RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3326, 3 November 1919, Page 5

RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting was held on Friday. Present: Crs. B. P. Lethbridge (chairman), A. G. Simpson, W. Doole, , F; R, H. Brice, P.~Br.own, A. Gibbs,iH. ()’»Call'aghan, Pede:-son, T. Duncan, and J. Brice. _ ~. 1,4’ 0“ Correspondence was read:—— ‘ ‘ From returning ofiieer, giving result of poll to raise loan of £35,000 for metalling roads ill'Ruanui Riding: Marton 10 for, 12 against; Taihafie, 97 for, 5 against; Mataroa, «£7 for, 10 -against; Turangarere, 7 for, nil against; Rangiwaea, 45 for, nil against; total, 206 for, 27 against. Mr Brady, Mafaroa,_ waited on the Councii and asked that the road radjoining his property be closed. He was informed that the Council had no power to do this. The road in question to be closed would have to be valued and sold. Mr Brady decided -to letthe matter drop. _ It was resolved:—

That the Engineer prepare plans for addition of two rooms to workman ’s cottage at Okirae.‘ That the_Enginéer prepare :1 list of Government reserves suitable for County purposes, with a View to having them vested in Council.

That the Engineer call ‘tenders for portion of works proposed under ißuanui loan of £35,000, and that the Chairman, Cr. Brice, Engineer, and Clerk proceed to Wellington 'to arrange re floating loan.

That ‘the Engineer He empowered to negotiate for the purpose of metal pits required in Ruanui Riding.

A suggestion by the chairman that a two-seatcr car be procured for the foreman at Taihape‘ met. the support of Councillors from the Upper Ridingsp, but~Cr. F. Brice raised the point that other employees would"also be wanting cars, and the Council should look into the expense. The- Council resolved that a tmo-sea.tel° car be procured for the Foreman, that his salary be £250 a year, and that the Council maintain the car. The resolution to take effect from delivery of car. A- - ENGINEERS REPORT. - ’ The following i«s7the"Engineer’s re‘port for the month -of October:—— I 1 Wanrgaehu Riding.-fG\l:aV¢l ll'3Pall"S‘ are in hand on Wharcroa, Road. As soon as completed the grader will commence working in this riding. <Roadman Drewery asked for another room to be built to his cottage at Okirae. Otaihi Ri(ling.——Gravcl repairs have been conlple’red'on Murimotu and Vinegar Hill Roads. Widening points on Tm-akina.Va.lle,v road, near Kaipahore is about completed.

Tekapua Riding-.——Clay roads have dried up Well, and are, generally good. Fair progress has been made cutting firewood for papa repairs, .\{ataroa-K-ocka road. .

Ruanui Riding.~—Roads have dried up, but "are very rough. Tenders have been invited for repair gravel on Mataroa Roads, and gravelling eighty chains for Mataroa—Ruanui Road. Bailas-t. is being delivered at Maiaroa depots for above works. about 1200 cubic yards being dumped to date, Further prospecting has revealed a. considmzable quaptityi of good gravel at -Ledwardfls pit,“Ngau.rukehu; enough is now in‘ ‘sight for the loan"works shortly to be

put in hand. Erewhon Riding.-—GraVel repairs on Moawhango Roads have been commenced. The wire rope for Erewhon crossing has been received from Wellington, and I hope to get it erected during the month. \ Awarua Riding.-——Roads have dried up and are fast improving. Grave] repairs on Mangznveka-Utiku Road have been completed. Gravolling contract on Makino Road has been completed satisfactorily. Drawings -of ‘ Upper Kawhatau and Hikuran-gi bridges have been approved by Public Works Department. I hope to have copies ready in a few days to lodge with Kiwitea County and Minister for Public Works, so that 2.. warrant may be applied for. Roadrrian 11-lumphries asks that fivvo rooms be added to his cottgae at Taoroa.No. 1 road grader is now working on the Utiku Road.’ GENERAL.

Fair progress Has been made Wifh Onepuhi Bridge. All the piles have been successfully driven, and "fOW¢TS erected on west side. These awe 110 W being built on the east. A recent flood in the river has diverted most Of the water’ again under the old bridge, only about one=fifth- now flowing through the east branch. This is cutting rather badly against fhe east bank. I win ela‘;selywatch it, as it may be necessary to try and divert it.

Public Works Estimates have been brought down. Only 75 per cent Of 'the sums promiséd for new grants have‘ Been voted. I have attached a lisf of grants appliéd for, and those appearfng , in -‘the-estimates.

As the loan of £35,000 for Ruanui mejiélling has been carried, it is imperative that Council should immediafe~ ly go into tlie question of machinery, as little can be done. Withofi'f it. I have a 1o_:f. of data relating to dump 'trucks, rock qrushers, jacks, hammers, drjlls and tractors. Any of these roquil*ed for work this 'suml_}}or must be placed under order at once, fo’ be of any use {his season. A ‘