ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1917, Page 7

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONjTHLY MEETING. ( T'.ie monthly meeting of the Eltham County Council was held on Saturday. Present: Crs. C. J. Belcher (chairman), J. Granville, F. .T. Gifford, 0. E. licGninness, A. C. Pease, A. McWiliiam, J. Black, J. Massena, and A. Campbell. WANTED ASPHALT. Jacob Mary, chairman of the Mangatoki Dairy Company, requested the Council to asphalt their yards at Mangatoki and Matapu factories, at the company's expense. The chairman stated that he had no objection to this work being done, wlven there was no urgent Council work to ho done. Or. Pease stated that the suppliers Were all ratepayers, and if the plant was available the request l might be acceded to. Other councillors expressed the opinion that the plant would "bo needed on other roads. It was resolved' that the matter "be left in the hands of the dhairman and the engineer. WHEAT OR POTATOES. '. Waipara County Council forwarded resolution: "That every endeavor be made to grow wheat or oats in larger areas where likely to be grown successfully, thereby helping to keep our nation's granaries from becoming empty and thus help to keep off what will otherwise be a disaster. Also, that a personal ennvas be made throughout the county and suburban areas making these requests), and procuring provisions to comply with them." Cr. Williams thought' that if they put down areas in potatoes, the results ivould be more satisfactory. The chairman and others concurred in this opinion. The letter was considered to be one that should be dealt with 'by the National Efficiency Board. COLD STORAGE. ' Eketakuna County Council forwarded resolution: "That tlie Government "be requested to erect cold storage at the four main centres or in conjunction with present works, so as tn be able to store ail surplus meat and dairy produce, and thus allow our produce to be shipped regularly all the year round." —Received. The chairman remarked that this was an instance of not looking ahead. The Eltham Dairy Company had anticipated something like this, and prepared accordingly. He did not think they chonld look to the Government for everything to help the farmer. Still there could be no harm, in acceding to the request for co-operation in the matter of providing cold storage. Cr. Grancille said he favored the-idea. It was not a request for cold storage provision exclusively.—Letter received and resolution supported. RANGER'S REPORT. J. B. Smith, county ranger, reported that ihere was a decided improvement In the roads. He then gave detail? of wandering stock, also charges brought against cyclists for riding after dark without light, and motor lorries failing to have observation glass. The dog tax was practically complete. He drew attention to tile danger of the bridge near the Mangatoki dairy factory, and thought it advisable to have a speed limit owing to the narrow bridge.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer, F. Baslinm, reported as follows: ■South Jtiding.—Ordinary maintenance Work lias been done during the mont'h. All bridges in this riding are in fair Order. Kaponga Riding.—Water-tables on the Eltham, Mannia and Rowan roads have been cleaned and deepened where necessary. The timber for re-decking the Mangawhero bridge is to hand and work will he gone on with without delay. The condition of the Mangawheroiti bridge should not be lost sight of, and the earliest opportunity of replacing this bridge ivith a concrete structure should he taken. All other bridges in the riding ore in condition, Kaponga Town Board.—The Eltham find Manaia roads have been coated with tar and screenings in a. satisfactory manner. These roads are now in good order, hut they should be sprayed with tar and eanded before wear takes place. .Mangatoki Riding.—All necessary 'and for spraying the Eltham and Hastfugs roads has been delivered, but spraying has been delayed owing to want of tar. Several trucks have recently come to hand, and work will be pushed on as weather permits. Protective measures have been taken to prevent further scour to the banks of the Waiongongiro river upstream from the bridge on the Eltham road. Willows will iie planted Amongst the boulders during the winter. .411 other bridges are in satisfactory order. Eltham Riding.—The balance of the t'hellrock quarried last season has been delivered along the Rawhitiroa road. Y'here is sufficient, metal out to maintain load over the winter, but as there was 110 metal quarried this season, it would be advisable to provide, for a double quantity next season and refaee as much r> f the road as possible. Sand necessary for spraying lias been delivered along the Rawhitiroa road. This road and the Mountain road should be sprayed before the witner. As the centre pier of tlie Patea bridge appears to be diverting t'he current towards the abutment on the Eltham side of the stream, it would be advisable to construct a concrete apron at the foot of the abutment. It would be only a small job, but it might he the means of preventing possible scour.. Omona Riding.—Contractor has completed tlie widening on the Karcwa road, but the work has not yet been inspected. I arranged with the contractor to repair fiood damage and remove slips on this road for the sum of £IOO. The work is completed and will be inspected next week in company with the Public Works Overseer. Bridges are in no immediate need of attention. Further good progress has been made in repairing flood damage to roads in this riding. The report was received. It was resolved that a concrete apron placed at food of the abutment of Patea bridge, as suggested by the engineer, and other details requiring attention will be taken in hand. GENERAL. F. J. Curtis applied for permission to transfer his slaughtering license to W. Clarry.—Granted. A. Major, foreman Omona riding, applied for a fortnight's holiday annually, 111 lieu of a full holiday each j&v-day,—

Granted, piovided that the time chosen met with the full pertnission of tie engineer. D. Syme,' Eltham Patriotic League, forwarded copy of resolution: "That tlio Borough and County Council be asked to co-operate in arranging a. patriotic meeting cr. the evening of Anzan Day, and that a limited number of musical items bo arranged for, also suitable picture; also the chairman (Cr. Belcher), Cr Pease, the Mayor, and Mr Stewart be a sub-eommitteo to act in the matter.—Received. Resolved: "That the Council co-operate in the matter, and that Crs. Belcher and Pease represent the county." Eltham D.TT. School Committed, applying for usual grant of £<3 for Eltham Technical School.—Granted. Public Works Department, Wellington, notified the Council that the sum of £2(IG had been paid to the credit of Council for work done, caused by floods on the Raiwhitiroa and Matawhitu roads. Received. W. 11. Perry, Tututaua, requested copy of agreement granting his application to erect woolshed, sheep-flip, and yards on road reserve at Takau.—Attended to. Taranaki branch of the Society of Civil Engineers forwarded invitation to chairman to attend the next quarterly meeting at Eltham.—Received. A. Allhusen, Kaponga, applied for pipe culvert on his property.—Engineer to attend to. Adjutant Scotnoy, Roys' Home, complained of county ranger bringing a court ease against him for cattle on the road. It had been the custom for them to place cows\. in charge of inmates of the 'Boys' Home, to eat down the grass) on the roads. Hitherto the Salvation Army had received genuine support from the Council as a body and individuals, and he was sorry they (the Council) had acted in the manner they had.— Received.