STRATFORD COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. THE MONTH S WORK The monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council was held on Saturday. Present: Crs. E. Walter (chairman), W. H. Were, J. H. Thomas, J. O’Neill, T. R. Anderson, J. T. Belcher, J. Jacobsen, M. Davis and S. Pitt. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. J. W. Spence) reported for the month as follows: North Riding (East). —During the past month the work has mainly consisted of metal-raking, water-tabling and metal-bank-ing on the Beaconsfield, Cross, Croydon, Croydon West, Ackland and Stanley Roads, the culverts on these roads having all been attended to. The crushing of the boulders on the Ackland Road is almost completed. This work was considerably interrupted by the heavy wind, the site being on a high and exposed position. Part of the crushed stone has been distributed where required.

The concrete culvert on the Croydon Road West Is nearing completion. The work was delayed by the fresh in the creek caused through the recent heavy rain.

North Riding (West). —Considerable claybanking was required on the Mountain Road near the Waipuku railway station. This work has now been completed. Water-tabling on Kelly Street, Denmark Terrace and portions of the Mountain Road has been done. Sand for the Esk Road concrete bridge is being carted from the Manganui stream. A considerable amount of sand and shingle has again accumulated at the Midbirst dam. Arrangements have been made to have both carted on to the bank.

South Riding.—Practically the whole of the month has been taken up in refacing and banking up about 24 chains of the Mountain Road South. On the Finnerty Road the work of reducing the grade on the hill on the west side of the Ngaere factory is almost completed. The present width of the metal on this road is only 10 feet, and it is proposed to increase the width to 12 feet. Where scarified a good depth of metal has been found. When it is replaced a light coat of new metal is all that should be necessary.

East Riding (Toko). —A little over half a mile of the Ohura Road has been refaced with new metal. A delay of ten days was caused through the break-down of the crusher. Since repairs were effected the work has been progressing satisfactorily. Water-tabling and patching has been done on the Ahuroa, Hau-, puha and Mangaehu Roads. A track has been cleared on the road through the Mangaehu Road tunnel. The timber for re-lining forty feet of the far end has been ordered, and should come to hand early.

East Riding (Douglas).—During the month considerable repairs have been necessary <»n the Ohura—Mangaehu Road between the foot of the Saddle and Strathmore. Ninety yards of shell-rock has been distributed on this length of road for maintenance work. The shell-rock contract at the foot of the Strathmore Saddle is practically finished.

East Riding (Huiroa). —The drains on the Akama Road have been cleaned out. General surface work in the way of crowning up, water-tabling and fern-cutting has been done on the Douglas North. Douglas South, Autawa and Makuri Roads. The gorse-clearing contract on the Autawa Road is completed, and the work reported to be satisfactory.

West Riding.—Clay blinding where necessary has been done on the Opunake Nos. 1,2 and 3, Cardiff, Waingongoro, Palmer, Duthie and Brooks Roads. Ninety-seven chains of the Manaia North, sixty-four chains of the Manaia South, and one hundred and thirtyone chains of the Opunake No. 3 Roads have been tar-sealed, while every endeavor has been made to carry out this work as fast as possible. The broken weather has caused considerable delay.

Mangaehu Riding.—Water - tabling and ferueutting have been done on the Mangaotuku, Tututawa, Mangaehu, Taihore and Puniwhakau Roads. A number of wooden bridges in this riding have been inspected, and it has been found necessary to make repairs to same. This work is now In hand. The re-erection jf Hodder’s Bridge is completed. The report was adopted. COLLECTION OF RATES. Ratepayers on Stanley Road waited on the council, asking that they might un allowed to work out the amount of tneir rates, or a portion of. them, as they weie unable to meet these with cash payments. The petitioners were also willing to meet the councilfin any other arrangement. The engineer stated that it was not possible to find work on the road at the present time, as there were practically no funds. The council decided to accept any small payments in settlement of the rates, but could not do any more at present. Work would be provided if possible. Another deputation from Stanley received a similar reply. After a discussion on the subject of collecting rates from soldiers’ land, Cr. Belcher suggested that the matter be brought before the Minister of Lands. It was resolved to go into the matter at the next meeting. GENERAL. The State Forestry Service’s circular advocating tree-planting on waste land, and pointing out the value of such a policy as a means of providing a future supply of timber, was received. It was decided to endeavor to benefit by the advice when a favorable opportunity occurred. The Napier Borough Council’s resolution, “That the Government be asked to introduce legislation providing that credit balances of local authorities on loan accounts shall be set rff by the banks against debit balances on other accounts as regards payment of interest on the latter accounts,” was endorsed. The Inspector of Public Health reported at the request of the Borough Council on the rubbish tip, and made recommendations as to the improvement of the sanitary conditions at the tip.—Received.

The medical officer of health wrote warning the council to take all precautions for the prevention of the spread of plague, and stating that March and April were the chief rat-breeding months.—Heceived.

Mr. R. Masters, M.P., wrote in reference to the proposal to close the Surrey Road to York- Road. He understood that the closing of the road would cause inconvenience to the settlers concerned. The Inglewood County was concerned in the administration of the road, and he understood that there were two bridges needing attention. A petition signed by 44 settlers was enclosed protesting against the proposed closing of the road.—Left in abeyance. The Otago Hospital Board’s circular protesting against the increased audit fees charged by the Government was supported by the council. The Inglewood County wrote asking that the council should set up a committee to go into the question of the adjustment of accounts as between the Inglewood and Stratford Counties.—A committee, consisting of the chairman and Crs. Pitt and Davis, was set up to meet the Inglewood Council on Saturday next. The engineer was instructed to procure an extra 100 yards of metal at Tututawa at 7s per yard. It was decided to hold the next monthly meeting on April 22.