FINNERTY ROAD BRIDGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1921, Page 7

FINNERTY ROAD BRIDGE.

COUNCILS’ DISPUTE OVER PAYMENT. When the Finnerty Road bridge was replaced some time ago there was an agreement between the Stratford County Council and the Eltham County Council, by which they shared the expenses of the work. Since the accounts in connection with the work have been made up, however, there has been a disagreement between the two bodies, and, as a result of the Eltham Council cheque not being received, the Stratford Council intimated that it intended to charge 7 per cent, interest on the Eltham Council’s share of the costs. The Eltham Council, however, are dissatisfied with the statement of accounts, and the finding of a special committee set up to consider the matter was heard at the meeting of the Stratford County Council on Saturday. The Eltham County Council wrote that the special committee had forwarded a resolution that the statement of expenditure did not show the true position as regards expenditure during the two working periods, nor coincide with the statements made by the Stratford Council to the effect that “practically all materials” were in hand before Mr. Cave took charge of the work, and the Stratford Council be asked to submit a detailed statement showing quantities and dates of receipt of materials in addition to the date of pajnnents, also that similar details be furnished of the credits.

The Eltham Council had endorsed the resolution, and asked for the information so that the matter might be referred to the committee for further action. The letter pointed out that Mr. Cave did not commence until September, whereas the detailed account made it appear that he had commenced in April, a large amount of the charges were obviously in error, and the large increase in the cost against the latest estimates when labor was supposed to be the only further liability surely justified ,El- - request for further information, The threat to impose interest from the date of the account, June 24, 1921, when the account had not reached the Eltham Council’s hands, appeared a most extraordinary assumption of the Council’s powers, and would lead one to believe that the communication was not intended to be taken seriously. Eltham would be pleased to meet their liabilities immediately the account was explained to their satisfaction.

The chairman said that wages paid for work done in March were paid later, and so were shown under Mr. Cave. It was just a quibble on the part of the Eltham Council. Cr. Pitt said that there were e few inaccuracies in the account which should be put straight before proceeding further. He moved that the matter of replying to the Eltham Council’s letter be left to the chairman and the South Riding members.—Carried.