CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1920, Page 2

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE MONTHLY MEETltffe. The ordinary meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara yesterday. Present: Crs. li. 11. Pigott (chairman), T. McKenzie, H. A. Foreman, C. Musker, and S. J. KenuiUi'ton. ENGINEER'S REPOBT. Ths engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported as follows: Waihi Riding.—Further stone has been obtained from the foreshore at Onaero and stacked at the t depot. The motor roller has been cleaned overhauled, and repainted and a small screen will be attached but its successful adoption requires that the roller be kept on the road and a second enjtne provided for crushing. The Nlkorima Road settlers have approached me in reference to the metalling contract. I understand there is some difficulty in securing accommodation for the teams. Negotiations are , proceedings in connection with acquiring road access to the beach at Onaero, and data has bean obtained to define the Eplha Road from the Main Road to the beach. Tiliorangi Riding.—The concrete culvert at late Alleman's crossing ha 3 been placed in position. Tenders have been called for niatal supplies in three lots, certain portions £or maintenance and repairs, and olher portions for metalling the hill opposite Mr. W. Foreman's Otaraoa Road. Heavy carting on this and other roads In winter should be prohibited, for the privileges of the few produce results detrimental to the many. The usual maintenance, culverting, and repairs havo been attended to over all roads. \ Ngatimaru Riding.—Temporary arrangements were made to carry on in the Purangl dis- ! trict and repairs to the Hoe Hoe Creek bridge, Ngotoco Road, have been effected. The contractor tea the South Matau bridge is proceeding with the erection, most of the pile- , driving having been completed, and another month should see it well advanced. 50ie Mangamaire tunnel has been cut and the water turned through, and the filling of the old bridge site and the dismantling will be completed this month. fiio cost has been somewhat exceeded In consequence of the additional length of papa traversed, which was not previously disclosed, but the fact remains that the advantages gained are in th*e same ratio as the cost is increased. Urenul Riding—Further work was laid oft and levels taken' on the Mataro Road, indicating that the total distance is 187 chains, and. the total estimated cost is £2592 13s 9d, leaving a shortage of about £4OO over the amount already provided for. The Council cannot proceed, however, without the 'settlers being in agreement. Further quarrying has been proceeding in the Native reserve, and gravel supplied to the Okoke and Alain North Road, the quality of which la now improving. On the Piko and Okoke Roads, a good deal requires attention to both roada and bridges, but the lack of labor prevents ajiy great progress being carried out, nor hive f been successful in obtaining any labor to operate, at the pit. Every effort should be made to overcome the lack of financial provision to ensure that the metalling contracts already laid off should proceed at an early date. The usual maintenance and repairs have been attended to. Motau Riding.—Numerous Equities have not been successful In obtaining any assistance for the Uruti district, and it 13 necessary that an early appointment should be made. The Tuppki Rocd settlers were 1 notified concerning the necessity of obtaining plies for the bridge repairs, but nothing definite has ao far resulted. On the Mangaonga Road arrangements were made to procure a portion of the timber necessary for tlie bridge repairs. A price was asked from a local mian to clean out drains along Taylor's flat and elsewhere, and this' being reasonable, the work will be let to him. Arrangements were also made to cut tlio Kiwi Road vegetation, and give attention to other matters required. On tho Okau Road, the repairs to the steel girder, Te Reinga and Kiwi bridges h<ive been completed, and attention is now boing given to tho Boar bridge, which will be raised about four feet. Further, when the road is in a suitable condition the matter of sanding weak portions will be proceeded with. On the Pukearuhe Road, the usual maintenance and repairs have received attention. Owing to the settlers and farmers outbidding the Council in respect of wages offered, the Council's staff of roadmen is reduced by one-half Its normal strength consequently such districts as Okoke and Uruti will be seriously effected by enforced 'negligence, GENERAL. Seven ratepayers of the Pukearuhe district forwarded a petition asking the Council to tilke steps to raise a special loan of £ISOO for the purpose of metalling the Pukearuhe Road from White Cliffs dairy faotory 'td tlie Walltaramarama bridge.—lt was resolved io write the Minister of Public Works making application for a subsidy of £ISOO on the £ for £ basis. The North Taranalti Dairy Company wrote forwarding a cheque for £3 7s sd, being half cost of repairing the roller as the result of a collision with the covering of the milk staging whilst, rolling metal at the factory. In doing so the directors pointed out that the company did not authorise the work. Gordon Salway wrote asking the Council to request Mr. Glassford to proceed at once with the erection of his fence on the correct road line on the Nopere Road.—lt was resolved to inform Mr. Glnssford that unless the fence is removed within a forfnight the Council will take steps under the Act to do the work and charge him with the cost. Mrs. ,T. Brown, of Reratiera, i3ked whether the Council bad considered her offer for the purchase of land contained In the old road running through her land at Uronui.—lt was resolved that the Council cannot entertain the application. At the request of Mr. R. B. Townley, the Council resolved to contribute £6 towards the cost of work 011 the Okau Road, near the Mokau Road junction. j The Public Works Department forwarded! copies of proclamation taking land for roads, Block XI., Miml Survey District, and Block XII., Upper Waitara Survey District The tender of C. Coi at 3s 6d per yard for the supply of 000 yards of metal at Alleman's pit, Tikorangi, was accepted, the matter of opening the road to be left to the riding member and engineer. Mr. R. W. Burnett wrote resigning his position at surfaceman. It was resolved to subscribe to the funds of the Taranaki Progressive League.