TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 137, 3 November 1914, Page 3

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the above Council was livid yesterday, there being present:—Crs. J. Brown (chairman) , R. Stevens, M. Hopson, C. Billing, J. Andrews, D. McAllum, A. Morton, C. Andrews, and J. Hill. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported having in•pected the Old Hospital Road, and had come to the conclusion that if the Council would vote 100 yds. of metal and make some improvements ait Cassel's Hill, the road would be put. ail very fair order. He considered that if the metal were lolled there would !be nothing to complain of. He had been over the Waitara Riding with the members for thait Riding, and found the roads in good order, with the exception of a culvert on the Hcnwood road which should be gone on with at once. There was also a question of draining a swamp, and the loreman had been instructed to report theracb. It was a question whether the property owners were not. liable to clean the itream. After inspecting the portion of the Smart Road leading to the river, he recommended that Mr Cleaver be allowed to erect a gate across the load at his 'own risk provided that the gate was a satisfactory one. With regard to Mr Magee's application for traction engine license, Mr Magee had been informed that he would have tu pay £1 for the transfer, and he lhad agreed to do so. The chairman further stated that lie had inspected the Omata hiding with the members. With regard to the beach road and crusher site, lie reported that the road had practically 'been washed away, but another road had been made a, 'a cost of £4 19s. He r« com mended that the crusher site be moved to the top of the Omata Hill.

THE WAIWAKAIHO BRIDGE. In committee, the chairman reoortcl the result of his visit to' Wellington, and his interview <wiUi tile Minister of Public Works relative to the Waiwakaiho bridge works and proposed toll. On resuming it was resolved th'at the Council agree to contribute one third of the cost of the protective works at the Waiwakaiho bridge as suggested by the Minister of Public Works. The chairman's report was adopted and his action confirmed.

On the motion of the chair:nan, ji hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr J, Hine for his assig.anee to the chairman when interviewing the Minister, and generally in connection with the Waiwakaiho bridge matter. Cr. McAllum reported 'having taken action relative to a telegraph "pole o» the Barrett road.—Action confirmed.

A LEGAL PROTEST. Messrs Govett and Quilliam wrote detailing the result- of t'he prosecution of Henricks for leaving a dead beast on the road (already reported). They pointed out thai, if the Magistrate s delusion was right, it would practical! v be impossible to obtain a eonvic.iion for this offence. The decision meant that if a driver could succeed in getting away from an animal before ilie hi'iaUi had left its body, lie couid not be convicted of leaving a dead beast on the road. When he permits it. to remain in IPie circumstances -of the present case. Thej ylso stated that the case against Phillips, the owner of the beast,- for expenses of burial was set down for hearing on the 19th ult., and. although Phillips denied ownership, tJie amount claimed was paid into court with costs. They ttere go dssatisfied with the decision in Ilenricks' ease that they strongly advised an appeal, having every confidence that it would be successful, but- as the authority of the Council could not be obtained in time to give the necessary notices, they had reluctantly been compelled to abandon proceedings. In conclusion, they could not see their; way ■o undertake the conduct of any further cases for the County unlesi authorised to lodge an appeal in all cases brought on their advice and an adverse decision giTen.

The chairman said that the letter spoke for itself. He moved that the Council's solicitors be authorised to appeal in all cases where they considered that an adverse decision in the Magistrate's Court in bye-law cases could be successfully appealed aguinst. The motion was carried.

FOREMEN'S .REPORTS. Moa Riding.—Foreman Bennett: The bills have started to break up badly on account of tho drv weather. I require (iOO feet of decking for the Maunganui bridge and small bridge near Mr \Vestons on the Tariki road. Foreman Mallon: My length is in fair order. I have got boulders out and broken for new Kurapete bridge, and am engaged metalling same. The houlders cost 2s 9d 'per yard to get out.•Mangorei Itidinig.—[Foreman Batten: Roads in fair order. I have placed 02 yards of broken metal by T. Malloy on Maude road. Foreman Spencer: Roads in fair order. I have, continued carting «ut metal at Chang's corner. Carrington load. There is about 530 vards out and will be finished in aibout four days. Forenan Hancock: Six nine-inch pipes required for Hospital road. Report not to baud.

Waitara Hiding,—Forotniin J. Ilolmcs, jnr.: 1 have placed in culvert at entrance to Lepperton Cemetery road. The Iload Board will pay half cost of pipes and carting. The decking on the Mill bridge broke through and I repaired same. Will require some decking here. 1 will require horse and cart for day's work at Waiongona depot.. Foreman Fred Holmes: The small roller has been working otl m y length for eight- days doing good work. Foreman Linklater: Ml" time has 'been taken up with the ordinary maintenance work and assisting Foreman F, Holmes with roller on Smart and Egmont roads.

Omata Riding.—'Foreman fieamark: All roads under my control arc in fair order. I have started to get wit and break down metal from Mute's Pit for Sialy road. I have repaired the Beach load. Foreman Eva: My roads are in fair order. Good progress is being made with quarrying metal in t'he Franklev Pit.

Okato Riding.—Foreman Brosnan: I have received and spread 1210 yards of metal for the month. Meters Sole and Olliver are nott making good progress obtaining stone. The, crasher has been idle for IVb 'lays recently. I require. 24 !)in. concrete pipes for culvert near Greenway's, as earthenware have broken in again. The crusher should be

<ompleted bv 30th November. 'Foreman Meredith-: The dry -weather is causing tile shingle to come up on the Koru road. Alxm.t. four chains of fence is Ibadly required on the Kiri hill, tht load is only Hen feet wide and a straight drop of over 40 feet into the. river. I estimate the cost at £3 16s 9d. I require main "witihi plough for davtt and two men for one week to form up the top end of Surrey road hill; also njan with plough for l'/ 2 days and tw)

ami for four days to form Plymouth road between Mr Krutiz and Tapuae hill.

1 «lso require ito -do formation work on I Upper Plymouth road an account of the I special loan. 5 Engine driver J. Maekie: During tin 1 month 'he machine has crushed I'2lo yards of metal which, has been delivered en the road.

RESOLUTIONS. That (WW) feet of decking be authorised for the Mangouui bridge. That nix nine-inch pipes be supplied for the Hospital Road. That the decking for the bridge at Little's mill be granted, horse and dray work at Waiongona sanctioned, and that five 9-in. pipes with two 6-in. pipes be supplied at the Lepperton Cemetery. That twelve 9-in. pipes be provided for the culvert near Greenway's corner at Okato. That Foreman Meredith's request be granted.

A SETTLER'S GRIEVANCE. Mr Hales waited on the Council with reference to the foreman's request that he (Mr Hales) should be asked to cloar the watercourse adjacent to his property. He said there had ricver been a shovelful taken out of the gutters. He claimed that his frontage was kept as well as anyone's in the Riding, and he protested vigorously against being "pounced on," while his neighbors were allowed to let gorse grow. He believed in fair play, as he was a Britisher, not a German. He urged that the Council should inspect this frontage. —The chairman undertook to comply with the request for inspection.

REQUEST FOR REMISSION. Mr Johnson waited on the Council on behalf of himself and his brother with a request for remission of part of the claim made on him by the Council. Out of the £350 arranged to be paid by (Messrs Johnson, there was only £2B unpaid. Cr. McAllum advocated not pressing for. the balance, but holding it as a stick over tile heads of applicants, so as to prevent a recurrence of the trouble. Cr. Stevens considered that it was evidently their wish to have a clean sheet. The chairman said lie had had a lot of trouble over the matter, but they had never tried to shuffle out of the liability. It was for the Council to say whether any remission should be granted. On the motion of Cr. C. Andrews, it was decided that if £l4 be paid by November 30, the remainder would be remitted.

TELEGRAPH POLE. It was decided to call upon the Telegraph Department to remove the telegraph pole on the top of the Katikara hill.

CORRESPONDENCE. The Mitngoroi and Frankley road Settlers Association wrote complaining of the fearful state of the Baker road (Man-gorei-C'arrlngton cross road), owing to cartage of boulders; also drawing attention to the scarcity of boulder atone in a convenient position in the Henui stream, caused by taking boulders for other roads. The chairman stated that there was a Government £ for £ grant of £l5O for this road. It was decided to inform the Settlers' Associaiton that the Council would shortly be spending money on the Baker Road.

The Elthani Coutlly CloUiifcll wrote, expressing their thanks to tile Taranaki County Council for agreeing to pay the half-year's interest on the Eltliam Road special loan, while had been transferred to the Eltham County. The Education Board wrote, thanking the Council for its grant of £2O to the Technical College.

The Moudt Herbert Council forwarded a resolution, advocating a war tax as the most equitable means of raising money to pay the expense of the Expeditionary Forces.

The chairman considered the Mount Herbert Council had gone outside its functions in passing such a resolution. They must, he added, want something to do.

Messrs. Sole and Oliver wrote, informing the Council that they would not proceed with the Omata stone contract. The county foreman wrote, recommending that an extra Is. per yard be paid on 230 yards oi stone. After some discussion the matter of Messrs. Sole and Oliver's contract was left in the chairman's hands to deal with.

R. E. Fairfax-Cholmelcv wrote, giving formal notice! tu the Council to clear, within 2S days, the watorcourse running

from his property at Bell Block through the land in occupation of Mr A. Howe and others.

After some discussion on the legal aspect of the question, it was decided t'iiat the opinion of the county solicitors he obtained, and that if they advise action to be taken, then the necessary steps be taken forthwith to compel the offending owners to clear the watercourse. Mr. 8.-White (Lower Mangorei) wrote.

pointing out that the forming of a new river-lied, as proposed at the Waiwakaiho bridge, was not one of the primary functions of the Council; also pointing out that the unmetalled portion of the Old Hospital Road was still keeping the Hiding divided into two detached sections. —Received.

SPECIAL ORDERS. j A formal resolution was passed, confirming the special order merging the Werekiuo Road District into the county. A further special resolution was passed, defining the new boundaries of the Moa and Mangorei Riding's.

TENDERS. | The following tenders were accepted:—. 31S, Waipuku, 450 yards, Rowan and j Thompson (conditionally); 319, Clark's] Pit, yards. Rowan and Thompson; 1 320, Durham Road, 250 yards, F. (Irylls; 320 A, Tarata Pit, W6 yards, W. C., Cro/.ier; 321, Atkinson's Depot, 350 yards,! Thomason and Marsh; 322, Bacon factory, 200 yards. Thomason and Marsh; 323. Chain' Bridge, SSO yards, Thomason and 'Marsh: 324, Kent. Road depot, 2,18 yards, Thomason and 'Marsh; 325, Tozers depot, 400 yards, J. 11. Magee; 327. Waiwakaiho depot, 1070 yards, A. Haskell and Co.; 329. 1040 yards, W. I).. Cartwright; 330. Smart Road, 470 yards, A. Haskell and Co.; S32IA, Willings Pit, 100 yards, Thomason and Marsh; 333, Hurford Road, ISO yards, boulders, W. R. Morris; 335. Stony River depot, 430. yards, A, Cowling; 3.)(>, I\atikara de-j pot, 360 yards, A. W. Cowling; 337,] Timaru depot, 117<> yards, A. W. Cowling; 338, Oakura depot, 1020 yards, Meredith and Gray. No tenders were accepted in connection with contracts 3-29 (Waiongonai depot), fiflO yards; 331 (Mutton track), 640 yards; 332 (King Road), 6(10 yards; and 334 (Ilerckewa), 580 yards, it being intended cither to carry out these contracts by day work or to call for fresh tenders.

■GENERAL. It was decided that the Chairman atul Cr. Morton sign the agreement with .Mr. 11. Julian with reference to damage at Tariki. Authority was giren to pay Mr. W. Russell the sum of 15s. for work on Frankley Road. A Tfito of £ls was made to the chairman in connection with his expenses to Wellington. On the motion of Cr. "McAlhim. seconded by Or. 0. Andrews, the chairman was yoted £IOO for his expenses during the past year. The mover paid a high tribute of praise to the thorough way in which the chairman carried out his duties. , | Accounts amounting to £O4l 6s. 5d.! and supplementary accounts for "£956 gj, Bd., were passed for payment, , .