STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 17, 20 May 1915, Page 7

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. J The following members were present at the meeting of the Council yesterday: Crs. W. Hathaway (chairman), T. E. Coleman, A. Anderson, J. Smith, \Y. H. Were, H. B. Worthington, L. Baskin. Crs. Christoffel and E. Walter were present after lunch. ENGINEER'S REPORT. | Mr W. J. Lopdell reported as r'ol'lows: During the month my time has (been mostly occupied making up estimates for the coming year. I have the South and Mangaehu Ridings to inspect yet, alter which T will be able to bring down a report. Owing to pressure of work, 1 have been unable to visit and report on Mr Bredow's Road, Brooke's Road, and the fences on the roads in the .Mangaehu Riding, but will do so during this month. Re water-tables on the Beaconsfield Road. I cannot see that any more depth is necessary to carry off the water. J. Neilson has completed the Duthio- , Palmer Road contract, and will finish ■'it in about one week. E. Wilson is making good progress with the Waihapa Road formation. I would recommend calling tenders for about 300 cubic yards of shellrock for re-metal-Jing a portion of the Cordon Ro;d. This work could be done in the winter to advantage,as there would be no milk traffic on the narrow road. After going carefully into the question of the purchase of a road roller, an order was given to Anderson, Ltd., for an Aveling and Porter 10-ton compound roll- , or, with 18-inch hind rollers. The i bridge gang is now working at the Te , Popo bridge, as owing to the recent , flood the work was at a standstill for , a few days. The bridge foreman met , with an accident, but will be about . again in a few days. ] The report was adopted. (

THE TOLL-CATE COMMISSION. The Minister of Public Works acknowledged receipt of resolution by the Council re toll-gate at Waipuku, and stated he was awaiting the report of the Commission. Resolved on the motion of Crs. Anderson and Raskin, that the Council notify the Public Works Department that they wish to give evidence before the Commission arrives at its decision. Members attending the committee meeting last month are to receive travelling expenses.

WAITARA-AUTAWA BRIDGE. The Chairman reported that in company with Cr. Walter and the Engineer he had inspected the WaitaraOtawa suspension bridge at North Douglas. To all appearances the bridge was sound. The cables and flooring were good, but the piers were rotten, and he believed if a mob of bullocks went on to it, the whole structure would collapse. The bridge was built in 190-1 at'a cost of £702 (the County and Government paying half each) having a span of 170 feet.

It was resolved to have a notice posted on the bridge drawing attention to the dangerous nature of same. Also that the Engineer proceed with the repair of the bridge either in concrete or timber as considered advisable. It was resolved to apply to the Government for assistance towards the cost. DERBY ROAD. The Chairman stated that a visit of inspection had been made to this road. There were five small bridges, a bridge over the Waipuku, and other culverts. They were built thirteen years ago, and were now unsafe for traffic. The revenue only amounted to £7 10s, and the cost of putting them in order would be £6OO. The road did not carry much traffic, but was used by the children going to school . The work was absolutely necessary. It was decided, oil the suggestion of the Chairman, to v write to the settlers on the road asking if they would be prepared to raise a special loan to do the work. DENBIGH ROAD .MATTER. .Mr .Mills waited on the Council regarding a petition to have two bridges erected over creeks on the Denbigh Road. He had 16 signatures to the petition out of 2,'l settlers interested, some objecting to sign as they considered the area on the Midhirst side should be exempt from the special rating area. He pointed out that the amount of the rate would bo very small. The Chairman said the cost of the two bridges would be £l5O. At the taking of a poll three-fifths of the valid votes recorded would carry a loan for the purpose, but it required three-

The Chairman said the cost of the two bridges would be £l5O. At the taking of a poll three-fifths of the valid votes recorded would carry a loan for the purpose, but it required threefourths of the ratepayers to obtain the money by petition. "*** THE BASKTN BREEZE. Cr. Uaskin said lie did not like the terms of certain remarks made at the last meeting in the matter of interference by the speaker with employees of the Council under the control of the Engineer over the Te Popo bridge. Tie asked that nt least two of these men should be lirought before the Council to explain the circumstances, and if they said he had interfered then his resignation would he handed in. Councillors knew that some rather rough things were said round the table. He would like to know before the meeting ended who these men were and what they had to say. Cr. Were stud the employees should not lie brought to the Council table. Alter last meeting all thought the matter was at rest. Cr. Smith said he regretted one thing, and that was that the Stiatford County Council should become a school io; »:T>ndtiJ. H was >\.i old say-

ing and a true one, that anyone who took on the mantle of public life got more kicks than half-pence, and anyone who could not stand criticism should not enter public life.

Cr. Coleman said it was better the matter should be ended.

Cr. Baskin: My challenge is out, ivml I expect it to be taken up. 1 am not going to ask any more. The Engineer said he was not Prepared to invite any of the men to the Council table. He had no doubt they would stand by what they had told him.

Cr. Worthington said he thought the matter had been settled. Cr. Were moved that the next business oi the Council be proceeded with. This was agreed to.

RATEABLE AFFATR. Euan .Jackson, "Taramai," Toko, wrote pointing out a discrepancy regarding the acreage (2438 acres) of his property for rateable purposes, Stratford rating on the whole and Elthani on part. Mr Jackson said he expected refund would he made if his version was established to be corerct. Resolved on the motion of Crs.

Christoffel and Walter that Mr Evan Jackson be informed that the Council's authority for acting was the Government Valuation Roll, but that in the case of a mistake being found the Council would make a refund.

TAX ON MOTORS. The clerk. Southland County Couni oil, forwarded the following resolution re Inotor traffic, which had been passed by his Council: "That this Council is of opinion that motor vehicles should be taxed, and considers that the only equitahle way of levying a tax is on tyres; that this Council is also of opinion that the Government should collect the tax and distribute it pro rata between local bodies, a larger proportion to be paid to County Councils and Road Boards than Borough Councils." The Council endorsed the resolution on the motion of Crs. Smith and Were. PALMER ROAD. A petition was presented by Cr. Anderson from ratepayers in the "West Riding stating that they believed the time had arrived when for the safety and convenience of the travelling public and those residing on and near the Palmer Qoad, a.hridge should be erected over the Kapuni river on the Palmer Road, and that they ask for the County Council's support; ' knowing that there is a bridge area rate already struck, finance should not he any trouble. Cr. Anderson stated that there was a suspension bridge on the site referred to about fifteen years ago, hut it had been washed away. Since then the Stratford Council had been appointed the controlling body, Elthani previously having authority. . Cr. Smith moved, Cr. Christoffel seconded, and it was resolved that the j matter be referred back to the Palmer | Road settlers; in the meantime that j Cr. Anderson supply all available in- I formation re the old bridge over the j river. j It was also resolved to apply for a I grant for a bridge costing £SOO. SUCCESSFUL REQ I 1: EST. Mr E. Ireland waited on the Council to ask for a refund of ranger's fees (Ms) on two horses ,which, lie explain- | ed, he was driving from one property to another. The horses, which had a bridle and a halter on respectively, j had cleared away from him.—The ranger (Mr Milner) said Mr Ireland was met about two miles from where the horses were secured. J Members agreed that the eircumstances were unusual and unfortunate. ' and it was resolved to refund the i whole amount.

POUNDKEEPER'S TROUBLES. Frank Lane, poundkeeper, Cloton Road, wrote that lie was £3 ( Js out of pocket in connection with the impounding of two horses in the public pound at Stratford. He pointed out that under the Act he must advertise all unclaimed cattle, giving fourteen days' notice before public auction. If he did not think the cattle would pay for the expense of their keep he could obtain an order from a J.P. to sell after seven days' notice. The poundkeeper wanted to know who was going to reimburse him. One horse was sold for ~>a and the other for Hs 6d. The matter of the Council's liability and position generally was held over lor a legal opinion to bo .submitted to next meeting. HUINGA ROAD. (i. T. Murray, .Resident Engineer, wrote with reference to the expenditure of grant on the Huinga itoad. Metal would bo required before the work could be considered safe, the average coat being light; and he recommended that 20 cubic yards of metal be put on or stacked alongside next summer; meantime, a payment of £lO was being made. Lt was pointed out that the sum of £lO was being withheld by the Department. The Kngineer said a depth of jeight inches of metal had been put on, I but the rolling, which hand not been arranged for, reduced the depth of metal in prices, and the Department objected. | It was resolved on the motion of Crs Were and Coleman that '2O cubic [yards of metal be got out for the | work. WANTED—A LEASE. I Mr (ieoghan, Douglas, wrote asking if the Council would lease that portion of old road near Mr Bredow's house at Douglas, containing about half an acre on one side of the line and about I \ acres on tin; oilier side,

on the condition that he would keep

down all noxious weeds Moved by Cr Walter that the i acre section be offered to Mr Geoghan for a rental of 5s per year in advance J— Seconded by Cr Baskin, and carried. j It was also agreed to offer the second section to Mr iJredow for CI per vear in advance.

REQUEST FBOM PUNI ROAD. Malone. and Worthington. Puniwhakau. wrote asking the Council 'to complete the work on the Puni Road as far as the gateway, and stating that £8 would do for the present. - Agreed to, on the resolution of Crs ISmith and Christoffel.

MIDHIRST MATTER. .). J. Plows, Midhirst, wrote, asking the Council to remove bank on roadside opposite part section 22 ami 23, Midhirst township, block I. corner of Mountain Road and Erin Street, as he intended building on same, but was i unable to get up the bank with a load .of timber. j Referred to the engineer on the motion of Crs Hathaway and Coleman. QUESTION OF ROYALTY. i F. Keightley, Midhirst, wrote, asking if the Council had altered their decision to pay royalty, and if so, why could he not be told, but if not, why he asked was there such an amazing amount of ignorance displayed when he enquired at the County office? He, asked thattlie royalty due on shingle taken from the Manganui River abutting his property on the Mountain Hoad be authorised to be paid. Referred to the Engineer.

DENBIGH ROAD. W. H. Rutledge, Midhirst, wrote complaining that a set of pipes in the first gully on the Denbigh Road were too high, and therefore a large body of water was dammed back on to his property, and his cattle got bogged. He asked that the pipes be lowered, so that he could drain into them. Resolved on the motion of Crs Baskin and Hathaway, that the Engineer lie instructed to have the pipes lowered.

RAILWAY EMBAXKMENT. Cr Baskin moved, and Cr Anderson seconded, that the member for the district be approached for the purpose of urging the Railway Department to remove its portion of the bank at the corner of Kent Terrace and Mountain Road, Midhirst.

TENDERS. Harris and l Browning's tender for the supply of 100 cubic yards of metal for the Waihapa Road. GENERAL. I The Chairman reported re the MidIhirst metal supply, and it was resolved on the motion of Crs Baskin and Smith that the matter be referred to the Chairman and Engineer to interview the member for the district. The Gordon shell-rook work is to be proceeded with as soon as possible. The action of the chairman and engineer in calling tenders for Waihapa gravel was confirmed. 1 A vote of thanks was passed to Mr A. A. Piper for his assistance in the work on the Ahuroa Road. I The Receiver of Land Revenue wrote stating that the schedules of thirds accrued to March 31 amounted to £ll2 9s 9d. J E. Mirfell, Toko, acknowledged with .thanks the Council's motion of sympathy in his recent bereavement. John McCool, I'uniwhakau, applied for the job of foreman.—lt was decided to inform the writer the Council did not need a foreman.

T. Harry Penn, secretary Stratford District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, wrote stating that the Council's share of the upkeep for the year would be £776 14s, by regular monthly instalments of £63 17s 10.—The clerkwas instructed to place on the rate notices the amount of the Hospital and Charitable Aid rate.

Special orders made at Inst meeting were confirmed on the motion of Crs Were and-Walter.

In view of tho high cost of living, Or Anderson gave notice to move that the matter of tho reduction of tho workmen's wages in winter ho rescinded, f

Replying to a question from Cr Baskin, the Engineer .said ho would attend to the bumpy portion of the Mountain Bead near the Boaconslield Road when the roller was at Midhirst next week.

It was pointed out that the Council could take over Mr Bredow's road whenever it was formed. It was resolved that the balance of the timber from the Te Popo bridge be used in the construction of a foot bridge over the gully in Whitcoml>e Street, Midhirst. (Y Raskin complained of the state of the Midhirst township road.—The Engineer said the matter was dealt with in the estimates. Mr R. E. Plows was appointed foreman of West Riding out of seven applicants. Accounts amounting to £213-1 3s Id were passed for payment.