STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 74, 27 November 1913, Page 2

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY Y.:.10n

The monthly litefe-nig of ...0 Stratford County Council was held Yesterday. Present: Crs. Huthaway (chairman), Were, Walters, Young, Rog3vs, Smith, Anderson, Thomson, and Cllristofl'el. ENGINEER'S REPORT. :

The engineer (Mr E. C. Robinson) reported: Work in Hand.-Since last meeting satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Stratford Borough Council for the hire of its road roller, and the latter has been at work on Beaconsfield and Salisbury Roads during the past month. Th« re-metal-ling of a portion of Beaconsfield Road was completed and the Salisbury Road re-metalling is well in hand. The metal is being still supplied from the Manganui site, where the crushing plant is still engaged. Maintenance metal has also been.supplied to North Mountain Road and for re-metal undone of the hills on York Road. The •e-<'rading and re-metalling of the renaming hill has been put in hand and frhen this is completed the whole of York Road up to Derby Road will have been re-metalled since the striking of the separate rate on the road. Before the crushing plant comes out of'the North Riding I propose doing ■he work necessary on Denbigh Road -,o as to avoid more than one crossing if the Te Popo bridge. The re-deck-ing and cleaning of the Kahouri bridge, Mountain Road, is well in 'lane?. ' During the month 1 have laid off for re-formation seven chains of Opunake Road No. 2 in the bend cast of Hastings Road, a'ncl the foreman has been instructed to proceed with the worts. The present level of the road m the dip will be raised five feet and the iend materially improved. The South Riding contractor is, making satisfactory progress with}ns contract. Af Kef'the County road roller finished work on Cheal Road it was sent to Toko, where it is still engaged. The Toko' and Standish Road re-metalling has been rolled in, but requires to be treated again before satisfactory-com-pletion. The Ohura Road for a distance of over a mile has been reinstated and now that the two small bridges east of Toko iiav'e been Strengthened the roller, : will.b,e able .to roll the t-e-metalling length on Gordon 'Roart, -after)which I propose' temfiynig and rolling in the Ohura, Road from Toko to the foot of Sangster's Hill. The crushed' ffroih-'MiMlrsi H ?frbw being sent down to -Gordon Road. During the moiftll'l 'visaed! Ttituta'wato inve rtig-ate/MlfW.''-Wiu-cVrfebmpl.iint ••(> encroachment r of the' 'road formal f ion b| ■ hisMprbperty.'''' I found thn'b'^th , the ,; tion of one'point ; no 'cnt-rdaebriu'nt f < exists. I have since seen Mr Ward •ind explained that there would be no liffieulty in his fencing on the ■prrtp?r' boundary. An attempt was. made to complete the metalling of Mangaelui Road, but,owing- to he- wot weather it had ot be'.a-lkandoiißd. ,(.Th«.uvhflloi of the iroekb*<rquirKd' for-.ithe! purpo*-ftv< is, a i. bias lorfoH *<H www (hhjerA. lrpR.JRM#N.'s tRFEQRT&i • h■ i North \[(ftmta|n ir ,RQad -jiave.been raked ftJWfi ■•epaired. \,, The, ke^bing.-iii,.;M.id}iij;st;. township-, is.,becpming, very , rotten..hi?, places. i '..York tion and metaJlJngvQj one,-.0f,-thei hilfe 'ias been, -% completed \n (jnd > a tunnel driven.,to. replace.-an .'old -',cnl-< Vgjft. The. other hill wilMie taken in hand forthwith.. Denbigh Road.— About.lso cubic yards of boulders have been obtained from Mr Peterson's property free of royalty, ready for remetalling between the fords. Radnor and Lower Pembroke Roads.—Arrangements have been made to obtain the necessary stone for .re-metalling an these roads'at'3d per cubic yard royalty.

North Riding East.—Crushing operations at the Manganui site have been carried on continuously since last meeting. ' The total amount o' metal put through since starting is 2050 cubic yards, of which, beside the maintenance metal sent out last month, 186 cubic yards have been sent to Mountain and Rutland Roads ut a cost of 0s 6d per cubic yard, 92 yards to York Road at 7s, and 80 yds •to Cross Road at 8s 3d. Eighy-eight chains of re-metalling on Beaconsfield Road was completed, and the Salisbury Road re-metalling is in progress. It should be completed within a week. ■ South Riding.—During the mont.n halt a mile of the Upper Cheal Road was re-metalled, and the Mountain, Warwick, Upper Bird, Upper Skinner •aid Robson Roads were blinded. The grader was required to dress up some of the uninetalled roads.

Bast Riding (Toko). —Re-metalliUg operations hirye been progressing during the whole of the first month, fifty chains being completed on Toko Road and fifty chains on Standish Road. On Ohura Road about fifty chains of new, metal- has been laid and the remaining portion's between Toko school and Toko township scarified and rolled in again, making about 1 mile 16 chains treated. Two small bridges on Ohura Road have been temporarily strength-

ened to carry the roller. The drains on Standish Road have been cleaned out, and the draining necessary on Mrs Hodgkinson's property is in progress. Fifty yards of maintenance metal have been distributed between the two bridges on Toko Road and ■3O yards of blinding obtained from Huinga pit for Ohura Road.

East Riding (Douglas).—The Cordon Road has been patched on the upper end, and the lower, end is now jjfifi"; re-metalled for 35 chains. The Strathmoro Saddle has been repaired, and general work "has been carried out on. the main road. East Riding (Kuiroa). —The fore-

I man took up his duties in this district 'on October 27th, and commenced mak- ! ing necessary repairs to Makuri and '.North and South Douglas Roads. The*e I have been carried out, also the approaches to small bridge on''.Makuri Road. As soon as they consolidated 'the metal would be put on. The large wooden culvert on Mohakau Road has again been temporarily repaired. The following culverts were I repaired: Two on Wawiri Road, one |on South Douglas Road; and one on North Douglas Road.

West Riding :—During : the month repairs have been carried out on Waingongoro, Finnerty, Palmer, Rowan and Opunake No. 3 Roads, also the sidetracks made upon Opu'iiiike 1 and 2. Some of the suppliers to'the Lowgarth factory are' emptying their whey" on Hastings and Firinerty Roads and on Finnerty Road'bridge'.

Mangaehu Riding.—During' the month the forema'n has b'een clearing slips on .Mangaehu,,Puniwhakau, and Mangaehu South Roads, also raising a filling and putting in a set of pipes on the latter road and forming 1 Up nnmetjfilled parts of Mangaehu Road to take the metal later" oil. .The other roads are in fair order, considering the weather. Some discussion took place on the agreement under which the Borough roller was hired, the Council objecting to the clause which made the Council responsible for all damage done to the roller: : It''was decided to 'endeavor to have the clause l re-east to provide that'the County does not pay for damage arising from the negligence of the Borough's servants.

Cr. Thomson ! sa'id'he thought' there were too manv men with' the roller.

The Engineer said, as regards work in the South Hiding, that 'the roll.e.r could have done'enough work to keep twice the number of men going. The Engineer was requested to report on the kerbing at Midhirst. Or. Smith said the matter of depositing whey had been faxed up. FOOTBRIDGE WANTED. Mr Hunger waited on the Council and requested that a footbridge be erected over the Patea River to allow residents of Lower Bird Rond to have access to Toko. At present there was a ford on private property and settlers had to get through three or four fences to reach Toko. There were a number of' periple' whb would be served by tho bridge.—The Engineer said that' if cabM bi/the spot were used the Uvork eoul'd be*'Spile for' 1 jjfiib, ind .©i*.M'ChHstoffei' ifto*Ved ! ' that if the j settlers found 'half tfte arifounf the Council hmh the' rest.—Cß' Thomson moved "that the ■■ settlers' should, find £3oj' but flits' was 1 ridi' 1 seconded I ,' 'and Ci-.'iChii»si6itel's carried. ' .»r:m«u :A> ' I'""" 1 ;; ' 1 . : ,iX)f)XT(i)T'*S''Wl^Dg'. Jlvl ' '/'•file Jll&becWr df;''Noxious'*' Weeijs askect'thJat ii:!struci l i , dn.s'' , be 'given for clearing the broom on the I riangie. Midhirst.—He also wrote regarding gorge, and blackberry, on the side' qf the Waitara River at Autawa. ; 'fhe Council had decided on July TOtF'that ,tho; clearing be done, but on November 20th the. Inspector saw that'nothing I?M°iM?arf tloljPfo id.i4.fil "the 1 ' Woke wjs' now'aflj;«)cedfih sfc»#>fte requested tbM 1 'fru> wojrk df%-d(va'rfag ,, 'be ,l ''''e-xpe i ditecf. j l?oxscJTe on land on Ategflftg ftbad at-'; Wneeded explatnetij that the work,Had : ed bv tjho resignation of the foreman. ' 'TK'i'jiefw foreman had enough"to do to pickii up the road work.—Cr, Wattor skid the-'lhigmeer should* go into the 'question and determine How much of"the )and was really County land—- ' the late foreman did not seem sure on

'tho question.—lt was decided that orders be given for the immediate ,ear- , rying out of the work. PAYMENT OF CASUALS. Or. Were said it seemed funny that in a body like the Council there was no provision for the payment of wages at odd times. In the Toko metalling contract men had to be Take'n M on quickly aijd without of. what kind of workers they were. Ah a matter of fact they were sacked pfcetfcy well as fast 1 as "they were on- i gaged. But there was no arrange- , inerifc for their payment. Tliey should inake their foremen independent so ; that if they found a man was not a good worker he could be discharged on the spot and paid in, fulj.: u • The Engineer said ,he' did not believe in the system fi of isigning black cheques in advance,, }( it wfts desired to pay at odd times, two ..Councillors should be asked,,-to come to town once a week tq sign i.tho i necessary cheques. Another way would lie to leave with the Clerk loose cash for the purpose. Cr. Were detailed the facts of a case of the kind on the Toko metalling contract. A man had been discharged but could not get his pay. Tho foreman advanced £B, but the man's pay was only £0 17s 3d. On his mri-' '

fcjdii it was decided to reimburse the foreman. Tt was also decided on his

motion that in future the Clerk be authorised to pay ss&s& between meeiiugs in respect of discharged casual men on an order from the foreman'and the Engineer.

PASTORAL LEASES: The secretary of :; the;-'Counties' Association wrote : "L am hy the President of the \c\v Zealand Counties Association to 'inform you that the Rating Amendment Bill provides for the re-enactment of paragraph (e) of section 2 under the heading 'Rateable Value,' of 'The Rating Act, 1908.' This question of the rating of pastoral lands of the Crown was considered at the Conferences held in 1904 and 190/ and the Government was repeatedly urged to, and did amend the law to provide for the equitable rating of these lands, and

it is now proposed to revert to the former inequitable position by reenacting the aforesaid section. If

the proposal is carried, the ■ rating values of-these pastoral- lands- will i not alter during the whole period of ! the lease, whereas adjoining freehold land of the same quality and productive capacity is burdened from time to time as'the value thereof increases, and the freeholder has to pay an increased sum in rates without receiving a corresponding benefit, and this position is the more pronounced where special loans are raised for the purpose of providing one access in special districts comprising both classes of property. Will your Council > pleaso' give this matter early : consideration and request its representative in Parliament to oppose the proposal?"—Cr. Walter said' there were no pastoral leases in the County.i There .were some at Whangamomona.-r-The chairman said.,fchat it might be well to pass a resolution on the matter.—Cr., Walter thought that, as the Council was not interested it should take no action.—No action was taken. GENERAL. The dog tax was fixed at 2s 6d for cattle ;dog.B. and 10s for others. The Engineer was requested to supervise the laying down of concrete in front of Mr Bain's shop at Toko, the cost to be borne by Mr Bain. The tender of Mr Aldridge was accepted for the supply of 250 yds of boulders for Bird and Skinner; Roads, and Mr Aagaard's tender was accepted for dog collars. The Minister for Railways notified that the Council's representations regarding drains at Douglas would have consideration.—Received. , .

The Royal Insurance;. Co. that they were prepared /to, underfake risks covering boiler .oxplosiom and damage arising therefrom.-r-Helc " pjver till next meeting. ; ;>-, The Minister for P,ublip Works,pn> ] inised consideration of the Council's '■ request for a detailed survey of tlu J railway line from Stratford. to Ka : ponga.—Received. l \ : The DO.A., requested payment o 1 j £8 10s, wages due to James Savage • Tututawa, after his adjudication ir : bankruptcy.—Savage notified the (Jouncil that heihad come to an agreement with the Assignee.—Left in the |iands of the Clerk. ' The Minister for Agriculture wrot that the matter, of .adding Str'athmorr Weed to the schedule of the iNoxioU;Weeds ,A.qt was being gone into 'ln the experts of ; the jjepartmont.—R> ceived. : y...'■,■ \. -•: ■ r Mr waited on th'f Council and statecj. that he,had-rpce»v-ed a promise from the Government te. jspend £O6 on the grayei|iijg-:of Mai). ' gaehu Road Xp.) 1 , from "utile's. tunnc,' ■. ■ io' the; bridge.—P}ei. cost, was,, jed at ,£200.—1t ;J Wjofi, decjdod that.,the; spunci 1 /would. £lpQ . if, the Settlers contributed a similar amount. 11 j fries: >rs Malonsy ,aa>d r.AV;orthingbou, jpjiiniw^akau,, wr,9jte, z arAing t,hat, fJ*?: ijj||kiiri ( !Road,,;b ) e !) ope,i l j,cd .. ,i,<>,, ; .thoitj boundary, as at'present they depended for access on a neighbour's good nature;—Ci\_ Walter said, Mr!,.Malon,©;, % -Wd suffered much inconvenience.There hnd,.been, nothing spent on the road since it was formed. In places :0v ru MVr< s •;W 6 J Alwk ..on ; th© .roady ■~d.#d stumps v old f oration,,,.,".Hie-., .niopred- ihatj'ar HL£ ■ #*° b '?q? s F ont ' lol iiitl ! ie'.lroa'd.-yi': Tlie.li^iotion- vyaa- caijrifld;..• ~ r >ft ,j[ \ : <> ■,- ' ' H 1 " , inii'iii'in ' r