STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 21 January 1915, Page 7

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tlie Stratford County Council met yesterday, when there were present: Crs. W. Hathaway (chairman), J. Smith, T. R. Anderson, J. Christoffel, T. Coleman, W. H. Were, E. Walter, H. B. Worthington and L. Baskiu ENGINEER'S REPORT

Ail. W. J. Lopdeil repoitori as follows:—During the past month the works throughout the County has proceeded favourably considering the break, caused by the holidays. Green and Chard have finished the Beaconsfield Road contract, delivering 1020 cubic vards of stone. We have also raised a filling five feet and straightened a deviation by Mr Sangster's. Other contracts throughout the Coun-

ty are progressing favorably. A start has been, made in the West Riding with the crushing of contract No. 890. A filling close by Mr Hooper's has been raised six feet and the road considerably straightened. The Finnerty Road Bridge over the Waingongoro River, which is a boundary river, requires redecking throughout, which would cost approximately £6B, less the worth of the old decking. I would, however, recommend the putting on

of a good coat of restar and shingle on the old deck, which would, with a light annual top-dressing, last as long, as" the bridge. This preparation would cost about £l2. 1 would also recommend this application for all our new concrete bridges. Re the Cross Road, the chairman and 1 visited this road and had an interview with the majority of the ratepayers, who emphatically objected to any big work being done that would raise their rates. Re

Skinner Road South, Cr. Coleman and I inspected the drain on the road, also saw the owners of the properties, who have promised to clean out their portions of the drain. The road ai this point requires raising ahout two feet. Re bridges, the Public- Works engineer has approved of plans for a 35ft: span over the Patea river on the Cardiff Road, in reinforced concrete. The bridge gang have completed the Waiwiri bridge, Toko, and have the foundations of the Manawiwiri bridge in. f would strongly recommend the establishing of an up-to-date bridge gang with a blacksmith, and I am confident this would mean a considerable saving to the County. There is work enough to keep a gang going steady for the next two years. The new ! Acme stone crusher has arrived. The elevators are expected to arrive any day from Christchurch. I would recommend calling tenders for the following works, returnable at an early (kite: 250 cubic yards Cardiff Road Bridge, stone for Stanley Road bridge, York Road, Salisbury Road, and Mangaehu No. 1. The report was adopted. MAKURI STREAM. As instructed at your last meeting, J have taken the levels from Ml Chns. Bayly's woolshed up as far as the canal work—a distance of about two miles on the straight—or aboui three miles by way of the .stream, and find there is a fall of 14ft. Bin, which is 87.120 (about 2-3rds of an inch to the chain, as this fall h

not sufficient to carry off flood water : it could be assisted by putting in three short cuts, about three chains.| which would cut off about 30 chains of .creek and stive over two feet of fall. Ther n is also a lot of growth and timber in the stream. To clear out the stream properly would he a very costly item, but to clean the worst of the growth could be done for about €3O. Then there is about 15 chains of a cut at the top end, which has 4ft 6in of a fall. The sides have fallen hi, and is causing a blockage; to rleppen this piece and widen same to give the hanks a good hatter would cost about'the same as the lower work. The Engineer tabled a plan of the locality.—The matter was left in the engineer's hands to attend to as suggested at a cost not to exceed £6O. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Sir J. G. Wilson, President of the Board of Agriculture, wrote asking for the opinion of the Council in regard to the enforcement of the Noxious Weeds Act. Opinion throughout the country was much divided as to whether tlio provisions of the Act should be enforced in all cases, especially in regard to California!) thistle. The writer asked the opinion of the Council on the following point:— "What is the general feeling among the farmers in the district under your control as to whether it is advisable to have the Act fully enforced:—(a) in the whole district, or ,(b) in any portion of the district?" Cr. Were was of the opinion it was little use to pay an inspector. What was wanted was something to eradicate the weeds. The Chairman said that with sheep the ox-eye daisy and ragwort gave no trouble and that as far as Stratford County was concerned it could be eliminated from the list.

Cr. Walter said that blackberry was the weed that all farmers wore unanimous in condemning. There seemed no way of eradicating ox-eye daisy. He considered that top-dressing would do a great deal in getting rid of weeds. The Chairman moved,and Or Walter seconded, that blackberry be eradicated within the County, and that a check be kept on other noxious weeds in the schedule.—Carried.

The Inspector of Xo?:ious "Weeds wrote asking the Council to issue instructions !o have ragwort cleared from its property at I'uni.vhakaii.— Cr. Worthington moved and tbe chairman seconded that the foreman be instructed to have the weeds cut. RANGETTS REPORT. Mr Cuthbertsft'n reported: Dunne: tlio past month I have it, p u-üb-d si eel, M follows:—Calves 110, heifers 3, hoi-

sea 9, cows 3, bullocks 29.—Adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. T. J. Allen wrote re cattle straying on the Flint Road.—Received. \V. (i. Malone wrote that he had received notification from the Commissioner of Crown Lands in regard

to the Midhirst Cemetery, intimating that the trustees do not desire the property to he handed over to the County Council. —The letter to be referred to the chairman. C. S. Kelly* wrote * ex, ressing appreciation of the resolution passed by the Council on his departure from Stratford. —Received. The Secretary of the N.Z. Counties' Association wrote regarding royalties on stone and gravel, stating that the Association does not consider an opinion necessary, as Section 111. of the Public Works Act provides for each case being treated on its merits.—Received.

\V. J. Reeve, returning officer, Stratford, wrote reminding the Council, as the controlling authority for the election of a licensing committee on Tuesday, March 9, of their liability for all expenses therewith. Although there were M polling booths at the general election, Mr Reeve stated that probably from 20 to 25 .vould be sufficient in March.—Reforred to the clerk. W. A. Lehmann, a Council employee, wrote 'asking if the Council could see its way clear to build another room on to the present hut at Puniwhakau.—Referred to Cr. Worthington and Engineer to inspect and report. E. Marfell wrote, asking that the S'.-ade at the top of Bayly's hill on the Toko Road be reduced, and guar, nnteeing the payment of not less than -C2O, and not more than £2s.—The Engineer was instructed to see the work carried out. The Superintendent of the State Advances Office wrote re applications of £7OO to construct portion of Ahuroa liond West,, and £SOO for re-grading and metalling portion of Croydon Road. Writer stated that as a loan for £IOOO had recently been entertained by the Board, the limit of C2OOO would be exceeded and both ap-

plications could not be entertained, and he asked which loan was to be reduced.—Cr. Walter moved that a -Perial order for £9lO for Waihapa be made.—Tt was decided, on the motion of the Chairman, secondTie by Cr. Were that Cr. Christoffel oet a majority of the settlers to sign a petition showing satisfaction in the special order for £9lo.—Carried. THE ROAD TO THE MOUNTAIN. A deputation consisting of Messrs J. B. Richards and E. Jackson, representing the Stratford Mountain Club, was received.-—Mr J. B. Richards said that the institution they ■presented was of opinion that the Mountain was a great asset to the ' fcrict. He said that' the Clubywould e unable to raise the £166 required o put Pembroke Road in order, but hey could raise £l2o, and he asked do Council if they could see their way clear to grant £l2o instead of £B3 6s 8d .as previously agreed to. A large part of the money, stated Mr Richards, would come from the Borugh. He recognised that the work o be done would not put much money into the ratepayers' pockets, but, 'ter all, man did not live by bread '.lone. Mr E. Jackson said that if the road was put in order, the House would Drove the most popular one around the Mountain. The Borough Council was in sympathy with them, but could not give financial help equal to the County. The deputation then withdrew. Cr. Smith said he was in full sympathy with the Club's efforts. The Mountain was Stratford's one great •ttraction.

Cr. Christoifel pointed out that tho work would not We of much benefit to the settler. It was moved by tho Chairman, and seconded by Cr. Baskin, that the Council does not see its way clear to rescind its previous offer of £1 for every £2 collected.—Carried. Cr. AValtor then moved that, unless the money was forthcoming from the Mountain Club, the previous offer of £B3 6s Sd be rescinded, and that tenders be on lied for work up to the amount of the Government grant.— Seconded by Cr. Christoffel, and carded. GENERAL. A deputation, consisting of Messrs i.uitli and Earp, representing the settlers of York Road, was received. Mr Smith asked that the grant of £IOO je used in metalling the upper part >f the road, west of Derby Road.— I'be Chairman moved that the Government grant of £IOO, and £SO on Liie estimates be used to metal the York Road west of Derby Road.—

Seconded by Cr. Christoffel, and carried. In connection with the road-roller, Cr. Walter moved that the cost of the roller should he charged up to the road on which it was only for the time it was actually working. Cr. Christoffel seconded.—Carried. Cr. Baskin moved, and the Chair, man seconded, that the Engineer report on the cost of attending to Whitcombe Sitreet, Midhirst.—Carried.

Cv. Baskin moved that application ho made to the Minister for Internal Affairs for the erection of a building suitable for a toll-gate on the Mountain Road within twelve chains of the WniiMiku bridge.—The Chairman said the proposal was to widen the road by four feet, and give it a coating of tar.—A division was called for, the "ayes" being Crs. Anderson, Were. Walter, Worthington, Baskin and the Chairman, and the "noes" "•:. Col'man, Christoffel, and Smith. Cr, Walter said he must commend

the Council's Engineer (Mr' W. J. Lopdell) for the excellent metalling

work done on Beaconsfield Road. Cr. Baskin referred to the necessity for widening the Te Popo bridge at the Midhirst factory.—The engineer stated that it would be possible to widen the bridge about eight feet, so as to bring it out to the full width of the piers. This would increase it for about 12ft to 16ft at a cost of about £4o.—The engineer was authorised to have the work done. —Cr. Baskin also suggested that a notice should be put Tip at the hill near by asking to slow down. Members expressed the opinion, however, that these were not effective, and no action was taken. The District Railways Engineer notified that his inspector had informed him that there was no rough metal on the local crossings, complained of at the Beaoonsfield Road and Kent Terrace.—Cr. Baskin stated that after the matter had appeared in tho press, the railway man bad broken the I rough stone. The matter of deviation on the Opujn.lke Bead was hold over till next .mooting. ; The engineer was instructed to atjtend to the Taurakawa Road. The Chairman warned members that it would be necessary to go slow jin tho mutter of any expenditure out'side that alread on tho estimates. The rates, In- -oid. bad been struck as low as possible, so as just to cover the estimated expenditure, and vet the Council had already expended COOS that was not allowed for on the estimates. The principal items | wore: Motor car £375. rrusbor £2OO. ■Beacon.-!' I rood C2oo, Ackland road; £35, and Pembroke road £B3. ! .Aof-nu '1 amounting to £.IIC>4 13s' Id wore passed for payment.