EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 171, 18 January 1912, Page 8

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting was held, at Opunake on Friday. Present: Crs. Campbell (in the chair), Hurst, Farquhar, Burgess, Harvey, Davey, Willcox and Maxwell. HEAVY TRAFFIC.

The Coast Transport Company (Mr. Baily) wrote:— it am in receipt of your letter of the 18th inst., and in reply I beg to inform you that no agreement has yet been entered into between my company and the Taranaki County Council relative to damage caused by heavy traffic. With regard to yo,ur request that some compensation be made to your Council in' respect of damage caused 'by heavy traffic, I cannot, of course, admit, that any damage has- been done by my company's vehicles to the South road within your county, and for your information I may say that the trouble with the Taranaki County arose mainly because of the use of a traction engine which lias' xiever been used in ■ the Egmont County. I note, however, that your Council is desirous of meeting my company fairly, and if you will submit to me any r'easonable proposals with regard to weights of loads or otherwise, I shall submit the same to my company for its favorable consideration. In the mean- 1 time I may say that my company is most desirous of working amicably with your Council. Cr. Burgess was of opinion that the vehicles were not carrying more than 2y 2 tons. Cr. Harvey: That weight would bring the total weight (including the vehicle) to about 6y 2 tons, which he considered was too much for the roads. Cr. Willcox suggested that a commission be set up to go into the matter. Cr. Campbell said he had taken particular notice of the vehicles, and was convinced that they are doing damage to the roads. , Cr. Maxwell said it was a very intricate question to assess the damage done to the to assess the actual damage, and the only way it could 'be reasonably done was, at the end of the year, to take the atnount expended in' proportion" to the. traffic, and- charge on the increased cost of maintenance. He had travelled up and down the road frequently, and had taken particular notice of the road, and the traffic over it, and was satisfied damage was done to the road. He had watch in alignment with the road steam haulers passing, and noticed, the road sink under their weight like a spring. In wet weather the bars on the wheels tore off the surface of the roads, and when dry the surface was blown away in dust. Crs. Davey and Willcox urged something being done at once to cope with the traffic, . The latter remarked the road might go to smithereens before the Council did anything. Better to obtain a subsidy or the toll-gate before it was too late. On the motion of Cr. Farquhar, seconded by Cr. Hurst, Crs. Maxwell, Willcox and Burgess were appointed a commission to interview the Transport Company relative to compensation, and report at next meeting. Cr. Willcox proposed that the commission interview a solicitor on questions relative to the points raised. Secraided by Cr. Davey and carried. A letter was Tead from the Taranaki County Council with reference to the agreement come to between that body and the Transport Company. WARNING. On Cr. Harvey's suggestion, the Council decided to put up on bridges notices re the carrying capacity of the bridge in particular, so as to absolve the Council from liability. The foreman to estimate the maximum weight allowed. FOREMAN'S REPORT. Foreman Newport reported that with the unsettled weather and the traffic being heavy at this time of the year, the roads had been breaking up badly, and the ivliole of the time had been taken lip .- niring the Main South road betwc" c.Oaonui find Punmo.' Through having -Med up all maintenance metal betwti.t the Kahui and. Ncwall roads they had been obliged to' go into the pits for metal to repair'the worst parts of the old road. He had carted 80 yards of pit metal out of Mr. Keasberry's pit at Pungarehu. He had also put six new planks in two small bridges at Puniho, and two new planks in small bridge south of Manihi road. CLAIM FOR NEGLIGENCE. Mr. Campbell wrote, stating that Mrs. Campbell had slipped into a hole in the footpath while returning from the Rahotu Post Office residence, and knocked her knee cap out of joint, the accident happening through the carelessness of the Council's servant. He asked for medical expenses, amounting to £2 3s,— Referred to the foreman to report upon.' -•-Abridged from Opunake Times.