CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1918, Page 3

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

. , MONTHLY MEETING: The Clifton County Council maf at Waitara ycstcrdfcy. Present: Or*. JR: H. Piggoitt (ahainnan), H. Sander, T. M'lvenzic, 0. Muflkei 1 : If. Foreman, and F; C. Jones; A OOiMPbALNT. Fourteen ratepayers at Taraita complained of the negligence of the surfaceman there,- and demanded thait he should do his duty forthwith or be suspended. An anoynmoud letter, signed ''Ratepayer, 1 ' was also jeceived, complaining of the same tiling. The engineer stated that the writer of the letter had kept a consistent watch on the surfaceman.

The chairman sa/id the position looked bad. Cr. Foreman said they should not take much notice of the last portion of the letter. . The engineer said, of two evils, they had to choose the lesser. Men were hard to get, and they either had to employ this man or do without a surfaceman. Work he had instructed to have dons in June had hot yet been attended to. In reply to Cr. Musker, the engineer said the Tarata district was a big one to look after Cr Sander said his name appeared In ( the letter, the writer believing he was a relative of the man. This was not so, and if the man was neglecting lis work, out ho should go. The engineer: Had they another man, the surfaceman would have gone months ago, bnt he had difficulty in getting men for road work. Regarding the timesheets, he had all the records, and these would lie on the taible if wished. Cr. Sander moved that the man be dismisssed. Or. M'Kenzie seconded, and this was carried, NATIVES AND RATES.

Waitomo County Council desired support in a resolution "that thia council believes the Counties Act should foe amended that where Native ratepayers exceed a certain number they be allowed to elect one or more representatives to the council; further, thait two rolls be rom/piled, one for Europeans in each riding aJid one for Natives within the county." Cr. Mttsker said lie understood the Natives who paid their rates were entitled to a vote, and could seek election it thev desired. As it ■was, the council looked after the interests of the Maoris iust as well as Eurpeans. —Roce-ived. Concerning these masters, the. clerk (Mr. Vaughian) stated that there were 14,000 acres of Native land in Or. Masker's riding (Mokan). Cr Mtisker stated hia opinion was that sin alteration was necessary in the laws recanting taking up Native lands- F«w» what ho could see. settlers fought shy of ta.king up land in the bLickblocks on stn-h poor tentfre. His riding had a. large tract of land of Native ownership, whilst the Matau block (Or. Sander's riding) also meant a largo tract of county roads to be raaitnained at a .heavy expense. Or. Foreman said a man taking up these lands could sell at the termination of the 'lease and claim for all improvements. Cr. MuSker said it would be no injustice to the Natives to have the money consolidated in a capital fund. . As it was, the European put in roads, constructed factories, meat works, etc., and generally increased the prosperity of the surroundings. The chairman stated that the Maoris would sell their land, but could not do so under the laws. Before a Native could sell one acre be had to hold 25 acres, Cr. Musker: Yes, and throughout the 'Native lands gave them a big job to maintain, owing to the difficulty of getting in rates. The chairman: Another trouble was they could not deal with them. If the ■Natives did not pay their rates, the council could not sell the land. CORRESPONDENCE.

Sir James Allen, Acting-Premier, requested the council to call a meeting on Monday next, and submit a resolution to the citizens of their determination to continue the war to a victorious end.—Received, the council to do as desired by the letter.

Pio Pio County Council stated that tlic Clifton Council's resolution dealing with portion of the Main North Road was further considered- Tho council thought the requests were raibher too parochial, and, Whilst admitting the works referred to were necessary and important, they consider it would be more advisable to urge upon the Government the necessity of adopting seme definite policy in the way of assisting councils iby way of subsidies to make, metal, and maintain the Vain North Road and all main arterial roods in the Dominion, —Received. 0. H. Sharp, resident engineer. advised that £IOOO had been paid into the public account as part of loan raised by settlers in connection with the Tengitu deviation. —Received. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Waihl Riding.—No great progress has been made with the ifletalling contract, owing to the weather conditions. The permanent staff, however, have been kept busy repairing metal and [attending to the usual maintenance. The late foreman, holding a certificate of extended leave, has returned from camp, and will resume his | duties in charge of this Tiding next week. The bridges on the main road are receiving attention In the matter of minor repairs.

Tikorangl lUdlng—Patching and repairs have formed the majOT Items of work over the metalled portions, and the foreman will break a few yards of stone instead of catting it done under contract conditions. The Bertrand Raod bridge will receive attention as soon as the ironwork is ready. The weather has prevented my giving immediate attention to the proposed Stockman Road deviation, but 'I will meet the settlers at an early date and go into the matter with them. I recommend a contract to be let. to obtain 100 yards of boulders for repairs between the factory and the Walhl junction. Ngntimaru Killing.—The contractor for the South Matnu bridge has signed lib? specification, and is urging the hardwood company to execute his order with despatch. Further assistance will bo forthcoming on the Mungaoapa Road, and I have arranged that the slips be cloared off back to the original line. This will be necessary to allow the bridgo material to reach the site. Arrangements were also made to proceed with the repairs to the Purangl bridge at an early date. It Is hoped to proceed with further metalling on the Junction Road if the weather is suitable. The section Tarata to Purangl is still lacking the services of a permanent foreman. Some damage has occurred on the North Matau lload, including two wash-outs, but instructions have been given to give this work immediate attention.

Urenul Riding.—l have had notices printed on calico and distributed at the Pnh, and also in the township, notifying carters that the council will accept large or small quantities of stono to he 'deposited at: the depot at 8s per cubic yard, but so far with no response. At the foot of the township hill I propose putting in a new CO-inch concrete pipe. The existing wooden culvert has had a long life, and a collapse without a reserve outlet would bo serious. The weather has made a demand for large quantities of repair gravel, and further supplies are urgently reauired. The settlers on the Plko Road have been supplied witl! plan and information relative to the metalling loan, and I understand a similar application will be made In Te3pect of the- Okoke Road. The Mataro Road is receiving attention with casual assistance. MOkau Riding.—The road reserve at Mangapaeho, latelv u occupation, feu fenn

over by the council, and the late occupier will be paid one-half the estimated cost of original erection of boundary fence. The boulder contract has been proceeding slowly. I understand the Mangamaeho deviation was by mutual consent With the adjoining owners. I propose Retting this matter legalised and fixed up, and I will define the old Toad for the owners' information. Metalling repairs to the southern portion and cutting drain and fascinlng on the north portion of the main road, have been steadily proceeding. The bridge foreman has arrived, and, if suitable, he will repair all bridges in rotation between Waltara and Koture, where necessary. Slips have occurred at the northern end of the Parmlnihl tunnel, but they aro already receiving attention. The contractor supplies the information that the requisite amount of stone necessary to complete the gaps on the Pukearuhe Road will be deposited at the depot in a few days. General, —I request authority to have constructed a travelling bin and screen, which will be of great assistance in a better distribution of crusher metal. Thirds proposals to the amount of £27G 9s Id have been approved for. expenditure. Notices should bo sent to various owners to lop trees overhanging the public roads, and causing constant attention in repairs. I inspected the Fowler engine and found that it was an old model, requiring fairly extensive repairs. Its condition, 1 should judge, was produced as much by actual service, and I cannot Tecommend the council to purchase it. A much more favorablo proposition would be to purchase the small McLaren engine we are now hiring, which, I understand, can be obtained for about £4OO. The report was adopted.

HEAVY TRATWO. In reply to Cr. Muaker fegarding the cost of maintenance per mile of tvrj chains wide in Wailii and Ureniii, the engineer gave the figures at £llO am! £lO5 respectively. Or. Mu»ker stated that these 'ridings were costing a good deal, but it must be remembered, that they were paying substantial fees fcf way of tolls. This brought iro the question of main roads again. The solution meant that the council would require a Government subsidy. They had to beat the upkeep of these roads, and were elltitled to some consideration of a subsidy. GENERAL.

Cr. Foreman desired the clerk to .bring dawn a statement showing how money had 'been s,pent on the main roada in each riding. It wa s resolved to release Mr. Martin from his metal contracts When the present gaps had been completed., W. J. Day, Uruti, requested the council to push on the work of bridging a culvert at his gate. Ho would hold the council responsible for any damage sustained through the culvert remaining open—Engineer instructed to build up the side of' tlhe fluming and board over the culvert. J. Crowe, TaraJba, drew attention to the bad staite of the road leading to the Tarata School, which was 'becoming dangerous -to children.— Engineer will visit-locality and attend to matter.