STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 25, 21 May 1914, Page 2

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETINC. The monthly mooting of the Stratford County Council was held yesterday. Present: Crs. W. Hathaway (in the chair), W. H. Wore, E. Walter. .1. Young, W. Rogers, .). Thomson, J. Christoffel, W. Anderson, and J. Smith. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The Engineer (Mr E. C. Robinson) reported:—-South Riding boulder contract: This has boon completed, and the amounts measured and the voucher for final payment put in. Re-decking Puni creek bridges The timber for this work has arrived at Douglas and will l)e carted in forthwith, when the contractor will make a start with the work. The necessary timber for patching deck of Puniwhakau township bridge is being obtained at the same time. Toko and M'angaehu road repairs: As instructed I inspected Toko and Mangaehu Roads in company with the Riding members and arranged for the necessary repairs, etc. Standish Road drainage: The County solicitor has been supplied with information concerning this matter and his opinion i.« before you. Traffic on Makuri Road to oil bore: Considerable correspondence has taken place recently on this matter and is now before you. Tin road has been repaired with metal available, but any traffic during the winter will cut it to pieces. The Council could, with advantage, enforce tlu heavy traffic by-law here. Autawa and Heao Roads grants: Proposals have been forwarded to the Govern-ment-for the expenditure of these. Beaconstield Road repairs: Arrangements have been made with -Mr Sangster to cart up about 50 to GO cubic yards of boulders from the supply at Skinner Road for the purpose of patch ing the Beaconstield Road. Engine driver: 1 have the engine driver em ployed in cleaning and tarring Skinnei Road bridge. Roller: The roller has been employed during the month on Finnerty Road. FOREMEN'S REPORTS. North Riding (West).— -During tin month the following roads have boei. repaired: Mountain, Cardiff, upper am lower Pembroke, Denmark Terrace Denbigh, Rutland, York, Radnor, Barclay and Monmouth. The heav\ rains experienced recently cut some of the roads about but nothing sen ous occurred. About 50 cubic yards oi broken metal are required for Morimouth and upper Pembroke Roads. The motor traffic is ravelling up tlu Mountain Road. Several landowner; will have to clean out their water courses as they are damming up tun nels and culverts. I have asked several settlers to remove branches cut off their trees when the telephone wire to the Mountain was being erected.

North Riding (East): Nearly all om time lias been spent patching Stanley, Cross and Croydon Roads,, alsi Croydon south and Boaeoiisiiek! ROads. Several others have had a lit tie attention in the way of ceianing culverts, slips, etc. Stanney East hint Ackland Koads require patching a: soon as metal is available. The creek in Mr Gray's property, Beaconsfield Road, requires opening up, as. after the heavy rain, the water on the cemetery side of the road banks up to the extent of several feet above the pipes.

South Riding: I have re-metalled 0' chains of lower Finnerty Road and about ten chains of upper Finnerty Road. About a week's work will complete the latter and I will then make ii start on Sole Road. East Road (Toko) : During the month Toko, Raupuha, Mangaehu and a part of Toko east roads have been watertabled, and grass trimmed off edge of metal. A new culvert has been put in on Aliuroa Road West and some patching done on Toko and Wawiri Roads. 1 beg to notify the Council that my services terminate one month from last meeting.

Fast Riding (Douglas):" During the month we have been cleaning slips. patching, watertabling and doing general roadwork on the Main Road. 1 think it would be a good idea to send the ranger out between the 17 and IS mile pegs and give him a bit of practice at shooting pigs. Fast Riding (Huiroa): During the month about thirty cubic yards of crushed stone and shellrock have been used in patching the worst ruts on Makuri Road west and about ten yards is still available for future work, lie oilwell traffic: If the beavy traffic by-laws be put into force considerable damage will be avoided. Repairs have been carried out on Makuri East, Douglas North, and Mohakau Roads. The renewal of a culvert on Douglas Head South is necessary. Considerable quantities of silt are deposited on Makuri Road east and west owing to ratepayers not putting in culverts at their crossings. If these were rounded up at the right time of yeai- and such culverts put in, a considerable saving in maintenance would I»e effected.

West Riding: The wot weather has broken up the roads very badly. Opunake Road No. I: The outlet of a tunnel is scouring out and needs attention. The filling near Mr Malone's requires fencing to keep stock off the edges. Waingongoro Road: A small wooden culvert is required on ne.wlymetalled length, the position being too shallow for pipes. -Mr Bel ton on Ronald Road complains that storm water runs from the road down to his milk stand. A Bin culvert is required to turn the water to the other side of the toad. A waggon is upset on the roadside at Rowan. The owner should remove it.

Maiigaehu Riding: During the month general roadwork lias been carried out on Mangaotuku, Mangaehu

and Tututawa Roads and slips cleared on Mangaehu south and Puniwhakau Roads. The Taihore Road has slipped and it will take three days to clear it. The new Manga Road has slipped badly. Mr Maxwell has had fa clear his way through several times. The Puniwhakau surfaceman has left and I have been unable to replace him.

Decisions. —The foreman is to ,enf'orce the heavy traffic by-law in respect to oil-well carting on Makun Road.—Fifty yards of boulders to'be' supplied for Monmouth and upper Pembroke Road and hand-broken:-Pembroke Road settlers to clear branches, failing which Council will do the work at settlers' expense.—Fence on filling and repairs to culvert on Opunake Road No. 1 authorised.— Renewal of culvert on Douglas' Road south authorised.-—Totara culvert to he put in on WaingongoT6 : Road.— Upset waggon at Rowan to he removed by owner or Council will do so at his expense. RANGER'S REPORT. The ranger reported: On the 24th idt. I was at Beaconsfield, Ahuroa, and Skinner Road and got eight bullocks belonging to Mr Bevans. On the 27th 1 got on the Rowan Road one Imll belonging to .Mr Mellow and one bull belonging to Mr Willis. On the Ist inst. I was at Douglas, Huiroa. ind Wawiri Roads and got one horse Vlonging to Mr Clarke, one horse belonging to Mr Sinclair, seven Weari?rs belonging to Mr Bevans and four ows belonging to Mr Kidd. Also at Kiove I got one horse belonging to Mr Stewart. On the 2nd I got one 'uirse on Salisbury Road (impounded) 'lelonging to Mr H. Robinson. Oil the 3rd P went again to Waiwiri Road, Huiroa and Douglas Road and got ■Hie horse belonging to .Mr o'Carro|k, mo horse belonging to Mr Williams mrst and two cows belonging to Mr Stanford. This part of the County., is the most grazed and should the Jouncil think lit I am prepared to lake proceedings against any of tin iffenders. On the 4th I impounded me horse on Toko Road. On the (it'i I found live weaners on Pembroke load (released by Mr Young). On the jfch I impounded one horse from Toko. )n the 10th 1 impounded one horse.' rom Robsou Road. On the 7th I go ! Lve cows on Bird Road. On the I got one horse at Cardiff belonging o Mr Crawford and two horses oi )uthie Road belonging to Mr Murphy. i also impounded one horse 'from Dufchie Road. On the' 13th I impound»d one horse from Toko. ' On'the/'l7O/ ive weaners were impounded^'l'rohi Mountain Road. On the 18th"l"go". sight cows on Hastings Road belonging to Mr Hill. On the 19th "1 got W ■ows at Midhirst belonging 't<S ' Mr 1 Heed and five horses TJeibngfSg 'to Mr >

Robinson. TOLL GATES; >'

The chairman moved that a to.H T gate )e erected as near as possible to the jVVaipuku bridge. It would impose no hardship on the North Hiding i settlers. - •.. .

Gr. Thomson said ten P ei> ; die takings at this, gate should be riven to the South Riding.Jpr wear md tear on the main road. _ . If they this percentage the Ss>uth! -Rid" iug would contribute,.half the () cojs,t !; of the' gate. ,[ : v v : , ;.•.,

Cr. Smith thought the Government should give a special gjjant naki Counties hi; view of the fact that the productivity of the province. was greater than other parts of the country. ... ... . The motion was carried.

Cr. Walter then moved that, with the consent of ratepayers,,a toll-gate be erected somewhere in the vicinity of Sangster's Hill. The motion was carried. Cr. Anderson .said they did not want a toll-gate in the West .Riding yet. Cr. Smith said he would not like to. so*- a toll-Kate on Opunake Road. It would he a had thing in every way if Stratford was girdled with toll-' gates. I It was decided to hold a special meeting on Saturday next to draw lip •i schedule of charges. SUPER VISION OF WORK. Cr. Smith said the Engineer would leave the Council at the end of next month, and the Council had to consider the question of a successor in' some shape or form. He could, not say if Mr Robinson would act as consulting engineer—he' hoped lie woidd. lie moved: That applications be invited for a duly qualified overseer, who shall devote his whole time to carrying out and supervising the work of the County at a salary of £250 a year, with a gradation of £2o a year if suitable up to £3OO, applications to close this day month; and that the Council as a whole meet next Saturday to draw up a schedule of duties. l

Cr. Walter seconded. There must be some head of the County's work. .In the past he had had an opend mind as to whether that head should be. an engineer or an overseer, but was now well convinced that the correct thing was an'overseer. 11 the overseer could take levels things would go on very well, if Mr Robinson acted as consulting engineer. He and Mr Robinson had disagreed on some things, but he admitted that Mr Robinson had been a good friend to the County. To his mind fivesixths of the County's work could be done by the overseer and one-sixth ' by the consulting engineer. Being appealed to, Mr Robinson said his firm was in business in Strat- , lord, and was as open to take the j County Council's business as any other public or private body's. Tim Chairman said it was necessary to have a head. Otherwise every man employed by the Council would

consider himself a "boss." On the Chairman's suggestion, Cr Smith agreed to delate the provision for advances in the overseer's salary. , It was decided, on Cr. Thomson s motion, to adjourn the whole question until the special mscti sg cu Saturday. GENT K At. It was •! l-;.'.«1 Utao Kliaf «i»UI he extended to Air Xo.no m rtfbptci of his hivvi'The CJtioctt ..ill send in recommondatiow to the' Uui::;:,.v.;0...f far 1 Lan?U '"' t; -° W lWltuW Lt t -" ,ras totdlluis 15 -* ujd ' , , , , Mr T. >iHls, Denbigh Boadi ■skw that the th'uifl in trout of his section he eh:aned oac-'ine foreman ic to \msttt «nd reiwrt, T'n fo:lo..ing iuhdufa were accepted H-lOUydj uaeilroei L>r Sv,mfey and A G kl>ri3 toads, J: fvcrriskj painting St-K Eoad Hr&Bfi, W. 11. i>»viß. 1-.,' -user's atteiKhni is to he caliJ lo the of ?t o ck on Che, ! and Wingrove Roads. M.s Hodgkinson's offer of haJ the pmnuiit rieniaiUted far drainage on t.iiKiish lioati WaH kfeeejrtjeelj | Messrs Lawrence, Wcllitig&ri aria •. :r«w waited on the Council re re•viirs to Beaconsfield Road,-It was lecided that the broken metal on the .•oad be put into tllS h»l«t«i and later 3 ived ;i3 far as possible, The Engineer was instructed, to with tile Minister for \;il,\:ns re supply of trucks for kiuier Road metal, reminding him hhat on March 19th he promised that .".icks would be at the Council's disjsal as Boon as possible. Messrs Christiansen and Carroll ..utxl on the Council in regard to L2 building of two'small bridges on .nbigh Road.—After some discus.,:n, the deputation agreed to eni.;vor to raise a loan for the work. i ,! 3 secretary of the Consolidated i IIA 'lds wrote regarding carting on ■ !.;;;.:ri Road, asking what arrange- • !'ii: could be made as to repair ot lie road.—Referred to the County ilicitor for his opinion. l.io Commissioner of Crown Lands •tilied that sections 4, G and 16, .xk 3, town of Huiroa, had been j ■.nir.nently reserved for a surface.ii's; cottage. James Bros., Douglas, asked for (■emission of penalty on rates, , siting,that the first rate notice had on sent to other parties, who had fled to return it.—No | remission to > granted. . ~ i , ; Mr J.,8. Hin£, M.P.„ wfote that « had brought the Council's re501u- ..,;.; regarding a inotor tax before the .f3nii'or, who said the matter had [.son referred to the Hon. W. Fraser. \<i suggested that the chairman might .nrerview Mr Fraser when he visited }ivai:ake next week. F. A. Reesby asked that the £7 authorised be spent on Radnor Road. Iv offered to do the work at £1 per hair, supplying blinding. P. Morat-

; ivi'ote .similarly.—Tt was'stated that 1 ! nettlers seemed to be under a mis-i p.ehension, as no expenditure on ij» road had been authorised. '.'•. A. Marchant asked for the rais- ■ c,' the embankment over the Climie .::■ -..a n nar his horaestad. The oe"ißJrtn would also be favorable for r'encling the short length of road from k> Waingongoro Road. He would < willing to lend personal assistance. To be considered when the estimates '•« framed. Four Taurakawa settlers wrote that bo Manga deviation was practically •inckxl. If the Council granted £lO bey would agree to £lO of thirds heleu spent also.—The grant asked for vn.s authorised. Tho secretary of the Stratford Dairy V wrote stating that the Company ntended to repair the roadways round be Skinner Road and Robson Road •reamanes as early as possible, and -."ono-ited that the Council would form \> approaches and put in culverts.— ■•> request was acceded to, the Counl b 'ing assured that the Company .<ii!;i pay any reasonable charges. T!i3 District Engineer of Railways ■o'te that the Council's application ■■• >i level crossing on Bird Road had '•'i declined, but the Department foretl to give'a subway just over chain south. The cost would be ■■• -v £2OO to £"2so.—The District En- ;,.,,- j-. to b<> informed that all that n"-'!'i'*ed nt present is a foot road, nd'tb»t the road is not a new one, • r -■>■-• in existence twenty years >-fovr? the railway was authorised Amplication is to be made to the Go•rmnent to make grants for the fol>i\hg works:—Manga Road £IOO (revu!'>, Upper Pembroke Road (to '.ratford Mountain House) £SOO - ■' dling), Te Fopo bridge (Mouni» Road) £250 (pound for pound for >i'.o'.val), Ohura Road bridges (two) ><;r Toko £250 (pound for pound), [argaotuku stream bridge (Tutuv.ii Road) £3OO (pound for pound, '..,,-, al), Cardiff Road £250 (pound .;• pound). X. H. Fry day wrote asking that u> too authorised for work on the J:r>.gaehu bridge be impounded for huz special work.—Constable Mci >:.:, in a report to Sergt. McXeely, '•;;■:] that the approach to the bridge ■.■ , i a dangerous state. There was i ! nee leading to the bridge and ■•.-body missing the bridge would ' -oft. into the stream.—lt was . i-d that the Engineer be re--1 -d to spend the £SO on metalling • aehn Road as far as the money : i go. Mr Fiyday is to be in.l that money for culverts had , ! authorised.