STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council was held on Saturday. Present: Crs. E. Walter (chairman), MacUay, Buskin, Worthtagton, Were, Coleman, O'Neill, and Anderson. The applications of Mr. R. GiifTcn (West End) for the position of bridge foreman, and Mr. C. (iarltck (Ngnerc) for the position of motor driver were accepted. The painting of the County Offices was left in the hands of the engineer. * i Tho action of the chairman in instructing the [engineer to sell the, motor car for £2lO was I confirmed.

The chairman said he had granted the Stratford Co-operative Dairy Company permission to take some earth from the county's road for the new factory at Douglas. Tho earth was to be taken from a point opposite the school.—Action confirmed,

The chairman reported that he had attended a conference at Eltham, at which they had met I tho members, for Taranaki, with the exception I of Mr. Jennings. The object was to obtain some 1 control over motor drivers. The members wqre i very sympathetic, and were quite willing to assist, but it was pointed out that there would be no possibility of getting legislation on the matter passed this coming session. It had been thought that by delaying the confirmation of the by-laws they were now considering that they might bo able to include clauses deallug with motor drivers, but ,in view of what was said by the members of Parliament, it was deemed Inadvisable to delay their objection. A second by-law would be framed later covering motor drivers. The conference desired also to discuss wltto members heavy traffic, but it was found that it would be necessary for the engineers for the three counties interested to be present, and the conference was adjourned to enable them to attend. The engineer's report (which will appear in to-morrow's iS3ue) wa9 read and adopted. The chairman reported that they had been getting some sand from the Midhirsl Dairy Company, and it had proved a very payable proposition. The matter of effecting repairs to Hodder's bridge was left in the hands of the engineer. Mr. Hodder stated in a letter that he was willing to provide the labor If the council could supply the necessary materials.

CORRESPONDENCE. The Minister of Internal Affairs forwarded a copy of the report of the Commission respecting the proposed Inglewood County; also a copy of the plan Bhowing the portion of the Ngatlmam Riding of Clifton County which the Commission considered should be included in the proposed new county. Tho chairman said he had been asked to meet the chairman of the Moa Road Board at Stratford last Saturday to talk over tho proposed Inclusion of Ngatimaru In the new county. The district was formerly included in the Stratford County, but they had proved to the Clifton County Council that they had absolutely no interests there, and the latter body had agreed to take it over., He understood that Mr. Cotter wished Whangamomona and Stratford to take over this district, but he knew of no reason why Stratford should comply. The letter was receelved.

The Hon. W. H, Herries wrote acknowledging copy of resolution, endorsing the representations of the Ohinemuri County Council respecting the shortage of trucks, and urging that provision be made on the forthcoming Estimates for t'ifflrient to meet all requirements In the direction of rolling stock. The Minister stated that the mntter would have consideration.—Received. The secretary to the Counties Association wrote Intimating that a conference of affiliated bodies would be held during the forthcoming session of Parliament, and asking the council to appoint one delegate and forward any remits for which they desire consideration.—The chairman was appointed delegnte. The Napier Borough Council wrote asking support for a resolution favoring Amac Day being declared a statutory hal-holWay—Cr. Were said he was of much the same opinion as the chairman of the Eltham County Council, namely, that the day should he observed on the Sunday nearest the date. He would move in lhat direction.—Carried.

Cr. Anderson moved that an application be made to the Government for a grunt of £2OO for the Mania Road. It was stated that this road was almost wholly maintained for tourist traffic to Dawson's Falls.—Carried.

It was decided to apply for a subsidy of £SOO for the Strathmore Saddle, on the mtiin road to Whangamomona. . Cr. Mackay 'said they should, like other councils, apply for a share in the big prospective loan.—Deferred for consideration later.

Messrs Rutherford, Macalister, and Coleman (solicitors), writing on behalf of Mr. McCullough and Mrs. Bonner, who own properties just across the Patea River from the East Road, on the section of the East Road .from Stratford to the Kahourl Bridge, asked tlic council to erect an up-to-date bridge in lieu of the present wooden bridge, which had fallen into diirepftlr, the cost ot the bridge to be