INGLEWOOD COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1922, Page 7

INGLEWOOD COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. PAST MONTH’S WORK. The Inglewood County Council met yesterday. Preesnt: Crs. A. Corkill (chairman), A. E. Cowley, H. Jones, A. E. Laurence, G. Capper, J. Hunter, and R. Stuart. Mr. C. P. Dowsett; consulting engineer, re<ported.as follows: • Mana. Road.-—The contractors’ hare beeii notified as to the position where the stone may be dumped--for;- crushing"- purposes;""and I understand quarrying has commenced. Ratapiko Road.—lnstructions have been given to spread the remainder of the broken metal as soon as the condition of this’Toad'. permits. Norfolk Road.—This pork is proceeding satis-’ factoily, and comprisdk clearing; ‘draining and formation. It was suggested that tenders would be called to continue the work for another _32 chains, usings the_ balance of the, £6oo^'but upon reference to /the specifications, outside tenders cannot be called in fairness th the preesnt contractor, who should be informed that he can proceed at the same rates for tbe Eame class of work to the limit of the money available. By calling up the 10 per cent., sufficient money should be provided. Mangaone Tunnel.——The contractors have now nearly completed this work, and I hope to make a final inspection- this week. Toi Toi Road.—This road was inspected by the Department’s officer, and I understand that there is no irregularity and the subsidy will be approved. Mangaorakau and Bedford Road Bridges.— Plans and specifications in triplicate have been forwarded to the resident engineer for ap-i proval, who report that there is no serious objection to submitting plans and specifications of these bridges for approval, provided it is clearly understood that I can only approve the proposals from an engineering point of view, and cannot commit the Government in any way as regards financial assistance. The latter aspect of the case cannot be dealt with until the Public Works Estimates have been passed by Parliament, and then only in such manner as Hon. Minister may approve. The report was adopted.

It was resolved that in the event of an assurance being received that the grant would be forthcoming, steps be taken to at once put in hand the erection of the bridge. CHAIRMAN’S .REPORT. The chairman reported as follows:—“The permanent surfacemen have bene employed cleaning water-tables, patching metal, etc. Drains have been cleaned on Dudley, Durham, Bedford, Norfolk and Mangatea Roads. At the Ngatoro Depot Junction Road 584 cubic yards of metal have been crushed and the main road strengthened between the Ngatoro stream and Durham Roads. This completes Rowan’s contract. At the Walongona depot. Mountain Road, 576 cubic yards have been crushed and the main road strengthened from our boundary with Taranaki to the Waiongona stream. This piece of road will be dressed as soon as the bitumen order comes to hand. The Ngatoro-iti Bridge and approaches to the Bedford Road have been tarred and rolled. The Maketawa Bridge is being redecked. While the plant has been idle the trucks have been employed carting metal to filling near Durham Road, also carting out bridge timber and pipes, etc. Forty cubic yards of metal has been used to patch the Egniont North Road, and about 10 got out for maintenance. Mr. Goy has completed the 96-ehain of drains on Norfolk Road East, and he has made a very good job. I hope to get a start on the benzine store this week.”

The report stated that the work of grading by the use of the traction engine on the byroads* had been very successful, and would enable the surfacemen to attend to a greater mileage of road, as water--tabling had been more than half the work. During the month of June 368 chains of Dudley Road had been done at ir cost of 2/2; 416 chains of Durham West, 2/-; 210 chains Durham East, 3/3; 60 chains Windsor Road, 2/4.

The chairman said that he was very well satisfied with the way in which the work was now being carried on, and he would like the councillors to go round occasionally. He gave figures showing that at the Ngatoro depot 34 yards per day had been crushed and the metal had been placed on the road at a total cost of 11/7 per yard,. At Waiongona depot, S 3 yards per day had" been crushed, the cost on the road being 12/- per yard, inclusive of royalty. With proper depots, more conveniences, and more boulders to put through, he was convinced that, though this was the cheapest rate at which metal had been put down in the county for years, it would be put down cheaper still. The report was adopted.

FINANCIAL MATTERS. In reply to the council’s application for an extension of its existing limit of £lO,OOO, Mr. A. T. Kenrick (manager of the Inglewood branch of the Bank of New Zealand) notified that his head office approved of the extension to £14,000, Including the antecedent liability account, such extension to be cleared in February, 1923. Any increased limit could then be gone into with the incoming financial year. With regard to the antecedent liability account. the head office proposed that the account should be funded now, and thought the council would be wise to take advantage of preesnt opportunities. They suggested that the council apply to the Public Trustee, where they might get a loan fot ten years at 6 per cent., or the bank would probably place a loan, reducible by ten annual instalments, at 6"% per cent. The commission in such a Case would be 1 per cent.

It was agreed to accept the limit of £14,000. The Government Insurance Department notified that Mr. R. Masters, M.P., had interviewed them respecting a loan of £2450, and that the board of investment would be prepared to entertain the loan, subject to the sufficiency and legality of the security. The loan would be over a term of 36% years, .repayable, both principal and interest, at 6 per cent., in half-yearly instalments of £B3 2s 4d. The ehairman stated that he had telegraphed stating that a shorter term would be preferred, and the matter was being considered.—The action of the chairman was approved. In regard tn the council’s representations to tire Minister of Public Works for the approval of exepnditure on certain subsidies. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., forwarded a copy of a reply from the Minister stating that he would give the matter every consideration. Mr. Masters added that if a satisfactory reply were not received, he would be pleased to personally Interview the Minister. The State Advances Department notified payment to the council's account of £3OO, on account of the Kaimata Road South loan account. . The Lands and Survey Department, New Plymouth, notified payment of £4 13s 4d to council’s account in connection with thirds, the proposals for expenditure of which had .been approved. TARANAKI COUNTY MATTERS. The Taranaki County Council wrote approving of the protective work on the Lepper-Car-rington Road. The work could be proceeded with as soon as the agreement for control of the boundary roads and bridges was completed. , . The Taranaki County Council also notified that thev were agreeable to the heavy traffic un the Richmond Road, provided Inglewood County Council agreed to reinstate all extraordinary damage to the satisfaction of the county overseer. Regarding the chain bridge, the council also notified that they considered the main portion in a good state of preservation, and that the only work required to put It in good order for several years was as stated in their estimates. They were prepared to consider its reconstruction in concrete whqn the present structure was no longer fit to cany the traffic, which would not, in ail probability, be for many years. The matter was deferred until the agreement regarding boundaries Is signed. Meanwhile the engineer will report as to the repairs. AUTERE ROAD CONTRACT. Messrs. C. M. Clifford Bros, and Cameron wrote pointing out that owing to the very wet summer experienced the completion of She metalling on the Autere Road had become an impossibility till next season. As Ulis necessitated carrying over teauns, etc., at considerable expense, they asked if the council could see its way clear to pay out in ■ full fo r oa*nnJeted work on the aatond and

third miles of metal. Mr. Cameron also waited on the oouncil in connection with the Ta&ttar. 'Rio consulting engineer reported that the contractors had been paid 75 per cent, on any work authorised by himself. The chairman said the council would look into the matter and would meet the contractors if possible. It was decided that the engineer should report on - the work, and the position will be submitted to the Public Works Department. DERBY ROAD BRIDGES LOAN. Mr. M. F. Ryan forwarded petitions, etc., in connection with the proposal to raise a joint loan of £450 in conjunction with the Stratford County Council for construction of bridges on the Derby Road, between the York and Surrey roads, on a £ for £ subsidy basis. " “ . A resolution was also forwarded that had been passed at the York Road to the effect that if the Surrey Road people signed the petition for the bridges, the York Road would come' in.' •It was resolved to refer the >matter back as-no action could be taken until the necessary -signatures had been obtained. The opinion. was .expressed that If free labor were forthcoming arrangements might be made whereby the council could erect a small bridge. . A DEPUTATION. Messrs.' Williams and James waited on the cbtincil and asked that the council should metal 10 or 12 chains of the Mana Road from its junction with the Ratapiko Road towards Taitama soldiers’ settlement. This would enable them to get their cream out. —It was resolved to take steps to obtain a price for metalling this from the shell rock depot. SURREY’ ROAD BRIDGE. :The chairman stated that it was estimated a bridge could be erected on the Surrey Road at a cost of £lOO suitable to the requirements of the road. If a Government grant were applied for the bridge would require to be much more expensive. 'Rie chairman moved that where settlers Were prepared to build bridges approved by the council, the council is prepared to subsidise them to the extent of 33 per cent. Cr. Hunter considered that this would not be fair to settlers who had gone in for loans and stood the whole expense of bridge-building theanselves. Th® 'chairman pointed out that the erection of this' bridge would save the council the expense of a swing bridge and the annual expense of clearing the ford. To safeguard the council, he was prepared to add the words: “Where the Government subsidy cannot be obtained.” The motion was seconded and carried. ADJUSTMENT OF ACCOUNTS. Tn the course of Informal discussion the chairman stated that had the district been fairlv treated by the Taranaki County Council they would have been able to maintain their road on a 2d less rate than at present. The total assets of the Taranaki County were £17,000. and they naturally expected to obtain their fair share of this, viz., onethird. They did not expect the opposition they had received, and had. despite their best efforts, obtained only £3574. The Taranaki County Council had neglected their, roads prior to th a severance of the Inglewood County, necessitating an expenditure of over £6OOO in two years in renewing them. The clerk submitted a report showing that the expenses incurred in connection with the adjustment of accounts Imtween the Taranaki and Inglewood Counties had totalled £423 0s 2d, viz., upsetting the first award £371 15s 2d, and the second award £5l ss. GENERAL. Messrs. L. B. and G. Vrsaljko, of Purangl, wrote asking the council to reform the Pukemahoe Road, and also to clear the tunnel out. Fhey also asked that the Pita. Road should receive attention. Including the erection of a six-foot bridge.—Referred to the engineer. The Taranaki Counties’ Association notified that the next conference would he held at Eltham on Monday, August 14. to discuss the Main Roads Bill. etc. —The chainman was appointed to represent the council. The chairman and Cr. Jones were authorised to arrange for the strengthening of the Junction Road beyond Kaimata. The statement of accounts showed that up to July 29 £1730 had been expended on main roads, leaving £1270 available; £232 in the North Riding, leaving £4RI available: £227 in the South, leaving £903 available; £5O in the East, leaving £2Ol available; £757 in the West, leaving £321 available. On the Richmond Road loan account £BB7 had been expended. The tender of Messrs. Foreman and Paul was accepted for metalling on Richmond Road for GIG yards at the far end at 16s fid per yard, and their tender for 748 yards at the near end at 12s per yard was accepted subject to compliance with the specifications.