STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 70, 19 October 1916, Page 7

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council was held on Wednesday, when there were present Crs. W. Hathaway (chairman, L. Baskin, E. Walter, T. E. Coleman, A. H. Anderson, G. Smith, J. Christoff el and W. H. Were. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer reported as follows: North Riding. —J. Neilson lias com pleted his contract delivering stone on the Salisbury road. Owing to the amount of wet weather during the month, whihh prevented the abovenamed contractor starting other works on hand, j. found it advisable to call tenders i '""‘'le to-day for work -at Midhirst. new metal on the Denbigh road will he roiled as soon as the roller is available. J. Hatcher has taken up his duties as foreman on the east portion of this riding. A heavy traffic notice has boon put up on the Waipahu bridge. South Riding.—The Collett crusher is engaged on the Finnerty road, having crushed 530 cubic yards of Grimmer and Chamberlain’s stone, also a few hundred yards procured by our own men. The bricklayer is engaged building in the tar boiler at Climie road. Tt will be necessary at a later date to erect a huge concrete tar receptablo so that tar can be kept on stock. East Riding.—The Toko road cast contract is no well in hand, having put out about 500 cubic yaTds. The Gordon road shell-rock job is about completed, and 1 have made satmfactory arrangements for the carting of the rock on to the road. For >- man Atkins, of the Hniroa Riding, has tendered Ids resignation hut is prepared to remain on until a suitable man is appointed. I have let the Hoao road contract at a satisfactory price. We* Hiding.—The Acme crusher has completed the. Manaia road contract of 103 cubic yards and 05 procured by day labour, also 33-1 cubic yards on Opunako No. 2. They are now engaged on the Climio road. Mangaelm Riding.—The Tntutawa shell-rock contract lias been let to Messrs Ferguson and Speck. A start has been made to put a road into the pit. Mr 1). Brosraan has taken up his duties at Puniwhakau. General,—-J have purchased from Mr Clare, of Waitarn, about 30 ov. t of reinforcing at a reasonable price. Ho has also decided to go out of contracting and sell the whole of Ids bridge building plant, 1 would recommend the Council to purchase one pile-driving plant, as we will he in need of same at an early date. As we have been considerably hampered for sleeping accommodation for our men, I purchased from New Plymouth two ’buses which 1 am going to have converted into whares. Re the Queen’s!,Circus, Midhrist, I have estimated 'The cost ‘ of forming and metalling this piece of road at £2O, and as it is completely worn out, 1 would recommend this expenditure. I would suggest calling tenders for several new works under separate cover. While returning from Stanley road bridge on the 2nd October, the County car ignited, which in my opinion, was caused by a back fire, and considerable damage was done to the car. The report was adopted. Tim Engineer was empowered to spend £l2 for reforming the road near the Midhirst Hall, provided Lester Bros, pay half cost. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Coleman, it was resolved that riding members be empowered to engage a suitable man in place of Foreman Atkins (Hniroa

Riding), and that ho be thanked im his offer to ciMilimic hi., unties.

COR K ESPON DEN Cl

The Department, of Agriculture, Wellington, asked the Council to have gorsc cleared on Con noil’s reservo at Otawa.—Received. WaiUnuo County Council forwarded resolution passed by them asking the co-operation of all local bodies throughout the Dominion in urging the Minister of Defence to discontinue the voluntary system of recruiting and that a ballot be taken for the quota in each military district as provided in the War Regulations Act, 191(1.—Received.

Stratford Chamber of Commerce asked the Council’s support in urging the Government to extend telephone communication from Tatars to Tatu. —Resolved to support the Chamber. ,Department of Public Health asked the co-operation of local bodies in an effort to combat the fly pest.— Received. , Rotura Chamber of Commerce forwarded copy of the following resolution passed by that Chamber and asked for the Council’s support: “That representations he made to the Government asking that prison labor be utilised in making and maintaining the main arterial roads of the Dominion, and that the various Chambers of Commerce, County Councils, and Automobile Associations he circularised asking for thensupport in this matter.” On the motion of Cr. Anderson, and seconded by Cr. Weir, the Council agreed to the Chamber in the matter referred to.

Department of Lands and Survey, NT a Plymouth, notified the Council .that they had no record of the road through sections 32 and 33 Ngaero H, as having been dedicated as a County road. The road appeared to have been surveyed to give access to the subdivisions which were surveyed in September. 1900. —Received.

Stratford A. and P. Association asked the'Council to grant their employees a whole holiday of November 30th (People’s Day) at the Show.— Resolved on the motion of Cr. Were, seconded by Cr. Christofiel, that the holiday be given. Eltham County Council asked the council to go into the matter of alteration of boundaries of Eltham County. —Resolved that Crs. Christofiel and Coleman and the Chairman he a committee to meet the Eltham Couu r cil.

Eltham County Council asked the Council to approve of the Anderson Road Loan allocation separate and apart from the question of alteration of boundaries, as this Council desires to complete the partly merged loan proposals with the Hawera County Council at earliest possible moiripiit,—lt was resolved that this be agreed to and that rates be collected and apportioned afterwards. moke increase in wages. The Chairman drew attention to the wages now paid by the Council which were lower than those paid by other Councils, and stated that nearly all other bodies were giving a war bonus. , One Councillor remarked that he did not like the idea of a bonus”—it really meant more wages. The Chairman said something would have to be done as labor was scarce and our men had been tempted by higher wages clesewhere. Cr. Were: We shall be having women on the roads directly. ~ After discussion it was moved by the Chairman, and seconded by Cr. Were, “That the wages of all workmen be increased by Is a day.’ Carried. DANGEROUS RAILWAY CROSSING. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Baskin, it was resolved that the attention of the Railway Authorities be drawn to the dangerous state of the railway crossing at Boaconsfield road, Midhirst. GENERAL. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Were, it was resolved that notice be inserted in the newspapers that all rates due and outstanding must be paid at once. A deputation consisting of Messrs Susans and Kobo waited upon the Council, asking that a bridge with 32 i bains of metal be placed on the BaricIcy road, Cardiff, to allow of access to their property.- The Engineer reported that the cost of this work would amount to about £456.—0n the motion of Cr. Anderson, seconded by Cr. Smith, it was resolved to apply foi a loan for £156 towards this work. Mr II Ashton, representing Air Newton King, waited upon the Council relative to the purchase of a car ■ for the Engineer.— No action was ! taken, the matter being referred to a special committee. BROOK ES-BRECKEN ROAD. On ihc motion of Cr. Smith, seconded by Cr. Anderson, it was resolved that the special order instituted for the raising of a special rate over this road be confirmed. MANGAOTEA ROAD LOAN. It was resolved that Die special order relative to the raising of a loan 'of £255 for forming and metalling Mangaotca road be eonliruicd. ANN GAL* MEETING, i The next (being tin- annual) meeting of the Council will be held on 22ml November. | ACCOUN rs. ' Accounts amounting to CISSO were passed for payment. iMiin nnii rr~— nawww* ,p<fta " H|B