STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 195, 26 November 1910, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

■* MONTHLY MEETING. T.w ordinary monthly meeting of the ' Stratford County Council took plate on Wednesday. There were present: Crs. (1. A. Marchant (chairman), E. Marfell, E. Walter, D. Maxwell, D. L. A. Astbury, E. M. Porritt, W. Hathaway, J. Christoil'el, and J. Thomson. In regard to the non-inclusion of a railway reserve at Douglas on the Council's rate roll, it was resolved to write drawing the attention of the Minister for Railways to this matter. It was resolved to request the Department to clean out the drain along the back of the railway station at Douglas; and that the Council's foreman take the necessary steps to have gorse and noxious' weeds cleared from a portion 01 Tunupo Road, near the Waitara River. Mr. E. C. Robinson, County Engineer, reported to the effect that tenders haa been invited for supply of boulders on Ohura Road; that since last meeting the crushing plant had, been at Manganui site crushing out metal'for i fountain and Monmouth Roads, and tiiat the work was proceeding satisfac- [ torily; that contracts for supply 01 ! shell-rock on Stanley Road and the Rad- ! nor and Toko Road bridges were in pro-1 gress; that the Eltham County roller was not at present available for hire; that he had met the District Railway Engineer at Douglas in connection with the clearing out of some drains adjacent to station; that the £8 authority, Matau-Mangaoapa Road, had been speiit during the winter by Roads Department; that the necessary information and directions had been obtained in connection with Mangaoapa Road grant, and the work of laying off the formation would be put in hand at once; that the gorse on Tunupo Road along the bank of Waitara River should be grubbed out; that the West Riding maintenance boulders were being got ready for crushing; that the metalling contract on Mangaehu and Punewhakau Roads was proceeding very slowly; that the work in connection with the Manga Road grant had been laid off and plans prepared; that the formation work on Mangaehu South Road was in progress.

A report was also put in by Mr. Robinson in connection with the proposal to improve the drainage of Makuri Stream alx»ve and below Ohura Road The report stated that seven miles ol the stream had been traversed, and the levels taken; that a very considerable improvement could be effected by mak-t] ing about one mile in all of stream diversions and cleaning out the remainder of the stream. I

Mr. L. Baskin waited on the Council with a request that the ranging in the North Riding should be better attended 10.

The chairman said, in Justice to the ranger, that the latter had mentionea his difficulty in regard to contractors' teams at Midhirst, and had asked wliether lie was to impound them. He (.the chairman) had replied in the negative, as the Council had very great difficulty in regard to teams used hy the contractors, many of whom were utterly unable to obtain other grazing for their cattle. In fairness, the rest* dents of Midhirst should not blame the ranger, and that no instructions issued by the Council to the ranger prejudiced the right of any settler who might .'have suffered damage to impound the offending animals himself. I

On the motion of Crs. Walter and Porritt the ranger was instructed to impound any stray cattle or horses at large on the roads in Midhirst township; and the foremen employing teams were instructed to notify contractors to this effect.

With regard to the Malum Stream, referred to in the engineer's supplementary report, it was decided to invite Cr. Marfell to lay the engineer's report before a meeting of settlers interested in the Makuri Valley drainage. The Council went into committee to consider tenders, and on resuming reported their acceptance as follows: ISoulders for Ohura, Road, Green and lieattie; dog colloars, Wilson and Son. The report was adopted. From J. A. Nash and Co., in further reference to improved means of outlet from their section on New Road.—Owners on that road to be notified that all obstructions across it in the way of fences must be removed, and fences erected on the road lines; and that notices be sent to the owners affected that an opportunity will be given them next meeting to put their case before the Council.

From the Minister of Public Works stating that the matter of legislation to enable the Council to construct Manga Road was receiving attention. From W. H. Perry, asking that anv unspent balance of the grant for metalling the Mangaehu South Road be expended on the road where most needed. —To be informed that there is no available balance.

From the Assistant Under-Secretary for Public Works, enclosing copies of a warrant vesting control of the Waipuku Bridge in the Council, and of the Commissioner's report upon which the warrant was given.—Warrant to be advertised.

On the motion of Cr. Thomson a resolution was passed expressing the Coun-I cil's appreciation of the chairman's and engineer's successful presentation of the Council's case in connection with its request to have control of the Waipuku Bridge vested in it. The clerk was also instructed to write asking the Taranaki County Council to join in erecting a concrete arch in place of the present structure, as recommended in the report of the Commissioner, Mr. G. T. Murray; and to advertise the present bridge as closed for traction engine traffic. From W. G. Malone, requesting the Council's consent to the erection of electric light poles along Opunake Road, as far as his residence.—The chairman said the Council exposed itseK to a certain amount of risk in allowing the company to put up these poles along the roads, as the Council, under present conditions, would be responsible if any accident resulted therefrom. In order to pave the way for the Council to deal with Mr. Malone's and all similar applications, he would give notice to move at next meeting that the Council's previous resolution in connection with the Stratford Electrical Supply Company be re-«ciii:lf-d. Further consideration of Mr. Malone's request was accordingly held over.

l'Yoni the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, requesting the Council's support to Hip following resolution:—"That this Clmmlier wishes to <lra\v the attention' of the Minister for Railways and the Minister for Public Works to the fact that, although the season for metalling is at hand, no stone is being crushed at tie Mount Egmont crushing site. In view of the large amount of money already spent upon the Mount TCcnnont railway, this Chamber considers that the line should as speedily as possible be continued to a point where an adequate supuly of stone can be dealt with to meet the urgent requirements of the local bodies of the district."—To be acknowledged, and a letter sent to the Minister expressing the Council's hope that the, railway will be sppedily prose--""J^a--- * '■'•■■ - "' v "~- '"» " •'-

notifying an appropriation, making available the "sum of £2o<) ( .1' for £) for extension of metalling. Mangaehu Village to Puniwhakau Village. Prom settlers on Stanley Road, asking that the proposed telephone connection be made from Stratford instead of Midhirst—Referred to North Riding members. Prom the Under-Secretary for Public Works, enquiring whether the Council undertake expenditure of grants of £sl for Manga Road and £,") SI for Mangaopa Road. —Referred to the engineer. In accordance with notice given, Cr. Marfell moved "That £.jO be transferred from the Kaikoura Road account to the Wsiwiri Road account to meet the proposed •expenditure in replacing worn-out bridges by pipe culverts." the motion being seconded by Cr. Walter, and carried. The engineer was then authorised to proceed with the work. It was resolved to adopt the same course as last year with regard to rates still unpaid; and the passing of accounts concluded the business of the meeting,—Abridged from the Stratford Post,