STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 66, 22 June 1916, Page 2

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETINC. The montl.v meeting of the Stratford County Council was hold yesterday when there were present Cts. W. Hatha v.-ay (chairman), L. Raskin, H. 'B. Wnrthington, W. H. Were, A. Coleman, J. Cbriscoffol, T. K. AnJorson, r. Smith, and K. Walter. CORRESPONDENCE. P. Skoglund, Town Clerk, Sti'atford, wrote asking tjhe Council to repair the path at entrance to the shed in Juliet Street South and to put in a proper crossing. Complaints had 'reaclul the Borough Council re the state of the path at the point, referred to,and for which traffic into the shed is responsible.—Repairs to be attended to.

The clerk, Patea County Council, wrote, forwarding the following resolution and asking the Council to pass a similar resolution :—"That this Council strongly condemns the present system of including in Reinforcements drafts, men of enemy paientage on either paternal or maternal sides, and further urges that no distinction or exemption he made from this principle of absolute disability on the part of men of enemy parentage as above stated, to serve in our Reinforcement drafts or in any capacity in our defence system.— Received.

R. !). Milne, Toko, wrote npplyying for permission to be allowed to remove quantity of clay from the high bank at his gateway near the Waiwiri Bridge on the East Road! thereby improving and widening the cutting, a work that will lie absolutely necessary in the near future owing to the rapid increase of motor traffic—The matter was referred to the Engineer with power to act. J. Petrie, Stratford, wrote asking the Council to make a crossing at the gate of his farm on Monmouth Road, he being agreeable to pay cost.— Granted.

The secretary of the Auckland Automobile Association wrote stating that in a recent by-law case, a statement was made by the Magistrate concerning the damage done to the loads by motor cars, and which set up a theory contrary to the opinion held by, motorists.- The Magistrate's remarks were reported as follows:—There were .three,, matters which had to be considered, the speed of the motor, car, the distance travelled, and the kind of road. As regards the speed, the motor car travelled three times faster than an ndinary veHelc. It was clear from the evidence of two witnesses and from the observation of anyone who had his eyes open that the motor caused a suction which divw out the binding between the lumps of metals, which become loosened. Rubber tyres are also liable to cause a certain amount of vibration on road. This was evidenced by the fact that there was so much dust and grit in the air when a motor car passed along the road. When that damage done by a motor car was multiplied by the distance ittravelled and this was compared With the damage done by a waggon, it' would be seen that the injury done..by the former was greater. "To my mind," continued the writer, "there are weaknesses in the Magistrate's statement and many points winch can lie brought out in favor of the opinion thai much greater damage can he. done by horse drawn traffic."—

The Chairman and Engineer were appointed a sub-committee to draw up

a repiv. ENGINEER'S REPORT. •vpp The Engineer (Mr W. J. Lopdell) reported on the month's work as follows :

Xorth Riding.—The crushing plant i s at work in the Midhirst district, crushing for the Mountain Road between Flint Road and the abattoirs. U weather permits the plant will proceed to the Denbigh Road where about 500 cubic yards of stone is ready. The corner at the Croydon Road has been removed back to the fence. L'he bridge gang are still engaged on the Stanley Road bridge. They are badly in need of a horse and dray on this work.

South Riding.—Good work was being done in this riding with the roller but unfortunately it had to be taken away to follow the crushing plant; it will, however, be returned as soon as possible to complete the work. The riding generally is in good order. Fast Riding. A considerable amount of work has been done during th month. The Waiwiri road contract has been completed, using 492 cubic

yards on the Ahuroa Road, 856 cubic yards crushed and 252 hand knapped

lon the Waiwiri Road, 0-10 cubic yards [of crushed metal lias been sent to Gordon Road, 10 cubic yards to Dougla, and 100 cubic yard,; to Huiroa; here I would like to express my appreciation of the manner in which the Railway Department assisted us in the matter of trucks,which enabled us to keep the work goi.-g smoothly. The lloaconsfield Road is now almost completed with the exception of the regrading which we will proceed with if the weather holds good. The ditches on the Douglas Road have been cleaned out.

West Hiding.—General surface work is proceeding steadily, especially noticeable in the watertablos. I hope to have the crushing plant in this riding during the month. Huiroa Hiding.—This riding is in fair order, will the exception of tbo Heao and Aut.iwa roads. The Autawa Rotul below the bridge can be put in good order for the amount authorised. Mangaehu Riding.—Generally, this riding is in fair order, though there

are still some of the roads to clear

of last year';; .slips

General.—! m.va again made a tour of the whole county, with the members of their ridings, and hud there is still much that requires urgent attention, and I consider it will be necessary to strike a heavy rate to meet the demands of the coming year. The tar boiler lias arrived, 1 would like the Council's instructions as 1o where it is to be erected. We are urgently in need of another traction engine to work the second plant when it arrives. Applications have been'cjjfc ed for the. position of traction engine driver, returnable to-day.—Adopted > FOREM lON'S REPORTS. . . North Riding East. Foreman Kovaleski reported: During the early part of the month we carted about 30 cubic yards of shelirock from Mr Pitt's property, and 20 cubic yards of boulders from Mr Gibbs', to the Stanley Road bridge. We then worked to the extent'of about £8 on the corner of the Croydon West and Mountain roads (removing earth). Since-then we have assisted with crushing operations at Mitlhirst.

North Hiding West.-Foreman Brown reported: .We have put out patch metal on the Mountain Road and made a start refacing the south end. Denbigh Road.—Between 400 and 500 cubic yards of stone has been prepared ready for the crushing plant".' Radnor Road.— Repairs have been done on this road. Most of the month has been spent crushing metal fof the East Riding, which we have now finished, and will push on with the Mountain and Denbigh roads as fast as possible. South Hiding.—Foreman Parker reported: We have remctalled about a mile on the lower Chcnl Road. The upper Finnerty Road has been put in fair order. A considerable amount of surface work has been done. We are now engaged banking-up the Victoria Street. We renewed a culvert on the Cheal Road with six 12-in. pipes.

East Riding.—Foreman Richards reported: Good progress has been made with the metalling work throughout the riding during the past month. J. Xoilson's contract on the Waiwiri Road ha,; been completed. Beaconsfleld Road.—This work is well in hand and will lie completed in a few days, with the exception of four fillings which are to be raised and remetalled, the metal for this has been dumped on the road side. General maintenance work has been done on the Toko Road West, Huinga Road, and Ohura East and West. Repaired the broken culvert on the latter toad with two 9-in. pipes. Four 9-in. pipes have been put in at the entrance to the Toko Hotel stables. During the month I have been nine days in the Douglas Riding assisting with the remetalling work on Gordon Road.

Douglas Riding.—Foreman Rogers reported: 600 cubic yards of metal lias been railed to Gordon Road and usee! on the Ohura Road, remetalling about 6Y) chains. Good progress lias been made with the Gordon Road shellrock contract. A start has been made on the Strathmore Saddle, general surface work lias also been done on several roads.

West Riding.—Foreman Plews reported- During the month the reinstating of the Waingongoro watertables have been completed and the road should be much benefited thereby. A culvert on the Climie Road that was blocked with willow roots has been

successfully cleaned out. Opunake No. 2 and 3 threatened to break up during the heavy rain experienced during the early part of the month, hut was patched heavily throughout. Patching and watertahling is now in, progress on upper Hastings and Man-i aia North. Two sots of 9-in pipes. I have been put m on the Waingongoro T * r " wl . a!so seven 9-in have been laid on upper Hastings and three 9-in. on | Palmer-Duthie Road. The Waingongoro bridge, Cardiff, has been crown-

c.\ r.p v.i«li tar. and sand, SO gallons of tar being used thereon. Huiroa Hiding.—Foreman Atkins reported: The Makuri Road, East and West, has been watertabled throughout, overhanging tern and scrub has also been out from the sides of these roads. The necessary maintenance metal required for repairs to the latter roads is being crated and dumped in places prepared for the same. Seven 9-in. pipes have been carted for n renewal on this road. Necessary repairs have also been carried out on the following roads: Mohakau, Douglas (North and South), Autawa and | Tunupo roads. A large pipe culvert has been inserted, and the reinstate- ! ment of a filling is proceeding on the . latter road. Seven 12-in. pipes have | been put in on the Douglas Road | North and ten 18-in. pipes on the Douglas. Road South. The authorised expenditure to the down river portion of the Autawa Road lias been put in hand. Mangaehu Riding.—Foreman Sav- ; age reported: During the month I have cleaned the watertablos on the Mangaehu South from end to end, and put in six culverts and (leaned the watertables on the metalled part of i the Puniwhakau Road. I have also repaired the Mangatuku and ManI CMohu roads. The Puniwhakau sur- ' i' coman have been clearing slips on J the Puniwhakau and Mangaehu roads. Adopted.

GENERAL.

cr. Were moved, and the'Chairman

..v'coi.ded, that a letter ot uiauks be lorvvarded to the stationmastor at Midhirst tor this promptitude m foi»vUrding trucks, etc., tor the use of tho Council. —larried. . . Cr. Were moved, and it Wits agreed, that Mr linn be granted permission to erect a gate at his own risk and during the- pleasure of the Council.

Or. Smith said that a gi'eat number of the po. ts of the Council's protecting fences in the West Hiding were rotten and they needed renewing. Ho .suggested that J (JO be pur-chased.-The matter was left to the riding members and the Engineer with power to act. The Engineer stated that the old traction engine was on its last legs and they needed anotlier one so as to use the old one as .a "second." It was very unprofitable to keep on hiring. He had an engine in view which could be .purchased for about £odo.—lt was "decided on Cr. Anderson's motioii, that ,thcQhairman, Cm Christoffcl and the Engineer be a subr 'committee to consider the purchasing of the engine. . .

The matter of the site of the tar boiler "was left in, the. lunuls of the Chairman, Gr. CMlstoffel; and' the Vjk* gineer, witlu power to act. Cr. Worthington sai<| : : ; that \f 'the Wliaka Road needed repairs. He had been under the impression that it was not vested in the Council, but it?- was, and the Department had cleared the southern portion. -The Council's portion jyas,, not cleared■.sWd-,it ; isokited some,. settlers.—The matter was left in the .bunds , ©i the Engineer. '••■ /

On the'Chairman's motion, seconded by Cr. Smith, the ringer iwas instructed to impound all stock grazing on the . County roads af tor ' the end Of dune. Cr. Baskin said the nuisance was very prevalent in Midhirst -tmuiship. and, on rtj •> recent Saturday night tnrce horses , were laying down on cue metal portion, oi the road.

Messrs H. H. Susans ami E. G'Sullivan waited on the Council and asked that access be given to their properties on Barclay Road. A bridge was required over a small stream and a certain amount of metalling would need to bo done. They would give the land for the road and would pay all survey fees and transfer oliice fees. The road would be dedicated to the Council. The difference of area in their favour would bp about an acre. Mr Susans said all the settlors were willing to have the road straightened and it would save about half a-mile or road. It was<at present about a mile long. The old surveyed road was of no use and they did not wish it to be formed.

Or, Smith said the road required bridging and about six chains of metalling. He suggested the only way out of the difficulty in regard to finance would be to raise a loan.

Cr. Anderson moved, and Or. ChristofFel seconded, that the Engineer be instructed to report on the matter.—Carried.

The Chairman said if the Engineer adopted the road, the" ratepayers on the road would be willing to raise a loan to do the work. DANGEROUS CROSSING AT XGAICRE. In regard to the petition received at last meeting from Ngaere residents respecting the dangerous crossing on the .Mountain Road, the clerk reported that some time ago the Railway Department wrote stating that it would erect warning boards, the same to be maintained by the Council.—On the motion of Cr. Coleman it

was decided to have the boards erected. Accounts amounting to £2850 2s 6d were passed for payment.

GENERAL. The Engineer submitted the following estimates lor the current year:—-

West Riding £2995, East Riding £4317, South Riding £2319, North Riding £3175, Mangaehu Riding £1395.

Mr Barleyman waited on the Council with a request for assistance in metalling part of Croydon Road South in order to give him access to his property. -The Chairman promised that something would be clone as early as possible.

Rates as follows were struck for the different Ridings:—North Riding 3d, South 2Jd, East 3d, West 3d Mangaehu 3-id, on the motion of Cr. Smith, seconded by Cr. Raskin.

Cr. Walter moved that the rates in all the Ridings for the ensuing year lie raised by Jd. Cr. Walter stated that the farms were all paying, and the settlers were having a fairly good time, and would not feel the extra burden to any extent, while the extra levy would very materially lessen the bank overdraft. The motion was strenuously opposed by Cr. Smith, and on being put to the meeting, was lost, the division being: For the motionCrs. Walter, Were, Anderson and the Chairman; against—Crs. Baskin, Worthington, Christoffel, Smith and Coleman. It was decided that inquiries be made with reference to the ownership of a section on Climie Road, near the railway crossing, which :\as a suitable site, for the tar-boiling plant. Several applications were received for the position of traction engine driver, and Mr J, Mudi'ord, of Marton, was appointed, It was decided, on the motion of Cr. Worthington, that the Survey Department be requested to survey the Kaitoko Road deviation.

Cr*. Baskin gave notice to move at next meeting that time-sheets be attached to the pay sheets.

It was decided to allow full pay to Surfaceman Locky for his work as the result of an injured knee.

A suggestion was made that accounts lie taken as read and passed for payment, but the majority of Councillors'considered the old method best, and the items were ■ recited by the Engineer'!with the usual eloquence, after whijlj they, were duly for