CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 115, 4 November 1911, Page 3

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara yesterday, when there were present: Crs. J. W. Foreman (chairman), T. H. Mc-; KJenzie, 0. O'Sullivan, 11. Sander, and H.I J. Kennington. I FOREMEN'S REPORTS. '

[Foreman Hutchen (Okoke road) reported that the roads under his care were in very fair order He had completed filling at Paul's job. A dead beast on the Piko road had not been miried yet. He had found it necessary to engage a man to assist in. clearing a tree off the Okoke road.

Foreman A. McDonald (Onaero) reported that he had been assisting the TJirenui foreman to widen the Main road near Onaero. He had repaired the Turangi road, Mr. T. Northcobt giving his own labor and also that of another man with n plough and scoop. All the roads were in fair order.

Foreman C. F. Dowman (Purangi) reported that he had started work on the Domain road, but had to leave to fill up a wash-out on the Junction road. He had also worked at the filling on the Ngatoto road. I foreman Kuhtz (Mokau) had finished repairing the Uruti road bridge and had also made a start with the timber work on this road, and lied let a contract for supply of timber to Anstis and mate. He had two men assisting him for a fewdays, and all his roads were in fair order. He was now cleaning drains on, the main Mokau road, and would like the assistance of a man. He had also put a. man on the Okau road. A culvert on the Mangahia road required renewing. It would take 2000 feet of timber, and he could put 1200 feet on the ground at a cost of £(i 10s, and erect the bridge himself for £O. Foreman Telfar (Urenui) reported that the widening of road on Onaero Hill was proceeding, but delay was caused by bad iveather and shortage of labor. Several yards of metal would be required to cover the part widened. The filling at the foot of the hill was also under way.

METAL REQUIREMENTS. The various foremen, as requested, forwarded estimates of metal required for maintenance during the ensuing year, as follows:

Foreman McDonald (Okoke) considered that the 1000 yards of stone already tendered for would be sufficient for his requirements.

Foreman C. F. Dowman (Purangi) requiredi 100 yards metal; Foreman C. Jones (Tikorangi) 430 yards; and Foreman Telfar (Urenui) 400 yards.

Cr. Sander said that 100 yards would i he -required for the Tarata end of the; Ngatimaru riding. Foreman Kuhtz (Mokau) said he had some metal left over from last year, and would not require any for repairs. There were about three miles of drain to (dean, and he thought this would do more good than metal this year. He could, however, do with 500 yards at the far end, where there were some bad holes.

Cr. McKenzie moved that the metalling on the Inland North road be extended an additional the chains. This would take 100 yards of metal, which was added to the Tikorangi requirements. Some discussion ensued as to the foremen's requirements, and the opinion was expressed that the Mokau and Urenui foremen had been too modest in their requests. The chairman said that no doubt th«y wore influenced! by the Council's action in cutting down the supplies last year, when they were hard up and had to lie economical in their expenditure. J This, however, could not he allowed to go on, and as tk°y had now increased j revenue they could spend more money on | the roads and still retain their present financial position. Fortunately they had a fine winter, and so the roads had not cut up us much as usual, but still he considered the metal required was much in excess of that asked for. Cr. O'KuUivau concurred'. Cr. Kennington did not believe in the policy of merely Idling up the holes in a road. Ile-Jielieved in re-coating a portion of the road every year, otherwise tile .road became very thin, and u long length would wear out at once, and it was a mistake to allow this to happen.

A councillor remarked that the Council should try to extend existing metal. The chairman said that their first duty ffrts t«) maintain existing roads rather than put down new metal.

It was resolved that the Vrenui and Mokau irci'iiircments lie referred hack to tlie res])ertive foremen for further inspection anil report. It was also re--nlvnl to call tenders for .",50 yards of metal for Tikorangi and 300 yards for I'u.rangi anil Ngatimaru, returnable at next meeting. CHAIRMAN'S liltt'OßT. The chairman's report was adopted as folknvs:—Regarding the petition of certain settlers that improvement be made on that portion of (he Waihi road lying, between the Tikorangi and Inland North loads, he recommended that an expenditure of C:."> he authorised to raise the grade on the worst of the hills on thi--1 length, -which could .he done by use of the. scoop. He had tried to get it done last year, but was unable to ohtain lalbor A new culvert was required on this road. liy-laws.—After an interview with the Council's solicitors he had to recommend. that the necessary steps be taken to j amend sub-section B of section 1 be-

■ fore enforcing the by-law. He regretted . I that bis recent illness h:id been respon- | si hie for the aimmlment not having been | made .before the present Council goe.s >out of oll'ice. lie had made enquiry re j-losing road at slaughter-house site, /out as Mr. Birdling objected to the road being closed he did not think the Council could do anything in the matter. ENGINEER'S REPUKT. Mr. C. F. Dowsett, county engineer, reported that word had been received frum. tlie- Under-Secretary which indicated that the Otaraoa road deviation (Cole's) could now proceed, and tenders would be called to close at next meeting. Complete engineering surveys had been carried! out and plans and specifications prepared for the Wai-iti deviation. Copies were now being prepared for the District Road Engineer's approval, after which tenders will.be called. The Kaipikuri road contract bad been delayed owing to the illness of the contractor, but would be completed during the current month. GOVERNMENT GRANTS. The Council considered the Government grants, which were bi'.elly discussed. As this was the last meeting of the present Council, it was deemed advisable to defer the mattu- till tine first meeting of the new Council.

THIRDS. Mr. A. J. Rossiter, • receiver of land revenue, notified payment of £SO Is 6d portion of the interest accrued to September 30, 1911, and also notified that the. Land Board had authorised its expenditure for the payment of interest on .loan. They also intimated the payment of £420 15s 4d for thirds. The Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarded schedule of thirds and asked the Council to .submit proposals for expenditure of the amount, with the approximate length and locality of the! work for approval.—To be referred to | the new Council.

The Treasury notified payment to the Council's credit of the following: Piko bridge £195, Mangaow r ata creek, bridge £l6O, and formation Matau township to Mangaoapa. road £3B.

COUNTY BOUNDARIES. A. letter was reeervsd from the clerk of the Stratford County Council to the effect that the Stratford Council appreciated the reply of the Clifton Conity Council re adjustment of boundaries, and suggested a conference of the engineers with the view of considering details for report to their respective councils. It was resolved to hold the matter over for the new Council to deal with. GENERAL. Mr. G. A. Smith was appointed foreman at farata. There were two applications. Mr. Alan T. Maealpine applied for permission to fence in part of the Kaipikari road not immediately required for road purposes along the front of his section.—The Council deeided that it could not accede to the request. Mr. .11. M. Bannister wrote on behalf of the Commissioner of Crown Lands that he had written to the Under-Secre-tary for Lands asking that the reservation of section 35, Tarata, for a site for a. surfaceman's residence, should be gazetted. Mr. Somerset Smith wrote re road deviation, Tikorangi, that the Reserves Agent had instructed him to inform the Council that he was prepared to pay £lO towards the cost of making the road to the Maori pa, and also to have the fence reinstated as promised by Mr. | Fisher.—Referred to the new Council. In reference to opening up the Panarsui road from the Mokau river to the Ohura, Mr. Jennings wrote that he was in sympathy with the idea, and would see if it was practicable to carry out. The Council decided to notify Mr. L. George that his metal contract at Urenui would .be cancelled unless started within a fortnight. Mr. Paul is also to be notified to proceed with his gravelling contract at Okoke. j It was resolved that a, meeting of the J Council be held on the 22nd hist, after | the annual meeting, in order to discuss • any important business that may be

necessary. Mr. T. West was given permission to bring his fence to the cutting on the road at Waihi.

The chairman was authorised to write to Mr. G. T. Murray, District Road Engineer, calling attention to the state of certain uncompleted deviations on the Mataro road, and urging that his department should take steps to effect a settlement with the parties affected. The tender of Whitaker and Sons at £10(> was accepted for work on Piko road. The engineer's estimate was £lOl. Accounts amounting to £2lil 8s Id were passed for payment.