s was put before the electors of the i whoi'c County, they would b> ret»iied,| therefoi* •' fas better to leave the' time for patting an end to the tolls in the Council's La- ds, as they might sifely be trusted not ti continue them for a moment longer than was necessary. He was qaite willing to resign, and in face of the present bickerings would gladly do so. At the t* me time be considered it was morstrous treatment of those meiabers who, after many years of hard work, had succeeded i in getting the reads into £oid orde-,' and just as they were on the eve of. reaping the fruit of their labours, the' policy which had secured such good j »esults waR being thwarted. j Mr. Tate expressed the satisfaction j hn felt at the remarks made by the ' Chairman and Mr. Horrocks. Forj some timo there had been a visible laek ! of confidence chewn by some of the j Sternberg in thi Council's systsm—a policy that had attained such good results —aod he quite concurred in the proposal fer resignation. The Chairman —That is a challenge to Ccuncriiors Price and Adlam. Mr. Price was quite willing to resign. He would point out, however, that. Mr. Horrocks was always raising a white elephant in the shape ef an American roekcrusher,butone equally so gooi could be made in the colony. He? contended the county reads were alaeao'v metalled and only required patching The real weak point in tho Council's system was in not gattiog value for the meiaey spent, and he defitd the Chairman to my tha*. they were getting a pound's worth of work for every pound spent. 1-, tome cases he knew tbey were not putting more than 5s worth. It was) erocomy that was watted, bu*) was! lacking. j Mr. Adlam protested agaiiast hia< nctiorj being called in question, but he j was quite prepared to resign along: wi'h the other member?. j Mr. Lepper thought the ratepayers' •ought noi to be put to the expense, of<.f an election, j T!>e Chairman paid it would cost 'between .£4O arid .£SO and would re iel'y a cheap way of settling the matter. After some further discussion, in vbicß several »emb;rs again gave their

view-', the quids'ion of resigitig was put ani curried nem. con.

B. Mori is wiis nrip>infed Collector ' at Ing'ewcod South gat*. t Accounts amounting to £1298 were » passed, ' The Clerk was empowered to seal the leases of the toll pates &Bd tocom- » plete the Sure ies' bonds ; also to carry i on the business of the Council until after tbe election. The members present then handed in their written resignations to the Clerk and the Council dissolved.