LOCAL AND GENERAL. TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8045, 6 February 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above was held 011 Monday, when there were present: Mr G. V. Tate (Chairman), Crs. Adlam, Hill, Stevens, Julian, Hopson, C. Andrews, and Brown.

The Bridge Carpenter reported that Kelly bridge, Henwood Road, had been repaired. Some new- decking had been placed 011 Waiwakaiho, Waiongona aud Mangoraka bridges. Two coatings of tar had been put on the new Sentry Hill steel bridge. The contractors hope to complete the bridge at Sentry Hill Hour mill this week.—Received. The question of storage and arranging for disposal of timber and iron from the old Waipului bridge was referred to Cr. Sleveus. The engine-driver at the crusher reported that IS2 yards of metal had been crushed during the month,—Reeeived. VOlUiMlix's KIiI'OUTS. Moa Riding.—Foreman Lord rejiorted that he had been engaged banking up and blinding metal towards Ratipiko ; The decking 011 the Mangawliiti, Waitepuke, and Pikau bridges was frequently breaking through, and the worst of the planks should be immediately replaced. Mr Tarry's contract was completed, and Mr Zimmerman's and Mr Wclham's contracts were proceeding. The foreman was authorised to have decking repairs effected on the bridges mentioned.

It was decided to call tenders, in separate contracts, for nielal supplies from liiglewood to Norfolk road, and from Norfolk road to iiugby road. The foreman having reported that an unlicensed bullock waggon Mas carting timber, Or. Stevens was empowered to make enquiries, with a view to taking action.

Foreman K. Bennett reported that the principal work during the month had bcea blinding metal on Junction ro.id east, Blackberries Acre also cut and growth cleared away from the bridges. Now fencing was required at the /ig-/ag, whole there were some dangerous (daces. The erection of a new fence was authorised, the foreman to get tenders I'or the supply of posts. Foreman Walker reported that 82 yards of metal at /s per yard had been delivered by Mr Coleshy, and Bayly and Sole had commenced carting boulders out of Chain Bridge depot. During the mouth he had repaired Mangorei, Waiongona, and Cunningham (Hursthousc road) bridges, and been engaged blinding metal on somo of the steepest grades.

The foreman was authorise!! to procure blinding metal required. Waitara Hiding. Foreman J. Holmes reported that the work of "making up" South lioad and clearing w <Uer-tables Intd been in hand during the month. Two culverts, made of old timber from Sentry Hill bridge, were put in at L?pper's Hill, Lepperton. Six hundred and fifty yards of metal would be required for the road from Bell Block Kali to Waitara Borough boundary, and 850 yards oil the Montitam road.—Authority to procure the necessary metal was given. Omnia Hiding.—Foreman W. Tivetts reported (oads in fair order, The metal roller answered well on tho easy grades, hut on the steep grades there was a tendency for tho metal to dray and so remain loose. Some planking was required for decking repairs at Tapuae, Plymouth, Kihi, Stony Uiver, and Main Itoad bridges. The Kihi, Stony Uiver and Timarii Main Hoad bridges should be tarred and painted.— The Foreman was authorised to ge necessary planking.

sr.u-i'uiiv him, nunjnoN, Mr Orbell, of Orbell Mackay, engineers, waited on the Council and submitted levels and plans of the proposed deviation of Slippery Hill on Junction Road, between Inglenood and iarala. 'W lule the deviation will be 1 chain 80 links shorter than the present road, the grade will also be materially reduced. The estimate was based on a road IN teel wide in cuttings aild -X feet oil liHings, The estimate was earthwork 1:1.'I I ss, lifting and relaying old motal and providing now metal .£ll2 15s, fencing deviaiion ,fc]B, total £JUS. Lite owner of the ground, {-'• Taylor, was agreeable to give Hie laud lor the new road, in exchange lor the old road, and Mr B. Sutler < unsettled lo the old road being closed at the north-cast corner of his section. Afler some discussion, (he Couucii accepted the plans and authorised the I'.ugiueers to call for tenders for the work at once, KNIMNKHH'S HIU'OIIT.

Mr .1. Skinner reported that the laptiae Uiver deviation contract is progressing slowly, About another ;il) Jcct of the tunnel) has ye l to be conbeloi'c l!u> two ends meet, and the tunnel should be completed in about tour weeks'time. Although the contract time had been exceeded, it was due more to exceptional dillieulties t» Mil' neglect of the part of the contractor. When completed the tunnel will lie equal to a masonry cuhcrl, at a cost uf one-fourth of masonry. Tho Tapuae Hill re-for-mation has been carried on 100 slowly, and the Kngmeer has repealcitly sp >kra to the contractor re aeceleratin" the Work, and the latter complains of the dillictillies 1)1 keeping the road open for trallic anil ol making greater progress, oil account of the cramped nature of the work preventing the employment of more iiion.

The report was adopted, and progress payment of .175 on each of the wuaks authorsed,

- w.uwAK.uiio nifiiiiii;. The Kugiueer, Mr .1. Skinner, reported 011 the proposal to erect a new bridge over the Waiwakaiho. After reviewing the history aud design of ('he present structure, he recommends instead of spending a large sum on repairs, thai a now bridge [w built on the old concrete foundations, a new concrete pier to be built at the south end. The I,ridge should consist of four spans, (ho centre ones of (ill I'cet each, north span .til leet and south span feet. Width not less than 22 IVet. with Initlwav nil each side, bringing the l-ilal width to :!u feci. Hi- advises instead of using puriri wood as in rlie present structure, that steel with wood Mooring be used, lie estimates the cost of the bridge at CI Ton, and the pier and extras OKI, or .C2UIM) in all. The additional width lias been recommended in view of the increased suburban trallic. and will enable two vehicles to pass on it.—The report will be considered at next meeting. Accounts amountiny to L'S2i Is lid were passed for payment.