STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 15, 20 April 1916, Page 2

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. At the monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council yesterday, there were present: Crs. W. Hathaway (chairman), L. Baskin, H. B. 'Worthington, E. Walter, W. hi. Were, J. Smith, T. H. Anderson, J. Christoffel, and T. Coleman. CORK ESPONDENCE. R. Masters, Hon. Secretary Soldiers Day Committee, wrote, inviting the Council to be present at the function on Easter Monday. The writei slated that the carnival was a provincial affair, and the whole funds collected would lie paid into the laianaki provincial fund.—The Councillois signified their intention ot attending. A. Gray, Health Inspector, wrote in reply to the Council’s letter re nuisance caused by pig yards adjoining roadsides, and stated that the most effective manner in which to deal I with the matter was for the Council to pass a by-law compelling farmers to have pigeries, cowsheds and manure heaps a specified distance from 'public roads, such distance to be specified by the District Health Officer, or else the question could be dealt witn as an amendment to “The Public Health Act, 1908.”—Received. J. Lucena wrote stating that bo had been requested by a tew Toko Road settlers to get permission to erect a telephone along the county road, starting at Mr Ewan Jaskson s and Mr E. Marfell’s, connecting at Huinga School and thence to Stratford.— Cr Christoffel moved, and Cr Worthington seconded: That the permit he granted subject to compliance with- the Engineer’s instructions. —Carried.

A circular letter was received from the Taiori County Council enclosing the following resolution passed at a recent meeting. “Resolved that this Council respectfully' petition the Government to limit the power of Municipal Councils to erect toll gat an and take tolls on bridges under the provisions of Sections 198 to 205 of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1908, prohibiting the erection of such gatot and taking ol such tolls without the sanction of the Governor-iii-Council, and by reserving to the Governor-in-Council’s power to diminish the tolls or to abolish the toll gates whenever Ihe may deem it advisable to do so as is provided in the case of toll gates erected by local authorities on roads under Section 156 of “The Public Works Act, 1908,” by Section 173' or that Act, and .that the tolls to be ; taken at any toll gates on any bridge whether now existing or hereafter to be erected shall be restricted to a sum sufficient to provide for the erection, upkeep, maintenance and renewal (when necessary) of any such bridge, and shall not be levied, used, or applied by the Council in aid of the ordinary rates and revenue of the Borough.”—Received. A Hotter was received from the Under-Secretary Department of Internal Affairs, enclosing an extract from the New Zealand Gazette re Anz’ac Day.—On the motion of Cr Christoffel, seconded by Cr Coleman, it was decided to give ibhe permanent and casual employees the whole day las a holiday.

Tho Clerk, Moa Road Board, wrote re loan for Mangaotoa Road. The total loan proposed to he raised for the road was £7OO. The Boards share was £445, and tire Council’s £255. The writer stated that ho had worked out the rate at Id in tho £, which would more than cover the .'.mount of interest, but he thought it was not worth while to make the rate 19-20th of a penny, as it was easier to levy a smaller rate when the balance in hand grew too large.—The Chairman moved that tho Council raise a loan of £255 for grading and metalling Mangaotea Hoad.—Seconded by Cr Coleman, and carried.

w. Wheller, Stanley Road, wrote asking tho permission of the Council to remove n few loads of earth from the road opposite his property for his own use. There were several cuttings on the road near his place.—The matter was left to tho Engineer to give consent if necessary.

B, darkness wrote stating that he required a few loads of clay to make a small filling in front of his motor slied. There was a high bank on the Mountain Road south. If it was rounded off it would improve his entrance, which ho was prepared to do if the Council would grant permission. —Permission granted subject to Engineer’s approval.

The Clerk Eltham County Council wrote stating that an application had been received from Mr Alexander Boddie for an alteration of the County boundaries, by the inclusion in the Eltham County of section 11.. Block VIII, Ngacre. The section was in the Stratford County, hut the road leading to it is so far distant from the Stratford County to lie unworkable at the Stratford end. The Eltham Council was in favor of the section being included in the County, but desired to have the Stratford Council’s views as -,.0 whether any objections were likely to arise. Cr. Christoft’el objected, and said it any adjustment of boundaries was necessary it should be done generally throughout the County. He moved in accordance with the above. The motion was seconded by the Chairman and carried. ENG INKER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr W. J. Lopdell) reported for the month as follows: — North Riding.—The approaches to the Denbigh Road Bridges are now completed, the first one being metalled, owing to the wet weather we were unable to get the crushing plant over it to crush for the second one The farmers on this road came out 1

a couple of days and assisted with this work. We will return and hnidi the crushing as soon as possible. A start has been made with the road into the metal reserve. The Denbigh Road railway crossing has been nn-j proved.—Re culvert on the Beacons- j hold Road, this culvert is low enough for 'County requirements, and to drain surface water, and il any lowei,tlieie would be a danger of silting up in time.—Cambria Street culvert is now completed, and ready for grading. ; Bayly’s culvert has been attended j to. ! South Riding.—Mountain Road; 200 j cubic yards of boulders have been i crushed at Ngaere and IS chains of I the road laid down with a tar maca-1 dam at a cost of £3 12s 3d per chain, : plus shingle and labor. Mr Basham j kindlv lent his tar sprayer for the first ( coat,’ and wo hired the Kltharn Borough plant for the second coat. Iho crushing plant is now engaged on the Wingrove Road. blast Riding.—T. Neil son is making good progress with the Waiwere Road shellrock job. C. Tuck has finished the drain cleaning on the Standish Rond,. General surface work has been carried out during the month. Douglas Riding.—Surface work has been the order of the day in tins Riding. , ! West Riding.—The staff are still doing good work in this 1 Riding, but are in need of maintenance metal on several roads. A stack of oat in sheaf is under offer to us. I have hired the big horse to H. Gray, it being idle in the Riding. 1 Huiroa Riding.— Foreman Atkins is still doing good work in this Riding as will be seen by his report. Mangaehu Riding,—J. Savage has completed his Mangaehu Contract, and hag resumed the foreinanship again. The other two Mangaehu jobs are progressing fairly well. Good work is being done throughout. FORFMEN’S REPORTS. North Riding.—Foreman Brown reported: During the month we have been engaged on the Denbigh Road bridges, the approaches being now completed. About 200 cubic yards of boulders have been crushed. Regan Street.—The metalling of this road is completed. I will trim it up when I get time. Mountain Road.—This road is very rough in places, but may stand till it is refaeed. The culvert at Mr Bayly’s is now made up. J have not had time to extend the culvert by the factory yet. A start has been made to improve the crossing, at Denbigh Road. Nine nine-inch pipes were used, / . j ■ . i

Foreman Kovaleski reported ; Wo commenced the month by putting a set of seven nine-inch pipes on Stanley Road east. Croydon Road vest, and Croydon Road respectively. The maintenance metal for the lover end of the Salisbury Road has been crushed, 120 cubic yards of which were sent up the Cross Road, and twelve yards to Salisbury North. We then crushed 114. yards on Croydon Road north. Cross Road has been water-tabled throughout, and a considerable amount of patching done on Croydon west, Stanley, Cross, Croydon and Salisbury Roads.

South Riding.—-The Foreman reported: All the roads are in fair order. We have re-metalled 18 chains on. the Mountain Road, and given it two coats of tar. Twenty-five nineinch pipes have boon used on this road. We have done up the Brooks Road, and metalled.it to Mr Thorpe’s gate, twelve yards being used. The crushing plant is out on the Wingrove Road, where a start has been made. Fast Riding.—The Foreman reported : During the month the work of remetalling Skinner Road has been completed; Abnron West Road.— Banking and trimming (up of watertables has been done, and the road is now in good order. Almroa East. — This road has been refaced with shellrock for a distance of 41 chains. The Waiwera Road ,is well in hand, and weather permitting, wo will finish in about four: days.) A bridge on road has been (partly redecked, .also a wooden culvert replaced , with '.six nine-inch; Saudish.;, ■ Road.— Banking jhas been ‘ done on this, road, also ro-’dccking ■ wooden : vin,ilve,i(t.. Drain-cleaning has been; completed, on Uiis road. Mr Gp Harris,dims taken seven nine-inch pipes for 'the Maknri Road. ' ' i ■ 1 be'

Douglas Ridhig.—Thb Foreman rer ported; During tiic month most ol our time has been taken up. cleaning drains and doing general road work. Gordon Road.—Seven 'id-inch w pipes have been used on this road. Taihorc Road.—There is a good bridle track over the saddle, . , ,

West Riding.—The Foreman reported; During the month the surfacing ofi Opunake No. 2 has' been completed, and about six yards of shingle carted out for the tar .sealing of the Waingongoro Bridge. Opunake No. i has also had much-needed atten- ■ ! ■ . l■• VI ' ■ turn in the, direction of banking up of metal, and opening up of tables and cutlets. A set of nine pipes have been put in front of Mr Townsends, the latter supplying, the pipes. We arc now engaged on the. Clunie Hoad, which has been allowed to over-grow .with fern. Rowan Road.—Surface work has been done on this road, and is' now in fair order. If at all convenient, I would like the crusher on the Waingongoro and Brooks Roads, as maintenance metal is becoming very scarce. Huiroa Riding.—The Foreman reported: Akama Road. —Dram-clean-ing has been completed, and sufacing work will he completed in a few days. Slip cleaning work has been proceeded with on the following roads; Douglas Road north, Tunupo, and Akama Roads. With the completion of a fill- 1 ing on tile Tunupo Road, which is now in hand, the road will bo open for ordinary traffic to a point oh the Antawa Road near Mr Mnilis’ cottage. One 18-foot nine-inch concrete pipe culvert has been inserted on the j Douglas Road north. A large flood opening was also put in on this road. Four hundred and eighty feet of

I bridge decking was required to carry -i out this work. A 21-foot pipe am) a j 20 foot timber culvert was also in- - 3j sorted on this road. Tunupo Road.— L Twelve 2-foot ami eight IS-inch con- " crete pipes have been carted out for > renewals cm this road. Maknri Road 13 east.—Ton 2-foot pipes have been L carted to the culvert near the school. ■: Mangaehn Riding.—The Foreman t reported: 1 again took up my elutes s | as Foreman on the 10th of April, i ", have been fencing dangerous places, •j clearing water-tables and raking loose ij metal on the Mangaehn Road. The U Pnniwhakau surfaceman lias been l j clearing slips, widening tlie -dad in I narrow places,- and putting in pipes on the Pnniwhjfkah Road. Repur- - ing culverts and clearing slips on the r Brower, Taihoro and Mangaehn ? Roads. .'.is • ■ . 5 Tlie reports were adopted, i THE FINNERTY ROAD. ’ ' !■' i, 1 ’ , Messrs Gray of the Lowv garth Dairy Company)., and Mr N. B. } -I Friday, waited on the Council regarding tlie bad state of the Finnerty Road. Nothing bad been done for 12 . years, and if something was not done t soon farmers would not lie able to tupply the factory. Tlie top end of i he road needed remetalling. Or. Smith said something needed to lie done to the road. The factory bad to got its produce away, and so the road had to he in repair. The Chairman said that 800 yards of Metal was provided for’the roa'd, A member 1 of the dbpuUltibn said he was aware of th.Vt ‘but it would not be ! ‘available till next snrhiitef. The'CouVi- 1 oil' ; proiiibitod' the raifling of medal oil ‘ the roads after the end of the mcViitb. ! €V.'Christoffel said the l road was un-der-the joint control of tlie Stratford and Elthrtm Counties. The Stratford Con'nfy had to look after the upkeep of‘the road, and the •Flthani ■ County. 1 ’cbrttHhWted towards it..,a* 1 ' 1,7,1 * 'Mi,. Cr. Anderson ynill the Lowgartli* Dairy Company carted shingle over tlie road in wet weather to build ovM the crete portion of the factory. If they had waited tufo.w weeks it would not have damaged,Uje iaad. , The Chairman said the. wadijnp to ' tilts, year was ifl deht.y JEnow- stood.incredit to The Engineer-was- instructed to-put the road jin order as so.oji as possible. | A CRUSHING terEMEN’IX. 1.1 J -) Cr; Baskin asked if itNvaS" 'fovroot that tlie Council’s plant had been used to crush 54 yards of metal for Foreman Plows; In his opinion liq I his unusual, as Mr MarcMft|,|; .who 1 had;had about'2l years expellee opThe Coini-; cil, had attended lasQhpoMnigvaflA ask-j ed for permission to crush stone for himself. He asked tlie Engineer ii Foreman Plows had used the the Council’s plant. The Engineer replied in tlie negative. After some inaudible remarks Ivul been made by smiling Councillors, Cr. Baskin said lie bad made a mistake ; | he had meant Foreman Kovaleski. The two men were ImotherAn-laws, and they ( were the same to him. | Thd Engineer explained that If ore-j yuan Kovaleski had asked him for por-| mission, and as there would not he a Council meeting for some time, and the crusher was leaving the district, he had given the necessary permission. If it had been neccssai-y po wait until tlie next Council mooting tlie crusher would have left the district, and it would have been useless. He took the'; [ responsibility and granted permission. In his report the foreman stated the number of yards crushed and the mini her of hours worked. \ 3

The Chairman said there was a resolution on the hooks to the effect that |if settlers wanted metal permission could he granted to have boulders 'crushed by the Council's plant. ' ! Cr. Smith said lie did not wish to raise any objection, hut he thought the Council’s permission should hove been I obtained. The Engineer had not munitioned the matter either in his report or by word of month. ' On the motion of Cr. seconded by Cr. Christoffe], the Engineer’s action was approved of; GENERAL. The matter of procuring the stack | of oats mentioned in the Engineer’s report was left, to the 'West Biding members and the Engineer with power to act. The Engineer’s action of hiring the horse to IT. Cray' was approved of. The Engineer reported that the two engine sheds required attention. In regard to the metal reserve * at Midhirst,. the Engineer said Mr Weybourne was opposing them in every way. Mr Weybonrne, when approached, would not allow the Council halt an acre on which to dump uhe metal to he carted by H. Gray. The speaker then obtained permission from the Bailway Department to dump the boulders on a railway reserve at Miclliirst.! Mr Weybonrne later would not allow . ibe carters to dump or cart over bis! reserve uptil the fifth of next month, when ids; lease 'expires.—-'I be matter was left fn the bands'of the Chairman and the Engineer. ■- ; » >' Cr. AVaiteis moved, and Cr. AAV re see--5 ended, that extra . metalling on AA Taiw'eri Road-he (done as> prfjposod.-j—Car-ried. ' ! ! ■1• It " if ■I J 1 Cr: Baskin pointed onf the badlstqte of the approach tb the, Cardiff BridgOi, He said 'thcrsjw;a{i plenty of motql pean; the bridge which could ;be, vised for,The work. j ij ■ : ‘ I i■ ■ •it was ('pointed put That the pietai , was held in ,reserve for .the West Bid'jing. . ' ' The Chairman, as a member of the local recruiting committee, reported that the recruiting agent had approach'll 88 men and had been .success- , i‘ul in enlisting 44. ! Or. Baskin said that the. Engineer . had imttie a, “tip-top” jph of the. far, |t nljjfcmlfjjn work ,ot-.Npaere. .Cr. .Chris-. tofieljJilso' expressed the same, .opinion. . lytas deeded that the rate of wages. ! o£#ie Council’s employee? should bp. same in winter and summer until further notice. It was decided ~ (fiat Apzac Day . .should be observed as a full holiday .by the Counoil’s hands, ... The appointment of Air R. IT. ..Cameron as canvasser for the Bcornicing , Committee was approved, j It was resolved'to invite'tenders, for the lease of the land n£, Midhirst about to be relinquished by Mr Kovaleski. the term to be a yearly one. The matter of evasion of toll dues was brought up by the Engineer, and, it was agreed that some regular system is required to prevent motorists and others from evading payment of toll. Accounts amounting to £’2713 11s Id were passed for payment.