TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1917, Page 7

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

■ MONTHLY MEETING, The monthly meeting of the Taranaki County Council was held yesterday Present: Mr. J. S. Connett (chairman), Councillors A. E. Laurence, J. B. Simpson, Binnie, G. Capper, A. Morton, J. Andrews, C. Andrews and D. McAlluin. CORRESPONDENCE. W. A. Jury, Tariki, notified that ow■ng to his inability to secure a house near his work he had sent in his resignation as foreman of the Waitara Riding.—Resignation accepted. The Eketahuna County Council forwarded a resolution requesting the Gorernment to erect cold storage at the four main centres so as. to store all nurplus meat and dairy produce, and thus allow it to be shipped regularly all the year round. —Received. E. Porter and Co., Auckland, notified that the right hand driving wheel for roller had been shipped by the IPort Adelaide, which vessel was torpedoed and lost in the English Channel.—Received. The Restar Co., Ltd., Wanganui, wrote stating that there was a shortage of tar dne to want of tabor, etc., and that they could not forward supplies till the end of the month (March). A later communication suggested delaying delivery till after the Easter holidays.—Received. W. H. Cook, borough engineer, regretting the borough could not allow the hiring of their tar boiler owing to the large amount of work still to complete. At any other time the county would be welcome to the use of it—Received.

J. ffislop, National Efficiency Board, forwarded a circular letter requesting information regarding what the council's officials can do in the way of increasing Xational efficiency. It was required that the council notify what works and maintenance, upkeep and repairs were necessary, and how these can be reduced or postponed during the present crisis, and thus render available the services of men for other purposes. Also asking what numbers and classes of'men can be released (laborers, carpenters,' etd).— Members generally were of the'opinion that nil recognised wd should do all poslible to conserve efficiency, but did not believe they had men that could be dispensed with. Rather was work, being held up through lack of labor.; The Hon. J. Allen, acting Priinie Minister, forwarded a letter re Arizac Day, which would be observed on Monday, 23rd, instead of Wednesday, 25, also requesting Council to assist in any-patrio-tic meetings during the day.—Received.

The State Advances Office, Wellington, notified that the resolution making a special rate for the loan of £IOOO for the purpose of forming and metalling Lower Htone road had been gazetted.— Received.

The Trentham Military Camp requested Council's co-operation in providing requisites for troops during the long voyage to Europe, etc* and enumerating tho goods most required.—Received .<■ H. H. Sharp, resident engineer,; requested information as to what quarries were now in operation in the; district under the County's jurisdictidn, and what managers or foremen were employed in the quarries, and if they had permits.—lnformation, to be supplied. E. J. Smith, Lower Mangorei, applied for permission to remove metal from the side oi the Junction road, along Leithbridge'i frontage. If the Council would provide the metal he was prepared to spread and do the necessary banking and binding.—Application granted. Frank Gable, toll-collector, requested increase in salary; his present wages were £2 6s (seven days).—rWages to be Increased to £2 15s.

F. Meyer, Pheney road, put in a claim for £3, loss of a heifer calf which fell over the pit on his property, and had to be destroyed.—Foreman to report. Frankley Road Dairy Company applied for a grant of 20 yards of broken metal for repairs to the factory road.— Granted, when crusher is in that locality. The town clerk desired information whether the Council agreed to the boundary roads between the borough and ?ounty being placed under the control ot Hie boroughj. both to pay onehalf the cost of maintenance. The roads affected were: Doralto road, 16.57 chains; Frankley, 4.25; Tukapa, 11.50; (Tarahua, 21.50; Carrington, 7.85; Avejrue, 11.50. If the Council did not agree to this, a subcommittee might be appointed to confer with a like committee of the borough.—Received, and a subcommittee, consisting of Crs. Coimctt, Morton, and McAlluin appointed to meet i, sub-committee from the Borough Council.

FOREMEN'S REPORTS.

The following reports were read:— Driver Mackie.—During the month 1 crushed as follows:—!)% days Smartroad, 778 ynrds; 4 days Puniho, 2vio yards; total, 1030 yards. I have also had two Wheels of crusher repaired and ttoor of crusher renewed with hardwood. Driver Fitzgerald.— The roller was occupied rolling in Foreman Jury's length Mountain road. The balance I have been rcarlfying and rolling in Foreman F. Holmes' and E. Hayes' lengths.

MOA RIDING

Foreman Laurence.—During the month t have been engaged repairing the eastern portion of the. Tariki road, I have removed the obstructions from water course on Mr. Good's property, the cost of which ho agreed to pay, I also repaired tlhe water race Burning on Mr. Putt's place on Tariki road.

Foreman Bennett.—The dry weather Is playing havoc with my length, and I have put a man on. to help me hold the road..

Foreman Mallon.—l have been engaged at the usual repairs necessary to keep the road through so much dry weather.

Foreman Heal.—My roads are faijj, with fJhe exception of the" Hursthouse road, which requires metalling. I have been assisting the inspector and Foreman Batten.

MANGOREI RIDING.

Foreman Batten.—l have been employed assisting the inspector repairing Chain Bridge, Alfred Road Bridge, and Whisky Creek Bridge, also assisting vlth the roller rolling and scarifying. 'Foreman Keast—The roads are "fair, with the exception of Korito and top of Kent road. I have been assisting with the small roller in Foreman Batten's length.

WAITARA RIDING

Foreman F. Holmes. During the month I have received 590 yards of metal on Smart road, 72 yards near Herbert Martin's, and 14 yard's at Harry Sk*'lton's. I bave widened the comer at Bishop's road, which was dangerous. .Mr. H. iSkejton will pay £5 f or having

the road widened near his entrance. Foreman J. Holmes.—l have been engaged assisting on Smart road, helping the inspector on the bridges and opening the drain at Waitaha Stream. Messrs Ogle and L. Connett 'have opened the latter water course for about six chains which, if kept clean, will suffice. It requires eight 18-inch pipes to lengthen the Waitaha culvert and the whole filling in. It will take about 200 yards of earth. There is none available on the road but some can be procured from Mr. J. Connett's place. The total cost exclusive oi pipes will be £l3. Owing to eo much lost time on my length I would j like a man to assist oil my length for about two weeks.

Foreman Proud.—l have been employed assisting on the Smart road and Working in gravel pit on Kenwood road.

OMATA RIDING

Foreman Seamark.—The main road is cutting up somewhat and I would like the small rolleras soon as possible. Foreman Eva!—l have been employed picking up loose stones and blinding. Mr. \V. George assisted on Burton's Hill free of charge. I have completed the gravelling on Barrett road.

OKATO RIDING.

Foreman McGrath.—l have been engaged blinding Main road and regrading Croydon road.

Foreman Sefton.—My time lias, been taken up with blinding the Main road and usual maintenance work. I have completed grading hill on Lower Timaru road and it is now ready for metal. "I am now engaged at 'Ptaniho road. 1

Foreman Meredith.—l have ploughed and re-formed about 35 chains on the Lower Pitone road. Messrs. Rae and Smith did all the necessary ploughing free of cost. The boulders on the Upper Pitone road have been spawled ready for crushing. 1 had to engage help with the blinding.

Foreman Hayes.—l have great difficulty to maintain the roads owing to the dry weather. The decking has arrived for Stony River bridge. I assisted the inspector to repair the same to allow the crusher to pass over to Puniho. Since the crusher arrived we have put down about 40 chains of road.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

Chas. Grant, inspector, reported:— Most of the month I have been busy repairing bridges throughout the County! I finished tihe Chain Bridge on Marqh fi. I also repaired the Stony River bridge to allow the crusher to go over, and will put down the new decking whew me labor is available. I have ■ also made tepairs to the bridge -at Sentry. Hill, also repaired the decking on the Snake Bridge, and I have repaired the Mangaoraka bridge on the Te Arei road. 1 have finished the culvert at* Sampson's pit by fixing the concrete slabs in, position. I have also dismantled the county motor garage and brought it in to Bell Block to re-erect it on Mr. Connett's property.

Cr. Laurence's a'ction in arranging to remove obstructions from Mr. Good's drain, was approved.

Messrs. Sladden and Palmer are to report on condition of the biidge over the Mangaone stream, Junction road. The Manganui and Mangaone bridges are to be redecked and repaired as recommended by the inspector. Te Korito bridge is to be strengthened. A charge of '£4 is to be debited against Mr. T. V. Simons for reinstating damage -to Carrington road.

A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. W. George for free labor at Burton's bill, Barrett road, and also to Messrs. Uoe and Smith for work done on, Tircarn road. The action of Cr. C. Andrews in securing extra labor for Puniho road was approved.

UEPPER ROAD.

Mr. H. Trimble, chairman of the Moa Road Board, waited on the Council in reference to the Lepper road, a portion of which bad recently been merged in the County. A contract for metalling this road was proceeding, and he desired information whether the Board should complete metalling that portion which had passed out of their control through the merging. A little discussion ensued, after which following legal advice, the Council resolved, that the completion of metaliiiig this load should be done under County supervision.

vVAIWAKAIHO BRIDGE.

Messrs Sladden and Palmer, engineers, wrote re the Waiwakaiho bridge. They stated the Public Works Department had returned plans of the bridge, and required a different type of abutment and tying walls, the object being to make the bridge, so far aB the eastern end was concerned; safe for tramway, traffic. These requirements will add considerably to the cost, their estimate for abutments and wings alone being £950, whilst, in consultation with Mr. Sharp and Mr. Cook, the writers believed the cost would be about £1250. The work was progressing favorably, and with a continuance of good weather the whole of the work below water level should be complete uy to-morrow (Tuesday). Good foundations had been secured at the eastern abutments at a depth of 10ft to 13ft below water level. Mr. H. H. Sharp, resident engineer, in his letter stated that the proposed new abutments to replace that which was destroyed, are intended as an indication of what the Department considers necessary- to make structures safe for tramway traffic which, it is understood, will be developed in the near future. The design consists of three supporting buttresses at the back of the abutment to take the thrust of the arch, and two counterforts for the purpose of resisting in the tension, the thrust of the filling against the wing walls. If the 30ft span is reinstated as originally constructed it will bo sufficient, and the construction of the substantial abutment now proposed will assist in strengthening the lower span arches in the middle, and to strengthen the whole bridge that the Department will accept it for tramway traffic. The western abutment should be strengthened in a similar manner. In forwardih" these plans it is not intended that they should arbitsirily over-ride any plans which may have been prepaped by the engineer to either the Borough or the County, but that they should be taken as the minimum requirements. The New Plymouth' Borough Council forwarded copy of resolution' passed re the bridge: That in view of the work at the bridge costing much more than was originally estimated the County Council be requested to communicate with the iPublic Works Department with a view to the Department contributing one-third of the actual cost.

The letters placed before the Council were received. Regarding the suggested subsidy on increased cost to be made on the Government, Cr. MoAlJum thought that would be secured by the County Council as controlling bod£.

The chairman remarked that this matter would probably be placed before the Minister (Hon. G. W. Russell) that evening.

HOSPITAL SUBSIDY. The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board forwarded an approximate statement of receipts and expenditure for the current year. The receipts were estimated at .610.270 13s 2d}, and the expenditure £20.559. To meet these requirements it was proposed that a levy of Is fid in each £IOO be made on contributing authorities. Information was closed concerning details desired by the Council, but the Board were not disposed to give details regarding people requiring charitable- assistance or those owing outstanding accounts: Cr. MoAllum, assured the Council that the Board had' had heavy expenses meet, and also that requirements at tlie hospital made it necessary for the increased levy. The chairman moved, seconded by Cr Simpson: "That the Council regrets the Board's decision not to give the information requested as it was to the interests of ratepayers that this should be available." BRIDGE REPORTS.

Messrs. Sladden and Palmer, county engineers-, reported on the .Mangacraeia bridge. The piers and wings were good, but the wing walls should be higher. A concrete beam bridge could be placed on existing piers for about £223, but would only be 18 feet wide. The span of the two piers is unnecessarily great, and a concrete arch without any steel could be put in between the two existing piers, and still allow sufficient- waterway The existing piers and wings would, how,ever, be of no use. The cost of a concrete arch (not reinforced) would be about £275 for a 20ft roadway. The beam bridge would in normal times be much cheaper, but in view of the difference between the price of steel now and in the past, there was little difference when the width.is taken into consideration. There was little to choose between either methods, but if anything it favored the beam construction, 18ft of roadway. If a 20ft* roadway is desired 'the concrete -arch is recommended.

MANGAWARAWARA BRIDGE.

A concrete pier at the north-western end of the existing bridge can be used tor a new structure, though it will require underpinning. The span cannot be shortened to any extent, and we recommend a beam bridge as being the moat economical. It will be impracticable to keep the Hill road open during construction, but tho Maud road will afford an access to settlers on the eastern side of the stream. If the Council caUed tenders they would prepare the necessary specifications. The estimated cost, as per. platy would be £SOO. It was resolved that tenders be called for a concrete arcli for bridge, 20ft wide over the Mangaeraeia stream.

NOTICES Ol' MOTION. '

The chairman moved: "That the resolution passed on February 5, authorising r> ' Jrther payment of £3 6s 8d to Mr S. hart, royalty on stone carted over his property, be rescinded.—Carried. Cr. C. Andrews moved: "That the resolution passed on February 5, forfeiting contractor's deposit of £lO of Magee & Co. on the Hoani road, be rescinded " —Carried.

GENERAL.

Tenders" are to be invited for 12 months' supply of cement. An offending property-owner is to be requested to cut back blackberry overrunning roadway. Accounts totalling '£2 100 0s 6d were passed,'and the meeting rose.