CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL'

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 177, 5 November 1910, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL'

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Council was held at Waitara yesterday, and was attended by Messrs. J. W. Foreman (chairman), E. Julian, T. McKenzie, C. O'Sullivan, H. Musker and S. J. Kensington. ' CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: Prom Mr. H. Wells, Pukearuhe, drawing the Council's attention to the stats of Gilbert road, from Waiharamarama bridge to his gate, and holding the Council responsible should any accident occur.—Agreed to authorise the expenditure of £1 as requested. From Mr. H. Oxenham, Uruti, agreeing to pay one-third cost of widening road to their properties.—Resolved to call for tenders for the. work, Crs. Sullivan and Musker to draw up specifications. From Mr. James Smith, pound-keeper, IJrenui, stating that he could not keep cattle in the pound, owing to the bad state of the fences, and asking, for improvements to be effected.—Resolved that a new fence be erected round the •pound paddock. From Mr. W. Ludeman, Tarata, agreeing to give up possession at once of section 35, Tarata., on payment 01 £5, when he would pay the rent up to August next.—Resolved that, satisfactory terms being arranged for the surrender of the section, tenders be invited for the erection of a- surfaceman's cottage thereon. After some discussion, it was moved by Mr. McKenzie, seconded by Mr. Julian, that Mr. Dowsett prepare specifications for a 4-roomed cottage.—Carried. From Fisher Bros., Urenui, putting forward the claims of that district for a fair share of expenditure, and in particular the maintenance of road towards their property, especially as the Council had seen fit to put on a "separate" rate. —Resolved to reply that the financial position of the Council did not admit of new work being undertaken, but later on the Council would consider the matter. From Mr. C. Zachariah, reserves agent, New Plymouth, stating that as the result of a visit, he could not see how the felling of bush on section 5, block 1, Upper Waitara, would benefit the Mangamaeho road. Under the circumstances he was unwilling to destroy the busli, which was becoming of more utility every year.—Mr. Sullivan said that, despite what Mr. Zachariah had written, there was no doubt the road in question would soon be considerably improved by the felling of the trees for about ten chains from section 6 to the main road. It was the only part of the road that was bad, which was owing to tlie sun and wind not getting on it.—lt was agreed that the chairman interview Mr. Zachariah on the matter and explain further.. From the Hon. Mr. *R. McKenzie, Minister of Public Works, acknowledging receipt of copy of petition signed by Mr. E. Whittaker and seventeen other settlers, praying that a sufficient sum be provided for the purpose of opening up the Piko road through to Junction road. The matter would receive his careful consideration when compiling the estimates for the current financial year.—Received. ENGINEER'S MONTHLY REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. T. Dowse.tt), in his monthly report, wrote, inter alia, as follows:—Contract No. 208 (C. A. Rumball) —This contract has been satisfactorily completed. Contract No. 210 (T. and J. Falconer) —Half this contract has been completed. I am arranging for a further iy s chains of formation to absorb balance of grant, and then make a full claim on the Department for their contribution. Contract No. 100, metal Otaraoa road —Only 12% yards of metal have been put out this month. A fresh start, however, is being made this week, and a few days should see its completion. Contract 209 (North Matau bridge)— The contractor is getting his materials for concrete on the ground, and will shortly make a start with the work.—Received. TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION. Mr. Drake, Okoke, waited on the Council with a view to obtaining a telephone service at Okoke. The amount of the guarantee would be £l2 for five years. There were about a dozen settlers in the district desiring to telephone. The chairman said he considered it was a pity the Government were not more liberal in the matter of facilities of this description for back-block settlers. Although they had been promised greater concessions, the amount, of the guarantee now was not less than it was fifteen years ago.—Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Kennington and the chairman, that the guarantee be given. TENDERS. Tenders were opened and/dealt, with as follows: — Wailu toll-house.—F. Brabant, £32 10s; W. J. Clare, £23 15s (accepted); F. Lucas, £2B; Wilson and Clare, £25 10s. Quarrying, etc., 1000 yds. shellroek at Uruti—E. A. Burkitt, 5s 9d per yard. —Held over in the meantime, Mr. Mus-

ker to interview the tenderer re same, and, failing satisfactory arrangement!) being made, fresh tenders be invited. The chairman moved, and Mr. McKenzie seconded, that tenders be called for formation work on Tikorangi road, along frontage of section 31. —Carried. GENERAL. The sum of £62 17s Id has been placed to the credit of the Council iu the Bank, being portion of "thirds" accruing to the end of September on Crown lands under the administration of the Council. Also £0 4s Bd, being proportion of cost of administering the licensing laws in the Taumarunui Licensing District. Referring to Mr. S. Lowe's application re bridging of creek crossing Ngatoto road near section 5, tblock 13, Purangi, brought up at last meeting, it was resolved that the amount of £B7, being amount of Government grant available for the work of improving culvert and road to Lowe, and Bishell's properties, be expended, under the direction of the engineer. It was resolved that notice boards be affixed to Tikorangi, Tarata, Purangi, Urenui, Mimi, Uruti and Mangamaeho bridges, cautioning dTOvers against allowing more than 20 head of large cattle to cross at one time. Mr. Sullivan reported that he had instructed Mr. Davis to erect about a chain of fencing on Pukearuhe road for protective purposes.—Action approved. Resolved that the matter of and carting stone at Tikorangi be left in the chairman's hands. Resolved, under powers conferred by the Publi? Works Act, to give notice to three settlers with property on the seaward side of Clifton road, to top trees that were causing damage to the road. Mr. W. Kuhtz was appointed working foreman for the Mokau riding. Accounts amounting to £222 6s 9d were passed for payment. The next meeting of the Council will be held on December 9.