WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 522, 30 November 1912, Page 6

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held on Wednesday subsequent to the statutory annual meeting. There were present Crs Scholes ' (chairman), Smyth, O'Dvyyer, Berry, Were and Gregg. Tenders.—On the motion of Crs Grepg and Were the action of the chairman and committee in accepting tenders for work on the Mairos, Te Kuiti-Mokau, Totoro, and HangatikiWaHomo roads was approved. Stunn Crusher.—The chairman reported that arrangements for a crushing plant had been made with Messrs Anderson, Ltd.—On the motion of Crs Gregg and Smyth the action was confirmed. Waipa Bridge. —The Under-Secre-tary, Public Works Department, wrote suggesting the Council should invite tenders of the Kawa Bridge immediately and supervise the carrying out of the work. Cr Berry said in the course of a convf-rsation with the Minister recently the latter said it was desirable to do away with the dual control and that the local hodies did not take sufficient responsibility. He (the speaker) had said the council was quite prepared to taka responsibility provided the money was provided for the work. He would favour the Council doing the work. Cr O'Dwyer said he thought a big work, such as a bridge uE this kind, should be undertaken by the department. In ease of a flaw in the bridge or trouble of any kind ■ the Council would be iiable. The chairman said the expense of supervision would be heavy and there was no indication that the department would bear that expense. If the cost of supervision could be taken but of the votd he thought the. Council should do the work. On the motion of Crs Were and O'Dwyer the matter of calling tenders for the bridge tie left' to the chairman, Crs Berry and Gregg and engineer with power to act. Te Kuiti-Mokau Road.—The Assistant Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, wrote with respect to items of expenditure on the road stating he was having enquiry made, and on receipt of report would communicate further. —The assistant road engineer also wrote asking for particulars. —The clerk arid engineer were instructed to deal with the matter. Parakoko Road. —The assistant road engineer wrote asking the Council to deal with Mr Keighley's application for clearing the bush along the road. —Resolved on the motion of Crs Smyth and O'Dwyer that the work be done. 1

Quarrv Reserve. —The district railway engineer wrote stating the department could not give up or lease to the Council any of the railway reserve under the Waiteti viaduct, but an easepaent of a right of way over the land on the usual conditions at a pepper c<prn rental would be granted. —Resolved that the Council agree to terms suggested and refer matter to the Council solicitor. Instalment- in - Default. —The Advances Department wrote stating an instalment of £4 17s 6d, due in September, had not been paid and requesting a settlement. —The clerk said the amount should have been paid by the borough, the money being due on the original loan which had been taken over by the borough. Roads on Native Lands. —-The chief surveyor, New Plymouth, wrote with respect to roads to give access to native leased lands. It was a matter between the Council and it 3 ratepajers, and it was not likely the Survey Department would consider it incumbent on them to make these surveys un'ess a requisition from the Native Land Court asking for them were made. This was not likely after the leases were issued. Mr Bullard said he would discuss the matter further when in Te Kuiti. —Received. Hypothecated Thirds. The Receiver of Lands Revenue wrote re specting the hypothecation of thirds on sections 1 and 5, block 10, Orahiri; section 3, block 21, Orahiri, and lot 5 of section 11. —Received. Potaka Road Drain.—A long letter from R. Kidd on the subject of the Potaka road drain and work in the Aria district generally, denouncing the councillor for the riding and Council officials. The letter concluded "Written for and oh behalf of the Jews, Gentiles, and William Tell," by Roland Kidd, Gentile. —On the motion of the chairman and Cr Berry, it waß resolved that "the letter be not received." Otorohanga Road —R. G. Matthews wrote with respect to the road near the Otorohanga Domain, stating that if the Council would metal the county portion of the road, the Town Board would metal the portion within the township area. —Left to Cr Gregg to arrange with the Otorohanga Town Board to metal up to the amount of £ls, providing the Town Board provide an equal amount. Paraheka road. —T. F. W. Arndt wrote asking if the vote of £3OO on the Estimates was for the unopened portion of the road and requesting the Council to open the road as soon as possible. —The clerk was instructed to reply explaining that no information concerning the grants had been received. If there was a grant for the portion of the road indicated the Council would put the work in hand at once. Shops and Offices Act. —The clerk of the Otorohanga Town Council wrote stating the residents of the town desired to have the town made a separate district under the Shops and Offices' Act, and requested the Coun cil to bring the matter forward.—The clerk was instructed to write informing tbe Town Council that the day desired to be fixed could be decided upon, and duly gazetted by the County Council. Fences on Road. —R. H. Cowern wrnt.fl stating that the road giving

Objection to Road.—J. Budge wrote objecting to the proposal to taking land for a road deviation at Puketarata. The writer requested the chairman or engineer to visit, the locality and inspect the same. —The chairman explained these plans came along from the department, and it was assumed the department had been satisfied that the road was necessary.-—Cr Gregg said the proposal would shorten the road by about fifteen chains and would give improved access to only one settler. The deviation would cut up Mr Budge's section badly, and would cut off his water supply.—The chairman said it was difficult to deal further with the matter as the Council had already approved. Resolved that the clerk write explaining to Mr Budge, and that the engineer had been instructed to report on the matter. A Rate Claim.—V. W. Lorigan wrote in respect to a claim for rates on 3000 acres known as part of Rangitoto-Tuhua G, stating he did not own the land nor did he ever have any interest in it. —Received. Metal Pit.—Mr Budden, Honikiwi, wrote requesting permission to take a few loads of metal from the metal pit used by Mr Rothery. Request granted. Maire Road. —H. Lourie wrote re questing that thirds should be utilised 'in lifting some of. the fillings on the road.—Referred to the engineer. Native Rates. —The clerk, Clifton County, wrote asking for information respecting native rates, and Btating that his council had collected £134 out of £43s.—Received. Pungarehu Road. —J. Cole wrote drawing attention to the bad state o* the road, and requesting the Council to have repairs effected. —Referred to the engineer. Hospital Contribution.—The secretary Hospital Board wrote concerning payment of the Council's contribution, and suggesting payment by instalment.—Resolved that payment of £IOO be made. Dog Tax.— E. Transom, Pio Pio, wrote objecting to to the tax of 10s on rabbit terriers as excessive.—Received. Waitomo Road Contract. —W. J. Comer wrote requesting to know what compensation the Council would be prepared to pay for taking metal from his property. —Received. TeAhuroa Road.—Cr Berry reported that, at the request of Rangitoto settlers he proceeded to Wellington on November 10th and interviewed the Minister of Public Works concerning the grant of £I2OO for Te Ahuroa road. The Minister appeared satisfied that the money should be spent on the new road, but said he could not alter the allocation without the consent of Cabinet. He promised to obtain a report on the matter. Notice of Motion. Cr Were's motion of which notice had been given, that the time had arrived when the Council should take into consideration th purchase of a steam roller for consolidating the roads of the district, was seconded by Cr O'Dwyer. Cr Berry said he thought the time not yet opportune. The majority of the roads were soft and the country difficult. He was afraid it would be a white elephant £or a time. The money, he thought could be better expended in other directions at present. He moved as an amendment that the matter be deferred for a year.—The chairman said the Council should consider the queston of finance, and the amount it would cost to run a roller was a big item. Taking the Arapae road as an instance it would take them all they could to get the road through with the money they had available. He did not wish to throw cold water on the proposal, but he had made inquiries when at Eltham as to the cost of running rollers when in that disiict. The cost there was about £l2 a week, and about four chains a day could be rolled. In this district they could estimate the cost at £l6 a week.and they would not du more than three chains a day. He did not see how the expense could be provided for. He seconded the amendment. C O'Dwyer said if the coat was going to be so great he thought the money would be better spent in metalling. Another feature was that the metalling was not concentrated, andthe roller could not be got from place to place. The amendment on being put was carried. Kaeaea Road.—Cr Smyth was empowered to expend £7 or £8 in repairs to the Kaeaea road. Counties adjustment. On the motion of Crs O'Dwyer and Smyth the clerk was instructed to arrange for an adjustment of accounts between Ohura and Waitomo Counties. Workmen's Loyalty. —■ The Waihi Borough Council forwarded a letter requesting the Council's co-operation by demanding that all the workmen employed by the Council be requested to take the oath of allegiance.—Resolved that the Council take no action.

ENGINEERS' REPORT. Since last meeting I inspected, in company with Mr Donaldson, Public Works engineer, the various works in hand by the Council in the Te Kuiti road district, and also the completed works on which claims were recently made from the Public Works Department. With regard to the works jn hand and proposed I beg to report as follows Hangatiki - Waitomo Road. — Tenders which were called previous to your last meeting for the metalling of this road were received, and Contract No. 1 was let to Messrs Tarry and Cartwright. As, however, the prices tendered for Contract No. 2 were above the estimate, fresh tenders have since been called, in connection with which the Council agrees to supply a crushing plant. Previous

nection With getting metal cff native land along the road, and on the chairman, clerk and myself inspecting the proposed quarry it was ultimately decided to take it under the Public Works Act. Caves Road. Good progress has been made during the month with the metalling contract in hand on this road. There is now about a mile of the road metalled under the existing contract with Messrs Powell and Co. With regard to the earthwork contract on this road, Mr Swanson has been offered, as instructed, an additional £lO, on the satisfactory completion of his contract, but so far the work has not been completed. Te Kuiti to Te Kumi.—As instructed Cr Berry and myself inspected the proposed repairs along the Te Kumi flat, and in this connection all the drains have been cleaned out. The road is now drying up fast and will shortly be ready for metalling. Arapae Road. —A fresh start has been made during the munth by Mr Innis on the first contract he has in hand for metalling on this road. Mr Innis is making all arrangements to expedite the work, and if the weather permits, expects to complete both contracts this season. I inspected the slips which occurred on Smith's formation contract, and consider under the circumstances, that a sum of £25 would repay him for the extra work entailed and not anticipated when tendering. An engineering survey for dray road formation was also male of the uncompleted portion of this road, a distance of one mile twentyfive chains, plans and specifications for which are now being prepared.

Te Kuiti-Mokau Road. Tenders which were called previous to last meeting, for metalling a portion of this road between the seventeen and eighteen mile pegs, have since been received and the tender of Mr J. McGrath's was accepted. Totoro and Fotaka Roads.—Tenders were invited during the month for the metalling of the whole of the Totoro road, a distance of four miles thirtythree chains, and the contract was let to Messrs Hickson and West. 1 propose shortly to call tenders for the metalling of the Potaka road. Mairoa Road.—Tenders were also called and received, for widening and metalling a distance of two miles thirty-five chains on this road near the Mairoa township, the successful tenderer being Mr H. Rothery. Hauturu-Otorohanga Road. Mr Rothery has made a fresh start with his metalling cuntract on this road, and Mr Cameron is also preparing to do likewise. Te Raumakau Road.—l inspected as instructed, the 'contract for hand breaking metal on this road, the price that the contractors are getting 5s 6d per cubic yard which would appear to be a good price, but as the metal has turned out to be exceptionally hard, and they have agreed and are paying 6d per yard royalty, and have also to form six or seven chains of formation, the price now seems hardly sufficient. However,,- there are not sufficient funds under the existing allocation to increase the price. I propose in a few days to call tenders for carting and spreading the metal. —E. R. GOULD, County Engineer. No cold will stay if driven away by Tonking's Linseed Emulsion. 1/6, 2/6, 4/6.