TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1918, Page 7

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

j MONTHLY MEETING. j The monthly wetting 'of i'>e Tarapi V Ccu-Ay Coiur! w.s held yesterday. I Then vers prwu: Cr*. J. S. Connet.: (enmrmait), A. L. I irrcnce. J. B. S'nvo son, J. A'ooldridge. 0. Andrews, D. MaAllum, A. Morton, tr. Capper, and J. Andrews. CHAIKJIAVS REPORT. The chairman reported that lie had inspected YVortley iioad from Davis Road to Mr. Moriarty's gate (about 70 chains), 40 chains being level and in fair condition, and the balance needed attention as soon as possible. The grader could be used to advantage later in the season. The settlers wero anxious to get the worst part of the road metalled and he thought the council night assist in that on the usual conditions. He had arranged with Foreman Taylor to deal with some of the drains on the Egmont road, and to replace a culvert near Mr Wellington's property. He also arranged for a crusher site at Mr Gibeon's. The request of Messrs Adlani and Linn for the closing of a blind road on their property at Omata lie considered reasonable, and the road would never be required for traffic. Mr Mclndoe, Fitzroy, had been appointed toll-gate keeper at Puniho, and took up lis duties on the 2nd instant. Mr Orr, driver of the small roller had resigned. Applications had been called and Mr S. McDonald, a returned soldier, had been appointed ana asked to take up his duties as early as possible. The s!i;. on the Kg Zig had been attended to, and a good job made of the work. He had inspected the metal roads in the late-ly-merged portion of the Waitara riding (about 20 miles), and the requirements would be submitted at next meeting. Foremen's lengths have befti satisfactorily adjusted. A crusher site had been arranged on the Oxford Mad near the factory. The report was adopted, and tue c&airman's actions approved.

REPORT OP PLANT. Engine-driver Mackie. —During the month we crushed as follows: Maketawa Junction road (4J days) 332 yaii=, Bacon factory (3 days) 232 yards, total 564, Engine-driver Stewart—During the month I scarified and rolled in ,84 chains of road besides the metalling. Engine-driver Orr, —I have scarified and rolled 136 chains of road at a cost of £42 17s 7d.

RIDING REPORTS. Moa Riding:—Foreman Laurence.— There is a small creek running through J. Therkleson's property wliich requires cleaning out. I 'have been engaged on the usual maintenance work. Foreman Mallon.—l have deposited on Junction road 142 yards and have 82 yards tipped at Maketawa site. Foreman Bennett. —I am engaged at Zig Zag widening the road. The balance of my time I have been employed at tlio general repair work. Foreman Heal.—l have about 230 yards of metal in Burrows' Pit, near Chain bridge. I have al?o spauled the largest boulders at this depot. I have widened road at Lambert's. The matter of ■clearing the drain oa Mr Tiierkleson's property was left to Cr Laurence to attend to. Mangorei Riding:—Foreman Batten.— I will attend to crossing at Mr Carthew's as soon as I can get way. I have been assisting Foremen Ileal and Keast. Foreman Keast.—l have made crusher site at Koriio I have been assisting Foreman Heal Foreman Spencer.—l have been engaged getting stone when weather suitable. I require a team shortly. The matter of arranging for teams as I required was left to the chairman. ! Waitara Riding:—l desire to employ a horse and dray for four days. Foremen F. Holmes and Proud reported being engaged with the usual maintenance work. Foreman Palmer.—l 'nave been working in Clarke's pit on the Manutahi road and assisting at culvert ci Karaka road. Fencing is required around Mr Old's pit. The requests of the foremen were granted. Omata Riding:—Foreman Se.nnark.— I have started widening Omata Hill as authorised by Cr McAlluin, so as to make a horse track on the side of the tarred road. Foreman Eva.—My time has been taken up with the usual repairs. The action of Cr McAilum was endorsed. Okato Riding:—Foreman McGrath;— I have put one chain of metal on lower Plyinout'bl road, Messrs Good and Berridgo assisting with free labor. I have also been assisting Foreman Meredith with crushing operations. Foremen Sefton and Anderson reported being engaged at usual repa'v work and assisting Foreman Meredith wicli metalling. Foreman Meredith.—l have completed crushing at Stony river depot, crushing I 680 yards, 550 of which have been spread and 20 dumped on the ICaihihi road, 42 I delivered to Okato Dairy Co. for which ! they will pay, 8 yards dumped on Hempton road and 50 yards dumped at crusher site at Stony river. Foremen Hayes, j —I started work on the 7th October. The crusher is now at Kaihihi depot. 1 have got out 150 extra yards at Kaihilii with permission of c'liairmaii. A vote of thinks was accorded to Messrs Good and Berridge for their assistance to Foreman McGrath. The action of Cr Wooldridge, in authorising pipes for the Kaihihi road, was confirmed.

BRIDGE CARPENTER'S REPORT. As instructed I have inspected all tlie bridges in the Waitara West district and beg to report on each bridge as follows:—Steel Bridge, Sentry Hill: This bridge is rusting very badly and parts of it are eaten clean through with nist. The guard rails should be shifted inion the deck about C inches each side to guard wheels of the hand railing. Already some heavy vehicle has come in contact with the r.*ils and has broken some of the steel standi ions off* I would not recommend re-coating this bridge with tar or paint as I consider the life of the structure to be of shoTt duration. Bridge by Flour Mill: This structure is in a very inferior condition. The timber is all of lima and is more or less very unsound and the structure is. of a very narrow design, the roadway is only about 8 feet. I would suggest that this structure be one of the early renewals and .that, a notice bo. placed on the bridge limiting all traffic to four tons. Makara Bridge, on Richmond road: This bridje is in very good order and all the timbers are chiefly Australian hardwood. Some slight repairs are required t>o hand-rail aaid I would recommend that the structure be rc-eoate*i with tar and paint. This bridge is quite safb for all traffic. Makara Bridge-, Monutahi road: Tins tritfge is' in very good order and all the timbers | are Australian hardwood with, concrete j

is quite safe' for all traffic. Upper Kelly road briuge: "This bridge is in a very good stato-*«x£- J'.epftir and tlie timbers aro all fairly sound v.itli the. e.yception of one of tlife 'wing walls which requires renewing ajjd slight repairs to ! 'lode. This bridge is quite safe for 5 ten load.» ior t\v> or tioreij year-', Gross ' oj.l Tjcitl.ii'i; 'Cilis Lr:i, ; c i 0 -in fair order. The pier,- eonui-t of toi.ua piles and tUo stringm wid decking riani. Some slight repairs ara required to deck and hand-rails and I would recommend that all tiho structure receive a coating of tar. This bridge is quite safe for loads lip to C ton 3. York road bridge, No. 1: This bridge is in fair orclei. It requires some repairs to decking and hand-rail and tarring throughout. It •is quite safe for loads up to 3 tons, j York road bridge No. 2: This bridge consists, of two piers of totara piles, tlie decking and stringers are riinu and all the timbers are quile sound. It is quite safe for loads up to five tons. Kelly road bridge: This bridge is in a very good state of repair and I would recommend that the bridge be coated with tar and paint. This bridge is quite safe for loads up to eight tons. New concrete culvert, Lepper road: I would suggest that the side walk be carried another 0 feet higher than the present top of walls, that the earth work be now carried out, the old bridge be dismantled end some of the timber could be used for some of the deck repairs, in the above named bridges. The concrete walls could be extended in any future time without interfering .with traffic.

I estimate that if the repairs mentioned in the above report were effected they would be in a very good state of repair for at least three years. Some of the bridges require the undergrowth and some willow trees cutting and clearing away. Culvert, Karaka Flat: I inspected this culvert and on examination I found it to be quite unsafe for any traffic. As I considered it to be in an urgent state of repair I saw the chairman ajid recommended that it be replaced with two sets of 42-inch Monier pipes. I was instructed to have the work carried out and this was completed on the 26th inst. I would suggest that the property owners adjoining the culvert be asked to clear the drains of growth,' etc., and then the water would have a better chance of escape. Te Ari road bridge: This bridge is not safe for loads exceeding three tons and I would not recommend that any repairs be carried out, as it will 'have to be renewed as soon as possible. Mangaeraka bridge, Corbett road: This bridge is in a very dilapidated condition and requires one main strutt in truss to be replaced as soon as possible. The length of this bridge is 65 feet and the roadway between guards only 7 feet. The bridge is lying at a very acute angle across 'the present line of road. Loads crossing this bridge should be limited to two tons. Baker road bridge, Carrington road:_ As instructed I have inspected this bridge and on examination I found one of the wing walls on the western aide to be badly fractured. I have had a temporary stay placed against samo and some earth removed to lighten the pressure. I would recommend that a concrete support he placed against present wing wall and. that the steel gilders and timber work he recoated with tar and paint This bridge is in very good order excepting the defect above mentioned. Mangaone bridge, Junction road: This bridge is completed. All the gear and whares have been transferred to Manganui bridge and erected and a portion of the totaTa lias come to 'band and has been delivered and the balance is expected to arrive at an early date. On arrival of same this bridge will be proceeded with. Chain bridge: A portion of the totara for this bridge has come to hand and has been delivered to site. Saunders' Carrington road bridges, Okato: All the steel for these bridges has lieen bent to s'hape required for re-inforcing and arrangements made for delivery to site. Tarurutangi bridge: All tie band rails for this bridge have been dressed and stacked.

CKjKRESPONDENCE. G. Kidd, Ottiata, wrote drawing attention to two very dangerous places on the Main South Road. One place was at the Omata Hill, 'but the writer expressed a hope that the work now being done there would make the difference desired. The other place was at the corner of Sealy Road, the chief danger being the speed at which motor traffic came past the road.—lt was decided to erect a notice-board in order to warn motorists of the vicinity erf the school. .J. Dobson, Kaimata, wrote complaining of heavy damage done to his property by the council's plant and teams wuen at Maketawa depot- He had filled in ruts and harrowed the same, and required about two bushels of grass seed to re-sow, in order to make good the damage, and hoped the council would supply the seed. —The matter was left in the hands of the chairman. "W. Bennett, Spotswood, wrote asking the council to use its influence to get the new member for the Taranaki electorate to take up the work promised by the late Mr. Okey with regard to getting the Government to mutal the unmetalled portion of the Xgamotu Tload, or grant money for the same. It was hoped that in considering tenders for metal, sufficient would be allowed to do tho road, before next winter. It was decided to reply that Mr. Smith had been communicated with on the matter. John Moratti, Katapiko, wrote s in respect to the creek running through Mr 3. V. Harding's property, expressing the hope that it would he cleaned out in December or January. Cr. Lawrence reported that arrangements had been made to have the crock cleaned in November. It was decided to grant an extension of time till December. W. G. Grover, Fitzroy, wrote intimating that he had no objection to the road from the north boundary of his farm at Oaknra (section 7. block 1., Wairau) and running thence to the sea, being dosed now for all time, the said road running through Mr. W- D. Linn's property. R. H. Jones wrote asking the council if they would supply him with pipes for a culvert in order to facilitate access to his property, recently acquired, on the Pit,ollo Road. Ho ofi'ered to supply the necessary labor for the work. The trouble was that the water-table ill front of the place was fairly deep and water drained away on to the ]*roperty lower down the road. It was decided tn ask the foTifman to make a report nn the matter.' • i GENTU2AII.'

[ A report was received from the secretary of tlio Taranaki Hydro-electric ■ League, enclosing copy of the report ! of the proceedings of the conference rej cently held at Stratford, when the league was formed, ~~ Mr. A. Morton also repotted on the (Conference. was derided should

join the league and do all it could to support its aims. _ It was decided to support tlie resolution of the National Service League with regard io the establishment of memorial | workshops for returned soldiers, as a tribute to tho memojy of soldiers who hni.l fallen i n the war. i The chairman and Cr. Morton Were appointor! representatives of the council to attend a conference of local bodies to be held at Elthain on the sth inst. for the purpose of considering the question of uniform by-laws and iiny other matters adeetiiig county and road district interests. The resident engineer (Mr. W. W. Sharpe) wrote intimating that the council s i'(."iuo?f. to pay 12s per day on the work at the Saimdets Road bridge tad been forwarded to the 'Minister for Public Works. The following tenders for bo.ulders were accepted:—C. Lawrence, 250 yds at 3s fid per yard at Durham Road, and COOyds at 3s '6d at Mangamawhiti; J. Rowan, 50yds at 3s, at Maketawa; Grylls and Julian, 200 yds at 3s fid, at Ngatara, and 350 yds at 5s at Egmonk Road; J Thomson, 300 yds at 3s lOd, at Bacon Factory; A. Julian, 680 yds at 3s, at Oakura and The question of letting a contract at Tapuae w.as left in the hands of the chairman. The bluegums' contract was held in abevan<?e. Accounts were passed for payment as follow?: expenses, £270 10s lOd; Moa Riding, £463 5s 9d; Mangorei' Riding, ■ £49 17s 6d; Omata Riding, £23 9s; Okato Riding, £390 15s 2d; Waitara Riding, £l2O 18s. It was decided to vote an honorarium to the chairman of £IOO, in recognition of his services during the past year.