TARIKI ROAD BOULDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1919, Page 6

TARIKI ROAD BOULDERS.

COUNCILLORS AT VARIANCE. The question of the dumping of boulders on the Tariki Road by the Moa Road Board was referred to again at Monday's meeting of the Tarunaki County Council by Cr. Laurence, who asked Or. (Simpson if the report of his remarks at the last meeting of the Moa Koad Board was correct.

Cr. Simpson: Yes; I think the reporter has got pretty accurately what I said. Cr. Laurence, continuing, said he took strong exception to the remarks of Cr. Simpson as published, because he was accused therein of a falsehood in his report to the Council as to the position of the stone placed on the Tariki road by the Moa Koad Board, j Cr. Simpson: I never accused you of [any such thing! Cr. Laurence, continuing, said that was the only possible inference from his remarks. Regarding the statement that the stone was not within five or six feet of the metal portion of the road, he said it was "a deliberate lie." When the stone was seen by him and others it was right on the metal road. He did not know if any of it was shifted before the Board members inspected the dump. With regard to another statement that Cr. Simpson was never supported by his fellow riding members in any proposal brought down for the benefit of the ratepayers, he said he did not know of anything that Cr. Simpson had brought down of any importance, barring the Moa County proposal. Reverting to the matter of the stone on the Tariki road, Cr. Laurence said he considered he was doing nothing but his duty to the ratepayers in bringing the matter before the Council, as in the event of an accident the ratepayers in that riding would have been liable for any damages. Yet Cr. Simpson had accused him of stating the position to the Council in a false light. The report of his remarks suggested that the other two riding councillors were no good, and the Board should pass a resolution asking them to resign. Cr. Simpson said he never suggested anything of the kind. Regarding the statement about the position of the stone, he thought Cr. Laurence should deal with the chairman of the Moa Koad Board, and not the speaker, because it was he (the chairman) who had made the statement. Cr. Simpson said lie was speaking only on the information that was before the Board. He himself had never seen the position in which the stone was dumped, and. therefore could not say, of his own knowledge, whether it was in a dangerous place or not.

Cr. Laurence: Most people, reading the report of Cr. Simpson's remarks, would take it that what I had said in the Council abouO the position of the stone was not according to fact. He reiterated that the stone was on the County metal.

Cr. Capper said there was no doubt about the stone being on the metal road when he went to see it. Regarding the charge of not having supported 0 Cr. Simpson in his efforts in the interests of the Moa ratepayers, he considered he had done his best for the ratepayers, and no one could do more. Tie had not been anxious to come on to the Council, and if the ratepayers were not. satisfied lie was ready to go off at any time. Cr. Simpson said after hearing the opinions expressed by Cr. Laurence, the chairman of the Road Boad, the overseer and the editor of the Inglewood Record as to the metal, he was in doubt as to who to believe. With regard to his position on the Council he had not come there of his own accord, but under pressure of ratepayers who were not satisfied with the way things were going on, and also because l.e favored the Inglewood County proposal, and had tried"to assist it forward. He felt it very galling when there had been an opportunity to try and further that project in the Council, his fellow riding members had kept dumb on the matter. He was there to represent the ratepayers' views and that he would always do. Tic invited his co-representatives (0 place themselves in the hands of the ratepayers. He had not east any reflection 011 anyone; if there had been any reflection it was 011 the ratepayers, though tliev had made it through him (the speaker) He callenged his fellow-representatives to go before the ratepayers. Cr. Laurence: I don't believe the ratepayers have ever said any such thing.

Cr. Simpson: \ou can have your opinion, of course.

Cr. Laurence: Yes, mid I'm going to, and I know I'm right. I object to being classified as a liar. The chairman said it was very unfortunate. that feeling should have grown up between the Road Board and the County on account of differences of opinion on certain matters. Regarding the boulders lie had been past the place and was of opinion (hey Had been tipped in a dangerous position. >\U the trouble could have been averted if the Moa overseer had arranged witli the county overseer, who no doubt could have selected a suitable place for the boulders to be dumped. Tie hoped the position between the two bodies would be taken as it was and the work allowed to go 011 harmoniouslv.

The matter was then allowed to drop,