TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1917, Page 7

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

[ MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Taranaki ! County Council was held yesterday, when there were present: Crs. J. S. Connett (in the chair), .). Andrews, G. Capper, A .Morton, D. McAllum, C. Andrews, J. Wooldridge, J. B. Simpson and A. E. Laurence CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

The chairman reported that with Crs. Laurence and Capper he had met the Moa 'Road Board overseer (Mr. Hogg-) at Kaimata and Jiad discussed the proposed scheme of road improvement at" the •Junction-Kaimata cross roads, aad on the same day had attended the meeting of the Board at Inglewood and had further agreed to the work being carried out by day labor under the supervision of the Board's overseer. In the matter of foremen's lengths at Okato, after investigation, ho thought the only satisfactory solution, was to divide the roads lately merged into the County between Foremen Meredith and Hayes and permit them to employ extra labor when required. . He had met Mr. Schtfamm early in tlw> month in reference to metalling and earth work required on the Upper "Mangorei Road, The length under consideration was 48 chains of grading and formation from the end of present meta], also metalling of first hill of about eight chains. He suggested raising a loan to metal the whole length and this had been agreed to by the settlers interested. He recommended that L. Paul be paid the full contract ""quantity tif 160 yds on the Upland Road. On November 29 he had met Mr. Wainsborough, Assistant Railway Engineer at Mangamawhiti, in reference to obtaining a railway crossing on the south side of the river and from his remarks he thought tfhe recommendation would be favorable.

The big engine resumed work on the 23rd inst., arid Messrs Andrews' Bros, •engine had been returned to Okato. During the past week the crushing plant had been stopped to permit of necessary repairs. There was approximately 1000 yards yet to crush at Waiwakaiho, 701 yards waiting at Tozers, and the Spotswood boulders would be ready by the date agreed to. From thero the plant would proceed to Perth road. He had agreed with Messrs Bredin Bros., of Puniho road, to remove crusher site on their property asjoon as possible. The report was received land the chairman's action in the various matters was confirmed. FOREMEN'S REPORTS. The various foremen reported as low:-Plant.—Engine-driver Mackie reported that the plant {crushed ICO4 yards at the j Waiwakaiho Depot and he drove the Borough engine H days as arranged by the chairman. Engine-driver Stewart had rolled and scarified 129 chains of .road. Enginedriver Orr scarified and rolled in 128 chains on the Main, Perth, Kaihihi, Leith, Dover and Pitone roads at a cost of £3B 8s lid.

Moa Riding.—Foreman BonncttV time had been taken up with usual repairs and cutting out some of the sharp corners. Two planks had been put in Manganui bridge. Foreman Mallon had been engaged on the usual maintenance work. Eight nine-inch pipes were required for the Zig Zag. Foreman Heal had formed and constructed water tables for 08 chains on the King road. Messrs G. Blackburn, C. Longstaff and Stantield loaned horses and ploughs and gave free labor. He had metalled about half a chain on Kaipi road and done some formation. Mr L. Street did work with hoTse and cart and Messrs O'Byrne, Yeates and Sinclair gave free labor. The reports of Foremen Laurence and Taylor were not to band.

Mangorei Riding.—Foreman Batten had repaired Upper Alfred road and required seven nine-inch pipes on the Alfred road. Foreman Keast reported that the roads were breaking up, consequently he was kept busy blinding the hills. Foreman Spencer reported that the dry weather had kept him busy blinding the ;oad.«.

Waitara Riding.—Foreman .T. Holmes had received 540 yards from ,the crusher and spread same on roads. Foreman W. Holmes' time had been taken'up with usual maintenance work. Foreman F. Holmes had received 564 yards of metal on Egmont road and 70 yards on i Bishop's road. Foreman Proud had received 280 yards on the Paritc and Henwood roads.

Omata 'Riding.—Foreman Seamark reported that roads toad broken badly with the dry spell and that he had two men and horse and dry assisting him. Foreman Eva's length ( was breaking up fast and lie was trving to hold same. As regards metalling "Upper "Barrett road it would cost £7 per chain for formation and metalling, the total cost for 28 chains being £196. The metal could fcome from J. Wilton's and the Council plant could do the crushing. Okato Riding.—Foreman West stated LtTiat the dry weather kept him continually blinding to hold the hill. He required two 24-inch pipes to lengthen culvert near Oakura bridge. Foreman Sefton's roads were breaking up with the continued dry spell. He would have to attend, as a Juryman at the Supreme Court on December 4. Foreman Meredith had been chiefly employed with the small rolled. As regards Mr. Archer's request for pipes to divert water from scouring his private road the stormwater from Pitone road was damaging Mr. Archer's road. If a culvert was placed in under Mr. Archer's road (seven Oin •pipes) it would be quite all right. He would like three 9in pipes for culvert near | Mr. Newing's on the Petone road which requires shifting and lengthening. The inspector reported that he had been engaged collecting the Dog Tax in the Waitara, Mangorei and Moa Ridings. On November 22 he attended Court to prosecute three owners nf motor lorries for using the County roads without licenses, all of whom wore fined. Pipes required by various foremen will be supplied. Foreman Bennett is to attend to the blinding of Junction road east of the Manqorei river. The matter of arraneins the foremen's lengths in the 'Omata ridins was referred to the chairman and Or. McAllum to re-, port at next meeting. THE WATWATCAIHO WF.TP. Cr. McAllum could not understand why the weir was being put so close to the bridge. He understood that it was to have been two chains below the bridge, He considered that the weir in its present position would be a source of danger to the bridge in flood time through timber. The chairman said that no doubt the work was being done to the Public Works 'onsineer's speciMotions. The (-''airman stated Mr. Okey had intimnted that the Piiblio Works Department we.'c ngrern.il!' to pay their full third of tliH cost of the work at the

Waiwakaiho. bridge, Ibut they had received no intimation to that effect from the Department, It was resolved to apply to the Department for the balance of the grant. THIRDS. The Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarded list of thirds, amounting to £3O 17s Id, accruing to various roads in the County, The chairman questioned whether it was advisable to expend the money at present, as labor was scarce and expensive, and the amounts spread over so many roads were so small. Cr. Morton stated that unless the proposals were put in within a certain time the money might be lost to the Council Cr. Wooldridge asked whether there would be any possibility of gettin" the settlers interested t 0 expend the money •! ■ It was decided to hold the matter over until next meeting. THE CARRINGTON ROAD, Mr. H. H. Sharp, resident roads engineer, notified that he had been instructed to offer the Council £4OO, which appeared in the current year's estimates in respect to Carrington road, on the understanding that plans and specifications were submitted for his approval. He stated that he would be pleased to receive the proposals early, so that .the work might be carried out during the summer. Members did not see how the Council could get the bridge erected, but as the grant would otherwise expire bv March 31 it was resolved to make application to the Department to have the vote retained. GENERAL. It was resolved that the County clerk attend at Inglewood and Okato at dates to be fixed during December and January for the collection of rates. Mr. W. R. West forwarded claim for £2 for the use of section and cost of repairing damage done during bridge repairs at Waiwakafho.-~-Referred to the chairman to report. The Restar Company notified that they would be ready to commence tar sealing at Spotswood after January 7. To be informed that the Council would 'be ready after that date. The Resident Engineer stated that he had asked the head office to authorise the amount which, it was stated, had been promised and on receipt of authority would inspect the work. Three tenders were received for the supply of dog collars, and it was resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the chairman, subject to sample being satisfactory, to accept the tender of Cook and Lister at 7d per collar and lid for relabelling. The secretary of the Harbor Board notified that the Board regretted that it could not see its way to make a reduction on the royalty on stone taken from the bearh.

The Moa Road Board advised that it was agreeable to the merger of ten sections from the Waitara West Road Board, and was willing to pay all expenses in connection with the merger. Foreman Laurence reported that ho had arranged with Julian and Grylls to cart. metal to the Durham road and Maketawa depots at Os 2d per yard.— Confirmed.

It was decided that a dangerous stump be removed from the Junction road near Kaimata, a bend straightened and culvert lengthened. The matter of the arrangements entered into by settlers in connection with the metalling of Barrett road was referred to the chairman and Cr. McAllum for a report. It was resolved that no settler be allowed to remove metal from a pit until it has been measured and approved by tho chairman. The chairman was authorised to arrange re Christmas pay for the men.

The office will close on December 24 and re-open on Thursday. January 3.

Tt was resolved to obtain a Wizard lantern for the use of the toll-gate keep-

It was resolved to" extend the time of closing tenders for the erection of the Mangaone bridge on the Junction road until 'Wednesday, December 19. The chairman, Messrs G. Capper, J. Andrews. O. Andrews and McAllum were appointed a committee to receive tenders.

Accounts were passed for payment as follows:—General £854 3s 3d, Moa Riding, £272 7s lOd; Mangorei, £lO9 3s 6d; Waitara, £524 12s 6d; Omata £.40 3s; Okato, £153 8s Bd. Total, £1953 18s 04