EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1918, Page 6

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Kgiuout County Council was held at Opiuiake on Tuesday, when there were present; CrsW. R. "\Yright (chairman), S. M. Cornish. T. Harvey, T. 11. 11. Sinclair, W. C. <,'recti, A. .)'- Holder, A. W. Holder, M. O'Brien, and B. W- J. McNeill. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer reported: Oeo Riding (Northern).—Some attention has been given to the blackberry nuisance and several frontages have been cleared at the expense of the occupiers. The whole length of the Watino road, from the railway reserve to the filtham road has been scarified and rolled in without new metal, except a little pit gravel at places to bind the work. The whole of the work had to be done without the u-e of water, and is badly in need of a few days' rain, when the roller will again be put on to it in order to properly consolidate it. The surfacemen from the Oeo Riding (Southern) assisted with the above work, and are still engaged in the riding, as I am anxious to keep them together until the contractors are ready for crushing on contract No. 324 on the Watino road (southern) next Monday. The work of lumping fIOO yards of boulder stone on the Oeo road (contract No. 313) will be completed to-night; this stone will be crushed on completion of contracts Nos. .324 and 304- As instructed, I have gone into the question of contract No. 312, for 1000 yds crushed boulder stones on the I'iUliam road, and have arranged with the contractor to complete the work at an increased price, and have undertaken to provide an additional crushing site east of the Puneliu river for about 250 yards of the stone- The iron parapet on one side of the Oeo bridge was damaged by the mail bus on the 19th ult., and was at once reported to me by tbe owner of the bus, when I informed him that he would be charged with the eost nf the repairs. Two Sin. by 3in. by 3-Sii). angle iron standards are broken at the base., and the 2in. diameter top rail and two lin. diameter lower rails are badly bent. The wooden fences to both approaches of this bridge are rotten and I would recommend that they be not replaced in the present position, but winged out from the ends of the bridge parapet to the sides of the road, thereby decreasing the narrowed portion of the road by a length of 50 feet,. The sides of the approaches would require to be filled in with about 100 yards of earth from the banks of the cutting on the west side of the bridge and close to it.

Geo Riding (Southern)—ln addition t n rendering assisting to the Oeo Riding (Vorthern) for about ten days and one day's patching on the Main South road, the work carried out in this riding eon-"i-ifed of the scarifying, re-fonhing, knapping large stones, and rolling in of about 30 chains of the VTatino road near the railway reserve and the cleaning off of the sides of about 80 chains of the load from Mr. Bird's gate to the reserve. One hundred and sixteen yards of pit metal lias been crushed and used for re-facing 22 chains of the road south of Mr. McHardy's gate. The contractors have signed contract Xo. 324 for 200 yards of crushed boulder stone for this rond from McHardy's gate northwards, and will commence work on Saturday next and be ready for crushing on Monday next.

Opua Riding.—A length of 50 chains of tlie Main .South road on the Opua flat lias been scarified, re-formed, large Rtones Snapped and rolled in, and clay binding lias been put on a length of the same road at Ching's flat. Slight repairs have been done to bridges, and one day's work put in on the Elthain road patching. All the bad patches on the Main .South road from the Taungatara river to tlie YVaiaua river that are not to he re-faced with new metal this season have been scarified, re-formed, and rolled in without additional metal, a total length of CO chains havjng been so treated. Several lengths of water (.aides have 'been cleaned out on the Main South and Eltharn roads. Blackberry has been cleared from several frontages and from the Oaonui reserve. New bridge timbers at the depot and other places have been stacked and filleted, and some time has ibeen spent on the work of bagging up coal, etc., for the two engines. Paddock stone is being carted out to crushing sites on the Main South road near the Mangahume river and .south of the Waiteika river- this is In take the place of Contract No. H 27, which was cut out. A culver under Hie Alain South road, south of .',,.. Wilson's place near the Arawhata road, requires renewing with 3ft. diameter pipes, .the present boxed culvert having become unsafe. A pipe culvert on Ching's flat -and another opposite Mr. Rua Bishop's section want extending, each with one 12in. pipe. A good many of the culverts on the Main South road, from the Heimama bridge to the county boundary at Puniho, are constantly partly charged with water owing to the settlers on the west side of the road net keeping the watercourse cleaned out. Before any new metal is put on the road at the junction of the Eltharn and Main South roads I would suggest that the •-onncil consider the question of an improvement there. Land should be taken so that the bank may be cut away and a wider sweep made, with a clear view. Instructions have been given to cut down the flax on the west side of the Main South road, on the Opua flat, for a length of several chains on either side of tlie bend there, to give a clear view of approaching vehicles.

Opunake Biding.—The road through this riding has not required any particular attention during the month. I purpose commencing the work of cutting away the top of the Waiau hill near the saleyards as soo n as the scarifying is finished on the Eltham road and the men relieved. Kahotu Riding.—ln the early part of the month the men were engaged on the work of cleaning out the water-tables on the northern side of the Okahu river, since when they have ! been assisting the bridge gang with the work of dismantling the old Teiliaparua bridge, filling in the abutments and over the arch of the new concrete bridge, and lowering the I approaches at both ends of the new bridge to ihe new levels approved by the council, also fencing »he newlyformed approaches- Fennel has been cut from thp approaches to the bridge at T'uniho and light patching work don* (here. Timber has been ordered for new fences to the Waiweranui and Teikapania bridges on tile Carrington road, and the men will shortly be in that district to erect same. Timber for bridge decking, which has been on order for a considerable time. Oias nt last been delivered, and will 'be used at once for repairs. As instructed. I have exuoined

the em-bin" to the footpaths at Kalinin and find it to be in a very bail condition mid quite rotten in places. Instructions have been given to repair the worst with old timber from the Toikaparila bridge for the present, and when the whole of the lengths of curbing are beyond repail the council might consider (lie advisability or otherwise of putting down a. permanent concrete curl and watertable together. I have instructed the foreman to clean up the whole, of the roadside and paths in the Kaliotu township. I have agreed with the foreman of the Parihaka Kdad Board as to the class of concrete water channel to be put down in the Kahut road and for which the council undertook to pay 'half the cost, and have since supplied the board with drawings and specifications so that the work may be let by contract. The creek on the south side of the Stent road at Warea should be taken in a ftraigbt line down the road; this would increase the velocity of the water, which is often dammed back on the east side of the Main South road and overilows. I am informed that the fiautiui stream, north of Rahotu, was at one time fordable and of great value as a, drinking place for cattle and horses travelling the roa<J- At the present time there is a fence running pretty to the bridge, and appears to be oil tht> road nortli of the stream. If this fence were set 'back the ford could again lie opened up without very much expense. The new concrete bridge will be erected on the lower side of the present structure and will not interfere with the ford. A Weir across the Waiweranui river, on the west side of the bridge on the Main South road, north of Warea, impedes the flew of water in the river at Hood times, which threatens to break through and form a nRVf course north of the bridge and wash away the road. The intake to the water race for which this weir was built could be taken further upstream and the water carried under the road in pipes, then the weir could be lowered about three feet without endangering - the foundations of,the bridge, and thereby increase the velocity of the water and relieve the pressure up stream. The Teikaparua bridge of reinforced concrete has been completed, and the bridge gang are now excavating for the abutments to the new reinforced concrete arch bridge over the W.iitotoroii river on the Main South road. It is to straighten the approaches to the new bridge as much as possible, and the Rahotu riding members of the council have met on the site and agreed upon a new line of roadway. Mr Stewart has kindly offered to check the position of a fence at one of the approaches, which is in doubt. The present wooden trusts bridge, which is decaying fast, has been strutted and braced. I have purchased 122") feet of second-hand timber and it has been delivered at the bridge. A loewt. Weston chain block is wanted for bridge work. The time has arrived for the council to consider the question of purchasing a concrete mixing machine, as it will be urgently required as soon as ever any of the new bridge loan money is available.

WIREMU ROAD GRANT. Mr. H. H. Sharp, resident engineer, acknowledged receipt of letter from the council advising that they had written to the Minister of Public Works, suggesting that tenders be advertised for in the local papers, so that the settlers may be made aware that the Department is prepared to let' the work on the Wiremu road in small lots.

The chairman reported that with Cr. Green he had waited on the resident engineer at Stratford, in connection with the expenditure of the Wiremu road grant of £IOOO, and had suggested that the Department should permit the county s engineer to expend the money, under the resident engineer's supervision. The chairman Baid that if this were done he would recommend the council to undertake to pay the cost of engineering and other expenses, so as to permit of the whole £IOOO being expended for the benefit of the settlers. The resident engineer promised to recommend that for favorable consideration to the (Minister. On the motion of Crs. O'Brien and Sinclair, it was resolved to thank the chairman for the tact and judgment he had exercised in interviewing the resident engineer and Mr. Wilkinson, M.P., and to write to the Minister of Public Works, undertaking to carry out the works without any deductions for engineering cost. The chairman stated that they were assured that the money would not lapse if not expended before March 31. THE PUNEHU BRIDGE. The chairman reported that with Cr. McNeill and the engineer he had waited on Mr. Wilkinson, M.P., in connection with the Punehu bridge subsidy. Mr. Wilkinson could not give any definite promise regarding a subsidy, but, on his suggestion, the clerk had written to the Minister, giving a history of the facts in connection with the bridge, with the request that a further subsidy be favorably considered. Early in last year a poll n'f ratepayers authorised a loan of £16,000 for replacing the whole of the wooden bridges in the county with reinforced concrete structures, the estimated cast of the above bridge was £ISOO, this allowing for a structure in accordance with the design required by the Government. A subsidy of £BOO was granted towards the cost of the bridge, but it was now found that the Department required a much more massive structure, the council's engineer's estimate for which was £3460. It was impossible for the council to undertake a work of this magnitude with the funds at its disposal, and, failing further assjstance from the Government, would be compelled to build a bridge within its present limited means. As this was not desirable, the. council asked the Minister to meet a deputation from the council, together with Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., on the matter. They also asked whether the subsidy of £BOO would be available. The chairman stated that about twelve months ago a resolution was passed, closing the Punehu bridge, and there was now a notice permitting motor lorries of two and a half tons to pass. This was an absolute contradiction, and if an accident occurred the council would be liable. Cr. Rowe: If we close it we will have to make a ford. The bridge at present is carrying six to eight, tons. The engineer said that the bridge had got to such a state that it was impossible to say what it would or would not carry.

lii reply to Cr. Sinclair, the chairman stated that the council was under no liability unless they interfered with'the bridge. The clerk stated that by repairing the bridge since the notice, the council had assumed the liab.lity. The chairman suggested making trenches close to the bridge, so as to cause motor traffic to slow up. Cr. Rowe thought if the bridge was to be closed it should be fenced. Cr. McNeill Baid that evidently the council had undone what had been done, and must move a fresh resolution. He accordingly moved that the bridge be

closed, and a notice be placed af each end, warning Uaflic, and that the present notices bo removed.

BRIDGE WORK. Mr A. K. White, bridge foreman, asked the council ti> reconsider his application for an increase of His per week, as the average wage of bridge builders is from CS to .UlO per week for the class of bridges he was erecting. Though during the past year he had had an inexperienced gang of men, lie hud erected several bridges at below contract price. He suggested that the council should advertise for two men experienced in concrete work, at 13s per day. This would enable him to keep a permanent staff, and by having a collapsible shed and set of pipe moulds, the men could make pipes in wet weather. In asking the council to give the matter consideration, he stated that he could not continue bridge work under the present conditions. The engineer reported that men were being advertised for at 12s per day. There were in stock 38 12in, !">!) 24in, and 54 Sfiin. pipes, and when the crushing and rolling plants pulled in for the winter, the drivers would be making pipes.

The chairman stated that he would like the council to consider tne question of a permanent bridge gang. It was useless to think of carrying out the work without. He suggested giving the present wage and n bonus for good and quick work, thus giving the men an interest in their work. The engineer and a member in each riding could decide whether the bonus was to be paid. He did not think they would get good men for 12s per day. The engineer pointed out that men had been advertised for at the present rate of wages, and, if men were not obtainable, he intended to (suggest the appointment of a sub-committee. When the bridge loan was available, two gangs would be necessary. He suggested that a whare be obtained. The chairman considered that it was a waste of time advertising for concrete men at 12s. The bridge building would he a big job, lasting over three years, and it would not pay to have casual men. Jt was resolved that the engineer advertise for three men for concrete work at 13s per day, wet and dry, and that whares be provided. The chairman staled that he would say without hesitation that if Mr. White had had a good gang, the ratepayers would have been saved an additional £IOOO. It was resolved to grant the bridge foreman an increase of 10s per week, and to inform him that all reports and correspondence must come through the engineer. GENERAL.

C. A. Wilkinson, Ltd., forwarded particulars o* the Aitken combined five-ton steam motor and tar sprayer, with a capacity of 800 gallons of tar. Constable O'Neill wrote complaining of tlie nuisance caused by the lack of sanitary conveniences at the Eahotu billiard saloon.—lt was resolved to cancel the license. ( The chairman, Cr. W. C. Green and the engineer were appointed a committee with power to act, in the matter of the water pump for the road-making plant. The Public Trust Office forwarded a bonus for (is Id on road machinery loan of £IOOO and hospital contribution loan of £2OOO. The State Advances Department forwarded debentures in connection with the Auroa road loan of £I4OO. The engineer was instructed to report on the question of the pipe culvert at Pearson's entrance, Warea. A special resolution was passed, making a special rate of 1-126 d in the £ in connection with the bridge loan of £IOOO. The Audit Offices agreed to various small special rates in the Oeo riding being discharged from the general rates. It was resolved to make enquiries regarding a concrete mixer. W. Mahoney, R. Brighousc and J. Hickey, engine-drivers in the council's employ, applied for an increase in wages to 15s per day.—Granted.