PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 414, 5 April 1879, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above body was held at the Council Chambers, Carlyle, on Wednesday last. Present— Messrs McGuire (chairman), Winchcomb, Partridge, Sherwood, Milne, Brewer, King, Horner, and Dale. Minutes of : previous meeting read and coniirmed. The standing orders were suspended, to discuss the action of the Hawera Road Board, in not advertising when the amended valuation roll might be inspected, in accordance with the decision o£ the Assessment Court. The notice not having appeared in that morning’s Mail caused enquiry to be made, and it was decided to go into the matter as soon as the Council met.—Mr King, as Secretary of the Board, stated that the notice had not been inserted, as the members considered it was the business of the Assessment Court, who had upset the previous valuation. The Act provided that it was the duty of the Court.—Several members after having read the clause bearing on the matter also agreed that it was the duty of the Court. —The following resolution was proposed by Mr Sherwood, seconded by Mr Winchcomb, and carried, “That in the opinion of this Council, it is one of the functions of the Judge of the Assessment Court to make all arrangements for the completion of valuation lists and public inspection thereof, when the previous valuation has been upset.”— Mr Sherwood consented to take a copy of the resolution to Captain Wray, and also hear what that gentleman had to say on the subject. On returning, Mr Sherwood informed the Council that Captain Wray had forwarded a letter of instruction to Hawera Road Board, which was all required of the Court.—Mr King admitted to the letter having been received, but it was left at the clerk’s private residence after office hours, and thd'membera of the Board had resolved not to acknowledge it. MiKing at the same time stated that an advertisement had been forwarded to the PateA Mail on the strength of the letter. which was countermanded before insertion. [The discussion dropped here, but we believe an advertisement was telegraphed to the Wanganui Herald, for insertion that

evening, go as to be on the safe side. A great deal of trouble and expense might Imve been saved, bad a little forethought been used by the chairman of the Board.] The correspondence read was not of an important character. The following report was read from the Public Works Committee : “Gentlemen, —We have the honor to report that since the last meeting of the Council we have mot, and carefully inspected the whole of the Mountain Road from Hawora to Stratford, and the County road from Ilawera to Waitotara. The road from Hawora to the Taungatara will be examined and reported upon before the next meeting of tiie Council. Commencing with the Mountain Hoad at its junction with the County road at Hawera. From this point to near Lloyd’s corner the road is in a fair state. The loose stones are to he collected and broken, and used with other metal in repairs; There is a very awkward turn in tiie road opposite Lloyd’s Hotel, which must be widened. From this point to Hunter’s, the roadway is narrow, high, ami dangerous, and requires widening, and in places metalling. The water-tables on both sides of the road require thoroughly cleaning out, and the surface water drained off. This can be done by putting in a box culvert from Lloyd’s corner down the side street a few chains. Some arrangement should be come to with the Town Board, so as to have the pathway levels definitely settled. From Hunter’s corner to the Glover road only very slight repairs are needed. From there to Nonnanby it is in a very bad state, and requires immediate attention. Fresh tenders have been called for putting 600 yards of metal upon this portion of the road, the committee being of opinion that this course will be the best, owing to the lateness of the season. A light track is being made by day-labor on the north side of this portion of the road. The committee are of opinion that a track should also be made on the south side, from the Glover Road to Nonnanby, so as to relieve, as much as possible, the traffic on the middle of the road. The road through Nonnanby is formed. A series of mistakes have been made here. A deep drain has been cut along the north side., and the earth from it thrown away to waste, although the formation was not higu enough. The chairman of the County having been authorised to have the formation raised three inches, entered into a contract for clearing the road 20 feet wider - , and making another drain. This drain will require an expensive culvert, to render it of any service. At the junction of the old Mountain and the new road past Nonnanby, the road will have to be raised. An objection having been made by Honi Pihama to the road going through a small corner of his land, the committee recommend that a letter be written to Major Brown, asking him if he will endeavor to arrange the matter. From this point to Johnstone’s Hotel the road has been metalled, and nearly the whole of it taken over. There does not appear to have been any care taken to prevent the contractors from pulling on a quantity of very large stones*. When asked, the contractors agreed to break the stones on (lie portion not taken over, and orders were given that no more large stones be taken out of the pit. Good progress is being made with this work. Borne portion of the metal requires blinding, and the whole of the large st Kies broken. This can be done by tiie surface-men. Orders were given to put on two surface-men between flaw era and Johnstone’s Hotel, and to put in protection posts at intervals through all cuttings, t > protect the banks and watertables. From Johnstone’s Hotel to M‘Lean’s contract, the rood is in a good state for summer traffic, the main difficulty being the alleged absence of gravel. The committee have good reason, howeVer, to think that gravel will he found at several places adjacent to the road, when systematically looked after. Mr M,Lcan, the contractor, does not appear to bo making such progress as he ought. He should be informed that he must adhere more to the conditions as to time in his contract. The committee inspected the proposed deviation near Stiatford, and are of opinion that such is not required, as it is only proposed to be done to give the approach to Stratford a better appearance. The committee, therefore, recommend that tenders be at once invited for forming this section along the present Hue. The committee are of opinion that if gravel can be found, as expected, the road may be kept open through the winter. The Committee visited the gravel pits at the Waingongoro, and found the metal good, with a large supply, but heavy stripping. The Committee recommend that these pits should be thoroughly opened up, and proper roads made into them. The Foreman was instructed to see that greater care was exorcised to exclude sand veins from the gravel at the pits. The Committee recommend that the Waihi pit be again opened.

“ County road —From Hnwera to the top of tlie Tongalioe hill, portions have been let for gravelling ; other portions will require patching. All loose stones are to be collected and broken, water' tables to be looked after and cleared ofteiier. A culvert is to be put in at the junction of the district road on the Tongalioe hill. A short protection fence should be erected to prevent cattle breaking down the enbankment and choking- the water fables. This portion of the road is being coated with the worst metal ever used in the County. The excuse is that better cannot be procured, yet there is on both sides of the road, in one place actually on the road, large deposits of excellent metal. Instructions have been given to have this metal at once opened np. The Manawapou hill has always been a source of trouble, and will be so until gravel is found adjacent to' it. It will be kept open this winter by the use of the coarse sand ; meantime every effort will be made to discover gravel. The Committee have examined the Devil’s Elbow, in the Manutahi Gorge. There has always been an impression that the Devil’s Elbow could be easily straightened, but the Committee advise the Council not to interfere with it, as it could only be' done at an enormous expense, and even then there would not be much improvement. The Committee visited Mcßae’s pit. The gravel is of fair quality, but more care must be taken to exclude sand. There are places on the road which are used as watering places, and in consequence of this the road has been seriously damaged. The Council have alread}- been put to considerable expense to repair these places, and more will now have to be expended upon them. The Committee advise the Council to have these places securely fenced in, and watering places ma'de, by excavating in the cuttings at suitable places all through the County road. The surface men can do this. A protection fence is also required «it the sandhiils. The cuttings were clayed and turfed by the Government at a very large cost. They have been broken up by stray cattle. The

saiicl is beginning to drift, and will shortly destroy' the road if not attended to. The road from the sandhills to the bridge is in good order, except the hill leading to the bridge, which requires patching. From the Patoa Bridge to near Newland’s gate, the road is in a fair state, but requires more attention. From that point, most of the road is under contract; or being tendered for. An oversight has been committed by the Foreman allowing the contractors to put on large lumps of metal. The specifications should in future provide for this. From Verry’s pit to the Waitotara Bridge the road has beeri seriously damaged by the Wanganui Count}' Council, who ought to put it in repair. The water tables require clearing out, and another culvert put in in the Waitotara township. Bridges Special care and attention must bo paid to these structures; They are now being set up, and now bed plates being put in. It is found that the cast iron plates are broken in many places, and wrought iron is now being substituted. The centre cord of the Manawapou is sprung, and will not be capable of sustaining a heavy weight until strengthened. The power of the Council to limit weight passing over bridges should be ascertained, and fines inflicted. These single span bridges are supposed to sustain a weight of four to six tons, but they have frequently to sustain, in the aggregate, nine or tert tons at once. Unless this is discontinued, there will bo a serious accident. The floor of the Waitotara Bridge is in a disgraceful state,- and the attention of the Wanganui Council should be drawn to it.

“ The Committee advise the Council to adopt the following further suggestions— That a four ton iron roller bo procured. The committee believe that this will save the county much expense, and make a far better road than by any other means. Also two'good teams and drays. At present the system is expensive, uncertain, and generally most unsatisfactory. That men be emplo3 r ed at the current rate of wages to prospect for gravel, the conditions being that if they do not discover a pit within a given time—say afortnight—their services be dispensed with ; if they do find a pit, they should open it out and lay bare the metal sufficiently to show its quantity and quality, and if satisfactory to the Foreman and committee they be paid a bonus of £2o—all pits so found on Government land, to be made reserves. Mr Yerry’s pit should bo leased and a permanent road made into it. A supply of proper working tools should be procured. Tenders should be called for them, and they should be stamped and branded, and regularly accounted for. Greater care should be exercised in signing contracts. Plans and specifications should be on view in' the clerk’s office, where the originals of all should be kept. In addition to newspaper advertising, permission should be obtained to post at all post offices copies of aIT advertised tenders ; this would give greater publicity to the announcements. The committee are of opinion that the Foreman of Works has far too much to do to be able to attend to it properly, and therefore advise the Council to employ Mr Wright, junior, or some other suitable person, to act as assistant Foreman until the Mountain Road works are completed. In closing the report the committee desire to impress upon the Council the practical utility of the recommendations contained in it, and of the necessity of having them carried out. If this is done, and proper attention paid to them, the Council will be relieved from much detail work.

“G. F. Sherwood, “Chairman P. W. Committee.”

Report adopted, with the exception of the portions referring to the purchase of roller and teams, some members considering it would not be judicious at present to procure these items. The Committee appointed to report on Fisher and Ballam’s claim, recommended that the sum of £36' be paid to them, as they had been misled by the ambiguity of the conditions. The Committee considered they had acted in a hona fide manner, and suggested that more care should be exercised for the future, in drawing out specifications of works.

The surgeon reported five patients in the Hospital during the month of March, who wore all on a fair way to recovery. Abstract of accounts for the month of March, showed—Receipts ; Licenses, £4O Is; rates, £137 ‘2s 5 l ; miscellaneous, £6 13s ; Hospital (donation from Councillors Dale, Sherwood, and Horner), £3O. Total, £213 IGs fid. Expenditure : Hospital, £44 16s ; salaries, £37 10s ; Public Works, £435 7s Id ; miscellaneous, £lO7 12s Id ; advertising, &c., £lB 15s 6d ; J. M‘Lean, deposit account, £l4O. Total, £784 0s Bd.

Accounts wore passed for payment. Proposed b3 r Mr Sherwood, seconded by Mr King, and carried, That final payments be made on contracts Nos. 7, 8, and 9 (J. M‘Lean), No. 5 (Manning and Hughes) No. 6 (W. Aikman), and that contractors be informed that, for the future, if they exceed their time, the full penalty will be enforced.”

Proposed by Mr King, seconded by Mr Partridge, “ That this Council approve of a grant of £SO to tire Hawera Institute and Reading Room.”—The mover and seconder explained that a grant of land had been given by Government in trust, for the erection of the building, on condition that the reading room was a free one. This was theii reason for applying to the Council, as they could not borrow money on the building.—Mr Sherwood would vote Cor the the resolution. —MiMil ne, although in favor of supporting such institutions, thought the Council had as much as it could do to keep their roads and bridges in icpair, and he must therefore vote against it.—Mr Dale said if this vote were passed, all the other townships would require a similar grant, and were equally entitled to it. Settlers did not like taxation, but by passing the resolution it would mean the expenditure of £2OO on different institutions in a few months, and an additional tax of £d in the £ would have to be levied. He considered the people should put their hands in their pockets and pay the money. It was not the duty of the Council to do so.—Mr Brewer was in favor of the resolution. He thought Hawera was entitled to help, being a large town, and if other places applied, they must wait.—Mr Winchcomb spoke in favor of the vote, but said the Council must expect to have an application from Waverley shortly.—On the motion being put, it was carried on division. Ayes—Winchcomb, Brewer, King, Partridge, Sherwood, and McGuire. Noes—Milne, Dale. Proposed by Mr King, seconded by Mr Mr Dale, and carried, “ That tenders be called for draining that portion of the Mountain Road running through Hawera, in accordance with the plkns add specifications of the Foreman of Works.” After the passing of the above resolution, attention o£ members was directed to the plans and specifications of the Foreman of Works. It was discovered that he had overstepped the bounds of his office entirely

and bad everything prepared for making, footbpatbs and curbing in the Town of Hawera, works not authorised by the Council. When asked his reasons for having done this, the Foreman said he thought it would improve the appearance of the town. A warm discussion then, ensued, and Mr Dale tabled a notice of motion that the foregoing resolution be rescinded. The Council then went into Committee, on tenders. On resuming, the report of ‘ the Committee was adopted, and the fol- ■ lowing tenders accepted : No. 18 —Supplying 500 yards gravel, Mountain Bond, D. Hughes, at 9s Gd per yard.

No. 35—Constructing light track, James \ Bowie, at £3 10s per chain. No. 39—Lowering road at Waverley, Kennedy add Co., £SO. No. 23—Gravelling at Waverley, Kennedy and Co., £8 5s per chain. No. 48—Delivering planking at Patea Bridge, Hudson and Guy, 17s per 100 feet. No. 40—Depositing gravel near Waverley,'Joseph Hughes, 10s Gd per yard. No. 42—Depositing gravel at Manutahi; F. Woller.

No. 43—Depositing gravel at Manutahi, D. Hughes, 7s Gd per yard. No. 45—Depositing gravel near Hawera,Dingle Brothers, 10s per yard. Mr Wincbcomb proposed the notion, of motion standing iii his name, seconded by Mr Sherwood, “ That out of the proceeds of land sales in the Momohaki, a sum of £3OO be voted for opening suitable road or roads to the block.”—Mr Dale proposed an amendment, seconded by Mr Horner, “ That the foregoing question stand over for further co isideration.” -Mr Dale stated that he wds in favor of giving grants to Road Boards out of amounts received from Government for land sales, but the Council not having received any from that particular block, he considered the matter should be held over.-—The amendment was carried on division. Ayes: King, Partridge, Horner, Dale, M'Guire. Noes : Wincbcomb, Brewer, Sherwood,Milne. The Council then adjourned.