CLIFTON COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1922, Page 7

CLIFTON COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL'. PAST MONTH’S WORK. The Clifton County Council mef yesterday. Present; Ora. R. H. Pigott (■chairman), H. A. Foreman, F. C. Jones, C. Barnitt, and R. Mounsey. An apology foV absence was received from Cr. McKenzie, who was still indisposed. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported for the month as follows:—i Tikorangi Riding.-—The metalling contract on the Nikorima Road has been satisfactorily completed, the work being followed by blinding rfnd rolling. It is also intended to rake in. roll and improve the lower portion of this road.. Sufficient metal was crushed to tip various loads for maintenance on this and the main road. The same class of work was also completed on the Inland North and Otaraoa Roads, which marks the completion of the various metalling contracts contemplated this season. Walhi Riding.—T)he small metalling job on the Allen Road has been completed and the hills north and south of the Waiau bridge will shortly receive attention. The levels for improving wet places on the Ohanga Road have been again set out and the work let as arranged. On the Mata.ro Road this lengthy job has now been completed. 2905 yards having been put out and £25 allowed for. maintenance gravel.. From the Motunui contract various loads of metal have been tipped on the main road for maintenance and repairs. The surveys in connection with the central route giving. access to the beach at Onaero have already been commenced.

Xgatima.ru Riding.—On the Mangaoapa Road a few yards of metal have been quarried for the south side of the Ktore tunnel, but the class is very inferior, being of a limestone formation of immature development and subject to atmospheric deterioration. It will De put on in bulk and broken on the road. The roadman was engaged In filling up ruts and improving the Matau Road, the condition and shape of which was better than many unmetalled. roads, and the Matau people who still complain have no knowledge whatever outside the very limited vision of their township roads as to whav obtains in other less favorable portions of the county. Further work has been completed on the Rakorako Road, but the main feature is efficiently deepening the drain -throughout and connecting the springs with the main drain. Arrangements were made to improve the approaches to the Mangamaire bridge with metal, if available ; If not, by sanding. The resident engineer notifies the council that' metal can be supplied on trucks at Te Wera at 11/6 per cubic yard in February of next year.

Urenui Riding: On the Kaipikari Road the settlers are busy form lag up preparatory to metalling, which is expected to start this week, the contract having already been signed. Referring to the Piko Road, this contract has also been signed, and the teams gone out to proceed, but I understand that previous to this they will complete the Okoke Road contract. No word has so far been received as to the issue of the authority, and this position has been explained to the contractor. The small bridges on this road, which were also under repair, will stortly be completed. Gravel carting has again been resumed from the new Okoke pit. On the Pukearuhe Road the improvement at the school has been, completed and the roadman’s timd occupied chiefly with raking and blinding considerable stretches of metal. When this is completed attention will be given to the Wai-itl Road. A large measure of time and money has been spent at the Mangamaeho wash-out, and the erection of the temporary bridge was" completed about the middle of February. This would have been impossible at this date, but for Cr. Sutton’s invaluable aid with his tractor. The Government also assisted by forwarding about* 28 yaVds of metal. During the month I notified carriers of the position, and requested'their aid in reducing loads in terms of the bridge and approaches, but I regret to say that some have not assisted the council, as I am told that lorries carrying over 20 bales of wool, in addition to their own weight, are using the bridge and approaches. Owing to the soft, and yielding nature of the formation it cannot properly withstand this weight. If, therefore, the carriers persist in their present practice the road will soon be in such acondition that even light traffic will be unabie to proceed. Public notice has been advertised under section 190 of the Taranaki By-laws limiting the loads to four tons, and anyone infringing this is liable to a fine of £5 for each offence. The Mangamaeho Road was impossible with slips, but these have in a measure been removed.

Uruti Riding: Numerous slips and wash-outs occurred on the Main Road, and these have generally been attended to. On the Uruti Road similar damage occurred, and has been remedied. At a point about three miles up the Uruti Road a large slip has occurred across the river, not immediately affecting the road, but threatening to do so after another fresh. A channel cut, removing say aboout 200 yards of material, would give the stream a lead and-" deflect the water from endangering the road. No immediate danger is threatened with the bridge near Tofft’s whare. A considerable amount of blinding has taken place on the Uruti Road, helping to secure* the metal. On the Mangahia Road the upper section of about five chains has been completed, and the workers are now engaged cutting the drains. Both the Uruti and Mangahia bridges are attention immediately.

Mokau Riding: I endeavored to get a man to start some of the coast works, but be eventually declined. Mr. Gibbs, interviewed, stated he was still prepared to assist in supplying the necessary timber for the bridges, etc., but could not extend the offer beyond June next. On the Okau Road sanding lias commenced at the Putiki, but was again checked by the wea- i ther, and the other roads have received general .attention and repairs. NOXIOUS WEEDS. E. G. Bleakley wrote, complaining of bhe spread of noxious weeds in the Waihi Riding, -stating that fennel was spreading throughout the length of the main road in that riding. It was pointed out that fennel was not in the first schedule of noxious weeds, and therefore settlers could not be compelled to clear their frontages. Reference was made to the spread of ragwort throughout the county, several councillors stating that the inspector should be asked to inspect the county for this nuisance. It was resolved to place fennel in the first schedule of noxious weeds, and to draw the inspector’s attention to the spread of noxious weeds, especially ragwort, all over the county. , PLAGUE PRECAUTIONS. The medical officer of health, Wanganui, wrote in regard to,plague precautions, asking the council to take steps to insure the trapping and destroying of rats during the current month and April} as these were the chief ’breeding months for rats. A circular regarding the same matter was received from the Minister for Health, who stated that there had been a slackening of effort during the last few weeks. The chairman bought this was a matter more affecting the town, especially in the’vicinity of slaughter houses and freezing works. The communications were received. A DEPUTATION. A deputation comprising Messrs. Freeth, Wells and Rowe waited on the council, requesting that the Wai-iti Road should be repaired, stating that it would soon be a quagmire. The road had been metalled about ten years ago. but , was now worn out. A member of the deputatiort eaid something was wrong with the system of road-making, as the road had worn out in ten years. They were still paying rates on the loan*, and would be doing so for thirty years. The engineer said that was always the way. The loans remained long after the roads were worn out. It was pointed out that heavy traffic, loads up to ten tons, was the cause of

mpst of the trouble. The engineer said it was not an easy matter to prevent heavy traffic; other matters really rested more with the settlers than with the council. He would like the settlers’ help in preventing and reporting extra heavy traffic on the main road. The 'chairman said the deputation’s request would come under the heading of ordinary maintenance. It was decided to grant £lO for a ■branch of the Waiiti Road, the question of re-metalling the Wai-iti Road near the factory to be considered 'later. GENERAL. Mr. F. W. Sutton, inspector of-stock, notified that he had inspected Mcßean’s property, following complaints regarding noxious weeds, and that the owner had been given notice. The surrounding district would he inspected tnd the provisions of tile Act enforced. The Otago Hospital Board askeo. the council’s s-upport to a resolution protesting against the increased fees charged 'or aftdit. It was decided, on the motion of the chairman, to support the resolution. C. H. Larsen, Pehn, wrote asking the council to open up the track leading to section 6, block 6, Upper Waitara. He stated that he had to depend upon the good nature of his neighbors and use the right-of-ways to drive stock to and from the section. The council decided to reply, stating that there was no money available to spend on the track. It was resolved that the matter of drainage at the Onaero factory be referred. to the health officer. The council authorised the raising of a loan of £lBOO for metalling portions of the Okoke and Kaa Roads.