CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 125, 5 September 1910, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held on Friday. Present: Crs. J. W. Foreman (chairman), F. Julian, T. McKenzie, C. O'Sullivan, Musker and Sander.

A TARATA DISPUTE. Messrs Malone, Anderson and Johnstone, acting for Mr. A. Corkill, wrote that their client was willing to submit his dispute with the Council re royalties to arbitration, and suggested the appointment of Mr. H. Trimble, of Inglewood, as arbitrator, with absolute power to examine the property and make his own finding without calling evidence unless lie found that this would be necessary. Mr. Trimble had stated his willingness to act. Mr. G. A. Marohant, of Stratford, was suggested in the alternative. The Council decided in favor of two arbitrators, and will communicate with Messrs Malone, Anderson and Johnstone as soon as the services of an arbitrator on the Council's side has been secured. . PUKEARUHE LOAN.

'Mr. Jennings, M.P., forwarded a letter received by him from the Minister of Finance with reference to the Pukearuhe loan, and stating that as the proceedings for raising the loan were not completed on the coming into operation of the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Act, 100!), the matter could not be dealt with in the intended legislation.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer, Mr. C. F. Dowsett, in his monthly report, said that in the Waihi riding McDonald had been quarrying gravel for repairs for his own and Urenui ridings, and had about 40 yards stripped ready for removal. In the Tikorangi riding, D. Paul had now about half his total quantity of stone broken on the Otaraoa road, and would commence carting out when the weather permitted. The whole of the timber remaining from the Tikorangi bridge had been disposed of, and a voucher for the Taranaki county's portion had been certified to. In the Ngatimaru riding, Rolfe reported that the widening of points on the South Matau road under the Government grant w r as about oompleted. He suggested that tenders be called for the erection of the North Matau bridge. In the Urenui riding, a plan was submitted for the proposed bridige on the Ngatoto road. C. Rumbal had completed 14 chains of his widening contract on the Mataro road. Mr. Dowsett suggested that a small contact be let to absorb the balance of the grant, tenders to close at next meeting. A large slip occurred on the Okoke road, and additional help was authorised for removal of same. Telfar had effected metal repairs to the Mocrangi road. In the Mokau riding, repairs to the north approach to the Uruti bridge were required. Rouse was breaking shell rock and had about 70 yards ready for removal. The condition of the main road between the 25 and 30 mile pegs had resumed a serious aspect, and was really beyond the patching stage. He had the road cut in 17 different places, and found only in two places that the road contained about six inches of gravel. The majority of the cuts indicated from three to five inches of gravel, and in places as low as about two inches. He considered that about IcJOO yards of metal were required immediately to cover the worst sections, and that before next winter another 1500 yards should be provided for. The following winter—that is, 1912—a further supply would be required. To summarise the position squarely, he thought the Council would find that during the next three years the major portion of this 'five miles would require entirely recoating.

Tenders will be called for the erection of the North Matau bridge, and for further formation to absorb the balance of grant on Mataro road. A PROTECTION FENCE.

W. C. Gray wrote that while" travelling with cattle over the Tikorangi bridge road two or three of them fell over the cliff just above Mr. J. Foreman's place, owing to the protection rail to the precipice having been broken down. He asked that the matter be attended to. He also drew attention to the state of the suspension bridge approach, and suggested a short bit of fencing.—After some discussion, the Council declined to take any action.

GENERAL. After some discussion, the Couneii agreed to Cr. O'Sullivan's motion, seconded by Cr. Musker, that tenders be invited for quarrying 1000 yards of stone at Uruti for the crusher. Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., acknowledged the Council's letter with reference to the schedule of grants and subsidies applied for this session and stated that he would assist Mr. Jennings to obtain the inclusion of same on the Estimates.To be acknowledged. The Valuation Department notified that £SOO subsidy for the year 1909-10 had (been paid into the Council's account.

J. Rouse asked that he be paid an extra 6d per yard on all stone remaining on the balance of his contract. —Declined.

I Applications will be invited for fch« [>ost -f surfa;enmn at Ukoke, to clo'-a I- next meeting. H. Young's application for an additional room at the Waihi tollhouse was refered to the chairman. No action was taken in regard to J. Coleman's offer to supply metal required in the Mokau riding at a price to be agreed upon. It was decided to pay half Jus. Flemming's travelling expenses from Invercargill provided he agrees to take up the position of foreman in the Mokau riding for not less than six months. A. Hutchens forwarded his resignation of the position of surfaceman on the Okoke and Piko roads.—Accepted, and applications will be called to fill the vacancy.

Accounts amounting to £236 3s 3d were passed for payment.