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Cardiganshire County Council.

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Cardiganshire County Council. The annual meeting of the Cardiganshire County Counau was held on Thursday, iViay lltli, at the Town Hail, AberajVon, when there were present Aluefmen Evan Richards, PenuMchfa wr; Edward L,,v a n s, Strata Florida; L, Liiiia Jones, Aberayron; C. M. Williams, Aberystwyth; the Rev J. Wil- liams, Cardigan; D. J. Williams, Tregaron; Dr Lloyd, Atipai- Dr Jenkyn Lewis, Lianoii; J. C. Harford, Falcoudale; Councillors Tom Parry, Llandyssiliogogo; Jenkin Jones, Llan- dyssul north; E. J. Evans, Lianrhystyd; Ben- jamin Jones, Llaniiar; J. Parry, Gogiuan; I). L. Jones, JBlaenpenual; Major J. J. Bon- sall Llanbadarn; E. A. L. Powe'l, Llanfar- ian; Peter Jones, Aberystwyth; Dr. J. James, Taliesin; R. S. Rowland, Llanddewi Brefi; Evan Lewis, LLanychaiarn Thomas Evans, Llandugwyddd; James Jones, Llan- wenog; W. T. Davies, Felinfach; E. J. Davies, New Quay; Thomas Evans, Llan- granog; J. M. Ho well, Francis Evans, Aber- ayron; E James Price, Lansantfread; D. S. Davies, Lilanfair; D. C. Roberts, R. J. Jones, R. Ellis, Aberystwyth; A. P. Powell, Bow Street; Captain W Davies, Llandyssul; Major Price Lewes, Tyglyn Aeron; Morgan Evans, Llanarth: Principal Bebb, Lampeter; Messrs H. C. Fryer, clerk; J. P. Morgan, assistant clerk; J. D. Perrott, treasurer; Roderick Lloyd. D. Davies, surveyors; E. W iluams, chief constable. Mr Vaughan Davies, M.P., wrote regret- ing that business in London prevented him attending the meeting, and Principal Rob- erts, Aberystwyth, wrote regretting that he could not attend to support the deputa- tion on behalf of the sanatorium which he held was an important thing for the county and would b? a great benefit to poor persons suffering from consumption. As matters of great importance were to be discussed, there was a large attendance of the public who were principally interested in the railway project between Lampeter, Aber- avron, and New Quay. The Chair. The first business was to elect a chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Lima Jones pro- posed that Mr D. J. Williams, Abercoed, Tregaron, should be elected and said that Mr Williams had been a member of the Council from its start, had attended the meetings regularly, and rendered valuable ser- vices generally throughout the county. Mr Walter Davies seconded the proposition which was unanimously agreed to and Mr I Williams on taking the chair thanked the Council for the honour conferred upon him. He would endeavour to please them all and hoped ai'l the members would support him. Mr D. C. Roberts said lie was sure there was one resolution which thev all felt should be passed and ti, it was to give their heartiest thanks to Mr Thomas Evans. Cefncwrt. for the efficient manner in which he had filled the chair. He attended the meetings regularly and conducted the business during his ye;ir of office. (Hell-, hear.) Sir Marteine Lloyd seconded the proposi- tion. which was carried and the retiring Chairman .suitably returned thanks and hoped the same support as he had received would be given successor. New Member. The Clerk reported fhnt Mr Fosset Roberts had been elected a member of the Council in the place of the late Mr E. H. James, for No 4 ward of Aberystwyth. The National Library. The Clerk explained that all additional agenda had been sent out with regard to the question of contributing assistance to Aber- ystwyth's claim for the location of the Welsh National Library. The raising of sufficient money to guarantee the building of the Lib- rary, which was estimated at £ 20,000, now- depended entirety on what the county and other good friends at a distance contributed, so that the Commissioners might be in a posi- tion to say' that the county had complied with the requirements. It was rather important that the matter should be brought on early, as the statement of Aberystwyth's claim had to be forwarded to London on the following day and it would greatly assist the movement if Aberystwyth were able to say that some assistance had been given by the County Council and that the county appreciated the great advantages which Cardigan would have by having the National Library in their midst. It was then agreed that the matter should be discussed early Dr Jenkyn Lewis Are you particular where in the county of Cardigan ? The Chairman—I should say Aberjfetwyth. Dr Lewis—Then, why not say Aberystwyth on the agenda P The Clerk—It is put in a general way. Mr J. M. Howell said he had great pleasure to propose that the Council should promise £2,üOÚ in a tQrm. to be decided hereafter, with the view of securing the location of the National Library "at Aberystwyth. (Hear, hear.) Apait from the nationa.1 importance of the institution which they1 sought to estab- lish in the county, there was a local signifi- cance in connection with the proposal. The town of Aberystwyth had given proof that it looked upon this as a matter of vital import- ance and had voted £ 5_,000 out of its own re- sources, showing to the county at large the great importance of securing that great boon for the town of Aberystwyth. (Bear, hear.) What was good for Aberystwyth was good for the county. They had fought upon many matters and he was afraid they placed too much importance on matters which differ- entiated and divided, but he had himself en- deavoured to seek the corporate unity of the county and if the resolution helped them to believe in one another and helped the county as well, it would have attained a great ob- ject apart from localising the National Lib- rary in the heart of Cardigan. The county of Carnarvon by subscribing L2,500 in order to secure the National Museurn for the town of Carnarvon, h afforded an illustration of what they were able to do. Without endeav- ouring to prove what was evident to every- body and as they were all acquainted with the arguments. he had great pleasure in moving the resolution. (Hear, hear.) Mr Thomas Evans, the ex-chairman, secon- ded the resolution and said it was important they should have the National Library in their own county. Dr Jenkyn Lewis moved an amendment that the Council should promise £ 2,500. He thought if the town of Aberystwyth could afford £ 5,000, the county ought to v give half. (Hear, hear.) It was not so much to the benefit of the town of Aberystwyth to have a few book-worms to oome there, but there was a greater significance. He. at any rate, thought that the town which would secure the National Library would be the metropolis of W "ales in future. (Hear, hear.) He felt confident that the people living in the out- lying parts of Cardiganshire took more in- terest in literature than the people of Aber- ystwyth. (Laughter and cheers ) Major Lewes .said that those who had read the newspapers in regard to the movement, must feel great enthusiasm and pride in the fight. They must feel that they1 would have to struggle and do the best they could to ob- tain that valuable institution for Aberyst- wyth. He had great pleasure in supporting the resolution. (Hear, hear.) Sir Marteine Lloyd also supported. He quite agreed with the previous speakers and 0 (- i hoped the Council would grant the £ 2,000. (Hear, hear.) Mr Lima Jones pointed out in regard to the amendment that the demands of Aberyst- wyth woulld be met if E2,000 was subscribed and there was no need to vote £ 2,500. Mr E. J. Davies urged the desirability of a unanimous resolution. There was a better chance of doing so if Dr Lewis with- drew his amendment. By subscribing C,2,0,90 the Council would fulfil the demands laid before them by the Aberystwyth friends and they really did not want to vote a halfpenny more. If £ 2,500 was wanted in order to meet the demands of the Government, he had no doubt that the Council would be very willing to grant the money. As that amount not required and as the Council had other resolutions to vote large sums from the rates toward other beneficient purposes, he thought the Council had better accept Mr Howell's proposition. Dr Lewis said that if nobody seconded his resolution, he must withdraw it, but his in- tention in proposing £ 2,500 was to lessen the disparity between Aberystwyth's funds and those of Cardiff and Carnarvon. If anybody seconded his amendment, he would certainly not withdraw it. (Laughter and cheers.) There being no seconder, the resolution was then agreed to with unanimity and acclama- tion. Committees and Appointments. The Council members of the Standing Joint Committee were re-appointed, as well 11 1 as the Finance and General Purposes Com- mittee with the addition of Messrs G. F. Roberts, 0 B Evans, and Major Price Lewes on the tatter. The executive committees for the northern and southern division were also re-elected. Mr J. Davies proposed that the Public Health Committee should be re-appointed with the exception of himself. He did not think it was worth travelling for over four hours to Aberystwyth to do ten minutes work. It seemed to him that the Public Health Committee was more or less a farce. Mr Robert Ellis (chairman of the Com- mittee) said that a few years ago, the Coun- cil in its wisdom declined to piy for a precis of the annual reports of medical officers in the county and from that time, although it was a most important matter, no report had been presented to the Committee, which had thus become practically futile. Mr R. S. Rowland proposed that Mr T. Parry should be placed on the Committee, in- stead of Mr Davies. His knowledge of agri- culture would be an advantage to the Com- mittee. The proposition having been agreed to, the County Assessment Committee, Standing Committee for Allotments and Small Holdings Weights and Measures Committee, visitors to the Joint Counties Asylum, and Printing and Advertising Committee were reappointed with Mr G. F. Robert- on the latter in the place of the late Mr E. H. James. Messrs Henry Bons,all and John Gibson, jun., were re- appointed as the- Council's representatives on Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint Committee and the Rev W. Griffiths, Messrs Augustus Brigstocke, and J. H. Ed- wards on the South Wales University College Court of Governors. Mr H. Bonsai!, Captain D. Williams, and Major J. J. Bonsall were reappointed conservators of the Dovey Fishery District, and Mr Henry Bonsall was also reappointed a conservator of the Wye Fishery District. Dr Brooke was reappointed public analyst and Dr Alan Murray as dis- trict agricultural analyst. Cremation of Animals. The Clerk said that the Board of Agricul- ture had made an order licensing the cre- mation of bodies suspected to have died from various diseases and the Board also sub- mitted a system by which the cremation could be easily done and bv which there would be greater certainty of there being no after-re- sult than there was after burial in lime, which was the custom now. Mr Robert Ellis proposed that the system should be adopted and that it be an instruc- tion to the Public Health Committee to have it carried out. Mr R. J. Jones seconded the proposition, which was agreed to. Sheen Scab. The Clerk said the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries were making an effort all over the county to stamp out sheep scab and had declared a number of parishes in the north of the county an area, for the compulsory dipping of sheep and that took effect at once. They had asked nobody's advice, but found from the reports sent them every year that there was a certain amount of sheep scab in that district, the inhabitants of which would be compelled to dip their sheep in the hope of doing away with sheep scab. The owner of any sheep within the area must cause them to be treated for sheep scab be- tween June 15th and July 13th by effective dipping. It was understood that the Public Health Committee's report that the Chief Constable had undertaken" to have handbills with copies of the Order and the forms required for the necessary returns, served upon -e I sheep owners within the area. Thinking Imperially." An invitation was received for delegates to atfend an important congress of the Royal Institute of Public Health to be held in London, a subscription of £ 1 Is. being re- quired for each delegate. On the proposition of Dr. Lewis, seconded by Mr R. J. Jones, Mr Robert Ellis was appointed a delegate. Mr. E. J. Davies in proposing that Dr. Jenkyn Lewis should also be appointed, said that he had just made an important speech which showed lie was large-hearted and he was now inclined to think impenaUy. (Laughter.) Dr Lewis replied that it was not a ques- tion of thinking imperially, but a question of healthy thought. The proposition wafe agreed to and Dr. Morgan was also appointed a delegate. The Wye Trouble. An application from the ye Fishery Board for a contribution in connection with the preservation of the river, was not enter- tained. Llandilo Light Railway. The promoters of the proposed light rail- way from Llandilo to Lampeter wrote asking the Council to express an opinion that it would be an advantage to the county to have rail- way facilities from Llandilo to Lampeter, as this would help the project when laid before the Light Railway Commissioners. On the proposition of Mr. J. M. Howe1. seconded by Dr. Lewis, it was unanimously agreed to signify the Council's approval of the scheme. Loans. The Clerk explained that there was 2. large number of loans outstanding M'hich had been obtained by different school boards in the county and they were to be naid in different instalments which came in all round the year, but the Public Works Loans Board some time ago offered to consolidate the pay- ment's so that the Council might make two half yearly instalments at definite dates. A statement had now been prepared showing how this would work out and the Treasurer considered it was perfectly correct. It placed the Council in a better position and it was for the Council to decide M'hether the system should be carried out. It was agreed to do so on the proposition of Mr Robert Ellis, who said that the system would simplify the accounts and unify the loans. The Maining of Roads. An application from the Tregaron District Council to transfer the roads from Olmarch to Trecefl, Llanafan to Strata Florida Station, and Tregaron to Pontrhydfendigaid, a dis- tance of twelve miles, was referred to the Main Roads Committee. Referring to an application from the Aber- ayron Rural Council for the maining; of the road PenuM-ch to TygAi-yii, a distance of six miles, M'hiah is the south end of the road from Llanon to Tregaron, Dr Jenkyn Lewis urged that if should be considered by the Council rather than be referred to the Main Roads Committee. He said that the application had been before the Council three years ago and he had practically given notice at the previous meeting that the road should be taken over. He had not understood that the application should come from the Rural District Council, but sent in the notice him- self. On being informed by the Clerk that that was not the proper course, he took steps to have the application made by the Rural District Council. As a special committee was to deal with all such applications in future, he would like to have the road mained as a set-off in the southern division against the Cwmystwyth road, which was mained at the previous Council meeting so t'hat the northern and southern divisions could start on equal terms. Mr Peter Jones said the application should have come through a duly-recognised au- thority. The road was at present vested in the rural district authority, who now made the formal application. The road in the northern division which Dr Lewis referred to had to be passed by the Main Roads Com- mittee and the same course should be applied in this case. If the application was referred to the Committee, M'ho Mould report to the next Council, it would only mean waiting for three months before Dr Lewis's object would be attained, although the maining of the road was badly necessary. It would be a wrong pre- cedent to do so until the application came through the regular channels. On being informed by the Clerk that that was the legal form, Dr Lewis said that even that morning greater things were done which were not legal. Mr C. M. Williams said the Council could never settle the question of main roads until a special committee was appointed. Various unions might send in applications for addi- tional mileage. Dr Lewis--I protest against the term union being used in this case. It is a ques- tion of the northern and southern division as far as main roads are concerned. Mr Williams—I am coming to that. You must have the two divisions to meet together before the question is settled. Dr Lewis—I want this question settled be- fore they come together. (Laughter.) Mr Williams said that having regard to the fact that the Council was prepared to increase the mileage of main roads in the county, it ought to be increased all round. At present some unions had more mileage than they were entitled to and other unions had too little. Assuming that they were going to add twelve miles to Tregaron Union, it was for other unions to have the same in proportion so that' Dr Lewis was asking too little for Aberayron. Until a special com- mittee of members from each division con- sidered the matter, the question could not be settled satisfactorily. Dr Lewis said fhat if he was asking too little, he should have the benefit in time. He should be satisfied if he was given three months' advance-(Iaught,e-r)-apid would be willing to do away with the difference in miles. The Chairman—Your application will be treated the same as Tregaron. Dr. Lewis-But Tregaron is practically a suburb of Aberystwyth as far as this is con- cerned. (Laughter.) it was agreed to refer the matter to the Main Roads Committee. On the proposition of Mr R. S.' Rowland (chairman) seconded bv Mr R. J. Jones, the report of the Northern Main Roads Com- mittee was adopted. The Clerk stated that eighteen months ago a proposal by the Aberystwyth District coun- cil to construct catchpits on the Full brook at Llanbadarn came before the Main Roads Committee, who recommended the Council to contribute one-third of the cost estimated at £ 30. The District Council, however, con- sidered that the catchpits would be a great advantage to the county by preventing the flooding of the road and now asked the County Council to contribute half the cost. Mr C. M. Williams said it would be to the Council's advantage to do so. It took weeks every summer to clear the debris which filled the water course. By having the catch pits, the county would save over £ 10 a year. He proposed that £ 15 should be granted and did so from the standpoint of economy. Mr Joseph Parry seconded the proposition and agreed that the catch pits would be a great advantage in preventing the debris being washed from the dingle. Mr Robert Ellis on being informed that the estimate and plans were the same as be- fore, supported the proposition, wmch was agreed to. Mr E. J. Davies moved the following re- commendation of the Southern Main Roads Committee That the Council should be sat- isfied with the minimum* M'idth required at the time when the! provisional order was made de- claring the highway from Cwmcoy to Goger- ddan Arms a main road, and that the Coun- cil be recommended not to make the resolu- tion passed at their I:ast meeting as to mini- mum width of fifteen feet of metalled surface, retrospective and applicable to this road." Mr C. M. Williams said it was a great hardship that the Newcastle Emlyn Union did not have more main roads, but he did not think the Council ought to take over that portion of road before it was widened. There was a steep hill and the road in some parts was exceedingly narrow. He proposed that the matter should be referred back to the Committee and that the District Council should be communicated with. 111e Clerk stated that he had received a letter from the District Council saying chat it would mean a great expense to have the road widened as required. There w a long, steep hill and narrow parts and it would be exceedingly dixhea. Captain Davies B:id that it would be a great hardship to compel the -Neii-easeie Einlyn and Cardigan Unions to re-widen the road, but the AberjTstwyql- friends were very sharp. He understood that the road had I been widened to sixteen feet in some parts and in the narrower parts it M as thirteen feet wide, which was the width required when the road was provisionally taken over. Mr Thomas Evans (Lhvynduris), said the Cardigan District Council had already spent 'dc I a considerable sum in widening the road to thirteen feet, which was the width required at first. Mr Thomas Evans (CefncM-rt* also agreed that it would be hard to have the matter re-considered, as so much expense had been already incurred in widening the road and referred to the road at Cefngwyddel, which had been widened at the county's expense. Mr C. M. Williams said he proposed the amendment in the interests of the county. He did not wish to press it if it was the unanimous wish of the district, but was afraid the Council would have a lot of trouble in the future if the recommendation was adopted. Mr Robert Ellis seconded the amendment and said that in the Aberystwyth Union the Council had insisted that t'he roads should be of the minimum width before being taken over. The piece of road between Llanfihan- gel and Talybont would not be taken over until it was made the minimum width and the District Council had undertaken to borrow money to meet the expense. Dr Lewis protested against the northern division giving a lesson to the southern divi- sion. (Laughter.) Mr J. M. Howell did not think it was fair to insist on that condition for this road, seeing that it could not be applied to the whole county. Major Lewes, while agreeing that it would be a. hardship to refer the matter back, pointed out that there were only two narrow parts and these required a great deal of excavation owing to their rocky nature. The other portions of the road were over fifteen feet. Mr. E. J. Diavies said that the question had been before the Committee three or four times and the Surveyor had refused his cer- tificate until the utmost pound of flesh was given. There were many difficulties in the way, which would mean a great expense and that was considered unnecessary in the dis- trict. As the district which that artery would serve were satisfied, he thought the Council should defer to their opinion. Mr Joseph Parry did not think that would be fair at all. Dr Lewis had referred to the Devil's Bridge road. but the, Aberystwyth District Council had already widened tihe road to seventeen feet from bank to bank and it would only be fair to have the same all over the county. Dr Lewis—The mistake you make is to think that the AbervstMyth Rural District Council can do nothing but right. (Laugh- ter.) Mr Parry—The Aberystwyth Council is, at any rate, greatly advanced to the lower divi- sion. (Laughter and cheers.) Dr Lewis-That being the case, our object is to establish a precedent. Mr C. M. Williams beginning to speak, Dr Lewis rose to a point of order and said that Mr Williams had already spoken more than once. Mr Williams proceeded to speak on a point of order, as the road was not put in order within six months and there must be a second order. Mr. R. J. Jones—That is an after-thought? (Laughter.) Mr Williams—Not at all. The Clerk said that, although Mr Williams was perfectly right in saving that a confir- matory order was required, the Council had not adhered strictly to that in the past. The question to be decided was, whether the reso- lution as to minimum width should be applied to this road, as well as future applications. The Chairman said Tregaron had been treated in that way and this road should be treated the same. Mr Peter Jones said that as the district councils concerned had practically complied with the stipulated conditions in the first in- stance, it was perfectly legitimate to accept the road, rather than go on the mere tech- nicality of a second order. The only reason why the Surveyor had not granted his certi- ficate was the resolution passed at the pre- vious meeting. It was not fair to apply that resolution in a district -which had in- curred the outlay of putting the road in order to satisfy the Council's requirements. Mr C. M. Williams-If that is so, I take it that Dr Lewis's proposition is rmlit. Dr Lewis-Both are right, but I do not get justice. (Laughter.) The Chairman—We do not get justice at Tregaron either, if that is so. He put a road in order once and. it v. as referred back. Several members asked for a vote and Mr. C. M. Williams called wr the Chairman's, ruling. Tlie Chairman—I do not want to rule, but I leave ic to rue Council. Mr Peter Jones expressed surpuse at the Chairman's reference to tne It' or ille- gality of what was done at There was an application before the Council now and it was for them to give a decision one way or the other. Air C. M. v\ i iii a in/;—I here is no applica- tion, that is the point. Mr Jones—I say there is an application, because it comes from the Main Roads Com- mittee and we require no other application, because they are satisfied that it is legal, re is not for us to take oxcepncm unless there are special. grounds and what are the- grounds ? A mere triviality that the appli- cation was not renewed. No application" has been renewed during the past few years. Why go on mere trivialities and tccllllicali- ties :J Mr Williams,—Applications have been re- newed. Replying to Mr T. Parry, the Clerk said the district councils had reported that the road was in a proper condition to be taken over, out the Suneyorcertified that it was not. Mr Parry—I should advise the lower por- tion not to commit an illegality, because they are sure to be beaten by the northern before it is do-ne. (Laughter.) Major Lewes—But this question is in re- gard to the M'idth only. The Clerk said the "district councils were now engaged in preparing the road to the Surveyor's satisfaction, but the question was, Miietoer the resolution as to minimum width should be retrospective or not. Dr Leii-is--IVill you let me add my resolu- tion to it'? (Laughter.) The matter was then put to a vote and the amendment was lost. The Committee's report was adopted. with the exception of an application by Cap- tain Jones, who is building a new cottage near Synod Inn, for permission to enclose a narrow strin of roadside land in front, which was referred back. it bein0" stated by Mr. Lima Jones that the application had not been fairly and amply discussed 1 the Commit- tee. The Annual Budget. Mr. D. C. Roberts moved the report of ,üe Finance Committee, which showed the follow- ing credit balances:— £ 3i4 12s. lOti. on the county fund; £ 287 3s. 7d. on intermediate and technical education, £ 3.o84 Is. 6d. on elementary education, and J6551 12s. Id. on the police pension fund. Ihe receipts during the quarter, with the balance in hand of £ 3,085 2s. 10d., amounted to £ 9.402 12s. lid., and the expenditure £ 9,088 0s. Id., leaving a balance of £ 314 12s. lOd. A transfer &of £ 4,915 2s. 5d., the balance of the Exchequer's contribution account, was made to the county fund. On the Education Committee's request, an application is to be made for addi- tional loan of £ 22,0 to complete the Cwm- ystwyth School buildings. An estimate of £ 120 was adopted for extensive repairs to RhydoM-en Bridge (southern division). Mr D J v> iiliams and Dr E Lloyd M ere authorised to arrange with the Surveyor for the disposal of surplus materials after the completion of Tregaron bridge. The Committee also recommended that a county rate of 7d. in the pound should be granted for the year, namely 4d. for the first six months and 3d. for the second six months of the financial --ear; together with the folloM'ing education rates:—bd. in the pound for elementary education for the current half-year and 13d. in the pound for higher education for the year (namely, Id. for technical instruction and fd. for higher and intermediate education.) The budget statement shoMed that tiie receipts dui-ina the year amounted to £ 24,443 while £ 22,924 only had been estimated. The receipts in- cluded customs and excise grants, £ 1,372 ■ licenses and estate duty xlü,802; fines and fees, £ 443; Agricultural Rates Act, £ 2,291: county rate, £ 5,691; education rates, £ 3,319^ .toi next year the estimate of receipts M*as £ 33,884. It M-as estimated that the county rate would produce £ 6,639, elementary edu- cation rate, £ 11,382, ana technical and inter- mediate eclucstion revtos £ 1^659, JLIIC expen~■ diture during the year amounted to £ 25.040 compared with the estimate of 222,089, the payments including salaries, £ 1,585; police, £ 4,075, loads and bridges, £ ^,745; public buildings, £ 375; county elections £ 151 unions for officers and lunatics, £ 4,lio- edu- cation, £ 4,237; miscellaneous, £1,190 The estimated expenditure for next vear was £32,071, which included C13,382 for elemen- tary ecitication, ;C-5,51,10 for roads and bridges. Mr Roberts, in presenting the budget, said that as a rule they were able to congratulate themselves that the estimates prepared by the Treasurer turned out verv correct. Thev had every confidence in him and oontinually found that he was correef in his estimates. (Hear, hear.) On this occasion, however, he had not been quite so successful, but the fault had not arisen through him. There was an increase from the estimate of £5,000 to ln the expenditure on roads and bridges. In connection with the administra- tive work on roads and bridges, there was a continually-increasing expenditure and veim- properly so, because the county ought to have the roads and bridges in a good condition. but he should like to draw the attention cf the Main Roads Committees and their Sur- veyors to the fact that the, ought to be able to estimate at the beginninrr of the year what they were going to undertake during the Tefll~'i, (Hear, hear.) The increased expendi- ture had been caused by taking work in hand" dunng the year M-hich had -not been thought of at the commencement. There was also"in increase in the expenditure upon miscella- neous items of about J3890 which had arisen owing to the transfer of a certain sum to the pension fund and had not been estimated be- fore hand. Last year's expenditure had risen from the estimate of L22,089 to L25,040, but on the receipts side the Treasurer was also a litfle out. Fortunately, there was a con- siderable increase in the receipts, which bad' helped the Committee in the face of the in- crease of nearly £3,000 in expenditure com- pared with the estimate. From licences and estate duty, £ 10,802 had been received, an increase 0(£1.552 compared with the estimate. That was an interesting item. What it