Taranaki County Council.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 261, 8 November 1904, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The usual monthly meeting of the Taramki County Council was held on Monday, there being present : Crs. Okey (chairman), Andrews, liray, McDonald, Brown, Hill and Mopsun. —Reports.— Mr J. W. Orr, foreman in the Inglewood district, repotted that 70 yards of metalling haid been used on the road at Waipuku bridge, uad 10 yards used in the wing wail. Of this 56 yards went to the Stratford side. The Tariki Hoad drain pipes have been taken up and reiaid at a tjost oi 19s extra labour, and a few chains of drain had been cleaned out. The Junction Road was breaking up badly owing- to the wet weather, and a team would be required for two or three days to do the necessary work. Some repairs must Le done at once to the small bridge over the Mangahone stream, as tbe stringers are completely r 0 tten at each end.

It was decided t 0 ask the Stratford Council to remit their share of the cost ot the approach;*!. The report was adopted. Mr S. G. Walker, foreman of the Moa riding, reported that the culvert at Mr Nicholls', Inglewood, had been cleaned 'out, and he did not think any further work was necessary. The borough had not yet lixed up .the Junction Hoad, and it was getting worse. The teams carting gravel to the water-works weiv cutting up the water-cables badly at Henui bridge. The road in his section was now in fair orffer. He asked for two or three months' leave of absence, as Mr Urry could take charge. It was resolved to draw the attention of the contractors to the damage done, stating that the council would hold them responsible. The leave of aiwence Vtas granted. The -report was adopted. Foreman Evetts (Oniata) reported that the South Road between town and the breakwater was in places very b a d, and urgent repairs weie necessary. He employed Mr E. G«orgp to cart more material for repairs at 2s 9d a yard, and also arranged with the same carter to bring out 60 yards of picked stone at is per yard for the same part of the road. He suggested cafling, fenders for 200 yards of boulders for placing on the road between the toll site and AUen's Hill, and 200 yands between the latter place and Koni Rood. The Warekino bridge would need replacing soon. Sand frequently drifted from tie Spotswood Jtoad to the breakwater road, -and recently it cost £2 to clear the sand; away, but the i late was as bad as ever. The sand question was re/erred to the Lands Department.

Foreman Holies (WaiUtra) in hfc report &latc*d iliut certain bridfje and culvert repairs had lx>™ carried out, also road metuli.ng and cleaning wa-ter-tables, etc.

On Cr. Hill's in tiative it was decided to draw the attention of the Railway Department to a very dangerous crossing near Waitara, and to ask the co-operation of the Waitara Borough Council. The report was adopted. Driver Urry reported having built an engine shed at Waiwakaiho. New fire bars wera needed for the engine. With reference to the council's claim against the New Plymouth Borough Council he stated he took the borough foreman's word that the road was alright at Mangorei. The report was adopted, the clause referring to the claim to be forwarded to the borough. Mr Lambert, bridge carpenter, reported on the various works done during the nioirtih'. —Expenditure on Roa-ds—. Cr. Gray said he had notiqed that in the Oma>ta riding there were statements of two foreman. He was not aware that the council had appointed two foremen.

The Chairman said at the last statement they had allowed the foreman to employ extra labour.

Cr. Gray maintained that the expenditure should be cut down during the summer months. If they were not to do so now they would never do it. He moved that an instruction be issued to the foreman that during the summer he employ casual lml>ouronly on pressing works of necessity. In the winter, if work were urgently required for repairing, a man could then t>e employed permanently.

Cr. Andrews said that the summer was the time t 0 repair the roads, as wHen repairs were affected during the winter they were at once cut up. The Chairman thought they could very well do with two men. The Waitara ridinj *hajd good roads because they had two men employed. Cr: Hill : I admire Cr. Gray (or his economy. The Chairman : But not enough to second his motion. The motion, not being seconded, lapsed, and the matter dropped. —Hospital Board.— Io reference to the allocation of representation on the Hospital Board, which wafl submitted by the secretary of the latter board, some discussion took place on the subject. The Chairman said the county was eomtwwil with tho Bgmont county The Taranaki county poying £56 per month, and the Egmont county paying £B, the former body had a larger number of votes than the latter, He thought, however, the fairest way ; would he to let the ICgmont county nominate one member. Of course, if they wished, ono of the Taranaki councillors could represent them. This was adopted.

—Tikorangi Bridge.— Mr VV. F. Short, Commissioner, wrote that he had noted the Council's request that the Waitara West Road Board should be cited to the inquiry in respect to tho control and maintenance of the Tikorangi bridge, and that the inquiry should be held at New Plymouth. Cr.Andrews said the Road Ho and had received notice.

—Henui Road Bridge.— Mr Holmes, Waitara foreman, reported that the borough contractor was leaving the grade on the oast end of the Henui Road bridge in an unworkmanlike state. The clerk stated he had written to the borough authorities, but no reply had been reouivod. —Waipuku Bridge.— The Stratfowl County Council forwarded the sum of £519 12s 7<t, being that body's share of the cost oi Waipuku 'bridge, with 18 days' interest added. A resolution was also forwarded as follows That the council approves of the suggestion made by the Taranaki County Council that the old Waipuku bridge be offered for sale by public tender in the term® of the llfch inst." The council did not suggest a reserve being placed on the bridge. 'J'he tenders have already been called. —Proposed Loan The Secretary to the Treasurywrote with reference to the council's application for a proposed loan of £SOO to rebuild a Bridge over the Werekino river on the South Road, that although the Colonial Treasures has provisionally approved of this loan, no payment in respect of it can be made until the half year's intercut due on the Ist August last baa been paid to the credit of the public account. Cr. Gray urged that tenders be called forthwith, as the bridge was most nece^ary. The Chairman stated that manysteps had yet to be taken tuufore the Money was available. Cr. Gray moved that plans lie prepared and placed before the council. —General.— The bridge carpenter was allowed £1 for expenses at Okato. He asked that a reference be granted him, on Ihis leaving the council's employ. The Chairman said Lambert had always provod himself a competent workman.

The question was left in the hands of the Chairman. A letter from Mr Tarry, claiming .£3 10s for carting metal was refor■Xed to Foreman Walker. TtaeHoniu Rood Board asked per- ;< ibiMios to construct « footpath over

tha south sido ot Devon Road from theFitaroy Hall to Mr Mitchell's property.—Aeruwl to. The District Engineer of Railways inf ( jn.:i,[ the council tlial complaint is made that a culvert is lvquirod tin the road wheiv passengers cross to the platform a t Sentry llill.—'Pile matter will be attended to. The Waitara riding jnembeira ami the Chairman were appointed to meet a sub-commitee from the Waitara liorough. Council to atljust accounts between the tw 0 bo-dies iv» hpecting-the atx>a taken by the borough.

The council decided to join in with die North Egmont Committee* on the occasum of the opening of the North Egmont Mountain House, Jixod for Dec. 10.

The Counties Association forwarded four legal opinions on various

subjects submitted to Mr MaFtin solicitor.

Cr. Hopson brought up the question of advertising, saying that he noticed the Harbour Hoard had moved in the matter.

Cr. Drown supported his view that the question, required investigation, as. there were great discrepancies between the charges. The matter was retaivd to the clerk for investigation. The Chairman brought up the question of the grant for Junction Hoad, saying that he thought an extra sum should be placed on tl'.e .Supplementary Estimates.

It was decided to communicate with the Roads Department and the local members. Cr. Hall asked why there was a difference in the amounts paid as expvnss to the various councillors. He thought if they were aIJ brought into line a saving of £l2 per annum could ibe effected. Cr. Gray pointed out that it was owing to the varying distances travelled.

Crs. Brown and Hopson pointed out that the extra distance made a great difference to members.

Cr. Andrews thought if reduction was gone in for, all the allowances should be reduced.

Cr. Hill said he was agreeable to reduce his own, provided all were made alike.

The matter then dropped. The foremen of the various ridings were appointed inspectors urtder tie vehicle traffic by-laws. —Accounts.—

The accounts were passed as follows Administration, £ll2 3s 8d ; Moa, riding, £ll6 4s 5h ; Waitara riding, £163 lis 8d; Omata riding, £36 16s 9d ;■ grand total £389 His tid. —Hospital Board Representative'.— Some discussion took place on the question of electing the council's representatives on the Taranaki Hospital Board. Crs. McDonuld, Brown and Andrews were nominated, and on a oallot being tuken, Crs. Andrews and Brown were declared clios. on as the council's representatives. The Chairman was instructed to, attend the meeting of delegates and record the council's vote in favour of these gentlemen. SPECIAL MEETING. The Chairman in accordance with notice of motion, moved that a special order be made levyring a special rate over the whole county for the following purposes : £IOOO for Waiongona bridge, (Waitara riding) ; £SOO for Waipuki bridge, (Moa) ( £SOO for Werekino bridge (Omata). This was carried, to foe Confirmed on Monday, Dec. sth, 1904.