CLIFTON COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1921, Page 8

CLIFTON COUNTY.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara yesterday. Present: Messrs. R. H. Piggott (chairman), F. C. Jones, C. H. Barnitt, F. Sutton, T. McKenzie, H. A. Foreman. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The monthly report of the engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) was as follows: Tikorangi Riding.—The contractors hope to make an early start with their unfinished quarrying contract in Mr. Sarten’s pit, and as soon as conditions are favorable the Otaraoa Road formation will be pushed ahead. Small repairs have been effected to the suspension bridge, and the various roads have received attention in metal repairs, culverting, etc. The road plant has commenced to scarify and roll necessary portions of the main road, and is working northwards. Tenders close to-day for metal supplies for the Inland North Road. Waihi Riding.—Fresh grades were run giving access to the beach at Onaero, and following the tracks of the existing route. The net result would be to cut out half the earthwork, but I understand to this route there is some native objection. About half of the depot surveyed off adjacent to the beach had suffered from erosion and disappeared, and probably quite new plans will be required. The shed at tlie county cottage site has been erected and is already proving useful for storage purposes. Tiie various roads have received attention in water-tabling, culverting and metal repairs, and the plant will be used to improve various sections where required.

Ngatimaru Riding.—The work on the Tirangi Road will in the meantime be brought to a conclusion. The work completed comprises eleven sets of concrete pipes put in, four timber and punga drains cut, and about 50 chains of road widened and formed up. On ;he Rako Rako Road a request is made to perform similar work, but I cannot recommend the council to form a road which is at present a stock paddock. An unauthorised gate stands at the junction of this and the North Matau Road, and this 1 recommend being removed within a reasonable’ time and after due notice, which may accomplish the desired object, and the improvements can be effected. The various roads have received attention at the hands of the permanent staff, in general maintenance work and repairs. With reference to merging the remaining territory of this riding to separate authorities as outlined, the preparation of maps and the other procedure is receiving attention.

Urenui Riding.—On the Matapo Road an inspection was made in company with those settlers interested in the proposed deviation. Were the distance shortened or the grade reduced a warranty would be shown for an alteration; but as neither of these improvements would be effected I suggest that the present road be retained and improved, and that the council grant a reasonable sum for this purpose, and in place of the settlers’ offer of labor on earthwork, that they cuntribute an equivalent value in labor according to my proposal. The new pit on the Okoke hill is still being worked with despatch, and is helping considerably to provide gravel for the Main and other roads. On the Piko Road the repairs and renewals to the Black bridge were let at rates satisfactory to the council and contractor.

Uruti Riding.—Some further protective work lias been carried out at the Moki Junction erosion and 30 nine-inch pipes were sent forward to replace old culverts. With reference to the Tangitu deviation, a meeting was held after due notice had been given to those interested, and it was agreed that the existing tlrutl Road be not closed up to a point where it turns sharply southwards, Mr. Musker requiring this for access, and that from this point to a point opposite to the boundary between sections 4 and 7, block VI, Upper Waitara, the road be closed and vested in Mr. Nicholls, which complies with his requirements of £lO per acre, plus a portion off the closed road adjoiniug his section. The balance of read to’ be closed, it was agreed, would be offered to Mr. Putt at valuation, or, failing this, to Mr. Nicholls or others. The total area of new road will be about 19 acres, more or

less, and a caveat is being prepared to cover this area. I examined the upper reaches of the Uruti River for suitable metal, and found that 1000 yards or more could be obtained in disconnected sections, but the expense of handling and getting it on to the road would hardly warrant the initial cost. I regret the department are unable to provide the metal promised for the Main Road, and I am endeavoring to secure supplies from an old pit opposite the 26-mile peg.

Mokau Riding.—Arrangements have been planned in which the Okau, Mangatoro and Kiwi Roads would all receive additional attention ; also that the sandstoning is to be started forthwith in raising and improving bad spots, ; to be developed later into longer stretches. I understand prospecting for suitable metal Is being carried out in the vicinity of Putiki, and this may be a prelude to the Okau Road being eventually metalled. The contributing parties to the Paraninihi tunnel improvements scheme appear to have lost their enthusiasm, but the council cannot proceed without guarantees. PARITUTU PRESERVATION. Mr. R. C. Hughes, president of the Paritutu Preservation League, wrote to the council asking their support in the movement to have Mt. Egraont stone quarries opened up. The secretary of the league (Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert) also appealed to the council to give support to the league in Its attempt to prevent the demolition of Paritutu so that the stone might be used for harbor works, and to use its influence in having the Egmont quarries opened up. The council resolved to reply that, although it would receive no material benefit from the opening of the quarry, it was prepared to give its support in that direction. No action was taken in regard to Paritutu. SOLDIERS’ RATES. A circular was received from the Eketahuna CoYinty Council, asking the Clifton County’s consideration and opinion of the position that has arisen in regard to the collection of , rates from returned soldier settlers. The Eke- ! tahuna Council had £750 owing from soldier settlers, and had had to make provision for , this as a recurring debt on the estimates. The I council had done all It could do legally, and now appealed for support at the Counties’ Conference in finding a solution to the difficulty. The Clifton Council decided to reply stating that although suffering but slightly in this direction they were willing to support the Eketahuna Council in any reasonable action taken. GENERAL. In reference to the adjustment of accounts between the Inglewood and Clifton County Councils, a request was received from the Inglewood Council for a statement of accounts, and offering to hold a meeting to consider the same. In this connection the council decided that tlie value of the house and two one-acre sections at Tarata should be fixed at £4OO. B. F. Jury, J. P. Smart and others wrote complaining of the state of the Stockman Road, and stating that the only work the council had done on the road in twenty years was to put in a culvert.—Tlie matter was held over until next meeting, Crs. Foreman and Mackenzie to report in the meantime. Tlie resident engineer (Mr. T. M. Ball) notified that owing to the shortage of funds and (lie Government works closing down for the winter tlie department would be unable to «hpply the council with any further metijl for the portions of the road maintained by the department as compensation for damage done by tlie department’s traffic on the Main North Road. Tlie maintenance of this portibn of the road will again devolve on tlie council. W. flpwke, of Tikorangi, waited on the c.iuncil, f.equeMlng that the grader should be d ent out jo grade the Waipapa Road, he offer! ig to plough the road in readiness for the grader. Tlie em/LH-il decided that the grader would L, 1 sent out as^ih° n as possible. Tenders b.Y A- Johnstone for supplying J5O yards of stone «>n the Inland North’ Roa(l at 12s Cd a yard, and 400 yards on the Malt Road at 9s per yard, were accepted »