CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1917, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Clifton Comity Council was held at Waitara yesteidaj, when there were present: Messrs R. H. Pigott (chairman), R. T. liieks, W. Old, H. M. Purdie, A. M. Bower, H. Sander and S. J. Kennington. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported:— Wailii riding.—Further attempts have been made to complete the Inland North road metalling, but without success. Additional gravel repairs have been done to the northern end of the main road, and it is proposed to give a coating thereto from the Mot onui Post Office to the Waiau road. The work of grading between the Waiau and Ohanga roads is held up pending labor being available.

Tikorangi Elding.—The usual maintenance work and metal repairs have been proceeded with, and. the contractor is waiting the arrival of the crusher as soon as favorable conditions prevail. Ngatimaru Hiding.—The timber for the bridge repairs is arriving irregularly, but the work will be put in hand as soon as it comes forward. The work of protection to the Matau low-level bridge has been completed. The Mangaoapa road was inspected in company with the resident engineer, who decided that either a single-truss span could be erected, or a reconstruction of the original plan. My estimates are as follows: To erect a truss bridge would cost, at present prices £500; to replace original bridge, which cost under £3OO previously, would now cost £425; to build the necessary small bridges, £275; culverts £65; clear slips over whole length ot road, £55; provide bridge approaches and other fillings, £75; other miscellaneous work, £25; or a total of £920. The resident engineer made it plain that any monies contributed were in the nature of in aid," and that it was obligatory on the council to expend a somewhat equal amount. It was pointed out ..that to expend Government contribution on the bridge and neglect the remainder of the road was not intended. It is proposed that the widening of the saddle and other points on the MatauKiore road should now bo proceeded with, i Uremii Riding.—The heavy rains have wn.-hed considerable gravel off the Kaipikari road, and this will be attended to when the teams are available. Gravel is still awaiting delivery in the Okoke pit, but the foreman's time has been occupied in other necessary work, and this has been delayed. Owing to the present state of the unmetalled roads it was not possible to transport all ithe heavy timber to the different sites on the jPiko road, but a number of bridges have received attention and repairs. A meeting with the parties interested was held on the Avenue road, but as no agreement was reached I am endeavoring to arrange another conference, and feel hopeful that no human problem is beyond human solution. Mokau Riding.-r-The main road, between the 30 and 37-mile pegs has developed two small bad sections, but it i 3 hoped by applying fascines to im. prove matters somewhat, and in addition, various sets of large pipes have been put in where required elsewhere. On the Uruti road the metalling contract is practically stationary, and the council should decide as to the advisability of remaining or pulling out. There are still 40 chains of metal, absorbing about twelve days' work. Repairs to the Barininihi tunnel have been effected, and side tracks cut adjacent to the fillings at Wai-iti, and as opportunity offered additional metal has been gathered. The foreman expects to commence cutting out the puriri for piles on the coast road bridges during the current month. The bridge foreman will proceed with the concrete culvert near the 33-mile peg. To construct the Tongaporutr. wharf in ferro-concrete, with timber decks at pre-war prices would cost about £450, but would now cost about £6OO, and a structure wholly in hardwood, would also cost, at present prices, about £6OO, without shed, which would cost about £45

With reference to expending moneys derived from the Uruti special reading district on the Tangitu deviation, the Commissioner of Crown Landß states: "Tlrat no action is proposed until after the July rents are paid, as the amount at present in hand for expenditure is too small for any practical purpose. This his always been my intention in respect of the expenditure of thirds in place of spending them in driblets. If all the thirds on one road were luniped they also could be cpent to some practical purpose. In view of the end of the month periodically terminating so close, to the day of meeting, I would suggest, in the interests of the accounts and reports, that the second Friday of the month be the day of monthly assembly.

As the outcome of discussion on the report it was resolved that the Inland North Road metalling be suspended during the winter. Discussion took place over the Uruti rond metalling. Members expressed the opinion that this would have to to held over until the spring. Cr. Bower maintained that the crusher should be left at Uruti for another fortnight, so as to see whetliei the weather would prove suitable for crushing. It was stated that there was metal waiting crushing at Tikorangi and elsewhere. It wa3 resolved, on the motion of Cr. Sander and Hicks, that the engine and crusher be transferred from Uruti to Tikorangi, if the weather is unsuitable for crushing, on or before the 10th instant. In connection with the Mangaoapa voad, the engineer stated that it would be necessary for the council to expend money on the road, otherwise the bridge would be of no use. He understood from the resident road engineer that Die council would be expected to subsidise the grant.

Cr. Sander thought that the Government was shirking its responsibility in making its grant so low. The engineer stated that the grant wa3 not supposed to be sufficient to cover the whole damage. He considered that the road was an unnecessary one.

The chairman did not know where the money was to come from. Cr. Bower suggested a revaluation of the comity, Cr. Kennington suggested Hint the 'Purangi settlers 3hould be approached nnd asked whether they were prepared to go in for a Special rate or a loas. The council might also find a little. The engineer considered that a portion of the road could l>o done without as the property on both sides was owned by one man. It might be possible to provide a cheaper bridge. On the motion of Crs. Kenningtcn and Sander it - ,vas resolved to defer ilia matter until :iext meeting, and meanwhile the settlers at Purangi will be approachad as to their willingness to raise, sav.

£3OO, to enable the grant of £SOO to be utilised.

| In connection with the Tongaporutu wharf, Cr. Bower considered that all that was required was a wharf similar to that which had done duty for the past ten years. He expressed the opinion that a £6OO wharf was too elaborate, £l6O should put up both wharf and shed, and to this the Government would contribute half the cost. This would meet their requirements for the next ten years, The engineer stated that concrete piles were necessary f,o withstand the tiredo. He had based his estimate on pre-war prices.

Cr. Old asked whether the present wharf could not be repaired. The engineer said that this (jould not be done. Cr. Bower considered that it would be better to leave the matter in abeyance. If the settlers were not prepared to give any assistance be was quite prepared to let the matter drop. During further discussion Cr. Bower said the dues would be considerable, as the steamer called about thirty times per annum. No action was taken. WILLOWS IN CREEKS. 'A resolution was received from the Manukau County Council regarding the powers of county councils compelling owners to clear willows from creeks. The resolution stated that the county had taken legal advice on the matter, and from opinions expressed, and also from the opinion given by Mr. Justice Cooper in McKinley v. Whangarei County Council, was of opinion that joint action should be taken by all county councils in the Dominion, so as to define their powers under the' Act, and, if necessary, to either have a case cited for the Supreme Court or get the Government to pass such legislation as to adequately interpret the meaning of the Local Drainage Act. The resolution further requested the Government to either give county councils such powers as are invested in drainage boards, in counties where no drainage boards exist, or legislate so that county councils will have power to compel owners to keep clear all creeks of willows or other big obstructions.

The chairman said that though this did not affect the Clifton County Council it was a matter that did affect many county councils, and he did not see that there would be any harm in assisting other counties to have the Act defined. Tho engineer said he could enumerate a dozen instances wherfe willows had saved roads in the Clifton county, l a 9 but for the binding given by willows the roads would have slipped away. On the motion of the chairman and Cr. Bower, it was resolved to support tho resolution. UNAUTHORISED VOTES. " Tho Resident Engineer (Mr. H. H. Sharp) forwarded schedule of unauthorised balances of votes appearing on last year's appropriations for works in. the county. He stated that it was proposed to re-'vote these amounts for tho current year, unless the Council was of opinion that there were more urgent works requiring attention than those enumerated on the schedule. If so, he asked the Council to indicate what new works 'it was proposed to carry out in preference, arid what items could be teduced or struck out to allow such new works to be provided for. It was to be understood that the total amount of the schedule was not to be increased. * Further, it was not proposed to vote new money for any works. The council was also request to indicate the order of urgency of the works.

Tho schedule was as follows:—Kaipikari (£ for £)■,, £250; Makino stream bridge, £80; Okau extension, £111; Okoke (£ for £), £25; Pukearuhe (on account of £7OO, £ for £), £300; Rerekino. £!)7; Uruti (£ for £), £940;. Uruti (Tangitu deviation), £1250; Waitara valley (Tangitu and Mangare Road), £79; Kotare stream bridge, £152; TongapoTutu river "bridge, £700; Tongaporutu to Mangaroa (west of Kotare stream), £106; Kiore to Matau, £BO. It wa3 resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the engineer, with power to act. A EE-VALUATION SUGGESTED. During a short discussion on tho Council's financial position, Cr. Bower suggested that the county should be revalued. He considered that il' this were done the revenue would he considerably increased. He pointed out*' that in tho Mokau riding there wore ratepayers who were rated on the original value, whereas they had carried out considerable improvements.

The chairman stated that a revalutipn would not necessarily produce mye money. If it was found that the., revaluation considerably enhanced the valuation, the council might reduce tho rate. A re-valuation would, however, possibly mean that the rate would strike ratepayers more equally. In reply to a question, the clerk stated that the last valuation was in 1911. It was estimated that the cost of tho new valuation would be £IOO. If the council required any riding re-valued they would have to make application to the department. Cr. Old thought it would bo a good idea to havo the Mokau riding revalued. It was stated that the council was at present £2474 overdrawn, without, including that day's accounts. Very little money would be forthcoming' before December, and care would be necessary. It was also state'd that the rate for next year would "bo struck at next meeting. No action was taken. GENERAL, Mr. E. Reynolds, Waitara, was granted renewal of slaughter-liouse license. It was decided to instruct the surfacetaan at Okau to replace the watering place that a previous surfaceman had destroyed. Tho Public Works Department notified that the Tongaporutu-Mangaroa and Manga toro roads had been , declared county roads. Tho Public Works Department also forwarded proclamation of the Pukearuhe Road deviation,—Received.

Accounts amounting to £383 2s l'Od were passed for payment.