STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. The monthly meeting of the above Council was lield to-day. Present: Crs. W. Hathaway (chairman). W. W. Were, E. Walters. 11. Worthington. L. Baskin, J. Smith, R. Anderson, T. E. Coleman, and J. Christoffel. A vote of condolence was passed to Cr. Worthington and family in their recent bereavement. TOLL GATES. A The chairman said there was some likelihood of concerted action being taken to abolish toll-gates. If that was so the Council could not make an asphalt road out of ordinary revenue. Cr. Walters said he believed that Mr. Massey and his Cabinet would stick to the agreement made with the Council. He did not believe in this "tittle-tattle," and was. not in favor of forcing the engineer's hands to start the work; it must be done methodically and not rushed. The opinion of councillors was that no notice should be taken of the threat, and that the engineer should go on and prepare the plans for the contemplated work. WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood and the Mayor waited on the Council and asked cooperation in raising funds for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The Mayor said that the local auctioneers by concerted action had recently raised £ISOO, ami he was sure there were many farmers in the district who only required to be approached and they would give. He asked the Council for their co-operation. Cr. Smith said he did not think they could do any more than they were doing. The farmers had just given a handsome donation in the shape of stock to the gift sale, while others were giving in other ways. Cr. Smith moved: "That while in sympathy with the Patriotic Committee this Council is of opinion that the various Patriotic Committees in the district are doing all in their power to solicit contributions, and the Council considers that this should be sufficient for the present time."—Carried. CORRESPONDENCE. E. C. Robinson wrote forwarding plan, etc., of the Waihapa Road deviation. The Clerk reported that Mr. G. M. Brown refused to sign the agreement, but Mr. Neil. Brown had done so.—lt was decided to leave the matter in Cr. Coleman's hands, to interview Mr. Brown.

The acting-chief engineer, Railways Department, Wellington, wrote acknowledging the Council's resolution accepting the Department's offer of lease of railway reserve near Midhirst, and stating that steps are being taken to complete the matter. T. H. Penn, secretary of Lowgarth Dairy Company, wrote drawing attention to the impassable state of the Finnerty Road, and asked that repairs should be made to it.—The matter will i be attended to as soon as labor is available.

Messrs 'Malono and King wrote stating that in accordance with a resolution passed at the Council in August last they had completed and registered the neccssaTy documents whereby part section 3, block 13, Huiroa Survey District (1 acre), being the piece which it is proposed to add to the Midhirst cemetery and which adjoins the cemetery, had been vested in His Majesty the King (for cemetery purposes).—Received.

Samuel Vincent drew attention to the bad state of the Hastie Road. —Received. W. F. Clemow, ,T. T. Hammond. J. James, S. Vincent, J, Courtney, C. H. Lawn, H. Board and F. H. Richard* drew attention to the had state of Hastie Road and asked the Council to put same in order before the winter sets in. Cr. Smith said the settlers had rated themselves and the stone had been got out. but it was still on the side of the road. Ho hoped the engineer would attend to the matter before the winter. It wa» decided to instruct the engineer to attend to same as soon as labor is available.

Charles Tod wrote drawing the attention of the Council to the Heao Road, The road was partly repaired about six months ago, giving him an opening on to Mr. Muir's property, through which he had to take stock on to his back farm. TIIO letter further stated: "This sort of thing cannot go on for long as it is very inconvenient to both Mr. Muir and myself, as it means mustering the paddocks through which we pass. The track also is very rough and dangerous. When the Stratford County Council sent their rates out last year, requesting the ratepayers to pay as soon as possible, we paid ours at once, hoping to have our road repaired by shearing time. We experienced great trouble in bringing the sheep in ftttd put at that time, and J hope not to have it Sgjin. Even if you give us a bridle track it wsuld do in the meantime."

The engineer was instructed to report at next meeting.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. I The engineer (W. J. I.opdell) reported las follows: North Riding.—The bridge gang arc engaged on the Denbigh Road bridge (No. 2) and will have same completed this week, after which they will make a start on No. 1. When these bridges are sufficiently set we will arrange for Hie prusher to go up and crush the metat provided for by special rate. Chard and Haytigsn are being hindered by the continuous wet weather, which has softened the formation, and foreman Brown and his men are engaged on this work. Foreman Kovaloski has done good work in getting out the stone for the Stanley Road bridge. It is my intentiee to procure the Stratford Borough Council prusher and roller to complete the Pembroke Rpjjd contract, which will enable us to use out p»n for the crushing of the bridge metai, ajsa fpr (;jip backblock roads until the arrival of thp new machine. East Biding.—Foreman Richards has 4»fi* good work during the month and is .now sagaged with the Ahuroa contract, which W pypgressing very favorably. A set of 18ln. pipes, as referred to by PoTeman Richards in his report, are needed on the Waiwera Road to cope with, flood water. South jßfding —Foreman Parker is at present engaged (» re-grading the Mountain Road near 3jTga*rp, which when finished will improve ttiis J»S,4,- especially id view of tar work. DWJglas Riding.—Foreman Rogers and hi* MM a re gradually bringing their riding" t»ck t° ita fori&er 9ta.te. There are severgi Wsk places on the Ohura Bojid >A whS<% WJJi ffSS'fS re-metalling be-

fore the winter, if it in possible to procure men to do the work. A truck-load of drain pipes has been ami to this riding. West Riding.—Owing to the recent heavy downpour in this riding- Foreman Plews and his men are having a very busy time., A scour out at Malone's Hill did considerable damage. The Manaia Road has also suffered considerably by the abnormal downpour, which was probably the heaviest for years in this district. I have called tenders for 300 cubic yards of boulder stone for the Finnerty Road, near the Hastings Factory, which has cut up very badly, there being no maintenance. This load requires immediate attention. ■ Huiroa Riding.—Foreman Atkins is having an uphill fight on his own to get this riding into order again, it being very difficult to procure labor. A true»load of drain pipes has been sent to this riding. The two trucks of metal asked for in the foreman's report are badly needed.

Mangaehn Riding.—Foreman Savago and his staff are gradually overtaking the work in this riding. Tenders have been called in three contracts for the clearing of slips between Mr. .7. Godkin's and the top of the hill. I have, also spent a day on the Kaitieke Road, asd consider that, while it is possible lo make a road on the old survey, it will be quite impossible to hold it after it is. is made.

Re the contract on the old Ohnva Road, Cr. Worthington and myself let it at a satisfactory price to Mr. A. Needham. General.—Owing to the scarcity of suitable men it appears to me that sown of our work will drag late into the senson, if finished at all. The respective foremen found difficulty in getting their surface work and water-tabling done, having to give so much of their time to contractors. The new Aveling and Porter road roller lias been handed over under satisfactory trial, and signed for by the chairman and myself. It is noiv in Harkncss' foundry being fitted with an awning. A hut has been erected for the convenience of the driver of this roller.

I would again urge upon the Council the wisdom of procuring tar in the off season. If left till next year it will be almost impossible to obtain any. At present I know of a large supply under offer. We also require some Restar, for several bridges, an application of which will add years to the life of the decking. The Railway Department have supplied plans of the piece of land they propose leasing to the Council. FOREMEN'S REPORT. Foreman D. Brown, North Riding, reported that the roads were in fair order, water-tables had been attended to on a number of roads. Mr. G. Meads stated that the pipes above his place on the Denbeigh Road did not take the flood water away. He had had trouble in getting men and he did not get to know the names of owners of pigs on York Road, but would be on the look out for further trouble.

Foreman J. Kovaleski, North East Riding, reported that early in the month the carting of the 100 yards of boulders for the lower end of Salisbury Eoad had been completed. The teams have been shifted to the Makaia River getting stone for the Stanley Road bridge, but owing to the, shortage of teams and weather conditions good progress had not been made, but weather permitting, it was hoped to have the 300 yards out on Wednesday, February 10. fJenernl surface work had been carried out on various roads.

Foreman S. Parker, South Riding, reported that all the roads in the riding were in fair order. Most of'the month had been spent in blinding the roads. A start had been made to regrade the Mountain Road at X'gaere. Foreman R. Richards, East Riding, reported that during the month he had raked and blinded the roads, and cleaned outlets to culverts on Reaeonsfield Road. Toko township had had a general clean up. A fair armmnt of time had been occupied with the metalling of the Ahuroa Road west. Foreman R. K, Plows, West Riding, reported that the Cardiff hill had been metalled and the new cutting which was barely liift wide had been increased in width to 20ft and water-tabled. The recent heavy rains did a good deal of damage, notably a wanh-mit at Malone's f'iling, the repairing of which was nearly completed. The Manaia Road also suffered damaged. lie pointed nut the condition of the Finnerty, Upper Waingongora, Brooks, and Upper Rowan Roads.

Foreman W. Atkins, ITniroa Riding, reported that tlic broken weather had greatly hampered work where teams were employed, however, {food progress had been made. A large, slip at. the approach to the tunnel had again been cleared. To effectively deal with n permanent stream, at this pofcit, it would be necessary to put in a 100 ft timber culvert. Filling in ruts on the swamp portion of this road had been completed, in connection with this work, the heartiest thanks were due to Mr. Stocklcy for his permission to take from his land all the material necessary free of charge, Foreman J. Savage, Mangachu Riding, reported that he had finished the approaches to McLauchlin's bridge and metalled it, and cleared the slips off the road from Mr. .T. Odije's to Mr. Watchorn's on the Mangaehn Road. Foreman S. Rogers, Douglas Riding, said six 0-incli pipes had been put in on the pprdon Road in place of a wooden. culvert; General work jiail been done on the main road,

DEPUTATIONS. Mrs. Wcyburn waited on tlie Council in regard to the rent of reserve leased by her to the Council.—The chairman said the agreement made could not be acted upon because the liajlvray Department would not give the Council «. crossing to the reserve. Further, the Land Board contended that Mrs. We'yburn had not the power to sell the metal on the property. The engineer said the trouble was that the. Department refused to give the the Council a crossing, and, further, they opntended that Mrs. 'Weybnuriic, had no legal power to lease the land. Cr. Walter moved that Mrs. Wcybourn be paid a half year's rent asked, on condition she allows the Council to cross her property until the expiry of her lease. > Seconded by Cr. Baskin and carried. Mr. C. K. (tootling waity.l on the Conn- | til and ask.ed permission to remove ;i fence qn the road line "»t Huii'oa, a'i(l erect same on the property between his and the Council's boundary, Cr. Walter further explained the position, and on his motion, the request was acceded to. Messrs H. M. Silk, C. B. Walsh, A. Maakay, and P. Brown waited on the Council arid 'asked that something should be done with regard to the' state of Victoria Eoad. The chairman moved: "That Cr. Christoffel, Coleman, and the engineer inspect the road with power to act.— Carried. GENERAL, The matter of procuring tar was left in the hands of the chairman and engineer with power to act.