TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 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. Conne'tt (chairman), A. E. Laurence, J. B. Simpson, J. Wooldridge, C. Andrews, D. MeAlhim, A. Morton, G. Capper and J. Andrews. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported as follows: I have arranged with Grylla ,and Julian to supply as much extra metal as possible while the plant was at the Duriiam road depot; 47 yards had been supplied to Foreman Mallon. Foreman Holmes will receive sufficient maintenance metal to meet his present requirements. Foreman Seamark has repaired Barrett road, which, with reasonable weather, will hold good till the crusher arrives. Caddy's pipes have been inspected and found in good order, and a price had been agreed upon I have authorised the purchase of an ''Underwood" typewriter for the office; also a small stock of hardwood timber for bridge repairs, and a few bars of reinforcing steel. On August 4 I handed the Ford car to W. J. Clare, who will hereafter use it in connection with his work for the council. A supply of 'benzine has been secured. Four 42-inch pipes have been sent to Stony River to make good the end of a tunnel that had been damaged some time ago. Foreman Anderson took up his duties in the Okato riding on August 19.

The report was approved.' The chairman also submitted a Teport as to the proceedings in connection with the council representatives' meetings with the Moa Road District ratepayers on the subject of their merging into the county district. PLANT REPORT. Enginedriver Mackie—The crusher worked as follows: —Mangamawhete Depot, 4 days' crushing, 21G yards; Maketawa Depot, 3J days' 399 yards; Durham Depot, 10% days, 310 yards; total 934 yards. Engine-driver Stewart During the month I rolled and scarified 105$ chains on the Mountain road. Enginedriver Orr.—l have rolled and scarified 105 chains on the Main South Road, total cost of wages £39 12s.— Adopted. RIDING REPORTS. | Moa Riding: Foreman Laurence—My time has been taken up receiving metal from the crushing plant. I scarified and rolled 15 chains on Mountain road while waiting for the crusher, Foreman Mallon—During the month I received 187 yards from the crusher for Mountain road between old toll house and Dudley road. Foreman Bennett—l have taken away bank in front of Mr Frasert house on the Tariki road and banked several of the hills. Mr' A/ Frasei came out for about 1? days with 2 single-horse drays, and three men free labor to assist. Foreman Heal—Most of my time has been taken up assisting Foreman Batten. Foreman Taylor—i The drain through Mr A. H. Taylor's j that I reported on last month must be dealt with. Cr. Laurence referred to some work required at the Junction and Kaimate roads, and the matter was ■ referred to the chairman to deal with. The council resolved to send a letter of thanks to Mr Fraser for his assistance on the Tariki road. The chairman was asked to report on the proposed raising of Egmont road near the boundary of the .Moa and Waitara ridings. The chairman was also authorised to see to the drain complained of by Foreman Taylor. i Mangorei Riding: Foreman I have metalled Alfred road with stone carted by Mr Lilley which was handbroken. I have started at Harrison's pit. One day would make the entrance required by Mr Carthew. I require 12 9-inch pipes for Alfred road. Foreman Keast—l have metalled road out from Warren's Pit. We have 4(54 yards at crusher sse. As both my men will be leaving at end of month I would like assistance of Messrs Batten, Heal or Spencer as it is impossible to get labor. Foreman Spencer—l have been assisting Foreman Eva to cut trees on Hurworth road. The trees on Mrs Brydon's frontage are detrimental to the maintenance of the road. It was resolved that provided Mr Carthew is prepared to put a pipe crossing down and pay the cost of the same, the entrance asked for be constructed. The pipes required by Foreman Batten Were authorised. < It was resolved to request Mrs- "Bryden to cut back trees which are detrimental to the maintenance of Carrington road, and that the foreman, he allowed to do the work if Mrs. Bryd'en cannot. Waitara Riding.—Foreman J. Holmes: I have been employing horse and cart for two days and would like it for about five days longer I constructed 'a pipe entrance to Mr. Jackson's; time taken up, one day; cost of same to be paid by Mr. Jackson. Foreman F. Holmes: Mr. J. Magee ha 3 delivered 234 yards of pit metal on Egmont Road. I procured 12 posts from W"'Smith to fence two fijlings. Foreman Proud: My time has been taken up with usual repairs and assisting at metalling on Egmont Road. Foreman W. Holmes: I have been engaged during the month at the usual maintenance work. Foreman J. Holmes was given authority to employ teams to plough and cart material near Brixton and Devon road*. It was resolved to again request Mr. T, French to trim trees overhanging the Mountain Road. Tte action of Foreman F. Holntes in procuring posts to fence_twoJllings was approvedOmata Riding.—Foreman sSeamark: I had the small roller for eight days, rolling and scarifying 100 chains on Main South Road. Mrs. Oakes should be requested to cut back lupins on Ngamotu Road, which are forcing the traffic into the water-tables opposite. The gorso has been left on the road at Mr.. Hendrickson's old place, which is in charge of Messrs Weston and Weston. Foreman Eva: My roads are in good order. ] require S5 posts and 31b of staples to repair fence around Frankley Pit. It was decided to ask Messrs Weston and Weston to remove hedge trimmings on Barrett Road.

The chairman and Cr. M'Allum were empowered to go into the matter of acquiring more land at the Fraivkley Wt. The post 3 and staplea reqiu'red by "Foreman Eva were granted. Qkatp Riding.—Foreman • Arerath! Most of my time has been .taken-up on Victoria Road re-grading'. Foreman Sefton: I hav« had the small rotleT sine* the With inst, and scarified and roll>d 45 chains of roa!l. Foreman , Anderson: I have taken up my dn ies. The roads arc in fair order. I require a ■wheelbarrow. Foreman Meredith: I. have been employed at the vmsai miscellaneous , nmiirtaMM* work. Xrmm*m.a*.jt*i TOe

metal on the side roads is exceptionally thin. I have put in four 4 h 2in pipes at tunnel on Clarke's Hill, Main South Road. I also constructed Bin. pipe culvert on Oxford Road. It was decided to supply a wheelbarrow for Foreman Anderson. Cr- Wooldriclge reported he had arranged for Foreman Hayes to have some time off for surgical treatment, and the action was approved. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. 'During, tho month I have erected two danger-signs on the Oakura deviation. I have also repaired and altered the Jorry with small roller, so as to enable it to take loose coal instead of bagging it. I also did a few repairs to whare. I have issued three licenses to drivers of vehicles using the county roadsBRIDGE CARPENTER'S REPORT. The hardwood for various bridges has all. been delivered, and 1500 ft has been stored at the county yards, Smart Road, for any urgent works. Mangaoaraka bridge, Devon road: The repairs to this bridge have been completed, and it is now in very fair order. M'Gonnell's culvert has also been repaired with four jarrah stringers and hardwood decking, and is how in.good repair. Bark Whare bridge, Tariki: I have taken levels for this bridge, and propose to use the present concrete piers and two up-stream wing Walls and wideiTthe piers on the downstream side to the required width to receive the reinforced beams . and slab. Kiri bridge, Carrington Road: I have inspected this bridge, and, on examination, I- found that most of the timbers are showing signs of decay, and one of the lower cord leaves has partly rotted away, and the truss members are very inferior timber. The timbers in the structure are of very inferior rimu, excepting the top cord, which is of kauri and a small proportion of totara for bed-plates on the top of the concrete piers. I would not recommend the council to expend any money in repairs to this bridge, as I am confident that the structure will'have to be rebuilt in the course of two or three years. The total length of this bridge is 00ft. Mangaone bridge: All the gear has been transferred to this bridge, and the two huts —one from Tariki and one from Waiwakaiho—have also been transferred and erected for the men's quarters and storage of gear. The erection of this bridge is now proceeding. I am enclosing estimates for the following proposed new bridges (the estimate includes all metalling and earthwork, temporary bridges, etc.); —Mangaone bridge, Junction Road east, 10ft R.W., wood, £410; Mangaoraka bridge, Lepper Road, 18ft R.W., ferro-concrete, £335 10s; Bark Whare "bridge, Tariki, 20ft R.W., ferro-concrete, £335 10s; Ngatoro, Junction Road east, 20ft R.W., ferro-concrete, £1983 6s Sd. It was decided to apply to the State Advances Department for a loan of £SOOO for the construction of new bridges in the (Moa Riding, and that, should the loan be approved, steps be immediately taken for & poll of tho ratepayers in the riding. It was also resolved to get a report on the condition of the Ngatoronui bridge, on the Mountain Road, and also £he first bridge on the Tariki Road. It was decided that the matter of the position and height of the Ngatoro bridge be referred to the 'Tiding councillors and the chairman to report upon. (METAII KEQUKESMENTS. The road foremen's estimates of metal requirements for tho current year were received and> discussed, and quantities to be allowed were decided upon. OORRESP(JN , DEK'CE.

The clerk of the Waitara West Road Board wrote stating that a stcb-commit-tee had been appointed to meet a committee of the council to discuss matters relating to merging into tha county district. It was decided that the riding members—Crs. Connett and J. Andrews—represent the council in arranging details in connection with the merger. The New (Plymouth Borough Council wrote asking permission to extend electric supply mains along county roads to meet the requirements of the Smart Road' freezing works.—(Permission was granted. The clerk of the Moa Road Board Wrote enclosing a copy of a resolution passed by the (board, asking the council why the petitions from ratepayers on the York and Wortley roads to merge their properties into the Moa Road District cad not been granted. A discussion took place, in the course of which it was pointed out that the matter had been delayed on account of difficulty in determining boundaries. Councillors expressed disapproval of any portion of the county being merged in another road board district. The matter of replying to the road board was left in the hands of the chairman. K. J. Carthew, New Plymouth, wrote in respect to the road formation to the new bridge over To Henui river, on Junction Road, stating that the road was cut down and had left the old cart entrance to his property; blocked, and on the opposite side of the road the cart entrance was now 10ft up in the air. He, therefore, asked that the road foreman be instructed to nfoke good the entrances.— Dealt with In foreman's report. | Charles 0. B. Oaken, Ngamotu Road, Spotswood, wrote drawing the council's attention to the state of the Ngamotu Road, particularly to the pip.} culvert emptying on to section 27, bio* 4, P. district. Tim scour from the culvert wa"s said to have- cut a ditch about 10ft dean which had left his fence posts hanging in the air", making it impossible to keep cattle on the section. He suggested that something should be done immediately to prevent the whole road from collapsmg.—The matter was left in the hands of tno chairman and Or. M'Allum to report \-}\\. L. Gopperth wrote stating that the drainage of water from the Egm out Road on to his property was leaving a deposit -hat threatened to obliterate his fence. Ho asked that the council should take steps to remedy the trouble.—lt was decided that the chairman look into the trouble. The Lands (Department wrote relative to certain township sections occupied bv the council, stating that the sections-*. No. <S2, Hua village (2 roods 28 perches), •No. 34, Okato township (1 acre), and No. 101, Oakura township (d rood 3.9 por-ches)-belonged to the Crown, and the ' Department asked what consideration the council would offer should the aeotions be transferred to the council. The chairman intimated that a reply had teen sent to the effect that as the council desired to otilise the secfions.ai a pound and crusher sites, they should bo transferred free of charp^ _S. A Hicks, Tikorangi, wrote on behall ; oi the secretary of the New Zealand Nur. servmnn's .Association in respect to th< settlement oi returned soldiers in rura ' occupations, and asked that the council • anoald a/ion* * resolution o» the ttnefrd

that passed by tho Waitemata County Council. The essence of the resolution was the immediate necessity lor tno ap-, pointment of a Minister of Repatriation; the scheme for repatriation of returned soldiers should include pastoral, agricultural, horticultural, and poultry farming, providing for the interesting of men in theac pursuits while they are in hospitals, and convalescent camps in England and elsewhere; that means should be taken to secure definite applications from men for the particular class of land or occupation they desire, before they arrive in New Zealand. The scheme also provides for the financing of such men so thc.t they shall be ensured a living wage uh':il such time as their farms arrive at a profitable) stage. It was decided to endorse the resolution of the Waitemata Council. W. E. Aish, Tataraimaka, wrote offer, ing to give labor and a contribution of £lO towards laying metal on a portion (about 10 chains) of the Albion Road.— Tlie offer was accepted with thanks. GENERAL. The committee set up t<> report on the matter of raotoj; haulage was granted a month's extension of time in which to make its report. The Public Works, Department wrote stating that it had come to the knowledge of the Minister that some,local authorities were making payments to contractors, workmen, and owners of teams, for carrying outworks under Government subsidies at rates much in excess of what tho Department was paying for similar works carried out under the supervision of the Department's officers. As tho Minister was unable to authorise the carrying out of works subsidised or paid for by the Government at these extreme rates, the conditions attaching to_ all classes of work entrusted to local bodies were enclosed for the guidance of thecouncil.

The matter of the price of the hire of horse teams was raised by a contractor who asked £2 per day. Tu the course of the discussion, it was stated that the council paid,3ss per day. The matter was referred to the chairman, on the understanding that the committee set up to consider the question of haulage should take into, consideration the matter of the council acquiring its owd teams. Miss Mabel A. Okey wrote tendering her resignation from the council's office staff.—lt was deciffed to ask her to hold the resignation over in the meantime. Or. G. Capper asked if it was true, as had been reported to him, that the Moa Riding was entitled to an additional representative on the'basis of its valuation. It was pointed out that it would foe inadvisable to make any alteration at present, but that after the next valuation adjustments might be effected. Accounts were passed for payment as' follow—General expenditure, £448 IsMoa Riding, £7Ol Os 4d; Mangorei Rid' m|, £10! 2s Id; Waitara RidW, £W his Od; Omata Riding, £4olG s fid- Okato Riding, £2-29. l'9s U; total, £\m lis The chairman then moved that the council go into committee. Cr. Simpson asked what business wsa to be taken in committer and on being told that it was the question of tho clerks salary, he protested. "Surely" he said, "councillors are not ashamed' of their opinions." He claimed the ratepayers were entitled to know what was done at the council table. _ The motion was seconded, and on being put, it was carried on the voices Cr »impson alone dissenting.