INGLEWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1920, Page 3

INGLEWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. * The ordinary meeting of the Inglewood County Council was held at Inglewood yesterday. p-caent: Crs. A. CorkiU (chairman), •T. M. Hair, A. E. Crowley, H. Jones, J. B. Simpson, M. S. Cameron, J. Hunter, J. H. Lyon, and It. Stuart. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. R, S. Whiteside (County engineer) reported as follows: Waitepuke Bridge.—The present bridge over the Waitepuke Stream crossing the Bedford Road is 50 feet long, and was originally built of split slab decking, jointed along the .middle stringer having but a single' stringer on each side. One stringer has collapsed leaving the bridge at the present time of diminished width between the pier in the centre and one side. The whole of the timber Is In an advanced state of decay. A new bridge, could have the span reduced to 40ft., and if it tfere rebuilt in concrete and steel with a flat arch will cost £6OO, Mangaoraka Bridge, Kaimiro.—This bridge has a span of 36ft. and the timber is becoming fairly ripe. Tho bridge appears to have been repaired and braced a few years ago, and though I would not call it actually dangerous, it will have to be rebuilt at an early date. The old bridge can, however, be strengthened lip considerably by placing a blue gum ricker (or other long piece) about 15 inches in diameter longitudinally over the deck alongside each side railing, and strapping the transoms to- it with several plies of stout wire. This would secure it for a year or two longer. The situation is favorable for a concrete bridge of the circular arch type, whjch I estimate to cost £550, AutawaXßoad.—lt is desired to raise a loan supplemented by a Government grant to metal this road. v This road is about six miles long. The present formation is from 12 to 15 feet wide. Some of the grades are a little steeper than expected to be found in 4 Government's standard of 1 in li/, but on the whole the grades are easy for this class of road. It has been suggested that the steeper portion ot the bluff which deflects the Waitara River, could be shortened by half a mile in length of road, and the grade eased off by a road tunnel through the hill, 300 to 400 feet in length. I fear, however, that the cost of such an undertaking would be more than tho road warrants, and would he prohibitive. Fine gravel can hj? readily procured, for the purpose in dep;-r»Us along the 'road providing easy haulage. These deposits ; of gravel require some stripping and while tin's metal is not of the nature, it binds compactly, and provide * good surface for Ugh:; traffic. I estimate that to widen cut the roadway for the gra»el and deposit •he metal thereon will cost £4BOO. Otaraoa Road.—From the end of the metalling to the boundary rjf the Clifton County is about 8% miles. As it hftg a clay : surface the settlers \" fho locality are desirous to have it metalled This will probably i.-o a Main Road from T:ir*trt, to Waitara somerime. The grades are good, and ft is fairly '.veil formed Metal can he obtained in the locality, but 3-roe of the haulages <inay be fairly long. However, pvcsfccting may discover ether sources nf metal supply that will ?orern the cost of raefelltnt; uadorVaJfiPE. I Mtimatn the metalling to -cor.t of which sum the Government should provide a Quota as it will carry othor. traffic. Junction Road.—-On the zig-zng on the eaßtern side of tho summit, and about a mile | from the Waitara Rivar, a dangerous point on •, the Junction Road sh&ulti be cut back about [ 10 feet to afford more rooms for vehicles j to. pass. This improvement would not be costly. ] IMfid Plant.—During the past month, the j plant has been stationed r.t. the Maketawa ; River on tho Mountain Road, and crushed i 544 cubic yards of boulders delivered by con- { tractor Lawrence, and 132 cubic yards o? boulders obtained from tho river by day labor during intervals. . Xh's amount, with tho exception of 52 cubic yards of_ crushed sfctme supplied to the MMce';nw;i Dairy Factory, was (Jeposiit'd on the main road and | rolied in Wotk had to be suspended owing i to the traction engine driver meeting with an accident which necessitated his gbing to the New Plymouth hospital. , Makara Bridge Approaches—No satisfactory tender having been received for the contract for filling the embankments approaching the new concrete bridge over the Makara Stream, the work has bfcen put in hand by day lPbor. Durham, Road West —The scour occurring en this road was found to have arisen through a drain becoming obstructed by the growth of rushes, and in other ways. This has since been remedied. Richmond Road.—Tho settlers -along this road are desirous of metalling the remainder of the uinnctallcd portion as far as tho top of Tucks' Hill. The distauce is about 70 chains. About 500 cubic yards or so of boulders might be / obtained from the stream pawing through Mr Tucks' property, other'\vise it would appear that the metal would have to be procured at a considerable distance away, which would increase the cost of transportation. Allowing to put the metrfl cn 9ft wide and 9in thick, this was estimated to cost £IOOO. Maintenance. —Various roads have had maintenance repairs effected on them since last Council meeting. Future Operations.—For the ensuing month it is proposed to continue metal crushing on the Mountain Road and : complete the approach tilling at Makara Bridge. Should more labor be available, to begin forming the deviation of the Bristol Road, east of the Mnkara River. Also, as cement is now procurable, it may be possible to put in hand the construction of the Walongona-ltl ferro concrete bridge. TELEPHONES FOR SETTLERS, The Acting-Secretary of the Postal Department wrote acknowledging the resolution passed by the Council guaranteeing any deficit on telephone bureaux established by the Telegraph Department at the request of groups of ratepayers within the district, and stated that this would be taken into consideration in connection with any applications for tho opening of telephone bureaus in tiie Inglewood County.' Ho pointed out. that at present it was very difficult, to ob- i tain material fqr telephone extensions, except, where the work was of an urgent naturo. j Cr. Cameron considered it was strange that ■ tho - Government had great difficulty in obtaining material, when private firms could j supply it. DANGEROUS BRIDGES. In repiv to the clfalrmnn, the engineer' stated that he had not yet erected warning notices at dangerous bridges, - The chairman said that there were, a good j many bridges in tho County that were un- 1 safe for traffic, and he thought settlers should have warning. He was not sure of the legal aspect, hut had always been under the impression that the erection of warning notices relieved the Council of all respon- ! slbility. * Cr. Stewart mentioned three bridges on- the Bedford Road. Cr. Simpson also referred to the bridge over the Mangaoraka Stream at Kaimird, which was dangerous. SETTLERS' REQUIREMENTS. A- deputation comprising Messrs. Bishop, Frost and Potroz waited on the Council and asked that a loan of £4OO should be raised to metal Vk miles of the Surrey Road. They were prepared to give the boulders frpe of royalty, and M.\ Bishop offered to do any drilling necessary to blast boulders that were in the road. It was, resolved that the engineer report on the work with a view to the loan being raised. The chairman pointed out that the Council had also made an application to the Government for a subsidy. Mr. Frost also drew attention to the dangerous state of a bridge on the Derby Road. Messrs. Greig and Fairhrother waited on the Council and asked that steps should be taken to raise a loan to metal about half a mile of the Kaimata South Road so as to complete the metal to the Tarlki Road. They pointed out that there was a grant of £2OO available. Tiie engineer will make an estimate with a view to raising a. loan. Cr. Lyon suggested that as the work was required urgently, the eighteen ratepayers interested should consider contributing the amount required so as to save delay. Seven settlers of Ratapiko' petitioned the Council to take the necessary steps to raise a loan of £9OO for tho purp6se of grading and imetalling Ratapiko Road from the end of the metal.—Referred to the engineer to obtain an estimate. STAFF MATTERS. The clerk applied for an increase of salary, j The matter was dealt with in committee, and , it was resolved that the clerk be voted a bonus of £lO 10s, and that the matter of increased salary be considered later. Sixteen applications were received for (lie positdin nf ranger and dog tax collector, FHamblyn being appointed. Eight applications were received for the positions of surfacemen and seven were appointed, tho matter of arranging .for the Ratapiko length being left in the hands of Cr. Hair. The engine driver again applied for an in* crease" from 16s per day to £5 per week,— Granted GENERAL. The, Inglewood Borough Council notified thak It was unable to join with the Council In the natter of appoi&tl&g a ranger an# doft tax

t collector.—Councillors expressed surprise at ; the , action ,ot' the borough, it being pointed i out that tiic County Council had contributed to the maintenance of the pound. Moreover, some time previously, the lnglewood borough and Moa Road Board were prepared to join with the Taranaki County over the appointment of a ranger, but the latter jvould not agree. The Papakura. Town Board wrote asking for in/formation regarding the hydro-eloctric schemes.—lnformation supplied. The Public Health Departimpnt notified that llio lnglewood County w&s included in the Taranaki-Wanganui Health District, as part of the 'Taranaki Hospital District, and iiad also been noted for representation purposes before tho County elections next November. It was unanimously resolved to support tho resolution from the Wnimate County Council urging on the Government the urgent necessity •of making provision for the Inspection of meat intended for human consumption killed at all slaughter-houses throughout the Dominion. -Tho Council resolved to leaso the reserve, near the Waiwakuilm to Jas. McGee, TJgmont! Village, subject to a nominal rental and; other restrictions. Tho tender of C. W. Schrieber, of Waitui, for the supply of about 1200 yards of metal at the Everett Road at Cs 9d per yard, was accepted. • Tho engineer was instructed to report on Cooper's Hill, on tho Bristol Road. It was resolved to inform the Tariki Memorial Committee, that the Council does not approve of the proposal to erect a: soldiers' memorial at the end of the Surrey Road, but would agree to its erection on the old road at the corner of the Tariki Road. The. chairman reported Hint he had attended the Commission which was held at' New Plymouth to give evidence in regard to the wheel tax. . Cr. • Simpson asked when the neccssarv papers would be available to enable steps to be taken to hold the poll in connection I with rating on unimproved values. !