County Council.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 131, 7 June 1904, Page 2

County Council.

The Taronnki County Coivncil mot on Monday. .Present :Mr 11. Okey (chairman) and Crs. McDonald, Drown, Hopson, Gray, Hill and Andrews.

The foremen's reports were considered. —Waitara Hiding— The Waitara foreman, Mr ,1. Holmes, reported that ho had replaced tletk planks in the Waiongona bridge, Devon ltoad, also repaired ' fence at the Sentry Hill bridge. OwI ing to the late bad weather several ( lof the culverts needed attention. He ' I had carted out 348 yards of metal for repairs during the month. Mr . u". Co l^ol, ;' hod completed his metal contract, and had cmUd out 04 yards extra for a bad place. About 80 yards of gravel were tipped on the side of the road for maintenance. —Omata Hiding.— Mr W. Evetls, Omata foreman, suggested that Messrs Kyngdon and Hayes should supply 50 yards of maintenance metal from the Wainakiho. A wooden culvert had been replaced at Foreman's corner, with a nine-inch pipe. The stone carted by Mr Monteiioro was worth Is 3d per yard, not Is fid as charged. The chairman of the Harbour Hoard wanled the road defined to the breakwater in order to havo it put in order. He had arranged to have the side channels cleaned out on this road. The kerbing on tho footpath near the West End school needed repairs.

—Stono Crusher Sites.— The foreman will be empowered to I arrango for stone-breaking depots at I Omata and Tapuae. —Progress Payment.— j Progress payments to Mr T. Julian for 793 yards of stono carted were made. —Moa Hiding.— Mr J, Orr, Moa riding foreman, reported that Mr W. Crozier had completed delivery of 100 yards of gravel on the Zig-Zag. The contractor on the Tariki Hoad had delivered 310 yards of stone. The heavy Hoods would prevent this contract being completed at any early date. On the Junction Hoad tho contractor had •delivered 173J yards of metal. He was at present employed on the Zig-Zag, as the recent heavy rains had brought down a lot uf slips on the road, taking away part of the metal in some places, ond there the road would need widening. Fencing on the Zig-Zag required renewing, and he couid make arrangements for fifty inalai posts to be delivered for £l Os. The Junction Hoad between Manganui and Slippery Hill would soon want repairs, and ho would need at least 200 yards of "metal to keep tho road in repair. He suggested that lie should be allowed to dynamite sonic rejected stoiie in Mr Paul's paddock. The fencing on the Zig-Zag was authorised, but tho metalling of the .1 unction Hoad was held over, pending some assistance being asked from tho Government. —Junction Hoad.—

Mr George Walker, Junction Hoad foreman, reported that in the recent storm several culverts overflowed, but not much damage was done. The roads were breaking up. Ho Mr l'elrie's claim for damages for injui ;es sustained by his pony curriage dropping through the decking on the ilenui bridge, and also to his express, ono of the planks luul been broken and bent down about three or four inches, but he could not understand how Mr Petrie coula meet with an accident if he crossed the bridge at a walking pace, lie (the foreman) had repeatedly warned Mr Petrie about gulloping over bridges. Mr Petrie will be acquainted with the foreman's report on the subject. Further inquiries will be made into the foreman's request for a watering trough by the reserve at Mangorei. —The Driver's Report.—

Mr T. Urry, crusher driver, reported that the machine was worked for 13 days, crushing 785 yards. Mr T. Julian's contract was completed in May, crushing altogether 1003 yards. The crusher had ten brought into town for repairs. Ho recommended metalling crusher depots, in order to save trouble in shifting, the plant. Cr. Gray thought that more care should bo taken in selecting crusher sites to have them close to the water, and close to the metal supplies. The Tataraimaka silo (at Mr Foreman's) could have been improved upon.

It \v«s decided to authorise the driver to make all arrangements for depots.

—Tho Crusher Stall'.— The steersman of the engine nsked to lie put on the permanent stall. The Chairman thought tho expense too great. Cr. Andrews was of opinion that a man should be permanent, especially for shifting the plant. The Chairman said tho bridge carpenter was available on these occasions. There was ulso the fact that this steersman should not be appointed permanently by the council. The contractor might want to "put on a spurt," but a council servant might adhere to "tho council's pace." Some contractors had man of their own for this position. Cr. Drown thought that the council's pace should be the contractor's pace. The steersman Dring did not want a permanent job on the crusher. Why not put him on other work if the contractor had a man for the crusher ? In oder to have his services at command, as Ik; was a very handy man, it was decided that when not engaged by the contractor at the engine bring bo employed by the foreman at spreading or other work, —Engine Requirements.— Two new casks for rfisc in conveying water to the council's crusher engine were ordered to be supplied. —Bridge Carpenter's Report— Tho bridgo carpenter reported that tho Omiongona culvert was about linished, but ho would recommend tho council not to proceed with the earthwork until the weather cleared. No work was done between May 22 and Juno 2, owing to rough weather. Tho Ngntoroiti bridge required a new king-post in the north end, ten new joists, and renewal of decking, at a cost of £Go. This would make the bridge last six or eight years longer. Cr. Hopson thought the expenditure on bridges was increasing instead of decreasing.

Cr. Andrews remarked on tile Moa riding overdraft of £2OOO. Cr. Hopson said there was £IOO to be refunded from the loan for the Waipuku bridge.

Tho Chairman said the money for this bridge had not been applied for. Cr. Hill said the bridge could not be termed a bridge on a Taranaki County road.

It was decided to aulhorira' tho repairs to tho Xgatoroiti bridge, as recommended by the bridge carpenter —Detailed Kst i males. — The cni-|>t>iilt-i" will bo asked to give detailed estimates of works, Knowing cost of labour and material. —A Koturn Asked for.— Cr. Gray asked for a comparative, statement of costs of piers by the council's staff and by contract. Ho wanted to know which was the cheaper system. The Chairman said tho carpenter's work was difficult to value. He was always moving about from one job to another. This return will be obtained, if possible. —The Waipuku Bridge.— Mr Skinner reported that the Waipuku bridge piers had been completed in a very satisfactory manner by Mr 0. Sangsler, the contractor, who was now entitled to tho contract money and a sum for extra work on the south side. He could not recommend payment for extras said to have 'been done in sinking on the north side. It was decided to allow the second claim for extras to stand over, and to call tenders for the earthwork. Tke Stratford County Council will bo written to as to tho manner 0/ paying its half share of the cost of th« Waipuku bridge, whether they

will pay half sharo of progress payments or of the whole cost, with bank charges added, when the work is completed. 6 —A Mistake.— Mr J. Wood, of Oakura, offered to purchase an old building next Mr Des Forges' old smithy.—The council has no building to sell. —Compensation to Workmen—

Mr Orr, the Moa foreman, applied for some compensation for having to camp on the Zig-Zag on the Junction Hoad. It was impossible for him to work eight hours a day and travel to and fro.

Cr, Hopson moved and Cr. Drown seconded that he received a shilling a day extra whilst working on the Zig-Zag.—Carried. —T«riKi ltoad.— The Moa ltoad Board uskud Unit a committee from the council meet a committee from that board lo di.vcuss the matter of thg future maintenance of the Tariki Hoad.

Cr. Cray moved that a committee, consisting of tho chairman and Messrs Drown and Andrews, meet llio Moa Hoad Hoard committee, und suggested that tho conference be held in .New I'lymouth on a Saturday to bo arranged.—Curried. —Fixing the Scantier— Mr A. 11. Anderson, of Christchurch, wrote re iixing tiio .scunner to the council's traction engine, the work should havo cost JIII or X,Vz, instead oi £-18 Bs, as tho engine was meant to have tho scarilier attached. He could not sue his way to contribute a share oi the cost. The Chairman said the account from Messrs Okey and Hollo was lor repairs to tho tank, etc., as weii at.

for lixing the scarilier, —Slaughtering LicensesSlaughtering license renewals were grunted to Messrs 11, Clough und ». J, 1/ile, luglewood. —Tho Okato SectionMr John O'Connor, of Okato, offered to rent a town siclion in Oiialo at a rental of 10s per annum, He would also purchase the old iuimigvuliou cottagv there and keep the seclion clean of blackberry. Tho old building was fast disappearing. Mr iiilson also made application for tho section at a rental of £1 per annum. This oiler was accepted.

Cr, Gray moved that the old building be sold by auction ut illton King's Stony River sale. There was no seconder, members being of opinion that the council hau no [lower to sell the building. —Claim lor Royalty—

A letter from 11 r J. Kennedy, claiming royalty lor gravel removed over his property, was. referred to Messrs Jlayly and Sole, the contractors.

Mr W. A. MeCutehan, of Whangainomona, on behalf of the settlers at vYhangamomona, thanked the council for its endorsement of the petition for the freehold. —Government Subsidies— The Clu'lha County Council asked the council to support its remit to the conference in favour of an increase of the Government subsidy on rates. The cost of administration 01 county councils had largely increased but the subsidy bad not. The Chairman favoured the county subsidy being struck on the county rates, instead of on roud board rates. Thero should be no limit to the subsidy. The council will Instruct its delegale to support the principle contained in the letter. —Royalty.— Mr T, Julian waited on the council and asked that they should pay the royalty on the extra 2(i3 yurds of metal obtained by him niter the completion of the Timaru metal contract of 800 yards.—This was agreed to. —The Snake Bridge— Messrs Turnibull and French, for the Waitai'a West Road Hoard, waited on the council in reference to the rdquest of the council for the board to make the deviation for the snake 'bridge. The board had struck a farthing special rate for the deviation.

Cr, Andrews said the position was that if the road board would undertake the work of deviation, the council would immediately put in hand the erection of the work. This would necessitate the imposition of a farthing extra rate, and be thought ihe council should waive its claim for the usuul subsidy on this rate. After discussion the deputation agreed to tho terms laid down by a resolution of the council that the toaid must not expect, any assistance towards the deviation if the bridge were built out of general revenue.

The erection of the bridge will be put in hand forthwith. —Parliamentary Petitions— Tho Bay of Islands County Council asked tho co-operation of this council in petitioning Parliament to give the council part of the revenue derived from sales of timber and flax on the Crown lands, and a second petition thut the administration of ilie collection of the dog.tax among Maoris be taken from tlte Maori Councils and given to the county councils. Tho petitions wero endorsed. —New Plymouth Hospital District— The Chairman moved, according to notice, that steps be taken to form a committee for the purpose of dealing with the question of the Stratford county und Stratford borough severing from the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid District. He considered it the duty of the council to conserve tho interests of its ratepayers, and remarked that there should be an agreement as to terms of severance, and this agreement should be incorporated in the bill. He would favour a conference of representatives of boroughs of New Plymouth, and Inglewood, and Taranaki, Clifton and Eginiont County Councils, to discuss this matter. Tho present state of affairs seemed to indicate thut the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid District would have to pay to the new district u sum of £2OOO or £3OOO to build the new besides having to retain the present hospital buildings, which had been erected in the interests of the whole district. If the committee would not agree to a fair adjustment then it would be the duty of the council to oppose live bill. Mr. Andrews- said there was necesKity'for such a conference. It would not be fair to have, the present lange institution saddled on the reduced area, and pay away money as well. Ho would not favour opposing the Vfill if a satisfactory agreement could be arrived at. Mr McDonald agreed. Mr Hopson said there was no doubt that the present hospital ' would be too big for the reduced area. He thought Stratford should pay the old district. Mr (J nay maintained that the terms of the severance should be stated in tlve bill. The people who were now crying for severance were the people who had erected the pivsent large buildings. Why should they not help to pay the piper. Mr Okey said that they must guard against any system of adjustment such as occurred when the Hawera district separated. Tho various interested bodies should be represented on a valuation basis : Taranaki and Clifton County Councils and New J'lymouth Borough Council two each, and inglewood Borough Council und Egmont County Council one each. Tho motion was carried, and Messrs Okey and Gray were appointed to represent the County Council. —The Bridge Loan.— Mr Okey then moved that the expenditure of the bridge loun should be allocated in separate ridings and limited to the ridings' proportionate share according to capital rateable value. Mr McDonald thought the motion would operate unfairly on the Moa riding, which had so many Ijridges to keep up. Messrs Andrews and Hill supported the motion, the former seconding it. Mr Biown deprecated the style of looking at tho bridges as "riding affairs" but public property. Had tho

Moa riding known that any such rule us this had been comma there j would have been no bridge loan. Many of the bridges in that riding were almost useless to many of the ratepayers there. Jle strongly objected to the parochial feeling now being displayed. Mr (iruy mentioned that the opposition now forthcoming from the Moa members was all the more inexplicable when it was considered that these gentlemen had given bo much trouble in the loan matters. He thought, however, that this allocation should have boon made when the loan was raised.

Mr Drown thought more notice of this should have been given. The Moa riding could" have raised a loan independent of the county loan, but it would be difficult now. Mr McDonald said he had had no idea that the ridings were to be set one against the other like this. Mr liu.'.ion mentioned that, the Moa riding was saddled with a number of boundary bridges. This motion was not i|uite legal, Idling contrary to section 2 of the lx>ans Act.

Mi- Hill thought every riding should have its share. He mentioned that Mr Hopson opposed' tho first bridge proposed—the Snake bridge. Mr Hopson ; What's the use of saying that ? It was illegal, The Chairman said that the idea was to keep the members in mind of the amount due to their respective ridings. Tho motion was carried on a division. Ayes : Messrs Okey, Gray, Hill, and Andrews! Noes: Messrs McDonald, Brown, and Hopson, —Adjustment of Accounts,— Mr Hopson asked if the lCgtnonl County Council hud refunded JC4U special rale on the Eltham road. The clerk explained that this had lx>en taken into account in the adjustment. Mr Hopson asked that the Moa riding should receive a credit on account of the Inglewood borough having been formed there. Tho Chairman and Mr Hopson were appointed to inquire into this matter and the riding accounts generally.

—Outstanding Rates.— Mr Brown asked lor a return of outstanding rates.—To be laid before next meeting. —County Councils' Conference.— The Chairman was appointed delegate to the county councils' conference,

—Deputation to Wellington,— Mr Andrews thought the deputation should proceed to Wellington at once in connection with the Junction road subsidy, bridge loan, and other matters.

The Chairman thought it better to wait for the opening of tho session.

—The Snake Bridge.— Mr Hill moved that plans be drawn and tenders called for tho erection ol the Snake bridge.—Seconded by Mi Hopson and carried.

—Accounts.— Accounts were passed : Administration, £Bl ; Moa riding, £549 7s 3d ; Waitura, £l3O 13s 8d ; Oniata, £428 16s 6d ; total, £llß9 7s 6d.

The clerk was instructed to obtain payment of an account against Mr McCullum for metal supplied at Okato. The agreement was for him to pay full cost, but now he stated that he was only meant to pay half.