ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 212, 15 February 1915, Page 8

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. Tiie usual monthly meeting of the Eitham County Council was lield on Saturday morning, when those present were: Councillors A. C. i'ease (chairman), C. K. Mo-Guinness, E. J. Gilford, C. ,1. Beicher, ■). Granville, A. McWilliam, D. Mack, A Tait, aiul A. Campbell, with the clerk (Mr \V. J. Tristram) and tho engineer (Mr I'. Basham).

CORF.RSPOXUIiNCE. Tlii! New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers notified that iti next annual meeting would be held at Dunedin oil tile lltli, 12th and lath March.—The Council decided that the engineer attend the conference and that the Council pay the travelling expenses. Tiie National I'rovulens Fund wrote for particulars of Council employees alfeel.id by the amendment to the Act. —Tile chairman said the Finance Committee had gone into tile amtter. and had decided to give it i'mthcr consideration. Tlie State Advances Office wrote with reference to the Mata road loan oi £250 that the State Advances Board had resolved to grant, the loan. Debenture and declaration forms were forwarded. - Tlio chairman and treasurer were appointed to sign the debenture and iix the Council's seal.

The State Advances Office wrote notifying the Council that the Advances Hoard had resolved to giant the laon of fj'HO for the erection of the Wliuiuakura river bridge and to widen K:irewa road, and enclosed debenture and declaration forms. The chairman and treasurer to sign the debenture and !lx the Council's sea!. The Mangatoki iJairy Co applied fur a carrier's license for a motor waggon. It was decided to reply that tie County Council issued no licenses, but t'liat the matter waj one for tin. jSoroueU Council. Mr 11. T. Flyger wrote* lukinu- thy Council not to remove the gate across the road at the boundary of his property at Omoana.—Cr McWilliam said the fencing in that district was a verv difficult matter and the man slliouid he given every consideration .Th e fences were along tlio side of the hill, and clips were continually carrying it away._ The matter was left in the hands of tiie engineer.

TIIF. RANG El?. "" D. Davis wrote accepting the condition:! of appointment as county ranker. _'J'iie chairman said they had paid £i 17s (id and the revenue secured was il lis. Unfortunately some people considered that the lew shillings paid in 'driving' was a wieap rent for grazing on tlie roail. lile know of one horse that had been grazing on the Hastings road ■the whole of the past month. Mr MeWilliam said the Council should not be called upon to go into numerous details of the ranger's duties each month, but it would not be necessary in future. The chairman and Cr Belcher were appointed to sign an agreement with the ranger.

REBATE FOR PROMPT IPA.YMIENT OF RATES. Tlie Whakatane County Council wrote f.sking the Council s support in connection with tlie proposal to give loei.i bodies the power to allow a rebate for repayment of rates within a certain time, in a similar manner to that adopted by Crown .Land Boards in connection with th,. payment of rents.' Tlie chairman said this had been advocated by all the conferences. Cr Belcher supported the suggestion. In answer to Cr MeWilliam, the.clerk .■■aid they had £2700 ordinary rates outstanding. The rates were seldom paid until tlie last few months.

Cr Granville .supported any movement to induce the rates to come in. _Cr Black said it was not fair that those who paid 'promptly should have to pay the overdraft. Cr Clifford thought a 5 per cent, rebate for prompt payment would lie. a groat inducement. Ors McWilliam and Campbell agreed. The chairman moved that the Council suport the resolution. ' _ Cr Belcher seconded, and it was carried.—Argus.