ELTHAM COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1922, Page 8

ELTHAM COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. PAST MONTH’S WORK. " The monthly meeting of the Eltham County Council was held on Saturday. Present: Crs. C. J. Belcher, R. J. Knuckey, A. Campbell, A. Messana. Al. W. Barker, W. E. Carter. C. E. ?v!cGuinness, and E. J. Griffin. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. A. McWilliam. On the motion of the chairman a vote of condolence was passed with Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Tayler and family and Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Owen and family in their recent sad bereavement. The chairman mentioned that Mrs. Owen was at one time a member of the staff of the council office, and had endeared herself to all by her pleasant disposition. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from .even ratepayers on the Upper Palmer Road complaining of the unsatisfactory condition of fhn road between the ElthamOpunakc read and the Kap> ; river.— The matter was left ui G. • • qndr, of Crs. Messana and McGuinness and the engineer. The Waimatc West County CouncU wrote asking that a conference bo held between the Eltham and Waimar.p councils to discuss the upkeep of the Palmer Read, which was the boundary between the tw.> counties.—The chairman and Cr. McGuinness were appointed to meet representatives of the Waimate West County Council to discuss the matter. A letter was received from the Mines Department containing the opinion of the Director of the Geological* Survey branch that the volcanic rock from Mt. Egmont was a much better road-making metal than Te Wera lime-tone, and that there was no need to pay 24s per yard for metal from Belmont when Egmont metal was available.—The clerk was instructed to write stating that the council bad always supported this view. I The Heathcote County Council wrote forwarding a resolution that county • councils should be given the same powi ers as municipal bodies in the matter lof a subdivision of properties.—lt was I decided •U. support the resolution. I A suggestion from the Ashley and ! Stdwyn County Councils that hospital ; levies should be partly on a capital value and partly on a population basis , instead of wholly on a capital value basis as at present was received. ’Fhe chairman reported that he had received a telegram -from the Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. W. Downie Stewart) suggesting that the council should take charge of the collection of contributions for a wedding present to Princess Mary.—lt was decided to do this. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer’s report stated: At the time of writing (January IT, 1922). reports are reaching me of serious damage done to the road from Matemateonga to Moeroa by an exceptional fall of rain, gauged at 7 inches in one part. In many places the road is blocked by slips and wash-outs, gnd if conditions prove to be as serious as reported it may be impossible for me to get back in time to prepare my usual report for Saturday’s meeting. The part month has largely been devoted fo 'pushing on with tar patching in Mangatoki, Kaponga and South Ridings, and the gang which was at work in South ( Riding has been started in Eltham Riding. Fraser Road work has been pnsned on with as fast as plant would permit. The structural work at Mangatoki bridge is completed, and the laying of the roadway and opening of the bridge will be delayed until the middle of February to give the concrete time to harden. Urgent repairs arc required at Mangawhero bridge, Eltham Road, and notice boards have been placed upon the bridge. The engineer reported on the temporary repairs which he proposed to effect to the Mangawhero bridge. He stated that a new bridge would be needed next year.