COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 97, 19 December 1912, Page 8

COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. Ti;e monthly mooting of tlie Stratford County Council was held yesterday, when there were present: The Chairman (Or. \V. Hathaway), Councillors J. Smith, J. Christoff el, E. Marfell, E. Walter, P. Thomson, and W. Rogers. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Mr E. C. Robinson, County Engineer, reported as follows: “ “Work in hand.— I The drainage contract in Makuri Valley is proceeding steadily and should be out of liana in about six weeks. The metalling o; the gap on Mangaehu Road has been • commenced. Ihe boulder contracts in South and West Ridings are progressing steadily. Green has finished his contract and moved out to Waiwiri roan to commence the re-metalling contract of one mile of this road. The bridge gang have completed Young’s Bridge, the concrete culvert on Mangaehu road the re-decking of Manganui Bridge, and are now putting up a small structure to give access to Waipuku gravel pit. After this they will erect the Einnerty Road bridge. The engineshed Inis been completed, and the Toko cottage will be out of hand very short!}. The grader has been pu into commission, and is doing excellent iVork on East Road. Messrs Ander son have not yet been able to procure a driver for the roller. It is urgently needed in connection with re metalling work now being carried out. “General.—As instructed, a water cart has been ordered. Mr Hoi Ia re states that the price agreed on foi the site‘for cottage on Manaia Roar was to be clear of all expenses, etc., hence the fencing is a matter for the Council. The only satisfactory way of dealing with Lower Pembroke Roan will be to scarify it, add sufficient ex tra metal to make a fair coat, and then roll it in. This would cost about £2OO per mile. As a result of en q nines 1 find that there is no chance of getting further metal from Sentry Hill, consequently it would be necessary to invite fresh tenders for Toko and Gordon Road metal.” FOREMEN’S REPORTS.

North Riding West.—The foreman reported that the men were pushing on ■nth the re-metalling of the Mountain Road as fast as they could, and had now about a mile done. With regard to the Rutland Road, 34 cubic yards of maintenance metal had been put on, also 10 cubic yards at the Waipuku creamery. The other roads had not had much attention on account of the re-metalling operations, but, al things considered, were in fair order. North Riding East.—During the month, general maintenance work has been carried out on the various roads. The- new metal on Beaconsfield Roar had been blinded, and a start would now be made to get out boulders for Salisbury Road. Logs were being waggoned along Stanley Road East, and if this was continued much damage would be done to the road.

South Riding.—All the roads were in fair order, and most of the month had been spent in blinding them. East Riding (Toko). —The roughei portion of Toko Road East had been repaired for the wool traffic. The unmetalled portion of Ahuroa Road East was now in a good state of repair. Loose metal was showing up freely on the metalled roads on account of the dry weather. Portions of the Ohura Road had been cleared of stumps tgive the grader a chance to work more effectively. Up to the present, the foreman had not been able to get teams for the metalling of Toko Road East, but had the promise of several after the New Year.

East Riding (Douglas).—All the roads under the care of the foreman were in very fair order. A set of bin. pipes on Strathmore Saddle in place of an old rotten wooden culvert, had been put in, a slip cleared on the Mangaotuki Saddle, general work had been done on the Ohura-Mangaein Road.

East Riding (Huiroa). —Mainten a nee work had been carried out on the various roads under this foreman’s control, and they wore all in fair order, with the exception of the Douglas Road South, which would be attended to forthwith.

West Ruling.—Roads were in good order. The work of regrading the hill on Opunake Road, near Mr Malone’s, was well in hand, and would he completed in a few days. Mangaehu Riding.—The heavy rail of a fortnight ago had brought dowr a lot of slips on all the roads in this riding, but they were all clear 'd except the Puniwhakau, Taihore, aiut Mangaehu South Roads. All the other roadr were in fair order. Two overflow culverts had been put in, and watertables cleaned on the old Manga Road. The Taihore Road to foot of sa.idlo had to be repaired, and the saddle would he attended to in about a week’s time. Deputations. Mr. Hare waited upon the Council with the request that the grades diould be reduced on the Makara-Ra-tapiko roads to enable tbe settlers to cart their wool out with less difficulties. Some of the grades were very steep, and in the winter it was as much as the settler could do to take an empty trap up them. His wool cost him 6s per bale to be carried out eight or nine miles. Teams had to “double-bank” in most cases. —Referred to the Engineer to consider, with a £oO limit. The Huzziff Case. Mr. T. Huzziff waited on the Council with regard to a petition to b > presented to Parliament praying for compensation for land taken and drains alleged to have been rendered useless through the Stratford-Te Koura railway. The matter was reported fully in the columns of the “Stratford Evening Post” some time

Exception was taken by Councillors that some of the names on the petition were not ratepayers in that district. It was pointed out, however, that the petition commenced: “We. the undersigned settlers, ratepayers, and residents.”

Councillor Walter said he recngnisod that tlio drains must do kont clour. If the Railway Department did not clean out its drains it was a pnoi' look-out for the settlers. lie was not in favour of endorsing the i s--1 incite of the losses, though he recognised the settlers had suffered damage. ‘'We do know,” he continued,

“that some settlers have been compensated. and we know that these have not been'so treated, hut wo cannot estimate the damage done t< stock or land.” The Engineer stated that if tin Government drains were not kep

cleaned, the roads would possibly be inundated. A resolution was moved by Councillor Thomson “That this Council considers the Government should pay compensation for land taken for ;oilway purposes between Huiroa and ie Wera, and that all drains and outlets for water be cleaned annually, as at present a large area of land is being damaged by their blockage.”

The Chairman seconded the motion. Councillor Marfell raid he was quite in favour of the matter so far as the drains were concerned, but he did not think the Council should come between the settlors and the Department In the matter of compensation for land taken. The drains being left uncleaned was a hardship that the settlers could not bo expected to put up with, but the compensation for land was a different matter. The fact of the railway going through their property was compensation, although, they knew very well that private owners of land had received a big value for land taken. It seemed a little hit unfair that these men, for instance, should have to go without anything like that. He did not think, however, that the Government should be compelled to pay compensation for land taken, particularly when that land was the Government’s own land. He moved an amendment that the .first portion of the motion bo deleted. Councillor Thomson stood for compensation for land taken and damages as wall. Councillor Smith could not see why the present Government should have to pay for the maladministration of past Governments. *• Councillor Christoffel stated that in his opinion Crown tenants were just as much entitled to compensation as other land holders.

The motion was carried, the amendment lapsing.

Correspondence.

Mr. J. W. Poynton wrote acknowledging receipt of the Council’s application for the following loans—namely, £3OO to metal the Makuri (Huiroa) Road, etc., £1350 to deviate. form and metal Waihapa Road, £2lO to metal a continuation of Regan Street, and stating that as the Council had already reached the £SOOO limit, which was still in force, these applications at the present juncture cOnkl not be entertained.

It was decided to refer the matter to Sir. J. B. Hine, M.P., and to keep the matter under the notice of the Government.

Mr. E. C. Horner, Clerk to the Patea County Council, wrote with reference to the recovery of native rates, asking for united effort of County Councils in order to effect an amendment of the law making it workable, and assured that native rates could bo recovered.

Tt was decided to point out to the Patea County Council that the question did not affect the Stratford County Council. Out of Lean Money. Mr. H. 0. Caraway, Whakatane County Clerk, wrote with reference to the cost of supervision of road works, etc., out of grants. He brought before the notice of the Council the fact that Councils were not allowed to charge anything against the various Government grants for roads and bridges to cover the cost of sxipervision. This, his Council considered, was not right, as considerable expense was incurred each year in preparing schemes, making surveys, laying off works, and for supervision generally. His Council had been in communication with the Minister of Public Works in this matter, but that gentleman had replied that he regretted being unable to favourably entertain the Council’s application. Ho asked that the Council approach the Minister by letter, and also enlist the aid of the member for the district in order to have clause 4 on the authority deleted.—Endorsed. Gensral, Season’s greetings were exchanged between the Stratford Borough Council and the County.

With regard to the obtaining a supply of metal for Toko and Gordon Roads, it was decided to authorise East Riding members to interview Mr. J. B. Mine, M.P., in the hope of being able to obtain metal from the Skinner Read gravel pit. Failing this tenders will bo called. The dog tax Was'fixed at 2s 6d for sheep and cattle dogs, and 10s for sporting and all other dogs. The sawmillers carting logs on the Stanley Road were given notice to discontinue such traffic.

Councillor Smith moved that the Engineer he instructed to get out sufficent metal to repair the Pembroke Road.

The Engineer stated that for the mile and a half six hundred yards would bo required. The motion was carried.