EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 126, 15 October 1912, Page 7

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETiXG. The Egmont County Conn ; ] held its usual monthly meeting at Ojmnake on Friday, there being present: Crs. Dudley (in the chair), Maxwell, Farquafcir, Burgess, Campbell, Harvey, D.ivey and Willeox. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. Hurst, who was indisposed. CORRESPONDENCE.

The following correspondence was dealt with:— Prom J. P. Kennedy, re contract 209, Wiremu road, stating that, owing to the .bad weather, it was impossible for the contractors to work horse and cart, and suggesting that they should wait till the road dried up.—Left with Mr. Kennedy to notify the contractors as soon as the weather and conditions permitted. ■ Discussing rangers generally the chairman said complaints were constantly be- , ing made by settlers all over the country about horses, cattle and working bullock's wandering on the roads. Some people felt injured if their own stock were impounded, but immediately complained if they found other people's on the road. Other local bodies had the same trouble a»d it was a question whether it would not be better to pay one good man to act as ranger for the whole county.

THE TARANAKI TRANSPORT QUESTION AGAIN. A letter was read from the Taranaki County Council stating, in reply to the Egmont Council's request to impose prohibitive tolls on traction engine traffic, that they could not see their way to increase their tolls. The Council recognised that the settlers' produce must be conveyed along the road and, as the horse teams were relinquishing this work, the Council would do its utmost to maintain the road.

Cr. Willeox said he understood there was not the slightest risk of these traction engines coming beyond Stony River. Notwithstanding the Taranaki County Council's decision not to impose heavy toll charges he would strongly oppose the erection of the suggested toll-gate at Warea. Some time ago he submitted three proposals to the ratepayers in the locality, viz., toll-gate, loan or increased rates. The extra rate was imposed and it would now be a distinct breach of faith to erect a tollgate.

Another councillor urged the taking of all preliminary formal steps for the erection of the toll-gate. If these traction engines were permitted to go over the roads they would absolutely ruin them in a few months, and to avoid that possibility they should be in a position to impose toll charges without unnecessary delay. He merely desired the preliminary formalities to he proceeded with so that the Council would be ready if the necessity arose; if it did not arise the toll-gate need not be brought into existence.

After some further discussion it was decided to allow the motion authorising the preliminary steps for the erection of a toll-gate to remain on the book, and to inform Messrs Johnston and Co., of Waitara, that if their engine came over the Egmont county road the toll-gate would at once be erected and a claim for damages made against them for injury to the road, as neither the road nor bridges could stand traction engine traffic. FOREMEN'S REPORTS.

The Opunake and Pihama foremen reported on unimportant work carried out during the month.

The Rahotu riding foreman gave estimates of the metal he would require this summer to keep up the Main South road from Puniho to Oaonui If the farmers were going to encourage steam haulers and traction engines to carry their produce every yard of metal' he asked for would most certaink be required. The total quantity of metal required was 6000 yards, and the estimated cost was £1746 17s Gd. OVERSEER'S APPOINTMENT.

The Council then went into committee to consider the appointment of an overseer, and upon resuming.'it was notified that no appointment would be made from the applications received. In reporting the decision to the open Council, the, chairman remarked: "I am still of opinion—absolutely of that a head of affairs is necessary, and I think we should advertise again and in some southern papers for applicationsbecause I am certain that there Is. not the supervision over the county's work there should be. 1 have been of-that opinion ever since I came on the Council. The Waimate West County Council pay their overseer a salary of £250a year, and I think we should do -the same."

Cr. Yvilleox suggested tli.it, as it was now so far into the season, matters remain as they were till next year. Cr. Farquhar objected to any'fnrtWer delay which might be occasioned bv again' waiting for applications for an over-' seer. The ratepayers looked to 'the' councillors to have their roads put "in order, and already thev had let two ; months slip by through'waiting on this appointment.

The chairman and councillors took strong exception to Cr. Farquahar's remarks, and emphasised the fact that not one single piece of work had been hung up or delayed by reason . of this appointment. Cr. Farquhar knew as well as other councillors that the reason for the temporary suspension of work was finance, and that alone. Cr. Campbell thought there was something in Cr. Farquahar's point of view. If _ they had not contemplated the appointment of this overseer they would probably have instructed their foremen to have had estimates prepared for the. coming season's work before this.

Cr. Maxwell was still of the opinion that the appointment of an overseer was advisable, and he regretted the poor response to the Council's advertisements calling for applications. But the seasou was getting on and he thought it would be advisable to go on as they were in the meantime. In regard to Cr. Farquhar's remarks he (Cr. Maxwell) did not know of a single instance where there had been any delay in consequence of the suggested appointment of the overseer. It was solely a question of finance.

Ultimately, on the motion of Cr. Farquhar, seconded by Cr. Harvey, it was decided to request the various foremen to make out estimates of their requirements for the coming season and to be prepared ready for next Council meeting; also that the Rahotu foreman be notified that his estimate must be considerably reduced.

MISCELLANEOUS. ' :?" It was resolved £b ask the foreman fsr particulars of the eight days' work charged against the Patiki 'road lift month. A knotty point arose as to the Council's position in regard to forcing a eontractor to make good damage done to a road in the Pari'uaka Road" Koard district, and-'on the motion of Cr. Davey, it was decided to ask Mr. Martin, the Counties' Association's solicitor, to decide whether a local body may deduct money from a contractor to make good damage done to a road under a road board's or a town board's jurisdiption within the county boundary.—Hawer'a Star.