ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 314, 14 June 1915, Page 3

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Eltham County Council was held on Saturday, when there were present: Councillors A. C. Pease (chairman), C. E. MtCruinness, <E. J. Gifford, J. Granville, 0. J. (Belcher, D. Black, A. Tait and A. Campbell. ■ ALTERATION OF BOUNDARIES. The Hawera County Council wrote, stating that the alteration of county boundaries, as proposed by the Eltham Council, had been agreed to. Cr. Belcher moved that the council pass a resolution, agreeing. with this. Cr. Granville second, and it was carried. MERGED LOANS. The Hawera County Council wrote, agreeing to the settlement of the mewed and partly merged loans on the terms set out by the Eltham Council. , The chairman reported tiiat, in accordance with the power given him, he had settled the matter, agreeing to pay the Hawera County £4BO. On the motion of Cr. Belcher, seconded by Cr. Granville, the chairman's action was confirmed. It was also decided that the allocation of the money should be left in the hands pi the Eltham and Mangotold Riding members. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer reported as follows. -. Eltham Road, Mangatoki.—Rcfacin* with tar grouted macadam is completed to the Doctor's Drop. I propose leaving the balance of the authorised work until the spring, when weather conditions may be more favorable. On the surface treated portions between the Waingongoro River and the Hastings Road necessary repairs will be effected. Mangatoki (Bridge, Hastings Road. I have not been able to make a start with this work, as no iron was procurable. However, this difficulty is now overcome, and a start will be made in the course of the coming week. Mangatoromiro Bridge, Mataimaroke Road.—Repairs have been effected to the top chord, but the structure is rotten throughout, and it is not safe for traffic. This bridge has only been erected some eleven years. It is built of heart rimu, as was the old Patea bridge. To provide for ordinary traffic the bridge must be rebuilt.

•Boylan Road.—Metalling is completed for a distance of about fifteen chains from the Mountain Road. Several lowlying places are now being metalled.

■General.—Tn order to facilitate work, the following extra plant is required:— One portable copper for patching work, cost about £4O; one tar tank and stand to fit on lorry, cost about £7.">; a new dray is required for |he Mangatoki Riding. I have taken delivery of the new Ruick car, with which I ain very satisfied.

In connection with the Mangatorimiro I' bridge, it was decided that a warning . notice should bo erected at each end . of the bridge, but that otherwise consideration be held over until the next meeting. After some discussion, it was decided • to procure a new dray. The report was adopted. ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE. The engineer presented an estimate of the proposed expenditure on road work in the various ridings during the coming year as follows:—Mangatoki Riding, £3313 Ite; Kaponga Riding, £7i.V>; South Riding, £1527 10s; Omoana Riding, £775; Eltham Riding £1(1211 10s. These were held over until next meeting, THE RAXffER. The old difficulty of ranging came up for discussion on receipt of a letter from the ranger, stating that he was not earning enough to pay for feed for his hacks.—The engineer said the ranger was carrying out his duties in a satisfactory manner.—lt was pointed out that the ranger did not always get the fees due to him.—The matter was left in the chairman's hands with power to act. GENERAL. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Mangamingi Stream required clearing, the engineer stating that -after heavy rain the water backed up over the road. He declared that the bed of the river had been raised by the numerous slips that had occurred during recent years, and the task before the settlers was a big one. It was decided that the riding members and the engineer inspect and report. The E'tham Borough Council wrote, requesting the county to remove some of the earth at the entrance to Ngaere Cemetery and also to improve the road approach to the cemetery.—On the motion of Cr. Belcher, it was decided that the work considered necessary by the engineer be carried out. Mr. T. B. Crump forwarded duplicate plans of the proposed deviation of the Rotokare Road, and consents to the same.—lt was decided that this be confirmed, and that applications be made '• to the Government and Borough Coun- ■ cil for their contributions to the cost of ' the work on this road. > On the motion of C)\ CampVll. se?- " onded bv the chairman, it was decided fc that the work, metalling the Boyhin " Rood, which was in a had condition, be - continued.

The engineer reported that some gorse in the South Riding was spreading badly, and settlers in the neighborhood were complaining.—Tt was resolved to instruct the settler cm whose property it was growing to grub the corse. It was decided to insure the county motor-car for as much as possible. The clerk having pointed out that the council urgently required a may. of the eountv, it was agreed that the chairman ?a into the matter and report. The council went into committee to consider the question of the employes wages. On resuming, the actio,, of the council in committee in increasing the ; surfacemen's wages to 10s per dav and the foremen's t n «d «'»s cnnfirmcd. and it was also agreed that a belle, svstom of payment he evolved if po»8i It 'nva* agreed to request the Waimato West Countv Council to put the lamer Road in a good state of rcpsur.