ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1915, Page 2

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. Tlie Eltham County Council met on Saturday. Present: Councillors A. C. Pease, A. McWilliam, C. J. Belcher, J. Granville, E. J. Gifford, C. E. McGuiriness, D. Black, A. Tait, and W. A. Campbell. CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEES. The first business taken was the election of chairman for the ensuing year, and, on the motion of Or. McWilliani, seconded by Cr. Belcher, the retiring chairman,> Cr. Pease, was re-elected to the position. The following were appointed a Finance Committee: Crs. Black, McGui'nncss, Campbell, and the chairman. The whole of the Council was constituted a Machinery-Committee. PUBLIC WORKS. A circular letter was received from the Public Works Department in regard to votes for construction of roads and bridges. The letter has already been given full publicity. In reply to a question the cliairman said he did not think this effected the grants already made for work in the backblocks. The qbject of the letter was apparently to stop local bodies from going in for future works. The letter was received.

PENSIONS FOR SOLDIERS. ■ A circular letter was received from the Petone Borough Council containing a copy of a resolution requesting an amendment of the War Pensions Act, and urging that a special session of Parliament should be called to deal with the matter.

Cr. Tait thought the matter was one for tile Government and he move.d the letter should be received. Cr. Gifford seconded.

Cr. 'Belcher thought the Council should express sympathy with the motion, for, from what lie gathered, it appeared that men who had saved money would have their pensions reduced in proportion to what money they had saved. He moved an amendment, "That this Council is in sympathy with the resolution of the Pctone Council." Cr. McWilliam seconded. The amendment was carried. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. F. Basliam) reported:—

Patea River Bridge.—All piles are completed and are now seasoning before use. It is unlikely that work will be resumed this year. Men are now at work 011 Omoana Cottage. Omoana Cottage.—This work is well advanced. All external walls are finished and plumbers are ,now at work on roof, etc. I expect to have the cottage ready for occupation by Christmas. Neill Road Culverts.—l have inspected these and find no necessity for immediate work.

Booten's Track.—Mr. Meuli has agreed .to re-erect bridge, subject to my approval. for a sum not to exceed £lO. General. With the advent of fine weather much better progress has been made with nil work. Tn the Omoana Riding the road is now open as far as Moeroa. Mr. A. Major lias been appointed foreman. Tar-spraying has been completed on the following roads: Rawhitiroa. Mountain Road North, Elthani Road from the Borough boundary to the Hastings Road, and small distances on the latter and Hunter Road. The upper portion of the Hastings Road is now being covered with re*tar. Shell voek is being quarried for the Rawhitiroa and" Flu I'oad-. The report was adopted. TE.SDERS. | The following tenders were accepted: Carting (100 yards of shell rock. .1. E. Tlbbitt 4s Bd a yard; carting 130 yards sand. \Y. E, Mills 4s a yard: carting 2iH) yards sand, J. E. Tibbitt. .is 9d a yard. GENERAL. , The Mount Herbert County Council forwarded a circular letter -ettiug out its resolution expressing the opinion that all local bodies should be empowered to strike a patriotic fund rate. —The letter was received. The ranger reported that the roads in the county were clearer now than they have ever been, and there had been few complaints from settlers. Cr. McWilliam referred to the danger from tires being lighted in dry fern. The engineer said that the quantity of grass and fern growing upon the roads would be a source of danger, Cr. Tait said there were indications there was going to be an unusual spread of weeds on certain roads.—No action was taken. The culvert 011 tiie Rotokare Lake Road was recently washed away and the way in which the repair work is being done lias given rise to some discussion. It was decided to appoint a sub-com-mittee consisting of the chairman and Crs. Belcher and Campbell to inquire into the matter and report to the next meeting of the Council.