STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 77, 20 August 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

'MONTHLY MEETING. » The usual monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council was held yesterday. Present: Crs. Hathaway (chairman), Rogers, Young, Walter. Were, J. Smith, Anderson, Christoffel and Thompson. The question of clearing the creek on the Gordon road near Mr. Davies' section was referred to the engineer. The engineer (Mr. W. J. Lopdell) reported that 'he had not yet been over many of the roads, but hoped to do so as soon as possible. He pointed out that it would be of considerable advantages to have a motor-car so as to facilitate going over the roads with the foremen and ascertaining the handiest places to procure metal. Kelly street, Midhirst: To malke a good job of this work would cost £125. • Autawa road: This work was being done by day labor. Heao road: Specifications of necessary work were being submitted to the Public Works engineer . Crushing plant: This was now at Toko, where about 300 yds would be crushed. Kaitiki road bridge: This was unsafe, and the erection of a sill-bridge was recommended, at a cost of about £2O. Flint road: Mr. J. Pierce complained of a blocked drain which overflowed and affected his property. New stone-crusher: The engineer urged the Council to consider procuring a new plant. On the motion of Cr. Young, it was decided that the Kaitiki bridge be rebuilt as proposed by the engineer. The clearing of Hie drain complained } of by Mr. Pierce was deferred for the ? present. The Council went into committee, and, on resuming, it was decided to procure a new crusher, the chairman and engineer to arrange details. A deputation consisting of Messrs Schoficld and iSm'ith waited on the Council with reference to Kelly street. Midhirst. It was stated that the Council owned some'of the sections on the road. —lt was decided tliat the engineer meet I the deputation at Midhirst and form a ' special rating .area, a special contribution to be made by the Council in respect I of the sections owned by the Council. I An application made by Mr. Reesby ! for rolling and blinding part of the j Radnor road was complied with after a I lengthy discussion, Mr. Reesby offering to do half the work. The engineer was authorised to procure the metal for the North Mountain road as requested by the foreman. He was also instructed to attend to York road west and Derby road, and to inspect the small bridge on Cheal road. It was decided to inform Mr. Corrip;an that the Council admits no liability in respect to the accident to his horse at the Huinga pit. Messrs M. Knox, Gibbs and G. Knox wrote asking the Council to finish the patching on the Ackland road, as if something were not done tbey could not cart milk to the factory.—Engineer to report at next meeting.' Instructions were given to the engineer to inspect the Puniwhakau road and report on the culverts. The question of Scaling with the old decking at the Puni bridge was left with the engineer. The chairman reported that the Motorcar Committee had arranged to purchase a motor-car for the use of the engineer, to be delivered in a week. The engineer was authorised to put up a motor-shed, at the Council's expense, on his property, and in the event of his leaving the service of the Council the shed to become the property of tie Council. The ranger's attention is to be called to straying cattle in the South riding. In reply to Cr. Young, who complained of stray catle in the Mangaehu riding, the chairman stated that the foreman had power to impound. The Public Works Department wrote staring that a balance of £4O 2s 3d under two votes had remained unexpended for three years, and enquiring if the money were required.—lt was stated that the money was not spent owing to the tenders being too high, and it was decided to inform the Department that it was still hoped to spend the grant. Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P.. wrote stating that he had arranged an interview for Mr. Anderson with the Minister of Internal Affairs on the matter of tollgates, and the Minister made it clear that for the present he did not intend granting- applications for the erection of toll-gates, owing to the proposal of the Government that a motor-tax shall he imposed, but he admitted that should the tax not prove sufficient for the needs of the roads, then permission to erect toll-gates would not be withheld. Cr. Anderson fully reported the result of his interview with the Minister, li the Bill were thrown out. then tollgates would lie allowed. 'From what lie had heard there did not appear to be a#y hope of the Bill being passed. If a tax were imposed on ears thev would he exempt from tolls. He advised takiiv no action for the present. ° Cr. Anderson was thanked for interviewing the Minister, and for his report The Mayor of New Plymouth wrote asking the County Council to join in the protest against the proposed abolition of the Taranaki eduoatioh district. —A resolution was passed endorsing tinprotest. ° H. Kippenbcrper wrote asking for attention to the drain in front of his sen.tion as soon as possible.—Referred to the engineer. Mr. 'Kidd, Huiroa, wrote asking if the promise made two years ago of four yards of metal for the approach to His cheese factory still held good.—The engineer was authorised to supply the metal. • Accounts, amounting to £9OO, were passed for payment. '