STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. i The ordinary meeting of the Stratford Council was held on Saturday, when there were present: Crs. E. Walter (chairman), J. O'Neill, T. R. Anderson, E '. W : Hancock, P. Mackay, L. Baskin, W. H. Were. An apology was received from Cr. Worthington. At the conclusion of reading the minutes, Cr. Baskin took exception to a resolution therein agreeing to write off the motor shed which had been erected some years ago on the engineer's property. He had no recollection of such a resolution being passed. The motor shed that cost £lO four years ago should at the present price of iron be worth £35 or £4O, and he did not believe in throwing away the ratepayers' money. Members stated that Cr. Baskin was in the room when the discussion started, but left to catch a train, before, it was carried. The chairman said it was a question of passing the minutes. Cr. Baskin: I am going to oppose it. The chairman: I ask you to sit down, Cr. Baskin. The minutes were then carried. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. W. J. Lopdell (county engineer) reported as foUowa:— North Riding.—The plant has completed the crushing of the Mountain Road stone, which has been tarred from the Beaconsfield Road to link up with the tar at the Manganui bridge. A start has been made forming the Makara Road. If at all possible it would be wise to expend a further £ls on this.road, as the money allocated will hardly carry out the work. ! South Riding.—-The Acme plant is ready to shift from Midhirst to the 1 South Mountain Road crushing. This ! stone will be tarred, starting from Ngaere and working back to Climio Road. East Riding.—The Collett plant has' been sent out to the Mangaehu No. 1, where a start has been made with the loan metal contract. Tho boulders are out for the Ohura Road, and as soon as the plant is available a start will be made with the crushing. One hundred cubic yards of stone have been crushed and dumped at the Midhirst yard, awaiting the arrival of tracks, when it will be railed out to Huiroa, West Riding.—The metal crushed at Cardiff had to be left too long unrolled, there being no roller available, but the work is now proceeding. A start will be made with the Palmer Road north immediately the foreman finishes the rolling at Cardiff. Mangaehu Riding.—The Tututawa bridge has not been started owing to the bridge foreman resigning his position. General.—The heavy roller has been sold by Booth and Macdonald and loaded for transport to Onohunga. I have been unable to secure a Jaeger concrete miser, the size we require being sold. Mr. W T ooldridge has completed the second motor lorry, which is working perfectly in every respect. Mr. L. Phillpot has resigned his position as engine-driver. The repdrt was adopted, "with the exception of the extra work on the Makara Road. PROPOSED MOA COUNTY. Mr. G. H. Bullard, chairman of the commission set up to take evidence in connection with the establishment of the proposed Inglewood County, notified that the commission would sit at Inglewood on Friday, 21st inst. The chairman said they were quite satisfied with the boundary, In reply to a councillor the chairman said that if 110 one went the commission would know that there was no objection. GENERAL. The engineer was instructed to bring down a recommendation re a new road roller by next meeting. The matter of work on Brooks' Road was left to Crs. Hancock and O'Neill to arrange. Cr. Baskin suggested that the council should remove its share of a dangerous bank at the Beaconsfield Road crossing and then ask the Railway Department to remove the balance. Posts are to he procured for fencing in tho council's section at Huiroa. The tender of Grimmer and Chamberlain for the supply of 1000 yards of boulders for Pukengahu Road was accepted. The Riccarton Borough Council forwarded a resolution relative to the administration of the influensa epidemic relief funds.—Received.Special orders were passed in connection with loans being raised at Pukengahu and Mangaehu. The acting-secretary of the Midhirst town hall applied for a load of screenings to be put round the door of tho hall.—Granted. It was resolved to obtain counsel's J opinion in connection with a county employee suffering from heart strain, whom the insurance company refused to compensate owing to previous heart trouble. The Public Works Department asked for information as to the average cost of metal placed on roads.—To be supplied. L It was resolved to purchase a concrete mixer from Messrs Booth, Macdonald and Co. for £270. The superintendent of the National Provident Fund wrote pointing out the benefits to be derived hy local bodies : m joining the fund.—Received. Accounts to the amount of £4087 were passed for payment.