TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 120, 8 October 1912, Page 7

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The Tairanaki County Council met yesterday. The members present were the Chairman (Mr. J. Brown) and Councillors W. Stevens, J. R. Hill, C. Andrews, M. Hopsoii, C. Billing and; J. Andrews. Councillor J. Andrews took his eeat for the first time and was formally welcomed by the Chairman, not as a new member, but as an old member returned to his duty again. He knew from past experience that he would be an acquisition to the Council PROPOSED PIPE WORKS. The proposal to establish concrete pipe manufacturing works in Taranaki was brought under the notice of the Council by Mr. E. C. Robinson, engineer to the Stratford County Council. It was thought, he said,. that were the local bodiee in the district to combine and erect a pipe-making plant in a suitable locality, the freight charges would be' to a laTge extent eliminated whilst at the same time there would be a demand for a sufficient quantity of pipes to ensure cheap manufacture of the same.

In the opinion of the Chairman there was no statutory authority allowing local bodies to combine and run a pipemanufactory.

According to Cr. C. Andrews, a great saving would be effected if the Council manufactured its own pipes in the open, on the job as required. The Chairman was opposed to this, pointing out that a man expert in the manufacture of pipes would have to be engaged, and half the time he would have nothing to do. It would be inadvisable to manufacture pipes in the open as the whole secret of successful manufacture lay in the drying process. A letter was also received from the manager of the Cement Pipe Company. Limited, of Masterton. to the effect that his Company proposed starting a factory at Waitara or in the adjacent district for the manufacture of cement pipes, etc. Before definitely taking this step, the Company would, he stated, like to be sure of the support of local bodies throughout the district.—The Chairman pointed out that the Council could not give a binding agreement undertaking to purchase the whole of the pipes from one firm, and on the motion of Cr. Stevens it was decided to forward to the Company a copy of a resolution recently passed that, all things being equal, the Council should purchase its pipes locally-

HEAVY TRAFFIC. In order to cope with the traction engine traffic in the Egmont County, the clerk of the Council wrote asking the Council to "place an almost prohibitive tariff" at the Puniho toll-gate on motor and traction traffic. The Chairman said that the Council had plenty of troubles of its own without worrying about what the Egmont Council was going to do. On the motion of Cr. Stevens it was decided to reply regretting that the Council could not see its way to fall in with the request, as'it already imposed a fairly heavy toll on traction engines at the Puniho toll-Sate. KUSAPETE BRIDGE. The Inglewood Borough Council intimated its -willingness that the County Council should proceed with the proposed additions to the Kurapete Bridge on the Mountain Road. The Chairman explained that the Council was desirous of the bridge being widened 10 feet and giving it a width of 27 feet, and placing it more in the centre of the road. It was proposed to make it a concrete structure. The work would be jointly undertaken by the Borough and the County, and it would cost about £3OO. The ,whole structure would be raised six inches.

It waft decided, subject to the consent of the Borough, to construct the bridge by day labor. XGAMOTU ROAD. Mr. H. Okey, M.P.. advised that lie had made application to the Minister of Public Works for a grant of £lO9 for the Ngamotu Road. He enclosed a letter from the Minister to Hie effect that the matter would be considered when the Public Works Estimates for the current financial year were being compiled.

PETITIONS.

Four residents (Messrs. A. B. Monro, H. Autridge, W. B. Grant and A. R. Knight) of Cowling Road, petitioned the Council in support of their request for the metalling of 21 chains of the road, which was at present unformed. They offered to contribute £1 per chain towards the cost of the work.—Referred to the Inspector for report. A petition was received from eight settlers on the Sealey Road, asking that Potc's Hill be cut down to a lower grade, and the road metalled from the foot of the iiill to Mr. Honey-field's gate oil the Tregeare farm.—Referred on to the Inspector for report. A letter from Mr. B. White relative to a petition 'or metalling a portion of Mangorei Road was held over until next meeting. DEPUTATION. A deputation of two settlers waited on the Council with a request for metal for the unnretalled portion of the road between Bell Block and Corbott Road railway station. The road was, they said, at present in a very bad state. If 20 chains were done the settlers would form the road and spread the metal. Cr. Hill spoke hi favour of the request, and the Inspector ww,s requested to obtain an estimate of the cost of the work. STANDARD BRIDGE PLANS.

The Clerk to the Wairoa County Council notified that the following resolution had been passed by that body: —"That the Minister for Public Works be written to requesting him to have prepared for use by all County Councils a standard set of bridge plans from say, iO feet to 100 feet spans, which could be adopted to all classes of bridge work undertaken by local bodies." In solieting the Council's co-operation in approaching the Minister, the writer pointed out that very often considerable delay occurred in getting bridge plans approved by the Department, owing to the hitter's requirements varying with great frequency.—lt w>ns decided not to take any action, the Chairman stating that there was really no need for the Wairoa Council's resolution. THE ST. AUBYN AFFAIR.

The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs notified that it was prepared to amend the Town Board's Act, making provision for the inclusion of the remaining portion of a town district (St. Aubvn) in the County.

The Chairman reported that the Clerk had written to the Department reviewing the whole situation, and detailing the Council's objections. AMENDING AN' ACT.

The Minister of Finance wrote stating that it was proposed to make an amendment to the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Act in the direction indicated by the Council. The Council's svm'fstion '•:■?,-■ that the unexpended balances «f loan* should be diverted to works other than those for which the money was raised. GENERAL.

Complaint was made by Mrs. D. P. Summer of the condition of Victoria Road, Oaku.ra, between th<* Main South Road and her house. No metal had been put on this portion for some years, and in consequence it was in « very bad state, the tradesmen's carts being unr.lf.o to negotiate it.—The Inspector was

authorised to effect the repair* necessary.

Mr. H. Trimble waited upon the Council with reference to its proposal to cut down the hill on the Mountain Road opposite the entrance to his property. This would leave him with a drop of five or six feet down on to the road. Unless the Council met him to some extent he would be put to an expense of about £SO. IE the Council carried out the work according to its plans bo would be completely shut in.—Referred to the Inspector for report.

The Valuer-General intimated that as the valuations of portions of the Taranalri County were to be revised this year ho would be glad io hear if any further alterations were contemplated in the boundaries of any of the ridings in thenear future.—No further alterations are anticipated.

Mr. U. G. Grover drew attention to the condition of the Weld Road, Oakura It was decided to obtain a report from the foreman oil the matter, Cr. Hill remarking that it would be a good thing if the foreman inspected the clay roads in the district in suitable weather.

The Inspector was authorised \o prepare plans and specifications for formation a«d metalling on King and Mangorei roads, 'he special loans for which are now in hand.

The Chairman and Or. McAllum were appointed a committee to adjust accounts with the Borough of New Plymouth,' consequent on the merging of Omnia Riding into the Borough" Messrs. Sladden and Palmer, engineers, were instructed: to authorise the contractors to pu.sh on with the Upper Carrington Road contract as soon as the weather is favourable. The engineers were also asked to proceed with the survey of the Carrington-Frankley cross road.

The Clerk was instructed to inform the Orowai Lands Commissioner that the Council regretted that it could see no reason to alter its decision refusing to dispose of a closed road in Omata to an adjoining landowner. A motion was passed making it necessary for all pipes supplied to ratepayers for crossings on County roads to be paid for at the time of deiivery. A motion 'by Cr. Hill, that thirty-four chains of the Waiwakaiho Road be metalled was defeated.

VARIOUS WORKS. A .report was submitted by the Inspector, in which he made a number of minor recommendations. In it he stated that Mr. Hooker's request 1 for a culvert across the raid at Mangorei water reservoir should be attended to, as he was willing to do half labour. The following persons .require to put in culverts at their private crossings:—R. H. Balsom. senr., E. H. Balsom, junr., J. Martanei J. Sampson, F. Oldham, G. Knauf, J. Salisbury. Kent Road.—The following persons require to put in culverts at their private crossings:—M. Southcombe. Mr. Allen, senr., A. Hummer, W. Willis, 11. Olsen, C. Amsfrod. Mr. J. Grooby, of Frankley Road, had put in a private culvert across private entrance too small to carry water. It requires 'removing. On .going over the top end' of Carrington Road, lie noticed it had been neglected and required attention. He had arranged with Mr. Blanchard to go on and open up the water tables and back up the metal required. Mr. W. Brydon had trees overhapging the road which required to be removed. Messrs. P. and W. Morris and H. Julian had gorse growing right up to the edge of the metal 6n the Koru Road. It should be removed at once. There was a large number of stock straying on-the County roads, and they caused a good deal of damage to the water-tables. Mr. Cole had a portion of the Mutton Track fenced in abouthalf a chain wide. This should be thrown open.—The report was adopted, and its recommendations are to be given effect to.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT. In his report covering the month of September, the roads and bridge inspector (Mr. R..W. Bond) reported that .during the month the constant wet weather throughout the country had been very trying on the roads, and some had broken up badly and required a lot of patching to keep them in order. On the Devon Line the motor traffic had cut up the roads badly. He had the steam roller scarifying and rolling on portions of this road. Foreman M. J. Jones had completed filling and .metalling Mangotea bridge, which was now open to traffic. He had also made a start with the- filling and grading at Waitepuku bridge. Owing to the extra water running in the creeks, Foreman J. Bonner and gang had been shifted to the earthwork at Waitepuku bridge, and tlie two culverts were timbered ready to receive concrete as eoon as the water went down. Foreman E. Bennett had had 190 yards crushed metal on his length. Foreman E. Harvey had been engaged on general road work. J. Bowler had taken up his duties on the steam roller. Messrs Swann and Magee had completed their culvert and filling on the Albert road. Owing to the wet weather the crusher had only work-, ed four days this month, crushing 270 yards metal for the Junction road. The steam roller' had been engaged rolling and scarifying on the Junction .road 12 hours for the Borough Council, and on the Devon Line, J. Holmes' length. He had arranged with A. Mallon to take up the Inglewood length of road in the place of E. Harvey. E. Jordan had been appointed to the stone crusher, R. Thomas foreman to the Kent and Albert roads, and J. Hancock foreman on the Mangorei road. Foreman D. Brosnan ia,d reported that goods were being left alongside the road by carriers, and were dangerous to traffic. Foreman F. Seamark had been engaged in general road work, and had also put in 20 Gin pipes across the Main South road to divert the water from Mr. A. George's property. He had been over the Cowling road, and had had a man cleaning watertables for 10 hours. He had been over the piece of road referred to by settlers on that road, and on measuring it he found there were 21% chains that required metalling. This would cost £l2O. If ten chains were done, the, cost would be £OO, settlers to do all necessary earthwork. On measuring up the Mutton track, off Egmont road, he found that 34'/ 3 chains required to be re-metal-led. Re estimated the cost of this at £197. If this road were metalled it would he a benefit to the county in getting out metal as long as the crusher site remained where it was at present. TENDERS ACCEPTED.

Tenders for the supply of metal were aeeepted as. follows: —Tariki Road East. 50 yards, at 5s per yard. Rowan ami Tho'mason; Mountain Road, 800 yards, at 5i5 (id p.e.r yard, Rowan and Tho:nason; Junction Road, 1000 yards, (is 0d per yard, Rowan and Thonmson; Mountainßoad. 425 yards, at 5s 3d per ycrd. Rowan and Thomason; Junction Road. 715 yards, at 5s 2d per yard. Swann :m«! Mair'ee; Kent, Albert and Junction Roads, SOS yards, at Gs 4d per yard, Rwa'nn :>.nd Ma<;ee: Richmond and "MomiU\h\ Roads. 10S0 yards, at 4s fid per yard, YV. D. CartwrigM; Devon Line. RlO yards at 5s 3d per yard (scrreninpH !)d per yard extra), Haskill and Co.: Waiwakaiho depot. 2270 yards, at 4s (Id per Tf.rd. Rowan and Thomason; Ejfniont Road. 100 vards. at 3s lOd, ,T. T. f lioniason: Smith' Road, boulders. ?.t 4s lid per yard. L. R. Bart; South Road, Tapuae depot, at 4s lid per yawl, E. Oor£e; South and Koru Roadfl, Oakura depot. 1070 yards (Main Road. 4s fid per yard. Jvnni'fis. (id per yard), TT. Julian; South Road. Tiniafu depot, 1105 yards, at fis 104 per yard. A. Cowiinrr; South Road. P>nny Rivw depot. 2585:ya-rds, at 4s per yard, A. Cowling; Calrington E,oad,