STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wednesday, Jan. 17. lue monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council was held yesterday Present: Crs. J. Hathawav '(cliairpjuii) T. !•-. I oleman, J. Christoffel, R. Anderson, «. Smith, E. Walter, H. Workington, >■'■ J. Bnskin. ENGINEER'S REPORT. '■'.' he county engineer, W. J. Loudeil, submitted the following report:-- ' Xorth Riding.—About SOU cubic yards of botriders have- been dumped on the Ramvay Reserve at the Manganui. This stone will be crushed and sent to the East Riding as soon as the railway can supply us with trucks. I would recommend that the Council apply to tha railway ,'or a short line to, be put in at Midhirst to run into a dead-end. This would facilitate the loading of metal for the eastern district. The Croydon Road boulder contract is completed,' aiso the Ratipiko Road. I might Here mention that the Moa Road Board are unable to hire their plant for the cru<dii;ig of this metal. The Chairman and I waited upon the settlers from the Derby and Surrey Roads. Arrangements have been made for the strengthening of the Waipulcu bridge on the Derby Road, also repairs to road. We also had an interview with Mr. Koch, the district engineer, re proposed protection to the llangauui Rivet bridges. Soutn Riding.—The boulder scone contract on the Mountain Road is nearing completion; the crusher will be starting probably to-day. Tar has been ordered for the work; the first consignment is to hand. Tlie contractor is about half-way through with the Bird Road contract.

East Riding —The Hukiga Road is now metalled from the factory corner to the pit; it only requires suitable weather to make a good road of it. The Collett crusher has gone out to the Raupaim Road where a stare will be made remetalling from Neilson's corner back to the crusher. The Gordon Road shellroclc contract is completed :*nd crushed; thir. road is now in good order throughout. The shellrock is also quarried for the Waiwiri Road. .1. Wilson has made a start' with the shellrock for the Toko Road est to Mr. Marfell's place. Hniroa Riding.—i have inspected the creek from Huiroa up to the factory and lind that a gradual siltiug-up is taking place, which is causing the stream to flood more readily. There are a lot of 'logs, slips, and growth in the creek. T would recommend that the settlers be called upon to clean out the worst of the places, for at present it is causing the Council considerable ex-. pense in keeping the road, owing to the llcods overflowing in several places. The roads generally aie in good oraer, jut most of tht ditches require aueniioi.. West hiding—The /A'tnt. crustier ho.s completed the Cardili Ro.ul, <tL. about GoO cubic yard, on the Brooks Road. Tito Opuktikc Road has broke.t up considerably during the diy tf':.a.iuur, bat will bu r.tten(led to, r.u'.v tint **.:•>. 'orema. 1 i 3 relieved o? Krusliii'g operations. The Upper Man,.ia Held :,« iii a vivmli state at present, but o;ti i-ccirc !.u earliest attention.

irangaeliu Riding.—Most of t.ie slips in this ritling are again cleared a\vay, and the roads are gradually resuming their original condition. Re the Tarakawa Creek, I would favor the recommendation to erect a concrete retaining wall, let 'into the papa on botl; sides, as being the cheapest and beat way of holding this filling. Messrs. Ferguson and Speck have made a start quarrying shcllrock for McLachlan's bridgs. General.—More clay has been procured from the Picture Company's section, at the same price as the last. The Railway Engineer has submitted a plan of the proposed protection works for the Mauganui River -bridge, along with a covering letter. The report was received. After discussion, it was resolved that the engineer should take all necessary steps to safeguard the Mang.inui River bridge. Settlers are to be requested to clear logs, etc.,' from the Huiroa. Creek. A concrete retaining wall will be erected on the Tarakawa Creek. CORRESPONDENCE. A. A. Koch, district enginter, V/anganui, forwarded a lengthy letter in. reply to the Council's request for a private level crossing at Victoria Street. It was stated that the Council would have to hear the whole cost of the crossing, also if the Department found ic necessary to provide gates, bells, signals, subway, or overhead crossing, the cost would fall on the Council. It would also be necessary for the Council to pay the whole cost of making up roads and cattle-stops—Received, the Council not being prepared to take over this liability. Pctone Borough Council requested the Council's support in urging the Government to conscript wealth and prevent the public being exploited; also that the pay of all men enlisted from New Zealand, whether on land or sea, should be 10s per day—The Chairman thought the letter should be received. The Council could hardly instruct the Government in a matter of this description. TAR-SEALING ROADS. The question of tar-sealing the Mountain Road created some discussion. Cr. Coieman contended that the road south of the toll-gate (Waipuku) should receive first consideration. The Chairman disagreed with this,, stating that the larger portion of the toll-money was derived from traffic in the north. The position was that they had to tar-seal on a macadamised road for 9% miles. When the tar-sealing had been completed, the toll-gates would probably have to be removed. The upkeep of the road would have to come out of ordinary revenue. (ir. Walters to test the feeling of the meeting, proposed that the revenue should he distributed to the extent of two-thirds to the north division, and one-third to the south. The Chairman seconded. Cr. ChristolTel objected, not considering it a fair proportion. He moved an amendment, that the allocation be made according to mileage. Cr. Coleman seconded. On the amendment being put, it was lost, Cr. Smith declining to vote. The motion was carried. GENERAL. The question of completing the boundaries between the Eltham and Stratford County Councils was deferred until a meeting of delegates from each council cculd be secured to arrange details This wag proposed by Cr. Christoffel and carried. Some discussion resulted on the question of, the supply of boulders, Cr.

Christoffel stated there was material of this description in the river on the Finnerty roae(, and a contractor, Reeve*, was willing to cart same to Cheal road and wait for payment.—Cr. Walter doubted whether they could remove the boulders, and thought the Council should secure legal advice j.i the. question.—lt y.'us decided to obtaiii the solicitor's opinion on the nutter. The question ot uienibcr.?' travelling expenses was discussed. Owing to Cr. Christoffel luvins moved nearer town, Cr. Baskin proposed "that Cr. Cliristoffd's travelling txpenses be reduced to !0s pet met ting." Cr. Christoffel seconded the motion, which >vas carried. • Tenders i.r« to be called for 250 yards of metal for Stanley road, and 300 yard? for Mountain road. Accounts totalling £5405 2s 7<l wer3 passed for payment and the council adjourned. According lo Cr. Smith the increasein the council's expenditure last- year was between £2OOO anil £4OOO. Tina was mainly attributable to increased cost of carrying out works. CR. BASKIN PROTEST& Regarding sonic of tno contracts for roetal. Cr. B;?.skin drew attention to the fact that some of the contractors sup-_ plying metal to the Council had carts in use that could not carry two yards of metal. He contended that by such thi Council were not receiving full value for the contracts issued. Cr. Smith, dealing with the same question, remarked that many years back he remembered a similar instance. The. contractor then suggested that they should measure the depth of metal, o.i the road, ami by this method ascertain, if the conditions of the contract were being carried out, but the results v:era r.ot satisfactory. The engineer stated thai whilst sorr.o of the carts engaged in the work -were hardly capable of carrying two yards—some could only carry 1J yards—others were carrying over two yards, and he was personally satisfied that the contractors were giving full value to the council. He would inspect the carts and see for himself the measurements of each. The foreman supervising this particular work could be relied upon to so.} that the Council was getting justice Cr. Baskin differed. He was prepared to take the engineer to the driver of the enrfc he complained about. He was at I the council table to see tha\: the ratepayers got fair play, and in tlii» instance the engineer should protect the council.

No resolution was placed before the council, the matter being allowed to drop. }

GENERAL ITJJMS. One would have thought that the term "conscript'" would now be banished from ordinary talk. Sensible folk refrain from using the word. Mr. K. Mason, however, lias received a rude shock by having his motor car scored with the objectionable word by an ink pcr:eil in several places. Troubk avals- tlio artist if he becomes known. Some excitement, lias been caused ia this neighborhood by the statement 'Jiat petroleum oil has been detected in a .veil on the property of Mr. J. Rough?.".;, of Kohuratahi. Mr. ]?. Grierson. architect, of Auckland, .is on a visit of inspection here. Our_Tisitor prepared the plans of the new picture theatre to be erected here, the preparing of (lie foundations of which is now well advanced. The withdrawal of the notice of motion by Cr. Young at Monday's meeting of the Borough Council, "that the council dispense with the services of tiif electrical engineer," was, perhaps, 'the besi way out of the difficulty. It was unfortunate that right from the outset of the Council's ownership of the electrical plant friction should liavo occurred. The Mayor was emphatic that the council's employees lihould carry out the wishes of those placed in control by the ratepayers Th> engineer was ;;lso emphatic in declaring that he had no wish to defy the Mayor or council, out desired an alteration in one of the. conditions attached to his engagement. The trouble is now over, and the Mayor ...id council deserve commendation in uc/i;, actuated with a desire to give the engineer every opportunity to work to the best of his lability in the interests of the ratepay-

ors. That confidence should not be misplaced, and the council will find it secures the same efficiency and consideration as the company did from the engineer. The county engineer, Mr. Lopdcil, states that there have been many terrfie slips throughout the county during the past few months. The surfacemen, nowhave made good progress clearing these slips, and roads generally are in fair prdor. There is an opening for a smart young lady or man on the Stratford Borough Council's staff. Particulars are advertised on page 1. An exhibit of war trophies and gas helmet in the H.B. window has been attracting much attention. They were forwarded from the front to Mr. \V V. Kirkwood. There are five exhibits, and also some French paper money. The latter is only for issue in France, so not likely to be of assistance to quench a thirst. The gas helmet is handy, but a mother wouid have difficulty in identifying her son whilst parading in this headgear. Mr. E. McK. Morison, who recently returned from a three weeks' holiday ii> northern Auckland, informs me that he ■was greatly impressed with the forward movement of the district where lie spent his boyhood days, Kawau. The land round there had been settled, and the introduction of better roads, improved steamers, etc., nad proved very beneficial to settlers, The fluid appeared to bs very suitable for fruit growing, and dairying had made great strides, the district having many creameries and factories. The weather was extremely fine during his stay there. Mrs. Morison and the family have remained behind and are caioving the spell. "The sum of £14,321 will be paid our by the Stratford Dairy Company on Saturday for the month of December. Harvesting operations are in fuh -•wine. Farmers are busy jiaking most use of the fleeting hours. Others who are making the most use of their opportunities are the crowds of satiifie.l customers to C. E. .Tames' jewellery and fancy goods warehouse. The wise folV know where the best value for money shop is, consequently C. E. James reports business good* v