STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Comity Council was held to-day. Present: Crs. Hathawuy (chairman), Coleman. Christoffel, Anderson, Smith, Baskin, Worthington, Were, and Walter. A vote of thanks was accorded the stationmaster at Midhirst for his promptitude in forwarding trucks of metal to the east riding, thereby enabling the work to be carried out smoothly. The matter of procuring another traction engine was left in the hands of the chairman, Or. Christoffel, and the engineer, with power to act.

The chairman said that complaints had reached him regarding damage done to settlers' properties by the contractors' horses being allowed to graze on the county roads. He moved that the ranger be instructed to impound all stock grazing on county roads after the 30th inst—Cr. Smith seconded the motion, which was carried.

The matter of allocating thirds and fourths was left in the hands of Cr. Worthington, the chairman, and the engineer.

Regarding the petition from the Ngaere residents re the dangerous railway crossing near the Climie Road, the clerk pointed out that some time ago the Railway Department informed t-he Council that it would supply warning boards, provided the Council would erect and maintain same.—On Cr. Coleman's motion it was decided to erect boards at this crossing. N. G. G. Winkelman, New Plymouth, offered his to put the' straker waggon in'first-class working order.— Received.

The Standard Insurance Company asked for a share of the Council's accident insurance business. —Received. John Petrie asked for a crossing to be made to his property on Monmouth Road.—Granted.

R. D. Milne, Toko, asked for permission to remove some clay from the road near the Waiwera Road, in order to improve the entrance to his property.— Granted.

Patea County Council forwarded a resolution, asking the Council to endorse same, as follows: "That this Council strongly condemns the present system of including in reinforcement drafts men of enemy parentage on either paternal or maternal sides, and further urges that no distinction or exemption be made from this principle of absolute disability on the part of men of enemy parentage as above stated, to serve in our reinforcement drafts or in any capacity in our defence system."—Received. Messrs R. H. Susans and E. O'Sullivan waited on the Council and asked that access be given to their properties on the Barclay Road. A bridge was required over a small stream, and the road should be straightened. They were prepared to give the land in order that this work should be carried out. They would also pay the survey fees, and pay the cost of a special loan for the work.—The matter was referred to the engineer for a report.

Mr. Barleyman waited on the Council and asked for access to his property on the Croydon Road. He offered Ms assistance in getting metal for the purpose,—Tiie chairman said the Council could not do anything till the spring. It was decided to strike the following rates:—North Biding, 3d; South Riding. 2y 4 d; East Riding, 3d; West Riding, 3d; Mangaehu Riding, 3'/ a d. Cr. Walter moved that rates ib all ridings be increased hy a farthing. He said it had been a good year, and they should prepare for bad times after the war, and if the extra rate was struck it would enable the overdraft to be reduced in the different ridings.—Cr. Anderson seconded the motion, which was lost.

The estimates of the engineer were adopted as follows:—West Riding, £-2995; East Riding, £-1317; Mangaehui Eiding. £1395; South Riding, £2319; North Eiding, £3175.

Accounts amounting to £2856 2s 6d were passed for payment.