EKETAHUNA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8139, 14 May 1906, Page 5

EKETAHUNA.

MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL. (From Our Own Correspondent). EKETAHUNA, Saturday. The monthly meeting of the County Counoil was held, to-day, in the Counoil Chambers. There were present—Ors Moss (chairman), Davie, Lowes, Falkner, Dorney, Kedpatb, Pitoaithley, and Griffith. The Finance Committee, whioh met at 11 o'clock, presented their report, showing that the amounts to the credit of the various funds, as per bank pass-book submitted, showed County Fund £643 12s sd, Government Loans Account £2O Is 10d Parkville Loan Account, £237 16s Bd, Aocounts recommended for payment amounted to £352 15s 9d. The Clerk (Mr MoLean) reported that all the accounts of the Council had been audited for the half-year, and also for the year just ended (March 31st, 1906), and that the balance sheet was at nresent in the hands of the Audit Department. Referring to outstanding and overdue rates at the end of the year, the auditor had requested to have some of those thqt are unrecoverable written off by resolution of the Counoil. A roll of the ratepayers, who are financial, together with a list of defaulters, was now open for inspection.

The application of C. H. Barrett for a license to run a traction engine was granted. The rates levied in the West Riding for 1905-6 amounted to £1.783 14s, and the amount received to end of year is £1,395 13s 4d, aud the amount paid by thirds is £1,341 4s 7d, leaving a balauoe outstanding at end of year of £253 16a 9d. The amount of rates levied in the JSasfc Riding for the same period totalled £1,204 0s Id, while the amount paid is £1,130 2s Id, and paid by thirds £3 15s Bd, amounts outstanding being £7O 2a 4a. The Olerk was instructed to sue for all outstanding rates. A request from the Eketahuna Town Board asking that a separate riding be deolared for the Town district area, was received. It was explained by the Olerk that the matter was under adjustment, The Carterton Chamber of Commerce wrote asking if the Couuoil waa willing to subscribe or endeavour to raise funds towards an exhibit at the Christohurch Exhibition. No action was taken in the matter.

The settlers at Atea wrote asking the Oounoil to ereot bridges over the two streams on the Mangaraupo Koad. It was deoided to write and inform them that the funds at present would uot fpermit of this work being carried out. The Tawataia toll-gate again came up for discussion. Or Dorney, in introducing the question, said he was informed that the loan in connection with which the gate was erected would mature in two years He then moved that three members be appointed by the Council to wait upon the Masterton County Counoil in regard to this matter. On the suggestion of the Chairman, the motion was withdrawn pending further information. Cr Dorney also mentioned the fact that u petition waß being signed by the ratepayers of the Eketabuna County to give effect to bis previous resolution to abolish tbe toll-gate, on |he grounds that it is a heavy handicap to settlers and a barr to tbe progress of Eketahuna. Notice of motion Was given by Or Dorney—-"That this Counoil requests tbe Government to place the Native Reserve at Haruna on the market, and to request the Government frr an endowment of 300 aoree part of whioh would be reserved as a public recreation ground.'