CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1919, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara yesterday, when there were present:. Crs. B. H. Pigott (chairman), T. McKenzie, H. A. Foreman, F. C. Jones, C. Musker, S. J. Kennlngton, H. Sander. ENGINEER'S REPORT." The county engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported as follows: Waiht Riding.—The specifications for the Nikorima Road metalling contract have been duly approved and the authority received. The danger posts i have been erected on the main road where directed. Various works on the back roads have been attended to. New stringers have been ordered for the Walau bridge, on the Inland North Road. Tenders close to-day for boulder supply for repairs between the toll gate and the southern county boundary. I have prepared fresh agreements in connection with the toll house.

Tikorangi Riding.—The work of metalling Jury's Hill has boen proceeding slowly, but tho methods are obsolete and too slow. The crusher would have enabled the work to be completed in a couple of days. The other metalling contracts are receiving attention. It Is deemed advisable to cut out any further grader work on the Otaraoa Road, and after undergoing repairs the machine will be availablo for Pukearuhe or elsewhere. An inspection was made of the Bortrand Road bridge in company with the Taranaki County's representative (Mr. W. J. Clare), and proposals will in due course be submitted. Ngatimaru Riding.—The metalling contract at Tarata has been proceeding very slowly. The gravel face is of only mediocre quality, and the quantity appears to be limited, and gives no promise of satisfactory results in this locality. The Purangi roadman, with assistance, is giving attention to the Mangaoapa Road, to be followed by repairs to the Pukemahoe and Ngatoto Roads. The contractor for the Mangaoapa Stream bridge has already started to saw out the necessary timber for reconstruction. Messrs. Hobbs and Wallace's small requirements received attention. The timber for the south Matau bridge Is long overdue, but It appears to bo impossible to push matters. The roads in the Matau district are In good order, as the result of the active work with the grader. Timber for bridge repairs has been ordered from Tahora, and the local bridge foreman will be asked to do the necessary repairs. An offer was accented for the old bridge timber at Purangi. TJrenul Riding,—The gravel from the old Okoke pit has now been cleared, and operations extended to the new face, and if labor can be obtained it is hoped that the work will bo continuous. An application to improve certain bad sections on the piko Road with metal is being considered, and if a satisfactory price can be obtained It will probably be proceeded with. The timber for Gibson's bridge has gone out, and I hope to see the various other small repairs in this locality completed at an early date. The ratepayers on the Mataro, Kaiplkarl, Okoke, Flko and Kaka Roads are advancing their procedure through the various stages in the usual preliminaries necessary to raising tho metalling loans, and this riding promises to show unusual activity next season. The main road will' be closed on Sunday next at a point below the township, to allow a concrete culvert to be put in.

Mokau Riding.—The crushing operations were completed early In March, the total output being 948 yards, of which OSS yards were placed upon the road, and 260 yards reserved for repairs and maintenance. The concrete flood opening has been completed in the rough, and plastering is now being proceeded with. The timber for a number of bridge repairs has been ordered, but an extended time had to be granted for delivery. The Okau roadman has again been absent, and temporary.assistance had to be obtained. The crusher' plant was transferred to Wai-itl, and metalling is steadily proceeding, nfter which the Itinerary of the plant will probably again be the Urutl district. The bridge foreman severed his connection with the council during the month, and, I understand, Is under contract to drive the Tangltu tunnel. I am, therefore, again requiring the services of a competent foreman, and, In addition, three permanent roadmen.

MAINTENANCE OF JUNCTION ROAD. The Whangamomona County Council notified •hat it had passed the following resolution: That in connection with the repair and mainnance of Junction Road within the Whangamomona County, this county has been notified that at a meeting of ratepayers held at Matau, Crs. Kennlngton and Sander expressed the opinion that CUfton County Council would subsidise any outlay made by the Whangamomona County Council to the extent of £25. The council therefore, would be pleased to receive from the Clifton County Council a definite proposal as to the maintenance of this road In future. Cr. Kennlngton moved that tin council contribute the sum of ClO to Whangamomona County Council towards opening up the Junction Road, providing the Whangamomona County Council expended a similar amount This was not seconded. It was resolved that the council adhere to its decision formed at last meeting. GENERAL. ~.T i "J , ,„s ! n t! Advances Department advised that £3OO had been remitted on account of the Mangaoapa loan. Mr. Walte, of Tarata, asked that 10 chains on the Autawa Road should be metalled.—Resolved that the work he done, providing the settlers find one-third of fho money ™£ e , cll / llrll >»" v «s voted an honorarium of Z.ZS for his past year's services, members paying a tribute to the good work ho had done in the councils Interests. It was resolved to increase the salaries of the clerk and engineer by 10 per cent—equivalent to the war bonus that had been paid. A tender for the supply of metal on Walpapa Koad was decllnod as being too high iiJti. Y n .? er ;?? c , re,ary ° f Public Works noilfled that the Minister was prepared to authorise a further £.50. making £1250 In all, for the Mtitaro Road, on the basis of a £ for £ subThe Minister of Public Health forwarded a circular expressing thanks for help during the epidemic. *

«„% Tarenakl Hospital and Charitable Aid Board notified that It was proposed to lery on contributing bodies a rate of Is 6d In the £IOO to make up the proposed deficiency In the maintenance, and 21-5 d In the £IOO for the purpose of paying Interest and sinking fund on the loan raised for building the new nurses' home Accounts amounting to £771 0s 2d were passed for payment.