STONE FROM MT. EGMONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1921, Page 8

STONE FROM MT. EGMONT.

The secretary of the Taranaki Progress League wrote regarding the proposed, opening up of the Egmont quarry, and asked what amount of metal the council would be prepared to take if the quarry were worked. It was stated that the council could obtain stone at a cheaper rate Ln the district than it could be obtained from the Egmont quarry, and moreover the stone, would be of no use as there was no railway in the county. It was resolved to reply to this effect. STRAYING CATTLE. The ranger reported a settler and a Maori at Urenui for allowing horses and cattle to stray on the roads. Cr. Sutton that other stock was being allowed to stray on the road, and all should be prosecuted or none. On the motion of the chairman and Cr. Sutton it was resolved to prosecute the men reported. Jas. Hine jnr. also asked the council to take drastic steps to abate the wandering cattle nuisance on the Inland North Road. There had been an accident on the road through horses continually being allowed to waiider on the road. To be informed that drastic action will be taken. EXPENDITURE OF GRANTS. The resident engineer, Stratford, forwarded a schedule of unauthorised balances on votes for works in the district, the expenditure of which the Department did not propose to undertake itself. If proposals for expenditure were submitted by the council the question of authorisation would receive attention. The list was as follows: Kiore to Matau £5O, Parininihi tunnel and bridge (on account of £875 £• for £) £225, Piko (on account of £3500 £ for £) £5OO, Purangi (on account of £9OO £ for £) £4OO, Waipapa (£ for £) £lOO. UNIFORM WAGES. The secretary of the Taranaki Counties’ Conference forwarded copy of a resolution passed on January 26, viz., that maximum wages formerly fixed be amended to nowread: “That maximum wages of surfacemen and casuals be 15s per day for time worked in all counties represented, excepting in special circumstances. All other employees to be remunerated as fixed by each individual council.” At Wednesday’s conference he stated the matter was further considered, and it was resolved that this standard of iwages be adhered to, it being the opinion of the conference that the time for an increase of wages had gone by. GENERAL. It was resolved to pay £l3 19s lOd compensation to the native owners for 50 links taken on the diviation of Clifton street. The Counties’ Conference notified that the council’s share of the expense of preparing the uniform by-laws amounted to £153 Is lid, being one-seventh of the total cost. The deputy-district engineer of the Post and Telegraph Department asked whether the party telephone lines requested for the settiers at Ngatimiro was identical with the removal of the Ngatimiro office, for which Mr. Tarrant stated the settlers would find poles and labor.

The chairman said that this referred to some representations made to the Minister of Public Works during his recent visit to the district. Cr. Barnett said the settlers were isolated and had always been told by the Department that the shortage of telephones was the trouble in having installations made. Cr. Barnett undertook to furnish the names of th® settlers who proposed to subscribe to the party lines.