CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 231, 4 February 1911, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting 'of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara yesterday, and was attended by Messrs. J. W. Foreman (chairman), E. Julian, C. O'Sullivan, & J. Kennington, 11. Sander and T. McKen/.ie. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. C. F. Dowsett reported as follows: Okoke metalling.—An inspection indicated that Piripi has completed his contract satisfactorily, and has provided a good class of gravel. I would strongly recommend that in any similar workdone on this road the supplies be drawn from the same deposits, in fact, it should be thus specified.

Otaraoa road deviation.—Plans and agreements for signatures have been submitted, and in due course will be forwarded to Wellington for approval. Ngatoto road.—Plan is submitted for proposed low-level bridge over the Mangaomata stream, and the renewal of culvert is in progress.

Piko road bridges.—No timber lias as yet arrived on the sites, nor has the sub-contractor completed his portion thereof, and pressure should be brought, to make them complete. North Matiro bridge—This work is nearly completed; an inspection will be made next week to pass same finally. MOHAKATIXO VALLEY. ' Mr. Murray, resident road engineer, New Plymouth, wrote stating that ii the Council were not going to undertake the expenditure of the £342 18s 2a available on the Mohakatino Valley road, the Under-Secretary of Public Works should be informed of their intention.—The chairman stated that the engineer had already been told three or four times of the Council's intentions in regard to the monsy. ALLEGED TRESPASSING. Messrs. Malone, Anderson and Johnstone, solicitors for Mr. A, Corkill, stated that two men acting under the authority of the Council had trespassed on his land, and that Mr. Corkill hold* the Council liable for the trespass and for any damage that may have been done. THIRDS. The Crown Land ranger's report on the proposals of the county engineer for the expenditure of portion (£538 14s Cd) thirds accrued to 30th September was favorable, and with the exception ol £l9 lu's 8d from Makarahia road the money is to forwarded. Mr. 11. M. Bannister, Crown Lands Office, New Plymouth, wrote stating that the thirds amounting to £l9 0s 3u accrued to Makarahia and Mangatuna roads would be paid over immediately, but further information regarding the proposed work on Tooi Track was requested. Was it intended that the sum of £l3 3s 2d accrued on Tooi road, and not previously dealt with by the engineer, would be expended on that work!— The chairman said the thirds had been allowed to accumulate until there was sufficient in hand to do some work on the road. CONTRACTS.

D. Paul agreed to supply 1000 yards of shell-rock at Uruti in connection with contract No. 21 at £475.

L. George agreed to supply about 500 yards of stone at Urenui in connection with contract No. 214, and also carting metal after being put through the crusher, at £162 10s.

Cr. Julian reported that since last meeting as arranged he took out the quantities for the road from the beach towards the Maori pah, Urenui, the distance being eight chains, and called for tenders. Two tenders were received, and he had accepted V. W. Fuller's at £24 17s lid, the work to be completed within three weeks.

The question of dealing with tenders for metalling, etc., on tlie Okoke road was referred to the chairman and Crs. McKenzie and Julian. GENERAL.

On the motion of Crs. O'Sullivan and Kennington, it was resolved that the account for cutting noxious weeds {£' i 12s) on lands near llawera bridge be sent to the road engineer, New Plymouth, with the request that his department refund the amount.

Mr. H. D. Blow, Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, Wellington, wrote stating, in reference to the Council's letter of Ist February, 11)10, complaining of the condition in which a portion of the Moki road had been handed over to the Clifton Council for maintenance arid control, that the resident engineer had just reported that the portion of the road in question had been repaired and culverted and was in good order, and that the Council would in future be held responsible for its maintenance.

Mr. Thos. Moody wrote stating thai, the proposition to take over portion ol the road leading to the Kiore station was objected to by some settlers in the present state of the Council's finance, and if it were taken over the settlers would ask the Council to take over two miles of Junction road leading to Ngatimaru station, which they used. —This was in reference to the notice of motion standing in Cr. Kennington's name. Mr. J. G. Wilson (for self and others) wrote asking for some repairs to be done to the Mangamairo road; all the culverts with one exception were broken and in a dangerous condition; the road compared very favorably with most of the adjacent paddocks for ruts and gress, and therefore was well patronised by stock.—Kcsolved, on the motion of Crs. Kennington and Sander, that the surfaceman be instructed to have the road attended to at the earliest possible moment.

.Mr. D. Paul, Waitara, drew tlie Council's attention to the statu of the culvert 011 road leading into sliell-roek [>it on .Mi 1 . Jones' property, and asked that it be put into repair as he would want the crusher in about four weeks.—Mr. Paul to be informed that the Council was not responsible for the work. Mr. E. Whittakor wrote stating that he could finish the Black bridge by the end of the mouth and asking for instruction re the stringers.—The work is being done according to the recommendation of Mr. lliitehens, surfaceman.

It was resolved that the Minister of Public Works be written to and his attention directed to the methods in use in dealing with the expenditure of Government grants by local bodies. Surfaceman Topping was authorised to expend up to £ls on improving Autawa road.

Surfaceman Kulitz was empowered to expend up to £lO in sandstoning on the Mimi-Mokau road. The sum of £75, metalling, etc., Otaraoa, has been remitted to the credit of the Council by the Treasury. The Public Works Department authorised the expenditure of the following votes: Okoke ( £ for £), on account of £7OO, £143 2s (id; Mimi to Mokau, £350. Accounts amounting to £4SO 4s !)d were passed for payment.