STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 227, 19 January 1911, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEKTiTNG. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Comity Council was held yesterday There were present: Crs. Porri'tt. Hathaway, Walters, Marfell, Maxwell, Christoll el and/Thomson. In the absence of the chairman, Cr. Porritt was voted to the chair. A little later Cr. Marchant arrived and took the chair. An apology for absence was received from Cr \stbury. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The Engineer's report was read as'follows :

North Riding.—The renewal of Rum Keg Creek bridge on Denbigh road is in progress. The re-metalling of portion of .Stanley road is about completed, 'and the plant is being moved round to Salisbury road. Owing to the scarcity of labor, I had to use some of tho East Siding hands for a few days. The eontrac- : tors have not as yet satisfactorily re- , paired the portion of road damaged with shell-rock, and I have instructed them to complete this work without delay. Kast Riding.—l have received an 'offer from the Public Works Department to land boulders from Skinner road gravel pit at any station along Toko line lor 5s per cubic yard, and as there is no chance of obtaining Mountain metal this season, I recommend that such offer be accepted' to the extent of our requirements. The tunnel and filling at junction of Waiwiri ami llakuri roads have been completed, ■with the exception of a small piece nf metalling. The contract for supply of boulders, Olmra road, near cemetery, has been completed. The llangaoapa-Jfatau road is badly in need of some repairs. The settlers using the road arc for a elianie in the county boundary, to provide more equitable means for the upkeep of the road.

West Riding.—Maintenance boulders for the season 'have hcen obtained at Kapuni and Kaupokonui.

Mangaehu Riding.—Good progress is lieins made with Noble's suspension bridge, and it will be completed at an early date. The Taihore road metalline contract is progressing favorably. After obtaining a written guarantee from Mr. Malone to cover any possible loss through cartage of material, I ordered timber ami ironwork for bridge to span wash-out near Puniwhakau, and have made arrangements for carting same in. Foremen will be granted casual labor for effecting repairs at Maiigaoapa-Matau road.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING CONCESSION. Mr. R. I]. Cameron, director of the Stratford Electric Light and Power Company waited on the Council and asked permission to erect poles over the portion of the area of supply within the County, being a radius of three miles from the Post Oflice. He stated that one of the ratepayers at the Opimako road had applied for the light. Mr. Cameron said the company could charge Is per unit, but they intended charging 7d to county ratepayers, the same as in the borough, where, they had no monopoly.

The chairman said that if tlie county ratepayers desired the electric supply, it was not fair to the Council to block the way. He gave notice to move at next meeting, that the request be granted. FOREMEN'S REPORTS.

The foremen's reports were read. It was resolved to re-dock two culverts on the Cheal road, and also to pay Foreman Parker for time lost through sickness.

It was resolved to spend £lO on the Akama road.

The engineer is to call for tenders for 200 yards of boulders on the Toko road. PROPOSED ROLLER.

The engineer reported that he had carefully considered the question of utilising the Straker waggon for rolling purposes, and could not recommend the proposal as feasible. One of the drawbacks discovered in running the waggon with even ordinary loads of metal was the fact that it could with great dilliculty be got over newly laid metal on a road. He recommended, therefore, that further ell'orts be made to dispose of the waggon by advertising, and, if necessary, shipping it off to the South Island, in order to put the Council in a position to obtain a steam road roller. The matter of the purchase of a roller was of paramount importance, and,one which should oe entered into at the earliest possible moment.

In the course of discussion, the engineer stated that a suitable roller could be obtained at a cost of from £OOO to £OSO. Councillors were of opinion that the Straker waggon should be disposed of, and Cr. Porritt was given full authority to dispose of it to the best advantage. The question of a road roller was held over.

WAIPUKU BRIDGE. A letter was received from the Taranaki County Council to the effect thai they regretted they could see no reason to alter their previous resolution in connection with the re-construction of this bridge, as tliey maintained that there was no immediate necessity to dismantle a structure that would serve the ratepayers for a number of years. Cr. Porritt gave notice to move ai next meeting that the council proceed with the erection of a concrete arch. GENERAL.

The council decided to accept no responsibility in connection with Mr. McKeown's claim for loss of a bullock which broke its neck through falling into a drain on the Radnor road.

In reply to a request from the Post and Telegraph Department it was re solved to submit suitable, Maori names for the Department's approval of telephone offices as follows: Kahouri (Makara road); Te-popo (Stanley road creamery); Piakau (Stanley road post office).

The resolution passed at . a public meeting at Midhirst re closing Femvick street, Waipuku, was confirmed. Special orders authorising the raising of £IOO for metalling Croydon and Cross roads were confirmed.

W. Robertson asked for repairs to Hills road between Warwick and Nash roads.—Referred to riding members. Messrs. Rowe and McCorntick asked that C or 7 chains on the Swansea road south be metalled.—No funds.

Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, Inspector-Gen-eral of Hospitals, forwarded copy of circular in connection with the control of infectious diseases, suggesting that until the hospital boarda have provided

the necessary machinery to give effect to the law, the council should continue > to act as at present.— .\gi\ : eu to. Mr. J. Codkin asked that £].") rates and thirds be spent in widening the five feet track on Manga road east.—As this road is still under Government control, Mr. Godkin is to be recommended to apply to the Road Department. Mr. T. Ronayne (General Manager of Railways) wrote that the drain at the hack of Douglas station was being cleaned out by the Department, it, hnwevcr, the

council considered it should be deepened, the expense would have to be borne by the council or adjoining land owners. Considerable discussion took place over the drainage at the Makuri filling. A motion that Messrs..Smith and Watson bo subsidised £ for £ for the drains through a portion of their properties was negatived, and the matter was held over. Mr. D. S. Maxwell waited on the council in regard to some money being expended on the Mt. Humphries road.— It was resolved that application be made to the District Road Engineer on the matter.

The chairman reported that he had interviewed the Minister of Railways in connection with the Douglas Reserve, and the Minister ultimately agreed if the council would have the sections placed on the rate roll, no objection would be offered to them being rated. The noxious weeds inspector drew attention to the growth of blackberry on various county properties, and asked that necessary steps he taken to comply with the Act.—Referred to foremen concerned. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £4117 'were passed for payment.