TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 255, 7 March 1911, Page 3

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of tho Council yeiterday was attended by Messrs. J. Brown (chairman), .1. 1!. llill, D. McAllum, C. Andrews, C. Carter, M. Ilijjison and R. Stevens. ENGINE-DRIVER'S REPORT. Engine-driver Urrv reported that for the month of February, the crusher worked 17VI; days, crushing 1H22 yards — Waiwakaiho depot 138 yards, Mahoetahi depot 1184 yards. This included 40(i yards extra tipped on roadside for Foreman J. Holmes. WAIWAKAIHO Willi.

Mr. Clements reported that the work on the Waiwakaiho weir would be completed in a few days. The fresh in the river of last week did no damage to the work, as they were fortunate in having things secure. FOREMEN'S REPORTS.

Foreman .Tones (Moa riding) reported that the Mountain and Tariki roads were in fair order, with the exception of a few loose stones caused by the continuous dry weather. Mr. A. Douch was progressing favorably wntli his contract. He had deposited 272 yards of metal on the road during the month, and was entitled to a progress payment pn the same, lie had repaired the decking of the Ngatoro and Maketawa bridges. The contractors for the Mtaa Road Board had been carting stone on the Tariki roal from the kaimata 'J J linetion to Ratapiko the greater part of the month, and were likely to continue for another week or two. The greater part of his time had bpcn taken up oil Tariki road. lie had also had two or three men employed during the month. Cr, Stevens reported that a dead bullock had been left, on the Mountain road, and that it had cost £1 for the foreman to bury it. The matter was referred to the chairman to deal with.

Foreman Dennett reported that he had put in pipes on the Kazorback, Tariki road. He had also cut noxious weeds at crusher site, Ngatoro bridge, and Maketawa bridge. Two hundred yards of metal had been delivered on the Zig-zag and Tariki road. This work had been carried out by .Messrs. ,). Rowan and Thomason, as Mr. L. Bishop was not able to do the work. The dry weather and the carting of the metal had broken the Zig-zag up very badly, and it would take a lot of tixing up again. Foreman Chellings reported that through the month he had been engaged in blinding the road, raking up loose stones and general road work. T. and R. Parkin completed their contract at Avenue road on February 2, delivering 212 yards of crushed metal. The Henui Hill was breaking up fast. Unless something was done before the winter this hill would be a block for wheel traffic, as it was practically a clay road at present. The Mangorei bridge decking was very rotten, and would require new decking. He had been over the road into the river from Lcnland's depot with Mr. B. White, the new owner of the property. The contractors had been using more road than was necessary for getting stone up from the river. Two or three chains of fencing would stop the carting from going over any more ground than was necessary. Mr. White said that this fence will meet with his requirements, and that he will find the material for fencing if the county council will find the labor.

New decking for the Mangorei bridge was granted.

The council agreed to the proposal with regard to fencing at Mr. White's property.

'Foreman J. Holmes reported that he had received 1232 yards of metal during the past month, 138 yards from R. Parkin, which completed his contract, and 22 yards due to Cartwright, which completed his last year's contract, and GCO yards on Cartwright's contract this year, aiul 400 yards dumped on the side of the road for next year. Authorised liy Or. Tate, he exceeded the contract by 00 yards to complete a piece that was worn out, and with dry weather was breaking up badly. He had to engage an extra man to assist in picking up the road, and carts to cart clav for blinding. The rest of his time he hiul been blinding metal and raking it in, and clearing out watertables. He had to engage Mr. George two days to repair the Waiongona and Mangaraka bridges. The deck planks got broken with the metal carts coming over, and the traction engine passing to and fro. The big pieces of timber arrived at Sentry Hill during the month for the Waionsona bridge. Messrs. Marsh Bros, offered to contribute £3, and Mr. R Cole £2 if the council would contribute £5- towards the metalling of the Waiwakaiho road. Mr. Thomason would cart the stone from the Waiwakaiho river to the crusher for Is Od per yard. The settlers would also do the formation free of charge. The offer was accepted.

Foreman F. Holmes reported that during the month he had received -107 yards of metal, 377 yards on the Kenwood, Upland, and llursthouse roads; A. Street's contract, 90 yards at Mahoctahi, 00 yards for Corbctt road, and 30 vards for Willis road.

Cr. Hill reported that about -10 yards of gravel were required on the Dorset road to repair present metal. The hill on road also required immediate attention.

The council resolved to supply the 40 yards of gravel and also to repair the hill, provided the settlers assisted. Foreman Kinlock reported that he commenced work on the oth of February, and had been assisting Foreman F. Holmes picking up and spreading metal on the Upland and llursthouse roads, also raking in and maintaining new metal, and the rest of the time in cleaning out water-tables and general repairs. He inspected bridge on Manutahi road, and found a hole in centre of decking. wllich had been repaired. He had also made up approaches to bridge. A gateway leading from Mr. Copestake's paddock on the Upland road opposite the Hursthouse road required a culvert put in. n« there were two milk carts using it dailv.

The question of providing a culvert near Mr. Copestake's was referred to the chairman. (J.MATA R11)1X0. Foreman Htise reported that he liad been two days with dray clearing sand drifts on Breakwater road. Tie had been working twelve days on Seamark's length and one day blinding Allan's Hill. The chairman was authorised to interview the chairman of the Harbor Board relative to procuring stone from the harbor.

Foreman Seamark reported that tlio roads under liis supervision were all in fair order. His time had lieen taken up forming part of Barrett and Western roads, making side trades and raking loose metal and blinding where necessary, and forming 40 chains of Sealev road. Mr. J. Honevfield ploughed and sent horse and cart for three days, and Mr. T. Bailey also sent a man three davs' free labor. Tie reonired horses •'and plough for one day ploughing out for counter-sinkins for new metal on part Barrett and Western roads.

The foreman was granted use of plough as asked for: OKATO RIDING. Foreman Biosnan reported that he had been engaged in laying the roads and raking luose stones, 'i'lie roads Had I become very loose and rough during tlie past month, owing to constant dry wea- . tlier and cyclonic winds. With the as- . sistance of a man he had repaired the Stony river groin. They had also erected a permanent stand for plaiting wire, which would come in useful in future ; repairs. He noticed the wire was beginning to get rusted, and that was the cause of the breakage. He had repaired | the decking of both the Kaihihi and Stony river bridges. W. J. Gray had complied with the council's notice re cleaning weeds from drain and giving a good outlet to culvert near Stony river, hut he might mention that it would be necessary for this to he cleared out each year. He requested the council to give him permission to shift the lint from Tapuae to the council's halfacre nt Hau-Tiau. Cr. McAllum complained of the nature of the metal which had heen spread on the road, and after discussion, it was resolved that the engine-driver he instructed not to crush metal larger than will pass through a 2 ! />-inch ring, unless specially authorised otherwise. ' HURWOKTH RIDING. Foreman Eva reported that the roads were in fair order. His time for the month had been occupied cleaning water-tables, raking up loose metal, blinding, and general work. With reference to Holdsworthy road, he reported that there was about 20 chains. He estimated the cost of formation, 24ft wide, including Bft footpath, at £2 per chain, and metalling £0 per chain, w'dth of metal 10ft, depth Gin. It was decided to call for tenders for carting broken metal on the Carrington roid. Foreman Norris reported that during the month his time had been occupied cleaning footpaths, raking up loose metal, blinding, banking up metal, and forming three chains on the end of Walh'th road. Ife suggested that 30 vnrds of saol gravel he put on by 'Mr. Tiiomason on Belt road, as formation without metalling was only waste of time and monev. The roads were in fair order. The drv spell and heavy ea]es caused a lot of loose stones, hut the yecent rains had done a lot of good. It was decided to proceed with metalling at Belt road as recommended. WAIWAICAIHO WEIR. Mr. A. E. Clement?, constructor of the weir, advised the council not to disturb the weir for the purpose of making fishways, as proposed by the president of the Acclimatisation Society, for several good reasons. The. weir was doing the work it w a9 built for, was well set and in every way solid; to cut the netting would add to the liability to relax the structure, and removing the boulders would weaken it considerably. He failed to find any dead trout after an inspection on the Cth February, although it was a common thing to find plenty of dead fish in all rivers nt this, tinja of the year. The rainbow trout was a very strong fish, and he thought the idea of it becoming entangled in the meshes was far from feasible, It was resolved, nn the motion of the chairman, that the council inform the Society that it could not entertain any request for removal of the wire on the weir, in consenuence of the. obicctions raised bv Mr. Clements and the Fitzrov Town Hoard. MANGOREI STONE DEPOT. Benoni White, Mangorei, wrote asking the council to meet him half-way in the matter of erecting a new fence of "bout 2 l / a chains, and also that sixpence per yard should be paid, instead of threepence, for stone taken—Consideration deferred, -MAIN SOUTH ROAD. M. Fleetwoud, clerk, St. Aubyn Town Board, wrote stating ttiat the Board differed from the opinion of the council's foreman that "all roads in his district were in a fair state of repair." The water-tables had not been cleaned out for months, and the metal was completely worn out, with a few exceptions \vhere the road had been patched; and the road was also overgrown with docks and blackberries. It was explained that the sum of £lO3 was paid to the old Barrett Road Board for the construction of roads in Veale's estate, but when Clio Board was merged into the county, the amount was not paid over. "It was paid into . a special fund account," said Cr. McAllum, "and was there when I was a member of the Board, but we were ignominiously chucked out, and nothing / has been heard of the money since." The chairman said the road was kept in passable order, which was all the council could do; when last he passed. 1 over the road it was in quite as good j order as they had had it. 1 Cr. Stevens moved that the council [ is sorry the St. Aubyn Town Board is dissatisfied with that portion of the f Main South road within its district, but g trusts that when the council obtains full j control of the road it will be kept in I) better order.' P Seconded by Cr. McAllum and carried, f MAXGARAKA BRIDGE. i The tender of £423 of Messrs. Boon Bros, was declined, and it was decided e to do the work by day labor. ' STEAM ROAD ROLLER. E. Porter and Co., Auckland, for- c warded agreement duly signed, and \ stated that the roller had been ordered by cable, and the council would be advised of the dale on which the engine would arrive at New Plymouth. J! HILL'S CONTRACT. Sladden and Palmer, engineers to the council, wrote stating that the work on this contract was not satisfactory, and . there was no alternative but to advise the council to arrange to finish the work.—Agreed to, Messrs. Sladden and Palmer to complete work as deemed necessary. MOUNTAIN ROAD BRIDGES. \\. Ogier, town clerk, lnglewood, wrote stating that his council had decided to obtain legal opinion re the council s claim for contribution towards the bridges to be erected on the Mountain road, file council went into committee.

CHAIN'AGE TAIUKI ROAD. J. W. ]Larding forwarded agreement with Lis signature attached, and wrote: "Although by signing same J have made myself liable for the cost of the new drain, 1 hope that you will apportion the i.ost amongst: thoso others who uro receiving a benefit."—The agreement to be completed by affixing the council's seal and the signatures of the chairman and Crs. Andrews, Stevens and ITopson. IIENUI BRIDGE. The New Plymouth Borough Council has agreed to the amendments suggested by the council, provided a list of the bridges in the Moa riding which the council contemplate re-erecting arc set out in the formal agreement to be diawn up, such list to be first approved by the council. TENDERS. Tenders were accepted as follows- 350 yards metal Frankley road, and constructing crusher site, A. W. Cowley 9s 5d per yard; forming and metalling station road, Bell Block, Sole and J?-,. a... l .

Olliver, £45 10s. Sole and Olliver's tender for the supply of metal ami screenings requireu at Mangaraka bridge at fis per yard was accepted. The same firm's tender in re Cunningham's bridge of 5s per yard was also accepted. The chairman was empowered to arrange for the supply of 30 yards of gravel for Wallath road.

J. Swan, Eginont Village, agreed to spaul the stone for the Mutton track, feed through the crusher and cart same on to the road, for Is lOd per yard. A. Haskell, Bell Block, asked 2s Cd per yard.—Swan's tender accepted. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment as follow:—Administration, £SBG' 10s 7d; Moa riding. £-203 lis lOd; Waitara riding, £IBB IGs fld; Omata riding £GB 10s; Okato, £25 7s 4d; Ilurworth riding, £57 9s ttid. GENERAL.

Plans for the Upper Carrington road metalling contract have been approved by the Public Works Department, and authority has been issued for the vote of £l5O (£ for £). J. H. Free, Waitara road, in forwarding cheque for overdue rates, asked the council to lower drain on main road 18 inches to allow the water to flow freely and not be hacked on to his property, and also to put in a culvert, so that lie could get in and out.—Foreman J, Holmes to report.

Miss Ivy Gilbert resigned her position as assistant in the council's office as - from Saturday, 11th March.—Resignation accepted; the clerk, to talce the necessary steps to filr the vacancy.. A committee consisting of the chairman and Cr. Stevens was appointed to confer with Mr. Saxton relative to land required at Henui bridge, Avenue road. The travelling expenses of Cr. -Andrews, Okato riding member, were increased from 15s per day to £l.