STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 73, 25 November 1915, Page 7

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

ANNUAL MEETING, The annual meeting of the Stratford County Council was neld yesterday, there being a full attendance of members. j Before the usual business began, the election of Chairman for the year was I carried out, resulting in the re-elec-tion of Councillor W. Hathaway, on the motion of Cr Christoffel, seconded J by Cr Baskin. All the Councillors' paid tributes to the good work of Cr J Hathaway. On taking the chair, Cr ( Hathaway thanked the Council for. their expressions of goodwill and syni-j pathy. | THE YEAR'S WORK. , , The Chairman reported that during the past year a considerable amount of work had been done. 15,169 cubic yards of metal had been acquired. i North Riding had received 2287 yards, and also had two bridges erected at a cost of £llOO. South Riding had received 291(5 yards and one ferroconcrete bridge on the Cheal Road, land the Waipa Road had been constructed for 98 chains. East had received 5000 yards, and two bridges had been erected lttear Toko. West had received -1906 yards. Mangaehu Rid-, ing had acquired no metal. Bad weather had been experienced throughout, the County, accompanied by slips and washouts. Wooden culverts had been, replaced by concrete pipes »» every, riding. Heavy grades had boon reduced in the West Riding. The Man-] 'gaehu had suffered most heavily from slips and washouts. A new roller was [due in December. i j Cr Smith was of opinion that too much re-metalling had been done, and, 'patching would be better. Hancb broken metal was superior to crushed metal. Crs Christoffel and Anderson] were of-opinion that the crushed rae-j j tnl was superior. Patching was use-! less, and if a road was to be laid, it should be laid properly. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Engineer (air W. J. Lopdell) reported that the month had been abominally wet, and as a result, work has been practically at a standstill. The weak roads had suffered severely. North Riding—The crushing plant has been hung up on the York Road. About 000 yards was crushed in the month. The rolling has been postponed till arrival of the light roller. Surface work was done during the month. J as. Sharrock notified intention of not carrying on the Stanley Road contract owing to an accident. Tenders had been called for Salisbury Road. South Riding—General surface work had been done. The Cheal Road has been completed. The swing bridge near Toko has been re-erected. East Riding—General surface work is proceeding favourably. Tenders had been called for the metalling of the Ahuroa Road. Douglas Riding—A wood culvert collapsed at the 19 mile peg, and has been replaced by 18iu. pipes. Huiroa Riding—Part of the bridge gang are at Baker's bridge, and given good weather, the work should bo finished this week. Owing to absence of labour, the work of repairing slips is delayed. West Riding —This Riding gives a considerable amount of trouble on account of wet weather and heavy milk traffic, and the scarcity of maintenance metal. Mangaehu Riding—Foreman Savage is doing good work among the slips and washouts. McLachlan's bridge is being commenced. General.—The tollgate has been completed and is now working. Cr Baskih said Denbigh Road was the worst metalled road he had seen for twenty-one years. It was bad management. Metal for Beaconsfield Road had been crushed on the Denbigh Road, and it was hard for the settlers to see it go elsewhere. The Engineer explained that the metal in question had been taken out by private people As a matter of fact, the Denbigh Road people had asked the Engineer not to go up that road till the dry weather.

RANGER'S REPORT. Many roads were visited during tho mouth. Cr Buskin stated that the Council had an energetic ranger. But the present ranger had not sufficient instructions, and the Chairman was to blame for this. Tho Chairman explained that there was difficulty regarding contractors horses for whom accommodation was scarce. Cr Baskill then went on at length to give details of the depredations of these horses at Midhirsfc, and something should bo done or there would bo trouble. The Cemetery Board would resign if something wag not done. The Chairman stated that a course would he to instruct the Rangor to impound horses within a mile of Midhirst, On Denbigh Road, carters were employed to cart wood where contracting work could not be gono on with. Wood waa heing carried out in spite of the Council. The Chairman said that the Ranger should be in-

structed to impound all straying stock beyond li miles troni the contract. Cr Smith seconded the motion. This motion was lost. Cr Baskin moved that the Hanger be instructed to keep Midhirst clear of all stock between Radnor and Denbigh Road. Cr Smith seconded.—Carried. Cr Baskin complained that one of the crusher tanks and the grader had ; been left in Kent Terrace. The En- \ gineer was instructed to get the matter remedied. CORRESPONDED CE. The officer in charge ot the Discharged Soldiers' Department wrote thanking tho Council for their intention to co-operate with the Department. —Received. Messrs Maloue and King wrote stating that under Sec. 31 of "The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies' Empowering Act, 1913," that the closed portion of Fenwick Road, Waipuku, shall form a portion of the Waipuku CemeteryReceived, and resolved to notify the Cemetery Trustees. J. Weston, Monmouth Road, wrote asking for a refund of driving fees charged by the Ranger. Resoived that the Council cannot see. its way clear to refund the amount. Anderson's Ltd., Christchurch, wrote stating that the newl roller ia, due by the S.S, "Nerehana," due in Wellington about New Year.. —Received. The Secretary of the Lowgiwth Cooperative Dairy Coy, Ltd., wrote stating the Company is not responsible for the heavy carting on the Fiimerty Road.—Received. The Secretary of the A. and P. Association wrote asking the Council to grant a holiday to the stall' on Pea pie's Day of the Show.—Granted. E. Re'lf wrote asking the Council to keep his job open during the war. Resolved that work be found for Relf on his return. The Christchurch City Council forwarded resolutions as to identification, of marks on cars and cycles.—Received. R. Carroll wrote complaining of ihc state of the Denbigh Road. Resolved that the best attention of the Engineer be given to the matter, j Tho Secretary of the Midhirst Coj operative Dairy Company, Limited, wrote complaining of the state of j Cardiff Road, and asking for repairs. llt wa s decided to get '"'Gentle Annie" I bridge attended to when the weather is suitable.

WAGES. The Engineer reported that many good men were leaving the employment of the County on account of the.low wages. It was admitted that the wages were not equal to that in other districts, and the Engineer was of the opinion that good men are hard to get, and when got, must be kept. Discussion revealed that most of the Councillors, especially Cr Walter, were of the same opinion a s the Engineer. Cr Walter moved that all the Council staff be granted l s a day rise in wages until the end of next AprilCarried. GENERAL. The tender of J. H. Nielson was accepted for 480 yards of metal for the Salisbury Road. The- same contractor's tender for 1800 yards for the Ahuroa Road was accepted. Accounts amounting to £1122 13s 2d were passed for payment. The tender of H. Wilson and Bon was accepted for the supply of 800 dog collars. The Chairman moved that the dog tax remain.as it is at present, namely, 2s (3d working dogs, and 10s for sporting dogs.—Carried.