EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1919, Page 2

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Egmont County Council was held ut Opunake yesterday when there were present: Crs. W. R. Wright (chairman), A. B. Coffin, T. H. H. Sinclair, W. C. Green, M. O'Brien, S. Campbell, and J. Young. ENGINEER'S REPORT. . Oeo Riding (Northern)—Tho continuous rain experienced in this riding has been the pause of all the by-roads breaking up badly where the metal is thin, and two men and a dray liftvo been constantly employed the whole of the month on the work of patching the following roads, in addition to the Eithain Road: Kiri, l'atikl, AVatlno, Wlrcmu, Oeo, and Stratford, whilst an additional man with a team had to ho employed part of the month on the east end of the Stratford Road to keep tho road open for milk traffic. Watertabling has been dono on the Patikl Road. Tho timber for the new wooden stringer bridge on the Wiremu Road has been carted to the site, but the work cannot be proceeded with until the weather improves and the by-roads need less attention. A small concrete pipe drain has been put in lbo water-table of the Eltham Road nt the new entrance to the property just west of the Punehu bridge. Oeo Riding (Southern). —With the exception of four days spftnt in cleaning out the watertables and outlets on the Nopera Road, the men In this riding were engaged all the month on the Main South Road, cleaning out and widening the water-tableß between the Taungatnra river and the Plhama factory. One of the joists of the Ouri bridge on the Main South Road was snapped on tho 29th on last month by a motor lorry, and li.ia been repaired temporarily. This bridge needs overhauling, and will prrhably require- other repairs on inspection which will bo done Immediately. Opua Riding (Soutfli). —A consifleTablo amount of time has been spent on the work of patching by-roads, tho following having had attention: Upper and Lower Watteika, Ihaia, and Kaweroa Roads. A fair amount of diffl culty is experienced at times in finding suitable material for patching these roads without having to cart long distances, as most of tho pits previous in use arc about worked out. Water-tabling has been done at places in the Main South and Eltham Roads. Tho old bridge on tho Eltham Road known as Warner's bridge has-been dismantled, the fill made over the new concrete brldgo and the approaches fenced off. Eight new 88in. by 4in. decking planks have been put in at the Taucgatara bridge on tho Main South Road, and a joist at the same bridge will have to bo renewed this month.

Opua Riding (North) .—Very little has been spent on the Main South Road, only two days being occupied witJi patching and water-tabling about the Opua Pint. A considerable amount of- patching has been done mi the Arawhata and Opua Roads, and one day's patching on tho Namu Road. Opunako Riding.— I The Main South Road has been patched where necessary for the whole of the length. , Pipes have: been made in tho Domett Street'shed on wet days. On flno days the engine drivers have been engaged chipping and painting the Waiaua bridge which proved to be in n. worse condition than was anticipated, some of tho lattice ribs in the arch girders about %in. thick being pitted to a depth of half the thickness. The metal has been painted with black "siderosthen," and the concreto fence posts at the approaches painted white.

Rahotu Riding.—A little patching and watertabling has been done on tho Main South Rnad. The concreto pipe culvert which was moved to u new position in tho Gregory Road has been extended about five pipe lengths and the road filled, in to prevent accidents to stock drivers. A fair amount of patching has been done on tho Upper Kabul Road, and one lino of 12in. concrete pipes have been put in to replace a wooden culvert which had collapsed. Ngarikl Road has been patched, and all the water outlets cleaned out, whilst the Upper Kina Road lias had a considerable amount of patching done to it and the Opourapa, Manihi, and Turn Roads have each had one day's attention. Concreto pipes have been made at the Rahotu shed on wet days.

Rahotu Riding (North) .—Patching has boon dene to the Main South Road from the Waitotara stream to tho boundary at Funiho, tho water-tables have been cleaned out between the Capo and Stent RoaSs, and tho Inlets Mid outlets of tho cross drains have beon cleared ct vegetation and rubbish. Some patching has been dono to the Lowera Parlhaka Road, and some of the water outlets cleared. Patching has been dono to' the Nowall Road and watertabling at places along with the clearing of water and drain outlets. ' I would suggest that, members of the Council make themselves fully acquainted with the present condition of the whole of tho by-roads In the Rahotu and Opua Ridings, Some of these roads, carrying special rates for loans, arc In the position of having no metal left on tho surface before the loan has been off, and the rates arc not sufficient to keep them In a satisfactory state of repair. It has beon a difficult matter during the recent wet weath-.M' to keep them fit for the then light milk tralY)<\ and I anticipate there will be serious trouble next winter. Bridges.—Bridge No. 25 (Warner's) was completed early in the month, and ali new conerelo bridge work suspended. General—fln section 92, block 1, Opunake SD. there is a metal pit adjoining the Manihi Road, which, if worked, would probably yield between two and three thousand yar<Ts of metal suitable for by-roads. The enginedrivers are engaged on wet days refitting the engines as far as possible.

WIREMU ROAD. A report was received from the Wiremu Koad Committee, which comprised Cra. M. O'Brien (chairman), S. Campbell, I. Younu. and the county engineer, staling that a letter had been received from the District Road Engineer slating that £IOO granted In December, 1918, nnd a further sum or £475 wore available. II was accordingly resolved that the engineer proceed with the work of repairs to the Oknhu lioad, where it was most needed and comply with the I'ubllc Worlis Department's requirements as to plans, etc.—Action conOrmed. COMMITTEE'S REPORTS. The committee appointed (Crs. Youne and 'he clerk), lioliHed that lite largo safe in tlie I'arUiaka Road Board's office had been sold for £4O. The salo of the small safe was left to the same committee, Crs T. H. II Sinclair, A. B. Cofflin, and the County Clerk who were appointed a com-, mittee to obtain a horse paddock at Opnnake, notified that their tender for a lease for seven years of a harbor reserve of 6 acres, at £l2 per annum had been accepted by the liarbor Board. The chairman staled llifit he had interviewed Mr. Nowton King, who had offered to pay the grazing of the Council's horse for the uso of the land at the aaleyards.—Offer accepted. It waß resolred to hare a piece of the County reserve at Oaoriul fenced for a horse paddock the matter being left to Cr. Young and the engineer. CONTRACTS.

In considering tenders for metal contracts the chairman stated that the Council's position , was such that no road or ridltiß should be allowed to further overdraw. The money expended should be kept within the amount allocated. When the rate was struck, no allowance was made Tor an Increased overdraft.

A little discussion ensued In which some councillors stated that any road not requiring the money allocated for that road could allow it to bo expended on another road requiring it.

It was accordingly resolved to reduce the quantity for the Opunaltc riding from !)00 yards to 050 yards. Tenders received were as follows: J. Hickey 9s Cd (accepted), H. Munro 10s 4d; 21)0 yards metal Opua Itoad, H. Munro 8s (accepted), ,T. Hickcy 9s; 1200 yards Opuu Flat. H. Munro 14s Gd (accepted). H. ltotal 15s 4d.

. Cr. Sinclair brought up tlio question of altering tho present .system of employing casual hands on contract. Instead of paying 13s wet and dry, lie favored paying contractors' wages of 16s for days actually worked. Cr. O'Brien thought it would not be wise lo try' and reduce wages, as the coat of living was so high.

Tho chairman said the timo was not opportune to reduce wages, but he did not consider the proposal meant this.

Cr. Sinclair said that more work could be done, "as men now considered • a day too wet for work which they would be able to work in were they paid only for time actually worked. k

Cr. Green said the agreement arrived at In Elthnm was that 13» should be paid for actually time working. , The chairman said that this agreement had been broken before.

Cr. Green held that If the Council pulled out In tho wages question they should have pulled out of the conference •altogether.

After a little further discussion, the chairman held that notice of motion must be ffivea.

GENERAL.

E. M. Reynolds, Oaonul, asked the Council to repair tho road in front of his shop.—The work will be done.

Mr. O. H. Knofflock, Ihala Road, notified that tho drain in front of his section was blocked with -water-cress.—The engineer is to report on tho matter.

Morrisey and Company forward a cheque for £6(5 for sale of timber at Punehu bridge, and Newton King a chequo for £ls 7s for sale of timber in tho Rahotu riding. The State Advances Department notified that £IOOO on account of tho bridge loan of --£SOOO had been paid to the Council's account. T .H. Bowman notified that he had re. turned from actlvo service, and would resumo duties on October lflth.

The Manukau County Council wrote thanking the Council for the courtesy and consideration shown members of the Council during the recent short visit to the district. The secretary to the Treasury notified that & turn

date of the maturity of the loans was only s small ainotrat. It would be paid to the Council's general fund account, btrt It otherwise the amount should be refunded to the ratepayers affected. The clerk and engineer were attthorUed to supply the necessary Information regarding peace celebrations In connection with the proposal to place a record In various llbrtirle» and museums. THE ROAD LOAN. Some discussion took place as to whether the proposed loan should be put as a county loan or as a riding loan. The chairman stated that decision on this point was delay ins the bringing forward of the loans. Cr. Green strongly favored the loan being made a riding one, as It was certain to be carried In those ridings that wished to keep up with tbo times; but it might not bo carried in one of the ridings many of whose ratepayers were now living within a mile or two of other counties' tarred roads. Cr. Sinclair pointed out that If only one riding carried the load It would hare to purchase the necessary plant on Its own. Cr. Green held that two ridings would carry the loan. In any case the Hahotu riding would bo able to secure the plant, which would be required on the by-roads. Cr. Young considered the loan should be a county one Something would have to be done either In the way of raising a loan or elso by paying a higher rate. The Council was about a year's rate in debt, and had a good deal of expenditure to face, as every twelve months the roads that were laid down cracked up badly on account of the weather. They would have to be tar sealed or something before they could expect the heavy expenditure to cease. It was no use expending £7OO or £BOO.

Cr. O'Brien asked what about the by-roads. Cr. Young said he favored these being done if possible.

The chairman pointed out that Kabul and Warea Roads were going in for a loan on their own. Ho wanted to see thp loaa carried, and did not want to see anything done to jeopardise it.

Cr. O'Brien said that the by-roads were solid against the loan, and the fact that at the last meeting the Council had said that It would supply metal to the roads if the settlers would spread it without pay, had accentuated the position.

Cr. Young was not prepared to provide metal at other people's expense on roads that wore overdrawn. If they were not prepared to pay for their road they would not have one. The Council had done lta best to keep the roads repaired and found itself £16,000 overdrawn.

Cr. O'Brien said that the main road peoplo wanted their roads tarred at the expense of tho by-roads.

Cr. Sinclair said that they were all Interested In the by-roads as in the main road. The main roads were the moat expensive to maintain, and required attention first. After these were finished he would be prepared to take a loan to tar-seal the by-roads, but he considered It noulil not be advisable to raise money now that would not be required for marty years.

On tho motion of Crs. Campbell and O'Brien It was resolved that It should be a county loan, an amendment by Cr. Green that U be a riding loan not being seconded.