INGLEWOOD COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1922, Page 8

INGLEWOOD COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. The ordinary meeting of the Inglewood County Council was held at Inglewood yesterday, when there were present: Crs. A. Corkill (chairman), J. M. Hair, A. Cowley, H. Jones, A. E. Laurence, W. J. Topping, G. Capper, it. Stewart, and J. Hunter. GOVERNMENT GRANTS. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., advised that, in reply to his representations, the Minister of Public Works had notified that the Inglewood County Council might submit proposals for the expenditure of £5OO £ for £ on the estimates for the Mana Road. He also telegraphed stating that the Minister would consider proposals in regard to the Richmond Road.

A letter was also received from the Minister stating that on receipt of the proposals the question of issuing authorities would receive careful consideration. Regarding Norfolk Road West, he was advised that the work was not considered to be one of very great importance, having due regard to financial conditions, and under the circumstances he regretted that the work must be deferred.

Councillors pointed out that the work on the Norfolk Road had been commenced, and that they must be careful not to exceed the loan money until authority was received.

The chairman said that it was a most essential work, the road being practically impassable. The settlers were relying on dairying, and he did not see how a man sitting in an armchair in Wellington could say the work was not an urgent one.

It was resolved to again write stating that the council considered the Norfolk Road West a most important work, and urging the Minister to reconsider his decision. It was also decided to apply for the grants on the Kohete, Bristol and Junction roads.

It was resolved to forward a letter expressing appreciation of the action 01 Mr. R. Masters, M.P., who had been very energetic in the matter. LOAN MATTERS. The Public Trustee advised that the council’s application for a loan of £2400 to settle its liability in regard to the adjustment of accounts with the Taranaki and Clifton counties could not be entertained. The clerk stated that when in Wellington he had inquired from other institutions, and there was a probability of getting the money at 6% per cent, exclusive of sinking Tuna. Members considered that it would be preferable to endeavor to raise the money from the bank on overdraft. In the course of discussion it was pointed out that there were £3769 outstanding rates. The State Advances Department notified that it was resolved to entertain the council’s application for a loan of £lO5 (10 per cent, additional) for completing the erection of the Makara bridge in concrete, and metalling Cooper’s hill on the Rimutauteka hill. SETTLERS’ REQUIREMENTS. F. C. Campbell, Tarata, asked formal permission to close part of the road which runs past the school, he undertaking to clear it. Cr. Topping objected to the road being fenced, and it was resolved to inform. Mr. Campbell that permission could not be granted. T. H. Bredin drew attention to the necessity for repairs to the Mangatea Road on the swamp part thereof. He suggested a culvert should be put in to prevent the flood waters running on to the road. He also drew attention to the inconvenience he had to put up with through his gateway being silted up on account of flood water, and he suggested that while the crusher was in the district the road should be raised—Referred to the engineer and Cr. Cowley, with power to expend up to a reasonable amount. Mr. S. G. Smith. M.P., wrote stating that in regard to representations made by him on°behalf of settlers who waited upon him in connection with grants and subsidies in order to secure good metalled road access to their farms, it was to be regretted that, owing to the financial position disclosed, full success was not met with in all the moderate claims made. He trusted that a renewal of the applications would be made by the council, when the settlers could be assured of his support being continued in these very deserving cases, as the small farmer on the -mud road - would always have his sympathy and support. —It was resolved to forward a letter of thanks to Mr. Smith. STRATFORD COUNTY ADJUSTMENT. The chairman stated that, with the clerk, he had met the Stratford County Council regarding the adjustment of accounts, and they had settled on the same basis as the settlement with Taranaki and Clifton. The North niaing had a big overdraft, and this was allowed to go against the assets There was therefore, only the question of special loans to adjust, and it was decided that where such special loans were wholly within the Inglewood county, the latter would collect them, and where they were partly in the Stratford county Inglewood would collect the rates and hand the amount over to Stratford.

boundary roads and bridges.

Tile engineer (Mr. R. D Chmie) reported that with Mr. Sladden, he had made a joint inspection of the roaos and bridges on the boundary between the Taranaki and Inglewood counties, and he submitted a special report on the roads. A full report on the bridges would be furnished next meeting, as Mr. Sladden and J.e wished to go more fully into the matter. The report on the'roads was as follows: Egmont Road-Total length eomm°n to both counties, 10 chains and 60 links. P,oa<l metalled. Recommend Taranaki County take northern end. King Road—Total length 57 cliaina. Road unformed and unmetalled. Taranaki County northern end. Hursthouse Road.—Total length 37 chains 60 links. Road unmetalled. ■Taranaki County take northern end. Wortlev Road. —Total length oj chains. Road unmetalled. Taranaki Countv take northern end Richmond Hoad.-Total length 2o chains. Road unmetalled. Taranaki County take northern end. York Road.—Total length 10 chains. Present road as formed does not appear to be on original line. Road unmetalled. Taranaki County take norther clarke and Roddy Roads-Recom-mend that Taranaki County take Clarke Road to its junction with Roddy Roa<i,l and Inglewood County lake Rodi.y Road from Clarke Road nnmetaU.Roddy Road unfencod, but will j.xoOably never be constructed, on surveyed tab*. '

Kelly Road.—There are only about 3 chains of this road affecting both counties, as the road ends at the southern boundary of section 134 Huirangi district, and it is extremely improbable that it will ever be made past the point where the county boundary crosses, at the south boundary of section 148. It is recommended that the Taranaki County control the common three chains.

Bridges.—Bridge over Waiwakaiho on Junction Road (known as “The Chain Bridge”), wooden truss bridge, 9G feet long, two spans, concrete abutments, and concrete pier in middle. Bridge over Waiwakaiho on Lepper-Carrington Road at Kaimiro, wooden truss bridge, ‘■of light design, 55 feet long, concrete piers, one span.

1 It was resolved that Inglewood take charge of the Kaimiro bridge, and Tara•naki the Chain bridge, all expenditure to be submitted to either county.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. R. D. Cliunie) reported as follows: East Riding.—The very wet weather this past month has interfered greatly with the prograss of all metalling jobs, and the Autawa Road contractors have been able i o work only five days. It will need several more fine days before they caq again commence metalling. The contract for the first mile was completed before the weather broke, and a start was then imade on the flat near Messrs. Bishell Bros.’ property. I understand that since tte contractors commenced ■work this season, they have been able to work on fifty-six days only. I met the Otaraoa Road settlers, and found that they wished the metalling of that road to start at the Clifton county boundary, and to join up with the metal on Wiri Road, a total distance of 295 chains. The total estimated cost of the work will be about , £3OOO, allowing 10 per cent, for contingencies. Tte zigzag has received attention. Vegetation has been cleared and water tables cleared up. Given a few weeks fine weather the contractor for Toi Toi Road metalling hopes to complete his contract. He has made arrangements for more teams, and intends to push on quicker than in the past. Tenders are now being called for hauling 500 cubic yards of shingle for the Junction Road. I will be glad to have the council’s instructions

as to whether this is to be dumped or put direct on to the road.

North Riding.—The Mangaone Road North metalling contract has been completed, and the contractors have made progreses on the tunnel. Mr. Schrieber has also regraded the bad “pinch” on the Bristol Road, near the junction of this road. Mr. Scfcrieber had quarried some metal in the Waitui pit in readiness for the Mangaone Road work, and this is now left on his hands. I beg to recommend that the council take this stone for maintenance work at a fair price. Richmond Road work has been heid up through the weather, but given a few more fine days it will be possible to get tte crusher up to the pit, where everything is in readiness for a quick commencement. Practically all the earthwork has been completed, and only a few more culverts have to be put in. Surfacemen have been employed cleaning drains and water tables and banking up metal. Mr. A. Ward has been appointed surfaceman, and has taken over Mr. A. Bennett’s length.

West Riding.—Regarding the proposed loan for metalling and forming the King Road, I find that this road has never been properly formed, and that there is only 170 chains on which any sort of formation has been attempted. From that point on the road leading to Mr. C. Longstaff’s homestead is some distance off the true road line. My estimate allows for grading, forming, and metalling with stone from Mr. Stansfield’s property this 170 chains, and is £1955. If the settlers agree to a loan of £lOOO, and a Government grant for £lOOO can be obtained, this should complete the work to the top of Good Friday till. The stone proposed to be used is good shingle conglomerate, similar to that used on Egmont Road North. The Hursthouse Road has gone to pieces, and can only be described as in a desperate condition. To attempt to patch it will be a waste of money, and I suggest that the council consider ways and means to remetal it from the Mountain Road to the Lepper Road, the cost of metalling alone being £4 10s per chain. Probably, if the settlers turned out and gave free labor, this could be reduced by ralf, but unless something is don© the road will be quite impassable during the winter. Good progress has been made on Mountain Road South, and 32 chains have been widened and recoated in readiness to receive a bitumen coating. The total crushed by the small crusher is 806 cubic yards, and 568 cubic yards of this was used for recoating, the remainder being carted out for repairs to the portion that Is to be scarified only. Chips for blinding bitumen have also been carted out from Durham Road station and dumped where required. It is hoped to give one coating of bitumen to both the portion recoated on Junction Road and this portion during the month. Mr. Has tie has repaired the bridge on tte Bedford Road. Three good maire stringers nave been used, and a very good job has been made. Should any difficulties arise in regard to raising a loan for a new concrete bridge, this bridge, now repaired, will carry all traffic for several years. My attention has been drawn to the state of a ford on the Bedford Road, at the second stream from Surrey Road, which has washed away. I suggest that old steel girders from tte Woipuku bridge be fixed across the stream to catch shingle, thereby raising the bed of the stream to the level ’pf the roadway. In company with Cr. Laurence I met the sevticrs at the top end of Surrey Road and inspected old bridges on Derby Road. The first of these bridges is absolutely unsafe for any traffic. The settiers have recently propped it up with some maire fencing posts. The larger bridge over the Waipuku is in somewhat better condition, but both need renewing as soon ns possible. When this portion of Derby Road was formed only log culverts were put In, and two 18in. and one 2ft. Gin. pipe culverts are required. From Derby Road westward the Surrey Road Is in a most neglected state. Drains dug many years ago are overgrown with blackberries and .every sort of other rubbish. The road has been metalled in patches and has received no attei.Jon since it was finished, and to attempt to do all necessarj’ work with the money the settlers are prepared to raise a loan for (£5OO plus £5OO Government grant) seems hopeless. The most urgent work is the renewal of the bridges and culverts and re-dlgglfig drains. None of the settlers seem to favor the forming and metalling of the twenty chains portion from end of present imetal on Surrey Road to Derby Road. The top ends of all these roads leading towards the mountain seem to be about in the same state. For

this th© settlers ai;e more to N&up than anyone else. In very few cases has any attempt be made to cut blackberries and the drains are blocked with vegetation front cue end to the other. In consequence, when a flood comes the road itself acts as the drain, and the metal gets washed down for miles, and unless the council is prepared to adopt very stringent measures, and make every set-

tler cut. the blackberries along his frontage, it will cost several thousands of pounds to renew these roads hi the near future. No one seems to think it worth his while to go out and do five minutes’ work, with a shovel and turn water off the road. During my inspection of these roads this month I have found waler running down the wheel tracks for a mile or more, when it could easily have been turned off with very little trouble. The surfacemen are doing as much as they can. but it is not possible for them to visit these roads every week. My remarks regarding blackberries along water tables and

drains apply to nearly every road In the county, and I think it is- about time ratepayers were brought face to face with the fact that; it Is to their interests to keep tteir road frontages .clean.

South Riding.—The crushing plant worked at Tariki Road pit. The total amount crushed and delivered to Kaimata ami other roads was 1527 cubic yards. Of this 480 cubic yards have been spread on Kaimata Road, and 360 yards have been dumped, and it is now being carted with horse teams and spread. The Kaimata Road was quite unable to carry the motor lorries, hence the need for horse teams. Tte Tariki Road proved very weak, and to dat.e about 120 cubic yards have been used to repair damage done 'to this road ’between the pit and Kaimata Road. The contractors for supply of shell lock at Ratapiko Road have made steady progress, and about 1000 yards have been “stripped” and about 150 cubic yards quarried. Horse teams have been waiting for the last three weeks, and up to the end of th© muudi.bad not turned a wheel. Ttey Inteno mm p« cMMug w sruauer alte to-dwt*

A start has been made carting out the handbroken stone, and this has been spread on the road at the wool-shed end. Practically all the earthwork was completed. Although I have already spent one day prospecting the shell rock deposit at end of the Mana Road without material result, the settlers are anxious to spend a day there with me. However, I do not think there are more than a few large isolated pieces, which will not pay to quarry. All the necessary earthwork on this road tas now been completed. I have arranged to purchase all the handbroken stone In Mr. Karalus’ paddock for 3s per cubic yard, to be used for maintenance purposes on the southern end of Kaimata Road. There are approximately 80 cubic yards altogether. The drain on Tariki Road, from the Salisbury Road to Messrs. Nopps and Hodge’s corner, badly requires cleaning out, and I recommend that tenders be called for this work.

Plant and General.—lt was found necessary to send the MacLaren engine from the Tariki pit to Stratford foundry to get a boiler leak repaired. In connection with this, the toll-gate charges are heavy, being £6 for the return trip, and I suggest that under the circuimstiuiees the Stratford County be asked to remit these. The small Collet crusher was set up for work on Mountain Road, and has worked In a most satisfactory manner, the average tally being about twelve yards per hour worked. If possible this crusher should have a thorough overhaul during the winter. As soon as Richmond Road is dry enough this crusher will be sent there. The first hill at O’Callaghan’s has been very bad during the wet spell, and providing the contractors are agreeable I wish to metal this portion of the road first. I propose to set up tanks for heating bitumen near .tbe intersection of Lepper Road, and intend to do that portion of the Junction Road from the first bridge back to the borough’s boundary first. From the bridge onwards to end of recoating a considerable amount of clay was Used when blinding, and unless this proves clean, this portion had better be left until next summer, when most of the clay will have heen washed out. I have found close at hand a good supply of stone suitable for top dressing this work, and will be glad of authority to try out about fifty cubic yards on this work. The cost will work out at about 2s 6d per yard cheaper than New PlymoutP stone. As a supply of bridge decking is now to hand I wish to have authority to commence redecking the Ngatoro and Maketawa bridges, Junction Road.

Provided the settlers on the King Road take the necessary steps to raise the loan and the grant is available, the council will do the work.

Steps are also to be taken to raise a loan of £350 for continuing the metal on the Hursthouse Road. Members of the couqcil will visit the road. In view of the repairs to the Bedford Road bridge, settlers are to be asked whether they are still desirous of going in for a loan for a new bridge, councillors being of opinion that the loan could be held over.

It was resolved to forward the necessary forms to the settlers of tne Surrey Road in connection with the raising of loans for the twe bridges, the larger one to be a joint loan with the Stratford County Council. Settlers are to be notified to clear noxious weeds from their road frontages. The engineer was instructed to report on the cost of regrading Beauchamp’s hill. The engineer was authorised to experiment with chips for top dressing bitumen from New Plymouth, Waitara and locally. The report was adopted. GENERAL.

The action of the chairman in arranging to lease a crusher site from Mr. Thomason for five years at £1 per annum was approved.

The medical officer of health forwarded notification ro plague precautions. The application of Francis A. Reesby, of Kaimata, for a slaughter-nouse license was approved. Lumsden and Sisley applied for payment of royalty on metal used from their pit at Waitui. —Referred to Crs. Hunter and Capper to report.

It was resolved to seal with bitumen a mile, more or less, of the Junction Road; also the Mountain Road from the Durham Road to the Maketawa stream, a distance of 64 chains, instead of 40 chains as originally decided on. It was resolved to support the Hastings Borough Council’s circular regarding the necessity for revising the Local Bodies Finance Bill.

Mr. J. W. Harding waited on the council in connection with the cleaning of a creek on the Tariki Road, which the council had instructed him to do. He had cleaned out as much as possible until the neighbors below nad cleaned put theirs, so as to give an outlet. He asked the council to give notice to the settlers below to clean out the drain.

Cr. Jones stated that he had cleaned out the rain right to Mr. Harding’s boundary, and had lowered iz -tour or five feet, giving a good outlet.

After some further discussion the council decided to pass the necessary resolution ordering the settler to clear the drain.

The clerk was authorised to take the necessary steps to raise the loan for the Otaraoa Road, and to notify me settlers that the work would not be put in hand until the loan money and the grant were available. Some ’ discussion took place as to where the 500 yards of metal allocated for the Junction Road East was to be placed. Members favored, doing a continuous section of the road in preference to patching, and finally tnc matter was referred to the engineer ami Cr. Topping. The statement of expenditure nnd amount available -for main roads and ridings on April 4, 1922. showed as follows: Main roads, spent £313 dis Id. available Ss lid; North Riding, spent £Bl Is (kl, available £632 8a lid; South Riding, spent £2O 16s 4d, available £lllO Ss sd”, East Riding, spent £l4 12s 3d, available £236 14s 2d; West Riding, spent £122 13s 7d, available £1055 14s Bd.

The chairman moved that the work on the Motukawa Road stop immediately, and that Cr. Topping be authorised to stop the work. Cr. Stewart seconded the motion, which was carried, Tenders were accepted as follows: Supply of shingle for Mangaoraka bridge, Kaimiro, R. Zimmerman, 8s; supply of shingle for Bedford Road bridge, R. Zimmerman, 13s,