CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1918, Page 3

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held yesterday. There were present: Crs. R. H. Pigott (chairman), T. M'Kenzie, H. A. Foreman, F. C. Jones, 0- Musker, "S. J. Kennington, and H. Sander. COKRBSPDX'DEXCE. R. J. Mounsey applied for the use of a section opposite his northern boundary of section G, block 11., Ngatimaru S.D., which was at present overgrown with scrub and furze, undertaking, if pel-mission was given, to keep the section properly elsar of noxious weeds. — Application granted, during pleasure of the council. J. H. HdKbs wrote stating that he intended replacing a small portion of his road boundary fence on the MatauKiore Road, which had been carried away by slips in 1&15. He asked permission to encroach a little on the roadline for the purpose of getting a better fence-line. The road foreman had approved of the proposal, as it increased the safety of the travelling public by fencing off two biglbluffs.—'Permission granted. S- Jones wrote respecting the pipes the council had put in across the road close to tho Uruti factory, stating that | they did not carry away the water from his drain, which consequently backed up badly.—The matter was left in the handis of the members for the riding to attend to. Correspondence was received from the secretary of the conference of county councils and road boards, held at Eltham at the beginning of May, relative to surfacemen's wages, by-laws, and tar supplies.—Received. Tho Wanganui County Council forwarded a copy of a resolution asking the Government to alter the date fixed for county elections to that of municipal elections, and also that ratepayers whose rates were unpaid be not allowed to vote at elections.—The resolution was endorsed. The Ohinemuri County Council wrote asking support of a resolution calling upon the Government to take over the control and maintenance of all main arterial roads in the North Island. —The council agreed to support the resolution. TANGITU DEVIATION. The Department of Public Works wrote stating that as the funds immediately available for carrying out the Uruti-Tangitu deviation (£2500) was £OSO less than the estimated cost of the work, the Department was prepared to find half that amount and to commence immediately the work of constructing I the deviation as soon as the council lodged its loan money to the credit of the Public Account at the Bank of New Zealand, and gave a written guarantee to find half of the money required in excess of the £2500 available. A letter was received from seven settlers interested in the deviation, intimating their willingness to guarantee the £325 required. Cr. Musker said he considered it a scandalous thing that the settlers should foe asked to find more money. Tlic track had been gazetted to the

-,.cick ha, ~een gazettei to t. ouncil some years ago, and it had bee aiggested that the Government wishe ;o evade its obligation to form wha was really a national roadway Tli settlers had already rated themselves fo a special loan of .€2OOO, which had at firbeen regarded as sufficient for the wori It was unfair to ask these settlers t raise more money for the formation i a national roadway If the Goveri ment had no policy for settlement ni> road-making, it was time the eounc! "put a bit of ginger" into matters Sucli a course as the Government wa pursuing would discourage settlement The settlers were willing to guarantee the money in order to facilitate th; work, but lie thought the council shouh assist the settlors and deputationise tin Minister for Public Works, and endea vor to induce the Government to meet the settlers by paying the whole of the amount of £GSO. They could also bring under notico then other matters that needed attention, including the maintenance of main roads, which was at present beggaring all the by-roads. The chairman pointed out that the deficiency i n the estimate of the cost was really the fault of the Department, and ho did not think the ratepayers should be further penalised and asked to find a further £650.

It was eventually decided that a deputation, consisting of Or Musker and the engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett), should' wait on the Minister in connection with the matter. " * ENGINEER'S REPORT. as T folbw S B ; neer <Mr ' C ' P ' DoW9ett > ,J Valhl Riding.—The metalling commenced at Roidl ™i°" ° f lhe ,, Mal " Norll > and Waiau the D ™ p . ee . dln e southwards as well as It %«5 ™ ♦ " nd , labor CO!ldlUo " 3 wl'l Permit. .. assistance having two engines, and mnSfinni g , «, reall! ' P roce ed under other «!?• wh «e efficiency is sought. A pipe fvniin eO . U 5 used t0 "drantaee near the Sh ill , i°> •' or lns cut and PIPeU without ™, B d im I> rov ® the position. IJI Zn"n Rld | I ": —The metalling extension "i e , maln enanee metal on the Inland ■kt i lavc been completed for this sea--111, , :Notic f ! : s in terms of suggestions have been posted on the suspension bridge, and the timber iound for repairs thereto. The rangers nare impounded 16 horses and some cattle during the month. Authority is sought for 50 yards of stone for the Ngatimaru Road repairs. Ngatimaru Riding.—A gravel pit has been opened uj in Councillor Sander's property nortli of Tnrata. The sample is very fair so far, but the Quantity in sight at this stage is uncertain. This district is bereft of casual assistance, and progress is very slow. All the timber is now assembled at the Purangi bridge for the repairs, and It is hoped to proceed very shortly. The Mangaoapa Road is receiving attention at the hiore end. A further effort will be made, to locate the steel girders from the late bridge, as such material cannot have travelled any great distance. The Matau Saddle is tiow receiving attention, to be followed by repairs to the North Matau Road. The question of the ; acceptance of the tender for the Mangamaire stream bridge was held over on the suggestion of Councillor Kennlngton. I rrcnu- Riding—Nothing new has resulted in letting the boulder supply contract, although turtjier offers have been promised. The work in t»ie Okoke pit Is proceeding. Numerous loads nave been placed on the main roads and sidings, and further supplies will be used near Lucas si and further east. Timber for repairs has gone up the Plko Road, and the necessary works will be attended to. An early opportunity will be taken of ploughing all water tables ;on tho main route. An application lias been made to cut firewood in tho old gravel pit, which might be carried out to advantage if properly directed. I hope to find time to proceed with the levels and jiians for the reconstruction of the Onaero bridge, aa this work cannot be indefinitely held over. Moknu Riding—The Mangamaeto Road has been receiving attention, and will be further improved and culverted. The southern portion of the main road, is receiving metal repairs, and * n 2™ ern portion drain cutting and faacinrog. The sanding at Scott's corner, Okau Road, has been completed. Culverts and repairs will be attended to on the Mutiwal Road. lam expecting Jo get quotations for the Coast Road bridge timber, and the work of cutting down the hill at the Tongapotutu end will he proceeded with when suitable labor can be obtained. Mr. J. Murray was Interviewed conthe Tupokl brldw repnlrn, and he ."tree! in er.ntrlbuM hnif of the total cost. Ths ah*n raf'.; nrniirnct at VruO Is proffMiains

satisfactorily. Repairs to the Mokl and Rl Road bridges have been attended to. Hardwood timber for repairs to the Uruti bridge is now on the .site. The metalling contract at Wai-iti is showing renewed vigor; about half the Btone required to complete the two remaining gaps Is already stacked at the depot. The report was adopted. GENERAL. The town clerk of New Plymouth wrote notifying that the council had endorsed the resolution passed by the Clifton County Council, urging upon the Government the need of metalling Mount Messenger.—Received. The Director of Education forwarded a copy of a circular relating to the Kitchener Memorial Scholarships open for competition amongst the sons of New Zealand soldiers who have seen active service in the present war.—The chairman and Crs. Kennington and Musker olfered donations of £:1 each towards augmenting the fund instituted for the proposed scholarships. The amended tender of W. P. Dowman, for £435, for the bridge over the iMangamaire stream was accepted. Mr. J. W. H. Martin waited on the council to ask if the crusher plant could be sent to Pukearuhe in the near future. A quantity of metal was out, and about a week's crushing would do what was required. If the plant was not sent up within a week or two, it would mean that nothing could be done till after the winter. It wag pointed out that present Vork in hand would keep the crusher Engaged for at least two months, provided "the weather conditions wore favorable. E. Reynolds was granted a renewal of his slaughterhouse license. Accounts amounting to On 1(J went passed for payment.