EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 14 September 1914, Page 3

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The ordinary monthly meeting was held in Trotter's buildings on Friday. Present: Messrs Dudley (chairman), Campbell, Maxwell, Farquhar, Hurst, Burgess, Harvey, Davey, Willeox. TUB FIRE, The chairman stated that the books k ud papers had come out of the fire ' j, e l ter than lie had anticipated. All the eon espondence was burnt. ROYALTY. The 1* '' a ' opinion obtained from Mr Martin m' ar( l' n n the Public Trustee's claim for n.' va % was roa( L He sa id : "All mines, nu tals, minerals, coal, lignite, lime-, slate or % reenstone in or upon the land' leased doei" 5 not, include ordinary river shingle am 1 - gravel. The word 'metals'' refers to such things as gold and silver. Put -unless there is some thing in the leases i'o the contrary the lessees nave no ligii't to sell for removal from the leased, lands any part or the soil thereof, or any shingle "gravel, etc., deposited tht-reon. This is mr reason for the rule of law tcehme- j ally called 'waste.' In my opinion, however, the question would be one between' the Public Trustee as lessor-and his lessees. Your Council is not supposed to know whether the leases do or do not authorise the lessees to sell the shingle and gravel, and you.can deal with the lessees as an ordinary member of the public might. The Public Trustee has, therefore, in my opinion, no direct claim against you for royalties. He must proceed against his lessees for committing a breach of the law of 'waste- unless there is anything in their leases which authorises them to sell the shingle and gravel." It was decided to await the Panhaka Road Board's opinion, and that the clerk write to the Parihaka Road Board informing that body that the Council would act on the legal opinion read.

HOSPITAL. Formal notice was given to strike a rate of one-fortieth of a penny in the pound to secure tile loan for the Councils share of the hospital building. AXXUAL RATE. It was formally agreed to give notice of intention to strike a rate, of one pennv and.an eighth in the Oeo riding; one penny in. the Rahotu riding, and on* penny in'the Opunake riding. WORKS. Cr. Willeox brought up the question of starting the contract work earlier this season, and the engineer was instructed to get out specifications for contracts in the Rahotu riding for next meeting. GEXER'AU It was decided to purchase twelve chairs and three tables for the Council's use, and a table for the engineer. The clerk was authorised to procure stationary, statutes and office safe. IiOAN*. Cr. 'Maxwell moved that the clerk go into the question of building loan and report. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer reported: In order to follow out a system of continuous work and complete the main and other roads as far as possible, I intend calling tenders for the following approximate quantities of metal:—Rahotu northern, 1000 yards pit metal from Mr Fleming's property, this side of Pungarehu; 1500 yards, pit near Opourapa road for Rahotu township; WOO yards from pit at Oaonui, and VM yards for maintenance On general work the engineer reported that the progress of the metalling contracts had claimed the full attention of the hands in the riding during the past month. As soon as the rolling work is completed the hands will he put on to take off the corner at Pungarehu previously authorised, and also to put m culvert under bridge loan. ™* «™ ..rade of the mam road tin, side ot Ka Wu bv Mr Fleming's. '"t wages was passed for payment.