STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The council met on Saturday morning. Present: Crs. E. Walter (chairman),. .1. O'Neil, J. Christoft'el, R. B. Anderson. )■). W. Hancock, W. H. 'Were, H. Worthington, L. Baskin and F. Mackay. A COMPLAINT. Cr. Baskin complained that he had been misreported regarding the remarks he made on the election of the chairman at the previous meeting. He desired to congratulate Cr. Walter on lvs election, but, regarding the late chairman, he had been defeated at the polls. Cr. Christoffel had sympathised with the late chairman,and he (Cr. Baskin) said that sympathy like this was casting a slur on the Midhirst electors, who had returned Cr, Mackay, and who was a man possessing the qualifications of a good councillor and a man of ability. He mentioned something about "juvenile reporters," though the press representatives present at the meeting in question—were on the aged side. The chairman said that perhaps the press would note Cr. Baskin's objection.The Daily News representative said he Was particularly careful in reporting Cr. Baskin's remarks, and he believed the report was correct. Councillors: Yes; quite correct. Cr. Baskin: The Daily News was right. I am not complaining of that paper. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (W. J. Lopdell) reported as follows: North Riding.—During the month the Acme stone crusher has been engaged at the Manganui reserve crushing metal, principally for the East riding, and is now engaged crushing for the Salisbury road. Owing to the two rollers being engaged in other ridings, this road had to be counter-sunk by hand. The light roller was taken from the West riding to roll this metal, being replaced by the heavier one in the West. A start will be made with metalling the Mountain road from the York road to the Manganui bridge next week. We have found it advisable to shift the plant from the reserve to Baker's property for this metal. The tar sealing at the Waipuku end of this road is nearing completion. The Midhirst Dairy Factory has been supplied with 6 yards of metal, as requested. The portion of road in front of Harkucss' store will be attended to when the roller is in the vicinity. I would recommend that a committee be appointeded to go fully into the matter of a siding at Midhirst, also the establishing of a more up-to-date depot at the reserve.

South riding.—Mountain road, from Cornwall road to Ngaerc, has been tarsealed. E. Grimmer has started his bculdcr contract on this road. Climie road.—Two small bridges have been tar-sealed. • General surface work has been carried out throughout, the riding, and many of the roads clay-bound. A horse has been purchased for this riding, and is giving every satisfaction.

East riding.—The metalling of a portion of the Ohura road near Douglas has been completed, using 1685 yards of metal and screenings. This road will be in good order for tar-sealing early in the new year. Provision will have to be made for the carting of about 250e.y. of shingle for this road. About 512c.y. of metal has been railed to Huiroa and distributed as follows: Makuri road west, remetalling 20 chains and maintenance, 268 yards; Makuri road east, maintenance, 152c.y.; Akama road, two cuttings have been metalled, three chains in the one place and four chains in the other, using 92 e.y. of metal. The Straker waggon has been doing useful work on these roads. The bridge gang is proceeding to Huiroa to make a start with the concrete bridge. The Toko portion of the riding has received a lot of attention, in the shape of clay-binding and water-tabling.

West riding—The Collett plant is still engaged in the Rowan district. About 1078 c.y. of metal has been laid down on the Manaia road, covering about one I mile. This road has been roUed, and has la goofl surface, and, if it 5aM-£; possible,

J. would like to see it tar-sealed, as the shingle is cheap and the road carries a lot of motor traffic to the Mountain House. There is also a considerable amount of heavy motor-lorry traffic on this road. The plant is engaged on the Opimakc No. 2 at present, after which if will proceed to the Rowan road, and thence back towards Stratford. There are several places on the Finnerty road where the willows are obscuring the view, it is our intention to have them hauled out by traction power, as they arc also blocking up the outletß of culverts.

Mangaehu riding.—ln company with Mr. 11. I-I. Sharp, the resident engineer, we laid off the two contracts on the Kaitieke road, which are let to Messrs Speck and Ferguson, the Public Works taking the first section and the county the latter portion. This change of idea from the original will enable the council to erect a cheap bridge over a stream, which, we consider, is preferable to a tunnel. There will be a small section of about seven chains left betweea the two contracts, whicli will be undertaken if the money can be raised to complete the work this year. A schedule of thirds lias been submitted to the Lands Department for approval for monies to be spent in this riding. General surface work has been carried out. on several of the roads, a.nd one very bad point removed on the' Mangaehii road. The riding members are to report on the question of a siding at Midhirst, and depot at the reserve. Cr. Baskin remarked that so far nothing had been done regarding Denbigh road. ° LORRIES. A representative of the White lorry waited on the council. He gave detail's of the demonstration at Eltham on Thursday afternoon. The one purchased by the Eltham County Council would run IS miles an hour, and carry 134 cubic feet per load, which was distributed on the road as a spreader. In this connection the chairman reported that the committee appointed to inquire into motor lorries had proceeded to New Plymouth and inspected some lorries there. They had consulted an expert, and believed it better to secure an unbiassed report, and this was now available. It was then resolved to go into committee to consider the letter. On resuming it was resolved that an offer be made for two lorries. Cr. Baskin opposed the motion. WANTED-CRUSHER. Mr. W. Power waited on the council and desired the use of the county crusher not later than the middle of January, to crush about 300c.y. of stone for concrete purposes. Mr. J. W. Boon, the contractor, made the same request. The chairman said it was an awkward time of the year to hire the crusher. Cr. Were thought the matter might be left in the hands of the chairman and engineer to see what could be 'one to meet the requests. —Agreed to. GENERAL. The Stratford Borough Council notified that they were endeavoring to have a photographic roll of honor of the council employees who had volunteered, and solicited the co-operation of the County Council. The Mayor (Mr. McMillan) attended the meeting, and ge.ve an outline of the requirements. It was intended to have a series of photographs of the employees hung in the corridor of the municipal buildings. Councillors were all favorable, and will co-operate.

F. W. Bredow, Douglas, stated that he had completed the formation of the road through part of his property, whicli would give access to several dairy farms, and asked that the road be vested in the council, as was previously agreed. The road had been completed to the satisfaction of the engineer.—Application granted, Cr. Worthington moving that the road be taken over.

The Eltham County Council wrote, stating that their ranger had reported that the boundary roads between Stratford and Eltham Counties was frequenty full of straying stosk, and they desired that authority be given to impound stock on these roads. \ Cr. Anderson said a stricter supervision would be beneficial.— Authority to be given. .T. Eraser wrote regarding the opening of a culvert to take oil' water in Victoria road under the railway. This had been blocked by the railway authorities, and the water was running'on his property.— Decided to notify Mr. Eraser that'the council had not forgotten the matter, but had referred the matter to the Railway Department, the latter consenting to open the drain. H. 11. Sharp, resident engineer, stated that he had been instructed to offer the council .€250 appearing on the current year's estimates, in respect, of the Mangaotuku river bridge, provided plans, etc., were submitted to him before the work was commenced. The secretary Midhirst Dairy Company drew attention to the bad "state of the road opposite Mr. P. Harkness', store, and stated that the road from the store to the bridge required widening by building up.—Left to the riding members (Crs Mackay and Baskin). DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. The chairman reported that he had attended a meeting of delegates regarding the purchase of a site for the proposed district technical high school. He explained fully the reasons that led to the conference. The present school had a large attendance, with the prospect of it increasing. Personally, he thought that (die introduction of a technical training school would be of immense benefit to the children of the district. He .moved "That the Minister of Education be asked to take steps for the disestablishment of the present high school, and the purchase of a site for, and the erection of, a technical high school." Cr. Hancock seconded. He, however, did not believe they had a good site; it was low-lying and damp. He believed new buildings were wanted. The chairman said he was sorry to hear Cr. Hancock's remarks re the suggested site. He thought that, from the remarks of others, the site was a good one. Cr. Hancock said he was acquainted with the localitv, whicli, at times, was lying under water. _ Cr. Mackay said the distance was nothing. At New Plymouth the boys' school was a fair distance away, but a walk would do the scholars no'harm.—Motion carried. TENDERS. Tendei'3 were opened and decisions made regarding the following contracts: 2000c.y. Waihapa road, left to South riding members; IOOOc.y. Finnerty road, left to South riding 'members and engineer. No tenders were accepted for contracts (lOOc.y. Radnor road, 200 c y Denbigh road, and 200c.y. Waingon-'oro road. 200c.y., York road, J. N. Neilson