CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 59, 3 April 1909, Page 6

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Clifton County Council held its usual monthly meeting at Waitara yesterday. Present: Councillors J. W, foreman (chairman), F. Julian, T. Mackenzie, C. O'Sjullivan, A. L. Hunter, il. bander. anil A. Kcnuington. HOSPITAL RATE. The secretary of the Hospital Board notified that the Council's contribution to the Board's revenue for the ensuing year would be JC2SB 4s Id, at the rate of »d in the £IOO on the capital value. The county's valuation was £088,037. A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. Mr. Fred. Surten, of Xikorangi, through to solicitor, Mr. R. C. Hughes, forwarded a claim for £427 2s, being compensation for all losses arising out of the construction of an embankment on the Ohanga road at a stream emerging from his property, section 01, blk 7, Waitara; the diversion of the water of the stream through a culvert in the embankment, which was constructed at a height of 10ft 3in (afterwards reduced to 3ft Sin.) above the ordinary level of the creek. Loss of the use.of about ton acres of land, cut off by flood water, and rendered inaccessible to stock for four months, £5; loss of two cows drowned in attempting to cross the stream whilst the water was dammed back, prior to the lowering of tlie culvert, £5; loss of ornamental bush on the banks of the stream, destroyed owing to the flood, £25; permanent injury to lands, including the cost of constructing and maintaining one crossing with culvert or bridge, and the cost of constructing and maintaining fencing, £!)0; survey rendered necessary by tlie Hooding of the stream, £2 2s. Hie chairman said he had inspected the place on two occasions, once with Councillor Mackenzie. The claim was ridiculous and absurd. He didn't believe that the culvert had altered the bed of the stream at all. Upon the chairman's motion it was decided to defer consideration of the claim. ROYALTY AJfD DAMAGES. Mr. W. H. Foreman wrote that he would hold the Council responsible for tiny damage or loss of stock caused by the Council getting sandstone from his property on the Okau road. He would claim royalty on sandstone taken. — (jouncillors regretted that the settler's view of the rights of property was hindering the progress of the road ■works and injuriously affecting his neighbors. It was not usual to charge royalty on sandstone. —The engineer stated that he had arranged for sandstone supplies, and work would proceed. —Leit to the engineer. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer's report was read as follows: Xikorangi Riding: On the Otaraoa road, Waite had two contracts practically completed and the third was also well forward. Ngatimaru Riding: On the Oapui Road the contractors reported that the gravel had run out and at the date of inspection about 300 yards of boulders had already been carted. The lcngtli of road covered with gravel was 7a chains, leaving 30 chains to complete. The contractors made a request on the strength of the superiority of broken stone over gTavel that they be allowed to reduce the covering by one inch in thickness. The reduction was equal to two yards per chain or a total reduction of 60 yards. Neilson. had also completed, the gravelling portion of his contract, having put out 196.yards. The shingle portion had yet to be done. At Purangi Bishop had commenced his metalling contract, -and completed about two chains. At Matau, Rolfe had completed the sandstoning up to the store, and .also two sections on the South Matau Road. A further small section on the Junction Road near Moody's was also contemplated. An inspection of the gravel reserve section 4, block XVI, Waitara S.D., adjacent to the Junction Road, was made with a view to its suitability for a roadman's dwelling. It was unsuitable. There was no flat land on it, and he estimated it would require £BO to give it dray access.

Steps should be taken with a view to rebuilding a bridge on the North Jlatau Road.

The Tarata boundary bridge required almost redecbing, ana lie would recommend putting down hardwood of a size ox 4. Its.increased life over rimu was estimated at fully 50 per cent., while its increased cost would only be 25 per cent.

Urenui Riding: The metalling on the Moer?ngi road was completed early in the month/ Symes was proceeding very slowlv with his maintenance metal.

On the Piko road, Whittaker was progressing very slowly with bis bridge work, and Ekdahl and Hen wood bad lteen removing slips etc., under instructions, which had somewhat retarded their contract.

The work of widening the Matapo road had been let to Falconer at the price agreed upon by the Council. Jlokfu Siding: James and Co. bad been pushing on with their formation and metalling contract. The major portion of the formation was completed, and 34 chains covered with gravel. The matter of widening the drain on the formation Bide, contrary to specified and verbal instructions, thereby reducing 4 the width of road, was stated for the Council's information. The two lower cuts in the Mimi stream in Fraser's had been arranged for at the price originally agreed upon. On the Okau road, Schmidt reported having cut side drains, formed up three sections, and, in addition, sanded about 28 chains of road. The matter of extending the tunnel at Whitecliffs required some minor alterations before it "be accepted. On the Cliftfa road, Piripi has completed a portion of 'llls earth work and bad commenced metalling. Claims amounting to £1519 had been made to the District Road Engineer in respect of subsidies and grants due to this Council. It was decided that the engineer furnish an estimate of tile damage caused by the contractors, Messrs James and Co., cutting away part of the roadway formation in widening a drain, contrary to the specifications of the contract, and the verbal instructions of the engineer. , ; It was decided to accede to the request for a reduction in the depth of gravel on Messrs Tarry and Cartwrignt's contract. TENDERS. The tenders of Smith and Wallace for formation, etc., on the South Matan road, at £45 4s lOd, and that of H. A. James and Co., at 2s ad a yard for carting metal from the crusher on the Main North road were accepted. Fresh tenders will be called for carting metal oil Kaipikari road; and for shell riKji I at Uruti; tenders to close in a week. GENERAL. Mr. A. Thompson, Tongaporutu, asked for repairs to the Mangaonga road, including the forming of approaches to the Mangaonga road, and some widening. He offered to do the work.—Referred to the engineer. Mr. J. Murray, Uruti, wrote complaining that the improvements to the inlet of the concrete culvert on tli u Uruti road had cut off the bar-way to one of bis paddocks.—Councillor Hunter said that access could be restored by an hour's work.—Left to the riding member to deal with. Accounts amounting to £IOOB 19s 5d were passed for payment.