CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 12, 8 July 1911, Page 6

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara yesterday, when there were present: Crss. J. W. Foreman (chairman), 11. Muskcr, T. McKenzic, E. .Julian, If. Sander, and S. J. Kenniiigtou.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported that the timber cutting for the Piko road bridge had been let and was proceeding satisfactorily. Five thousand feet of timber had been cut for the Mangaowata bridge. Signatures were now being obtained for consent to the Pukearuhe deviation adjoining the cemetery. The amount' of gravel obtained from Kapinga's pit on the MimiMokau road amounted to 240 yards, i The matter of tlie Otaoroa road deviation could now be proceeded with. Proposals for expenditure of thirds up to March 31st had been prepared for submission* to the/ next meeting of the Lanu Board.

FOREMEN'S REPORTS. C. F. Dowman (Purangi) reported that most of his time had been occupied in keeping the roads clear of slips, and he had found it necessary to employ a man to assist. The culverts on the by-roads were giving trouble, as so many of them were rotten, and he had replaced one on the Min„aoipa road with 15-meh pipes. Foreman Telfar (Urenui) reported t,hat the gravel was wearing through in places on the Main road between Urenui bridge and Mimi, and he required authority to use a dray.—Authority granted. ■ Foreman -Hutching rhporled tlmt he had had trouble with slips during the month, and he had received authority from Cr. Julian to employ a man. A large culvert on the Piko road had collapsed, and he was replacing it with 24-inch concrete pipes. He also asked the Council for necessary wire and staples to fence in gome land for a garden. He would supply the posts and erect the fence himself.—The request was granted. Foreman A. McDonald reported thai the by-roads in his district were better now than for some time past. The main road was also in good order, except near the Waihi school, where it was breaking up. Foreman Kulitz (Mokau) reported that ho had sent a man out twice to clear the Pukeamhe tunnel, which had been reported dangerous. There was about one foot of mud in the cutting outside the tunnel. Mr. T. Walsh had completed his contract on the llutiwai road, Tongaporutu, in a workman-like manner. All roads were now. well "in hand, and he had discharged all his men. The timber for the Uruti road bridge had not yet come to hand. It would be wise to have same delivered before the roads got too bad. The Oka it road bridge was dangerous for horses.

DKI'UTATIOXS. Mr. Cole, Tikorangi, interviewed the Council, and asked for some improvements on the road giving access to his section.—The chairman was given' power to expend up to £5. Messrs. C. N. Rowe, R. B. Wilson, and P. Godinagh petitioned the Council re portion of the Morangi road closed by the Roads Department. This was now being fenced, which made it difficult for them to get access to the road. —The Council were favorable to the request, and Cr. Julian was authorised to interview Mr. Gaustad on the matter,

PUKEARUHE DOMAIN. Mr. W. J. Parsons, secretary of the Pukearuhe Ratepayers' Association, asked if the money in hand to the credit of the Domain Board could be utilised in purchasing another ground. I The chairman did not know what powers the board had in the matter. In reply to a question, the chairman said the present Domain was unsuitable for the purpose, and the settlers purposed buying a more suitable piece at Wai-iti, which would give more easy access to the .beach, and could also bo improved. He thought, however, that the matter was out of the Council's hands, as there was now a properly constituted Pukearuhe Domain Board.

TRAFFIC BY-LJIWS. Mr. C. A. Budge forwarded a report of the conference of delegates held in Hawera recently re traffic by-laws, which has already been published in this paper. The chairman said that he had attended the conference, but there was one matter in which the proposed by-laws would conflict with them. That was in regard to the width, of tyres. The proposed by-laws would require three-inch tyres for a load of irom five cwt. to one ton, whereas the Clifton County by-laws, which had recently been passed, only required a 2 I / a -inch tyre. The proposed by-laws did not differentiate between carts with springs and. those without. Numbers of settlers had just put on new 2%-inch tvres to comply with the by-law, and it would be unreasonable to amend tliein at once. He did not see, therefore, how they could adopt the proposals. Had he had any idea that there was likely to be unanimity on the matter he would have delayed making their by-laws. Before doing so he had spoken to members of various local bodies, but they appeared to take no interest in the matter at that time. Some of them said they had by-laws, tout if they took a ease to court they lost it. Cr. Kennington considered they could not make a change so soon. If they ever did they would undoubtedly take these for their guidance. He moved that the Council acknowledge the letter, but in view of their present bylaws, they regretted that they could not at present adopt the schedule.—This was carried unanimously. HUIRANGI ROAD.

The Waitara West Road jioard wrote that it was proposed to ask the Government for £IOO on the basis of a £ for £ subsidy for metalling the hill on the road from Huirangi to the Waitara river suspension bridge, and as this work would benefit Clifton ratepayers on the Tikorangi side of the river, they asked the Council to contribute £SO towards the cost.

It was pointed out that this was outside the Council's boundary, and doubt was expressed whether the Council had power to expend money there. The opinion was expressed that in any case the Council was not in a position to expend the money, although it was admitted that the metalling would be advantageous. Lt was resolved to inform the Waitara West Road Board that the Council regrets that owing to its financial position it is unalilo to accede to its request. This will not interfere with the settlers 011 the Tikorangi side raising a special rate or loan for the. purpose if they desire.

WAITARA-MOKAU RAILWAY. Geo. H. Pope, lion, secretary of the Waitara-Mokau Railway League, forwarded a copy of resolutions passed at a largely attended meeting at Uronui in connection with the extension of the Waitara railway northwards. The resolutions were: (1) Pointing out to the Government the immediate need of railway communication between Waitara and Mokau, and urging that the first extension northward be expeditiously proceeded with; and (2) that a railway

league be formed and other centres beJ asked to co-operate. He also asked for' the co-operation of the Council in the matter. At last meeting the Council had passed a resolution sympathising with the movement. PROPOSED COUNTIES' CONFERENCE. Copies of circular letters from the secretary of the New Zealand Counties' Association re the proposed conference (a summary of which 'has already been published) was read. The Council expressed itself favorable to the proposed conference, and the chairman was appointed the Council's delegate. At next meeting the Council will discuss various matters to be brought forward at the conference. ' PUKEARUHE TELEPHONE. The Postal Department notified that in response to the request of Mr, W. T. Jennings, M.P. and settlers at Pukearu'he, the Acting-Minister of Telegraphs had approved ol the opening of a telephone office at Pukearuhe in chaTge of Mr. W. J. Parsons, on a guarantee being given by the Council to pay a subsidy of £2 per year for five years; also on> ithe understanding that Mr. Parsons will conduct the office without a salary from the Department during that term. The chairman was authorised to sign the necessary guarantee. NATIVE RATING. Mr. F. W. Flanagan, Valuer-General, notified receipt of the Council's lettei referring to lands in the county assessed to natives, and also asking when the local rolls would be available to enable the Gouncil to commence the rate roll for the current year. In reply, he stated that the Department had been to some trouble to ascertain the names of natives for insertion on the valuation rolls, but had not been successful in every case. The chairman of the Council had recently forwarded a list of occupiers of native lands in the , county, and these would be duly entered on the rolls. The Council could rely on the Department taking every step to make the rolls as complete as possible, • the objections which had been lodged required to be settled before the local rolls could be supplied. The local rolls , would be put in hand shortly, and he anticipated being able to forward them in the course of the next two or three weeks.

The chairman stated that the list, mentioned hardly touched the question. In nearly every case the list of names forwarded was simply a correction of names that had been on the roll before. According to Mr. J. Walker, some of ihem did not exist, or had been dead some years, but their names were still retained on the roll. Those blocks of land, which had beeii simply entered to i) tives, were blocks of which they could not possibly ascertain the names of the owners or occupiers. lie believed •ie aluer-Gcneral was doing all he couhi in the matter, but it would take yea lo get thera all on the roll, as the native land titles were so confused.

MIMI-MOKAU ROAD. ■Mr. W. S. Short, Assistant Under-Sec-retary of Public Works, wrote that the Minister of Public Works ihad looked into the matter of the above road between Uruti and Mokau, and found that last year £IOOO had been placed on the appropriations lor thiiS road. The whole of this amount had been authorised and £OSO expended up to date. A further sum of £2OO over and above the £IOOO had .been recently authorised to the resident engineer for the purpose of repairing bridges. The Council's representations as to the necessity for further provision on the current year's estimates would receive hia caieful consideration when compiling the estimates next session.

The chairman said this hardly covered the matter. This vote had been granted two years ago, and there was only £350 available last summer, and this, on account of delay by the Department, was unable to be expended before the wet weather set in. WAITARA ROAD CROSSING.

The Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister of Public Works, forwarded a copy of letter from the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Railways, in connection with representations made by the Council in connection with the railway crossing at the Waitara road. The Minister of Railways reply was to the effect that the solution of the difficulty was the erection of an over-head bridge, to cost about £OOO, but he regretted that he could not see his way to authorise such an expenditure. If, however, the local body concerned was prepared to contribute half the cost of the .bridge he w.as prepared to give the matter further consideration.

The chairman said that there had never been an accident at this crossing, although there had been several narrow escapes. The over-head bridge was an old fetish of the Railway Department. He, however, had a shrewd notion that' an expenditure of about £SO would render the crossing safe. The Railway Department had raised the bank about three feet when making the railway, and if this was removed and the fern kept cut so that the train could be seen, the crossing would be quite safe. The danger was only from the lower side. lie had referred to this when discussing the matter with the Minister. It might only be a waste of time, but lie suggesed that the Council should acknowledge the letter and point out that an expenditure of £SO or £IOO as suggested would make the crossing safe. Cr. Sander suggested that the correspondence should be handed to Mr. Jennings, M.P., and it was resolved that the chairma communicate with Mr. Jennings.

ENTERING FOR GRAVEL. The dispute between the Clifton County Council and Mr. A. Corkill, of Taratii, in connection with entering the latter's property for gravel, which has come before the Council at the last few meetings, was again the subject of discussion. A letter was received from Messrs. Malone, Anderson and Johnstone (solicitors for Mr. Corkill), in which they stated that their client had handed them the Council's letter with the report enclosed. They regretted that the Council did not see fit to accept the committee's report, and' that their efforts to secure an amicable. settlement had failed. Nothing waa left for them now but to commence an action at law, and this they proposed to do a week after the next Council meeting. This would give the Council time, if so desired, to reconsider its decision. The Council wus undoubtedly in the wrong, and they felt sure that if the Council consulted its solicitor he would advise them so. However, they had now done everything within reason to secure an amicable settlement, and would, as above stated, seek redress at law. The Council considered the matter in committee, and ultimately decided to consult their solicitor on the matter, Messrs. Malone, Anderson and John-1 stone to be informed to this effect.

GENERAL Mr. 11. T, Joll drew the Council's attention to the state of a drain nl a deviation made by the Council near bis property at Uniti. He also mentioned that the Mimi stream required clearing.—The matter was referred to the foreman 1o inn lie temporarv repairs. Tt was resolved (o renew the Councils accident insurance with til New /ea land Insurance Company.

I i 1 The usual formal resolution in con- 'J nection with the bank overdraft WM passed. The Receiver of Land Revenue notified that £sl 12a 4d been paid to the Council's account in the Bank of New Zealand, Waitara, being portion of interest on Crown lands under the Council's administration.' j Cr. Kennington was authorised to dispose of the timber from the North Matau road bridge by tender. I The foreman was authorised to improve the road as asked for by Mr. C. Topliss, settler, at Waihi. The Minister of Railways intimated that after giving the matter careful consideration he could not see his way ■ clear to reduce the charge of rate «b4L a .half on imported hardwood timber, I The tender of Mr. W. McAsey, £OB 18s, for earthwork at Chapman's Hill, on the South Matau road, was accepted, i The engineer was authorised to make arrangements for work oft the Ngatoto road. It was resolved'that the improvement of Ngatimaru Terrace at Tarata, as requested by Mr. Standish, be, held over until the Council's finances aTe improved. . , . | A load of gravel ma granted the ! Urenui school committee for the approaches to the school. Or. Julian furnished a report on the old Okoke road. Three bridges were required at a cost of £3o.—lt was resolved that the Council erect one bridge. , Accounts to the amount of £2Bl 12a lOd were nassed for nnvmnnt