CLIFTON COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1921, Page 3

CLIFTON COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, PAST MONTH’S WORK. The monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held yesterday. Present: Crs. It. H. Pigott (chairman), T. McKenzie, F. C. Jones, H. Foreman and It. Mounsey. The chairman extended a welcome to the new member of the council, Mr. Mounsey, who has the place of Mr. Harrison in the Ngatimaru Riding. The engineer reported as follows: Tikorangi Riding: The grader has various small works to perform in this Riding, which thb weather has prevented being carried out. I hope, however, in my next report, to record their completion. I met the councillor and settlers interseted with the Stockman Road deviation, and after running trial grades found that a gradient could be obtained between 1 in 8 and 1 in 9. This seems stiff, but the present grades are as bad as 1 in 3, and the new grade is, by comparison, generally approved. The total distance would be about 36 chains, more or less, and would traverse the property of Messrs. Wood, Knuckey and J ”-y, the amount of land required being indicateu oy the area taken. Approximately it would take from Mr. Woods, 3 chains; Mr. Knuckey, 13 chains; Mr. Jury, 18 chains. The balance is accounted for by the proposed deviation crossing the existing county road twice. One fairly large filling would be necessary in Mr. Knuckey's property, but otherwise the whole route woidd be siding formation. My estimate Is as follows: Earthwork, £257; 9-inch pipes, £l5; 4ft. pipes, £7O; fencing, £144; land purchase, £6O; total, £546; and in addition the two hills on the Tikorangi Road would require regrading and the filling raising at an estimated cost of £5O, making a grand total of £596. I have requested the engineer of the Taranaki County to obtain approval of Clifton’s proposal in connection with the Tikorangi suspension bridge repairs. Waihi Riding.—Crushing was completed at Onaero early in the month, the quantity being 452 cubic yards, certain portions being reserved for repairs. The engine has been engaged in rolling the new metal and scarifying and rolling other sections where required. I understand the remainder of the metal for the I‘arihaka work is already at the depot, and these improvements will shortly be put in hand. The names of the various owners of section 48, giving access to the beach at Onaero, are submitted. Provided the settlers plough the Turangi Road at the eastern end, I propose putting on the grader at a later period and improving it.

Ngatimaru Hiding.—Roadman Bertrand has taken up his duties at Purangi, and appears to be giving satisfaction. He is not occupying the county cottage, and this could be let in the meantime to a suitable tenant. On the round visit to Piirangi, Kiore and Matau I saw that various improvements in forming up, raising fillings, eulverting, etc., are being attended to, one of the worst sections being from the Kiore tunnel to the railway station. This can only be improved with metal, and procedure in this connection is under way. The South Matau bridge approaches can he improved with metal from the vicinity of the Mangamaire tunnel. /If sufflcient is available these matters and other minor request.; by the Matau Ratepayers’ Association will be put in hand by the road foreman, who has been notified accordingly. With reference to severances, the necessary procedure of transferring that portion to the Inglewood County between the Purangi Saddle and the Matau River is almost completed. Referring to opening the Rako Rako Road, the notices having expired, I propose proceeding with the improvements very shortly.

Urenui Riding;—The new pit on the Okoke i Hill is still discharging suitable gravel, and this is being distributed by motor lorry on the- Main Road and outer roads. There still . remains some gravel to come out of the old pit, but obtaining carters is very difficult. On ' 'the Piko Road the piles at the Black bridge j have been driven, and the work is being i ! steadily proceeded with. The balance of ttre I deck timber ordered has been delivered from ■j the local mill at Okoke. On the Pukearuho I Road, the improvement opposite the school has been further delayed on account of the weather. At Wai-iti levels were taken to ’ drain and form up the access road, and plans and quantities were forwarded with instruc- ‘ lions to let at prices satisfactory to h°th sides. ’ This work will he carried to completion, and those who use tin’s 30 chains of road might contribute to give it a coating of shingle from the beach. With reference to giving access to , section 43, block 8, Waitara S.D., 1 met Messrs, i Rogers and Mouatt on the ground, and on Mr. .rfouatt agreeing to alter the position of the proposed bridge site, thereby more equitably

dividing Mr. Rogers' paddock, the latter agreed 1 to withdraw bis objection. The procedure will ' tiiereforo be simplified by taking the land 1 under section 15 of the Land Act, 1908. The [ survey lias been almost completed, and the plan and schedules are in course of preparation. Uruti Riding.—The heavy rain during the < early portion of the month did some damage 1 in scouring the metal, creating slips, choking water-tables and culverts, but all these matters have received attention. New culverts have J been put in position on the Mangahia Road. | At a section, south of King’s bridge, where I erosion has taken place, on the lower side, I I propose blowing out the papa face on the j upper side to make the road of sufilcient width. 2 1 propose again calling for tenders for,/ shell rock supply at Uruti. Mokau Riding.—Owing to the unsuitable condition of the Okau Road tffe proposed sanding has been delayed. I have recast itte supervision of the various roads, and Lope belter results may be obtained. /Il l a expected the remaining repairs required’ on Hle Kotate bridge will be effected lieforo next meeting The usual maintenance and repairs have been attended to. General.—The proposals for the expenditure of thirds have been prepaid and forwarded for approval. GENERAL. Mr. S. G. Smith wrote forwarding a copy of a letter from Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G'./Uoat.es) stating that, the representations regarding the Molfi Road and Tongapoi’utu—Mangaroa Road would receive consideration. The Rangitlkei County Council wrote asking for support in getting legislation introduced as speedily as possible to give effect to the following resolution which was adopted bjr the last conference of. the New Zealand Counties’ Association: "That county councils be exempt from the operation of the Arbitration Court awards.”—lt was decided to support the resolution. The Matau ratepayers forwarded the following resolutions to the council: "That in view of the present financial stringency the pay of the council employees be reduced in proportion with other labor; that the Clifton County be written to asking that better supervision be Kept on the work of surfacemen employed on their roads.”—lt was decided to write to the Matau ratepayers that the wages of the men had been reduced at the time the resolutions had been passed, and also that the engineer was keeping as good supervision as was possible on the surfacemen.

The chairman was voted an honorarium of £5O for his services during the past year.