TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1918, Page 7

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

MOXTHLY MEETING, Com!?v m o of the Taranaki y Council was held yesterday M CI - 6 "' ere present Crs - J - s - Connett (chairman), A. E. Laurence, J. B. SimpAllim Y°°v id . ge ' C ' Andrewe , D. McAndrews ' ' Capper ' and J '

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. f,,n!' e '' ,lai r rm ! 11 '' s mo,,tw y re P° rt was as oilows;—I have arranged with the chairman of the Moa Kaad Board for the provision of the necessary metal for recoating tiie Junction road at ICaimata wiien the proposed regrading work is 1 lav e also made an inspection of Jigwont road at the boundary of the Waitara and Moa Ridings, where improvement was suggested. This work will be costly on account of ten chains ot open dram being needed to lower the water at culvert before the twelve new •>p-.inch pipes required can be put in, and lor a distance of six.' chains along the Tif 111 c °,r v/illoW3 Imve to be dealt with. e filling over pipes needs widening and raising from 2 feet to 3 feet for a length of 3 chains. frlhere iplienty of metal on the site for making the road, but this is a summer job. I have made satisfactory arrangements witli Messrs Taylor and Gopperth, Egmont rog.d south, re water flowing on to their properties. With Moa Riding councillors, I inspected sites of proposed new bridges on Hursthouse and Junction roads, and agreed with Mr Clare's recommendations. Also in respect to the Maketawa bridge I considered the new site suggested oy the settlers on the original road line, and this is referred to in the bridge carpenter's report. I attended at court on the 20th inst. and secured exemption for the council's employees from the laborers' award then being considered. I have conferred with Mr. Sharp re Saunder's road bridges and all is now in readiness for proceeding with the work. Cr. J. Andrews and I met the Waitara West Road Board on September 28, and made final arrangements for taking over the plant and foremen, and the completing of metalling work then in hand. Foremen's lengths have yet to be dealt with.

The report was adopted. The chairman also reported accepting 100_ yards crushed metal at Mangaone bridge from Messrs Julian and Grylls at 5s 6d per yard. The same contractors were also authorised to procure a further 200 yards metal from Maketawa for Junction road at the same price, the metal to be dumped on the road close by-

METAL HAULAGE. It was reported that the committee set up to consider the que'stion of metal haulage, recommended the purchase of 5-ton motor truck.

The chairman stated that as opportunity of getting a truck at an early date had offered, he had placed an order for it, subject to the approval of the council.

In speaking to the report Cr Morton stated that the question had been gone into very carefully and the committee had examined all the evidence available, and it was believed that in view of the steadily increasing cost of the maintenance of horse tetims it would be an economy for the, council to go in for motor haulage. (He pointed out, however, that one moijor truck would not do away with horse' haulage altogether. There would have to be some rearrangement of depots and crushing methods, but that was necessary in the nature of things under the new conditions. The committee's report was adopted and the chairman's action approved.

PLANT REPORTS, Enginedriver Mackie. —During the month the crusher worked 14J days, crushing a total of 860 cubic yards. Enginedriver Orr. During the month I have scarified and rolled 155 chains on the Main South, Koru and Victoria' roads.

Enginedriver Stewart.—During the month I rolled and scarified l2T 1 /a chains on the Mountain and Junction Road, in Moa Riding.

RIDING REPORTS. Moa Riding:—Foreman Laurence: I have had team carting stone for creek near Tariki, and have also fenced same. Foreman Mallon: During the month I have, received 448 yards crushed metal between Ngatoro crusher site and borough boundary, also 338 yards from Maketawa depot.. I also rolled and scarified 42 chains of old road. Foremen Bennett and Heal reported being engaged in general maintenance work. Foreman Taylor.—l have been off for eight days this month. Mr. 0. Peters would like to buy six yards of crushed metal from Lepper Carrington road. The culvert opposite Mr Wellington's on the Egmont road is tpo small. A crusher site could be made by Mr J. Gibson's. Mr Gibson is agreeable to allow the council to have site.

It was resolved that Foreman Bennett be requested to take immediate steps to widen the dangerous places on the Zig Zag, and that he be empowered to employ the extra labor necessary; also that Foreman Heal inspect the King road and be empowered to employ a man to repair the same. The chairman was requested to inspect and report on the Worthy road. It was also resolved to inform Mr Peters that the council had no metal for sale.

Mangorei Riding:—Foreman Batten.— I have repaired Alfred road with 1»2 yards of metal; also assisted Foreman Iveast at Ivorito Pit. Foreman ICeast. —I have been in the pit most of the time. We got out about 300 yards this month, making a total of 870 yards. Someone appropriated 41bs of gelignite and claps. Foreman Spencer.—l am ready to repair Tarahua road as soon as the small roller is available. I have lalso sl'urted procuring stone on the Baker road. It was decided to write to the Borough Council re metal requirements on the Boundary road.

Waitara Hiding:—Foreman J. Holmes —I have completed work near Brixton. I assisted the Bell Block Factory Qo. to lay water pipe Scross the Devon road, this day to be paid by the company. Rangi Taura has made a good job of fencing at Big Jim's Hill. Foremen F. Holmes, Proud and W. Holmes reported being! dccu|pied with general maintenance work during the month.

Omata Riding:—Foremen 'Seamark.— I have formed the unmetalled portions of Ngamotu, Sealy and Upper Hurford roads. Mr Langridge has left hedge trimmings on. the Barrett road. Mr F. Woods should also be requested to burn gorse on his frontage. Foreman Eva rsported he had been employed at the usual maintenance work; It was. resolved to ask Messrs I.atigridge and Wood, to remove hedge trimmings from roads on -their frontages. Ok&to Riding:—Foreman McGra±h,-«-' I have finished ragrading and njetatUn® Sictqida. road wfclch j

This road is now good. The total cost was £52 13s 3d. Foremen Sefton and Anderson reported being engaged on general maintenance works. Foreman Meredith—l have made fords over streams crossing Saunders ajid Carrington roads. I have formed a portion of Miuarapa road. I require 16 0-inch pipes on the Miuarapa road. The pipes asked for were authorised. It was resolved to close the Saunders road during the construction of culverts; also that the metal authorised for the Dover and Hempton roads be transferred to the Kahihi road and that the Dover and Hempton roads be metalled next year. BRIDGE CARPENTER'S REPORT,

Maketawa Bridge, Junction Road.—As requested I placed a temporary pier under the centre of span, and the engine and crusher were taken across the bridge on the 16th inst. On the 18th a heavy flood carried away the temporary pier, and I had another one erected on the 28th and the roller was taken across on the same day. I would recommend that 0 16 9 x 4 deeking planks be procured for repairs to deck. On examination of this bridge I found it to be in a very weak state, and many of the timbers are showing signs of decay. This bridge is quite unsafe for loads exceeding six or eight tons. As requested I have prepared alternate estimates for No. 1 and 2 site 3. No. 1 proposal. —Erect new bridge about 1J chains down the river from the present bridge. This would straighten the road considerably and take off a sharp tend that now exists in the present road. The deviation in' this proposal for new road will be 5i chains and to span the river will require a bridge 90 feet. No. 2 proposal.—To go down the river 4 chains from the present bridge. This would bring the bridge in a straight line with the existing road and would do awav with the present bend that now exists on both sides of the river. The deviation in this proposal would be about 18J chains and would shorten the present road by 2J chains. The new bridge at this site would require to be a 100 feet.

Mangaone Bridge, Tariki Road.—J have inspected this bridge and I found it to be in afair state of repair and will be quite safe for ordinary traffic for 18 months or two years. The stringers are rimu and the decking chiefly totara.

Ngatoro-nui Bridge.—l have also inspected this bridge and I found same to be in very good order. The timbers in this bridge are Australian hardwood, excepting the decking, which is rimu. I wrm'd '•"commend that the following repairs be carried out. The structure be re-coated with tar and paint and that 6 16 9 x 2 be procured for repairs to decking and slight repairs to some of the hand railing. This bridge is quite safe for all traffic. Z\s Zn<r, Junction Boad.—l have inspected the narrow places and I found the road 'ns slipped away in four plac reducing the width of roadway to about 9or 10 feet. As these slips have taken place chiefly where there is a sharp bend in the road I would suggest that thl road be widened out at these places. This would place the road on a good solid foundation, would shorten and strengthen the road at these.ppints and would be a much cheaper and better proposition than concrete walling or timbering. lam also confident that the sharp angles at the narrow places will have to be dealt with in the near future.

Tarurutangi Bridge—All the totara and hardwood has arrived for this bridge and the totara has been delivered to end of metal near site.

Mangaone Bridge, Junction Road.— All the totara has come to hand. "Very satisfactory progress has been made with the bridge during the month, and, with fine weather, will be completed in a week. I find there is a large log about 4 chains down from the bridge, and 1 have made arrangements with the owner cf the property to clear this away during the summer, when the river is low. Bark Whare Bridge, i'ariki.—l have sent 4/14 8 by 4 Oregon planks which were stored at the Manganui bridge, to the above-named for repairs to decking, The pile-driver and the monkey have been transferred from Manganui and stored at Waiwakaiho.

Hursthouse Road Bridges.—l have prepared estimates for tie following bridges on this road:—Waiongona-iti: One 30ft span, with 14ft clear roadway, ferro-conerete, and to be on present site of old bridge and raised Ift above present deck level. Manganaeia Bridge: one 25ft span, with 14ft clear roadway, ferro-concrete, to be erected on present site of existing bridge and raised 2ft above present deofc level, Waiongona Bridge, Lepperton.—l have prepared an estimate for new ferroconcrete bridge, consisting' of one 60ft span, with clear roadway and to be raised 6ft above deck level of old bridge, and I would recommend that same be erected on the up-stream side of present structure. This would give a much better approach on to the bridge and would take off much of the grade thatnow exists on both sides of the present bridge. In connection with the Maketawa bridge, the council decided to adopt the No. 2 proposal. It was. resolved to take a poll of the ratepayers in the Moa Riding on a proposal to raise a loan of £8550 for bridge construction in the riding.

The matter of teh width of the Waiongona bridge, Lepperton, was left in til" lianrls of the riding members. The bridge carpenter was instructed to report on all the bridges in the Waitara We3t Road district.

The report was then adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The county inspector reported that the timber reported to have been stolen from the Richmond Road bridge had been sold by him. He had noticed that some of the timber had disappeared while the men were a way from the bridge, and so had sold the remainder at the first favorable opportunity—Approved. Messrs J. Linklater and €. Everest wrote that, on account of the increased cost, ,they should he allowed 4s 3d per day, west or fine, or fis per day when tho horse works, for horse allowance.— The matter was left in the hands of the chairman.

Charles Jordan, Lower Mangorei, wrote stating that he had purchased a section by the Henui bridge, on the Junction. Road, and asked the council to allow him the gravel pit to about 3 chains on 'ihe opposite side of the bridg®, nearer to the bank on the road, so as to. enable him to deal more effectively With he weeds.—Granted, subject to the chairman's approval. 0. 0.- Taylor, (Koru, wrote asking the 'council to have the roadway at the top end of Kiri. Road formed, as, in its present condition, it .was almost impassable with a cart. He agreed to do the ploughing if the .council would- do the

length to be done at about 30 chains.— The matter was referred to 'Foreman McGrath to attend to. GENERAL. The State Advances Department wrote intimating that the council's application for a loan of £SOOO for bridge construction in the Mpa Riding had !)een ap> proved. The Lands and Survey Department wrote, in reply to the council, that It had approved of section 34, Okato Township, and section 62, Jlua Village, being vested in the county, and stating that it had been formerly proposed to reserve the areas for gravel depots.

The Internal Affairs Department notified that the special resolution of the council merging the Waitara West district in the county area had been duly gazpitfpd on September 12, and enclosed a copy of the Gazette. Messrs Putt JSros. notified their ac« ceptanne of the condition embodied in the deed of easement on sect'on 1 of section 10, Block VI., Ifuiroa Survey district, and also thanked the council for' permission to erect water-Wiieel. Mr. G. Jordan waited on the council, and offered to contribute 20s for every 25s found by the council towards making and metalling Hill Road, and the council decided to acccept the offer, and that tenders be called for the work. Accounts were passed for payment as follows:--General expenses, £420 lis 6d; Moa Biding, £4BB lls'lOd; Mangorei Riding, £7l 0s 7d; Waitaia Riding, £152 14s fld; Omata Riding, £2B 5s M; Okato Riding, £l4B 3s 2d