STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 240, 16 February 1911, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. 1 The monthly meeting of the Stratford ' County Council was held yesterday. Pre- I sent: Crs. G. A. Marchant (chairman),'

if. Thomson, D. L. A. Astbury, D. Maxwell, E. Marfell, J. Walters, S. M. Porritt, and A. Hathaway. An apology was received for the absence of Cr, Christoll'el.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. E. C. Robinson, county engineer, reported as follows: North Riding.—The contract for bridge over Rum Keg Creek, Denbigh road, was almost completed. In the .South riding the timber for re-decking small bridges on Cheal road had been ordered. Jn the East riding, tenders had been invited for 200 yards of stone on Toko road. The tender of Mr. N. 11. Wallace had been provisionally accepted for Ailing and cleaning Mangaoapa road. West riding: The crusher was now in the district, and had commenced at Manaia Toad, continuing at Rowan, Cardiff. The erection of small concrete bridge at Rowan would be commenced as soon as the bridge building party had finished at Puniwhakau. Mangaehu riding: Mr. R. McCowan's tender for Manga road formation had been accepted. The metalling contract on Tailiore road had been completed. The erection of bridges on Mangaehu South road (Perry's) and Noble's suspension bridge was proceeding satisfactorily, and the erection of bridge to span one of the wash-outs on Mangaehu road near Puniwhakau was progressing well. The metalling contractor should-be able to' get over it in a few days. Members considered it was remarkalby smart work of the engineer and staff to get 'the Puniwhakau bridge pushed on so rapidly. The bridge is of fifty fees span. j FOREMEN'S REPORTS'.

North Riding.—Foreman Brown reported that all the roads were in good order. The Mountain road had been attended to from Flint road to Waipuku, and C2O yards of metal had been put on the York road and 350 yards on Barclay road. The Pembroke road was very rough and required raking, etc. The chairman said this road was in a very bad state and required blinding, but difficulty was in getting material for blinding handy. The Council should be careful in giving away any material of this nature, as it would be needed in jears to come. The engineer is to report on the state of Pembroke road. Foreman Kovaleski reported that all the roads were covered with loose stones owing to dry weather. The Salisbury road boulders had cost 3s 9<l to cart from creek and 3s Id to crush and deliver on road. Some boulders had been carted on Croydon road cast' at. a cost of 4s. Pipes had been lowbred at Bcaconsfield road, near the cemetery. Pipe culverts were required on Stanley roan east to replace wooden ones. South Hiding.—Foreman Parker reported all his roads in good order. L. Roberts, Toko, reported' that the work of replacing wooden bridges on [ Wawiri road with pipe culverts and the filling were completed. The Makuri bridge had been, given a coat of metal. A small bridge on Ahuroa road near Samson's had collapsed \yith a load of firewood on it. No damage was done except to the bridge, which it was necessary to renew with pick of timber from several old bridges. East Riding.—F. C. Gatton reported that two stringers on the bridge near railway line, Douglas, required renewing. The engineer is .to report. Regarding the case of cruelty to horse and subsequent prosecution, it was resolved that Foreman Hills is to be entitled to any expenses allowed by the Court in excess of the time charged by him to the Council. It was resolved that the engineer instruct the foreman to clean out the necessary drains on Makuri road, also Douglas road drains, and attend to approaches of Makuri bridge. West Riding.—Foreman Robinson was granted 44 yards of gravel for Cardiff and Waiongongoro roads. Necessary gravel is to be obtained for Ilastie road".

Mangaehu Hiding— foreman Savage reported that the Mangaehu road was now clear for wheel traffic except on the wash-outs. The slips would all be cleared in a week's time.—lt was re? solved, on the motion of Cr. Maxwell, to spend £SOO (viz., £250 balance of loan and £250 Government subsidy) on metalling Mangaehu road, near Wood's. OHURA ROAD. The chairman said he was pleased to announce that the question of the upkeep of the Ohura road as between the Stratford and Whangamomona County Councils had been amicably arranged. The committee from this Council had met Mr. McC'utchan, chairman of the Whangamomnna County Council and drawn up an agreement, which only required ratification by the Wliangamomona Council. The action of the committee was confirmed. WAIPUKU BRIDGE.

Prior to bringing froward Cr. Porritt's motion that this Council proceed with the erection of a ferro-concrete arch at the Waipuku river, it was decided to get the County solicitor's opinion as to the necessary steps to be taken, and the Council's actual position in the matter. Mr.. Anderson, of Messrs. Malone, Anderson and Johnstone, accordingly attended the meeting and said that he had gone into the matter, and according to the warrant vesting the bridge, the obligation was on the Stratford County Council to see that it was safe. They had power to re-erect the bridge is deemed necessary, and the Taranaki County Council would have to pay hall cost. The Stratford Council had sole control of the bridge.

The motion was seconded by Cr. Hathaway, and carried without discussion. The plans of the proposed bridge will be submitted to the Taranaki County Council. GENERAL. Mr. G. T. Murray, Public Works Department, wrote that some of the £SO granted for Mt. Humphries road had been expended and arrangements were being made for expenditure of balance. As soon as possible he would transfer the road to the Council. Mr. G. E. Noble, Makahu. protested against his special rate on the Taihore No. 1 loan jumpin'g up so. His section was two miles from the road, which lie did not use. He also forwarded some information for the Council.—Mr. Noble is to be asked to interview the elerk. Mr. A. McKcown, of Pihama, through his solicitor, elaimed. £lO, value of a beast lost in an open drain on the Mountain road on November last.—Referred \ to the Council's solicitor. J. Body is to be informed that no funds are available for metalling seven chains on Esk road. The engineer is to report on Akama road as to what permanent benefit will accrue from the expenditure of £OO due to this road, as asked by Mr. Stanford, Huiroa; and also with a view to probable loan proposal. Mr. C. S. Gatton is to be informed that the engineer has under consideration the improvement of the Maugaelm road. It having been reported to the Council that Mr. Baskin had artificially diverted a stream passing through Mid- ' hirst townsL'ip from its natural course

I>y milking .a tunnel, it was resolved that he ho culled upon to forthwith block the tunnel and allow the stream to re- . turn to its natural course, and if within j l.!ic statutory time the demand is not ] complied with, the chairman was em- | powered to take steps to enforce it. I A settler at Midhirst is to lie asked j to remove his milk stand from the

County road, such stand being a menace to tralfic. Upon receipt of the necessary guarantee the chairman was empowered to sign bond for Tuna telephone.

Only one tender was received for the delivery of 200 yards of metal on the Toko road. It was declined owing to being too high, and an endeavor will be made to obtain 150 yards from the Skinner road pit, Accounts amounting to £1044 were passed for payment.