TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 31, 2 March 1909, Page 4

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Taranaki County Couacil met yesterday. Present; Councillors J. Hiown {chairman), R. Stevens, 11. Hopson, C. Carter, C. Andrews, J. J. Carpenter, U. V. Tate, and J. K. Hill. THE HUH WORTH RIDI-VO. The Chairman reported that, in company with Councillor Carter, he had traversed the new liurworth riding. Considering the dry weather, the roads were in very fair order, and there was also a quantity of maintenance metal in various parts of the riding. The county would have a good metal pit on the ( Fianldey road, but it had not been properly looked after. It would now cost a good deal to put in order, but there wa» a good supply of stone in it, which was worth 2s a yard more than river metal.

The Chairman reported havrag.inspected the work on Tariki road, where Foreman Bennett had over-spent the Council's vote for repairs by £B. The chairman was quite convinced that the foreman had esereised good judgment, for had the work only been done to the extent of the vote the work would not hare been satisfactory. Councillor Andrews asked the chairman if he thought the filling on the Oakura side of the new bridge was 24 feet wide, as provided in the specifications, even after the foreman bad done some widening. He was sure that it was not, and he asked it the engineer was justified in certifying that the. contract was completed properly. - The Chairman said he was satisfied that the new road was not up to the specified width, but as it had been raised by the foreman it was impossible to say aow whether the road was at its proper width before the foreman touched it.

Councillor Carter said that Foreman Huse had told him the road was only 18 feet wide before he commenced to raise and widen it. But it was too late to go into the matter now, for iltlifs money had been paid over. Councillor Andrews: Yes, and so has a lot more that never should have been. The matter was held over uatil the engineer should be present. When the matter was brought before Mr. Skinner, he said the work had been eubeidiaed by the Government and the District Road Engineer claimed the right to pass the work. Accordingly it was left to him entirely. Councillor Andrews said the filling had never been 24 feet wide.

Mr. Skinner replied that the work was measured by the officers of the Road Department before they passed the work..

Mr. Carter said that if Mr. Andrews knew the filling had sever been to contract width he should not have allowed it to pass when the account was before the council. It was too late now for the council to get any redress. The Chairman concurred, and the matter was allowed to drop. It was decided to appoint W. Eva (at present foreman under the Carrmgton Road Board) and J. Morris (at present foreman under the Frankley Road Board) to be foremen m the new riding; andxthat Councillor Carter and the Chairman arrange the subdivision of the district between the two men. OFFICERS' REPORTS.

The \eiigine-driver reported upon tlie work done by the cruder during the month. The crusher worked on nineteen days, crushing 1908 yards of stone. Foreman Jones (Tariki) reported 011 general repairs. Foreman Bennett (Junction Road East) reported that considerable damage was being done to the roads by the large mobs of sheep passing to and fro. He recommended that notice be sent to Jlr. Jensen to cut down trees wliicli were injuriously affecting the Tariki road. He had impounded L. Bishop's bullock team from Slippery Hill.

It was decided not to accede to Mr. Mackay's request to drain a blind creek on his property. Foreman Holmes reported that he had repaired the Mangaoraka bridge on the main road and the Mangaoraka bridge on the Oorbett road, and replaced the band-rails on the side of the bridge. The Mangaone stream, near the Maori pah at Waiwakaiho, was being completely blocked up by the willow roots, last winter this stoppage backed the water over about four chains of the road. Fart of the time had been spent in gathering up loose stones and making up side roads. The matter of cutting willows at Mangaons was referred to Councilor Hill, with power to act. Foreman Brosnan was granted a horse and dray for a week for blinding metalled roads.

The foreman was granted a man for » fortnight for raking up loose metal and blinding. It was decided to apply to F. G. Sole for the traffic levy of 3d a yard upon 1000 yards of metal carted over tlie county road for -the Oakura Road Board, and that the Oakura Boad Board lie notified of the Council's intention.

Foreman Huse (Omata North) reported that the dry weather and winds were breaking up the roads very fast. The crusher had put through 2084 yards in 21 days, or an average of 99 yards per day. The cost of forming and spreading was 6d a yard. He had shifted £BBO. yards of earth at 6d a yard. He had raised and widened the new filling at Oakura, and fenced the filling. TWo Oakura. deviation was now completed. Foreman Cheffings is to receive ilic ■timber asked for in his report. GENERAL.

Mr. A. Cliff, Master of the North Taranaki Bunt Club, waited on the Council ani aiked that a concession be mad® to tto club in the registration of the bounds. He offered £2 iUt for the registration of the pack for the easuing year.—After a lengthy discnation, Councillor Tait moved that the dog-tax be at the same rate as that for cattle dogs, namely 2s (Id each, up to 25 hounds.- - Councillor Hill seconded.—The motion was agreed to, Councillor Andrews alone dissenting.

It was resolved that the solicitor be authorised to take proceedings against a number of people who had been stopped by county foremen for driving unregistered motor cars in the county. Sir. W. L. Bishop wrote with reference to a leasehold property he had from •the council in the Inglcwood district in respect of noxious weeds.—Left in the bands of the Chairman.

It was resolved to co-operate with the Auckland City Council in its endeavour to secure the repeal of section 251 lof the Loans to Local Bodies. Amendment 'Act, with reference to the investment of sinking funds. It was resolved that proceedings lie taken against Mr. F. M. Grayling for a sum of £6, beinj» extraordinary ex.pcn.iea incurred by the Council in repairing one of its roads by reason of extraordinary traffic thereon.

Tlie Chairman reported having accepted the tender of Messrs. Ward and Son •for coal supplies.for the coming year. Accounts as follow were passed for payment:—Administration, £lB4 0s 8d; Moa Riding 2 £32 16s 9d; Waitara, £3l 19s 3d; Omata, £787 15s lid.