STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE JIOXTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Corfrespondent.)' The monthly meeting of the above Council was iicid .yesterday. Present: Cys. Ilathawav (chairman), Baskin, Worthington, Walters, Were, Coleman, Anderson, Smith, and Christoffel. The chairman reported on the visit to the Waimate County, full details of which have already been reported. He congratulated the engineer on the tarsealed road laid down by him while in the Waimate comity's employ. The po't of the upkeep of the roads in (he Waimate County Mas very cheap; indeed, this county eould not keep the watertables open for the amount or pay for the raking of the loose stones on the main road. Crs. Christoffel, Coleman, and Were considered that the sooner the county took the matter up the better. Cr. Walters said he was of opinion (hat the North and South Riding members should meet and devise some Kcheme of tar-scaling the main mad at once. He suggested that the ratepayers should he called together and the question put before them. Cr. C'hristolTcl said that if this county had gone in for tarred roads years ago it would have been in a, better financial position than it was at the present time. A vote of thanks was passed to the Waimate County Council, especially the chairman (Mr. J. McFhillips) for the kindness and information given to the visiting Council. Cr. Anderson moved that the piece of new road being laid down past the Ngaere Gardens should be tar-sealed.— Carried. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. \V. ,T. Lopdell, engineer, reported as follows: North Hiding.—The Pembroke Road contract is now completed, taking 119(1% cubic yards of metal. The bridge gang have finished the two bridges on the Denbigh road, and have made a good job of the work. They are now engaged extending Baylev's culvert on the Mountain Road, after which they will do Cambria Street culvert, and from there will go to the Stanley Road bridge. Regan Street loan contract is now under way. Grading has been done on the Stanley Road, between Messrs F. Mackay's and E. Putt's property. South Riding.—The gang have been engaged during the month re-grading the hill at Ngacre. The, work has been tlow, owing to the shortage of labor and the stony formation. The contractors are proceeding with their contracts in this riding. I intend sending the cm shin- p!»nt with ilio light roller to complete the work thp.t was left- over from last year, along with this year's wolk, about the middle of this week. East Riding.--The metalling of the Anhuroa Road is now completed. The crushing plant is finishing the Skinner Road between the Kohouri bridge and the Ohura Road. A start has been made with the opening of the pit for shell rock on the Waiwera Road, for the Waiwera land Ahuroa Roads. Ktandish Road.—A start has been made with the boulders for this road. Douglas Riding.—The work in this ri'""» is iirogressing very satisfactory. Jiuiroa Riding.—The Hca« Road is considerably damaged by Slips. I estimate the cost of repair "at £55. West Riding—l hope to get the crushing plant in this riding as early as possible to procure metal for the worst, of the voids, f have let a contract to H. Gray for 100 yards of metal to do the hill '<.y Mr. Marchaut's, on the Cardiff Road. Mangaeim Riding.—This riding is now in fair order up as far as Mr. Godkin's. Mr. J. Savage has taken the contracts nt the estimated prices for the slip worl;. Gciiei'iil.--1 have purchased 1000 gallons of Restar. and intend giving an application to the wooden bridges where necessary. Cr. Anderson brought up the matter of renewing the bridge on the Rowan Road, or at least renewing the planks on it, until they could be rebuilt. Cr. Wore moved that the painting and making approaches to Mangaehu bridge No. 1, be done.—Carried.

TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted: SOI) yards boulders, Midhirst, H. liray: 2Oil yards boulders, Opunake and Poto Roads, if. Cray. . CORRESPONDENCE. The Levels County Council forwarded a resolution re limit of speed for motor cars and motor-cycles, and of licensing drivers.—lt was decided to endorse the resolution. From Tourist Department re appointing a representative to the Egmont National Park Hoard.—Cr. Anderson was re-appointed. From Secretary, National Park Board, drawing the attention of the Council to the bad state of the Manaia Road from the Opunake Road to the radius line. —To he attended to next season. From Secretary, Hospital Board, forwarding resolution regarding the talcing of precautions to combat the present epidemic.—The Council decided to give the Board every assistance to stamp out the epidemic. The attention of the health inspector is to be drawn to the condition of pig styes and stagnant pools. GENERAL It was decided to procure a tar boiler and tar sprayer from J. Hopkirk, of Hawera. Accounts amounting to £2059 were passed for payment. DEPUTATIONS. Sir. Walker, a ratepayer on the' Kaiapoi Road, Midhirst, waited on the Council, and asked that something be done to the bridge and road. He had paid £25 towards the erection of the bridge, but the approaches were so bad that they could not cross it in bad weather. Cr. Buskin thought that Mr. Walker had a grievance, and he ought to have something done to give him access to his property. Mr. Walker took exception to remarks passed 011 him by councillors at last meeting. The engineer said £SO had been placed 011 the estimates to make this road, providing £25 was contributed by Mr. Walker, but the trouble was that he could not procure labor, and many works authorised would be left undone at the end. of this season through the same cause. Cr. Smith moved that the Council contribute £SO, providing £25 is given by Mr. Walker to put the road in order.— Carried.