CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 119, 7 October 1912, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara on Friday, when there were present: Crs. S. Elliot (chairman), R. T. Hicks, C. O'Sullivan, S. M. Bower, S. J. Kennington, W. Jones and H. Sander. ENGINEER'S REPQRT.

Mr. C. P. Dowsett, county engineer, report that progress on the Wai-iti fencing had been much retarded hy the weather, as had also the Wai-iti metalling contract, the beach having been practically unworkable. About six days' work was all that had been possible on the Pita road. Bad weather had also interfered with the Purangi tunnel and various other icorks. All the material had been ordered for Burr's culvert and a start would be made with this work next week. All the piles were completed for Lambert's bridge. All material had been ordered and matters were generally ready for a start. Heated argument ensued between Cr. Sander and the engineer regarding the location of th Purangi tunnel, and it was resolved that the engineer be instructed to proceed to Purangi, with a view to improving its location. The report was then adopted. FOREMEN'S REPORTS.

Foreman Kuhtz (Mokau) reported that the roads in the Mokau were in very bad order. There had been a good many slips on the by-roads. He had repaired the 'Mangamaeho bridge as well as he could, but it was very rotten. He had put in a week at the Pukearuhe tunnel, which was now in fair order. Mr. Collins had offered to keep the tunnel in order, and he suggested that the offer should be accepted, as one day's work by (Mr. Collins might save the foreman a week's work.—The Council resolved to ask Mr. Collins if he would undertake to do the necessary work to keep the Pukearuhe road open. Foreman C. F. Dowman (Purangi) reported that he required a man for four days up at the top end of the Ngatoto road to help clear off slips and logs that had come down during the month. He also required pipes for culverts on the Mangaoapa and Ngatoto roads. Foreman D. G. Rowe (Okau) reported that the rain had made the roads very muddy and had caused a big slip. He ! had employed Mr. W. A. Davis on this for 5 ! / 2 days. Foreman Telfar (Urenui) reported a ( settler for allowing stock to wander on the Moerangi road. —The report was receded. METAL REQUIREMENTS.

The various foremen submitted their metal requirements for the ensuing year. Foreman A. Hutchens (Okoko) asked for 60 yards to repair the Okoke road. He suggested waiting, however, until Taylor had finished his contract before putting on maintenance metal. Foreman Smith (Tarata), 230 yds from Bullocks' pit and-70yds front Tarata; Foreman Jones (Tikorangi) stated that the 600 yds asked for by Cr. Hicks would be sufficient. Foreman Knuckey, 800 yds at Waipapa and 200 yds at Turangi; Foreman Kuhtz (Mokau) 1200 yds, which would put the road in fair order only; Foreman Telfar (Urenui), 050 yds for the main road, 200 yds for Okoke and 100 yds for Moerangi road; Foreman Dowman (Purangi), 250 yds of gravel. The reports were adopted ,and it was resolved to call tenders in accordance with the amounts suggested.

HICKMAN ROAD. Mr. G. A. Gaustad wrote to the effect that about' 12 months ago the settlers on the above road had asked the Council to purchase from him a small piece of land so as to leave the road where it now was, but that the Council had decided to take no action. If he fenced, this piece of land, he would be cutting off access to these, settlers' properties. He therefore wished to know if he would be committing an offence if he placed three or four calves on the bucket on this piece of land and they should stray on to the road. He also asked the Council to put the grader on the road as soon as possible. The grader had not been on it for a number of years, with the result that after a shower of rain it looked more like a lake than a road.

As councillors had only a very hazy idea of the position, the matter was referred to Cr. Jones, to report at next meeting.

URUTI ROAD. Mr. C. Musker waited on the Council on behalf of some 20 settlers on the Uruti road, who, he stated, wished to raise a loan for the purpose of metalling about 5y 2 miles on the Uruti road. They were willing to rate themselves from %d up to Id, according to the value of the land and how it would benefit by the metal. The matter had been submitted to the Public Works Department, and he asked the Council to make a strong recommendation in favor of the proposed loan, which, ho thought, would carry weight. They had not obtained details of the amount required, as they did not know how the proposal would be received. Cr. O'Sullivan pointed out that £2OOO had been granted by the Government as a £ for £ subsidy for metalling that road, and was still available.

Mr. Musker replied that it would cost about £5500, and consequently £2OOO would not be sufficient subsidy. The Council, after some discussion, in which Cr. O'Sullivan thought the loan should first be raised and the £2OOO, available subsidy be taken up before applying for a further subsidy, passed a resolution, on the motion of Crs. O'Sullivan and Bower, strongly urging upon the Minister for Public Works to give every assistance to settlers in metalling the Uruti road, pointing out that the settlers were prepared to rate themselves very heavily, and were deserving of the cordial help of the Govrnment, and also that the work would contribute very materially towards the advancement of the district. Mr. C. Musker then asked that the Council should put the road in order to receive the metal, as he understood the Government would not allow any earthwork to be performed out of money raised for metalling. He pointed out that the metalling would probably be spread over a number of years. On the motion of Crs. O'Sullivan and Jones, it was resolved that the Council put the road in order provided the settlers raise the loan. PIKO ROAD. Mr. G. T. Murray, Resident Road Engineer, replied in connection with the applications of Mr. E. Whittaker and Messrs Weston and Son relative to falling bush on the road reserve opposite their sections. There were no funds at his disposal for the road, as all funds had been issued to the Council during the past four years, so that he regretted being unable, to accede to their wishes. ' The sections, moreover, lay above the. Piko road, so that only a small part of the road reserve would require filling to allow the erection and ensure safety of the fence. It rested, however, with the Council to say whether the bush should be felled or not, but in view of the more urgent widening required, he would not recommend the expenditure upon such work of any grant there may be in the coming appropriations. Mr. C. K. Wilson. M.P., wrote in ro--8

ference to the Piko road that the petition from the settlers was to hand, and he would be pleased to do what he could to get the required grant. MANGAOAPA* ROAD.

Mr. A. Gray Stewart, of Kiore, drew atention to the dangerous state of the Mangaoapa track. .Ho asked that something should be done to it, as it would probably be twelve months before the new road was through. Only £2 had been spent on the track in the past two years. On a later date he wrote that lie had spoken to the Public Works Engineer on the matter, who replied that he had nothing to do with the track, as the Council were collecting the rates. He would keep in repair the portion that lie was forming, and also stated that after the present contract was completed no further funds would be available. Mr. G. T. Murray, Resident Road Engineer, wrote to the same effectReferred to Cr. Kennington.

TENDERS. Tenders were dealt with as follows: Formation Kiore-Matau, Smith Bros., £147 Is (accepted, subject to the money being available from the Government); W. H. Stockley, £157 10s. Metalling at Tikorangi, R. Tate and Paul, £270, Foreman and Richards £241 13s 4d( accepted). Putiki bridge, W. J. Clare £455 3s (accepted, after some discussion as to the advisability of accepting bridge tenders before it is certain Whether the bridge loan will be carried or not). GENERAL. An offer by Mr. W. A. Davis to give £1 per 100 ft for some culvert timber on the Okau road was declined, as the Council does not intend to dispose of the timber.

Mr. E. Sheehy's application for the right to lease two small pieces of land (about three acres) opposite his store at Kotare was granted, at a rental of 5s per annum. The matter of water flowing on to Mr. Lewis Faull's property was referred to Cr. Hicks, as was also the question of metal at his entrance.

It was resolved to supply Mr. Jas. Smith (Uruti) with pipes at his road entrance, provided he pays the cost. The Treasury Department forwarded a voucher for £1 10s, being fees, fines and penalties collected in the Magistrate's Court for the quarter ending June 30, 1912, and also for £603 12s 2d, being subsidy on rates collected. The Lands Department notified that it did not recognise any liability with regard to felling bush on the Okau road, but had no objection to the Council itself felling the timber for a reasonable distance back.

The Public Works Department acknowledged receipt of Council's letter re standard plans for county bridges, and stated that the representations would reecive careful consideration.

Mr. C. Selby, Uruti, asked the Council to open up Gilbert track to section 2, block 7, Mimi, as he had no means of access at present. He enclosed a memo, from Mr. G. T. Murray, Resident Road Engineer, to the effect that there was no money voted to the road, which was not a Government one, and referring him to the Clifton County Council. Mr. Dowsett was authorised to expend the available thirds (£9).

The Advances Board notified provisional approval of the bridge loan of £3995.

Mr. Peterseli waited on the Council and asked that the Mangamaeho road should be extended to give him access to his section. Cr. O'Sullivan will visit the locality and report at next meeting.

Two applications were received for the position of surfaceman on the MimiMokau road, but neither was accepted. Accounts amounting to £339 17s 9d were passed for payment.