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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 310, 9 February 1910, Page 7

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RIVAL SCHEMES AND COUNCI ILORS. County Councillors Hopson and Carter were "at it again" on Monday, the lornier gentleman taking no pains to conceal his resentment of the interference; of the member for Hunvorth in the affairs of the Moa riding. The question under discussion was the re-erection of Te Henui bridge on the Junction road. The councillors had inspected the route of a proposed deviation during the morning, and learned that the cost of tnis work, together with _ the new bridge, would be about i'.3,';.io. The council had only £ISOO borrowed for the work, and Councillor Carter appeared afraid that if the deviation were decided upon the cost would be charged to the general account of the riding, thus placing the riiling ratepayers in a very unfortunate position. He mentioned, too, that the Council was distributing a good bit of ciish amongst gentlemen of the engineering profession—or, rather, incurring a good deal of liability, which was much the same thing —for plans and estimates of various schemes and deviations'. He wanted to know what steps were to be taken to decide between the two schemes now before the Council. One of these provided for the re-erection of the bridge on the present site, estimated to cost £IBSO, or the deviation scheme, estimated to cost .-£3350, which would give a better 'grade and a shorter road to New Plymouth. The chairman said he would like to liave an expression of opinion from the Council. It was of little use to go to the ratepayers for a loan until they knew which way the road was proposed to go. ,He had an idea that it would be best for the riding members to "stump the riding," pointing out the cost of the two schemes, and to leave it to the ratepayers to choose for themselves. He would put it very plainly t'o them, too, that they would have to pay a separate rate for each new bridge constructed, or raise a special loan for each.

Councillor Carter safid he knew the Council expected a contribution from the New Plymouth Borough Council, but there were difficulties m the way, especially if a deviation were decided upon.

I The chairman said he had seen the Mayor, Mr. Tisch, who had informed him the borough would not seek to escape it* responsibility by taking advantage of a technicality, and his Worship had sugges'teid a conference to arrange matters. Councillor Stevens said the Council would hardly elect to have a bad entrance to the town in ord#r to get out of a payment. Councillor Hopson: Oh. there's no way out of it; they must Amtribute. Councillor Carter: From the temper of some of the borough councillors to whom I have spoken on the matter I think this council will strike a snag. The chairman, in answer to Councillor Carter, said there was no question of using any of the general account. The work would have to be done by loan. If the ratepayers wanted the deviation, and were prepared to pfiy for it by a loan, they could 'have it. But the council had no money for it. Councillor Carter moved that uo further exnenditure be incurred by the Council in connection with bridge loans in the Moa riding until the voice of the people had been heard ir> the matter. Councillor Honson hotly opposed fhe motion. "'An insinuation. T< call it." he said. " that he can't trust the Moa members." Councillor Andrews seconded the motion. Councillor Carter went-on with an explanation, but -Councillor Hopson kept up a running fire of comment about the effect that the motion would have, practically tying the hands of the riding members and rendering it impossible to call a meeting of ratepayers. Councillor Carter: I'm on my feet, Councillor Hopson. Don't you know it's rude to interrupt? It was then agreed that the riding members should lay the alternative' schemes before the ratepayers and obtain their opinion in the authorised fashion.