CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 3 August 1907, Page 5

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Clifton County Council met yesterday at Waitara. Present: Messrs J. (chairman), T. McKenzie, i I, L ght > O'Sullivan, H. Joll, Hisliell, Ganstad. PUKEARUKE. Mr W. J. Freeth, Urenui, forwarded a resolution of the settlers in tbo Pukearuhe district, complaining that they had not had a fair share of the county expenditure, and asking for £4OO to be expended in continuing the metal on the Pukearuhe road northwards. Mr. Freeth in a subsequent letter gave it as the opinion of the settlers that their road should not be charged with the maintenance of the tunnel and the road northwards of Pukearuhe.

-Members discussed the matter, pointing out tliat the settlers could not expect to have the whole of their revenue spent on their own road, though they had a fair claim for some metalling. The chairman said there was a feeling in favor of cutting off this district from the Mokau riding and in amalgamating with Urenui. He favored the extension of the latter riding in a northeasterly direction. Or. Wright said the settlers had produced figures to show that in the last three years £7OO out of their rates had been expended in oiher parts of the district, exclusive of charitable aid, etc. The matter was deferred till next meeting. URENUI POUND.

Mr Jas. Perry was appointed poundkeeper at Urenui, to receive 75 per cent, of the fees, and the remaining 25 to go to the Council; in the event of fees not totalling £lO for the year, the Council to make his remuneration up to that sum. The grazing fees will go to Mr Halcombe, for the cemetery funds. A proposal to appoint the poundkeeper a ranger was not proceeded with. A ranger was appointed, to aet only on receipt of instructions from the engineer or a "councillor. The chairman j opposed the motion. AN INJUSTICE.

Mr Harr.v Cole, Pukeho road, Tarata, wrote objecting to being included in the area for a third loan on his property. His two neighbors, whose sections lay between him and the Junction road, were not similarly rated for the metalling of the Junction road. The clerk said tliat Sir Cole's section (8 Block IV, Huiroa), was liable for the special rate of 2%d in the £, but his two neighbors, Messrs Greave and Smith were exempt, though fully a mile nearer than Mr Cole's property to the Junction road on which the loan had been spent. There had been no special rates collected before this year, for they had been paid out of "thirds." Cr. Ganstad considered Mr Cole was most unjustly included, and he would like to see his property relieved from the liability. The chairman said the Council could not interfere with the security for the loan.

Cr. Ganstad said that the Pukeho road people, at the time of raising the Junction road loan had raised a loan for their own road in order to be exempted from the other. Mr Cole's property should have been exempted with the others. Cr. Joll said it seemed that someone had blundered, and this settler had to pay the piper. The Council having no power to give relief, decided, on the motion of Cre. Ganstad and Bishell, to ascertain, if possible, whv the other sections mentioned were not included.

SURFACEMAN'S PAY. 11. Jones, surfaceman (Mlmi-Molcau) asked for an increase of a shilling a day in his wages. If this were not granted he would tender his resignation. Cr Ganstad moved that all surfacemen be paid ten shillings a day. There was no seconder, and the chairman pointed out that that would not improve the position. The men would still be unsatisfied.

Cr. Joll moved and Cr. Ganstad seconded that the resignation be accepted, and that fresh applications be called.— Carried. COLESBY'S CONTRACT. Messrs Weston and, Weston wrote on behalf of Mr Colesby in respect of a wrongful determination by the Council of his metalling contract on the MiiniMokau. "It is unnecessary to say that Mr Colesby has sustained considerable damage through the action of the Council, and he claims compensation as well as the return of the deposit. We arc directed to take proceedings unless the Council affords Mr Colesby satisfaction. Should you think fit to meet us, we shall be pleased to talk over the matter, in order that proceedings may be averted. We have to say further, tha' Mr Colesby feels aggrieved by the defamatory statements made by* members of the Council concerning liiiu, and has consulted us in regard to them.' —TV Chairman: We've had to negotiate two cm lire# hurdles in regard to Mr Colesby's contract. We're going to have another now. lie iiifended to niovo that the letter be referred to the C'ouncil'fi solicitor.

Or. Joll thought the chairman should confer with Messrs Weston and Weston, and show them the Council's side of the case. The engineer said that if Colesby could get anything out of the Council there must be something very wrong with the methods of the Council. Colesby had had every concession possible, and been obliged in every way. Crs. Wright and Ganstad were of opinion that there was no need to see Colesby. And there was no need, either to instruct Mr Roy until he had taken further steps. Messrs Weston and Weston will be Informed that the matter has been placed In the county solicitor's hands. TALL TREES.

Mr Townsend, on behalf of Mr John Coxhead, asked for some consideration in the matter of trimming back trees along his road frontage. The Council he suggested, required too much lopping wlueh would kill some of the trees " The chairman said the Council had no wish to be harsh, tut the trees were damaging the road, which must be made safe and comfortable for the travelling public.

The engineer will see Mr Coxhead to arrange the amount of flic work absolutely necessary.