GOVERNMENT ROAD VOTES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 331, 5 March 1910, Page 5

GOVERNMENT ROAD VOTES

THE QUESTION OF ADMINISTRATION. WHO IS TO PAY? Mr. Kurton, a settler on the Waitara Valley road, in the Upper Waitara, waited on the Clifton County Council yesterday in regard to the expenditure i of a Government grant for C 123 that I had been voted towards the road. He understood that there was a deadlock between the Government and the Council re the question of the cost of administering the money. He did not want to see the vote lapse, and wished to know if the Council could commence the work before March 31st if he personally guaranteed the cost of administration. The chairman stated that the Council had informed the Minister of Public Works that the Council was not prepared to pay the costs of engineering and administration of Government votes out 01 loans. He had just received a reply from the Minister stating that he was unable to allow any percentage towards the cost of administration, and if the Council could not undertake to * spend the money important works would be carried out by the Department's own stall'. Mr. Kurton said he was afraid if the work were not commenced before March 31st the vote would lapse. The chairman said he need have no apprehension on that' score. The money would be spent next year. It would, ,however. probably prevent them getting an additional vote next year, but even if the engineer had been notified to proceed with the work as soon as the money was granted, it would liave been .impossible to get the work in hand be- • ."{ore March 31st. Cr. O'Sullivan said the Department had moved their officials up north and were expending money in the Awakino district, where there was no local body. It seemed to him better for the settlers if there were no local body. The chairman: They would get roads made and have no rates to pay. Evidently from the tone of the wire the Department intended to spent the moneys themselves. Cr. O'Sullivan said it was unfair to expend rates in administering Government votes. Mr.'Kurton reiterated that he wis .willing to pay the cost of administration to get the work done. Cr. Kennington thought they should recommend the works'required to be done and emnhasise the urgency. The members of the Council advised Mr. Kirton to interview the member for the district. KAKA ROAD. Mr, G. L. Cook, district engineer, in reply t'o a letter from the Council requesting permission to expend the vote, of £8 Cs fid available on the above road bv day labor on the work of repairs, etc., stated that the Minister was opposed to the expenditure of the Public ■Works votes (loan mo'v- =0 on r 'pairs and maintenance. The vote would therefore be allowed to i'.vpse and the Department would maintain the road until oilier arrangements are made. The chairman stated that in conversation willi Mr. Murray, the latter had stated that if he had had the spending of the vote, he would have expended it in clcariiiL' slips and making the road r>nssnble~ On the strength of this Mr. Dowsett had sent two men up to start work on the above lines. Mr. Murray had not authorised thi,«. but had merely stated what he would have done himself 'had be the spending of the money instead of the Council. However, from the letter received it could lie seen that authority would not be given for the expenditure, and the mer would have to be taken off. A reso'.uUon was passed that the work be at oiue stopped. "Uaxo-Tonic" wrote one who Tvas ill, "Is a health-Hiving, nourishing pill; I've never felt better, So excuse this short letter, From vour ever affectionate Bill." UXO-TONIO PILLS, 10V«d and Is fidObtainable at Bullock and Johnstons, agents Devon-street. New Plymouth. "HAVE. YOU A WEAK THROAT? If so. von cannot be too caretul; you cannot begin treatment too early. Each cold makes vou more liable to another, and the last is always the hardest to cure If you take Chamberlain's Cough Remedv at the outset you will be saved much trouble. Sold by an chemists and storekeepers. ... •. ~