WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 551, 19 March 1913, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held on Monday evening last. There were present —Crs Scholes chairman, Hoffman, O'Dwyer, Smyth, Berry, Were, Johnston and Gregg. Arapae Road. —The district road engineer wrote approving of plans for re-forming and metalling 2 miles 12.70 chains of the Arapae road.—Received Aria Loan. —The Advances Department wrote with respect to the balance of the above loan that an advanced rate of interest would require

to be paid for the same and requesting the council to pass the necesary resolutions to enable it to get the amount. —On the motion of Crs Smyth and O'Dwyer the resolution was proposed and carried. Altered Boundaries. —The ValuerGeneral wrote stating that when the Ohura County adjusted its boundaries with Whangamomona County it incidentally altered its northern boundary and requesting to know if the Waitomo county council concurred in the alteration.—Left to clerk to reply. Waiwhakaata Road.—The acting-dis-trict, engineer wrote approving plans and specifications for work on the road and intimating that the conditional portion of the money will have to be expended and the council' 3 portion contributed before the free money could be touched.—The engineer said he had received authority to spend £99, but was awaiting a reply from the Government engineer.

Closing a Track.—J. Lithgow wrote stating that his neighbour had fenced off his outlet, a Maori track, and requesting information on the subject. —The clerk said he had written advising Mr Lithgow to consult a solicitor. —Resolved that the clerk write to Mr Cornwall pointing out that he should not close the track until Mr Lithgow had proper access to his place. Liability foi accident. Messrs Bamford and Brown wrote on behalf of Mr T. Snowdon, giving notice that they intended to bring an action against the council in consequence of an accident whereby Mr Snowdon's son had his hand seriously injured. The boy found some detonators which it islclaimed had been negligently left on the roal by the council workmen, and one of the detonators exploding seriously injured the boy's hand.—The letter had been referred to Messrs Broadfoot and F?nlay, county solicitors, who wrote asking for ' instructions. Resolved that the County solicitors be instructed to defend any action and that the council accept no responsibility. Ministerial Visit.—A telegram was received from the Hon. W. H. Herries, intimating that he was visiting Te Kuiti on March 19th.—The chairman suggested if any proposals to place before the Minister should be arranged. Cr Smyth said the matter of getting a grant on the MokauOhura road. There were certain other roads which should be mentioned. Cr Johnston said the matter of enlarging the goods shed at Hangatiki should be brought before the Minister's notice. Cr Berry said the settlers between Te Kuiti and Poro-o-tarao intended waiting on the Minister urging that a stock track should be made between the place 3 mentioned. The track ran] through native lands and the matter he thought,, was within the jurisdiction of the Minister. Road Access.—N. I. Scott, Kakepuku, wrote stating 'he had no road access and requesting a remission of rates for a year.—Received.

R. P. Hill wrote requesting a connection between his waggon track and the Pirongia road, asking permission to deviate.—Referred to the

engineer. Private Telephones.—L. J. Bacon, Mapiu, wrote for information with respect to installing private telephone by the County Council.—Cr Smyth said the settlerß should have whatever assistance was necessary. On the motion oil Crs Smyth and Berry it was resolved to write for further particulars with a view to assisting the settlers.

Metal Supply.—The engineer for the Matamata County Council wrote with respect to a supply of. metal.— The clerk said he had written intimating the council intended doing nothing ii, the matter in the near future. Te Tahi Road—H. Yeates wrote drawing attention to the bad state of Te Tahi road and offering to do the repairs.—Referred to the engineer and member for the riding. Rangitoto Road.—A petition signed by twenty settlers on the Rangitoto block was received requesting that the road be taken through McCardle's valley instead of as authorised by the Government.—The chairman said he and Cr Berry had looked over the road and concluded it was the best road. However, he understood the Government engineer was of opinion the road over the hill was the best.—Resolved that the engineer be requested to report on the matter. Mangaotaki Road.—Mr J. Daly, wrote stating it was understood a Bum of £l4O out of thirds was available for expenditure on the Mangaotaki road,and requesting to know if the county could prepare a contract for the expenditure of the road.—Cr Were said he thought the place referred to was in Awakino County.—The clerk was instructed to reply to the effect that the council could not expend Awakino thirds. Tenders.—The tender of H. Rothery £1079 lis Bd, was accepted or metalling the Arapae road Right-of-Way Messrs Broadfoot and Pinlay forwarded a deed of dedication to the county of a right-of-way to the Waiteti quarry—The chairman and Cr Berry together with the clerk were appointed to execute the document on behal f of the council. Road Sub-division.—The road subdivision of Mr R. H. Cowern's property was approved by the council.

Crushing Plant.—The chairman reported trot the crusher supplied by Meßsrs Anderson Ltd, had be:n taken over by the council. The plant had not run tco well at first, but it had given satisfactory results when it had been run for a short time. The eon-

tractor was satisfied with the output and the work was going on well. —On the motion of Crs Gregg and Hoffman the committee' action was endorsed. Cr Gregg was appointed to represent the council at the banquet to the Hon. W. H. Herries to be held on Wednesday. Pungarehu Loan.—Cr Were said he would like to know if it was possible to proceed with the loan. The settlers wished to push this loan ahead. There was a butter factory being established at Waitanguru, and it was advisable to go ahead with as much metalling as possible. He wished to have the council's consent to proceed. Granted.

Arapae Road.—Cr Were sugseated that the portion of the road which it was intended to metal by day work should be gone on with. He thought if the contractors who were metalling the adjoining piece were given the day work to do it would be advisable. —The eningeer agreed and was empowered to proceed as suggested. Caves Road Contract.—The chairman reported that the committee apponited to deal with the matter had given notice to ths contractor to cancel the contract-Mr Powell waited on the council and explained his position after which on the motion of Crs Berry and Gregg, the committee's action was confirmed.- -The chairman, Cr Johnston, and the engineer were empowered to make arrangements with Mr Powell for the plant. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

I beg to report upon the works under the charge of the council since your last meeting as follows: Potaka.—Mr Lewis made a start with his metalling contract on ihis road and completed 21 chains. Good river shingle i 3 being obtained and the work generally h being carried out.

Totoro.—Messrs Hickson and West are proceeding slowly with their metalling contract, but are going good work, a distance of 44 chains has now been completed, Mairoa.—The metalling and formation contracts on this road which are being carried out by Mr Rothery are now nearly completed. Mairoa.—The metalling and formation contracts on thin road which are being carried out by Mr Rothery are now nearly completed. The works include 2 miles 35 chains of formation, and 5 miles 30 chains of metalling, all of which have been taken in hand this season

Arapae.—Mr Innes is now metalling the portion of this road near the Te Kumi road junction and should finish his contract at an early date. He had the misfortune during the month to get one of his men killed through the overturning of a dray caused by the horses shying. Mr Ormsby has now completed about 60 chains of metalling on his contract. The (formation contract let to Mr Rothery, a distance of 1 mile 26 chains is now completed and a good job has been made of the work. Tenders were invited during the month for the metalling of a further 2 miles 13 chains on this road, the lowest tender being that of Mr Rothery. There now only remains about 11 miles to be done to complete the whole of the metalling on this road. There are not sufficient funds, however, out of the allocation and subsidy to complete this portion As temporary creek crossings have been made the road is now roughly passable throughout for wheel traffic. Hangatiki to Waitomo.— Messrs Tarry and Cartwirght have now completed over 2 miles of metalling on this road. They are pushing on well with the work, and if weather conditions are favourable should complete the contract this season. Mr Lawson is now making fair progress with his contract. His work was somewhat hampered for a time, owing to the unavoidable delay by the council in handing over the new crushing plant for use on the contract. Caves Road.—Owing to unsatisfactory progress by Mr Powell with his metalling contract on this road, the contract has been cancelled The council has given him every assistance and consideration that could reasonably be expected, but it is now forced to take this step. Waitomo Road. An engineering survey has been made and plans prepared of a formation and metalling contract on this road, extending from the end of present metalling. A con tract was also laid off and plans prepared of an extension on this road, a distance of 12 chains, to give accesß to Mr Bailey's section. Te Raumauku Road. Mr Naylor has now carted and spread about 74 chains of metal on this road. Mokau-Ohura Road.—With reference to the Mokau-Ohura road the engineer reported as follows: —With regard to the accrued thirds which the council petitioned to expend on portions of the Mokau-Ohura road, I found that considerable earthworks were necessary on the portion referred to before it would be advisable to lay metal. I therefore arranged to get this done. The balance of money available, if any, will be spent in metalling.