ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1919, Page 3

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Eltham County Council met on Saturday. Present: Cra. C. J. Belcher (chairman), W. H. Smith, A. L. Campbell, A. V. Messena, W. M. Barker, A. McWilliam, W. W. Carter, C. E. McGuinness, E. J. Gifford. ' NEW PREMISES. Before proceeding to business the chairman Raid it was a matter of congratulation to be in the new premises. The building had been erected without any frills and well within the estimate, and he thought they had every reason to be satisfied at being at last' housed in their own premises. Furniture and fittings added to the cosy appearance of the premises, and lie hoped that they would have many harmonious meetings. ! CORRESPONDENCE. Nineteen employees of the council desired that they should receive payment fortnightly instead of monthly, and allowed a holiday once a month on full pay.—Declined The Egmont County engineer desired the Eltham County engineer to visit the Egmont County and go over the roads there, and the engineer's figures re loan for reconstructing and tar-sealing the whole of the main roads in the county. —Permission granted. J. Judd, county ranger, reported two impoundings since last meeting. He also reported several cases of blackberry and gorse growths 6n properties adjoining county roads.—Notices to be sent to owners to "have growths attended to. W. T. Jones, Kaponga, wrote on behalf of Parkes' settlers, and solicited the support of the council in obtaining » remission of rates due bv the settlers for the period April, 1918, to March 1919. They had heen very unfortunate in loss of stock, due to the abnormal season, and, when taking possession, the absence of buildings and stock. All had sustained losses in cows and calves, and had no reasonable chance to pick up, The rates, approximately £2O, made it burdensome for the first year.—Left -to chairman and councillors Messena and Barker to interview the men. A. Boddie, Mlangamingi, complained of the state of the creek on the Wingrove road; the side creeks also desired attention.—Left to chairman, ,Cr. Smith and the engineer to wait upon propertyowners concerned. D. Black, Kaponga, complained of a nuisance created by a farmer turning his herd adrift at night on the county roads.—Ranger requested to proceed to locality.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer reported on work carried out during the month, including repair of flood damage, widening narrow, places and removing slips. The widening on the Mangamingi ridge and the new formation had greatly improved the road. He referred to the visit of representatives of several local bodies who had expressed their appreciation of the methods adopted by the council.—Received.

PEACE CELEBRATIONS. R. H. Irwin, general secretary of the Eltham Peace Celebrations Committee, applied for a further donation in aid of the object. During the discussion the clerk stated he had received a lengthy letter from the Government outlining the general scheme of things, and asking the local bodies to give a lead. A subsidy of £1 for £1 would be spent up to iaOO. The chairman said they "had gone through a war that all hoped would never occur again. He moved that the amount be £IOO. Seconded by Cr. Messena. Cr. Carter thought £SO would be nearer the mark. Cr. McWilliam moved an amendment that £SO be granted—£2s towards entertaining the children and £25 towards any fund set apart for the soldiers that day. Seconded by Cr Campbell. ' On being put the amendment was carried, the chairman being the only dissentient.