CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1917, Page 3

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MECTIXG.

The ordinary meeting of fit Hilton County Council was held al. Waiiara yesterday, when there were prudent Cr«. 11. 11. Pigott (chairman), R. T. liieks, H. M. Purdie, W. Old, S. J. Kenniugl.on, and ! H. Sander. An apology was received for the absence of Or. A. M. Bower, ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. P. Dowsett) reported:— Wiiihi Riding.—The crushing plant terminated its engagement with the borough, and has been occupied on the main road, scarifying, crushing, and rolling various sections requiring attention, and will continue to do so until the weather warrants the plant proceedins to Wai-iti. 8 Tikorangi Riding.—General maintenance has been performed and dray work utilised in hacking up various sections of metal and attending to other necessary requirements. Arrangements are m progress to" put the grader in conimission on the Waihi and Otaraoa Roads, but the result is entirely governed by the supply of necessary labor and teams. Tenders close'to-day for metalling portions of the Tikorangi and Inland North Roads.

Ngatimaru Riding.—The repairs to the Tarata boundary bridge have been completed and the bridge party transferred to the Pita Road work. There is not a great lot to do in this locality, and the next transfer is to Purangi. On the Mangaoapa Road financial matters appear to be progressing satisfactorily, and when brought to a definite' conclusion action will be at once taken to proceed with the work. The widening on the Matau-Kiore Road has been completed up to the limits of original location. The grader was sent forward to this riding early in the month as arranged. Urenui Riding.—On the Onaero Road levels were taken to re-grade the sections to be metalled, and plans prepared, and supplied to the settlers, who are prepared t 0 do the earth work. It is intended, before the rolling plant passes northwards, to utilise it in this riding to scarify and improve certain sections of rough metal. Operations in the Okoke pit during the month have been very limited, although the quality has improved, but little activity has been shown in advancing the boulder contract. Application has been made for the final payment of the Piko Road contract, and arrangements made whereby the settlers will attend to the roads in the Okoke district. A good deal of preliminary work is necessary before active construction takes place, and I therefore request authority to lay off small deviation and prepare plans and specifications for erecting a new up-to-date bridge at Onaero. As the council are aware a portion of the money is already available, and must be used for this purpose exclusively. In the absence of debating matter, the Avenue Road proposals present a favorable opportunity for controversy, as I have been again pressed for action.

Mokau Riding.—The contract for supplying shell-rock for maintenance was accepted at the original offer, after consultation with the riding councillor. The formation work on the Uruti Road is receiving attention in view of the metal being completed this summer. At the Hawera culvert boulders are being packed to prevent scour at the outlet end. On the Pukearuhe Road, a proposal has been submitted to the ratepayers in respect of the particular sections to be metalled and the earthwork is proceeding satisfactorily. Teams Bliould be easily available, but the settlers may require to make small sacriftces in releasing labor. A small deviation i s required fronting the Pukearuhe town belt to obviate the necessity of removing fences and re-forming a new road, and I recommend • the council's acceptance of the proposal. A plan will he sumbitted in due course for approval. Acting under the chairman's instructions and in his company, I attended a county conference at Hawera on 27th nit., when resolutions affecting financial administration were adopted. I would suggest that meetings be called at stated periods ; that remits lie made to an executive; an agenda paper prepared and comprehensive discussion on matters of interest submitted.

BERTRAND ROAD. Messrs IT. P. Sarten, Otaraua O'Carroll, S. Allemaii, and L. L. Sarton wrote drawing attention to the very bad state of about six chains of the Bert rand Road on a grade of 1 in 10. The road was the main stock route between north and south, and scarcely a day passed without stock passing one way or another. Often the mobs ran into hundreds, and this, combined with the continual wet weather, would make the road impassable. The road was also used to cart practicality all the metal used in the Tikorangi riding. They pointed out that they were prepared to deliver metal at os per yard, which was half the cost of any other metalling in the riding at present. On the motion of Os. Sander and Purdie it was resolved that the council adhere to its previous decision not to do any work. An amendment by C'r. Hicks that the application be referred to the new council was not seconded.

OHAKGO ROAD. Several settlers of the Ohango Road asked that a portion of the road should be metalled. They agreed to guarantee £fio as follows: Messrs H. Wells £25, A. Cole £2O, A. J. Honeyfleld £7 10s, Mrs. M. E. Honcyfield £7'los. It was resolved that the council subsidise this to the extent of £2 to £1 for metalling, the settlers to do necessary earth work.

! SURFACEMEN'S WAGES. W. J. Tristram, Eltham county clerk, I notified that at a conference attended by representatives of the counties of Hawera, Waimate West, Patea, Stratford, Taranaki, Egmont, and Eltham, also the Moa Road Board, it was resolved that the maximum wages of surfacemen be l'2s per day for time worked, excepting in special circumstances, and that further applications for increased wages by surfacemen be not considered until after a further conference had been called to consider and deal with the position.— Agreed to. PUKEARUHE METALLING. Messrs J. W. H. Martin and Blundell waited on the council in connection with the Pukearuhe metalling, and submitted a series of resolutions passed at a settlers' meeting which was held on Tuesday. Mr. Martin stated that owing to the bad weather and the difficulty of getting teams it would not be of much use send- j ing the crusher out at present. He ' pointed out that the settlers had'pasesd I » resolution agreeing to assist Mm with I

teams after Christmas, when their crops were in. If he could get teams himself the settlers were willing to give him financial assistance. Mr. Blundell bore this out Tlie chairman stated that the council decided to send the crusher to Pukearuhe before sending it to 'Uruti, at tho request of the ratepayers. If sent to Urut* first, there was a'chance that the bad weather might come in again before it could b e sent to Pukearuhe. If teams' could be obtained, he thought it would be desirable to send the crusher out as soon as possible. _ Mr. Blundell said the settlers had decided that, with the exceptions of 13 chains of metal on Sorrenson's hill, the available metal should continue from the end of the present metal, with the exception of a dry patch near Glassford's. The engineer did not appreciate the chopping round to different works, lie would not dream of going in unless the weather was fine. He did not think there was any difficulty in obtaining teams at £2 per day. He had obtained 14 teams at Uruti. The engineer pointed out that it would he necessary for the settlers to assist in preparing the Toad and spreading the metal. Mr. Blundell: That :*s rather awkward. The settlers have to find a lot in addition to doing their own work. Mr. Martin did not think the ratepayers would have lime to do this. The chairman said the engineer would have to arrange labor for preparing the road. Mr. Martin asked whether the £3OO subsidy from the Government was available, or would he have to knock off when the £IOOO loan money was expended? The chairman considered that the money would- be available. THE RETIRING'COUNCIL |

Being the last meeting of the council, the chairman returned thanks for the support accorded him, and expressed a .lope that present members would be returned. Ho considered that one of the best investments, during the year had been the purchase of the road roller, Which had almost paid for itself. Their work had, however, been carried on under some difficulties. Cr. Sander, a member of the council for the past nine years, considered good progress had been made. Among the best things done by the council were the building of houses for their workmen and erecting concrete bridges and culverts, lie paid a tribute to the work of the clerk and engineer. Cr. J'nrdic also paid a tribute to the work of tlie officials, and intimated that he Would be unable to seek re-election. Mr. Vaughan (the clerk) said there was a movement in several counties to avoid elections, by old members making a sacrifice and continuing the work, for the period of the war at anyrate. He stressed the good work done by Cr. Purdio. Cr. Hicks stated there would be an election in his riding. Cr. Old said he had not .intended seeking re-election, as he wa.9 -working his farm short-handed. It is understood that Cra. Pigott, Pennington, and Saunders will seek reelection. GENERAL. The superintendent of the State Advances Department notified that the. precedent consent of the Governor-in-Oouncil had been obtained for the Mangaoapa Road loan of £3OO. It was resolved to sue a. dealer for the cost of burying dead cattle. The Minister of Interna} Affairs notified that clause 4 of the general motor . regulations was ultra, vires, the manner in which identification marks shall be affixed to motors being a matter that must be determined by the GovernorGeneral himself by Order-in-Council. Tenders for metalling at Tikorangi and Ona'cro, were declined, being too Jiigh, and fresh tenders will be invited, to close next meeting, also for metal at Ohanga Road. Accounts amounting to £709 11a 7d were passed for payment