EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 55, 26 August 1911, Page 3

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

I MONTHLY MEKTINO. J The monthly meeting of the EgmontN County Council was held ut Opunakn last Friday, when there were present: Crs. W. 0. Dudley (chairman), I hirst, Farquhar, Young, Harvey and Willcox. NEW HOSPITAL. A letter was rend from the secretary of the Taranalci Hospital mid Charitable Aid Hoard, stating that the present hospital building is quite inadequate for the enlarged district under the Board's control, and after consulting the Board's architect have instructed the architect to prepare plans for a hospital which will cost between £25,01K) and £30,000.. When the contract for the building is. let the Council will he asked to contribute a share, which will ibe (on a build- I ing costing £30,000) appro.vima.Udy, | about £3024. Due notice would be given of the exact amount of the contribution, which would not be asked for until it was absolutely necessary. Cr. Campbell thought it was going too strong. , Cr. Willcox said if it did not come soon it would come in due time. It was reported that the present institution was frequently overcrowded. Cr. Young said the present New Plymouth hospital had got the reputation of being one of the best hospitals in the Dominion, and that outside patients went there specially to be treated by capable doctors, but be thought the ratepayers should object to expending £30,000, which was out of all proportion to the requirements. Cr. Willcox proposed that the representatives on the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable. Aid Board be asked to protest against' the expenditure of £30,000.; —Seconded by Cr. Campbell and carried.

RAILWAY PETITIONS. The Normanby Town Board wrote:— A resolution has been posted that the boards, councils and railway leagues be asked to appoint a delegate to take the petitions and present them to the Government not later than the first week in September. Also enclosed petition for distribution, and to be signed and returned at earliest convenience. The chairman stated that it was decided at the delegates' meeting that the four members of Parliament were to be asked to present the signed petitions and that it was not intended that a deputation should present them. In the face of this the Normanby Town Board had departed from the resolution and asked that the petitions be presented by delegation.

It was decided that the riding foremen be authorised to take the petitions round for signature, and that they be allowed horse hire. BANK RATE.

The manager of the Opunake, branch of the Bank of New Zealand wrote that in response to the Council's application the rata pf interest would be reduced to; 5 per cent, from September 1. The Council resolved to thank the Bank, but to intimate that they were of opinion it should be reduced another % per' cent. HEAVY TRAFFIC. Cr. Willeox brought up the question of carters bringing two loads of firewood down the by-roads to the main road and then carting the two loads on the one dray over the main road. The Road Board would not allow such heavy carting over their roads. The foreman's attention to be called to the matter, and he will be requested to secure evidence to warrant prosecution of offenders. FOREMEN'S REPORTS. Foreman 11. Munro (Oco Northern) stilted that lie would require 1000 yds of crushed, metal and 600 yds gravel to renew the Eltham road.—Metal to be obtained.

Foreman Humphries (Opunake) rer ported on various work atended to during the month. The crusher required a new table. Quantities of boulder stene required would be submitted at next meeting.

Foreman F. Newport (Rahotu riding) reported that general repairs on the Main South road were being attended to. A set of 2ft pipes had been put in near the Weslevan church, Rahotu, to carry off Hood water. Another 3ft culvert was required near the Army Barracks to carry the extra amount of flood water that was coming down of late The work was authorised to be done.

The foreman also put in a special report re raising road over a culvert near Kina road to prevent scour.—The report was held over till next meeting.

GENERAL. Messrs W. H. Fleming and W. D. Hamilton were granted permission to erect guard fences to protect hedges, etc. The Opunake Sawmilling Co. are to be notified that the old tram on the Tc Kiri road complained of by Mr. F. J. Davey must be removed before next meeting, failing which the Council would remove it at the company's expense. The question of renewing a small culvert near Puniho with pipes was deferred till next meeting. Copies of the Taylor memorial list were received, and it was resolved that one be left at the office, and any member who wished could take another and canvass.

The special order authorising a loan of £335 on the Oeo road was confirmed.

The Treasury Department notified payment of £498, subsidy on rates. Owing to the boundaries in the proposed alteration of ridings not being coterminous with the Parihafai' Road Board, and that the roll of ratepayers could only be compiled in April for the purpose of election, it was found that the Council could not adopt the boundaries. and the matter was left in abeyance.

The ranger's attention is to be called to stock straying on the roads, particularly in the Pihama riding. Notice was given that the following rate be struck for the ensuing year: Oeo riding, 1H; Opunake and Rahotu,

Mr. B. Dive, M.P., wrote asking for particulars of grants required for roads, bridges, etc.