TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8128, 7 June 1906, Page 2

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tlie above monthly mooting of tin Tarauaki County Council was hold on j Wednesday. Present: Mess s Tate, (Chairman), Adlam, Hill, Andrews, I .Julian and Brown. T. Urry, ongmo driver, reported til i 1 he had worked with Foreman Walker during the month except tor four days, when he had been engaged in overhauling and renovating crusher. foremen's reports.

E. Benno.t, for the Junction road caft, reported that 30 yards of metal hail been delivered Horrocks' Hill, and that the work ihereon had been completed, also that the bad holes between Horrocks' Hill and Slippery Hill had been attended to. Pipes had been put in on the Tariki road, 150 posts for use on the Zig-zag had been delivered, and the fencing would be attended to as soon as possible. The water-tabU's had been cleared out on Durham road. The foreman advised that the road at Inglewood was yery thin, and would need about 50 yards of metal to keep it right for the winter.

It waj resolved that tenders be called for 60 yard 3 gravel for Junction road, east oE Inglew33d. C. P. Lord, fo eman at Tariki, reported that the Norfo k road bridge had been strenthencd with a false cap and piles, and would be equal to ordinary traffic for some time. Messrs C. and G. Symons had completed draining contract, 128 chains. Some 9-inch pipes were required for a culvert a little below the the Norfolk road. Pipes far Tariki road were to hand, and would bo put'in. position as soon as weather permitted. About 100 yards more stone would be needed to keep the road in order until the crusher could bo got through. Resolved that tenders bo invited for supply of 100 yards of boulders to be delivered near toll house, and 50 yards near Ingle G. Walker, foreman' oil the Junction road, reported that be had been ongagod throughout the month cloaning out water tables and patching roads, etc. Notice had also been given to Mr Bransgrove to clear overhanging trees, and clear gorsc, blackberry, etc., from water tables.

Cr Stevens stated complaints had been made to him of the state of the Mountain road, also to some bad fencing.—The foreman to inspect and report on same. Mr Evetts, Omata riding, reported tfiat tho heavy timbor traffic from tho Koru mills and tho cargo from tho beach had made it most difficult to get a bottom on the road atTapuae. Nevertheless, 650 yards of gravel from the beach aud <SO yards of old metal had been used with beneficial results, and ordinary traffic could now pass. It was still found difficult to regulate the timber waggon traffic, as drivers assisted each other over tho bad places,

sometimes as many as 20 bullocks being used in a team. Thirty yards of boulders had been delivered near Crompton's. Messrs Bay Icy and Sole had not yet delivered any stone oft their 100 yards' contract. About 45yds metal "and gravel had been placed oil the Breakwater road, a further 150 yds being needed between tho 1 reezing Works and Bayley road. Repairs were about to be effected to culvert at Mission hill. Tho pipe drain, which had become choked near the Belt road had been relaid and protected with grating. Mr Harford, contractor, had had another serious washout, the river having carried away the dam. The action of the committee in accepting Messrs Bayly and Soles' tender of 4s 4d per yd for 100 yds bouL' dcrs between Allen's Hill and Waireka was confirmed.

Tenders are to be invitod for 150ytls of grayel from tho Harbor Board's quarry, for use on tho Breakwater road, the state of which in places is now leading to complaints.

J. Holmes, foreman Waitara riding, reported having inspected bridges during the month, and repaired bridge near Sentry Hill mill. Complaints having been made about this bridge being too narrow,' he stated that tlie structure could be made a little wider by altering the guard rail. Other bridges were in fair order. A culveit on Mountain road required 18-inch pipes to carry off flood wator. One hundred and fifty yards metal had been sarted out for repairs and re-metalling on Mountain road. Wet weather had caused the road to cut up and also j caused delay.

The question of enlarging the bridge referred to in report, was left to chairman and Cr. Hill with power to act. E. Moore, foreman southern portion of Omata riding, stated that during May he had been employed for about a week on the Okata side-walk and for seven days on metalling work. A piece of broken decking on the Stony river bridge had been attended to. The road on the whole was in very fair condition.

OOBBESPONDENCB. From Messrs Malono, McVeagh and Anderson, in roply to the Council's letter, stating that tho mattor of tho 'l'ariki road special rate was now undtr the consideration of the Crown law officers, and intimatinc; that they would write more definitely on the matter later on.—Received. From tho eierk, Moa Road Board, stating that last year tho clerk told him that local bodies were exempt from rates, and ho rates wero paid for that year.—The chairman supported the clerk's statement that no local bodies aro exempt, and the Board will bo asked to pay as usual. DEPUTATIONS.

A deputation representing the Frankley, Elliott and Carrington Road Boards waited on the Council and requested that a subsidy of £3OO a year be granted to these bodies. The areas contained excellent rating properties and were valuable to the Council, The districts were in the Omata Riding and the rates at present were being expended on roads which were of little use to tho settlers. If they did not get tho subsidy asked they intended to form themselves into a suburban boroagh. The Chairman thought that the deputation had a fair case but it was a question of ways and means. After considerable discussion it was decided that £2OO bo granted for the year ; £IOO on demand, and £IOO in six montns.

Mr Okcy thanked, the Council, and stated he would put the matter before the ratepayers concerned. Ho would not guarantee that they would bo satisfied with the amount granted. Captain Mace and John Pen warden, of Oakura, waited on the Bo ml re. culyert at Tapuae. Captain Alace, who spoke at length, said that at present the water was not being directed straight into the tunnel, and the worki done had not given satisfaction. ■ I

Mr Penwarden thought it was a pity that the tunnel had beeu constructed in the place it had. The works hail cost a lot of money. He thought the floor of the tunnel was too high. He suggested that the tunnel be lowered 6ft at the intake, and tapered away to the outlet. Mr Skinner, cnginoor, said he was quite willing that other engineers visit the place and report. The Council knew that his opinion was contrary to Mr Penwarden's. Mr Murray (engineer) bad seen the works, an t stated that the tunnel was in tho right place. Further discussion followed, and it was ovontually resolved that Messrs Sladden & Palmer, engineers, bo requested to report to tho Council on tho Tapuao tunnel, A deputation consisting of Messrs T. Rowe, John Martin, "and Herbert Martin, members of the Egmont lioad Board, asked that assistanoo jbo given for upkeep of roads.-* Matter to 110 considered at a special meeting of tho Council to bo held on Thursday next, coniiEsroN; ence.

From tho Chairman of the Oakura branch of the Farmers' Union forward, inglho resolution passed by the Union : "That this Branch views with regret j the decision arrived at by tho Council at its la»t meeting, re Tapuao tunnel, by throwing out Cr. Adlam's suggestion to lowor the samo to level of] bed of river i we beg the Conneil to' reconsider the matter, as wo are of'

opinion Hint the present construction (of tlic tunnel would mean that timbi* would bo collected and trouble be ciinscd in fuluro.—Received. Prom Ji. liartlo Horford stating thai ho was at present ill. He considered that thore was little use with proceeding with the work of filling ot stream at Tapuac until something was done to protect the work. Mr Montefii.ro had undertaken to attond to work until he was again well, on condition that the engineer instructed him what was needed at the top filling. He asked for]\£loo progress payment.—Consideration held over till Thursday next. [ From C. P. Good tendering resignation as foreman.—Accepted with r regret. 1 ESOINBBB'S EBPOBT

Engineer reported that District ttailway Engineer had taken him over the proposed work at Te Henui cn Devon line orossing. The proposal is to have a sub-way for the railway under the road. This will necessitate altering the grade from old Hospital road. It is proposed to grade from the Hospital road up to sub-way and then grade down from sub-way in an easterly direction. The Engineer recommended that Conncil insist that there be only one grade from sub-wa to Nob's line.

Mr Skinner also reported that the small tunnel at Tapuae had been completed. The contractor /or piers at Oakura has finished the eastern pier and is now well on in getting the foundation down for west pier, Difficulty is being experienced in keeping water out of foundations, and it is probable that foundations will have to be sunk lower owing to looseness of the soil. Another washout causing considerable loss to the contractor has occurred at Tapue. The engineer's recommendations with regard to railway route were accepted.

TENDEBS. I The following tenders were dealt with: —No. 32, construction of culvert tunnols at Watson's gully and Looney's stream, Omata, F. White, 2s 5d per foot (accepted). Nine tonders wero received. No. 27: Construction of concrcto bridge over Piako stream, Moa fiiding: —G. Sangstor, £657 (accepted); Boon Bros., £679; Turner & Beadle, £757. SPECIAL MEBTIIfG. It was resolved that a special meeting of the Council be hold on Thursday, 14th inst., to discuss the regulation of bullock-dray traffic during May, June, July, August and September of each year. Other matters will also nomo up for consideration.