TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 January 1916, Page 3

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tlie Taranaki County Council met yesterday. Present: Crs. J. Brown (chairmiin), J. Andrews, ,T. S. Connett, A. Morton, D. McAllum, W. Binnic, J. Simpson and A. E. Lawrence. An apology for absence was received from Cr. C. Andrews. ENGINEER'S BErORT. The engineer (Mr. R. W. Fisher) reported:— Crushing plant.—During the month the plant lias been engaged at Tozcr's depot for 13 days crashing 858 cubic yards of metal. Of this amount SO cubic yards was crushed for Mr. J. Hale, the balance of 77S cubic yards being delivered to the foreman, distributed as follows: 378 cubic yards on main roads, 100 cubic yards on side roads. The crusher was idle for five days, as, in spite of the new niantle she' was still crushing excessively large metal, and J therefore stopped her and put in new concaves, and the output is now very satisfactory. The plant is now at Erankley road pit. The large roller has been engaged with the plant. Mr. Thos. Urry gave me notice of his intention to terminate his engagement in December, and as Mr. Urry's agreement with the Council was one -week's notice, one roller lias been i idle since Christmas. I regret to report this, as Mr. Urry has given mo every satisfaction. I have transferred Mr. E. Warburton to the large roller, and applications have been invited for a'driver for the small roller.

Moa Riding.—The main roads in this riding show very little sign of the excessive motor traffic to which they have been subjected during the holidays, hut I had prepared for this Iby giving them a liberal blinding before Christmas. The Zig-Zag has broken up very badly, and I have had to employ casual labor'there. It is imperative that the road should have prompt attention. Mansorei Riding.—Main roads are in very good order and show marked improvement from Tozer's to the Henui bridge, now that the metal from Tozer's lias been put down. The Mangorei and Hospital roads are also in very fair order, but the former will require additional rolling when the small roller is put into commission again. Mr. .Tames engaged Messrs Sladden and Palmer to survey the portion of the Hill road upon which the Government grant of £~>Q was to be spent, but owing to the entire absence of any pegs from which the surveyors eoujd start Mr. James does not feel prepared to bear the expense himself, and the survey was therefore abandoned. I accompanied Mr. Palmer to the ground, and it is very doubtful if the former grant has been spent on the correct survey road. Waitara Riding.—Main roads are in broken up in places, but are receiviii" attention. I would like the Council's sanction to procure the pipes for renewing the culvert on the Jlenwood road, as the existing culvert has further pven way. I also propose proceeding with the concrete culvert at the Mahgaoni stream under the main road as soon as I can find the labor.

Oinata Riding.—Hoards are in very good order. I have investigated the complaint re dangerous place opposite Frankley Dairy Co., on the Hurworth road, and recommend that a fence be erected at this point. It will only require about one and a-half chains, and a three-wire fence will meet the case, and Foreman Eva can procure posts from some pine trees which have to be topped back oy the Council. I have inspected tlie culvert on Sealy road at Mr. Ramsbottom's, and find that it is a costly and well-built culvert, and is laid at such a level as to effectually drain the swamp, and I attribute the cause of the backiing up of the water to growth of willows, etc., on Mr. Ramsbottom's property. Okato Riding.—Main roads are in gaod order, with the exception of a portion ilflflr the old Oakura factory, but this Ims to he rc-nietalled from last year's tonti'Ml, The Hoani road formation should be completed, given fine weather, by the end of ue*t week, and I am calling for tenders for metal contracts for tin's meeting. I propose, while I lure the teams available, proceeding with the formation for linking up the metal on Lower Pnniho road to tlie Main South road, in order that it may consolidate ready to reeeivi? metahThis work will take only a few days. f have difficulty—in fact it is impos- [ att>)c at this stage—in procuring casual ia'hoi' -under )0s per dav. which is the rale pan? ■)>}' adj'aliiing local bodies.

THE MASTGAONE STREAM'. %

In connection with opening a drain and clearing willows in the Alangaone strvami Cr. Coiinett reported tliat lie bad inspected the stream from end to Cni, and had interviewed the ratepayers interested 'between the Egmont and Henwood riwds. Jfo desire was found on the part of anyone of them to shirk his liability ill the matter, although in some instances it would be a heavy one. It was hoped the Council would not press the matter during the currency of the war, owing to the scarcity of labor, but they were still quite prepared to carry out" the offer made through their solicitor some months ago—this is to clear a track 10ft wide through the willows, Jitter in the season, s-Jicn the water is loiv, and provided labor U available, or if the Council will undertake M)« work, each its willing to pay his share of the cost. But they think it only fair that the whole length of willows should he dealt with frow the new freezing works site up, for then tl<« water would have a I el*;ir How right through. In reference ' f.o the damming of the witter' at the ■7-fenwood road culvert. Cr. Connett was of the opinion that it was partly due to fhe dam aiwss the stream, about four chains from the road, partly ti the Waiting away of g prat portion of the roa.:i filling some 20 yc»t (tfcfl, and partly to the silt being continually tarried in o(f the road, and it vvas a question as to what extent the ratepayers affected. Messrs Rowe nail Laurent, wjve responsible for this condition, T'hv were, however, willing to meet t'uf Council in « fair way when the level of 5 the new eulmt was defined. '$ After some rlisetmsjon, the matter was | -eterml to the eliairiwm /ind Cr. Conivll 1.-'i' settlement before Hie next i! ■H'lii ' of flic Council.

TJWOEKS Tlii' following' -tenders —lTouni road. Me gee and •s «wc accepted: nd Co.. &a 4s, fid per chain; Tioneyfield depot, A. \V. Cowling, 2s 9d a yst'il. GESERAC. Eiglit applications were racir.cd for the position of driver of the Council's steam roller. Mr. \V. B. Craig, of Southland, was appointed to the position. It was decided to und.ntal.-e the construction of a culvert on tlw %mont

road as recommenced by the engineer. The engineer was authorised to expend up t() l£-0 on repairs to the Nymouth road. The dog tax was fixed at i» (Id for cattle dogs and 7s fid for all other dogs. The clerk was instructed to report on the desirability or otherwise of making a by-law limiting if necessary for motordrivers in the county to be licensed.