CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1916, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting- of the Clifton County Council was held ut Waitara yesterday, when there .were present: Crs. K. 'lf. Pigott (chairman). "A. M. Bower, S. J. Kennington, H. M. Purdie, W 5 Old, 11. T. Hicks, and H, Sander. ENGINEER'S Tile engineer (Mr. C. V. Dowscti) reported:—

Wai'ni Riding.—Further program has been made with the boulder contract, and the new roller having arrived, a trial will be made >'n scarifying, crushing, and rolling a portion of the main road between the 12 and 13-mile peg;. Tikoraugi Riding.—Metal repairs' are receiving attention on the Ngatimaru Road. The lower portion of the Bertrand Road has been regraded and formed up by day labor. The suspension bridge will require repairs in the near future, and will receive attention. Tem-ers close to-day for metalling a portion of the Otaraoa Road.

Ngatimaru Riding.—The boundary bridge at Tarata will shortly require repairs, and will be attendee! to. The Hood damage on the Sth and 9th November resulted in slips, subsidences, and wash-outs on all roads in this riding. The Council was just recovering from the previous flood of July, 1015, and again have to cover the whole ground, incurring further depletion of their funds and serious inconvenience to the settlers, and which is aggravated by the equally serious problem of getting labor to carry out the works. The Gorge bridge on the Matau-Kiore Road is nearing completion, and will bo ready for traffic in the near future. When the contractor is disengaged, I propose inspecting, the Jlangaoapa Road with him in au endeavor to arrange about necessary reconstruction there. The bridge giving access to the Taramoukou Road has been completed.

L'renui Riding.—Great difficulty is experienced in getting labor to procure gravel for the Moerangi Read, which needs immediate attention. The Okoke, Piko, mid Kaka \Roads had their full share of flood damage, which is receiving attention by the new foreman, with authority to employ any casual labor for repairs. Work in the Okoke pit is proceeding very slowly, and tile outlook is not promising. The work giving access to Whakapaki Street, Urenni, has been let at a. satisfactory figure, large pipes have been ordered for renewal of the pkoke Road culvert, and the Kabangamoa bridge is to be repnircdi

Mokau Riding. The shell-rock quarrying is proceeding .satisfactorily. Levels have been taken for regvading the road tc be covered, and tenders will be called next meeting for the cartage. At the J'rnti bridge, the -nam piles, and tier piles are in, and the sheeting is t.ow receiving attention. The inonicr pipes for tlie Hood-opening are on the "round, and the gravel will go out from YVaiiv.vz. Nearly all-the roads o.i the eastern side of-the Mokau have suffered during the recent lioods, and step:' were at or.cn taken to effect repair-: with what labor was offering. The main road between the -"> and 20-mile pegs, which lcrcntly subsided, requires ivgrading, and widening to ensure safety in travelling. A further portion of the Tanflitn Road lias been, gazetted to the Council, amounting to I mile V chains. 1 inspected this length, and found small matters requiring attention, but I was informed locally that these discrepancies occurred after the road had been gazetted, owing to the recent flood. The Okau and Kiwi Roads" had their quota of flood-daraage, but repairs are being effected, and pipes have gone forward for renewals. On the Pukcraruhc Road, the stringers for the Waikaramarania bridge will shortly be sent forward. The metalling contract at Waiiti is proceeding very sloAvly. I estimate the flood-damage at i cost exceeding £4OO throughout the county. Thirds proposals, amounting to £4*2o 10s lid, have been scheduled, and will be forwarded fc:- ..pproval.

THE TOXGATOKUTU WHARF. In reply to a scries of questions from Mr. C. F. Dowsett, county engineer, the Secretary of the Marine Department stated that was no revenue from the Tongaporutu wharf, but the Council could get the Department to gazette dues for its use, so as to provide revenue. There were no liabilities, except the keeping of the wharf in repair and the building of ~ new wharf. The taking over-of the wharf by the Council would not affect the signalman, who would remain an officer of the Marine Department, unless the Council war, invested with the powers of a Harboar Board. The amount of the signalman's salary was £25 per annum, and his duties were to attend to the beacons and leading lights. As regards the question as to whether the Department would pay half the cost of repairing the wharf, aa estimated by the Public Works engineer, and, in addition, lial! the cost of erecting a new wharf and shed in more permanent material, lie was instructed to state that the Minister of Marine, in an interview with the chairman of the County, had stated that hj was prepared to ,>lace a sum on the Estimates on the & for £ basis for ilic work referred to. He was prepared to do this during the coming session if the Council was prepared to find the other half, and would advise as to the cost of liic whole work. MemlJci's considered that the reply was very satisfactory, though no reply was given as to whether the Council would have control of the foreshore.

Councillors considered it would be necessary to he constituted a HarbinBoard if they wished control of the foreshore. Provision was made lor. this in the Act. Doubt wav also expressed as to whether there would be sufficient revenue from wharf dues. Gr. Eov.-er thought that the wharf could' be temporarily repaired at a small ccet. After further discussion it was decided to instruct the engineer to pre pare plans and specifications for the new structure. . 'STOCK OX ROADS. iJr. F. E. Jones, Kotnre, acked i* the Council would take the ranger oft' the Okau-Mangatawa roads (luring the Rummer months. If left for the fern grass and scrub to grow, it would mean that, when dry, fires occurred and fences, hedges, and plantations would be destroyed. It was a common thing for cov.:ities to allow thU on back roads. He agreed that the ranger should be kept on during the winter, save on unused roads or tracks, which stock kept ope.i, ai.d did no harm where there was little traffic, if necessary, he could forward a petition in support. Cr. Bovver strongly objected. He did ret begrudge the bit of grass, though he considered this was useful for travelling stock. He eor_-;i-.»sred straying

cattle should be kept off the roads in 1 summer and winter, as they did a lot of damage to fences and water-tables. On his motion, it was resolved that the Council could not comply with the request.

riKO ROAD. ' Mr. W. E. Chamberlain wrote that he had received notification from the Minister of Public Work's that the District Engineer had been instructed to authorise £55 required for the road. As soon a3 the work was ready, Mr. Chamberlain continued, he would endeavor to get the contract taken up aad proceeded with. At present 'he was unable to get a vehicle near his section, as the last portion of the road was blocked with slips. As soon as the money is available the work will be proceeded with, GEXBEAIk Mr. F. Claro wrote offering to sell a travelling whare to the Council for £3O. —The Council does not require a whare at present. The matter of closing the old road at the Mangamaeho deviation was handed over to Messrs. Siadden and Palmer to complete.'

A. Tofts wrote that lie had buried a dead beast on the Qruti Road during his own time. —Council to pay 10s, and make a ciaim on. the owner of the bea3t.

H. Taylor, surfaceman, Uremii, asked when planks promised would be available for erection of shed at cottage.— To be informed that no timber is available at present. C. Selby resigned his position as surfaceman in the Mokau Riding. The Public Works Department forwarded Gazette notices, declaring portions of Kiwi and Tangitu Roads county roads. Mr. A. E. Johnston drew attention to the excessive toll charged for a traction engine and trailers, viz., 355, and asked that the rate be reduced to £l. 'He pointed out that he was the only one using a traction engine for haulage, and that but seldom.—Councillor? considered the traction engine did considerable damage to the road.' It was resolved that no action be taken .

Mr. D. 'Paul wrote, asking the Council to improve a bad piece of road leading to his place, Waitara East. He pointed out that for two or three chains the road was impassable in wet weather, and his e'hildren had to go through other people's property. If the Council would put in and metal a filling for about three chains, he was prepared to quarry the metal free.—Engineer to report. Mr. H. Adlam was appointed driver oi the Council's motor roller and scarifier at £4 per week, wet and dry.

Messrs. A. R. and F. D. Greemvooi., L'renui, asked the Council to take steps to close the portion of Wilson Road which passed through their properties. They also forwarded letter of Messrs. Perrott and Gilliver, offering no objection.—i/eft in the hands of the engineer.

Mr. Thomas Chihls, Waitara, patentee of the Chillis' water-ballasted motor road-roller, tarring, and sanding combine, forwarded circular, pointing out the advantages of the machine.

It was resolved that the crusher work on the Main North Road until Christmas, and then proceed to Oruti to crush all available metal, then to Wai-iti, Tikorangi, and Waihi in that order.

Christmas and New Year holidays for tho stall' wore arranged. -' The lute chairman (Cr. A. M. Bower) was voted an honorarium of £25 for the past year. ; Accounts amounting to £833 15s Id were passed for payment.