CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL JOTTINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 6 May 1907, Page 4

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL JOTTINGS.

The Maoris in the Onaero district are looking for a soft thing. The Clifton Conntv Engineer, Mr. C. 1". Dowsell, reported 011 Friday that "should the Conn-i-il agree to supply natives with hammers the stone stacked at Onaero will probably lie speedily broken. The question, however, of a precedent is involved. Mr. Dowsett, said he had no doubt the Maoris could get the hammers "on tick' at the stores if they really wanted them, it was mentioned, however, that local storekeepers didn't give much "tick" to some natives. The chairman said the Council could not adopt the principle 01 buying hammers and presenting them to the natives, it inighl prove a very expansive present. There were many natives who would think nothing ol' coming into town, helling the hammer, and investing the proceeds in beer. And ineuibors said "Kather." Kventiiallv it was decided to provide hummers for native.* who were willing to break holies, on the understanding that the cost should be a first charge a-rainst any immev.i

payable 1.0 (hem by tli" Council.

l'V.y Hi; 1 pink of uiieh-iriiableii"**-. and ingratitude toward-; members of local bodies who give their time to the affairs of I lie ratepayers in the di-trie! in wliwli they live commend us in certain f-olk in ihe Clifton County. At the April meeting of the County Council members decided to visit the northern portion of the county, where of ilie work now lies. «ui a'-eount of the rapidly-advancing sei t lenient along the Main North road. The trip eventuated on Tlmrsdav. when Ihe chairman (Mr. .1. W. l-oreman) and Messrs. (iaust ad, Kishell, McKenzie, Wright, and -101 l visited the various contracts now in progress, the famous Cruti ••bog," and that inuch-vescd "chute.'' Most of these gentlemen were in the saddle for twelve hours on county business. and the day's work, in some cases, occupied from about seven o'clock in the morning till ten at night. Ratepayers ought to be grateful to representatives who go to such trouble to fit themselves for their work. Probably the most sensible of them are thankful, and would be content to pay them. Hut there were some folk in Waitara yesterday who informed a councillor tTiat the county funds would be better spent oil roads than in picnic trips for the councillors. Had enquiries Ijpen made, it would have been found Unit the members not only gave their time, but travelled entirely at their own expense. Wc are asked to make this fact known.