CLIFTON COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1922, Page 2

CLIFTON COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waltara yesterday. Present: Crs. R. H. Pigott (chairman), T. McKenzie, H. Foreman, F. C. Jones, C. H. Barnltt, and R. Mounsey. An apology was received from Cr. S. Sutton. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The consulting engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported as follows; Onaero Bridge.—Repairs in respect of decayed chords, straining blocks, and stringers have been carried out, but there still remains various members of the truss in a depreciated condition, quite unequal to the weights dally imposed upon them, and very limited loads at reduced speeds must be the condition upon which the public must accept usage. Shell Rock Contract, Urutl Road.—The contractors were met during the month at the quarry, and an advance made satisfactory to both parties; the final payment to await the crushing, which the contractors hope will be completed at as early a date as possible. Tangitu Deviation Land Survey.—This work is now in progress, the completion of which will allow the fence lines to be defined and the compensation claims duly met according to the original agreement. Mangamahoe Bridge.—The contractors are actively moving in this matter. The shingle boxing and steel are, I understand; already ordered, and on the arrival of the steel the testing of the poles will be immediately put in hand. OKAU ROAD METALLING. A resolution passed at a meeting of Okau ratepayers was forwarded by Mr. J. B. Carr. It read: “That Cr. Jones be asked to procure what information he can from the county council as to whether they are prepared to pay interest and sinking fund on loan for metalling the Okau and Mangatoro Roads, or a portion of same out of the general rate and what, if not, are they prepared to reduce the general rate in the riding.’’ Cr. Jones (the riding member) explained that the meeting referred to had investigated the financial position of the riding, it being found that the income amounted to £lB5O whilst the amount spent during the preceding year was £490. The ratepayers at the present time could not afford to rate themselves for a special loan. As the council’s financial position was so good it was suggested that rhe county should pay the rate out of the ordinary revenue. The speaker said he had since gone into the position and found that one-quar-ter of tlie income of the Okau riding went in hospital and charitable aid levies. This was felt to be an injustice because if all their income had been spent in their own riding it would mean that a great number of the roads could be metalled. Figures in regard to the coat of administration and other charges were supplied by the clerk, these showing that practically all the reevnue of the riding was absorbed. The opinion was expressed by Cr. Jones that the Government should take over the maintenance of hospitals, and leave the whole of the revenue of the county available for metalling by-roads. “The tax would only be levied in some other way, if that was done,” said the chairman. A lengthy discussion followed, it being finally decided on the motion of the chairman that the council could not see its way clear to comply with the suggestion made by the Okau settlers. GENERAL. Intimation of Inability to meet the liability on the adustment of accounts was received from the Inglewood County Council, who stated that the precedent consent of the GovernorGeneral in council had been secured, but consent to the rate of interest had not yet been received. Settlement would be made as soon as the necessary authority had been secured.Received. The replacement of a temporary culvert giving access to his property by a permanent structure was asked for by W. J. Freeth, Pukearuhe.—Left in the hands of the chairman and Cr. Sutton, with power to act. The Waiau bridge formed the subject of a letter from W. Dowman, who said he understood the council intended to erect a new bridge across the stream. He considered, however, that the understructure of the bridge was in sound condition and he considered the repairs necessary would cost £4so.—Received. The chairman added that it was not the council’s present intention to build a new bridge at Waiau. An allowance for additions made to tlie Walhl toll-gate was applied for by W. Hick.—A grant of £lO was made. The Treasury Department forwarded a voucher for £542 7s 6d, subsidy on rates. The amount had been lodged to the council's credit at the Bank of New Zealand. Consent to the closing of tlie small piece of unnamed road about 15 chains in length and situated on the southern boundary of the adjoining section 23, block 6, Waltara S.D., was forwarded by T. McKenzie, Jas. Hine, Fred. Sarten, and John E. Lye, occupiers of land in the Tikorangi riding of the county.Necessary steps will be taken to close the road. An application for the issue of a license authorising the erection of a private telephone line between their premises and the Okau Post Office was received from H. L. Lewis, F. C. Jones, W. H. Blanchard, Benington Bros., W. W. Johnson and J. J. O’Donnell.—The council’s consent was given for the erection of •the line.

A copy of the Local Bodies’ Loans Amendment Act, 1922, was forwarded by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. Wm. Downle Stewart), attention being drawn to the sections giving power to local authorities to borrow money for the relief of unemployment; for borrowing the cost of raising a loan to pay off 'ntecedent liability in cases where a local body has raised, or proposes to raise the necessary loan outside New Zealand; and giving power to raise a loan over a defined part of the county for the purpose of liquidating the antecedent liability. The council decided to give public notice of the fact that loads crossing the Onaero Bridge, near Urenul, must be restricted to five tons, Including the weight of the vehicle, and the surfaceman, as inspector, was Instructed to notify the council of any infringement.