STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The county council met on Wednesday. Present: (Jrs. J. Halhaway (chairman); T. Colcmau, J. Chvistoffel, T. Anderson, J. Smith, W. H. Were, E. Walter, J. Worthington and L. B. Baskiu. MODEL DAIRY FARM. Cr. Were wished to know if the council would metal the road to the Mode! Dairy Farm. The farm authorities wcuiX pay the expenses—The engineer was instructed to undertake the work. • ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. W. J. Lopdell, county engineer, reported as follows: North Riding.—The Mountain road has been scarified and rolled from Flint rqad ito Midhirst. The portion from the Manganui river to the Waipuku hill is too weak to scarify; we are, therefore endeavoring to keep it patched for the present, and will remetal and tar iliis portion during the summer. The Waipuku hill requires regrading, and the hollow raised about six feet, also straightening at this point. /If this work was done during the summer it would be consolidated sufficiently for tarring during the following summer. The Esk road has been done up with pit metal. This road is in a very weak condition, and will' require remetalling nerA year. The Barclay road formation is nearing completion. The boulders have been procured for this road, and the bridge, the crusher being engaged thereon. We will also crush about 250 cubic yards for the upper Pembroke, while in the locality. Stanley road is being scarified and rolled from the Beaconsfield road back aB far as the metal will warrant it. A portion of the Monmouth road has been scarified and rolled. South Riding.—General surface work has been done throughout this ridinjr, a considerable amount of watertabliug. metal banking and patching has been done, especially on the lower Bird and Waihapa- roads, which have suffered considerably through carting metal for the factory. East Riding— The willows at Mr. Fincham's flat have been cut down to road levil, also at Sangster's hill. A stone? groin and banking to prevent the long flow of water between the Model Dairy Farm and the cemetery, has been arranged so as to convert the water through the pipes again. Skinner road bridge has been partly redecked; this bridge will require redecking during the summer. I have inspected the track referrd to by Mr. J. J. Hills, and find that his access has not been cut off in any way. Mr. Beauchamp has erected two good gates, which enable him to drive stock from the Akama road corner down the surveyed road to a point where the road strikes the creek. This portion of the road is fenced on one side, which is a boundary between Mr. Beauchamp and Mr. Jones, a distance of about 40 chains. From this point forward the track has not been affected in any way. To make a road through this flat would be very costly, it being low-lying country, with very little fall. Re the creek cleaning along the Makuri road, some of the settlers have not completed the work authorised; which means the road is kept wet in places. A portion of this roi'.d up near Mr. Stockley's was raised last year with sand from Mr. Stockley's pit, and is the only portion of the clay road that is standing the excessive wet weather. The timber i 3 on the ground for the concrete bridge on this road, the rest of the materials arriving shortly. Douglas road north. —The suspension bridge over the Waitara river is completed. Handrailing has been put on a small bridge near Huiroa on the road.

West riding— The roads in this riding are in fair order. Considerable work has been done on virions roads during the month. A small bridge on Opunake No. 3 has been strengthened and redeemed. Opunake No. 2—A small bridge on this road will require two new beams before the "roller is allowed to cross. The Slanaia road south is very rough, owing to the heavy patching during the month. I would like to make this'one of the, first jobs for the season, as the road is practically worn out. Acting under instructions from Cr. Anderson, I have had the pane of glass and dado for the Manaia,road cottage kitchen ordered and delivered, the work being done by the occupant. ■ Mangaelm Riding.—This riding is in very good order. Many of the corners have been removed during the month. Kaitieke road: The formation of this road has been let'to Messrs Ferguson and Speck. General.—T would recommend' cailin" tenders during the month for a number of contracts returnable on October 17. I have ordered new buckets, etc.. for the Collett stone crusher, which is being overhauled, and should be in good order again for this year's work. I liave found it advisable to procure a stock of shovels, which are very scarce in the Dominion; in fact, all tools are at a premium. The Inspector of Machinery paid his annual visit of inspection, and reported very favorably on the condition of the ' engines. I have complied with the resolution re further supplies of tar.

The report was adopted. Regarding the Waipuku hill, the engineer said" the rcmetalling required would be about 10 chains. The chairman moved: "That the clause referring to 'the road be held over."—Seconded by Cr. Smith and carried. CULVERT WANTED.

Mr. Fraser, Ratapiko, waited on the council, and requested culverts on the Makara road. After some discussion, the chairman moved: "That the engineer be instructed to report,"—Carried. Cr. Smith drew attention to the.state of the Cardiff road—Engineer was instructed to attend to it. The attention of the road foreman is to be drawn to the fact that excessive loads are being carted over the county roads, and in future these should be reported to the council. CORRESPONDENCE. C. Mayhead, BeaconsfieUr road, complained of the ranger demanding 5s for•finding two new-born calves witness had tethered on the road. This was the first occasion he had transgressed, whilst contractors' horses and others were allowed stock grazing on the roads without molestation.—Referred to the ranger for his report. A. A. Koch, district engineer, wrote regarding reopening the at Victoria Street on the Toko line.—Lett in the hands of the engineer and Cr. ClirisJtoffel. '

H. Okey, M.P., forwarded copy of a letter from the Minister of Public Works, notifying grant of subsidy of £-2io for the Ahuroa stream bridge, Stanley Road, the council having undertaken "to accept full responsibility for the safety of the bridge.—Receive*! Minister for Public Works notified that the reauest for u additional £250

towards repairing damage by floods on the Mangaehu Road would receive further consideration when preparing the estimates. —Received. John Milne, Toko, wrote complaining that a. tenant of the council was allowing cows to graze on his land, through faulty fences. If the council could not erect the. fence lie was prepared to pay one-half of the cost or rent the section. —'Referred to the east riding members sml engineer to interview (Mr. Milne and report. The district health officer reported cases of diphtheria and tonsilitis at Robson Road, diphtheria at Waiwera j-Rosul, Toko, Bird Road, Stratford, and it'heal Road, Ngaere. In each instance j recommendations to improve the sanitary conditions of the premises were enclosed. —Notices to be sent to occupiers of the houses to effect repairs as suggested by the inspector. E. E. Cresswell, Gordon Road, wa3 granted four 9in. pipes for a culvert he required. A. A. Koch, district engineer, drew the council's attention to storm water on the Mountain Road near the York Road crossing, damming against the bank on the railway bridge and being a source of danger.—Referred to the engineer, with power to act.

J. E. Young, Puniwhakau, requested the services of a bridge carpenter for a- few days, to assist in the erection of a bridge over the Puniwhakau stream. Jle also desired tho council's approval to lower the grade on his present outleti from the bridge to the road.—Left in the hands of the engineer. GENERAL. A committee consisting of the chairman and Crs. Christoffel and Walter was appointed to make inquiries re purchasing a motor roller and disposing of the present heavy steam roller. It was resolved to increase the wages of the permanent men Is per day; the foreman will thus draw. 13s and roadmen 12s. '•' It was decided, on the motion, of Crs. Christoffel and Coleman, that a creek on the south side of a bridge on the Cheal Road should bo opened^' On the chairman's motion it was resolved to notify roadmen that they must not enter private property to open up drains. The county clerk notified that, excepting six, all outstanding accounts owing had been paid. In the instances quoted the amounts were very small.