STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY .MEETING The monthly meeting of the above council was held yesterday. Present: Cra. W. Hathaway (chairman), Worthington, Walter, Coleman, Anderson, 'Baskin, Were, Ghristoffcl, J. Smith. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported on tlie visit of Cr. Worthington and himself to Wellington as a deputation to the Premier, and said the Minister had promised them a grant towards the damage done in the Puniwhakaiu district. They had a'lso ascertained from the Minister that he would act on the Commission's report, and grant a boll gate at Waipuku. They had also seen Mr. Short re the electric light license, and they were informed by him that the council had disposed of their heritage by giving the company the right over three miles for all time. He had also mentioned to the Minister of Railways the matter of a crossing over the railway line to get to the Council's metal pit at tlie Manganui river, and the minister had agreed to allow the Mossing provided the gates were jJfiM" . Tiii a concession would mean.a considerable saving to the council. The deputation were thanked for their visit, and expenses were granted them. TOLL GATE GRANTED. Correspondence was received from the Under-Secretary of Public, Works, forwarding copy of Mr. Short's report recommending that a toll-gate at Waipuku toe granted, and-stating that the Governor had directed that effect be given to' the recommendation, but before it is granted there should be it binding agreement between the council and the Governor to the effect that the proceeds of the toll shall be devoted to the permanent improvement of the road, and that when the road has been metalled with tar macadam and has been tarsealed 16 .feet wide, and is in good condition, the Governor may then, if he thinks .fit, abolish the toll or .reduce the charge leviable thereat. A form of agreement accompanied the letter. The chairman said the council would have to see that the engineer put down ft good road. He added that Hawera County Council did not charge for milk traffic.

After some discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Cr. Walter, that the agreement be signed. Cr. Anderson then moved: "That as soon as the Order in Council was granted the engineer be instructed to proceed with the erection of the gate buildings." The motion was carried. GENERAL.

Mr. W. Bredon waited on the council and applied for a grant towards repairing the old road leading to the new road, which now subdivided his property. It was decided to leave the matter in the chairman's hands to deal with, provided the settlers subsidise the amount £ for £.

The chairman reported that the ratepayers had responded well to the council's appeal to pay their rates promptly, and he was pleased to say that over £ISOO had been paid since last meeting.

Mr. Robert Masters {chairman of the Electrical Supply Company) waited on the council, and explained that there was wrong impressions as to the term of tlu concession. He produced a letter from the Under-Secretary of Public Works, stating that the term of the concession granted by the council was to be coterminate with the borough agreement, and not in perpetuity, He said the company only .wanted to make the matter clear, and not take advantage of the council, and if necessary the company would be willing lo modify the agreement accordingly. After some discussion, it was decided that a fresh agreement be drawn up, the chairman and Cr. Smith' being appointed a committee to consult the council's solicitor on the matter. It was decided to instruct the engineer to draw up specifications for supplies of ironmongery for the council's requirements. Cr. Baskin said lie would like to congratulate the engineer on the splendid bridge built under his direction at Te Poho. It was indeed a credit to him. CY. Baskin drew the attention of the council to a dangerous bank near Mr. Paterson's place on. the Beaconsfield Road.—To be attended to by the foreman.

- CORRE.SPOX DEXCE. From F. A. Rccsby, Radnor Road, asking thai tin; drain be cleaned out in front of his section.—To be attended to as soon as funds permit. The Public Works Department notified that balance of authority of £IOB 10s for Puniwhaka had been cancelled. Jt was decided to instruct the engineer to interview ill'. Robinson, and see if the money could be spent in the interest of the district it was allocated for. From the Prime Minister re the council's resolution suggesting' that the Rating Act be amended to allow a rebate of 2'/i> per cent, on all rates paid within 30 days after being levied, and stating that in the event of any amendments to the Act bekg submitted to Parliament this matter would receive careful consideration.

Alfred L. Perry stating that during the recent floods the bridge across the stream leading I. his property was washed away, and asking liie council to gi-e him some light assistance.—lt was decided that the council could not see its way to give any assistance. IT. A. Wansch wrote asking permission to remove the embankment in front of his section at Midhirst, at his own expense.—Granted.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. Ilopdell, county engineer, reported having inspected the intersections of the Croydon and Mountain Roads, in the north riding, and estimated the cost of removing the bank at £B, The old timber from the Tc Popo Bridge had been sold by public auction. The surfacemen had been engaged on maintenance work and clearing slips. The crusher had been engaged in the south riding during the greater part of the month, and had crushed 212 cubic yards on the Mountain Road, 134 at the Ngaire factory, 170 on the Upper C'heal, 234 on the Sole, including 20 cubic yards bought from Mr. Burkett, and 198 on the Clinic Road. The crusher wan now on the Warbuck Road, after which it will crush the metal on the Riul and Robson Roads. Th/ roller worked on the same roads as til? crusher. E. Wilson has completed the Waihapa formation, and a poort job has been made of it. Poor progress lutd been made with the Gordon Road contract (shell rock), in the east riding. The surface gang were engaged during the month with general maintenance work and clearing slips. In the Douglas riding most of the month had been taken up attending to slips on the various roads. The wash-out at Strathmore had been made good, 2ft. 6in. pipes being put in, but there was still a lot of work to be ilonp to put the road in good order again. The Iluiroa riding suffered considerably by slips. The Waituii River bridge towers require im

mediate attention, erosion having taken place under the eaat tower. The Mangaehu riding suffered more heavily than any other part of the county; hesides many slips, there are several large wash-outs. It 1 will be impossible to bridge them all this year, owing to the cost, as well as the shortness of time. It will, therefore, be necessary to erect temporary bridges. The west riding suffered very little. In company with Mr. Murray, resident engineer, the districts most affected by the slips were visited. Tlie bridge gang is progressing favorably with the Patea bridge. The recent wet weather considerably hindered the work. A formal order was passed levying a special rate of hi in the £ for the purpose of defraying the cost of repairing and improving the Denbigh Road. Accounts amounting to £4,094 5s 2d were passed for payment.