INGLEWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1921, Page 7

INGLEWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The Inglewood County Council met yesterday. Present: Crs. A. Corkill (chairman), H Stewart, J. Capper, W. Topping, J. B. Simpson, H. Jones, A. Cowley, J. Hair, and T. Hunter. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. G. Whiteside) reported as follows: Marshlands Drainage.—During th© month I made a survey of the Mangaotea watercourse and took the levels of same as per plan herewith. The length on the north side of the concrete bridge on the Tariki-Ratapiko Road is 57 chains. The total fall, which is fairly uniform, between the tenminal points is 22 feet, or an average of 4% inches per chain. This shows a sufficient fall for the free passage of storm water where the course is ihado sufficient. I estimate the cost to I clear the water-course, which is simious, to an average of 20 feet wide on top and 16 feet on the floor of creek, with a uniform decline, at £9OO. As much as possible of the earth should be sluiced, and the timber cut into convenient lengths and drawn out of the water-course. In a few places tte rocky obstructions may have to be loosened and removed by explosives. Waiongona Bridge, No. 2.—The ferro-con-crete work of the second bridge was completed by the last week in February. The earth work fillings have yet to be done. Ngatoro-iti Bridge.—The bridge gang has made a start with this work. The cement and a portion of the steel material has been secured.. Motukawa Road Metalling Contract.—The contractors have done about 78 chains of metalling to date. They expect to counplete tl|e contract before the end of this month. Everett Road.—Stone crushing was continued during the month, when 917 cubic yards crusted boulder stone and 47 cubic yards metal screenings were obtained. The weather has been most favorable for the work, and 55 chains of 16% cubic yards to the chain have been metalled. Given favorable conditions another fortnight stould see thb metalling of this road completed. Dump Truck. —The dump truck has been used continuously during the month. A comparison of its work with horse teams is as follows:—On a maximum day’s work three teams conveyed 30 cubic yards metal at a cost of £6 15s, while the truck, in the same time, transported 40 cubic yards, thus doing the work of four teams. In other words the truck earned £9 per day. On longer runs the truck would show at a greater advantage. The overhead charges per day of running the truck would be £6 10s. It thus appears that while with teams it cost 2s 6d per yard to haul metal, by the truck it costs Is 6d per cubic yard, or over 40 per cent, cheaper.

Bristol Road.—There is a Government grant of £l5O, £ for £, appearing on the Public Works estimates for this road. I would like the direction of the council as to where It should be expended, so as to prepare proposals. Egmont Road.—There is a grant of £lOO, £ for £, made by the Tourist Department for this road, as it leads to the mountain. I have prepared plans for its expenditure and forwarded them to the Government for approval. Blinding and general repairs have been attended to.

Ratapiko Road.—A quantity of metal from the Manganui quarry pit has been conveyed by the truck and dumped along the road for maintenance purposes. Richmond Road.—The grader has been employed on this road, the work being supplemented by that of some of the settlers. Other work of a maintenance nature has been arranged for. Plant and Work Charges.—l would suggest that the council fix a daily or other equitable charge for the use of plant on loan or Government grant work. This should be charged up to each work every month in separate accounts, so as to guide the council in its operations. This charge should include an allowance for depreciation as well as the daily cost for running it. This is essential for arriving at the cost of any work. Makara Deviation.—There is a Government grant for constructing the road on this deviation of the Bristol Road. The plans for same have just been returned approved, and the work is in progress. York Road.—The work of reducing the grades and other improvements on the eastern end of this road are In progress. Mangaone Road.—The plans have been approved by the Public Works Department, and authority issued for £2OO, and tenders are called for this meeting. Boulders.—During . the, month tenders were invited for the delivery of 350 cubic yards of boulders from the Manganui River on the Bristol Road. The tender of Mr. L. Old (4s per cubic yard) was accepted. Johns Road.—l inspected the stone which a resident on this road offers to sell to the council. The amount would be from 50 to 100 cubic yards. There is no doubt that this road requires tte metal, and the price, 7s per cubic yard, appears reasonable, considering its situation. The owner, however, states that he does not feel inclined to take on the extra work of napping it to road macadam size. Tarring.—‘As soon as sufficient stone screenings have been obtained tarring operations will be put in hand on the Mountain Road. DEPUTATIONS. A deputation from the Motukawa Road settlers, consisting of Messrs. Standish, Joll and Hogan, waited on the council asking that Motukawa Road be metalled from the end of the present metal to the top end of the road, a distance a few chains over a mile.— The chairman replied that the council had not lost sight of the work, and they would do their best to let a contract for the work. Messrs. Corlett, Corbett and Buckley, representing the Ratapiko Road ratepayers, waited on the council in furtherance of a loan to jpetal part of Ratapiko Road. The engineer’s estimate of the work was £1260. A petition for the raising of a loan for £9OO had already been made, and the Government subsidy amounted to £3OO, thus leaving the raising of an additional loan of £6O. It was further suggested that as the settlers in question were being rated on last year's valuation, and not on the old valuation, the difference in rates should be used for any special work required by the settlers, especially the metalling of the first two hills on the Ratapiko Road. The chairman thougtt this procedure only fair, in view of the circumstances. The raising of the £6O asked for will also be favorably considered. COUNTY BOUNDARIES. The clerk of the Taranaki County Council wrote in reference to the boundary roads anu bridges, and asked that the Inglewood County Council should appoint a committee to confer with a committee of the Taranaki County Council relative to control. Ti e chairman, engineer, and the riding member in each case, were appointed a commiGei for the purpose. A communication was received from the Clifton County Council relative to portion of their county in the NgatLmaru Rldingt seceding from the Clifton County and joining the Inglewood County. Further information on the matter in reference to the ratepayers concerned and their outlets on to the main road was required by the council before further steps were taken. GENERAL. The question of arranging for the purchase of new offices was left in the hands of the chairman and Crs. Stewart and Jones with power to act.