STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 164, 20 October 1910, Page 7

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly mooting of the Stratford County Council was hold in the county office's, Stratford, yesterday, when there were present: Messrs G. A. Marchant (chairman), •!. Thomson. J. Christollel, D. Maxwell. W. Hathaway. E. Walter, E. Marfoll. An apology was tendered for the absence of Cr. Porritt. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The engineer reported that tenders had been invited for the supply of boulders for the South riding, erection of Rum-keg creek bridge. Denbigh road, and the formation of portion "of South Mangaehu road. Two small bridges on the Waiwiri road were in an unsound state, but could be replaced with large pipe culverts. The formation of Douglas road down the Waitara river was impracticable at a reasonable cost, but that the repairs to Antawa road on the other side would probably relieve the situation to some extent. The stone necessary for East riding roads' maintenance should now be obtained. The survey in connection with Makuri Valley drainage had been commenced, 'but had been delayed owing to the bad weather. The crushing plant had been sent up into the North riding, where operations would be commenced. Considerable difficulty had been experienced in obtaining men and teams for river work at past rates. The contract for the renewal of Makuri bridge, Toko road,' and the tunnel and filling on Makuri road were proceeding satisfactorily. Resolved, that the effect of the engineer's recommendation re the formation of Douglas road be referred to the settlers interested, with the information that the Council were agreeable to same.

UNFAIR TRAFFIC. The committee appointed to report re unfair traffic on the Ohura road from the North and South ridings, wrote: "We find that, apart from the case of sections 119 and 121, block 2, Ngaore, which use Burgess' bridge to come out on to the Ohura road from the South riding, the traffic may be considered as fair 'give-and-take.' From the general rate collected from these two sections wo recommend that £5 per annum be allocated to the Ohura road until the Council otherwise determines." —Adopted. THE ABSENTEE CONTRACTOR. In regard to the balance of contract money due to Houlihan and llemiabuiv on the Puniwhakau road contract, an application was made by Mr. Calvert (to ■whom Houlihan owed £OOI to have the amount ( £100) impounded in the meantime, or that at least not more than half be paid to Hennaibury. The Council consulted their solicitors (Messrs Malonc, Anderson and Johnstone), and it was decided to leave the matter with the chairman, with power to act.

RATING. Messrs Malone. Anderson and Johnstone, solicitors, wrote re the power of the Council to rate the new Kopua drainage district, consisting of 1200 acres. Under section 170 of the Counties Act the special loan which can be raised op. that' area must not exceed Ms per acre. The rating to provide the interest and sinking fund'could be spread evenly over the whole area or such area classified into three classes, as provided bv the River Boards Act, 1008.—Resolved, that the Council hold a special meeting on November 23 for the purpose of appointing a fit and proper person to classify the area. It was decided to apportion the general rates for the ensuing year as follows:—North riding: Main roads Id, bveroads Id; South. V?A and Id; East. lV,d and %d: West, Id and Id; Mangaehu. iy 2 :l and \U\.

TENDERS. The chairman reported re maintenance metal for Staple-,- road that no tenders had boon received for th" supply of boulders and two for-shell rock; and that he had accepted Green and Rcattie's tender for 0s lOd per yard.—Action confirmed. The following tenders were, accepted: — Supply of boulders for South riding: Grimmer and Chamberlain; formation of portion of Mangaehu road: M. Kerrisk; Rum-keg creek bridge: F. M. Grayling. GENERAL. Mr. John Davies. Gordon road, Toko, wrote stating that he failed to see where the water-course through his property caused any stoppage to the culvert as reported to the Council. He. suggested the appointment of two councillors to inspect the culvert, and he would be pleased to confer with them and endeavor to find out where the trouble was.—East riding members to inspect the locality and report at next meeting.

MISCELLANEOUS. Mr. J. K. Logan, Superintendent of Electric Lines, wrote with reference to telephone communication being established between Midhirst and Stanley-road school either on a guarantee being given by the Council for five years or on a lump sum being paid by the residents. — The Council to guarantee. Mr. W. J. iSimpson. postmaster at Tututawa, wroteodrawing the attention of the Council to the very bad state of the entrance to the post ollice, it being almost impossible during the winter moths to get to the office on foot. —It was reported that the mater had been attended to. A special order making a lew of a separate rate over the West Monmouthroad separate rating district was confirmed. Resolved that a demand for £2O be made upon Messrs Anderson for 100 yds of metal taken without permission from the Council's pit on the Manaia road.

Cr. Maxwell handed to the chairman a letter in reference to the prosecution of work on Manga road from the Assistant Under-Secretary, stating that authority for £3OO was issued to the. Council on the 20th January and still rested with that body.—The chairman moved that the Minister be informed that the Council is willing to undertake the construction of the work if he would authorise it on the lines indicated by their previous letter, when the deviation is legalised by the Government. —Seconded by Cr. Maxwell and carried. It was decided to put in order about 20 chains on Salisbury road as requested by Mr. Skedgowcll and not to spend any I money on Mana road. Resolved that the Council could not allow Mr. T. Hastie any compensation for felling and grassing done by him on the South Manga road. Cr. Marfcll is to report on the railway reserve near Douglas in regard to the position of the tenants. Accounts amounting to £S7O Ids 7d were passed for payment. Cr. Walter gave notice of motion to remunerate the engineer for his services in regard to the Kapua drainage, system and the expenditure of Government grants. The next ordinary meeting of the Council will be held on November 23.