CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1921, Page 8

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Clifton County Council met at Wai--tara yesterday. Present: Crs. R. H. Pigott (in the chair), T. McKenzie, H. A. Foreman, F. C. Jones, C. H. Barnitt, S. J. Sutton, and H. R. Harrison. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported as follows Waihi Riding.—The work of cutting the drain in connection with the construction of the Parihaka concrete culvert is proceeding, and all requisite material is either on order or to hand. The formation and metalling contract on tte Mataro Road is proceeding, an average of eight teams being employed. It is ‘doubtful whether the work will be entirely completed this season, but I propose to connect up the gap at Topless’ Hill before work is suspended. A number of deck planks have been obtained and stacked at the various bridges for repairs. The usual repairs and maintenance have received attention. The Turangi metalling will be laid off at an early date, and I anticipate no difficulty in obtaining a tender. Tlkorangi Riding.—Referring to the NUcorima Road contract, further stone has been procured and stacked at, the depot, and the major portion of the earthwork has been graded and formed up. The contractor for the supply of spauls in the pit abutting on the Waipapa Road has been steadily at work, and the hand-broken portion is being put down on the Ngatimaru Road, to be afterwards rolled and blinded. On the Otaraoa Road the formation contract is again being proceeded with, the contractor putting the finishin touches to the northern portion, with a view of being relieved of its maintenance. Portions of this road from Watson's Hill on the south, to West’s Hill on tho north, have been formed up and improved with the plough and grader. Ngatimaru Riding.—The roads and bridges generally throughout this Riding are in good order. On the Matau-Kiore Road various points have been taken off, the grades improved, and fillings widened out. The proposed metal pit has not so far been opened up, but the investigations are expected to proceed in the rfear future. I suggest that the council request the Government to provide a grant of £lOO for widening the formation of the Pukemahoe Road to Its junction with the Pita Road. The petitioned county, I understand, turned down thes Matau ratepayers’ request for Inclusion. I suggest a commission be set up in terms of the legal opinion laid on the table. The foreman at Purangi has been indisposed, but hopes to resume work at an early date. The work of widening points under Government grant on the Kiore Saddle has been completed. Urenui Riding.—l have not been successful sc far in getting anyone to tender for the Kaipikari Road metalling, most of the teams being engaged on the Mataro Road. Partial repairs have been effected to the Avenue Road bridge. On the Okoke Road the work of opening up the pit is nearly completed. Various wooden culverts have been replaced by concrete pipes. -The large culvert near Northcott’s has been completed and the old site filled up. On tl’e Piko Road various repairs have been effected, and. prices arranged for supplying timber for repairs to the Black bridge. Quarrying has been proceeding on the Native reserve, and supplies used on the Main Road. Further assistance has been obtained on the Pukearuke Road to rake in arid blind metal. The timber for repairs has been stacked at Marsh's and Urenui bridges .

Uruti Riding.—Watertabling, patching and repairs have been carried out on all roads, and concrete culverts put in where required. On the Uruti Road Guscott's bridge requires some deck planks, and tl ese will be .sent out. On the Ri Road, alternate proposals’were discussed with reference to cutting Cl<«wp and ejection of bridge on new site, but nothing definite was decided on. On the Muki Road the tunnel was inspected and shows little alteration to my previous inspection some time ago. I see nothing to suggest, except removal of small pieces of overhanging lin’jig and stripping any papa which scales off. This road (Moki) was inspected as far as the Rerekino Road, where small matters arc requiring attention. When assistance is available a breastwork will be erected on the Unit’ Road to hold up a creeping siding. The grader is now available for the Mangahia Riad, but I am unable to procure anyone to take it cut.

Mokau Riding.—The erection of the Mangaonga bridge has been completed and the appr< aches are receiving attention. The Derwent Settlement bridge will now be repaired, and in the (meantime the necessary timber and ironwork will be carted to the Kotaro bridge. On the Mangatora Road numerous slips have been removed, and portions of the road repaired. On the Coast Rond I am endeavouring to get assistance in supplying timber necessary for the piers of three bridges. 1. suggest the eounoll request the Government to provide £lOO grant for extending the Mangaonga Road, as the upper settlers are experiencing great inconvenience through lack of suitable access tc their holdings. The engineer’s report was adopted, ani it was resolved to apply for grants of £10({ on the Pukemahoe and Mangaonga Roads. \ SEMr«RWANT SETTLERS. Messrs. Darke and Whittaker waited on the council and stated that they were anxious to have the metalling on the Okoke Jioad carried out, and as there was delay In getting the £2OO loan from the Government they were prepared to give a guarantee to the council to find the money until the loan money was available. They pointed out that they we.re going to carry out the contract themselves, and did not wish to lose the fine weather and have to go through the winter without the metal. There hart already been a delay of about twejvp months. Cr. Sutton thought, the deputation deserved to be (jounplimented on the offer they had made. Cr. McKenzie said that when settlers were prepared to help themselves the council was always willing to assist. The council decided to go on with the work, to the guarantee being received, and the chairman and engineer were authorised to accept tenders. THE PARANINIHI TUNNEL. The Taranaki Farmers’ Meat Company wrote asking whether anything had been done in conection with the renovation of the Paraninlhl tunnel, towards which they understood the Minister of Public Works proposed to issue a grant of £875 on receipt of satisfactory proposals from the council. Councillors Stated that tte question of renovating the tunnel was brought forward at the request of the freezing companies, whom it was understood were to contribute towards Its cost. It was resolved to reply that the council had done nothing further, as it was waiting to hear what support would be received from the persons interested. GENERAL. Mr. Gordon Glassford wrote asking permlssjon to remove the old timber from the Papatiki bridge. He also drew attention to the state of tte second Mangamaiho bridge, the decking of which was rotten. The engineer was instructed to inspect and report on the condition of the bridge. The engineer stated that he Intended to utilise the old timber referred to. On the petition of ratepayers of a portion of the Ngntlimnru Riding, the necessary resolution was passed severing the area from the Clifton Council and ceding it to the Inglewood County, and altering the boundaries of the Riding accordingly. Mr. W J. Fro'.th, Pukearuhe, waited on the council for information in connection with a road giving access to his section. He stated that when he gave his consent to the de- ' viatldn of the road it was with the stlpu'latlon that th.'s road giving access to his section should be gazetted. I Some discussion took place over tie matter. nnd it was resolved, that Mr. A. C. Sorenson be asked to give Mr. Freith permission to use the road, and also to erect a temporary bridge over the crossing, pending furither investigations. On applUAiioo of Mr. W. J> JWtfc ths

engineer was instructed to report on the metalling of a bad hole on the Pukearuhe Road. Accounts amounting to £l3OO 0s Id were passed for payment.