STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

ANNUAL MEETING. WIGS ON THE GREEN. ENGINEER AND COUNCILLOR. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. Tlie annua] meeting of tlie Stratford County Council took place to-day, when the chairman (Mr. Ilathaway) said it would perhaps be of interest to know that during the year 15,100 yards*of metal had been placed on the roads in the county, so it could not be said that the Council had boon asleep. In the North Riding 2287 yards of metal bad been put on the roads: a ferro-concrete bridge over the Te Polio, at a cost of £'doo; and a bridge over the Patca river, at half cost of close on £500: In the South Riding 2010 yards of metal had been put on the roads, and a new road, the YVaipapa, of 08 chains had been made. In the East Riding 5000 yards had been put on the roads, two concrete bridges had been built near Stratford, and the grades had been improved. In the West Riding 40G0 yards had been used. In the Mangachu Riding no metal (with the exception if that for the approaches to the bridge) had been used last vear.

O. Smith said they were doing too much re-metalling, and they did not get the life out of the roads that they used to. Hand-broken stone lasted longer, and he had no faith in crushed metal.

Or. Walter said the expenses were going up, but they had to look at the prosperity of the district and the different form of traffic. Or. Christofl'el said the traffic was entirely different to what it was '2O years ago, and they would have to adopt, a new system of road-making to suit the present day. He quite agreed that hand-broken metal was better than crushed, but where was the labor com.ing from to do the breaking? Or. Anderson said he did not believe in patching. He always fought for refacing a road. The clerk announced that he would receive nominations for chairman. Cr. Christoffel moved that Cr. Hathaway be re-elected. He had held the position for four years, and during that time there had been many calls on his time and lie had carried out his duties admirably.

Cr. Baskin seconded pro forma. He said that in Cr. Hathaway they had a good chairman, who conducted the meetings well: but, apart' from the chairmanship, "he was lacking in seeing that the county officers carried out the duties, allotted them. He had brought up the matter of the Mountain Eoad from time to time at the Council meetings, and it had taken nine months to get the work done. He had also referred to the tunnel that wanted repairing on Beaconsfield Road, and the engineer was instructed to carry out the worV, hut had not done so. The o chairman was a very nice ' fellow, but he did not see that the officials carried out their duties.

Cr. Christoffel rose to a point of order. Cr. Baskin, lie declared, should mention these matters at ordinary meetings, and not on an occasion like this. Cr. Baskin said he considered it was the time to speak, and he enumerated other work in his riding that the engineer had not attended to. Cr. Smith supported the motion and complimented Cr! Hathaway on the business-like manner he had carried out his duty. Cr. Walter spoke in similar strain, and referred to the friendly relations existing between the chairman and councillors. Cr. Anderson said Cr. Hathaway had been a real good chairman. As for Cr. Baskin's remarks, they were mere pinpricks. Cr. Coleman said the trouble was that the chairman was too good-natured, and he thought the Council should help the chairman all they could in the difficult office he had to fill. Cr. Were said he did not always see eye to eye with the chairman, but it must he remembered that he had his own farms to look after, and could not he running over the county attending to trivial things. The clerk then declared Cr. Hathaway duly elected to the position of chairman.

The chairman said lie thanked the Council for their sympathy and goodwill. He had tried to do his best. In regard to Cr. Baskin's remarks, there was more than one thing to be considered. Roads could not ibe metalled until the metal was ready, and no engineer could do impossibilities. The engineer had done well. (Hear, hear.) But, of course, he could not suit them all. He (the chairman) thought there should be an alteration in the boundaries of the county. Every metalled road in the district was heavily in debt. He assured Cr. Baskin that'it was his duty to protect the engineer, who Ws doing his best; but he was afraid the roads would be worse, because the Council had not the money to spend. The engineer, with" the permission of the Council, said it was his determination to give his best services to the county, and he had faithfully tried to do" this. If thev bad more money to spend there would he no difficulty. He thought the charge made by Cr. Baskin was very unfair. He did not want the Council to think that this was a charitable institution, and if the Council did not require his services lie would willingly get out. He said he was compelled to ask the chairman and Council to protect him from charges such as bad been made.

Cr. Baskjii said he wanted to make an explanation'. The tunnel lie had spoken about was Mocked, and a big slab was taken out of it. Surely be bad a right to mention the matter to the engineer or at the f'ouneil table. Tf any councillor said be was in the wrong, lie would apologise to tile engineer.

Cr. niristo/Tel: Why bring these matters up again?

Cr. Baskin: I did not bring them up: that's where you are wrong again. Cr. Baskin then said he was sorrv to sav tbtit tlie engineer did not confine himself to facts.

The engineer: I appeal to the chairman for protection.

Or. Smith said Cr. Baskin was quite within his rights in bringing the matter up. It was just as well to have it out that day, and not say anything behind the engineer's back. '' At this juncture the engineer and several councillors left the room. A cross-table discussion then took place, and Cr. Smith, at the' chairman's request, a-sked the councillors who had retired to return to the Council table, but t.bev did not do so-

The chairman: Does the Council want the engineer to answer the charges? Cr. Were: No. It's all "tommy-rot," and is enough to sicken a mad dog. In my Riding there are plenty of little tilings that want attending.to, but 1 know the engineer is busy and the Council has not got the money. Cr. Baskin: He started it, not mc. The Council should have stayed to listen to the trouble and then adjourned for lunch,

After luncheon, tlie engineer brought to the press table the foreman's report-, stating that lie had,.waded in gum boots and could not find any blockage of the tunnel. Further, a culvert that Cr. Baskin said could be put in for .£2, the engineer estimated the pipes at £-1, labor £2, and freight fl 15s, a total of £7 1.55.

ORDINARY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the above Council was held yesterday. Present: Crs. W. Ilathaway (chair), Baskin,, Worthiiigton, 'Walter, Were, Smith, .Christofl'el, Coleman, and Anderson.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer reported as follows: The month being so abominably wet, the general contract work has been practically at a standstill. All the weak roads in the county have suffered severely, and many are in a shocking condition.

North Riding.—The crushing plant Ims been hung up on the York Road riming the month, having trashed about COO cubic yards. Owing to the soft nature ot the formation we have been compelled tr leave the rolling till'Hhc arrival oF a lighter roller. The surfacemen have been engaged on this road most of the month. J. Sharroek. has notified me of his intention not to carry out his eontract for '2,30 yards of boulders for the Stanley Road bridge, owing to an accident. It will be necessary to relet the work. Tenders have been called for Salisbury Road.

South Riding.—Cleneral surface work has been the"order of the day. The Cheal Road bridge has been completed, the cost of which 1 have not yet determined. The swing bridge * near the toll has not been re-creeted. East Hiding.—General surface wort is proceeding favorably. Surfaceman Sliarrock has left, and his place has heon filled by W. Cheer. Tenders have been" called for the metalling of Ahuroa Road. Douglas Riding'.—A wood culvert has collapsed at the lfl-mile peg, and has been replaced by 1 Sin. pipes. Surfaceman Stevens has left the county employ. Steps are being taken to fill the vacancy. Huiroa Riding.—Part of the bridge gang are out at Baker's bridge, and, given 'good weather, should finish this week. Owing to the scarcity of labor Foreman Atkins finds it difficult to push on with the slip work and keep abreast of the patching which is necessary.

West Riding.—This Riding has given a considerable amount of trouble, owing to the wet weather and heavy milk traffic, combined with scarcity of maintenance metal. The piles have teen carted from Finncrt'y Road anil forwarded to Pnniwhakaii. Surfaceman licit has left the Manaia cottage and his place has been filled by E. Gear. Mangaehu Riding.—Foreman Savage is still doing good work among the slips and washouts, and the road is now opened as far as Mr. Norm's. The bridge gang have made a start 'on MeLachlan's bridge. Surrfaceman leeman's place has been filled by A. Sherwood, of Feildir.g. Recent rain has caused further trouble in this Riding. General.—l would suggest calling tenders for a few small jobs to hold our contractors. A whare has been erected for the crushing plant. The toll-gate is now completed.

CORRESPONDENCE. From J. Weston, Monmouth Road, informing the Council that two of his horses got out on tlio road, and, as lie was milking- at the timo, lie sent his boy to get thorn in. The ranger, however, .appeared on the scene and got them first,. and demanded 3s for fees, lie asked for a refund.—No rebate was made.

The secretary of the Stratford A. and P. Association asked that the Council's staff 'be given a'holiday on People's Day of the show.—Granted. E. Ttclf resigned his position as foreman, on account of enlisting, and asked the Council if they would keep the position open should lie return—lt was decided that the Council find work for applicant on his.return.

GENERAL. It was decided to sue for all- outstanding rates. Messrs V. H. Nolan (Te Wera) and Gray (Strathmore) waited on the Council re the Strathmore Saddle, and asked that a tunnel should be opened or the mile of unmetalled road metalled at once.—A proposal that the engineer prepare an estimate of the cost of the work suggested by the deputation was carried.

• When the ranger's report was read, Cr. Raskin said he was the best ranger the Council ever had, but the Council did not give him the same instructions as the past ranger, and he blamed the chairman for it. He referred to contractors' horses grazing on the roads, and said the nuisance must be stopped, as they were doing- farmers' property a lot of damage.—The chairman admitted that something would have to be done, as, no doubt, the nuisance was all over the county.—lt was decided to instruct the ranger to impound all stock grazing near the Midhirst township.

■Messrs \Vilson and Son's tender for SOO dog collars was accepted, and it was decided that the dog tax be 2s (id for cattle dogs and 10s for sporting dogs. Tlie following tenders were accepted: Ahuroa Road, J. Xeilson; Salisbury Road, J. Xeilson. Accounts amounting to £1422 13s 2d were passed for payment.