CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 8 June 1907, Page 2

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

'i'he Clifton County Council met on Friday. Present: Cis. J. W. Foreman (chairman), T. McKonzie, Wright, C. O'Sullivan, 11. Job, Bishop ana C. tlaustad. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting is to be held to discuss the new Local Government Dili and Model By-laws Bill. PKUPOSED NEW COUNTIES.

Mr \V. A. McCutchan, of Whangamu111011a, submitted a map of the proposed new Olmra county, 'the proposal would relieve the C'til'tou County Council of a very rugged piece of country lroin which hut little revenue had been derived, and the promoters thought the roads ill the locality could be more advantageously administered from Whaiigwiiomoiia. (Jr. U'Sullivau moved, and Cr. Bishell seconded, that the matter be left in the hands of the chairman and engineer to make the necessary enquiry, with power to assent to the proposed boundary, or to suggest any other boundary they might consider equitable. The motion was carried, ami Mr McCutchan will he informed accordingly. The Ivaimata branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union asked what percentage of rales were absorbed in oliiee expenses and engineering in the eomity, and also how by-roads were affected by the fact that no road board existed in the county. The information will he supplied. EXOLYEEK'R IiEPOKT.

The engineer's report was read as follows: Waihi riding, Main road—E. W. Marsh has broken and carted out a further 170 yards of stone at Waihi, covering a distance of about 13 chains. Upon receiving an application for an advance in price of broken meat at Onaero, he offered the contractors an additional sixpence per yard, to cover cost of royalty. He requested authority to call for tenders, to close at next meeting, for the supply and cartage of .100 cubic yards of boulders. for this end of the Main road.

Ngatimant riding—'the County roads generally throughout this riding'were in fair order for this time of the year, the sandstone put down last season"standing well. He requested authority to raise the bridge near Silk's by the addition of joists. It was proposed to fence the approach to the Waitara bridge at Purangi U> protect the banks and the metal; .estimated cost '.C3.

Ui'cnui riding—Newslrowski and Co. had been unable to complete their contract on (lie Mataro road. Satisfactory repairs had been done to Knkapo Hill. ' Ureuui found—The revised agreement had been signed by Mr Ilalcoinbc. The sheds yards and fencing were about completed. A -1 by 4 wooden culvert requires renewal on the Morangi road, and he proposed to reinstate same by concrete pipes. The Mimi bridge had been thoroughly overhauled and screwed up during the month.

Mokau riding Arrangements were made made with Barker for work on the Manganiaelio road. A visit was made to Tangitu, and arrangements made for repairs to temporary liridge over (he steam of (hat name. 'Contacts on the Okoke hoad had been determined under clause 13 of the special conditions. Surfaceman Fuller had been relieved of his duties at Uruti, and surfaceman Jones had been attending to the Uain road. One surfaceman, however, was inadequate. The engineer verbally referred to the impossibility of obtaining a successor to Langmau, surfaceman in the Wailii riding, although the position had been twice advertised at 7s per day. Langman was an exceptionally good nuiu j whose services were sought after by others and be would not keep the Council's billet. Mr Dowselt strongly urged the Council to re-appoint Languian at eight shillings, and. said thai ii■■ was well worth the money, particularly as the surfaceman could not live near his work, but had to live in Wailara borough and keep a horse.

The chairman said he was ''not so much gone on Langmau" as the engineer seemed to be. lie had never seen anything remarkable about him. The engineer replied that l.angnian bad done considerable work on the main and by-roads. The chairman was of different opinion, particularly regarding the hv-roads. When the engineer brought his books and showed him the figures he would be prepared to believe him. Arter further discussion it was decided to call applications for the position. THE URCTf CONTRACT.

Messrs Tarry and Cartwright, contractors for metalling on the Mimi-Mokan road, wailed on the Council and asked for a refund of their deposit and the 25 per cent withheld, amounting to .£l4O.

The Council considered the matter at some length, and decided to refund the [deposit of about £IOO, retaining the balance. Tho contractors also complained of the rate of pay for maintenance metal. The Council agreed to pay 3s per yard for 111 yards of metal over and above the 200 yards already arranged for.

(lUXKEAL. The engineer was authorised to call tenders for carting 300 tons of boulders at W'aipapa. and for 10(1 yards of stone from Jones pit at. Urenui.

Mr T. \V. I'rosser was appointed tollkeeper. Tlie engineer was authorised to appoint a piiuudkecpor at tlronui. The mutter of allowing Mr 8. McGuinncss to graze live animals on the road at Crcniii during the night at CI each per annum was deferred pending the receipt of information. .Mr Key, for .\lr Vcmiblcs. one of the solders interested, asked Ihe Council to defer mailer in connection with (he proposed (lupui loan.—Agreed to. [ The chairman reported on the matter 'of unlive rules, which he had kepi before the notice of (he Ministry, and said thai lie ami the Taranaki Conutv chairman would bring the question before the Counties' Conference. Accounts amounting to AISoS 18s -Id were passed for payment.