TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 183, 12 January 1915, Page 3

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

.M!'iNTI!I.V -MJCKTiNiI. nvual nioiittilv meeting of the Taranaki County (Lomnil was held yeyterdav. Prasvut: C'rs. •). lirown (chairman), Laurence, .[. A. Bridgemau, W. Minnie, C. Andrews, D. McAllum, A. Morion and J. Andrews. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported that lie had inspected the watercourse at the liiri bridge, and found that the centre of the stream was blocked by large boulders. These lie had directed to be removed and packed at the sides, so as to enable the water to (low freely, lie had paid a visit of inspection to the roads in the new ilist riots taken over by the County —Tataraimaka and Werekino—and ha found the roads in anything but a pood condition, while in some places they were very bad. With reference to the sawmill traffic oil the Petone road, lie had arrived at an agreement similar to that arranged in the case of Mr. Simons, of the Carring'ton road. lie also reported that lie had attended the meeting of ratepayers held at Okato relative to'the merging question, and had fully explained the Council's position. He mentioned that he had rectified an erroneous statement made at the meeting, to the effect that the notice with regard to the imposition of the 10 per cent, penalty on unpaid rates was informal on account of a wrong date being inserted, whereas, as lie pointed out, two days' grace had been given. The chairman's action was confirmed. . On resuming after lunch the chairman said there was nothing more he could say relative to the Okato meeting, except that lie was quite prepared to meet the settlers again if so desired, but- it was not for the County lo take any steps.

EXfiIXE-DRIVERS' AND FfIREM ICN'S REPORTS. Tlie following reports were rem!: Engine-drivers T'rrv, Maekie and Morrell detailed ; ';e ; v respective work for the month. MOA RIDIXC. Foreman Jones.--I have placed 350 yards on Tariki road from Manganni pit; Foreman Mallon.—Thoniason and Marsh have got all their stone out at Chain Bridge Depot, and started at Bacon Factory Depot. I replaced three earthenware pipes with three :)ft. concrete pipes ill culvert near Mr. Robert Stevens'. I require nine flin. pipes to carry storm-water across the road. Foreman P>attcn.—The roads are in fair order. Mr. J. Williams lias finished his formation of 3(1 chains on the "Maude road.

Foreman Spencer.—The roller has been doing excellent work in my length. There is erosion taking place around the piers , of ttie bridge on tin- Baker road, chiollv | caused by large stones in tin; centre of tlie river. A concrete culvert will shortly | bo required on Upper Carringtnn road. Mr. Brydon has trees overhanging the, road which should be cut back. I require six lOin. pipes to replace cobble water crossings on Mangorei rond, and also my wheelbarrow repairing. WAITARA KIDrW. Foreman John Holmes. .Tunr.—l have made a start in the river at Waiougona Depot, and have a fair quantity of stone ready. Foreman Fred. Holmes. —I have received 110 yards of metal on the top end of Egmont road from Willing*' pit. I require live 12in. pipes to replace culvert on Smart road. Foreman Linklater. —During month I have been assisting J. Holmes, junr., in Waiongona river. It will cost about C'2 to effect repairs asked for by Mr. Andrew Xeilson. ' OMIATA RIDINT,. Foreman Seamari..— The Telegraph Department has not removed telegraph pole at the corner of Barrett and Omata roads. Foreman Eva. —T have >tarteii roiling the llurworth road. Mr. R. Todd should receive notice to cut blackberry Irom I llurworth road.

OKATO ElDlNi';. . | Foreman Brosnan.—l have bi i-n engaged childly removing from culverts ami footpaths in the Okato township. .Mr. Charles IToneyfield is carting about (iO yards of bouiders free of cost to com- ] plete pap of metalling 011 his road, and asks the Council to break and place them 011 the road. Tt is an exceedingly bad piece of road. Foreman Meredith. —The roads are fair, with the exception of Koru road, which is working loose owing to dry weather. T have erected four chains of fencing on Kiri Hill, and completed formation 011 Lower Plymouth read, between Tapuae Hill and Mr. Knit/, s. Cr. Morton brought up the question (if banking up the sides of the road near the railway crossing at Tariki. lie urged -tlmt it would be economy to do the work. He also mentioned similar work 011 the south side of the Waitepuki bridge. Cr. Laurence advocated the work being done. The chairman, while admitting that the work was not expensive, said the Ividing was £OSO overdrawn. There were many similar works requiring attention, but it was a question of ways and means.

Cr. Laurence moved that the approaches to the Waitepuki bridge be banked up and fenced at once, and that the r.it.ll over the railway on the Stratford side at Tariki be banked up as -nr,n us possible. Tli-.' motion was seconded by Cr. Morton, and carried. Authority wa- given to Foreman M»l----h'H to procure tie- Hin. pipes required by him. For. ,11:111 Spencer is to be asked to report oil the < i'.i- ".ill the bridge on tlie linker road. .Mr. linden is to be notified to cut overhanging trees 011 his property, OarriiiLiliui road. Authority was given to Foreman Spencer to be supplied with six Hin. pipes to replace cobble culverts 011 Maugorei road; also for live 12in. pipes t,. Foreman F. Holmes lor Smart road. 11 was decided that the repairs to the I'.c 111 tii 1" Mr. Neil-nn'-. Ib-nwood road.

I:. Ti.'M i- I«- to mi tils- Mlti-Mx-ny (..'!! 11lI'ranl-!<•>■ mail. It was ri'siilvi'd Unit im> ''i'n 'lmUlie constructed at ills' Uliii- Cums Depot. Mr. Hoi!''.v!i.'l'r- oliVr In . ->rt 80 yards of metal free oi eo-d v -'a> .: < ■ ;ded. iln> Connril to break s,t)ll■ ■ and ]dae 1 i! i.ii Hi" mail. AWMXTMKNT OK IX«PKCTOn. 'l'l " <"iium II went iiifn cninmilt<■!■ to .-•(ii:-.".!■ i- tli" ti'ii)>' aji|ilira(iim< for t!i-jHi-ilii'i' of Cniiiilv T iiK'olor. (tn ri'-i>i>iin«. it was resolved that Mr. I,'. llran-.n. of TiiL'li-won.l. lie appointed lo Ilu- ]>o~ilion. RESERVE? 5 . It was decided to invite traders for lt .i-r of T.ots 2 and 3 of action 139-1 H» Wain-.'tailio. lor a 1 in of one lo five wars. The chairman and the. Waitava Ridine members were authorised to assess t-li"

rent for the renewal of Mr. Ing'ey's least-. DOG TAX. It was decided tu accept the tender of Messrs. Cook and Lister, of s'/ 2 d. per collar, and 7s 3d per 100 for relabelling old collars. After considering the various applii': 1 . tions for the position of dog-tax collei tor, it was decided to appoint Mr. Saddler as collector for the whoV County, at Cd. for each cattle dog,*and Is. (id. for each sporting dog. OKATO FOKEMAN. . The. ( oiuu il. after considering the applications for the position of foreman of the dkato Riding, decided to appoint -Mr. E. Haves, who is at present working for the Council. His district was fixed from Grcena way's corner to Puniho and lie Wi'j'ekino roads. The districts of ' lie other foremen in tlic Hiding were .lso fixed. CORRESPONDEDCI Messrs. Govett and Qn :un, the Council's solicitors, wrote, in .ing that there was sufficient evidence to justify the Council ill compelling the propertyowners to clear the obstructions in the Mangahone stream. -Messrs. Sladdcn and i'nimer reported as to the steps which they advised should lie taken to clear the stream for 10ft. wide, and that would only be a temporary expedient. , Considerable discussion ensued, in which the hardship on the propertyowners was stressed, but Cr. MeAUuni contended that it was the duty of the Council to 'all upon the owners to do the work, lie moved that the necessary notice be given to carry out the work recommended -Messrs. Sladdcn and Palmer. Cr. I'.imiie seconded the motion, which was carried, Cr. Jlill protesting.

The lAssistant Telegraph Engineer wrote with reference ti> the v<'<nn>st- for tin- removal of the telegraph polo at the corner of the. Barrett and Omata roads to the. fence-line. He stated that the rni,ie4 could not lie entertained, as it would necessitate trespassing on private property, and doing considerable damage to a plantation of trees, Imt if tlio Council would consent to the pole being placid in the water-table, the Department would meet the request. In the meantime the pole would be painted white, and the Council would not be held responsible for accidents. Cr. McAllum contended that the department should have consulted the County before placing the pole in its present position. He wanted to know how long the ratepayers would have to put up with the inconvenience. The action of the Department might have been all very well in Germany, but not in New Zi aland. By painting the pole white the Department recognised the danger. The chairman said there was 110 question that the pole would have to be shifted, lie suggested that the Depart- ' ment should be notified that the pole ' must be removed from its present position I Cr. McAllum moved that the Depart- j mi nt lie informed that the pole must be removed without delay, or the Council r will take such steps as it considers necessary to protect the travelling public: further, that it is not the Conn- ; eil's place to say where the pole shall _ be placed, provided it is erected in such a position as to bo clear of danger to the travelling public. The motion was seconded and carried. P. F. and ,T. TCaill notified their intention of charging fid. per yard royalty on all metal c-rted over anv part of their land at K.,rn (This letter, though dated September 1, was only received on December 22.) Tt was decided, on the motion of the chairman, to inform Messrs. Raill that the Council declines to pav more than 3d. foreman Hancock wrote, resigning his | position. After some, discussion as to a transfer I applied for by Foreman Brosnan, 111 which Cr. 'Morton stressed the desirability of the foreman living on the length of road he is in charge of, it was decided that Foreman Batten be transferred to Foreman Hancock's position, and that applications be called for fill - iiig the vacancy c.ur , tl by the transfer of Foreman flatten, tlie chairman and Cr. .Morton being authorised to deal with the applications.

I The clerk of the Moa Road Board wrote, applying for £lO 15s lOd in respect of work 011 Mangotea road, also ' for £25 for work on Kapiti road. Tt was decided that the chairman be authorised to deal witli the matter. Mr. E. Sole wrote, explaining the cause of delay over one of his contracts, and asking the Council to withdraw the fine imposed.—Left to the chairman to deal with. Several settlers on the Aim Ahu road | wrote, applying for a few chains of I metal on the two hills at the junction with the main road, and near Mr. Buckley's. Jt was decided to refer the matter to the inspector to report upon. The Public Works Department notified that, on the application of Mr. •Tames, tin re was a grant of £SO available for the Hill road. It was decided that the authorised to lay out the work. 'Pile circular letter issued by the chairman of the Board of Agriculture relative to noxious weeds was read, and, after some discussion, further consideration was deferred until the next meeting. Mr. .1. Wooldridge wrote relative to settlement of tlie Wcrekino Tioail Board's accounts, and forwarding accounts owing, including half-year's .--alary due to him on February ].—The accounts were passed for payment. The Telegraph Department wrote, asking for permission to cut certain willows on the .function road.™ The request; was grant"d.

ATj. Tlir i-iiairnian was requested t'o ascertain from \Tr. Murray, district eimineer of tin- Public Works Department, wlmt .m:iill-; wen 1 available, and as to tlie work represented by suoli grants. Tie,' matter of opeiiin.tr up a new pit, at VranMey road was referred (o the r! airman and Cr. McAllnm. Authority was "iveii fur fekiirj' the 11- eessary steps to raise a special loan lor forniin.u' ami metallin.rr the Koniino load. .Accounts nmoiintin.ir in Gl7~>o ISs llld e:l"Cil fill' payment.