STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 40, 18 February 1915, Page 7

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

At the monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council hold yesterday, when there were present: Cr> W. Hathaway (Chairman), J. Smith, T. R. Anderson, J. Christoff >l. T. Coleman, W. H. Were, E. WaUer, H. B. Worthington and L. Baskin. ENGINEER'S REPORT. During the month, good progress has been made throughout the County with the work.H. Julian has completed his Midhirst contract. The road between the Piakau and the Mangamii River has been scanned and rolled. It was necessary to hire tho Borough roller for the work. As early as convenient, I will have the intersections of the Beaeonsfield and Mountain Road lowered. Whitcombe St. Midhirst—To grade this street would cost £5. Stanley Road bridge broke

during the month, and I have had it temporarily repaired. Julian and Bennett have nearly completed their contract on tho Hastings and Opunake Roads. A hill on the Opunak-. 1 Road has been regraded. J Kehcley has made a start with the Rovh mi i Opunake No. 111. contract. J. Xielson has dumped the boulders for the Palmer Road and Dutliie Road contract, and will crush same as soon as he finishes the Toko Road contract, which he is now engaged in. At Mountain Road, Ngaere, the permanent gang are engaged at reducing the hills authorised at last meeting. On Tiko Road, the ganger is engaged at similar work. The best thanks of tho

Council are due to the New Plymouth Borough Council and Mr Fincham for. the piece of land at the corner of the Standish Road; also to Mr Hooivr for his land on the Opunake Road. The removal of these eoniocs have considerably improved tho roads. The surfaceman's dwelling at Puniwhaknu has been attended to. At the Makouri River, a start has been made at the work authorised. The bridge gang have finished the Manawahvere Bridge. Toko, and are now about (o start W-r liter's Bridge, Kaiapoi Road. The report was adopted.

METAL AT YORK ROAD. The Chairman reported that he had

visited York Road and that metal can be got close to the road. The settlers were ready to help themselves, and Mi- Smith had offered to supply metal from his property free of charge for the work.

' THE PUNIWHAKAU COTTAGE. The Chairman said that Cr. Worj thington and himself had inspected i the cottage at Puniwhakau. The building was no credit to the Council. It was no more than n shed, and not worth repairing. They had inspected a property at Puniwhakau which he thought filled all requirements, and Cr Worthington suggested the purchasing of the property. The house was very good, and was in the centre of the riding, Cr Worthington said that the house was a new one, and that the Council

could not build a, new one for the same amount as would be required to

pilfchase it

Tt was decided that Cr Worthington negotiate with the owner of the property for the purchase of same.

| PEMBROKE ROAD WEST. Messrs J. F.. Fever, W. H. H. Young, and Edward Bull wrote making application for a special loan of £IOO for the installing of Pembroke I Road West of Barclay Road, on security of special rate. ' The Chairman (Mr W. Hathaway) reported that lies hid met the president of the Stratford Mow lain Club

(Mr J. B. Richards) who wanted to know whether alternative tenders would he called by the Council For the work of metalling Pembroke Road. The Chairman thought that as the Council had found 6s 8d in the £l, it was up to the tradespeople of Stratford to find the remaining 13s 4d. He was of the opinion that the Club had caught the Counoil on a soft wicket. Tt would not happen again.

i Cr Walter said that the Club had given the reasons why they could not get the money. He knew several parties who were to make a trip to the I mountain at Easter time, and he thought the work would he good for the County. He moved, and Cr Smith seconded, that alternative tenders be called for.—Carried. CORRESPONDENCE. Whakatane County Council asking for support of the Council to the proposal "That the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister he asked to have the law amended to enable Local Bodies' ?■ rebate for payment of rates within a certain time, in a similar manner to that adopted by Crown Land Boards in. connection with the payment of rents."—Cr Baskin moved that the resolution be supported—Cr Christoffel, in seconding, said that he was in favour of a 5 per cent, rehate.— The Chairman pointed out that he had advocated the rebate some time ago, but received no support. The motion was carried.

Kairanga County Council wrote re machinery. Engineer to supply the information.

Jas. Phillips wrote re royalty on amount of stone taken from his pro-

prrfr - -}<<■-: nlror] t]i!-.h a.l BOOT! -IS the i|iuimi,v ut i"'i". j- Imjmivh, the Council to pay the royalty.

• Mrs B. Savage, Stanley Road, wrote regarding ox-eye daisy, and drawing attention to the fact that on a section adjoining her property no endeavour has been made to eradicate the weed. —Mrs Savage to i.<? instructed that the Council could not take ary not-

The Clerk, Mo'a Road Board, asked whether the Council had any money available tor expenditure on the Man. gaotea Road.—'l lie Council has no money available.

The State Advances Office wrote re loan of £6OU to renew in hardwood for Tututawa Road Bridge over Mangaotuku River, and granting same; also re loan* of £240 for Regan Street West, granting the loan. Permission given to Chairman and Clerk to sign debentures.

The Superintendent of the National Provident Fund asked for particulars of employees of Council in connection w ith funds. Received.

The Department of Public Health, wrote re appointment of Messrs James Christolfel and John Smith to represent the County Council on the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Loard.—Received.

T. C. Fookes, Stratford, wrote in the matter of Mrs .J. Schumacher and the Council, ro the amount of stone taken from To Popo River in her property, and asking for cheque for rayalties.—The Council has the money reserved for payment of royalties. S. J. Baker, Midhirst, wrote re royalty on metal delivered by Mr H. A. Julian.—Cheque will be forwarded when amount of metal taken is known.

The Mangatoki Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd, wrote applying for permission to carry water over the Council's property.at Mahoe.—The Engineer to report, j

Kaponga Dairy Co. Ltd, asked the Council to deliver ten yards of crushed metal the next time the Council was crushing metal near Rowan.—The Engineer to supply the metal if possible.

F. Carter, Midhirst, wrote re license for grazing in the back streets of Midhirst at a fee to be fixed by the Council.—The Council cannot enter, tain the proposal.

W. 0. Malone wrote re Midhirst Cemetery, suggesting that Council

apply for registration as proprietor of the property.—Matter held over till next meeting.

S. H. James wrote re Kaitieke Road .ind access to section in Omona-. Matter held over. The Secretary to the Minister for Internal Affairs wrote re toll-gates.-The Chairman said that both the minister for Public Works, and the Minister for Finance had been written to in the matter, but neither gave the Council any answer, or considered it in their department. Resolved that the Minister for Public Works be written to, if no reply was received within a week.

C. J. Roberts, asked for Is extra per diem for extra, work when not working on tlie roller I .—Agreed to.

' "TENDERS.

The following tenders were let:— J 250yds boulders Cardiff Boad—H. I Gray; 250 yards bouldo.s, Stanley | Boad—J. H. Sharroek; 500 yards boulders York Road—G. Gray.; lei'orning and metalling Regan Street— Green and Chard. CENERAL. ' Cr Walter drew attentimto the dangerous condition of the road near the Midhirst cemetery, wbero there was a deep ditch. Cr Buskin said that "4-inch pipes should be put in, and the ditch filled in.—The Chairman moved, and Cr Baskin seconded, that the Engineer get the . necessary work done.— Carried.

I Cr Baskin 1 referred to a very dangerous bank in front of Mr Harkness' store at Midhirst; The bank needed reducing, so that a view of the railway line could be obtained. —The Chairman said that the Engineer would be requiring earth, and would take it from the bank. y . Cr. Baskin drew attention to trees growing on the Beaconsfield Boad. which obstructed the view.—lt was ••esolved to refer the matter to the engineer to see whether the trees were on the Council's property,iin which case they would be removed.

Cr Walters moved, and Cr Worthington seconded, that Simson Bros, lie given fourteen days' notice to clear drains at their own expense.—Carried. Cr Baskin, referring to noxious weeds, said that St. John's wort had l>een growing on roads near Midhirst for some time, and suggested tliat the Noxious Weeds inspector should be requested to look into the matter.— On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr Coleman, it was decided that the Inspector's attention be drawn to the matter.

Cr. Smith proposed that the Council should offer Mr Mason £7 for land taken ofr the purpose of straightening a dangerous corner on the Opunake road. Cr. Anderson urged that in all cases land should he taken under the Puhlic Works Act, and the' Council

should pay compensation at per acre. A resolution to this effect was carried. Eight residents of.. Flint Itor.d asked the Council 'to repair portion or Flint road, which is dangerous to vehicular traffic.—The Borough Council to be notified of the petition. A vote of thanks to the New Plymouth Council, and Messrs Finchani and Hooper was passed in connection with their grant of land. Accounts totalling £1,267 12s Gd. were passed for payment.