TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1918, Page 7

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

iUINTUU' MKUllivG. The ordinary meeting oi the j'araunki County -(.'ouneil was laid ai, Knv Plymouth yesterday, when there were invsent (,'rs. J. S. Council, (chairman i, .I. An- ; llrctts.C. Capper, A. Morton, I>. 'AlcAllitm.. j .(.', Andrews, .!. Wooldiidgc, ,). i!. Simp-] son and 'A. K. Laurence, j CHAIRMAN'S KKI'ORT. The chairman reported that since h¥. meeting a portion of the o|d culvert on (lie Ivrinor-.t Koad near the railway line collapsed, leaving the road dangerous to tratlie. and he had deemed it necessary to road, put in the new pines that had been in hand, for the. purpose so long. As-all hands were required, the crushing plant was stopped for two days. As there was a doubt whether the pipes carry tile water in flood time, he had, on the recommendation of Mr. Shuldcn, ordered another set which would he put in as sooii as convenient He had authorised an expenditure not exceeding £'> per annum for formation on the higher H'ursdiouse road, near ]'. Clreemvay's. I Nothing had been done there since the road was graded six years ago. He had authorised an additional 5 pipes on the' Upper, King Koad. ][e had also sanctioned the plant remaining at Mahoelahi an extra two days tr> crush 100 yards for the Waitara Koad Dairy Co., for repairing its road, providing it can be arranged with the contractor. A. W. Cowling is making good progress with formation work on Komcne Pal. The balance of boulders at Kaihihi were spawled ready to cart out of the river, and Foreman Hayes had been instructed to proceed with the swing bridge protection as soon as possible. Mr. H. H. Sharp had .expressed himself as pleased with the metalling on Egmont Koad South. On the same day he accompanied Mr. Sharp to the Hill Koad, and explained the proposal to transfer the unexpended tlovern-

mcnt grant standing to the credit of the upper portion of this road for improvement between the bridge at the end of the metal and the top of Win hill—some 15 chains. With .Mr. Clare lie had gone to Okato to consider bridging Ihe stream on the Saunders and Carringtou Koa.U; estimates would be placed before 1 lie council. Enquiries were being made for a motor (ruck, otherwise everything was in hand for a si art with the bridges when the timber arrived. Foreman Bennett resigned his position in the Aloe, Riding, and the council should place on record its appreciation of the faithful service rendered (luring the thirteen years he had been empoyed. Foreman Malton had been appointed to Foreman Bennett's length ami \V. Bennett would take Foreman Gallon's length at the Zig-zag. The chairman's action was confirmed.

It was resolved to pay Foremen Meredith and Hayes I .'ls per day for time worked in the river getting stone. Foreman Bennett was granted leave of absence for one month as from April 30, and his resignation was held over meanwhile. FOREMEN'S HE PORTS. Reports were received as fellows: — Inspector's Report.—As directed. I gave the Kiri bridge on the Kiri Road a good coating cf hot tar. 1 also gave the deck a coating of tar, and sanded it, as in the wet weather it was very slippery. 1 made and fixed into position the two gates at the Mangamawhele railway crossing. I have also carried out repairs to the Ilursihouse Roail bridge. On April IS I attended court to prosecute two persons for breaches of the county by-laws. Plant.—Engine-driver Maekie said the plant had worked 14 days, crushing 852 I yards, at Mahoetahi. Engine-driver' Stewart has been engaged rolling :r ,ul scarifying on Devon Road. Seventy-four chains had been scarilied on Mountain and Devon Roads. Engine-driver Orr reported: We have been scarifying and [rolling on the Egniont Road (ifßi chains) iand Junction Road (48 chains). Waitara R-iding.—Foreman .T. Holmes had received 8-18 yards from Mahoetahi and placed same on the road. There was still about .".00 yards to complete which will take about 4 davs. Foreman F. Holmes staled that most of his time had been occupied with the plant. He had to replace the large culvert, on Egniont Road, which collapsed. Foreman W. Holmes had been engaged on various works. Richmond Road would require a lot of attention. Ho would like a man to make up time lost oil' his length. Foreman Proud had been engaged in putting in pipes and doing formation on Upper King Road. The settlers rendered every assistance.

Omata Riding—Foreman Seamark's roads were very fair. Ho had deposited 50 yards of gravel on the Huri'ord Road, and required'ls din. pipes to replace two paved gutters. Foreman Eva had started on the formation on Cowling Road, and had completed six chains of metalling on the Veaie Road near Mr. IT. Cole's. Okato Riding.—Foreman McCr.nth stated that the road-- in his length were in fair order. lie had been engaged assisting the inspector to tar Kiri brl-h.' : >. and had improved the entrance to Koru factory. He required a man to assist (,i cut weeds on Papuan deviation. '!'!■ ■'■:•

was no report to hand from Foreman <<>[. bus. Foreman Meredith reported that the whole of his time had been taken up carting boulders. He had about ,'!()0 yds at Stony River depot for Kaihihi Road. and was assisting Foreman Hayes in getting boulders at Kaihihi. Foreman Hayes had got about -ISO yards stone out at Kaihihi,

Moa Riding.—Foreman Laurence completed' the railway crossing nenr Manga - whete, and dug .1 chains "of drain, also procured 5 12in and 5 Oiu popes for roadside and railway crossing, and 7 )2iu pipes to lengthen culvert near Waipuku. so as to straighten the road Foreman Mallon has been engaged at, usaual repair work and cutting overhanging scrub on the Zig-zag. Foreman Bennett had been attending to the usual-maintenance repairs. He wished lo bid adieu to the council, and thank them for (lie many courtesies extended to him since his appointment on August 7, lOOii. Foreman Taylor completed W. Thomason's contract on Egmont Road, which lias taken SfiO.v yards of metal and 120J yards of screenings to cover 105.} chains.' Of extra, metal procured, he placed OH yards on filling Egmont Road, and loft yds at Mr. Morton's gate. He required 12 18-inch pipes for a wash-out on Bedford Road South, also 212 in to replace 2 broken pipes opposite Nicholl's gate, Mountain Hoad. Foreman H-al's time had been taken up eViofly with Foreman Tay-! lor on Egmont; Road, and assisting the inspector on Hursthouse Road bridge. I Mangorei Riding.—Foreman Bitten had i been occupied with usual maintenance and assisting Foreman Taylor on Egmont Rond. Foreman Spencer had' been [occupied at the usual maintenance work, land required the small roller for about' 18 days. Foreman Keast had been en-l I gaged at various work. Maintenance metal is urgently required for Kent and JKorito Roads to hold them this winter: Metal via obtainable from Warren's

|l'it, which could be do'se by day labor. I Cr. A. K. Laurence brought' fohvard several Jnii>r>ivoii!<>nlm reuuircu mi tlic Mountain Koad in Hie Ab : a Kiding, and in.-!. <m|..-,-.-(, In. Wai'.a.S.u !,- r.-.daced by la'ic!i(> j'lil! 01, 1 !:<_■ M .„),'(';,in j.'.oad near Tariki i-li.i'it.l 1,.- .■;.; nod mil. ua siobn as

; nlhori.-ed io employ a team .to- curt li-.uidrr.-; to iil! in oiiiii-l, of culvert near Mangnmawhif i; (hat the foreman lie instructed fo ,-nt.rfe nutlet to culvert opposite .Jury's, Tariki. 'the question of ll,e pipes for Kcdford Koad was rei'ei-red (o the chairman.

Me ,srs. Patterson, ('hrisl iansen, and W. J)'. Rogers were accorded votes of I hanks for assistance given to the foreman.

Kxtra pipes were authorised to continue drain to Sealv Creek.

The Omafa, Dairy Compuny will he charged lor metal at entrance of factory ami time engaged on work. JOxtra labor with pipes on Timaru Koad h to be charged to W. (i. Kichurdson.

The chairman and riding members will go into the question of locality of the groyne to be erected on the Kaihihi J liver. kjuixju c.vi;i»ENTf-:irs kkpokt. The bridge carpenter reported that he had carefully gone into various, designs for Lcpper Koad bridge at Kaimiro, and found that an arch with 18ft. roadway, estimated to cost £487 10s, would be the most suitable for the locality. It would also save the present structure from being shifted until the new bridge was practically completed. He also'reported on the chain bridge, .Junction Koad, which ho considered could be made safe for all heavy traflie and retarred at a cost of .€195. The Manga nui bridge on the Junction Koad could be repaired for .■€ls7. He also recommended the replacing of all underhanging transoms, at a further cost of £l5O. This would make the bridge safe for heavy trallie, for many years. He had attended at the Kgmont Koad culvert for three days. The. totara for the Mangaone and Tarurutangi bridges should be to hand in a lew days, and the ironbark was expected in Wellington very shortly. A report was also submitted of various deviations and unoccupied pieces of land in the various foremen's lengths. Cr. Morton asked whether" the council approved of the principle of reconstructing this bridge, and, if so, did they propose to build it out of revenue or out of loan. Personally, he thought the time, had arrived when they would have to face raising a loan over the Moa Kiding for the re-erection of various bridges. The chairman: Is it possible to raise a loan now? I understand from Mr. Wil-; kinson, M.P., that it is not possible to obtain a loan for new work.

Cr. Laurence considered it was time some move was made, as he recognised that it would be impossible to erect bridges out of revenue.

Cr. J. Andrews said that bridges in other ridings required renewing. Cr. Capper: £10,0(10 or £12,000 at least would be required. Cr. Andrews thought if they wont in for a loan it should bo over the whole county.

The chairman stated that some of the bridges were in a better state of repair than the council had thought. This was the age of concrete, and unless a bridge could bo made to last for a number of years for a reasonable expenditure, it would be advisable to re-erect them in concrete.

H was resolved to ascertain whether a loan would be granted at present for re-erecting bridges, and, il so, what was the maximum.

Repairs to chain bridge and Manganui bridge will be carried out as recommended.

It was resolved to instruct the bridge foreman to report on the Ngatoro (Junction Road), Waiongona, Maunganai (Hursthouse Road), and Mangaoraka (Devon lino) bridges. The bridge overseer reported that the concrete bridges over the Saunders and Carrington Roads would cost £2BB. Cr. Morton asked whether there was any need for 18ft bridges in that locality. Cr. C. Andrews stated that this road would be the main road to Opunake in the future. Cr. Simpson considered that concrete bridges were being built for all time, so whether on by-roads or main roads, they should be made wide enough. ft was stated that the estimate did not include earth work. It was resolved to ask Mr. Okev, M.P. to obtain a grant of £2OO on £ for £ basis towards the erection of the concrete bridges. WORKMEN'S WAGES. Tho Eltham County Council invited the Taranaki County Council to attend a conference, to be held-at Eltham on May (I, in order to discuss the question of surfacemen's waees. The chairman said it was unfortunate that tho date clashed with the meeting of the council. Replies were received as follows from councils to which the Taranaki County Council wrote in connection with alleged Invaelics of the agreement.: Stratford county clerk notified "nit the council had religiously stuck !■> tho agreement to make 12s per day ilic regular rate of pay for surfacemen. Anything extra lias been for special work fuuh as bridge and river work. Hawera County Council notified that no increase beyond 12s bad been made, except Is extra for pit work, as provided in the agreement, so that the council was not the culprit. Eltham County Council notified that l.ihurers had been paid 12s for time worked. One foreman in gm.il faith had certified lo one gnim's lime on wot and I'D' basis. This was immediately remedied, with the re-mlt (hat the men ceased, work and had found employment Egmont County Council notified that [he council paid wet and dry, foreman Ms per day, permanent hands 12s. STRAYING CATTLE. Messrs C. J. Sears, L. W. TunniclilT. and M. V. Tunniclijf asked the, council to keep straying cattle oiF the Dover Road, and so protect (lie work and free labor that had been done. They stated that one ratepayer who absolutely refused to do any free labor on the roaa made a practice of grazing cattle on it, as did others. Cr. Morton stated that he had had numerous complaints from settlers on the, Upland Road regarding cattle and horses deliberately- turned out on tho road and damaging the water-tables, etc. " "" Left in the hands of the chairman, who stated that Urn inspector would have more time now that lie was rei lic.ved of the bridge work. | STRIKING THE RATE. Cr. Morton stated ho. was satisfied that, the council would have to seriousb ' consider the advisability of striking lj [heavier rate next year. There had becnj no- alteration in the- rate during the past'

three year?, whereas the amount of metal that cqpld now lie obtained for .1:1 was much :;•. >. Tii:- \aluaCon had not l)( increased I'm- ycaivpasl, and it was manifest iy impus.-ihle to i)„. Mad, in order without increased revenue iuml 1 hat =i;..-:>ul, increased rates. Ci. iJcAllinii .-la led J ha-l'the-overdraft was no.v Chins, which wis about till;

average of tins past four years, so they were not in i-uc-Ji a .'bad positjop. ..K'i: 'Motion.:. VVc . are .staiwing Itje roads. :

Cr. McAUum": I ii<- roads in my riding uri! in as good onkr as ever tiiey were.

Cr. ,T. Andrews coiwidereirtho'-roads weTe going back, and'tllat-an increased rale was neecssn.rv. ...

Cr. (I. Capper understood that a move was in force to devote 1 per cent, of the •totalizator receipts towards the upkeep of roads.

Cr. •!.. Wooldridge considered the Main South Koad was in better order than it ever had. been, but that too much new work was being done on by-roads out of rate money. Kates should be devoted to maintenance.

Cr. Laurence did not .like, the idea of increasing the rates, .though he. recognised more revenue was necessary. He thought sonic scheme should be...devised to catch the motor ..traffic.. He considered the figures at the W'aipuku tollgate showed that it was the travelling public, and not the fanners tthat principally used the roads. It was hard to evpect the settlers on each .'side of the Mountain Koad to keep the road in order for the benefit, of the public of the Bominion. He also understood that there would he a re-valuation shortly, and with an increased rate this'would come very severe on ratepyers.

Cr. Simpson opposed any increase,in the rates, and ho thought the majority of ratepayers would do so also. ■ He also thought the outside traffic should be made to pay. Cr. Andrews also opposed raising the rate.

Cr. MeAllum thought they could struggle along another year without extra rate. i

Cr. J; Andrews said they could not impose a tax on motor-cars without the erection of a toll-gate, and this would be opposed. A councillor suggested they should apply to Strafford for a rebate. The chairman said they had missed their opportunity. When the Waipuku toll-gate was erected they should have arranged that the money raised thereby should have been expended throughout the vvh'-olc length of the road, because it was a different proposition;, to their own-toll-gate, in which all the traffic came from another county, wdiereas at Waipuku the traffic came from both wavs.

O. ('. Andrews would like to see another toll-gate erected at Omata, payment at one to free the other. This would catch a number of people who only went as far as Okato. Cr. Morton said there would be no revaluation in time to affect this year's rates.

Cr.-McAHum gave notice to move that the rate be the same as last year. RATEPAYERS' REQUIREMENTS. Mr. G. Green and eight settlers in the district asked the council to take steps (o deviate the Plymouth Road instead of devoting £2O to improving a hill near Mr. Watson's. < The chairman, C'rs. C. Andrews, J. Wooldridge, and D. McAllum will report on the matter at next meeting-. Mr. CI. Green presented a petition from the settlers on the Plymouth Road asking that a loan of £3OO should be raised for improving the grade of the lull 011 both sides of the Tapuaea. The council agreed to take the necessary steps to raise the loan. Messrs Morris, H. Lett, and McGrath waited on the council in reference to the offer of the council to expend £25, provided the settlers expended a similar amount on the Surrey Hill Road. Mr. ■ Morris said that the settlers were not unanimous, and those that were willing did not feel inclined to help the settler's that were sitting down and doing nothing. They therefore asked the council to make a straight out grant of £25 to improve two hills on the road. The chairman and riding members will inspect, with power to act. "VV. .T. Gray applied for a set of 4ft. pipes for the lower Komene Road. This

culvert would give access to stone, firewood, etc. —Deferred to the foreman for a report. Mr. James Brophy, Okato, asked the council to metal the unmctalled portion (about 14. chains) of the road leading from the Kaihihi Road to his property. He was paying £SO per annum in. rates, and since the merging of the Okato Eoad District practically nothing had been spent on the road. He had interviewed Mr. John Carey, and they had mutually agreed to meet the council with half tha cost of the work if the council could see its way to znetal the road in tha near future. Members considered that this was a good'offer, and it was resolved that the necessary stoue be got out. Mr. Leonard Hill asked permission to erect his fence on the road, so as to enable him to plough land covered witfc weeds.—Referred to the chairman. AN EXPLANATION.

Mr. F.'J. Shute, Korito, wrote respectfully, hut emphatically, protesting against the report received at tiie April jneetinp; of the Taranak* County Council ro hlaekhcrry on the Kent Road, in which his mime appeared as oqo neglecting to clear blackberry. The tone of th.o report and the remarks of some of the councillors, as reported hi the Daily Xcws, save the imfi'cssion Hint blackhcrvy cutting had heen seriously neglected, and would have a. had effect, on the district generally. Speaking tor himself, (he work had not heen neglected in the slightest, though it. had heou somewhat protracted for want, of lahor. Kor the last three months he had neglected fencing, ploughing, and all farm works, and had pushed on as much as possihle with the work in question, which lie had nearly completed when he saw the report arid received a notice concerning the blackberry. Tn conclusion he stated that he had cut the weed on his frontage on Kent Road every year, and sometimes twice a year, and in no case had he found the weeds interfering with the traffic as reported. GENERAL. The chairman and rklir.g -members will report 01u4.n0 deviation^and pieces of land on the various 'foremen's lengths. Foremen are to ho requested to clear weeds around bridges. Messrs John Moratti and V. Fabian, Ratapjko, notified that they were waiting instructions to start cleaning Harding Creek before the weather g"it too 1 had or too cold. I The Korito foreman stated In; was not.aware of anyone using the county ! reserve. The fence required new po:.. I and wires. Irred Staiaiaxlfj.-Qmata. fQreman* staged

that lie was unable to say which of tliw traction' engine drivers had used shoeii on his engine at the-Omata hill. He suggested they should he notified noli to let it occur again, as it damaged the road severely. The Audit Department notified that; no record eonld be traced in that offieo of correspondence with the late Oakursi Mosul Board on the matter of expenditure oir the Wairau stream bridge. In any ease.it would'be advisablo ,for tlifi council to consult its legal adviser before incurring any liability. The district railway engineer notified •that the private level crowing near Tank! was completed as far as their work: was concerned. Accounts Were passed for payment as; follows: General £502 10s lid, Moa.. £354 9s lOd, Mangorei £4O 10s fld, Waitara .£494 0s 4d, Omata £55 2s Bd H Okato .£2OO lis. Id, general .£1713 lis. 7<l.