PARIHAKA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1917, Page 3

PARIHAKA ROAD BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting'of the Parihaka Road Boßard was held at Rahotu Thursday, when, there were present:—Messrs T .Harvey, W. C. Green, 11. Hickey, M. O'Brkm, and W. B. Smith. In the absence of the chairman (Mr. J. Young) Mr. T. Harvey was voted to the chair. ' OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer (Mr. J. N. Harris) reported that ho had been unable to arrange for the work authorised on the Ruakere road. A 12-inch pipe culvert ' had been put in at a bad place on the Newall road, and a bad place on the Witiora road had 'been made passable for dray traffic, a culvert also having been put in. The staff was now engaged carting out stone from the river on the Opua road. He had to engage a horse at a cost of £1 week, as he could not ge,t a good one for less. As there was not sufficient stone out to do the Bayly road he had let a contract to W. Julian to supply 20 to 30 yards at 4s per yard. Repairs had been carried out on the Ihaia, Namu, Opua, Lower and Upper Arawhata and lower Kina roads. Matt Hill has left the Board's employ. The overseer's action in letting the contract was confirmed. THE PLANT The overseer (Mr. .T. N. Harris) reporleoVthat the crusher had been working satisfactorily for travelling the crusher. He had to get stronger drawbars made and fixed. The engine had worked well at time, but given a good deal of trouble. They had been using about three tine of kerosene for a day's work, but it was hardly a fair test until the machine was on to steady work. The scarifier was now at Pungarehu, and would be ready for a trial when.'.lnBoard decided to have one. Thcv hud crushed about 200 yards of stone on Cape road, 00 on Puiigareliu road, and 100 on Bayly road, the crushed stone being dumped in heaps on the road side.

Booth Mac Donald and Co., New Plymouth's manager (Mr. Clias. A. Barrell), notified thai the Austin scarifier was ready for trial. Mr. Laird, of the International Harvester Company, waited on the Board. It was resolved to hold the trial on the Kahui road as soon as the work on the Cape road is eompleted. All the members of tli? Board are to be present at the trial if possible. It was also resolved to pass a progress payment subject to trial being satisfactory. If. was resolved to appoint a motor mechanic to inspect the machinery on the Board's behalf. ' L A DIFFERENCE M. Hill, assistant foreman, waited on the board, and explained the reason why he had leit the Board's employ. This was uue to what ho considered unnecessary interference on the part of the overseer. As a ratepayer he also protested against some of the work done, considering that every man should do justice to the ratepayers. Mr, C. Gill also spoke of the good work done by Mr. Hill, and $ what lie considered unnecessary interference on the part of the foreman. He also stated that a number of ratepayers considered that in war time it should he unnecessary to have a, foreman riding about impounding cattle. There should he plenty of old men available for that work. He stated that he had worked for both the Eginont and Taranaki Counties, and had never met a man to equal M. Hill as a workman. Messrs O'Brien and Hickey spoke in high terms of the working capacity of Foreman Harris. Foreman Harris also explained the circumstances. In discussion, members stated that it was evident that there was some misunderstanding but there could only be one foreman. Members recognised that M. Hill was an exceptionally good man, and he was offeredae-engagement under the but this he declined to accept. CONTRACTS. Mr. Hickey reported that he bad let a contract for 100 yards on the Upper Waitiaka road at 5s per yard to J. Hickey which was Is less than the original tender. Sir. Green reported that he had arranged to let contracts as follows to Mr. Coffey: Upper Kahui road, 30 yards at 5s fid; Lower Kahui, 150 yards (Is 3d; Opourapa road, 100 yards at 5s 5d and 100 yards at 5s 2d; Tipoka road, 300 yards at 7s. Their action was confirmed. INCREASED WAGES. iSeven employees asked for an increase of wages of Is per day. They also asked time one way to jobs over four miles, also a week's holiday on full pay .it Christinas, and that the Board find all tools. Failing agreement t'hey asked that t/icir cheques be made out up to date. It was resolved to offer the men an increase from lis to l'2s per day and three days' h'oliuay at Christmas on full pay. Failing acceptance their resignations will be accepted. It was also decided to advertise for extra men at 12s per day. GENERAL. Mr. Newton King wrote inviting the Board to a demonstration at Eltham of a five-ton White Automatic Power Dump Truck purchased by the Eltham County Council. As the date arranged clashed with the Board meeting, a further invitation was extended for a date to be arranged. A returned soldier asked to be relieved from paying the rates owing on a section at Te Kiri. It w#s resolved not to press for payment of half the rates. FLI-KF.ELO is the only insect powder manufactured in New Zealand bv Bri'tishors. NO FLU'S CAN LIVE where FLT-KEELO is used. Flies carry diseass. FLI-KEE'LO kills flies. Obtainable from all chemists and storeCLINCIIER CROSS TYRES the motorist's delight. Users on Dominion roads have PROVED them the best longdistance tyre obtainable. Buy service by insisting on Clincher Cross. Leading