CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 202, 6 May 1912, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING

The ordinary meeting of the Clifton Count}' Council was held: at the Council's office, Waitara, on Friday, when there were present: Crs. S. J. Elliott (chairman), C. O'Sullivan, A. M. Bower, 11, Sander, S. J. Kennington and J. Gleeson.

Leave of absence was granted to Cr. R. T. Hicks, on account ill-health. ENGINEER'S !>,' n ORT.

The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported that the Otaraoa road deviation was now completed and in use, and the fencing had also been arranged for. Regrading Kangaroo Hill would now be proceeded with.. As little progress was possible with the Okoke road metalling, the contractor was instructed to clear off slips and water, and thereafter break camp for the winter. Work 011 the Kaka road had been completed, and subsequeß't slips cleared. Since then a further slip hud occurred and needed attention. Various details required attention before the Council could take over the Wai-iti deviation. The erection of the Uruti bridge would be proceeded with in a few days, when the whole of the material would have come to hand. The final kiln of burnt papa was now ready, and it was hoped .shortly to bring this procrastinated work to a satisfactory conclusion. The contract for the MimiMokau metalling had been let to A. E. Burkett, but nothing could be done under present weather conditions. FOREMEN'S REPORTS. Foreman Turner reported that the sandstoning on the Okau road bad been stopped by the rain. Most of his time had been occupied in clearing slips. Several new culverts were required.—The necessary pipes will be shipped to Tongaporutu. Foreman 0. F. Dowman (Xgatimaru) had obtained an additional 50yds of metal, which he considered was urgently required. The culvert near Webb's, 011 the Junction road, required enlarging, as the flood water was washing the metal ; a way. Foreman Kuhtz had sent two surfacemen down to attend to tiie Pukearuhe road, which was in a very bad state, lie also wished to know when the crusher would be working at Uruti, as he was anxious to get away to the Moki road.— To be informed that the crusher would not be in the Mokau riding this season, and he was authorised to procure 30 or 40 yards of metal for the main road. Foreman Telfar reported that the main road was breaking up, and that metal was urgently required. GOVERNMENT GRANTS. The Under-Secretary for Public Works forwarded the usual application form, and asked the Council to fill it in and apply early for any required grants toI wards road and bridge construction. The Council deliberated on the matter, | and evolved the following modest list, I totalling £1G,500: —Metalling Mimi-Mo- . kau road to county boundary, £4000; ■extending formation Moki road, £2000; ■ deviation and tunnel, Uruti-Tangitu, | £2000; sandstoning, Okau, £500; widenj ing Tongaporutu-Mangaroa, £1500; wid-? I ening Mangatoro, £000; bridge over [ Tongaporutu river, Mangatoro, £500; I extending formation Kiwi road, £1000; | improving grades, Matau to Mangaoapa, I £500; formation Mangaoapa road,£6oo; I widening LTruti-Mokau road, £500; wid- ! ening, Waitara Vallev, £500; new forma-! tion, Piko road, £000; improving grades, Otaraoa, £300; formation and bridging, Kaka road, £200; stock track, Okoke to 1 Tangitu, £1000; and formation and im-' proving Autawa road, £2OO. [ LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL. The chairman was appointed to represent the County Council at the conference to be held in New PIvr" 1 "' 1, "•! ?r ,! v 14 re the Local Governmeiii Bill. A copy of a resolution passed at its last meeting by the Taranaki provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers' 1 Union, to the effect that the executive understood with regret that it was not the intention of the Government to arrange that all local bodies should be represented at the proposed conference in Wellington, and that as the provisions of the Bill would so vitally alter the present system of local government, the executive considered that all local bodies and all other governing bodies whose* functions would be affected should be represented. BRIDGE REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) submitted a completed report 011 the state of the bridges in the county. This showed that renewals and repairs were required, which would necessitate an ex--penditure of £OOOO. Thirteen of these bridges required urgent attention at a cost of £2635. The engineer stated that in re-building he had based his calculations on hardwood pnd. steel. After some discussion, it was resolved to hold the matter over till next meeting, when the Council will probably take steps to raise a loan of £OOOO over the whole county for the purpose of renewing the bridges. It was pointed out that it would not be necessary to lift this amount at once, but only as required. In the event of the loan not being raised, it will probably be necessary to strike a special cover the heavy maintenance charges. TENDERS. Tenders were dealt with as follows: Formation Piko road: Two tenders were received, but both were eensidered too high. Carting stone to ar. 1 from crusher, Urenui: P. Taylor 5s \ 'rd, J. Coleman ss, Skelton and Mar.-a 3s 6d, D. Paul 3s 5d (accepted). Car! ing stone to and from crusher, Waihi riding: T. Northcott 2s 6d, J. Coleman 4s 6d. Chas. Marsh Is lOd (accepted), Paul and Tate 2s 6d, Skelton and Marsh 2s lid. GENERAL. Mr. G. Day applied for a position as surfaceman in the Mokau riding. Cr. O'Sullivan suggested the appointment of a man to look after the by-roads in the riding, and it was resolved that applications be called for the .position. Mr. 11. Wells asked that any thirds available on the Toro road should be expended in repairs. It was ascertained that £4O was available, and the matter was left in the hands of Cr. Sander. Mr. li, F. Farmer wrote offering to form a sledge track as suggested to his section on the Wai-iti road for £ls. Deferred for further information. Mr. J. 11. Kenwood's application to be allowed to erect a suspension bridge on the Piko road across the Urenui river was acceded to. He was also allowed to erect a short fence, subject to the surfaceman's approval, barbed wire not to be used. Mr. E. Whittaker complained of a very bad hole on the Piko road, which was almost blocked up.—The surfaceman is to be instructed to attend to the place mentioned. The secretary of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board notified that the amount of rate to be levied from the Clifton county during the ensuing year would be £398 8s 7d, the monthly levy being £33 4s. The Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarded a schedule of thirds, amount- ) ing to 53 15s 7d, which could be used in \ payment of interest on loans. 1 Mi - . C. N. Rowe was granted a renewal I of bis slaughter-house license, i Mr. A. E. Watkins asked that the closed portion of the Clifton road through

his property should be handed over to him iu exchange for the land taken for the new road through his propertyAgreed to. The Council also resolved that it had no objection to Mr. A. E. Watkins purchasing the closed portion of the Clifton road, provided that the purchase money was handed over to the Council.

Accounts amounting to £5lB 12s 8d were passed for payment.