TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81882, 6 November 1906, Page 2

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Taranaki County Council met .in Monday. I'm'h'iu Crs. G. V. 'Tate (chairman), A. Stevens J. ; Drown, M. Hopson, A. George, C. Andrews, G. A| Acllam and J. R. Hill. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT. Mr Tate, the chairman, slated that. as th's was the last meeting before the election of a chairman for the enRuing year, he had been on a visit to the various r-dings. in order to enab'e aim to advise the Councillors as to the amount of money necessary to be provided. He presented a lengthly itpoit, Omata riding.—ln Foreman Moore's length the road was well attended to as regards metal and repairs, but long lengths of rfcnewal work wou'd need a large amount of metal. There were small quantities in the depots, and a contract was to hj:. let for 1200 yards, and this should keep the road in order for some t'mc. Ho advocated tin; provision of m»re

side-tracks to save the metalled road, considered this course preferable to spending big sums on grading hills, etc. A culvert near the Okato boarding house needed opening out on the down-stream side for about four chains, by a 4ft clra'.n. The J same remark applied to the tunnel at Kdl.kara on Mrs Woods' property, and he had arranged with the foreman to attend to this work, and to

have the mouth of the tunnel at Timaru road nicced for £l. The Timaru bridge, a light structure, needed strengthening before it would bear the weight of the stone crushing plant. A length of about 20 cha'ns of side road, opposite Sefton's, was dangerous.

Foreman Evetts' length, from the Oakura Dairy Factoiy to the New Plymouth borough boundary and the Breakwater road, about twelve miles, was well cared for, but owing to the P-mited quantity ;of metal sUppliUrt for this length last season, a considerable amount of metal would now

be required, the foreman estimating the quantity at 2,300 yards. The chairman made no comment concerning the Oakura and Tapuae work, and would report in due course. it was imperative for the Council to consider the matter of completing the Oakura' bridge. Moa riding: Foreman Walker's length, Junction road, from New Plymouth boundaty to lnglewood, thence to Waiongona river, Mountain road, about !5 miles ln a ll j wils m fajr or . der. Another 500 yards of metal had been granted some time ago, and probably the usual 1700 vards or so would be required for the year. The chairman said he was endeavour ng t.i arrange for the lease of a piece of Mr Jordan's land as a store depot at Mangorei. Over a mile of side-" tra k needed re-forming between Jordan's hill and Petrie's coiner. Fore-1 man Jones' length, Mountain road J from lnglewood to Waipuku, and thence down tile Tariki load, 13 miles, was in fair ordei. The 100 yards of stone recently broken had been placed in depots from lngicwood to Rugby roadj and about 300 yards should be sufficient. The metal near Simons' mill needed backing up. and about three miles of metal on the lanki road as far as Ratapiko was m a bad way; without Government assistance the Council could not provide funds for this. To complete lanki road as far. as Junction road would cost about £2200. Councillor Brown: And the Government gives us £ SO to do it.) Foreman Bennett's length, Inglewood to Tariki, thence six miles of lanki road, was well cared for Owing to th* Z ig- Z ag having about 30 wooden culverts, and many others being in need of renewal, he recommended that pipes for the ridingshould be depos ted in lnglewood, for greater convenience and economy Jhe six miles' length on the Tariti road, had had practically nothing done to it. The Razorback, he considered, was well named, but did not say much for the engineer who laid it out. Several deviations would be necessary.

Uaitara riding: Foreman Holmes senior, and Holmes Junior, have combined lentil,*, 0 f ,-oad from Nl , w pl mouth Uaitara, Mountain and Richmond roads, about 26 miles altogether the roads were well under control, culverts m good order, and several Mde-tracks made. Foreman Homes was a strong advocate of rolling newly metalled portions of roads, and had icccntly rolled long sections near Bell block with the traction engine. The result was mon beneficia 1 , as ihe road then kept i b camb(;r . ... wou , (| henj impress upon ail foremen 10 camher their roads solid before placing metal thereon,'' he said. The Richmond r«ad, near the main road, required 30 chains of formation, and he suggested the grader should be employed lor same. '

BRIDGESDuring- the year the Council had undertaken a number of important budge works out of loan. Tno Piakau bridge, tunnel at Tapuae d Oakura bridge p. ei s had been completed. Coniraciors liad stated the Uaioiigona and Maketehinau bridges, ana the Wanganui would soon be m course ol coustruclion The ro., makaiho, a large slluclurt , wa- also 1 l«nd. The chaiman e xpleS sed h ; s entire confidence in the Councils b heme of construction, erecting con . U ' b bl - r "l««; lor llic steel bridges a Va.puku and Sentry Hill showed co noMon so badly th at it was appal , om the hfe of these would be no long«r than a wooden bridge. He eonS ll ! at " lH ' n not UJ, *r»ffwl «n the ci usher the engine driver alu l his as- ! bilges, as many of these were per- ■ ngfor want of paint. During c ,aM month two Meel and two t;nibe. badges had been given ,wo good coats of paim at ~ cos( f /v, h • each. ThcMJloek bridge on the Juic 4 - I halted ,n order to protect the under siuciure from water running through The balance of loan unexpended was £,414 0/6 in th c Moa "cing, and #7483/4 in the Oraata 'fas, a toal of £3,62 <,/,„, which weuld piobably build four more bridge*. Unfortunately there were numaul Mr fate advised-the Council to obtain shortly an estimate of the cost ul re-bunding , hesej as thc Couna , could nut build or rebuild any bridges out of levenuc, and it would be iiccessary K()()n l 0 approach , he mc _ pajers m order to ral se a further loan Ihe report was considered in cun . wcuon w:.h the foreman's reports OFFICIAIX" REPORTS.

« man jor.es, Tariki section of \'" 1K '"K, reported t h e deckingw Waiicpuku bridge was m a VOI y Dad stale, and it would lake :>-So feet to re-dock it.

Authority was g i ven t0 vc . chxk (hc the \\aitopaku b.idge. | lc wi |, b , panted toe timber from the I'iakau budge as requested, and the mati-er ot bank ng the road near the Tar ki »wamp will be x-ft to the riding member-. io arrange.

Foreman Mom; reported on his work 10, the momh. Roads and bridges were in fair order. He asked pern ssion to engage a labourer and a horse and drdj when the work no-ce-isiiated it.

Councilors complained of th,- slow piogress in tin- work o| making sidetracks on 1 iireman'Alooiv's section of the Mam South road.

I'orcman Kvetls reported U uit Mr l'.van Looney's entrance had been spoiled by the Tapuae contract. Half a day's woik and a few pipes would remedy matter-.—The foreman will •attend to the mailer.

Eoreman Wa ke r will be inslruried I' make s'de tracks from Jordan';; lldl lo I'eirie's ('tuner. The Chaiuiian reported iliat he had arranged wiih the eonlraeior lor the l.Hieen and Alberia roads, in (he Figment koad Hoard di-lrict. lo make ihe approach lo the man road. foreman |-|<>lnr\>*s reported on general mainti'tiance, and stated the crusher l u ,d, „ passing over the Waiwakaiho biidge. damaged ihe underjoists, breaking through one -ide. About 2!, chains of filling on the Mountain read near the \\'aion K ona urlway station m-cded fcne'ng—This latter work wiil be put in hand at once.

Mr W. J. Cl.iro, bridge carpenter, reported the Sl»ny River was now in good order, excepting Iho doekng. The Kailrhi Wdge had received two coalings of tar and paint, All the timbers were sound, but though strong enough for ordinary

traffic, the jridge would not carry the «u,h ng j.-'ant. The Tim.nu bridge was a vit;. w.'nk siuetuic, of ..He joist- h-cii rotten and broken, and t.n - tension nds wcie only 7-8111 inch. Jl c recommended placing uiider-struts beneath the bridge some new joists, and a slunt pier under the end span at a total cost of ,628. The report was adopted, and Ci. Andrews aulhoiised to ai range w til Mr I'uiwarden to repa r the bidge^. TAI'UAE. Mr Bartle Ha,fold asked for a progress payment on the Tapuae contract. The enff necr said the piogress oi the work was wietchcdly s.ow. The contractor had got only a couple o, carts and half a dozen men at work. After fuitacr discussion it was decided, on the motion of Crs. George and Andrews, to determine the con

I tract. Cr. Andrews, 'n seconding, said that the contractor, Mr Haiford, was brokcn-hcai'ied over it. He was afraid to 1 p any more stuff into the river, for he knew it would go down the river. The Council would find the very same thing. As fast as the clay was put into the river it would go away out to sea. The engineer said the recent washouts could have been prevented had his (Mr Skinner's) instructions been carried out. Cr. Hili: We could have done :the ■ job ourselves in the time we have 1 spent talking- about it. When the Council has taken over ! !he contract fresh tenders will be call- , ed. J SLAUGHTERING LICENSE, i Mrs Maria Perrett objected to the 3 erection by Robert Wright of a slaughto! house at Lepperton, on the c ground of inconvenient,y close proxv unity to her house and property. c E. H. Wheatley also objected on account of proximity to his place, I along the line of the prevalent w.nd.

The Chairman said that Mr Rowan, die inspector, considered the site a splend.d one. Mr Wheatiey's place \vas 18 chains away, with a belt or trees between. He did not know if the Council could take notice of the objections, as this was a matter for the Government officials.

Cr. Hill said there was strong feel ing over this business. The application was granted. FAULTY TUNNEL.

The Omata riding members complained that the tunnel in Watson's] Gully was not doing its work.—The engineer said lie had arranged with die foreman to rectify the defect whicn was due to the nature of the ground. Cr. Adlam considered the tunnel was "one of the most disgraceful pieces of work ever left by man|" " A SERIOUS COMPLAINT. Mr J. C. Montefiorc complained that he was being underpaid for bimetal contract on the Maui South road. The contract was to supply "5" yards of boulders, to be pa'.d for on Jrav measurement of broken stone. He "had no fault to find with the por.ion of the contract under Foreman Evetts, but Foreman Moore's returns showed a loss to the contractor of

about - ib'o yards of stone, or a depreciation of 40 per cent. When carting to Okato, Foreman Evetts, who irum long experience could readily 'cast up'' a heap of stone, told Mr Montefiore to knock off, as he had

over the contract amount. Cr. Andrews thought Moore had no chance of keeping a correct tally, as .10 was breaking on a heap before the carts had finished delivering on it. The matter will be fully, inquired mto., BRIDGE CONTRACTS. The engineer will prepare plans for die erection of the OaKura bridge, and tenders will be calßd for this and he necessary earthwark. Cr. Stevens asked the Council to call tenders for the rebuilding of the A'aipuku-iti bridge.—No funds available. METAL CONTRACTS. Metal supplies in Omata riding vvere allocated : 400 yards between Alan's Hill and Mission Hill, 450 yards ior Oakura section, and 150 yards to come from Moore's length to Evett's ength., TENDERS, Tenders were received: Supply of .joulders in Omata r.dmg, Goo yards .rom Tunaru Creek: i'. i'aikins 0/11 yard (accepted), Bayly and Sole"7/ u ' x'iketi and WUKie 7/9- » 00 y avu " aom Stony River: T. Parkins 3/24 ,je r yard (accepted), Kendall 3,9, Bayy and Sole 4/5, J- 0. Montenore 3/5, ..lace 4/y, I'iitett and W.lk.e 5/11. I'uniicl at Tariki, into Avalanche Creek: Wh.te 2/.10 per foot, Bayiy and Sole 4/6, Jemison 2/6 (.accepted), Convey 2/ per yard for clay, gravel j/y, gravel and boulders b/o; Ennis ji/io,, and 1/ yai|d for approaches; jianding, 2/6.

ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment: Administration, £l3B 13; Moa riding, Omata riding, £si 7/3; Tapuae ondge loan, as 17/6; I'iakau bridge oan, £1 7l: GENERAL. Messrs Simons and Jones asked permission to put white pine plank■ng 2ft wide on the wheel track across he Manganui bridge, which was unsafe and needed suengthemng.—Application granted. J. H. Masemann asked for a refund of~his deposit on a metal contract, in tendering for which he had made a serious error that made it 'Hipossible to proceed at the accepted price.—A rclund of £1 will be granted.

Legal proceedings will be taken collect the Tariki road special rate.