STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting was held at the Council's offices yesterday. Present: Crs. J. Hathaway (chairman), T. Coleman, ,T. tChristoffel. .T. Smith, W. 11. Were, E. Walter, J. Worthington and I l '. J, Baskin, ENGINEER'S REPORT. North Riding—The Mountain road contract is progressing very slowly, principally owing to shortage of suitable labor. The crushing plant has been held up for over a week. We liave experienced considerable inconvenience owing to shortage of tar supplies. The hills on this road have been regraded prior to rumetalling, which will considerably improve the appearance of the road when finished. The stock road board for Cambria street has been ordered and will be erected when finished. Re the Beac-onsfield road cutting, I have had this work field over for your Council's further consideration, owing to the facts being misrepresented hy the North Riding member. The settlers have made a go'od showing on the Derby and Surrey roads, they now being in fairly good order. General surface work has been carried out throughout the riding. South Riding.—Lower Bird road has been metalled for a distance of about 30 chain?, using 4'28 cubic yards of metal. The light roller is engaged rolling same. The crossing at Nash road has received attention, when finished will be a considerable improvement. The South Mountain road is ripe for the finishing coat of tar, which I hope to be able to apply during the coming month. The contractors are proceeding with the stone for the Finnerty road, as there are no crushing plants available but our own it will throw this work late in the season. Clay blinding has been carried out on many of the roads. East Riding—Toko road east has been metalled with shell-rock up to Mr. Marfell's house, including private road; 510 cubic yards has been used. This metal will be rolled as soon as the roller has finished the Lower Bird road. Standish road has been remetalled for a distance of 30 chains. The Beaconsfield road is being regraded and metalled where left last year. The shell-rock contract for the Almroa road is completed. A". Needham has completed the forming of the old Ohura road, and made a good job of same. The three small concrete bridges in Mr. Bredow's road are finished. A considerable amount of surface work and drain cleaning has been done in the Douglas riding. Hniroa Riding,—The roadß generally ' in this riding arc in good order. The drains generally are receiving necessary attention. Some of the timber is on the i 1 ground for the Waitara River suspension bridge, plans having been approved for same. A small bridge on the Makuri road collapsed' while being crossed by a mob of heavy cattle; temporary repairs are being made by the foreman. Mangaehu Riding.—This riding is in good order. The shell-rock contract for McLachlan's bridge is completed, and is being crushed by tlte Collett plant. The shell-rock for the Tututawa bridge will be completed in time to be crushed on the return of the plant. The towers on Hodder's bridge are being repaired by the bridge gang, who will proceed to McCool's bridge when finished. Plans for McLachlan's bridge are well under way. Oer.eral tenders have been called for 1000 cubic yards of shell-rock for the Waiwiri road, and 250 cubic yards of boulders for the Stanley Cross and Croydon roads, returnable to-day. Also j quotations for road sweeper have been j received from several firms.

At Cr. Raskin's suggestion, the engin-

eer was requested to report on several holes in Denmark Tevraee. The railway crossing at Pikau road was also considered too narrow, and this matter was left to the engineer.

Regarding Cr. Smith's complaint about the state of the roads in the West riding, the chairman stated that he, with the engineer, had gone over the roads and found them in good order. Cr. Smith related how fiaO yards of fhetal had teen laid on the roadside

ready for use on the Hastie road. But instead of getting the use of the (!o0 yards there had only been screenings. He maintained that the metal should have been scarified. On the Brook road, metal had been tipped on the road and left to lie there. The engineer: That is not correct. Cr. Smith: I had to stand abuse from the engineer last meeting. He tells untruths. The engineer: I say that is a diabolical lie. The chairman: We don't wish to he'ar any more of the matter. Cr. Were: Let's have the truth about it. The engineer: Cr. Smith's statement regarding the Brook road was decidedlywrong. Cr. Smith: I am right. Out of 650 yards of screenings, only '22>/ 2 chains of toad had been made. At Cr. Were's request, the engineer ivas requested to attend to a few fillings necessary on the Standish road. On Cr. Walter's motion the sum of £3O was allowed to a ratepayer on the Otawa road as the cost of removing slips and repairs on the road in the Huiroa riding. A FIASCO. Cr. Baskin moved: "That in future the engineer should leave the room after his report had been read." The mover stated that he was compelled to move in thi3 direction because at previous meetings discussions had become rather wild. Cr. Baskin then proceeded to make attacks on the ministrations of the engineer.

Cr. Walter oLjec-ted to these attacks. The engineer had stood a good deal more than lie would have taken. A Councillor: What is the use of sitting here listening to a lot of twaddle? Thereupon, excepting the chairman and Cr=. Smith and Baskin, the councillors left the room.

Cr. Baskin proceeded with his complaints, when the chairman drew his attention to the fact that the council was without a quorum. Councillors then returned to the room, and Cr. Anderson protested against members having to sit and listen to these remarks.

The chairman then put the motion, which was lost, only Crs. Baskin and Smith being in favor. Foremen's reports of various ridings were then read and received. STANLEY ROAD BRIDGE. The chairman stated that Since the last meeting he, with the engineer, luid interviewed Mr. H. Okey, M.P., regarding the bridge, but so far had received no reply. He believed the Stanley road , bridge wa» ob» tke ftngst'» *N»

county. Tlie work had been done under the supervision of Mr. Murray, late Resident Engineer, but was now held up through his successor, Mr. Sharp, withholding the subsidy from the Government. The work had been carried out in details laid down with the plans. Cr. Worthington: What is the real objection offered to the bridge? The chairman: That is what we want to find out. Cr. Smith: Why does not the chairman go to Mr. Sharp and get particulars? Cr. Were: Why should our chairman go to the engineer? You are persecuting our engineer. Cr. Smith: I have no wish to persecute Mr. Lopdell, but the chairman should go to Mr. Sharp and see how they stood about the bridge. Cr. Walter: I would not think much of our chairman if lie did such a thing! Cr. Walter would like a definite statement as to what the Department really required doing. A councillor: The money has been expended, the bridge erected, and we want the subsidy. The chairman thought that the matter might be left to Mr. Okey, M.P., to ascertain the reason for withholding the subsidy. (Mr. Okey has promised to look after this constituency during Mr. Hine's absence). A detailed list of costs of expenditure showed that the actual cost of the bridge was £.833, and the engineer's estimate was £075. The matter then dropped. COUNTY EOADS. Regarding the North riding roads, the chairman said he found the roads in very good order. Cr. Smith: That is not the general opinion! The chairman explained that he had been over the roads, and that was his experience. Cr. BasUin mentioned that the roads required a good deal of attention.

Cr. Smith said that motorists going over the main roads of the wunty would say that the Stratford roads were not to be compared with the Hawera and Eltham roads.

Cr. Walters objected to Cr. Smith making a general statement. It was only, after all, Mr. Smith's individual opinion. He had mentioned no ratepayers' objection, and brought none forward to the meeting.

The chairman: Our main road is not completed, but would stand criticism. The engineer then reviewed the work accomplished on the roads under his supervision, ■ He was positive that everything possible had been done in the matter. They had to study ratepayers at times, and again it was not always convenient to get to some of the hack roads. BEAOOXSFIELD ROAD. The engineer stated that, as instructed at last meeting, he visited this road to see what could be done at the outting complained of by Cr. Baskin. The latter had stated that the work could be done in one day, but the statements of the men on tlie road was that it could not be done in a week, and consequently he hung up the work. Cr. Baskin said he had seen two of the roadmen about the matter, and had certainly been informed that the work could be completed in one day. The matter then dropped. DEPUTATION. Mr. E. Jennings, Douglas, accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. T. C. Fookcs. waited on the Council with reference to the drainage on his property, At .present, with each flood, his paddocks were damaged by waters from other directions flowing on to the land. The Government had, some years back, granted a subsidy for this work, but- the money had not been spevi'; on his side of the road. He wished the Council to get the engineer to go into the matter of devising some method of getting the surface water oft his property. He thought the Council should put a culvert in to divert the water.

Mr. Walter stated this matter had been in existence for 1(! years, and he could see no good in reviving it,—No action taken. WANTED OUTLET. Susans, ratepayer, waited on the Council to inquire when lie would be given an outlet to his property on Berkeley road—lt was decided to put the work in hand at once. RADNOR ROAD DEPUTATION. Eight property owners residing on the Radnor road also waited on the Council, and requested that repairs be effected on the road before the winter sets in. Mr. Keithley, who acted as spokesman, said the road was breaking up in many places, and more rolled metal was needed.

The engineer stated that there had been a good deal of work there, but contractors' drays had cut tha road un a lot.

The chairman said they had bad a requisition some time back, and lie saw 110 reason why these ratepayers should not have the work attended to, He thought the work should be put in hand at once. It was unfortunate that no roller was available.

Mr. Keithley stated that further up this road 25 chains of metal would bring them out on a good road again. Another ratepayer stated that near his property the road had received little attention, and in some places wag dangerous to traffic. , The chairman stated that if the ratepayers were prepared to rate themselves, and a petition to that effect was made to the Council, it would be given effect to. Regarding the complaint of a ratepayer about the loose metal, the engineer mentioned t'lat if the ratepavers were prepared to assist in clearing* the road a surfateman would be sent for a few days, and this would ease the position somewhat.

Or. Walter stated he could bear out the engineor's statement about the difficulty of obtaining labor. Ratepavers must understand that work Was being held up consequence. °

"" CORRESPONDENCE. The National Efficiency Board, Wellington, forwarded a circular letter stating l.lio Board had been formed to invesi" what manner the national elliein "y of the Dominion can be increased tci., ,i.. rily during the present war eonili'' and permanently after the war The c iteration of all local authorities was Vred, and a request was made for «. v jort from the Council's engineer on matter that would tend to incr ad efiioiencv in the district, The cn-eiilw asked that the report should dc: ..iui maintenance, upkeep and repair*, how far these could be redired or postponed during the present cri-is. "■:(! if this were possible, what | M!i<*«er oi men (laborers, mechanics, j otij,.(i,■ .rivers, etc,) could be released. L iV also wished to know how 544

new works might be postponed "whilst not delaying the preparation of any plans and data needed to prosecute the works when more favorable conditions existed.—Received. Cr. Were said he did not believe they had any first division men in their employ.

The Eltham County Council forwarded copy of resolution passed by that Council regarding the alteration of boundaries with the Stratford County Counei!. The resolution allowed Stratford to taka in areas totalling 375 acres 2 roods 16 perches (valuation £3776, and locality Ngaere and Pukcngahu), and against this Eltham would include areas of 372 acres 2 roods (valuation £35150), tko locality being in the same district Also, a request was made that the ford County Council should pass, » a s ; ni ;. lar resolution and forward sfiir.e to the Minister of Internal Affai;% : R coe i ye d. The inspector of noxjov.a weeds requested the Council tcj. tlear blackberry on the County reserve, Finnerty road, Ngaere.—To be attended to. Mr. J. Hislopj Under-Secretary wrote concerning Aiaac Day, which would be (ibserved on April 23, so as not to clash r " l ~ ) " municipal elections day. Also suggesting that a, special service should be held in the forenoon or afternoon, and a patriotic meeting in the afternoon or evening—Received. Iho Eketahuna County Council forwarded copy of resolution requesting the Government To erect cold storage at the four main centres, to allow all surplus mfcafc and dairy produce to be stored, and thus ensure produce to be shipped regularly all the year round.—: Received.

The MidjQirst Dairy Company drew at-' tention tt> a dangerous portion of Beaconsfield road, near Mr. Petersen's. The high Dank made it dangerous to the nifttor lorry, owing to not being able to ate approaching ears. • Cr. Were wanted to know if the lorry did not carry a horn or some other alarm.

Cr. Baskin said the request made could be carried out in one day by the roadmen. All that was required was the removal of the top of the cutting, It was decided that the work should bfe attended to when men arc available. H. H. Sharp, resident engineer, requested information concerning what quarries in the county were now in operation in the district under county control, and the names of the managers or foremen in charge, and if they have permits.—lnformation to bo supplied. The question of the purchase of a road sweeper was left in the bands of the engineer, with .power to act. j ... THE ENGINEER. I Cr. Smith then brought before the .Council the motion of which be had given notice: "That the services of the engineer be terminated." The mover traversed the work carried out by the engineer during his employment by the Council. He complained that the engineer, through lack of experience, did not possess that knowledge of road and bridge-making that they had a right to expect from an engineer. He referred to the strong terms Mr. Lopdell had used at the Council tabh to the mover of the motion and Cr. Baskin. He realised that the engineer" had a strong backing in the Council an J with this assistance he was learning. He challenged Cr. Walter that the hitter bad said Mr. Lopdell was a member of a clique of engineers. Mr. Walter denied absolutely making any such statement. He had no recollection of any words of his giving that impression. Cr, Baskin seconded the motion. Cr. Walter said that Mr. Lopdell !i«id done good work for the county. He was well pleased with what had 'been done. The engineer had done good work forj the Waimate County, and they knew that eqnnty would have liked to have got linn back. Regarding protecting the ratepayers, he claimed tlmt they' wero Till ratepayers. He was keen tc see the county get the host results, aj>d ) le was satisfied that the engineer was doin" good won;. It was n case, of seven wise ■men and two fools at Jic Council's table,' le knew nothing ol lopdell outside his engineering work He protestecl Jh'"LopdeiT against JrfVJ°K being rrs ' Smith and Baskin alone vouu „.c which was lost. Accounts were pagseit, a:.'., t'.u vu..ncil