CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 6 February 1915, Page 6

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held yesterday. Present: Cra. A. M. Bower (chairman), K. T. Hicks, H. M. Purdie, Old, 8. J. Kennington, R. H. Piggott and H. Sander. NOXIOUS WEEDS. ■ Mr T. E. Ashwood wrote drawing attention to noxious weeds on the Okau Road and asking the Council to take action. The clerk stated he had called the inspector's attention to the complaint. It was decided to request the Agricultural Department to take more vigorous action i n keeping noxious weeds in check, it being considered that the inspector was not doing half enough in that direction. OTAOROA ROAD. The Minister of Public Works wrote, in reply to the Council's expression of disappointment at no provision being made upon the estimates for a grant for improving the Otaoroa road. He stated that the Government had already spent large sums of money on the road during past years, and it was considered that its present state was sufficient for the purpose, for which it was constructed as a stock road, and that there was a good ; vehicular road from Tarata to Inglewood. In view of the facts the Minister could not see his way to make a further srant, as other districts needed the money more urgently. The engineer said there was a good deal of traffic o n the road, which, if improved, would bo used more, and he suggested the Council should apply for £l5O for improving the road. On the motion of Cr Sander it was decided to apply for £l5O for easing the worst grades. NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL. The secretary of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote asking when the Council would make another contribution towards the new hospital— It was decided to reply that the Council hoped to pay the second instalment at the end of the financial year. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr J. Askew, Taramoukow, terete asking for the removal of trees from the side of the Toro road.—lt was decided that the owner of the section be called upon to remove the trees shading the county road. Tiic Council's surfacemen wrote applying for increased wages owing to the higher cost of living.—The request was declined as the men were now gettin" 9s a day, wet or fine. The State Advances Department notified that .£IOOO, balance of the loan of £3090 for renewing bridges was available. Mr L. J. Hamilton wrote pointing out the bad state of the Matau Road north between the Matau and Waitara bridges. As this road was an outlet for the settlers it required putting In order.—Left i n the hands of the engineer. N. W. Snell wrote asking that some-' tiling might be done to the Inland North road—The matter Was left to the riding member and the engineer to report upon. : ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer reported as follows.— Wailii Riding: Further progress lias been made with the boulder contracts, ant' re-coaling is proceeding where urgenljy requiivl on tie main road. The Waiau bridge on the Inland road lias , received temporary repairs, but v/ill ve- ' quire permanent work later. * Tikorangi Riding: The cottage timber has ben carted to the site at Tarata. and 1 tenders are called for its erection. Webb's Culvert: Stone is being broken for this work, but I do not anticipate " making a start until the bridge foreman is operating in this district. Sanding lias been commenced at Matau is scheduled in the third's proposals Urenui Riding: Further work hashes :arricd out in the Urenui township. anT

still further improvements are contemplated later on, The grader has formed up 100 chains on the Matau road at a cost of under Is per chain, and is now e:::;:i;;i(i on the, Kaipikari road. The Piko road contract i,; proceeding slowdy. The Okoke road metallinr: is now proceeding, after manv ii»l«"s

Men are now at work in the Okbk'i It, quarrying gravel for ihu main and other roads.

Mokuu Hiding: The engine having bee n engaged in hauling the steel girders over Alt Messenger has somewhat delayed the crushing operations, but the work is now in progress. . The Uruti road metalling contract is proceeding satisfactorily. The permanent formation grades lire now receiving attention.

The access road to the p. ; t is now com pleted.

All the Putiki bridge timber is now 011 the site, and the contractor is pushing ahead with his work.

Suspension bridge, Tongaporutu: This has bee n inspected and arrangements made to effect the necessary repairs. Timber has been ordered for repairs to all the Uruti district bridges, and these works will be taken in hand on completion of existing contracts. The engineer stated, with reference to tlie first bridge On the Mangamachu Road, that no money was available for rebuilding, but that repairs would be effected as soon as Mr Clare's services were available. The report was adopted. THIRDS. Cr Old again brought up the question of the expenditure of thirds on the Mai road. The chairman pointed out that the money available depended on whether the settlers paid their rent at due date, as if they were in arrear the thirds were not allowed. After some discussion it was arranged that the clerk should ascertain from the Lands Office in New Plymouth what amount of thirds money was available for for the road i n question. With--reference to the expenditure of thirds on the Piko road, the engineer stated that he had submitted proposals, and there had been £IOO received, but that money could not b e used for formation work o n the road. The engineer was instructed to expend the amount on the approved work. On the motion of Cr. Kennington, the engineer was instructed to expend the accrued thirds on, the Tirangi Road'! Matau. GRAVEL AUTHORISED. The chairman brought up the question of repairs to a gap on the road at Onaere near Mr S. Elliott's, and it was decided to authorise 200 yards of gravel for 17 chains of roadway. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted: I'. J. Brabant, for surfaceman's cottage at Tarata (exclusive of timber), £IOB os; C. Marsh, 200 yasds stone at Tikorangi, 0s fid per yard, the engineer being authorised to arrange for another 100 yards at the same price. A CONTRACTOR'S DEPOSIT. ; Mr Coleman, contractor, waited on the. Council relative to his contract for 1000 yards of metalling at Urenui. He stated that the contract had been extended to 2000 yards. The Council had decided to forfeit the deposit of £lO owing to the non-completion of the contract, and he asked for the return of the deposit He contended that he had only signed a contract for 750 yards, and not for 1000 yards. After hearing the engineer, who produced the tender for 1000 yards Mr Coleman admitted he was m error' and said he would not trouble the Council any further. REVISED TOLLS. Pursant to notice, Cr' Piggott moved to rescind the existing toll charges for notor cars, lorries, and 'buses, and to substitute the following:—Motor cars 2s fid, motor lorries 3s and 5s (under md over 3 tons); motor 'bus 3s and 5s The motio n was carried, Cr Hicks Jcing the only dissentient. GENERAL. Mr Cliilds, toll-keeper was granted cave of absence on providing a sub;titute satisfactory to the engineer. Accounts amounting to £2707 Is 0d vere passed for payment.