Taranaki County Council.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 101, 3 May 1904, Page 2

Taranaki County Council.

The Council met on Monday. Present '. Crs. Okey (Chairman), McDonald, Brown, HopHon, Oruy. Mill and Andrews.

The Moa riding foreman, Mr John Orr,reported having lot the contract for 100 yards of maintenance metal on the zigzag to Mr W. Grozier, at Ds a yard. He asked if he would have to make approaches to the new Waipuku bridge, as there was a deflation of three chain's on either side.

The foreman's action in letting the contract was approved, and he will be instructed to construct the approaches to the bridge, and to charge half cost to the Stratford County. The attention of the overseer will lie called to the state of the fencing on the Zigzag which requires- attending to in parts.] Tito Junction Ho»d fore-man (Mr 0. Walker) reported having let u contract for carting out broken mekal on the roud between the Inglewood Bacon Factory and the Lepper Itoad at Ski per yard. The Waitaru Riding foreman, Mr John Holmes, reported that the contractor, Mr Colesby, had carted out 350 yards of metal for repairs during tho month, and re-metalled the worst places on the Mountain Road. The bulk of the time had been spent in cleaning out water-tables, banking up metal and making up side roads.

Tho foreman's attention will be called to the need of fences approaching bridges, the Waiongona and Devon Road bridges in particular. A fence will be erected to prevent cattle from going on to the banks of the Ngatoronui. The tender of Messrs West and Son for writing sign plates was accepted,

The Omata foreman, MrEvetts, reported that repair work was proceeding on the Oakura section. Repairs'were needed on the breakwater road, and sand required removing between Spotswood Road and the breakwater. He will be instructed to attend to the latter work as.soon as possible,

On the motion of Messrs Drown and Gruy, it' was decided to communicate ■ with the Lands Department, requesting attention to the growth of furze on tlio road near the Spotswood settlement, and to the necessity for ita removal and attention to furze hedges. Mr Monlefiore having carted out more stone than was required, it was decided to pay trim le 3d per yard for it.

Tlie engine-driver, Mr T. Urry, reported that during tho month the crusher worked fifteen days, crushing 1060 yards, 786 yards for Mr Mace's contract and 274 yards on Mr Julian's contract. Tho crusher was shifted to the dopot at Tataraimaka on tho 23rd ult., but owing to the steering rod of the engine breaking and the depot being wot and muddy a good deal of time was lost. The tender ot'O. Jans for 25s for old bridge Umber was accepted. The bridge carpenter reported that he had inspected tho Manganui bridge on the Tnrlkl Uoad. Tho undcr-ti rollers and stringers had decayed very much during tho last year, but the bridge was still- capable of carrying light traffic. The question or repairing it to carry -heavier traffic for a few years more was impracticable. On a rough estimate it would cost £BO or £IOO, possibly more, to do any good. The safest plan would he to build a new bridge. Tho Waiongona bridge, on the Mountain Hoad, had been repaired by under-strut-ting It. This bridge could be mado to last for a few years longer with some slight repairs from time to time, lie would recommend that the ironbark timber which was procured to put new bottom cords on this bridge somo three years ago, and which had never been used, should be utilised for joists at some other bridge when and where necessary. He had not done any repairs on the Snake bridge yet, as £4 or £5 might be spent with very little benefit. Thero was a littlo vibration on it, but this was caused by the fact that when tho bridge was lifted and understrutted the understrata took all the weight of the bridge and caused a slight Blackening of the top truss. More gravel was required at at the Werekino culvert.

It was decided to store pieces of hard wood in tho tool houso, and to restack Umber nt Kuropete culvert.

The ironbark timber lying at tho Waiongona bridge will be used as suggested. The mutter of tho boulders and shingle at the Wcrekino culvort was left to Cr. Gray and bridge carpenter.

Tho application of Messrs A, B. Gamlin, R. Wright, H. Rothery and W. F. Olson, for slaughtering lie-' enses were approved. '

An application of Messrs Malone, McVeagh and Anderson, on behalf of Mr J. Hawke, release of section 138, Hua and Waiwakaiho was referred to the council's solicitor. Mr M. Petrle forwarded an account for £4, cost of repairing his buggy after an accident caused by tho wheel going through tho decking of the Honui Bridge—Referred to the foreman.

The Department of Roads notified that it was intended to vest tho Tikorangi bridge in either the Clifton or Taranaki County Council, and asking if this Council had any objection. On tho motion of tho chairman, seconded by Or. Cray It was resolved that the Council sees no reason to chango their previous decision of October, 1901, that tho finances wero not In such a Btato to cllow them to undertako the liability. it was pointed out that this bridgo was on a by-road, not a county road.

Mr Hursthouso, Chief Engineer in the Bonds Department inquired if tho Council was taking any stcaps to havo the Tarlkl Koad gazetted a district road, and if approaching the Government on tho matter to fully stato reasons for the application.

Mr L. G. L,, Spencor wrote offering his services in any kind of engineering work.--Received. The Land and Survey Office forwarded notices re destruction of trigonometrical stations.

Mr W. A. McCutchan, of Whangamomona, forwarded a copy of a petition to the Government in favour of the freehold, asking tho Council to approve of the object of tho petition, endeavour to obtain signatures, and aflix the council's seal.

It was unanimously decided that the Council approves of the suggestion, and that steps be taken to carry it into effect, and that tho chairman be authorised to affix tho seal of the Council.

Members will take copies for signature.

Tho Clerk will write to Mr McCutchan, stating the matter hns been taken up warmly, and forwarded ns much as possible. The matter of electric lights was left with the chairman and the solicitor.

Mrs Ilishell applied, through Or. McDonald, to remove a wire fence placed by her late husband on the .function Road. It was derided to allow her a coil of wire in its stead.

Accounts amounting to £81f) were passed for payment and the Council adjourned.