TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1918, Page 7

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki County Council was held yesterday. There were present: Crs. J. S. Connett (chairman), C. Andrews, J. B. Simpson, J. Woolridge, A. K. Lawrence, I). M'AHum, G. Capper and J. Andrews. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. A. Morton, CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported as follows,:On May Oth, with Crs C. Andrews, J. Woolridge ami D. MeAllum, I met the settlers on (lie question of the deviation of the Plymouth road at Koru. Alter going over the proposed line of road and also inspecting the hill to be avoided, we decided to ask Mesßrs Sladden and Palmer to furnish a report on the proposal and to give arc estimate of the cost to regrade the hill complained of. On the same day we met the settlers on the Surrey' Hill road, and a.greed to recommend the council to sanction the request made, on condition that the raising of a loan for metalline is immediately proceeded with. We also decided to have a protecting groin l>!?eod around the western pier of the Isaihihi swing bridge. Bad places on li'e Lepper-Puniho road will be fascined

with manuka. I have authorised 30 feet of 2ft. Gin pipes to replace a washout on the Bedford roa"d cast, and also instructed Foreman Keast to secure assistance and proceed at once_ with getting out metal in Warren's pit. If the first Korito bridge could be strengthened to carry the crusher, a better site could be found nearer the nit which would be an advantage. I have conferred with Mr. Clare re bridges to be repaired, and authorised him to report on the condition of bridces over the Ngatoro on Junction road, and the Mangaoiaka and Waiongona on Devon road. I approved Mr. L. Hill moving his fence temporarily on to Oarrington road to enable him to better deal with his noxious weed', the foreman to decide the line. I have inspected the site of the proposed culvert on the Lower Komene road and consider the matter too expensive,for the council to entertain. J Brophy has offered 3tone from his property for metalling Brophy road. This has been accepted and the foremen are at present engaged with teams moving the same on to the road, which has already been formed. I accepted A. Humphrey's tender of -1s Od per yard for breaking, counter-sinking and iaying in position. I authorised the crushing plant moving to the beach depot at Bell Block, where work will be completed to-day; 300 yards still remain to be crushed near the main road. From there the plant will he sent to Mangawhete. During the recent rough weather advantage was taken to get necessary repair-; done to the large roller, and also to the whare. This necessitated bringing in the small roller from Egmont village; she will he returned to Foreman Batten to-dar. The Komene road formation is almost completed, as is also the Mehwone culvert on Devon road. Formation work on the Cowling road is now fiui«hed and an excellent job has been made. The thnnkc of the council are due to Messrs Grant, Guddapp, Baddelev, and Ruebc for free labor done

The chairman's report was approved I'.nd il was resolved to express the council's thanks to the settlers named for the work done.

REPORT ON PLANT. Engine-driver Maokie:—During the month we crushed a total of 830 yards. Of this amount, 114 yards were crushed for the Waitara Dairy Company. Engine-driver Stewart:—For the past month I rolled and scarified 50 chains of Devon Road and rolled in metalling. Engine-driver Orr:—l have been engaged rolling and scarifying a total of 52 7-Sth chains. RIDING REPORTS. Moa Riding.—Foreman Laurence: My roads are breaking Bomewhat. I have re-graded the hill at Avalanche Creek. Foreman Bennett: I have been engaged on the Tariki and Junction roads at miscellaneous repairs. Foreman Mallon: I have widened and re-graded Mountain Road South where authorised and recoated 9 l-3rd chains. Mr W. T'hoinason delivered 150 yards of metal, which lias been placed on the roadway. One lamp was stolen and two broken on May 11. which were lighting a dangerous piece of road. Foreman Heal: My time has been taken up with maintenance work on Hursthouse, Lepper., Kaipi, and Upland roads and assisting Foreman Mallon. Foreman Taylor: Mr- W. Thomason has delivered '2OO yards on Mountain Road North, and I have recoated 23 chains and have 30 yards dumped. The wash-out on the Bedford Road i s 16ft to 20ft in width, and I recommend 36in pipes, as the filling is so loose.

The matter of lamp was left to Cr. Capper to inquire into; and the matter of metalling 70 yards of Hursthouse Road was left to the chairman, with power to act. 'Mangorei Riding.—Foreman Ratten: I have been engaged at the usual repairs. Foreman Keast: My time has been occupied with impairs on Kent and Albert Roads and scarifying and rolling Maude Road. Foreman Spencer: Roads in my length are in fair order Mr. CI. Collins has stacked a large quantity of firewood too close to fcho road, the ends in some places resting on the metal. The matter of trees overhanging the Junction and Mountain Roads has left in tlie hands of the chairman and Cr. Laurence to inquire into. Waitara Riding.—Foreman J. Homies: During the month I have received "IS yards of metal, which has, with the exception of 40 yards, been spread on the road. Tho Mahoetahi contract has been completed, the contractor having delivered 1382 yards in all. Foreman F Holmes: My time has been taken up chiefly assisting on the metalling on Devon Road. Foreman W. Holmes: I have been assisting the other foremen with the metalling. Two planks in the bridge :by M'Qommell's require immediate attention. Foreman Proud> I have been engaged forming Upper Hursthouse Road. Mr. P- Greenway has completed ploughing on this road, which was arranged for £5. It was decided to ask Mr. Clare to report on the bridge at M'Gommell's. Omata Riding.—'Foreman Seamark: The roads under my control ire fair. I require the small roller on the Main Road as soon as I can obtain it. as the •>vheel-ruts are scouring for a, considerable distance. Foreman Eva: During the month I have completed tlie Cowling Road formation.

Okato Riding.—Foreman Sefton: I

have been carrying out the usual maintenance work and fencing various danporous places. I require re. further onethird cwt of wire to complete. Foreman Collins: My time, was taken up vrtk the usual sundry repair work, fore-man Meredith: I have been assisting I'V.roimirt Hayes with boulders and the river protective work at Kaihihi swing bridge. I have commenced the earthwork on Brophy's Road- foreman Hayes: My roads arc fair. I have .completed stone at Kaihihi, having obtained about COO yards. I have also completed the groin in Kaihihi River. I am at present assisting Foreman Meredith on Brophy's Road.

It was decided to supply '/> cwt of barbed wire to Foreman Sefton. INSPECTOR'S REPORT The inspector reported as follows.— Most of the month my time has been taken up with wandering stools and licenses. Through the month I have also given the danger signs another coat of red paint, and painted the word ger" on them. I also got six board? ready to be put up at bridges declared unsafe by Mr W- J. Clare. I have repaired the men's whare belonging to the large roller.

EGMJOtNT ROAD METALLING. The clerk submitted the following statement showing the cost of the above work:—loG2Jyds metal (delivered at and carting, £lls fts Od; rolling, £Ol 2s. total, £027 18s 6d. REPORT ON BRIDGES The bridge carpenter reported on the following works for the month ended May 31, 1918:—I have ordered all the timber for repairs to the Mangaimi and Chain bridges, Junction Road. All the boxing timber for the Saunders and CSrrington Road bridges has been ordered. Ngatoro Bridge, Junction Road: As instructed, I have inspected this bridge, and, on examination, I find the timbers are all more or less perished. Mie bridge trusses are of a light design, and I beg to state are not equal to the heavy traffic of to-day- I have advised that a notice be 'placed to this bridge limiting the weight crossing to (i tons. For the above loads this bridge is quite safe for five or six years. I would recommmend that GOOft of timlber be obtained to renew a few of the deck planks, joists, etc., and all truss rods require screwing. .Total estimate for the material and labor is £l6. Manganui Bridge, Hursthouse Road: With the repairs just carried out the life of this bridge is only from 12 to 18 months It consists of one 26ft and one 18ft span, and all the timber in the structure is rimu and all more or less decayed, amr the north-end backing planks are just in a state of collapse. I would suggest that a portion of the old decking from the Chain bridge, when removed, lie taken to this bridge and be utilised for the repairs to the approaches. I have advised that a notice be placed to this bridge limiting the weight crossing to three tons. \Vaiongona~-iti, Hursthouse lioad:This bridge is i n the same state as above, and the life .is only from 12 to IS months, and the backing planks require replacing as soon as passible. These could he replaced with old decking from Chain bridge w r hen removed. AH the timber i n this structure is rimu and badly perished. I have advised that a notice be erected to this bridge limiting the weight crossing to three tens. Ma° ngoaraka Bridge, Devon Road: This bridge is in very good order, excepting some slight repairs that require early attention. All the main timbers.i n this bridge are puriri, an'd, considering that this bridge has been in use for nearly SO years, the most of the timbers are perfectly sound. The necessary timber required to put this bridge i n order will require 700 ft, and total cost, including timber and labor, £24. Waiongona Bridge, Devon Road: On examination of this bridge, I found the land span to be in very bad order, and requires two new stringers. The main span, one leaf of top cord, requires renewing for a length of 12ft, and the trusses are beginning to sag and go out of shape very" badly. I would suggest that a, concrete pier be built at the centre of the span- and brought to a level just above flood-mark, and then place a studded pier on top, consisting of 12in x 12i n totara. This will divide this span in two, and then, with the above repairs, it will make this bridge safe for all traffic for 12 or 14 years- All the main timbers are puriri, and are in a very good state of preservation. The total estimate for carrying out the above repairs is £92. I have advised that a notice be placed to this bridge limiting the loads crossing to six ions. Manganoe and Tarurutangi bridges: I have been advised th&t the hardwood for these two bridges has arrived in Wellington, and I have arranged for it to be forwarded on a3 soon as possible, and the totaira is expected dailv "^

The matter of getting the necessary gravel for the Sanders Rand bridges was left to Crs. Woolridgo and C Andrews to attend to. The recommendations in th« report were approved. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs Sladden and Palmer, engineers, wrote stating that good progress had hecen made with the concrete arch over the Mangaone Stream, on Devon Rood, and it-was hoped the work would be completed by the date of nest council meeting. The work had been well ear-, ried oat, but it had been found necessary to go somewhat deeper with the foundations than had 'been intended. The chairman expressed strong dissatisfaction at the fact that the proper foundations had not been ascertained when the estimate for the work was submitted, as the extra work would entail very heavy expenditure on the council.

Messrs Sladden and Palmer also reported (as requested) on the proposed deviation of Plymouth Road, near tlie junction with Koru Road. They favored ■i plan for reducing the present gradient at tho locality from the present 1 in s'/, for about 3J chains to 1 in 10, by cutting down 12ft or 13ft at the top of the hill Mid filling i n at the bottom, which would cost mudi less than tlie proposed devialion.

A deputation of local settlers waited on tho council in connection with the matter proposing a deviation slightly varied from that previously suggested, and offering to, do the carting and"filling if the council paid £3O and the costs of acquiring the necessary land and doing fencing and pipe-laying, etc.

It was decided to leave tYn matter in Mil) hands of (lie chairman and the riding members, to confer with the settlers, ivifh power to act. The Clifton County Council wrote asking support in the effort to induce the

Government to assist the council in completing the metalling of the Mount Messenger Read.

On the motion of Crs. C. Anderson and Lawrence, it was decided to endorse the request of the Clifton County County Council-

The Ohinemuri County Com. ! wrote forwi- .ling a copy of the following'reeoluti( 'or which it asked the support of die incih—"That this council is of opiniwi that the time has arrived when the Government should take over the whole of the main arterial roads in the North Island, and make and maintain the same out of the Consolidated. Revenue; that the Government be asked to give earnest consideration to this suggestion." It was decided to endorse the resolution.

Several settlers on the Koniene Road wrote asking the council to supply and lay pipes on the Lower Komene Road, they undertaking to do ail the earthwork required free of cost.

On the motion of Crs. Woolridge and C Andrews, it was decided to leave the matter until the loan work was completed.

The chairman of the Bell Block School Committee wrote asking permission to have a portion of Ohasney Street closed against traffic, in order to increase the, playing area for the children attending the school, who now number over 80. The matter was referred to the chairman, with power to act, subject to the consent of the adjoining owner. The Under-Secretary .for the Public Works Department wrote stating that the grant of £SO for Hill Road could be expended on cutting down, re-grading, and metalling the stretch of road as proposed when authority was issued in March, 1915. It was decided to notify the settleTß concerned that the council was prepared to earn' out the work if the settlers guaranteed to contribute SI for £ with the council, in addition to the Government grant. PROPOSED MERGER. Twenty-five ratepayers of that portion of the Waitara West Road District, situated between the Devon Road and the Tasman Sea, respectfully requested the Taranaki County Council, as empowered by section 34 of the Counties Amendment Act, 1913, and section 10 of the Road District Act, 1908, to annex that portion of the Waitara West Road District to the ajoinning outlying district of the County of Taranaki The clerk of the Waitara West Road Board wrote asking that consideration of the petition be deferred pending the holding of a meeting of ratepayers to consider the question of merging the. whole of the Waitara West Road District in the Taranaki County Council District.

It was decided to hold over consideration of the petition for a month. The Wanganui County Council wrote asking support to tile following resolutions:—(l) "That with a view to obtaining a more suitable date for county elections, and securing uniformity in time for the election of all local bodies, this council approach the Government, requesting an alteration in the date fixed for holding county elections to that of municipal elections." (2) "That no ratepayer be eligible to vote at a county election unless he has first paid his rates."

The letter was received, and the council declined to take any action. Isabel Stephenson wrote complaining about cattle straying on the Tariki Road nightly. The owner of the cattle claimed that they could not be impounded after dark, and the residents of the district felt very indignant, and asked that the council should take steps to have the nuisance stopped. The matter was referred to the spectorGENERAL. The State Advances Department wrote stating that the sum of £7OO had been remitted to the council's credit for the Komene Road special loan.—Received. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Archibald and Son, waited on the council to ask that some improvement be made to the entrance to the Victoria Road, Oakura. After hearing the deputation, it was deoided to leave the matter in the; hands of the chairman, with power to act.

The district engineer for railways wrote calling attention to the fact that recently storm-water was unable to get away at the culvert about one mile and a-half south of Norfolk Road station, owing to the fact Uhat the drain just beyond the council's culvert 'had not been kept cleaned out. It was asked that arrangements bo made with the lessee of the land to have the drain properly cleared out in order to give more waterwav.

It was reported that the matter had been attended to.

T. Collins wrote tendering his resignation as road foreman in the Okato Riding. It was decided to accept the resignation and to invite applications for th» position. The chairman was appointed to represent the council at any conference of local bodies held to deal with the question of tar supplies, and other matters of interest to local bodies. Accounts amounting to £11342 Is 5d were passed for payment as follows: General expenses, £351 13s 4d; Moa Riding, £204 12s 3d; Mangorei Riding, £45 15s 2d; Waitara Riding, £417 8s 7d; Omata Riding, £4l 8s; Okato Riding, £221 4 S ltl.