TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 258, 22 March 1913, Page 8

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Tarana.';i County Council v.as held this week, the chairman (Mr. -I. Brown) presiding. Other members pre>ent were: Councillors 11. Steven-;. M .Hopson, C. Andrews, D .McAlhini. A. Morton. -J. Andrews and J. R. IliM. THE MOKAU PUNT. A deputation of one. Mr. C. Leech, of Awakino. waited on the Council regarding tlie steam winch and punt for which the Public Works Department are calling tenders. Mr .Leech, who is a member of tin 1 iiew!y-ron>titiited Awakino C'ountv Council, -poke in his capacity of a private settler. This new service is to replace the present out-of-date method of a h.ind-drawn punt on the Mokau River. on the main road from Tarannki to Auckland. The Awakino Conned had not yet met. but Mr. Leech pointed out that tenders for uie new -ervice closed on March :!1. and those interested dm not want the Government to commit itself to anv great expense before iulh considering the question. The settlers wcr e protesting agaimt the proposal of the Department, a- they said the service would not be at all efficient. It was a retrograde step. 'I hose interested also considered the new service would cost a great deal of money, and they maintained it would not pay unless he to Is were increased. Mr. Leech a-ked the Council for its support, as the matter

was of very great importance to New Plymouth, and indeed to the whole of the West Coast of Taranaki. The settlers were advocating for a bridge, which it was estimated would cost £IG,OOO. The Government had signified its willingness to subsidise to the extent of £ for £, so that it would only really cost the province £BOOO. It was resolved that, the Council cooperate with the Awakino County Council in protesting to the Public Works , Department against the installation of ( the steam winch and punt service on the Mokau River. The matter was left , in the chairman's hands, with full power to act. GENERAL. Mr. T. V. Simons was authorised to lay down and construct a tramway line on the Carrington Road, from the terminus of the present line at Ratanni to the junction of the Mangorei and [ Cross Roads. Ten tenders were received for a compound 10-ton steam roller and scarifier, which is required in addition to W engine nowi used bv the Council — The queston of dealing with the tenders was left to the chairman to arrange :md the Council recommended' that, all things being equal, a Ruston and Proctor engine, priced at £fifl.~> (the lowest tender) be procured. The chairman was empowered to confer with the County solicitors with reference to an agreement being made with Mr. W. Bryden (Hurworth). relative to shelter trees on the contemplated new Carrington-Franldev Cross Road.