ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1916, Page 3

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETINGThe monthly meeting of the Elthani County Council was held at Ulthaiu on Satjrday. Present: Crs. J. 11. Pease (chairman), W. flkUuiii.ne.ss, T. J. (!if--I'orJ, J. Cranville, 0. J. Belcher, J. Ula.uk, A. V. Tait ami A. Campbell. I.cave of absence was granted to Cr. A. McVuiliam. [ ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. F. Basham) reported as under:— Patea Bridge.—The new pier is now connected to the superstructure andithe bridge opened for traffic. There is kill a slight sag in the centre of the bridge, but it is extremely doubtful if this could be removed. Had more pressure been applied it is probable that the structure would have been permanently damaged. Kaponga Hiding.—The Eltham road between the town boundary and the Rowan road ha? been patched with tar and the portion between the Palmer road and the town boundary scarified and re-rolled in preparation for restarting. A start will be made next week with the scarifying and rolling on the Manaia road. Mangatoki Riding.—l propose patching with ta r where necessary along the Eltham, Hunter and Hastings roads. South Riding.—lt is propable that work on the Bovlan road will be resumed during the coming month. Eltham Riding—The filling over the new concrete culvert in the Mangamingi Valley lias been completed and metalled. A bad slip occurred on the Tiromona road, the road slipping awav for a distance of one chain. Men are now at work widening the road to make good the damage. Oni.ana Riding.—Cr. McWilliam and myself recommend that a three-roomed cottage 'be erected at the junction of the Mataimaroke and Rawhitiroa roads (cost about £-200)," surfaceman to pay rent equivalent to interest on cost of same. The old Patea bridge is being dismantled and some of the old decking used to strengthen .Mr. Hatrick's bridge for wool carting. The report was adopted, CORRESPONDENCE. The Parihaka Road Board wrote accepting the smaller travelling hut at £ls. —Received. The Citizens' Christmas Gift -Fund, Wellington, made an appeal for gifts of poultry to be sold for the benefit of the fund.—Received. The Department of Public Health, Wellington, forwarded a communication requesting the eo-operation of local authorities in an effort to combat the fly pest, and detailing the methods to be adopted.—The Council will co-oper-ate with any movement in the desired direction.

The Hawera County Council forwarded a resolution adopted consenting to the allocation of the Mountain road loan as set out in the schedule (£4."> 10s lOr per annum) and August 1 of each year as date of payment; consideration of Anderson road loan was deferred until the, question of alteration of boundaries is settled. —'Received, the Strattord County Councill to be asked to approve of Anderson road allocation also, so as to expedite completion.

The Taranak'i County Council notifiel that Cr. J. Brown (chairman) had been appointed their delegate to oppose legislation re the abolition of toll-gates. The Hawera County Council also notified that Cr. .T. B. Murdoch 'was their , representative. —Received. The Upper Wangaehu Road Board forwarded particulars of an endeavor to promote an association to indemnify local bodies against claims under the Employers' Liability and Workers' Compensation foi Accidents Act.—Referred to Finance Committee to report.

The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce requested the Council's co-operation in asking the Government that prison labor be utilised in making and maintaining the main arterial roads of the Dominion.—H was resolved that the scheme/ be opposed. The Waitomo County Council asked the co-operation 0/ all local bodies in urging the Minister of Defence to discontinue the voluntary system of recruiting.—Resolved, "That the matter should be left to the Department to deal with."

A. E. King, Kaponga, complained of f faulty county drain. —Left to the engineer.

The Lands and Survey 'Department, New Plymouth, requested particulars regarding sections 5 and 0, block 41, Omoana S.D. These had beer, isolated and this isolation w#s not contemplated. An alteration in. the boundaries was desirable. A later communication stated that the lessees were satisfied that tlieii sections should be included in the Elthara county, and presumed that the Council would be agreeable to include these sections.—Left in the hands of the chairman and engineer, with power to act. GENERAL. Crs. Pease, Belcher and Campbell were appointed a committee to go into the matter of boundaries between Elthain and Stratford. As a result of the recent conference lield in Eltham re toll-gates, the chairman expressed the. opinion that the. time was arriving when they would have to reduce the charge on a 5-soatcr car fro.m 2s fid to Is Gd, the same as a 2-se.ater car. After a little discussion it 'ras resolved to reduce the charge to Is Cd for motor-cars, such to come into operation on "November 1.

Messrs Hatrick and Walker, ratepayers in the Onioana riding, requested tiie Council to j.nise a loan for a new bridge over the Mangatoromiro stream, leading to their properties, also pledging themselves to the levying of an annual recurring special rate over their properties.—Resolved that application be made to the Advance to Settlers Office for £OSO, in accordance with the ratepayers' request. The chairman and Crs. Belehet and McGuinness were appointed a committee to formulate a schedule of duties for dog-tax collector, ranger and general inspector, a report to be made at next meeting. TENDERS.

The following tenders were accepted for various works:—Contract No. 1!)", J. E. Tebbutt, 5s Cd per vard; No. IHR, W. E. Hall, Cs; No. 109, R. H. Bartlett, Gs#