ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1917, Page 3

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. ; The monthly meeting of the Eltham County Council was held on Saturday. Present: Crs C. J. Belcher (chairman), J. Granville, E. J. Gifford, W. McGuinness, A. C. Pease,- A. McWilliam, A. V. Messena, J. Black, A. L. Campbell. KOTICE OF MOTION. ~ Cr Campbell mived, according to notice of motion, "That the number of councillor!! he increased to ten as under: South (-2), Mangatoki (3), Omoana (1), Kaponga (2) and Eltham (2). Cr Campbell stated that there were 100 ratepayers in the South riding, the valuation standing at £333,305; Mangatoki 100 ratepayers, valuation £794,002; Omoana 30, £174,873; Kaponga (including Town Board) 035, £383,100; Eltham 14S, £372,540. The general expenses were: South £S2S, -Mangatoki £1750. Omoana £135, Kaponga £Bl5, Eltham £945. From the figures quoted, excluding, the Town Board, Kaponga, with a lesser rating, had two members, whilst Mangatoki, with only a little over twice the valuation, had three members. He thought councillors would recognise the justice of his claims for additional representation at the Council table. Cr Granville seconded the motion. He believed Cr Campbell had made a good case for his riding, and on the figures shown the South ruling were entitled to additional representation. The chairman expressed his sympathy with the motion. The motion was lost, the voting beinir: For—Crs Belcher, Campbell, Granville and Messena; against—Crs Black, McWilliam, Pease, McGuinness and Gifford. CORRESPONDENCE. Stratford County Council notified that the alteration of boundaries recommended by the delegates from Stratford and Eltham Councils, had been confirmed by the former council.—Received. The council confirmed the action of delegates. A communication was received from H. E. Burrell, chairman of Social and Sports Committee, Trentham Military Camp, asking for the council's assistance in providing requisites for comfort and entertainment of men on the long voyage. Ho forwarded a list of articles needed. —Received. Messrs Syme and Weir reported rn connection with the Auroa Road Commission that the Egmont County had requested an adjournment, owing to a ratepayer lodging an objection to the loan. He advised that the commission would hear the case at Eltham on the 28th inst.—Received. P. W. Flanagan, Valuer General, advised that the question of land taken for railway purposes would receive immediate attention. —Received. H. -H. Sharp, resident engineer, Stratford, advised that the Public Works Department declined to allow Government moneys to be expended at the high rates of wages now being paid. Estimates of cost were based on a 11/- per day b'asis, and payment would only be made at that rate.—Received. Weber County Council wrote that they had no use for a steam roller offered by the council. The county of Hobson (Dargaville;, and Rangitikei County Council replied in similar manner. —Received. Mackenzie County Council requested co-operation re the imposition of a customs duty of not less than ten pev cent, on motor tyres, the money so collected to be refunded to local bodies for the upkeep of roads on the basis of capital value.—Received. C. A. Wilkinson, Ltd., informed the council that owing to the war conditions they had so far been unable .to place the order for a Daimler motor waggon, also forwarding text of letter from Daimler Company on the matter.—Letter received aud order to be cancelled. DEPUTATION. , ; A deputation consisting of Messrs J. Phillips, J. Chriatoffel, W. Bailey, and J. Ballantine, waited on the Council. Mr. J. Phillips acted as spokesman, stating that they objected to the Council granting an application made by Mr. J. J, Allen for a slaughterhouse license, The deputation withdrew, and after a brief discussion a motion was carried: "That the application be not granted." Cr Granville stated that if the license had been granted it would probably prove a great nuisance to those living in the neighborhood and also depreciate the properties of owners. COUNTY RANGER'S REPORT. ' The county ranger reported thai he had visited all roads, except Omoana. Roads had been kept fairly cleat of stock, but the drivers of motor cars and cycles were hiding their numbers and refusing to stop when requested. He applied for the hire of a gig to assist in collecting the dog tax in the Mangatoki and Kaponga riding, two days at 12? per day. He reported several case; of wandering stock, and forwarded a lis' of cars which did not have correct registration plates.—Received. ; ' TOLL-GATE REVENUE, Cr. Pease brought up the matter of , toll- gates and the upkeep of roads. He I suggested that the revenue derived from the two toll-gates should be pooled and I the money spent on theEltham-Opunake road.—Cr. Messena seconded; —Carried. ; ENGINEER'S REPORT. / The engineer's report contained the I following details on the month's work: South Riding—A further si-Mi'V,, <-.; the Boylan road has been tarred. There is still about 45 chains to do to comj plete the work at present authorised, but tiiis must wait until other work previously authorised is finished. Mangatoki Riding.—Tarring on the . Duthie Road is completed from the Eltham road to Mr. Davies' gat;-. Shingle j for the balance of this work is not yet . carted The portion of the Hastings ' road :;t Matapu will be <?omi !-;,-.l in(j day. Spraying on the balance of this . road will be proceeded with straight ~ away „ Kaponga Riding.—General maiuten- ", mire work lias been done. The timber ,' for the dec-king on the Mangawhero ~ bridge is not yet to hand, j EH-h'im Riding.--.Sundry points and f _ cutting* have been widened. The hals j tMice of <l>e lime has been occupied in '' iicnera! maintenance work, ( ' Omona Riding.—Good prowess has been made with tin- removal of '•liii-. -m<.\ ( j repairing flood damage. Dray roads are opened to all wools-heds. The toi has made good progress on Karewa road. General.—The cottage at the Patea . bridge is completed and was occupied on ; March 1. r