WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 316, 16 February 1910, Page 7

WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the above took place, on Wednesday last, when there were present: Crs. W. A. MeCutchan (in the chair), A. Meredith, E. B. Roberton, R. McClugsiage. T. Mcllroy, J. M. .Jones, and J. Anderson. The chairman stated that the special meeting had been culled owing to the Public Works Department having handed over to the Council-authorities for road expenditure totalling £3(100. The conditions under which the to authorities were granted made it imperative for the Council to consider what action it should take in the matter, and, as the. authorities would lapse on 31st March next unless proposals were made ■before that date, it was necessary that the matter should be dealt with at once.

The chairman then read the letter received from the Public Works Department scheduling the authorities' handed to the Council, and stating under what conditions and on what works the money should be expended. As the outcome of considerable discussion the Council eventually passed the following resolution, to be forwarded to the Minister for Public Works:

"That this Council lias, subject to the qualification hereunder, instructed the preparation of plans and specifications in connection with the authorisations totalling £3OOO now available for expenditure, for the approval of the Government District Engineer, as required under the terms of the authorities referred to. The members of the Council, however, feel' it incumbent upon them to point out for the Minister's consideration that clause 4 of each authority—which States 'that no part thereof shall be expended on s'nrveys, plans, specifications, advertising, engineering, supervision, travelling expenses, or clerical work'—places a burden on the county beyond it's strength, and as in the past these, items under Government control were, it has always been understood, a charge upon 'the amounts authorised, it is respectfully urged that a percentage should be made available to cover the cost of the Council's administration of the expenditure. a. provision, it is claimed, necessary to the success of the new reading policy, and one essentially reasonable in view of the fact that the revenue resources of most of the councils of the Dominion are already overtaxed in the effort to keep pace with the requirements of rural expansion and development. Should the Government feel nn able to concede the modification of the terms asked for, this Council, whilst actuated solely by the desire, to assist, must respectfully decline the responsibility of undertaking work under present and future authorisations."

It was subsequently resolved to ask the Minister for Public Works for an early reply, the administrative allowance necessary being assc-sed by the Council at not le-'s than 7V> per cent, of the amount of the grants. Further business of a routine nature was then dealt with, and the Council adiourned. —Post.