CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 384, 9 May 1910, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara on Friday. Present: Crs. J. W. Foreman (chairman), Julian, O'Sullivan, Sander and Kennington. An apology was received for the absence of Cr. T. McKenzie, who is at Tiresent in Dunedin. CONDOLENCE.

Before proceeding with the ordinary business of the Council, Cr. O'Sullivan made feeling reference to the death of the late Cr. S. McGuinness, who was elected to the Council a few months ago. The following resolution was passed on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. O'Sullivan: "That this Conncil tenders its sincere condolence' to Mrs. McGuinness on the death of her husband, who recently represented the Mokau riding on the Council." VOTERS' QUALIFICATION.

The Westland County Council forwarded a copy of a resolution passed at their last meeting in regard to amending the procedure for the compilation of the countv electoral rolls. They also asked the Council to make representations to the Government on the matter, oil -which they proposed to make a remit at the next meeting of the New Zealand Counties' Association.

It was decided that no action he taken at present, as the discussion before the Counties' Association might thrown some light on the subject. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL. The secretary of the New Zealand Counties Association enclosed a letter from the Prime Minister stating that copies of the .proposed Local Government Bill would be distributed among local bodies after it was introduced to Parliament in amlple time .to enable local bodies to consider it before it was finally dealt with..

■FIKO ROAD BRIDGES.

Mr. C. J. McKenzie, District Engineer, Stratford, wrote that the plans and specifications for the two bridges (Ekdahl's and Bull Creek) on the above road had been approved and authority had been given for payment of balance of vote ( £B2 Ss Gd), subject to the following conditions: —The two bridges must each have five stringers each for the long scans, spaced 3ft centres, and hand rails on either side. It would also be better to pat short spans at each end of the 25ft span and omit the heavy planked wings shown at Bull's Creek and one end of Ekdahl's. Other minor alterations were also suggested. The engineer (Mr. Dowsett) said the alterations were unnecessary. He had provided for four stringers (16 by 8 rimu), which were qiiite strong enough for any traffic required. In regard to the wings, these were not very heavy, and would 'be better than the extra spans, as even with these wings wouu: he required to hold the filling. Hand rails were not needed, and were not placed on all the bridges that the Council had taken over from the Government. The estimated eost of the bridges was £l3O, which meant that the Council would have to provide £37 10s 9d out of thirds. The proposed alterations would cost an additional £35. Cr. .Julian: Would it not be. as well to write to Mr. Murray and point out the class of country? Mr. Murray knew the country. The plans had to be forwarded to Mr. Murray, who sent them on to Mr. McKenzie, from whom they went to Wellington. He had already drawn up seven copies of specifications and three plans, and wanted to know who was to ipay for the extra expense involved.

The chairman said the .plans as drawn up bv their engineer provided for bridges suitable for the requirements, and if the Department held to the alterations it would mean that only one bridge could be built., and the settlers up tit the top end would still be cut off at flood time, and their children would thus be unable to ';ret to school, unless, of course, the Department would provide the extra money.

The engineer is to communicate with the Department to this effect.

TENDERS. Tenders were accepted for the supply of timber for the Piko road bridge/, (subject to the work being iproceede.l with) from Savers and Svme at 17s for rimu and 19s for totara. EXTRAVAGANT EXPENDITURE. .

Cr. Julian drew attention to the. expenditure which had taken place in the Uruti riding in connection with the laying down of metal, and which, hq alleged, was unauthorised and unwarranted in the present state of the finances. The metal had been picked up and the road raised in many places, and then the metal re-laid. . During March £ 107 2s lOd had been spent in casual labor on this road.

Cr. O'Sullivan said that the Council had ■ authorised the metalling, but perhaps not the raising of the road. He, however, believed in making a good job while at it. The road was low, una unless it had been raised the water in wet weather would lay on the road and soon cut un the metal. He asked why Cr. Julian did not object when the metal was being laid down. Would Cr. Julian as a practical man say the road ■was not well laid?

Cr. Julian said that was not the point. Such an 1 expenditure was unwarranted, particularly when there were so many otlier roads that required attention. Moreover, the raising was not authorised, and if the other ridings did the same the Council would soon be in a tlx.

The chairman said he could sympathise with Cr. Julian. The money had been unwarrantably spent. They already had .1 L'ood grade there, and at the time the application came forward he thought repairs were all that were needed.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer's report was dealt with as follows:' — Waihi lvidine. —McDonald had taken up his duties on the Main road. Crushilia had commenced on the Inland North raid and there should be sufficient metal to cover three sections of new formation. The toll collector asked for an additional room.

Tikorancri Riding.—The work of repairs iiinl renewal* to the Tikorangi bridge was proceeding slowly. Most of tlic rimu lmd teen worked into place, niid two of tile towers toad lieen renewed in jaiTah. Owing to decay in the present decking 6300 ft extra had to be ordered.

Xgatiniaru Riding. —A plan was submitted showing the available sections in the Tarata township suitable for a site frtr a house for the surfaceman. The surfaceman's cottage at Turangi is comidoted. An additional room. 14 hy 0, hail been added thereto, lmt with no expense to the Council. The bridge on the Mangaoapa road required immediate attention in renewal of sills, stringers, etc.. the eetiwite '-nst nf rcnirs lining r-'::i' V'. 1 ". 'Hv 'i?!!!-r ! - V-'v Trv.Y-'.

to the site of the North Matau bridge. Tlu> steel girders for this structure have also arrived.

Ureniii Hiding.—Colman had completed his metalling contract 011 the Main North road, having put down 012 yards. On the Okoke road, Piripi had commenced his metalling contract.

Mok.au Riding.—The crushing of 1031 yards of maintenance metal was completed. The burnt papa at the 37th mile ipeg had lieen satisfactorily completed, the putput being 202 yards. Plans were submitted showing alternative designs in ferro-concrete and steel and hardwood for the Mangahia road bridge. The present structure was quite inadequate for flood waters, and had had to receive further temporary repairs lately. On the Pukearuhe road, D. Paul had almost completed his metalling contract. It will cost about £l2 to provide Mr. Freehh's access on the Wa-i-iti road, which will be somewhat disturbed by Mr. Parson's intention of fencing off this road on its surveyed line.

The question of providing accommodation at the toll-house 'was left in the hands of the chairman and the engineer.

The rental of the surfaceman's house at Purangi was fixed at 4s per week. The matter of repairing the Mangaopa road bridge was held over till next meeting, to ascertain if the ground were suitable for tunnelling. Other matters were held over owing to the state of the finances. FINANCIAL POSITION.

When the engineer's report was being discussed, the chairman stated that it was useless at present discussing further works. The overdraft at the Bank •was now £2732. Accounts in thai day amounted to £I7OO. so they would be up to their limit at the end of the wcr'::. He h'i I been preaching econom - fo;- some months past, but still they seemed to spend the money, and the

- reseat position had arrived a few ; onths -sooner than -he had expected. There was every little money to, come in from Government grants, and instead There was very little money to come to a question of putting off some of the permanent men they now had on.

Cr. Sander said with the number of bridges that required renewing, they would liave to do as the Taranaki County Council had done, viz., go in for a bridge loan. GENERAL.

Accounts to the amount of £1783 were passed for payment. The engineer is to be instructed to place some metal at the approaches to the Uruti road bridge as requested by Mr. Musker. The Commissioner of Crown Lands is to be 'written to and asked to set aside one acre of land at Tarata for a surfaceman's residence.

The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board intimated that the Council's contribution would amount to £22!) 14s lOd iper annum.—The clerk stated that this was £2 10s -per month less than last vear.

The chairman was empowered to sipn the nlan of deviation of the Clifton road.

L'iunham Bros, applied for permission to least two or three acres of river reserve on the Mangaoii'pa road for a period of five years at 30s per year. They would he prepared to fence it. as it was only being- used at present by stray stock.—The application was granted, subject to a provision that the Council have the right- to resume any time they require the land.