ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1917, Page 7

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Eltham County Council met on Saturday. Present: Crs. C. J. Belcher (chairman), J. Granville, JE. J. GilTord, G. McGuurness, A. McWilliam, J. Black, A V. Messena, and A. Campbell. Leave of absence wag granted to Cr. A. C. (Pease. STRAYING CATTLE, ETC. R. Hartley, Awatuna, complained that he had to pay double driving foes on stock belonging to him that had been impounded, also that the stock was in poor condition when released.—Cr. Messena said Hartley had never before had his cattle impounded, and had received two summonses.—The clerk stated that only one driving fee had been charged. The ranger attended and explained his action. The impounding Act stated ho oould charge Is per mile. He had cautioned Hartley before. He did not collect any money previously. Ho went over the roads one day and cautioned him, and found cattle were there again. Cr. Messena said some of the farmers were working 10 hours a day ami could not keep an eye on the cattle. Cr. Granville said cattle had been impounded within four chains of some owners' property. The chairman said there was a resolution on the .books allowing the ranger discretionary power. Cr. Messena said he would give notico to move that no prosecutions be made on straying cattle during the war. Cr. McWilliam was not in favor. They were responsible for accidents that may happen on the road through straying cattle. Cr. Messena differed. The owners were responsible for accidents. Cr. McWilliam said they were employing a man to keep the roads clear. The ranger's explanation was received and considered satisfactory. Crs. Granville, Messena and Campbell commented on owners driving vehicles without lights on the county roads, and a resolution was carried that prosecutions be laid against those caught driving on countv roads after dark without lights. CORRESPONDENCE. Badger Bros., Matetnateonga, requested permission to erect seven posts along the road to permit of telephone connec-v tion with the homestead.—Granted. Mr. Olsen, Takau, requested that the Council should attend to the washout on the road between Takau and Omona. The temporary bridge was unsafe for heavy traffic and was scarcely safe for horse traffic.—Twelve ratepayers in the Omona riding requested the Council to proceed with the erection of the bridge at Takau. The settlers at Moeroa and Takau had to pay considerably in extra freight on wool. This was caused through the carriers being able to take only small loads across the present deviation.—Bridge to bo erected by day labor. Mrs. R. Eailey, Upper Duthie Road, requested permission to construct a culvert at the entrance to her premises.— Left to the engineer to attend to. The Fields Inspector, Hawera, requested the Council's co-operation in compelling occupants of land on Mangawhero Road and adjoining properties to remove gorse.—The chairman remarked that something should be done in the matter. He noticed blackberry was also obtaining a hold on somo properties.—Cr. McWilliam said the inspectors should carry out their duties without appealing to jthe Council.—The chairman said the inspector wanted their cooperation.—The engineer said there were patches of foxglove and blackberries that needed attention.—Matter to be held over. The Premier and Minister for Public Works acknowledged the Council's recommendations with reference to the Toll Gate Abolition Bill proposed bv Mr C. A ; Wilkinson. M.P. _ Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Public Health, wrote with reference to the Council's resolution suggesting that the borrowing powers should be extended to hospital boards in connection with works requiring capital expenditure. His reply in effect was that hospital boards were already empowered under the Act to borrow on the security of new properties, the only condition being the consent of the Minister of Hospitals. This allowed boards to borrow and make repayments over a period of years. This would reduce the amount by way of levies on other bodies each year, and also the subsidies by the Government. The matter was being considered, but there was little likelihood of introducing legislation this session.—Mr. C. A. Wilkinson also acknowledged copy of the Council's resolution.—Cr. Campbell suggested that a copy of the Minister's letter should he forwarded to the Hawera Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.—A motion to this effect was carried. Hot'anga County Council requested the co-operation of the Council in securing an amendment of the law in regard to obtaining better facilities for collecting native rates.—Resolved to support as requested. Hokitika Borough Council forwarded a lengthy circular regarding the holding of a national day >f prayer, and suggesting Sunday. October 7, as a suitable date.—• The chairman said he sympathised with the suggestion." and the letter was received and endorsed. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. R. D. Tosswill) reported as under on the work done throughout the county since tlie last meeting:— South Riding.—A length of about half a mile at the southern end of the Boylan Uoad has been scarified and re-faced, and temporary repairs are being carried out on the rest of the metalled portion of this road. Maintenance, work lias been done on most of the other roads in this riding, and the approach from Eotokare Road to Mountain Road has becu improved. Mangatoki Riding.—A point on Lower Stuart Road has been cut away and the filling beyond considerably widened, making what was rather a dangerous bend safe for motor traffic. A wash-out on tho Lower Duthie Road, caused by the bursting of a dam, lias been repaired. Fenein? has been renewed and some tar ■patching done on Eltham Road, and water-tables cleared on Cornwall Road. Particulars as to the condition of bridges on boundary roads under the control of •Hawera and Stratford Councils aro submitted herewith. Eltham Riding.—On Rawhitiroa Road a length of five chains has been re-faced with shell rock, between Hu and Maata Reads, and SI cubic yard* of shell rock I have been broken for use as maintenance metal. Slips have also been removed and general maintenance work carried on. i Metal has been patched on M:wta Road and water-tables cleaned on Horoi Road. Omona Riding.—On Rawhitiroa Road u large number of slips have been removed, overhanging scrub has been cut back, i water-tables have been cleaned, culverts I i„uk. haan ronairnd, and fcb« formation

has heen widened at narrow places. Slips have also occurred ami have been removed on Matainiaroke and Karewa, Roads. A plan of proposed brid<m at Takau "wash-out" on Rawhitiroa 'Road ' is submitted for approval. Kanonga Riding.—The Eltham Road has been tar patched for a distance of three and a half milog between Knponjra and the toll gate. The junction of TCltTinm and Rowan Roads lias been metalled and tarred and weter-taWos for a length of thirty chains on Rowan Road have "been cleaned. Some temporary patching has been done on Auroa Road to mako it passable for traffic. Tenders have heen called for 4000 cubic yards of crashed metal for this road. Foreman Brant has forwarded his resignation as from 14th of the present month. General.—An iron shed, 24 by 30, with concrete floor, has been erected adjoining the present shed at the county depot, to house the new lorries. Sundry minor alterations and improvements have also been carried out. The necessary fencing on section recently purchased from Mr. Revell has been completed. Culverts applied for by Messrs Pennington and Wickham have been put in. Mr. J. H. Rleakley applies to purchase heap of metal near his entrance on Rawhitiroa Road. In the Omona riding report Or. McWilliam said something should be done in connection with the proposed bridge at Takau. He moved that the bridge be constructed as requested, work to be done by day labor.—The chairman said he agreed that the work should be attended to, and he seconded the motion, which was carried. Accounts totalling £9lO 7s 4d were passed for payment, and the Council rose.