STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The council met yesterday. Present: Cra. M. Hathaway (chairman), L. Baskin, J. Worthington, E. Walter. W. H. Were, J. Smith, T. Anderson, J. Christoffel and T. Coleman. ENGINEER'S REPORT. W. J. Lopdell, county engineer, reported as follows: North Riding.—l have been compelled to close down crushing operations on the Upper Pembroke road, after crushing 420 cubic yards, to enable the plant to proceed with the East road metal. The Railway Department notified me that it could not supply metal waggons until the middle of November. All haste is being made in pushing pn this work; other work in this riding is practically at a standstill. Manners road—The chairman and I visited this road during tho month, and find that a very large slip has taken place, which has covered the original road, and left this portion o» the roadway in a very soft and muddy condition. A culvert at the foot of the hill is in a state of collapse. Also 2 small culverts require renewing. To reinstate this road would cost over £IOO, the slip being about six chains long and three chains in width, and will continue slipping down in wet weather. South Riding.—General surface work is heincr carried on throughout this riding. Clay binding has been applied to several of the roads. A log which was a menace to the travelling public haß been removed from a corner on the Wingrove road.

East riding.—A portion of the East road has been scarified and rolled, the roller being called away to attend rs« metalling operations at' Douglas. General surface work has been carried out on several of the roads in this riding. Re the cemetery reserve at Toko—A good start has been made with the metalling of the Ohura road from the flat in front of Mr. Bredow's to Douglas. The Straker waggon, which is now working well, has been sent out to assist with the hauling of metal. Huiroa riding.—Foreman Massey ia doing good work in this riding. The resident engineer inspected and passed the work done on the Waitara river bridge, and recommended scraping and tarring the cables and bolts, which are showing signs of corrosion. The bridge work on the Makuri will be put in hand as soon as the metal is railed out. West Riding.—General surface work Is being carried out on the various roads, many of which are requiring clay binding. The boulders have been procured for the Manaia road south, and will be crushed when the Collett crusher is fitted up. Foreman Plews is again working single-handed; we require at least two additional men for this riding. Mangaehu riding.—General surface work has been carried out during the month. The washout at Mr. Courts' has been reinstated, the road raised at this point, and a good overflow culvert, which should make this piece of road perfectly safe. A suitable drav has been purchased from Mr. R. A, Brickell.

General. —The bridge gang is progressing favorably with the Konini stream bridge. Tenders have been called for several contracts returnable to-day. Re road roller—Letters are on the table in reference to the above.

Regarding the north riding the chairman reported that there was a good deal of carting going on in this portion of the county, owing to the erection of the cheese factory. The Pembroke road milk suppliers had applied for some crushed metal, and it was resolved to supply 30(1 yards, provided the factory supplied the metal to the crusher. The council resolved to inform Mr. Fraser. Ratapiko. that they were i(ot in a position to spend the sum of £IOO on the Manners road. BACK BLOCK DIFFICULTIES. i'l think the engineer and Mr. Walter could give a fair account of the road conditions at Kiore," wrote a settler •T. Tod, to the council. "The trouble and inconvenience we experienced during tin* winter, my son at times having to dig himself through, owing to slips, etc. This protest should have been sent in last year Ji I was always hoping for my son's Tetnrn from the front to assert himself, but 1 feel sure if the council [ooks thoroughly into the matter it could be adjusted satisfactorily. Cr. Walter stated that the council had spent £6O on the road out of the general fund, and also £IOO previously. He thought the writer had been treated very well by the council—Letter received. CORRESPONDENCE. W. Newman, Akawa road. Huiroa, drew attention to stock allowed to graze on the Akawa road, and thus causing considerable damage. Councillors believed there was a little feeling in the matter.—Resolved that Mr. Newman he informed he is at liberty to impound the cattle. The fields inspector requested the council to clear broom at approach to Kahouri bridge, East road.—Engineer to attend to this. Stratford A. and 'P. Association desired the council to grant the county staff a whole holiday for People's Day, November 2ft—Permanent staff fo have a full holiday. LEASING RESERVE.

Mrs. M. S. Reed, Tolco. wrote stating that she was quite prepared to put lip half the fence of the cemetery reserve, and to clear and plough the section, if the council renewed her lease on the same terms as existing. Cr. Were moved that Mrs. Reed be granted a lease of the cemetery reserve on the existing terms.—Carried. AN AWKWARD CUTTING. Cr. Baskin drew attention to the awkward comer at, Monmouth road. The railway runs parallel to the main road, and the Monmoufli road, when crossing the Mountain road, is hedged on both pide« with high banks. He thousht, that the council should extend the culvert an. other twelve feet,, and reduce the bank, and probably this would compel the Railway Department to lower its part of the banks on the east side. At the luncheon adjournment CrS. ChristofTel. Walter, Worthington, Baskin and the Dailv News representative inspected the locality. Cr. Walter said that, after inspection, they had to admit that it was a dangerous spot, but would entail a hig expense. Probably if the Railway Department were approached it would require an overhead bridge. As far as the motor traffic was concerned, it was very necessary for care to be exercised. After some* discussion, Cr. Smith moved: "That it be a recommendation to the incoming council to consider improvements to Monmouth road east."— Carried. ■ LABOR AND METAL TROUBLES. A circular letter was received from contractors and teamsters, announcing that

they were compelled, owing to the increase in horse-feed, wages, shoeing and repairs to drays and harness, to raise their charges for teams from 35s to 50s per day. A committee, consisting of the chairman and Crs. Christoffel. Anderson and Walter were appointed to inspect motor lorries for sale, and report. Cr. Walters stated that it might T>e beneficial to obtain the metal by railway. He knew they might not'get it with any degree of regularity, but he advised the council to give, this method of securing metal their most serious attention. Cr. Were moved: "That contractors be offered 40s per day."—Seconded by Cr. Worthington and carried. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted: 400 c.y. boulder stone. Mountain road south, F. Grimmer; 300 c.y. boulder stone. Ohura road, Fincham's Flat, W. L. Stock; 200 c.y. boulder stones, Upper Rowan road, W. Douch; 500 c.y. bouldet stone, Standish road, W. L. Stock; 300 c.y. stones. Ronald and Poto road. F. W. Green; 400 c.y. stones, Brooke road, E. A. and C. Chard. GENERAL. The Tuna Dairy Company applied for permission to lay pipes across the roart between the factory and Mr, Skedgwell's land.—Granted, subject to the approval of the engineer. M. T. Robertson, Midhirst. desired the council to raise the wages for use of horse and cart by 2s a day, as the cost of feed and shoeing had increased. —Is per day increase granted. W. Richards, Cardiff, agreed to a renewal with council on the same terms for the removal of metal, but thought the council should insert a clause, preventing contractors from removing boulders from the banks of the river; also suggesting a stricter supervision shoulft be kept over the stores. —Lease renewed. A' special meeting (the last of the present council) will be held on Wednesday, November 7. The tender of Masters, Ltd., was accepted for the supply of cement.