CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1916, Page 3

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual meeting of the Clifton County- Council was hold at the county office, Waita'ra, yesterday, when there wore present:—Crs. A. 11. Bower (chairman), R. T. Tlieks, H. M. '.Purdie, W. Old. S. J. Kennijton, R. H. Piggott, and II Sander. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. F. W. Dowsett) reported:—

The Xikorima road metalling had been completed, and a few additional yards deposited at the Waipapa depot. Crushing would he commenced this week at the Turangi depot for recoating a section between the 14 and 15 miie peg on the main road.

Tikorangi Riding: The deviation known as Cole's, on the Tikorangi road, had been laid off and graded and the formation work would start at an earlv date. The metal from Freeling's pit hail been carted out and spread on the Ngntimaru raod. There being no immediate use for the grader at Tarata, it would bo brought through and shortly commence work in this riding. Ngatimaru Riding: The timber for the Purangi bridge had been inspected and passed at Inglcwood, and was now being carted to the site. The gravelling contract on the Junction road was capable of improvement in its quality; and the progress had not been altogether satisfactory. The contractor had been notified of these defects and promised to remedy them. On the Matau-Kiore road five men were now engaged in clearing slips, and tenders closed at that meeting for the erection of the gorge bridge.

TJremii Fading: Quarrying to the extent of 500 yards was let in the new face near tlic Okoke trig station, but subsequent investigation proved it unsatisfactory, and it had for the present been abandoned. Further prospecting opposite the old Okoke pit showed a good sample and it would receive further attention in the near future. Forming up and repairs had been proceeding on the lower end of the Mataro road, and thereafter Widening at the upper end would be proceeded with. Tenders have closed for gravel for the Main, Kaipikiri, and Crcmii township roads. Mokau Hiding: The Mold road had now been cleared of slips, and application would be made for the Government subsidy. On the Uruti road the formation, preparatory to continuing the metal, would be proceeded with. A fetter from the Engineer-in-C'liief indicated a sum of £I3OO being available on the Mimi-llokau road, and he had submitted specifications, giving proposals for quarrying 4000 yards of shell-rock in readiness for next season's crushing The unmetalled portions of this road had been receiving attention in forming and grading, and were much improved. No reply had been received to his application to the iPublic Works Department to put down shell-rock in place of burnt papa. Parininihi Tunnel: The Awakino County Engineer submitted plans and estimate for improving this work at a cost exceeding £4OO. The road and the four bridges north of this also required attention.

Fukearuhe metallbg: After consultation with the settlers, tenders were called for the full supply of stone neceslary, it being understood that workwould bo done and payment mads up to the value of the money available only. The owner of the engine informed him that owing to other engagements he would be unable to proceed to Uruti. The Council's immediate decision should be to procure their own plant, and he would recommend a combined engine and roller, up to say 10 tons weight, with scarifier. lie also submitted details of a new crusher, which claimed to have some merits of itj own.

On tiie night of December i the crusher caught fire whilst located near Frecling's pit, and the platform and ily-whcel framing were burnt. There was no evidence indicating incendiarism. He had repairs effected, and crushing recommenced on Decem'ber 9.

In connection with the Xgatimaru metal contract, Cr. Sander said that the present pit was practically exhausted. Another pit was available, but a bridge aoroas a small creek was required. The Council decided to supply the contractor with necessary timber, provided he supplied the stringers and erected the bridge. The Engineer was authorised to make arrangements for temporary power for the crushing plant. Xo definite action was taken in -regard to securing a combined engine and roller. PUKEAEUHE METALLING. J. W. 11. Martin's tender, at lis per yard, was accepted for metalling at Pukeanfhe, conditionally upon the Council's resolution, passed at last meeting, limiting the amount to be expended to £IOSO. Mr. Martin waited on the Council later in the day and pointed out that he had based hia tender on the whole contract, to the value of £I7OO, being proceeded with. 'I Je chairman said that at present only £IOSO was available. Mr. Martin expressed the opinion that the Government grant would be available before the contract was completed. Subsequently it was decided to accept the tender for the whole contract, with the understanding that after the £IOSO available is expended, the work will ceass until the Government grant is available. CONTROL :OP MEN. The Engineer reported that he had instructed one of the foremen, just before Christmas, to put in a week's work on the Tangitu tunnel. On going to see how the work was progressing he discoveral that the man had gone for a holiday to Auckland. He had wired the l.nan to come and explain why lie had left without authority, but the man had not done so. As long as he had control of the men lie could not tolerate thcin leaving when they liked and coming back when it suited them. Cr. Old staled that the foreman had come to him, and he had given permission. He admitted that the man should have obtained permission from the Engineer, to whom he (Cr, Old) was prepared to apologise.

Councillors considered that the Engineer had full, control of the men, and the. foreman would bo informed that he should not have left without the Engineer's authority. TANG ITU ROAD. On behalf of the Tangitu settlers Mr. J. Hayes called the Council's attention to the dangerous state of the Tangitu road, more particularly the Tangitu saddle. All they asked was that the road should be .made passable—they did not ask for luxuries. The scrub should be cut and the track widened in bad places. At present it was absolutely impossible for settlers, especially women-