EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1919, Page 3

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING, The ordinary meeting of the Egmont County Council was held at Opunako on Tuesday., when there were present: Crs. VV. It. Wright (chairman), A. B. Collin, T. Harvey, T. H. 11. Sinclair, M. O'Brien and S. Campbell. Leave of absence was granted to Crs. W, C. G. Green and T. A. Rowe. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. A. C. Pease) reported: . Oeo Riding (Northern) .-—A few days have been occupied with patching the top ends of the Stratford and Oeo Roads. Early in the month the cut and fill to tho new approaches to the Punehu bridge of the liltham Itoad were completed, and the road formed up with shinglfe from tho bed of the river, after which SO cubic yards of metal, left over from (lie bridge contract, were laid down and rolled in through the cutting. When tho crushing plant had finished contract 319 at the end of Patilii Road, we put through 02 cubic yards of boulder stone saved from the cutting, and faced up the road over the bridge and the eastern approach. The remaining portions of the original approaches to the old bridge were scarified and tho old meta| was used in with the rest to complete the tvoi'lt. No. 2 crushing plant was received from the southern portion of the riding on the 13th and set up at the end o[ Patikl Road for contract No. 319, which yielded 202 cubio yards of crushed metal and 26 yards of screenings. Seventy.six yards of metal were laid down on four and a half chains of the unmetalled portion of the road at the railway reserve, comploting the old unmetalled gap. One hundred yards were put down on 11 chains In the hollow on both sides of tho Mangatawa creek, and tho remainder was used for patching and making good thS wheel tracks from here to the Eltham Road. Cost per cubic yard, 4s 5%d. Oeo Riding (Southern). —Contract No. 323 on the Skeot Road has been completed, the second heap of boulder stone at the west end of the road yielding 374 cubic yards of crushed metal and 70 yards of screenings, which were put down on a length of 30 chains of the toad The total contract yielded 712 yards of crushed metal and 140 yards screenings, and the total length rente tailed, 55 chains— or j nearly 13 yards per chain. Cost for laying down, just under 3s 7%d per yard, and a total coat of £9 18s 7%d per chain metalled. The plant was moved to the top of Patikl Road, and tho staff cut down to two men, who have since been engaged in the work of cutting the water-tables alongside the newly-metalled portions of the Skeet and Patikl Roads, and trimming up the new gravelled length of the Tltahi I Road. Patching has heen done to the whole length of the Patikl Road in the riding. Opua Riding—Early In the month the watertables were cleaned out at several places on the Main South Road, and the whole of tho loose stones on the Opua Flat were raked up and carted off. No. 1 plant came into the riding on the 9th, and, after slight repairs at the shed, was sent to the Eltham Road to contract No 341, where only slow progress has been made on account of the wet weather and the condition of the crushing site. So far, 470 cubic yards of metal have been put through, and SS yards of screenings used with it. If there is no decided Improvement In tho weather immediately it will bo advisable lo close down tho work, especially considering tlie present financial position of the council. Tlie holes (n the JMremu Road on both sides of the Arawhata Road have been filled in, and two lines of 12inch pipes put across

| Opunake Biding—No. 2 plant has been I hronght into town, but Is being sot up in the .Ihala Road to crush 250 yards of boulders for the Town Board, after which the plant, including the Garrett roller, will require a thorough overhaul. Driver O'Kanc has resigned to take up other duties locally. Rahotu Ridlnir —At the beginning of the month two heaps of boulder atone on the Upper Kahui Itoad were put through plnnt No ], am' with the addition of tile large stones scarified from mafl surface, yielded 120 cubic yards and 114 yards, which were put down on 19 chains and in chains respectively. The total amount or stone crushed and put down on the Lower Ponhalta Tlpoka, and Upper Kaliui Roads was lin 5. • Tarl ' s ' which was used to reface 190 chains of roadway, at an average of 628 j yards per chain, and a cost of a fraction ove--4s 5d per cubic yard for labor, fuel, oil, plant etc and £2 19s Cd per chain, including the crushing contractors' prices of 5s and 5q (id i P." c i , , ya , r , d ' 0n completion of the work on I the Kahul Road It was deemed advisable to remove the plant from by-roads work, on account of the wet weather and loss of time, so It was takon to the Eltham Road, M.-ncahume, and all loose gear taken to the shed at Rahotu Patching lias been done to tho Mafn South Road from tho Oaonul bridge to Rahotu SlMit repairs have been done to the decking on the Oaoiti, Moutoti and Rautinl bridges, and several bridge approaches havo been picked up and refaced with new metal. The water-tables bet«een Rahotu and the Parlliaka lload have been attended to at several places The surface of the new bridge oyer the Matauehunehu stream has been hand-picked and refaced with new crushed metal The ends of the Telkaparua bridge on the TV area Road havo been attended ;„'J « scnl cut away ' ,he water-tables lowered and the approaches fenced off. A foreman has been secured for the northern end of the riding and he should bo started at once, as a lot ©f tne by-roads are requiring attention. There are close on 100 cubic yards of crushed metal in numerous heaps on the Warta and Newall mil ' ! should be used lor patching and SalS? XU? XT™ ® ntire lell6th - 1 understand that tho culvert on tho Gregory Road was damaged by the contractor cartmg stone to the Main South Road. Tho repairs will cost about £3 14s.

Bridges.—The deeMng, etc., of the old bridge west of the Mansahume (No. 20) lias been removed, and the surface ailed In over (lie new concrete slab bridge. The abutnents to bridge the' »OTk^i™ e i r i i, i Fe been '"'"P'e'ed, and the work should be finished though wo have nm .' 1 ecl! ' I ve<l th s nert instalment on the t*o. i bridce loan. The old bridge timbers and p!f n? r at the Matanehunelm bridge at Punlho were sold by auction on the 4th in- ¥"'■ . Tlle . 01,1 PttMhu bridge on the Eltham n f 1 , pu " fa down with the Avelint' and Porter engine, and the trusses, etc., are mdy totuctlo'S. PleCeS and S,aCkßd in lots

Cr. O'Brien complained strongly of the Council having committed a breach of faith with settlers on the Te Narnu and other by-roads in not having the metal on those roadß crushed before housing the p.ant for the/ winter. He pointed out that the Council had delayed the Road .Board in doing the work two year, ego when using the Road Board plant, and again this jear had not done the work, with the result that some of the roads were in an awful state. The chairman said that there had been no breach of faith. He was anxious to see the by-roads done, but as the weather continued bad it was decided to lay up the plant. It was no good spoiling lengths of good road in order to renew short lengths. During the fine weather there had been a breakdown with the machinery causing a aelav of three weeks, during which the whole of the crushing on the by-roads could have been effected.

Cr. O'Brien considered the cxcuseit frivolous. The Council had two yr;i.r:\ including at least one summer, in which to do the work and should have been able to find sufficient fino weather. Cr. Campbell agreed that it would be waste of time and money to send the plant up by-roads noiv. He considered it would be better to let additional contracts this year and crush the metal during the summer. C'r. O'Brien: If yon live 011 a by-road, you would be the first to make a noise. Cr. Sinclair pointed out" that the. plant was urgently engaged elsewhere during the ftne weather. He thought they should give relief by sending men up to repair the worst places in the byroads.

The Chairman strongly favored the men being kept on by-roads as much as possible till they were in order.

TB® COTJWTY CONFERENCE. The Secretary of the New Zealand Counties Association notified that the nmuiH.l Counties Conference would be held at Wellington oil September 3rd. The general opinion waß that unless there was some important business to be brought, down, the Council should not go to the expense of sending a delegate. The Chairman's action in appointing Grs. Sinclair and Green to attend the conference of Taranaki local bodies in protesting against the proposed Wheel Tax, introduced by tlie Taranaki County Council was confirmed. Or. Sinclair gave a brief report of the proceedings, and wu aeewded a vote-oithuilu. Ob.

his motion the Chairman was appointed delegate to the proposed Taranaki conference, and the appointment of a delegate to the Dominion conference was held over.

THE AUROA ROAD. « The Eltham County Council forwarded a statement of accounts in connection with the Auroa boundary road, showing that the expenditure had beeu £lo'/2 Is 2d. The Egmont County Council's share was £2030 Os 7d, of which £i4'Jo had been paid, leaving a balance owing to the Eltham county of £640 Os 7d.

It was stated that this debt would have to be pai<i, out of tile riding account. The Chairman remarked that he could not understand the Eltham County Council expending the money without consulting the Egmont County The clerk pointed out that there was still £145, being 10 per cent, additional on the Joan of £1490 raised fur the road. The Egmont Council had given the Eltligm Council control of the road and they could therefore expend money on it without consulting the Egmont county. In the course of discussion, it was stated that interest on loans in the Oeo riding was paid out of the riding account and not raised by special rate in the special rating district affected. Cr. Campbell considered that this was unfair to the districts that had not raised loans, and he gave notice to move at next meeting rescinding the previous resolution with a view to having interest on loans paid out of special rates over the areas affected.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS. Mr. H. H. Sharp, resident Government engineer, wrote asking the Council to forward applications for road grants for the 1019-1920 year as early as possible. The Chairman suggested that after tlie meeting the Council should meet and formulate requests for reasonable grants. Cr. O'Brien thought they should ask the Government to put the Wiremu Koad through. They should ask for £IO,OOO for this work. They could show good cause why, it should be put through. The Chairman pointed out that the Wiremu Road would be placed before the Minister by deputation on his visit to open the Puniho bridge. Tho Council. however, should only submit a reasonable rpaucst. Cr. O'Brien held that it should be the Government's polity to put the road through. | Tt was subsequently resolved to apply for a'grant of £3OOO on the Wirenni Road, viz.. £IOOO for the liiaia Bond to Kina Road, ,£IOOO for Ngariki to Xewall Road for which tlie Council would give u subsidy of £250, and Ihaia-Kiri Road £IOOO.

ESTIMATES. Tho estimates were submitted as follows:

000 riding debit balance Juno 30,101!), £4276 3s sd, road works £-2784 7s, ■liateria! repairs, machinery etc, £556, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board £.158 18s (id, interest on county loans and cost of new plant, .£BSB 10s Id, probable general expenditure £726, interest from special loans £421, total £lOlO 19s. Estimated receipts, miscellaneous £177, Government subsidy £SOO, rate at 2|/ 4 d, £0196 10s Oil; debit balance Marcli 31, 1920, £3177 8s 3d.

Opunake riding: Expenditure, debit balance £126 19s 3d. road works £612, top dress main road, tar and sand £l6B, material, repairs to machinery, etc. 5122, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board £B7 13s od, interest on countv loans and cost of new plant £lO3 fls 3d, proportion general expenditure £11!), total £1340 4s Id: receipts, miscellaneous £26, rate at 2y 4 d £990 6s 9d„ debit balance £323 17s 4d.

Opua riditisr: Expenditure: debit balance June 30, 1019, £3707 16s 9d, road works £1294 16s, material repairs to machinery, etc., £260, Hospital and •Charitable Aid Board £-269 6s 9d, interest on county loans, cost of new plant £332 17a 2d, proportion general expenditure £3s2;'total, £6305 16s Bd. Receipts: Miscellaneous £B6, Government subsidy £75, rates from Ropi] Roard £IOO, rate at 2V 4 d £2995 14s 6d: debif balance £3040 2« 2d.

Raliotu riding: Expenditure: Debit balance, June 30, 1919, £ (1013 2s ltd. road works £1197 12s. material repairs to machinery, etc., £202, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board £M3 Gs, interest on county loans and cost of new plant £Bl2 13s 2d, proportion general oxnenditure £858: total. £9740 14s. Rewptf: Miscellaneous £2ll, Government ■subsidy £17.), rates from Road Board £209, rate at 2y,d £7314 2s 8d: debit balance to March 31, 1920 £1846 11a 4d,

STRIKING THIV RATE. The Chairman pointed out that it would be necessary to increase the rate this year, as it was necessary that the overdraft, winch now stood at £14,000, should be reduced. He pointed out that it would require 7-32 d to provide for the charitable aid levy, motor car, machinery, etc., and he considered the rate should be increased by that much. ""ome, however, considered that an increase -of %d over the whole county would be sufficient, but this would not permit of the overdraft being reduced much. Allowing for a rate of "2%d over the whole county on the estimated basis of expenditure the overdraft at the end of the year would be £11,355. He favored a rate of 13-16 d over the Oeo riding, and 2%d for Opua and Rahotu ridings. He pointed out that in charitable rid levy, motor car, machinery, etc., they had £3070 to meet.

Cr. O'Brien thought that even if they bad to pay a -heavy rate they should reduce the overdraft, as s'/ 2 per cent interest o" £14,C00 was a heavy burden. The Chairman pointed out that whereas Rabotu began the year with a overdraft of £368, its overdraft was now up to £OOOO, showing how necessary it was to keep a close grip on the expenditure. "

Cr. Sinclair asked whether provision had been made for the by-roads. The Chairrtian slated that he had pledged his word that the by-roads WO "M have expended on them all that was coming to them;

Cr. Campbell considered that the main roads would not require so much expenditure this year, and he moved that, the rate bp ns last year in the Oeo riding, l'/,d for the main road, y„d for the by-roads, and ah additional 1 ,4 d for charitable aid rate, etc. Or.'Harvey also considered that the Tfnhotu riding main roads had improved and that the rate should also be as "last year, viz., iy 4 d for the main road, and 13-lfid for by-roads, and an extra %d for charitable aid rate.

Cr. O'Brien considered the rate should ;bc further increased so as to do justice to the by-roads that had been merged. Some members considered that if the rate was raised too much it would jeopardise the chances of raising the tarring loan.

j Cr. Sinclair Said that if the tar sealiinc loan ware earned such a substantial

maintenance rate would not he required. If the loan were not carried he would favor a substantial rate. After further discussion, the Chairman gave notice at next meeting to move that a rate of l%d be struck over the whole county, together with an additional rate of %d for charitable aid, also '/ s d in the b.v-roads on the Oeo ridTtf and KM fid over the by-roads in the Opua and Rahotu ridings. GENERAL. The Patea County Council forwarded a digest of replies received in connection with a circular issued urging on th<! Government the necessity of pushing 011 with the Awapuni hydro-electric scheme. It was resolved to bring into force the heavy tra.'lic by-laws during the winter months.

A resolution was passed fixing Tuesdays and Fridays as the days for the Rahotu pound sales. Accounts amounting to £lOl7 were passed for payment: