CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1918, Page 2

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. \ The ordinary meeting of tlio Clifton County Council Wll3 held at Waitara yesterday, when tliera were present: Cis. It. H. l'lgott (chairman), T. McKcnzie, H. A. I'oreman, P. C, Jones, C. Musker, S. J. Kenuington and H. Sander. ENGINEER'S P.EPORT. Tlie engineer (Mr. C. J. Dowsott) reported: Wailii Hiding.—A section between the 14 and. ID milo iiegs lias been scarified and rolled, and I tliu balance of metal deposited at the Turangi depot lias boon crushed and laid down, covertoe a distance of about twenty chains. A furtiler small crushing will be proceeded with on the Epiha lioad, and the plant will then proceed northwards. A meeting of Nlkorlma settlers was duly held, presided over by Cr. McKonzie, when it was ascertained that the requirements necessitated a distance of about eighty chains being metalled. Thero should bo no difficulty in obtaining the metal, but tlie question Is 0110 of finance, Tikorangi Riding.—A section on the Ngatiraaru Road was scarified and rolled, and improved with a few loads of extra inetal. The contract for the additional metal has been duly signed, and tho worls wtil be proceeded with as well as the unmetalled gaps on the Bertrand Itoad, while attention is being giyea to improving. a Bectlon between Jackson's Hill and the cross roads. The season is now approaching when active work with the grader may be proceeded with. Ngatimaru Kiding—Foreman Topping lias resumed Ills position at Tarata, but owing to his being in possession of a house he does not require the county cottage. This, therefore, cauld be lot to an approved tenant If convenient. Some bad slips and wash-outs occurred in this riding, but the permanent staff, with tho assistance of settlers, are endeavoring to overcome the trouble. The work of repairs and renewals to the Furangi bridge has been proceeding satisfactorily, although I understand a delay may sow occur for a few days, which Is unavoidable. Work 13 also proceeding on the Mangaoapa Koad, in culverting and widening where necessary, and upon receipt of approved plans from Stratford X propose calling for tenders for the erection of tho Mangaoapa stream bridge. Tenders close to-day for the boulder supply at Tarata. It Is a matter for regret that bo one will tondcr for supplies from the gravel quarries in the district. Urenul lUding.—One grader is now on the Kaiplkarl Hoad, and advantage should be taken to carry out any necessary work In this locality. Plana have been prepared showing the Plko Eoad loan area. Various slips and washtints have occurred on this and the Okoke Eoad, and Gibson's bridge was washed from its position. New studs Jiavo been provided for, and Us re-ercctlon Is to be shortly undertaken; in the meantime a temporary structure has been erectotL Tho other flood damage is receiving attention as well as labor permits. Difficulty is eiperlenced in obtaining teams to remove the gravel from the Okoko pit, and the boulder contract is not viewed as a star item. Mokau Biding.—The shell rock contract is proceeding satisfactorily, and tho contractor , estimates that he will havo about 300 yards over and above his quantity. I should recommend its acceptance, as the contractor is leaving tlio district, and future supplies may be precarious. Tho owner of tho metal property has agreod to tho council putting in a concrete pipe, as being the most satisfactory and permanent method of giving access to tho quarry. Further work has been carried out on the Mangamaelio Road, and additional culverts are to be supplied. Tho uppor portion of tho main road has been further improved with drain cutting and faecining, and the lower portion with metal repairs. On thQ Okau Road the culvert and filling near Scott's havo been completed, and bad holes sandstoned. It is anticipated that n settler will give half time to tho eastern end of of the Oltau Road. The new concrete culvert on the Hutlwai Boad was inspected, and arrangements made to Improve certain sections where required. Mr. W. J. Austin has been appointed to the position of bridge foreman, and is at present engaged in tho Urutl district. Tho forming up and preliminary work in connection with the completion of the Pukoaruho Road metalling is proceeding, and I am prepared to transfer the crushing plant there any time after the 12th Instant. URUTI—TANGITU DEVIATION.

Tho Under-Secretary of Public Works acknowledged receipt of £250, being the balance of the council's contribution towards tlio cost of constructing the Urutl—Tangitu deviation. Tho engineer had already been authorised to put the construction of tho road In hand. " Cr. Musker stated that the work had already been started. MANGAOAPA ROAD.

K. Mounsey, on behalf of Purangl settlers, wrote that they understood the work on Mangaoapa Road was likely to be stopped owing to loan money not being available. Tho settlers had dono their best in connection with the loin, and doubtless the council had done likewise, but It would be very unfair to stop the work on account of supposed lack of lund 3. The monthly payment for September was Just under £3O, while for October It was likely to be less.. The settlers would bo away In November and December, owing to shearing, haymaking and getting turnip crops in, but before temporary stoppage they would havo tho heavy and most important' road work finished. The council had driwn £3OO or £4OO in rates, with £IOO fallins due, since tho road was blooked for vehicular traffic. They asked, therefore, that the work be allowed to proceed. The chairman stated that rates totalling £ 214 19s 3d had been paid. Tho ongineer stated that the Government was providing £SOO, and the settlors were raising a loan of £3OO. The council would find the balance required to complete tlio work. So far the council had expended over £llO, and in view of tho financial state of tho council he did not think It advisable to anticipate too much of the loan. He liad, therefore, intimated that the work would bo stopped at tho end of October unless tho loan money was available sooner. Settlers would be ablo to get from Klore to tho bridge site. It was resolved to Inform Mr. Mounsey that the work would proceed until the end of October, and if the loan money was available the work would bo gone ou with. METALLING OF J.IALN" ROADS. The Awakino County Council congratulated iho Clifton County Council upon the success which attended the deputation that waited upon the Minis»t« in connection with metalling portions of tuo Main North Road. It would, the letter added, have been lather difficult for any member of tho Awakino Council to havo accompanied tho deputation, because of the policy it had adopted with regard to metalling. On no occasion had they asked tho Government for a straight-out grant for metalling. Any assistance aslted had been by way of subsidy, and they had had a considerable amount of money in that way. They entirely agreed that there should be some system of differentiation whereby counties without railway or Waterway communication should receive more assistance from the Government in tho metalling and maintenance of their roads, especially main roads running through such counties, than counties more favorably situated. It might be difficult to get the Government to recognise any, such policy, but they might obtain tho co-operation of other counties similarly situated, and see what support could bo got. If opportunity occurred they would like to meet members of the Clifton County Council, to further discuss the imatter. , | WAIHI ROAD.

Several settlers on tho Waibi Road wrote Offering to contribute £36 15s towards the cost of metalling six chains of a hill opposite Mr. Jury's property. Cr. Musker considered the council should come to somo definite conclusion in regard to making grants for new metal. Tho chairman stated that when striking the new rato they did not anticipate putting down new metal out of rate money. Rates were struck to maintain the roads, and if now metalling were | expected out of rates, then it would be necesi sary to strike a higher rate. Cr. Musker pointed out that this was an application for metal, whereas there were hundreds of settlers in tlie county who had still to wade through the mud, as they were unable to get tho water off their roads.

Cr. Foreman pointed out that these ratepayers were prepared to pay half the cost. Cr. Musker said that he did not wisli to oppose the proposal, but he considered the settlers might find it to their advantage to subscribo tho whole amount rather than not have the road metalled. This was only one of numerous requests. One had already been turned down by tho council, and another one would como bofore the council which would only be ono out of ten roads iu the same position in tho same riding. i Cr. Sander believed in helping those who helpt themselves, and moved that tho council do wotlc to the extent of £73 10s, providing the sum of £36 15s is lodged with the council. Cr. Foreman seconded. Cr. Musker suggested that the matter bo held over until the other application was dealt with. The engineer stated that he would like to improve the grade of the hill, which was very steep. Cr. Musker said that somo of the roads In tho old days were laid out in an insane manner. The chairman said that the council had on iprevious occasions assisted settlers who were prepared to help themselves in this way. One advantage was that It saved maintenance. Cr. Musker said that undoubtedly every settler was entitled to a road, but If all were prepared to find half the money, would the council be in a position to assist them all. Tho chairman instanced the case of Onaero, where, after offering to find half the money, the settlers had raised a loan and completed the work. Cr. Musker said this should be recognised as the solution of the difficulty. Cr. Foreman said that all that was reoulred was to metal a hill, so as to enable the Jew settlers to ho t.o factory hi all weulhcra, At

present in bad weather tliey liad tp go. by another road, 'necessitating ! I%' l miles extra travelling on tftQ mQtftl, • The chairman pointed out that ,the metalling of this hill would salve Considerable maintenance. ■ I /' The resolution waß then . carried. ~-r; NIKORIMA ROAD. Messrs. G. McKcnzie, It. J.Hogan and G. Foreman' Waited on the council, and stated that If tho council was prepared to metal 12% chains on the Nikorlma Road they were prepared to raiso a loan to metal the balance. They were hopeful of setting a subsidy. In order to. facilitate the work they offered to give a guarantee to the bank, pending the receipt of . the money, as soon as the loan was authorised* Cr. Musker pointed out that the council would jhave to find considerable money in- formation, crushing and spreading. | Sir. Mackenzie pointed out that the settlers | would do the formation, | Cr. Musker suggested that as it was West Coast Settlement Reserve leases the Public Trustee might assist in the matter. Tho chairman doubted th\h, ins the Public Trustee handed the rent over to the individual nativo owners. It was resolved that the council take the necessary step 3to raiso a loan of £7OO to metal Nlkorima Road, 12 chains of which will be paid for by the council. GENERAL, The county solicitor was instructed to proceed against a settler for allowing bullocks to' wander on tho Ngatoto Road, North Matau. Messrs. P. Darke, W, H. Gibson, Tlios. Wright and D. McDonald asked the council to take steps to raiso a loan of £IOOO, subject to a £ for £ subsidy, to metal the Okolce Road from the Plko junction upwards.—Left in the hands of the chairman to arrango with the settlors. It was resolved to exclude section 5 block 9 and section 9 block 11, Upper Waitara S.D., from the Plko loan area. The Treasury forwarded a voucher for £872 ! 16s 4d (subsidy on the year's rates). The subsidy accrued as follows: Mokau, £225 5s 8d; iUrenul, £144 14s Id; Tikorangi, £B2 2s 7d; iWaihl, £74 4s; Ngatimaru, £146 ss. j Tenders for metal at Tarata were declined, the price being considered excessive. It was resolved to grant the engine driver's I application for an increase to 14s per day. Accounts amounting to £921 5s 4d were; passed for payment. I