CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 252, 3 April 1915, Page 3

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The ordinary mooting of the Clifton Comity Council was hold at Waitara 011 Tl Ki'sday. There were present Councillor A. M. Bower (in the chair), 11. .San.'. , K. 11. !l>iggott, 11. M. Purdie and V/. Old.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported as follows: —Waihi Riding: The contractors liad agreed to extend, their boulder contract, in favor of the Nikorima road. The Puraki bridge had '■• ecu injected, and necessary timber ordered for repairs. It would be necessary to draw on tlie Onaero Reserve for maintenance metal for the main road.

Tikorangki Riding: The metalling contract on the Bertraml Road was nearing completion. The grader was now in this riding, and would form up the worst portions on the Waihi Road, and ■improve side tracks on the Ngatimaru Road.

Ngatiniaru Riding: The cottage at Tarata was nearly completion. The Oturaoa and other roads bad been greatly improved with the use of the small grader during the month. The j first instalment of large monier pipes I had gone forward for Webb's Culvert, and on completion of works in the Uruti I, and Urenui districts the work would be

centralised in this riding. Urenui Riding: The upper Piko Road contract was Hearing completion and the contract for one lower portion had been signed. Tinibcr for repairs to various bridges in this riding had been ordered, and upon arrival the work would be put in hand forthwith. Contractors were still operating in the Okokc pit and fairly extensive supplies would be required this winter for the upkeep of the main road, j Mokau Riding: Metalling between the ] 34 and 35 mile peg, Mokau Road, was

J completed, and, if weather permits, the section between the 33 and 34 mile pegs would shortly be finished. The first bridge on the Mangamaeho Road had been rebuilt and the second bridge repaired. An estimate to put in a cut with a reinforced concrete structure i would be submitted later in respect of this site. The suspension bridge at Tongaporutu had been efficiently repaired. The new surfaceman arrived early in the month and took up his duties at Okau. The sanding of the ■ Okau Road was proceeding satisfaetor- { ilv, whilst timber for repair to the |

bridges on this road had already gone, forward. The second grader had been operating on the upper Uruti Road and the formation for metalling is proceeding on the lower portion. The concrete piles for the erection of second flood openings at Uruti were already cast, and were now maturing. On the Mangah'a Road the timber had been ordered for rebuilding the upper bridge, which was Wjrond repair. On the IPuke Road further widening to a dray width had been completed out of thirds money. The settlers on the Wai-iti Road were interviewed and hoped shortly to be a.ble to assist with road work, to their advantage. They were also informed that the arrangement made last season in respect of securing beach stones when ever available was still in operation. (Work was badly needed at the Parininihi tunnel, and a plan and estimate had been prepared, but it was extremely difficult to get anyone to undertake it. The report was adopted.

THE PUKEARUTIE TUNNEL,

Mr. W. li. iiedley, liomo missioner at Pukcaruhe to the Church of England, asked that the approach to tlie tunnel should bo made fairly passable. It was very unsafe at present, and in the 'had weather would become absolutely dangerous. Mr. A. B. Collins, of Tongaporutu, wrote on the same subject. He suggestled that the approach from the seai side should be concreted or cobblcstoned. To emphasise the necessity of the tunnel being kdpt in good repair, no pointed out that last year 15,500 siieep 'and cattle passed through the tunnel, J thereby relieving the main road to that extent.

The engineer stated that it had been suggested that the council should blow up the road and tunnel on account of its expense for repairs. A plan of a deviation had been prepared, 'out iiad 'been turned down. It was very difficult to obtain labor for repair workin the locality. Three bridges on the route were very shaky.

Councillor Pigott pointed out that when the tunnel was made there was no other road up the coast. Now it was largely used as a stock route, but the majority of people using it were not ratepayers. Spending money on the tunnel was really penalising the ratepayers. The chairman said that closing the tunnel would cause a howl from some people. Councillor Pigott favored putting up a notice " Dangerous to Traffic." and letting traffic take the other route. Councillor Sander considered that the Government be asked for a subsidy. Councillor Purdie said that if the council did not propose, to spend money on the road it would be advisable to declare it closed by proclamation.

On the motion of Councillors Sander and iPurdie, it was resolved to inform the settlers that the council has no funds to spend on repairing the road, and that a notice would be put up to the. effect that persons using the route would do so at their own risk. THE MOKI ROAD.

Mr. W. C. Barnett, secretary to the Uruti Settlers' Association, wrote respecting the urgent need of retaining a smaii strip of bush on the Moki Road, between the tunnel and the Moki River, a distance of about half a mile. 'This was a .very steep face alongside the road, and il it was felled it would cost the council a considerable sum to keep the road open. The settlers washed the land passed into a reserve, so as to. protect tlie side from slipping.

The chairman said that it was a very dirty piece of road, and that the Settlers' Association was quite right in asking that something should l»o done. Tt was considered the reserve should lie ten chains back.

Councillor Pigott suggested, and Ciiuncillor Sander agreed, that the ■Scenery Preservation Society should take the matter in hand.

The chairman remarked that the land was an Education reserve, and the settlers were taking action because the; lessees Here thinking of felling and burning. It was decided that the engineer be instructed to inspect the piece of road and report at next meeting, after which the chairman and Councillor Old will '■ee the Commissioner of Crown Lands relative to reserving a strip.

GRAVEL ROYALTY. Mr. W. Rowley, secretary to the New Plymouth High School, wrote asking the council to forward cheque for gravel taken from the board's reserve at Onaero. He pointed out that tlie royalty would be at the rale of sixpence per yard, in accordance with resolution passed on September 21. It was decided to pay, and to make the payments regularly.

MANGAHTA ROAD. Messrs. H. G. Richardson, 11. M. Oxon--I;am and E. Hope wrote draw;ng attention to the state of the bridge at the upper end of the Mangahia Road. The

stringers were rotten, and they must shortly collapse. The engineer stated that the bridge was in a very bad state, and he had ordered timber for its renewal.

It was resolved to write petitioners to this effect. NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Mr. F. A. Macdonald, Fields Inspector to the Agricultural Department, stated that the matter of the noxious weeds on the Okau Eoad reserves was receiving attention. Every effort would be employed to deal with the noxious weeds and so prevent their spreading in the district. OKOKE EOAD.

The Public Works Department notified that £OS had been remitted to the council's acconnt, being progress payment on account of the Okokc Eoad, £ for £.

The engineer notified that there was still a subsidy of £175 available, but the settlers would have to iai?e a similar amount, as all the loan money was exhausted.

MAIN ROADS. In accordance with a request from the auditor, the council resolved to declare the following as main roads.— The Main Mokau Eoad from Waitara Borough to Managatunn Eoad, and the Junction Eoad from Tarata to the county boundary.

The clerk pointed out that main roads are roads which must be maintained by the county as a whole, and not by any particular riding. 'TENDERS. The tender of J. Northeote for the supply and spreading of 500 yards of burnt papa on the 'Mokau Road was accepted at lis 7d per vard ( £28!) lis Sd). The chairman stated that it would be advisable to utilise 100 yards to repair the road already laid down.

GENERAL. Mr. J. F. Burke, of Urenui, was granted permission to run pipes for aeetyelene gas under the street in front of his dwelling-house.

It was resolved to grant twenty yards of metal to repair a bad portion of the road in front of the Tlruti store, provided Mr. W. F. McAllum would cart the same.

It was resolved to cancel the appointment of the Urenui poundkeeper and to call fresh applications for the position. The chairman was authorised to seal the lease of the Onaero dairy factory site on behalf of the council, and Councillors Purdie and Old were authorised to sign the lease to the North Taranaki Dairy Company.

The clerk stated that the council's financial position showed ftn overdraft of £514 lis.

Mr. W. 11. J.. Addenbrooke drew atattention to the straying cattle on the Uruti Eoad.—Referred to the engineer.

The clerk notified that the council's solicitor had advised that the Ta rata Hall Committee were liable for rating on the capital value. Account amounting to £llO 4s lid were passed for payment.