TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 203, 6 December 1910, Page 7

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Council, held yesterday, was attended by Crs. J. Brown (chairman), M. Hopson, C. Carter, G. V. Tate, D. McAUum, J. R. Hill, C. Andrews and R. Stevens. REPORTS. The engine-driver reported in detail with reference to the quantities of metal crushed during the past month. He required a new set of crank brasses for the engine when it was stopped for repairs, as the old ones were very thin. — Repairs to plant as asked for were granted. Engine-driver Urry reported relative to the discrepancies in 'his time sheets •mentioned in the foremen's reports for twelve months previous to October last, and ,the explanation was accepted as satisfactory. Foreman Jones reported that he had been doing general work during the month on Mountain and Tariki roads. Foreman Bennett reported that his time had been taken up in blinding, banking up, gathering up stones,, and water-tabling. The road was in good order.

•Foreman Oheffings reported that for the month lie had been engaged in water-tabling, making side tracks, Taking up loose stones, and blinding the road in several places. He had spread 164 yards of new metal on the road during the month from, Lealand's depot. He had put in concrete pipes at Holdsworthy road. Twelve to fourteen bridge planks had been taken away from the side of the road by the Waiongona Bridge on the Hursthouse road. Foreman Cheffings was granted 1600 yards of maintenance metal for the ensuing year.

The question of missing planks' was referred to the chairman, to deal with.

Foreman J. Holmes reported that A. Haskill had completed his contract. He' had also assisted the foreman in the western division of the riding on nine days am forming up the unmetalled part of 'the Corbett road, which was cut up very badly. The settlers gave one day with horse and cart free to help with it.

Foreman F. Holmes reported that during the month he had formed twenty chains of the Corbett road with the assistance of the following settlers:— Messrs. Giddy, King, Rundle and, Cornwall. The road was' cut up very badly, and required a lot of making up. He had formed the worst part v of it the full width. The foreman in the Waitara riding assisted on nine days. The hill on the flenwood road that Councillor Hill referred to was a very bad place, and in wet weather it was impossible to get up or down. He thought the settlers around would help form it if the county would metal about 5% chains. The Council decided to place on record its appreciation of services of settlers on the Corbett road. It was decided that provided the settlers do the formation on Henwood road the Council undertake the metalling at once. Foreman Huse reported that he had been engaged during the month raking up loose metal on Barrett road and blinding the worst hills. He had formed. 40 chains on. Hurford toad. All the roads under his control were in fair order. It was decided on the suggestion of Councillor M'Allum to expend £3 in opening up a metal pit on Mr. Gregory's property in the Omata riding. Foreman Brosnan reported that through, the month he had been engaged in spreading new metal on the roads and blinding. T. and R. Parkin, contractors, had carted out and deposited on the roads 438 yards of metal from the Kaihihi depot. On this contract he had taken 126 yards extra with the sanction of the riding member. On the Oakura depot contract the contractors had carted out and deposited on the roads 898 yards of crushed, metal. No repairs had been required to bridges during the month. He urged the necessity for calling for tenders eariy for this season's output of metal, so that it could be put on the road before next winter, as parts of it were very thin. Foreman Eva reported that the roads were breaking up considerably owing to the excessive traffic. He asked to have balance of boulders as soon as possible, as the metal was wanted on the roads, j

Foreman Norris reported .that during the month his time had been occupied cleaning water-tables, blinding, raking off loose stones, repairing the unmetalled portion at the top end of the road, banking up metal, and (repairing byroads. The roads in his charge were in good order. CASUAL LABOR. Foreman Jones reported as follows: In reply to your request, for an explanation of the large amount of casual labor on my length of County road for the year ended 30bh September, 1910, I have to state that I have employed no casual 'labor without permission of the Chairman or one of the Councillors, excepting in urgent cases, such as when Mr. Tarry's traction engine dropped through >the crossing at Tariki, and 1 had to employ men till midnight. The cost was about 18s, and I did not claim for my own time. The Council's plant broke through the culvert: that was afterwards replaced by concrete. You will see by the following statements oi amount that all the casual labor has been employed in really necessary work. Some of the work could have been let by contract; but I am certain tihan whenever I have been granted extra help I have effected a considerable saving to the Council. Extra casual labor for the year end-] ing 30th September, 1910:—Quinton and Haylock, Burning labor, £5 16s; labor for contracts, spreading, blinding, etc., £114; lowering pipes near Inglewood, Dudley road labor and carting, £l2 6s ' 9d; Mountain road concrete culvert, Tariki, 60ft., £lB 13s; Norfolk bridge, filling Mountain road, £7 10s 6d; Stephenson's drain, Tariki road, £2 BsCd; Total, £l6O 15s 9d; casual maintenance i for the year, £26 4s sd; total, £lB7 0s |2d.

Councillor Carter referred to the difference in the price of casual labor in some of the ridings. He said, in opening the question, that 'he did not want to labor it, but it was a matter requiring the attention of the Council. Foreman Jones had spread 1050 yards, costing £ 114, which worked out at 2s 2d a yard, Foreman Bennett's 900 yards costing £7O 14s, averaging Is 8d a, yard; and Foreman Cheffings 1400 yards, costing £65 5s 4d, only ll%d a yard. He would like to ask Councillor Stevens if he cmild explain these figures. Councillor Stevens said the Council could have no fault to find as to the undue employment of casual labor, as members were themselves to blame for not drawing attention to 'it as the monthly statements came in. Therefore, he did not feel inclined to explain why Foreman Jones' casual labor cost more than the others. If Councillor Carter did as much kicking about the county as he (the speaker) did, he would ftaii that the circumstances were very different throughout, and it was impossible to compare the jprices. In fact, comparisons were odious, as was often the case. Further, some of the settleTS had stated to him that the roads !had not been in such good condition as since Foreman Jones had taken over the work. There was another thing that he wished to re*

fer to that was in reference to the motion on the matter as appearing in the papers. The resolution as published was not correct, and stated that failing a satisfactory explanation. Foreman Jones' services be dispensed with; this portion ,of the resolution hurt Foreman Jones I very much. If Councillor Carter had any ) sense of fair play he would have contradicted the report. i

Councillor Carter said in regard to drawing attention to the monthly statements each riding should be attended to by the member, and, of course, he still thought Councillor Stevens must accept the responsibility. As to the resolution and the form it appeared in the papers, he said that he did propose that Foreman Jones' services be dispensed with failing a satisfactory explanation, but he subsequently altered the motion in order that Foreman Jones might have an opportunity of explaining it. He did not correct the report in the Press, as it did not strike him in the way Councillor Stevens mentioned, but even now he felt, seeing attention had been drawn to the matter, that it was one of those things which, though somewhat unpleasant at the time, had a beneficial effect in the end. Councillor Andrews said it was impossible to compare the price of casual labor in each riding. Circumstances altered cases. The movement was going to do considerable harm, Councillor Andrews said, and he recited instances ol what had occurred in Ms riding when suggesting certain work to be done. "Oh," was invariably the reply of the workmen, "that will mean casual labor, and Councillor Carter will be down on me for it." (Laughter.) Replying after an interjection by, Councillor Hill as. to authority having been given, the chairman said he very much doubted if authority was given in all' cases. He had not gone into the matter, and was not apologising for Foreman Jones, but agreed with Councillor Carter that they wanted shaking up occasionally. Certain things were done which, if mentioned, would show where the money had gone. Simons' hili was a case in point. The metal wa» put down as if the crusher had not touched it; it was kicking about ever since and the road was very bad. Foreman Jones had a deal of banking up to do, and the side tracks also occasioned considerable work. The country was quite different from, say, Foreman Holmes'. Then there was the propping up of the bridges in Foreman Jones' riding. In these cases casual labor would have to be engaged. Sometimes it could' have been done without, but there was a lot of necessary work Foreman Jones had done. The motion for the adoption of Foreman Jones' explanation as satisfactory was them carried, none dissenting. WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Councillor Andrews informed the Council that he had given authority for an additional 126 yards of metal in his riding (Okato), and some discussion ensued. The chairman, in his remarks on the matter, said members would Shave to take into consideration the state of the finances of the county. In all probability had the application been made to him he would have refused it for the reason that the riding was already overdrawn at the bank to the extent of £730, and they had. to face the expenditure for metal for new contracts at the end of March next. There was a resolution on the books to the effect that unless the work was urgent only a limited amount (£5) should be spent without the permission) of the chairman. He would say that seldom had the limit been overstepped, yet it would be as well if he were consulted, as in many cases ap-plications-for work had been refused repeatedly by himself. If he did not, the finances would soon be in difficulties. In his explanation, Councillor Andrews said he did so with the idea of getting the work completed on the particular portion in hand. He admitted he was somewhat to blame, but there was not time to get the chairman's permission before the work would be out of hand. A resolution approving of Councillor Andrews' action was eventually passed on the understanding that the new year's contract was amended, viz., That the amount of metal would be less by 126 yards than originally mentioned. THE MAKETAWA BRIDGE.

The engine-driver (T. Urry) reported that in his opinion it would not be safe to attempt to cross the bridge with the crushing plant, as the land spaa on the north side was in a bad state, and the bottom' cords were very rotten, and some of the joists required replacing.—Received. WEIR AT FITZROY. Mr. G. A. dements, Eltham, wrote Btating that he had inspected the weir at Fitzroy, and was pleased to report that the work was perfectly sound, and the weir was doing good work. He felt sure the Council need have no further anxiety in connection with the bridge, but would suggest that a netting mat one and a half chains in length be laid on the lower side of the weir to prevent the scour on the Fitzroy side of the river.—Resolved on the motion ,of Councillor Carter and the chairman that the work be undertaken before the winter, and that the Fitzroy Town Board be notified to this effect. WAIPUKU BRIDGE.

Mr. C. Penn, clerk of the Stratford County Council, forwarded the following resolution passed at last meeting: "That the Taramaki County Council be asked if it is willing to join with the Stratford County Council in the erection of a ferro-concrete arch at the Waipuku river, and, if so, it be informed that this Council will be pleased to instruct its engineer to confer with the Taranaki County Council or any person appointed by it as regards details."—Resolved on the motion of Councillors Andrews and McAllum to stating that the Council did not consider the work was necessary at the present time. ELTHAM ROAD SPECIAL LOAN. Mr. G. W. Rogers, clerk of the Egmont County Council, forwarded the following, resolution, which had been passed in reference to the Eltham road special loan: "That this Council is perfectly willing to have the Eltham road special loan transferred to the Council, provided that all interest and liabilities due at date of transfer are paid, and that the Treasury Department be asked to transfer the loan to the Council provided the above mentioned conditions exist."—The chairman was authorised to sign notice to the Treasury as required. GENERAL. W. Loughlin, ranger, Hurworth riding, reported that he could not accept the position of ranger for the Omata riding as he had quite enough to do to cope with his present duties.—Received. Miss Gilbert, assistant in the clerk's office, applied for an increase in salary.— Agreed to. DEPUTATIONS. Mr. T. Parkin, contractor, waited on the Council re his contract for carting ; metal at Oakura. He stated that he had lost £BO allegedly through the information supplied by the foreman as to where the metal was to be deposited. Instead of having to cart the metal on am average 1% miles, it was about 2y a miles. He asked the Council to grant ham: some consideration.—Foreman ' Brosnan to report. ■ Messrs.. Martin and Greenaway waited oil the Council and asked for a feW

chains of metalling on the Upland roadMr. Martin stated that some months ago the settlers formed the road, and a tender was accepted by the Egmont Road Board (before tlie district was merged into the County) for 8 chains of metalling, but the contractor would not go on with the work. Further, Mr. Martin said they would like 16 chains done this year, and were willing to do the! necessary formation provided the Coun-1 cil supplied the metal and a few pipes.— Foreman Holmes to report. TENDERS. Tenders for dog collars were received as follows:—R. Davies, sy a d; T. A. Kennedy, 5y 3 d; Cook and Lister, 5%d (accepted) . Tenders are to be invited for breaking boulders on Carrington road. A motion to call for tenders for the supply) of 1500 yards of pit metal on upper Barrett road and Pheney road, settlers to do the formation, was lost. It was agreed, to call for tenders for all metal supplies for the ensuing year, same to be returnable by December 21. Supply of 600 yds from Mahoetahi pit, Mr. Oartwright, 6s 3d a yard, accepted. Removal of metal from old road at Oakiura.—Declined. ROAD ROLLER. Cr. Andrews moved, in terms of his notice of motion, that the Council purchase a steam road roller at once. He said the results obtained with metalling under the present conditions were very unsatisfactory, and many difficulties now to be. contended with would be overcome if the metal were rolled when being put down. Cr. Tate seconded the motion, but on being put to the meeting it was lost, and on the motion of Crs. Carter and Hopson a committee, consisting of the chairman, Ors. Andrews, Tate, McAllum and the mover, was appointed to gather information as to the cost, terms, and cosit of working. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £759 3s lid were passed l for payment as follows: — Administration, £162 5s 7d; Waitara riding, £B4 12s lOd; Moa riding, £67 6s; Hurworth riding, £3B 6s Id; Okato riding,' £351 16s lOd; Omata riding, £54 16s 7d. GENERAL.

It was decided to take the necessary steps in connection with the Harbor Board election to be held in April next. Cr. McAllum spoke at some length on his notice of motion to appoint an extra foreman in the Omata riding.—Cr. Hill seconded the motion, which, after discussion, was carried.—Applications for the position are to be called immediately. Cr. Hill gave notice of motion to appoint an extra foreman in Waitara riding. Mr. J. Bennett was appointed dog-tax collector for Moo, riding. On tie motion of Crs. McAllum and Tate, it was decided to procure the opinion of the Council's solicitors relative to the transfer of portion of toll revenue from Okato to Omata riding. The matter of the sale of 18-in. pipes at Werekino was left in the hands of the chairman to arrange. Foreman Bennett is to be instructed to proceed with, draining through Harding's property on Tariki road. The Council will undertake the clearing of weeds through Mr. J. J. Hill's property on Veale road. The special orders in reference to the raising of £SOO loan, and the special rate for Upper Carrington road, were confirmed.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on January 9.