STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent,) Stratford, Yesterday. The monthly meeting was held today. Present: Cr. W. Hathaway (chairman), Crs. Were, Walter, Bask'in, Coleman, Anderson, Smith, and Christoffel. Cr. Anderson congratulated the engineer on the satisfactory work done in the West Riding. The crushing plant never done better work. The question of converting the straker into a motor waggon, was discussed. The chairman said it would be necessary to have tar tanks carried about when they were doing the road, and if they could convert it cheaply it would be a good proposition. Cr. Christoffel said they would have to go in for,tarred roads; that was the agreement with the Government re establishing the toll-gate at Waipuku, and a motor waggon would do more work in tone day than a dray and horses in a week.

Cr. Smith did not believe in experimental work; further, could they finance a new lorry? It was finally decided to leave the matter in the engineer's hands. Regarding the matter in the engineer's report of purchasing another crushing plant, Cr. Were said it was necessary if possible to get another plant this season. The chairman said they had paid a large amount to the Stratford Borough Council for last season's crushing, and it would be a good proposition to get a new one. The engineer said it was almost impossible to get a second-hand one.

Cr. Coleman moved that the engineer be instructed to make inquiries re purchasing a crushing plant and report at next meeting. This was carried.

Mr. Bredow waited on the Council regarding the formation and metalling of the Oruru Road. He was prepared to lend the Council the money for, say nine months, if the Council's finances were such that they could not do the .work at present,—lt was decided to accept the offer, and tenders were ordered to be called for the work. Mr. Bredin and Mrs. Porter, of Mangaotea Road, waited on the Council in regard to doing something to the raod. JVfr. Coleman, of Messrs Ruthefurd, McAllister, and Coleman, said part of the Toad was in the Taranaki County, but the greater part was in the Stratford County. Nothing had been done to this road since the survey pegs had been put in close on 30 years ago. The settlers in the Taranaki County Council had decided to raise a loan to metal the road in their portion, and he asked that about 18 chains in Stratford County should be metalled in order to allow the settlers to get out with their milk. i

The chairman moved: That the Council is prepared to vote £SO to the Moa Road Board for giving the settlers access to their properties, providing they wait till June for the money, and a similar amount next year. Cr. Walter ■seconded, and the motion was carried.

Mt. Herbert County Council wrote asking the Council to endorse resolutions passed by their Council re the jfiovernment granting power to strike a Patriotic Fund rate.—Received.

Petone Borough Council forwarded a (resolution re pensions to soldiers, and asking the Council to endorse same.— Received.

W. F. Short, Assistant Under-Secre-tary of Public Works, forwarded a circular letter re votes for construction of river and bridges. (The letter was similar to that received by other local bodies). The State Advances Office informed the Council that a loan of £l5O had teen granted for building in ferro-con-crete two bridges on Denbigh Road. — Received.

The Raglan County Council asked the Council to endorse a resolution re dispensing with the services cf all single men eligible for military service.—Received.

Mr. E. A. West forwarded his resignation as bridge foreman.—Accepted with regret. The secretary of the Huiroa Sewing Guild asked the Council to use its influence with the Government to enable the Guild to conduct raffles at their forthcoming bazaar.—Referred to Patriotic Committee.

The Auckland Railway League wrote asking for subscription to the League, and informed the Council that it was necessary to keep up agitation for the ■construction of railways in Auckland province.—Received. The Eltham County Council drew attention to the bad state of Finnerty Hoad, pointing out in fairness to the Council's "ratepayers that action should be taken against the contractors who have damaged the roads.—To be informed that the contractors were not employed by the Council, but by the Lowjjarth Dairy Company. Cr. Baskin again drew attention to the bad condition of the north Cardiff Road. The Midhirst Dairy Company could not get through with the milk I waggon.

The engineer said it was impossible to get men to do the work. He had to borrow men from the West Riding to assist the North' Riding foreman..—The chairman said the Council could not do impossibilities. After discussion, the work was referred to the engineer. Cr. Were moved that tenders be called •for 500 yards of she'll rock on Auroa Road, and 500 yards on Waiwera Road. —Carried.

Jt was decided that all rates unpaid after 7th February next be charged 10 per cent and will be sued for.

Accounts amounting to £1457 10s Cd were passed for payment. The chairman said that since the tollgate had been erected it had averaged £22 13s per week.