STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 393, 19 May 1910, Page 2

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council was held at Stratford yesterday. There were 'present: Crs. Ma reliant- (chairman), Thompson, ChristolVell, Astburv, Maxwell, Walters, Porritt, llathamtiy and Marfell. THE LATE KING. The chairman said they had met that day in the face of la. national calamity. Tlie King had been called from his throne at a time when most men were thinking of retiring from active work, after nine years of strenuous and unsparing labor. He had died at a critical time in the history of the Home Country and the world. For many years he had devoted his great talents to the promotion of peace and the welfare of his 'people, lie moved, "That this Council desires to express its deep and sincere sympathy with the Queen Mother, Alexandra, in the irreparable loss which the Royal Family and the Empire have sustained in the death of our beloved King Euiwtird and to as-sure her of the devotion and loyalty of our people towards Kin? George and of our hope that he may enjoy a long, pciaceuu and prosperous reign."—Seconded by Cr. Thompson and carried. On the motion of Crs. Hathaway aim Marfell it was resolved that the chairman convey the above resolution to his Excellency for transmission to the Queen Mother. The Council then adjourned for a short time as a "token of respect. EAST RIDING' BRIDGE LOAN. Some time ago a bridge loan was raised over this riding which was afterwards subdivided into the Mangaehu and East ridings and the Council were doubtful as to the position in -regard to the bridge loan. Accordingly the Council decided to obtain an opinion from } Mr. T. F. Martin, counsel for the New ' Zealand Counties' Association, and tue position was put to him as follows: In 1907 a poll was carried to raise loans for the construction of bridges in the i East riding of the county at a rate not to exceed %d in the £. The rate amounted to £4OO. In 1909 this riding was divided into the East and Mangaehu ridings and the rate over each would be £320 and £BO respectively. The Council asked (I) Was the original poll still operative in both ridings for re-construc-tions since the partition? (2) ii so, must the expenditures be, charged to the one original account and the rate levied evenly over the whole area, irrespective of in which present riding the expenditure takes place? (3) Is it the Council's duty to see that the expenditure under the poll in either riding ceases when interest on expenditure in either riding since the partition added to interest on original area .prior to the partition reaches the maximum statutory limit oi rating in such riding for'bridge construction. The answer to the first two questions was in the affirmative and the latter in the negative. The chairman stated -that this meant that either ,riding coum -pledge the credit of the other riding to build bridges in , its own territory, but of course the matter would be at the discretion of the Council. On receipt of that opinion he had instructed the engineer to call tenders for Noble's bridge, which were returnable at this meeting. ENGINEER'S REPORT. j The engineer (Mr. Robinson) reported i that tenders had been called for the Makuri bridge (Toko road) in reinforced concrete. North Riding.—The formation work on North Barclay road would soon be completed. The crushing plant had crushed the boulders on Salisbury and York roads and was now on the Monmouth road. The Flint, road gravelling would have been completed but for the weather. The gravelling oh the Rutland road would be commenced first opportunity. ■South Riding. The concrete pipes having arrived, the large culvert on the Warwick road would be commenced as soon as the milk supply ceases. The foreman has started filling at the Bird road bridge. 'East Riding.—A small bridge on the Ahuroa road required renewing, estimated cost (hard wood) £4O. The portion of the Matau-Mangaoapa road recently vested in the Council would require ail expenditure of about £l2 to clear from slips, and he had communicated with the Public Works Department asking that- the work be do:ie before the road is handed over. Th" bridwl at the junction of Makuri and Waiwiri roads would require renewing shnrtlv. The metalling of Maikuri road, Hiiiroa.' has been proceeding very satisfactorily', but owing to the supply of metal from Mount Egmont coming to hand in small quantities, there still remains some three-quarters of a mile still to do. The District Engineer, however, had informed him that the (remainder of tne order 'would be supplied at .the rate of 100 yards per day. A petition has been prepared in connection with new Kopua drainage area, but had not yet been completed. West Riding. Satisfactory arrangements have been made for a* crushing site at -the Kapuni stream, Opunake road. The Kapuni and two Kaupokonui bridges on the Opunake road required repairs; he w-ts sending; out men to effect repairs, which would Enable them to last a further eight or ten years. A small bridge further towards Rowan re-' quired .renewal at once. It would cost (in ferro-concrete) from £l5O to £l6O. Hiding. He recommended tenders being called -for Noble's bridge, as the Department had approved the ■plans. The contractors for the Mangaehu road metalling have only completed -a further 15 chains since last meeting. The engineer's report was adopted. The .'bridge on the Ahuroa road is to be renewed and a new bridge built near Rowan on the Opunake road, as suggested. Tenders are also to be called for Noble's bridge. MANGAEHU ROAD. Messrs. Watchorn, Clarke and Lehman waited on the Council and asked that the metalling on the Mangaehu road be : extended about ten chains, making it continuous to the bridge over the Mangaehu river. It was contended that | when the loan of £9OOO for metalling j the Mangaehu and Tututawa roads was j raised, it was understood the work' j would he done out of loan money. The' deputation thought there was a balance of the loan unexpended, but the chairman .said the whole of this was appropriated by agreement among the settlers. A fresh loan would probably be 1 required before anything further could be done. ' | Mr. Harris wanted some repairs done to a steep cutting on the Makuri road on the boundary between the East and North ridings. The engineer estimated it would cost about £2O. It was re-1 solved that the work be done, each rid-1 ing to contribute half. | NORTH BARCLAY ROAD. Two settlers from the Barclay Road asked the Council to erect a bridge over

the Konini river. Ihcy would jjive the Council £SO towards the cost, and also make the necessary cuttings and fillings. They wanted the bridge started at once, so as they could put some buildings up ill about a month's time. After discussion t'he Council expressed its willingness to provide £4O towards the cost of the bridge, which is estimated at £llO, .provided those interested provide the balance, but that the Council will not bind itself to complete the bridge within any specified time. In any case it could not be finished within four months of completing negotiations. Cuttings and fillings to be done by applicants, free of cost to Council. Mr. O'Reilly asked permission to remove some clay from the Skinner road. ! —Referred to foreman, with power to act. SPECIAL RATE. It was resolved that a special rate of a penny in the pound be struck on the Dadnor road. This will amount to 3.y0 lis 9d. Cr. Porritt gave notice to move' at the next meeting that the Council subsidise the amount so raised .pound for pound out of the special fund. FOREMEN'S REPORTS. The various foremen's reports were read and adopted. The engineer is to report on the state of Upper Douglas roads, and also on the Weivviri bridge. The matter of wandering stock in the West riding is to be brought before the ranger. The Mangaehu foreman is to obtain bridge timber required. NORRIS BRIDGE. Tenders are to be called for the reconstruction of this bridge on the Manga-eliu road in hardwood. It was resolved to raise a loan of £250 for ' this purpose. ' COLLAPSED BRIDGES. Letters were received from C. Lovell, claiming £4 10s through bridge on York road collapsing while he was carting over it. From J. Uhienberg, claiming £li 10s through bridge collapsing on York road. The -widge was rotten, and no notice was up warning the public. The Council regretted the accidents, but could admit no liability. ' GOVERNMENT GRANTS. The .Eltham County Council / stated that their Council had decided to make the question of the expenditure of Govermiieiit grants a remit to the Counties' Conference, and thanked the Stratford Council,for its promise of support. NOTICES OF MOTION. In accordance with notice of motion, Cr. Marfell moved that £3O be voted from the East Riding Special Fund .to the Toko road, and tiiat £7O be transferred from the Iviore road to the SouthDouglas road account. —Both motions were carried withut discussion. Cr. Walter moved that all revenue accruing to and all expenditure incurred on the undermentioned roads be placed to a special account, and that the North riding and the South riding each contribute one-quarter the deficiency, if any, on each year's work; Ohura road, from the boundary to the. Skinner road, Beaconsfield road, from the Ohura road to the riding boundary, and the Skinner road, from the Ohura road to the Skinner road bridge. In supporting the motion, Cr. Walters said he thought tlje East riding had been very unfairly I treated in having to keep these roads up itself. It was only reasonable that those who used the roads should, help in their upkeep. This was a special case, and required special treatment. It seemed unfair that ratepayers should pay rates to roads they never used, and other ratepayers should use roads to which they .paid no rates. He was only asking a fair thing, as East riding would still find half the doficien-ey.—Cr. Marfell seconded. . Cr. Porritt stated that the East riding settlers used the North riding roads considerably, and there must be some give and take. He could not support the motion. Cr. Astburv suggested altering the boundaries so as to concentrate the traffic. After considerably discussion the motion was rejected, the chairman, Crs. Crs. Maxwell, Waltefs and Marfell voting for it. Cr. Astburv moved that the resolution. passed by the Council voting £6 for drainage on the Makuri (Huiakama) road be rescinded. —Seconded by Cr. Porritt (pro forma). —Held over to allow | Cr. Watson to attend next meeting. | GENERAL. | Crs. Hathaway and Astbury were ap- ; pointed -a commission to allocate the debit standing on the old East riding prior to the division, between the present East and the Mangaehu ridings. The chairman intimated that in accordance with legal advice he had given the "squatter" at Iluiroa formal notice to quit. The Council's solicitors advised that the Council had power, under the Counties Act 1908, to borrow money to straighten the course of a stream so as to drain more efficiently the lands through which it runs. Explanation re removal of pipes at Midliurst was regarded as satisfactory. Mr. H. D. Forsytili was granted permission to erect a telephone line along Wingrove road, subject to the engineer's approval. H. Franklin asked that £2O will be retained on the Kiore road to give him access to his section, No. 10 blk. 9, Ngatimaru, from the Mokakau road end.— The application is to be kept in mind. Public Works Department forwarded copy of Order-in-Council declaring part of the Mangaoapu road a county road in I terms of P.W.D. Act 1907. I George Martin drew attention to the I rotten state of small bridge on Surrey road.—Foreman Brown is to report as . to .position and condition of this bridge I and probable cost of renewing same. F. C. Oldaker asked to have the track leading to his property on the Haikau I road at Huiroa cleared of slips.—Foreman is to report. I Foreman is to be instructed to remove slips on Kiore road at a cost of £lO. Tenders for the erection of the Makuri bridge on the Toko road were considered in committee. Tenders were declined. and it was resolved to call for tenders at next meeting for a bridge to be erected in hardwood. , Accounts to the amount of £30:10 10s j 4d were passed for pavment.