STRATFORD DISTRICT PAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1926, Page 10

STRATFORD DISTRICT PAGE

Telephone Nos. 152 Office 218 Private

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS)

Telephone Nos. 152 Office 218 Private

COUNTY COUNCIL AFFAIRS THE MONTH'S OPERATIONS. MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council was held on Saturday when there were present: Mr. T. R. Anderson (chairman), Councillors S. Pitt, W. Parker, T. T. Murray, W. H. Were, J. T. Belcher, J, Jacobsen, J. O'Neill and S. Parker. The engineer, Mr. J. W. Spence, reported as follows: North Riding (east). —During the past period the Salisbury Road between the Tuna dairy factory and Vickers' Hill has been scarified, rounded up and rolled. Where necessary portions have been strengthened by the addition of new metal. The grass edges on this road have been run off with the grader, one more day’s work should complete this work. The part of the road known as Blick’s Hill is in a very weak condition and will require fresh metal when further quantities are crushed. The Kahouri Road has been repaired, the wheel ruts have been filled. The pup roller has been run over same, and the. water-tables have also been attended to. The Monmouth (east) and Esk Roads have been similarly treated. North Riding (west). —About a mile of the Pembroke Road near the borough boundary has been scarified, rounded up and rolled. A set of 10 nine inch pipes have been put in to carry off storm water and prevent it from running down the metal. Further quantities of maintenance metal work has been carried out on the York, Radnor, Rutland and Denbigh Roads. It has been necessary to re-blind the Mountain Road for the full length of this riding. As further supplies of blinding will be required, it is proposed to reopen the • Denbigh Road pit and obtain further supplies of sand for recovering this and other sealed roads. A start has been made with the re-decking of the portion of the Kahouri Stream bridge which has been very considerably reduced in thickness and strength on the two traffic lines, the outer and centre planks being in good order. South Riding.—Maintenance work has been done on the Bird, Skinner, Wingrove, Climie, Pukengahu and Robson Roads. A set of 15 nine inob pipes has been placed in the Bird Road to carry off storm water. A set of 11 twelve inch pipes has been put in to form a double private crossing on the Cheal Road. Sjind and shingle have been distributed for' re-blinding the following bitumen-coated" roads: Mountain (south), Cheal, Finnerty, Waihapa and Wingrove. East Riding (Toko). —Metal patching and water-tabling have been carried out on the Toko, Wawiri, Mangaehu, Ohura and Ahuroa (west) Roads. The grader has been run over the Manawawiri Road. The formation has been rounded up from the small bridge to the Ahuroa Road junction. On the latter road the grass edges have been graded off. The material from the slip on Johnston’s Hill, Ohura Road, has been removed. The slips on the Mangaehu Road have also been cleared away. The loose metal on the Beaconsfield Road has been raked off and portions of the road clay-blinded. The bitumen surface on the Ohura Road through the riding has been re-blinded with sand, shingle and sheilrock as each class of material was available. East Riding (Douglas).—The greater part of the time has been occupied in clearing slips and building the road where breaks have occurred on the Strathmore Saddle and on the Ohura-Mangaehu Road near Mr. McCracken’s property. At the latter place it was difficult to hold the posts in place on account of the soft nature of the country. Drains have now been put in and a double footing built up to give support to the toe. The break on the outside of the Mangaotuku Road has been built up, and other small slips cleared away. The grass edges on the Gordon Crown and Douglas Roads have been graded off. It is reported that the Taihore Road is blocked haif way up the saddle owing to a large rata tree coming down with a slip. The work of clearing this track is now in hand. East Riding (Huiroa).—The heavy rains caused considerable damage throughout this riding, the main troubles being found on the Mohakau and Douglas North Roads A small slip occurred on the Kota Road. Repairs have been effected on these roads. General surface work in the way of blinding and water-tabling has been done oil the Makuri Road. The metal surface of this road has suffered through the wet weather and the scarcity of patch metal. The crusher is set and everything is in readiness for crushing supplies when the weather is favourable. West Riding.—Heavy metal patching has been necessary on the Cardiff, Hastings, Climie, Palmer, Duthie, Opunake No. 3, Rowan, Brooks, Brecon and Waingongora Roads. These roads have all suffered through the recent wet weather.

fifteen inch pipe culvert near P>owan, which had been laid on a soft foundation, has been taken up and relaid. A large log which had lodged against the piers of the Konini Stream bridge, Cardiff Road, has been removed. Clay blinding has been carried out on parts of the Upper Hastings, Opunake No. 2, Brooks and Brecon Roads. At the junction of the latter roads a set of field tiles has been placed in the road to tap a spring. The metal surface has been repaired. About 250 yards of screened shingle and 25 yards of boulders have been carted out of the Kapuni Stream under the direction of the resident surfaceman. Mangaehu Riding.—The clearing away of slips has occupied practically the whole of the past period. These occurred on the Mangaotuku, Mangaehu, Mangaehu South, Brewer-Taihore, Puniwhakau, Waitiri, and Manga Roads. On the two latter roads ths tracks have been cleared for half their lengths for wheel traffic and the other halves for horse tracks. The deviation on the Manga Roads through Mr. T. Godkin’s property has been completed. Repairs in the way of metal patching and water-tabling have been carried out-on the Mangaehu (main) and Mangaotuku Roads. The ranger (Mr. S. Cuff) reported that 65 head of cattle had been found wandering on the roads and had been claimed, £3 19s 3d being collected in fees. The noxious weeds were well under control, and the roads were practically clear of them. Twenty-seven drivers’ licenses had been issued and 14 drivers had been asked to produce their licenses, all doing so. The chairman reported that the matter of the transfer of the Ngatimaru Riding of the Clifton County to the Stratford County had been put in the hands of the council’s solicitor with a view to obtaining further information. The ranger reported that recently he found 35 cows and two horses belonging to Mr. Goble on the road at night. Mr. Goble paid the poundage fees and the ranger issued a summons which was being suspended in the meantime as Mr. Goble desired to give an explanation. Mr. Goble waited on the council and explained the position, saying he gave his sharemilkers distinct orders not to let the stock go on to the road.—The council decided not to prosecute in this instance. The district engineer of the Railway Department requested that the council should paint the cross-arm notices in accordance with the agreement made in 1916. The cross-arms in question are on the Cornwall, Rutland, York, Mountain, Kopouri, Beaconsfield, Monmouth, Flint, Rutland, and Waipuku Roads crossings..— Councillor Pitt took exception to the crossarms being placed on the main road when the crossings referred to was on a byroad. A sub-committee consisting of the chairman, Councillor Pitt and the engineer, was set up to go into the matter. The question of purchasing a motor tractor was left in the hands of the chairman and Councillor Pitt. PREPARATIONS FOR THE SHOW. A special meeting of the Stratford A. and P. Association general committee was held on Saturday, Mr. J. W. Boon presiding. General arrangements for the show were discussed and the chairman reported that a large number of entries had been received and further entries were coming in every minute. Considerable discussion took place on the classes for calves aud their accommodation. The following new members were ele ed.—Messrs. F. J. Curtis (Tariki), C. Blake (Inglewood), J. M. Steiner (Cardiff), C. Henry, L. J. Lenteel, J. Josephs, L. H. Toohey, E. and T. Brocklebank (Stratford), D. J. Gillanders, H. J. Hunwick (Midhirst), R. S. Coppiestone, R. C. Ricketts (Eltham), E. Howatt (Douglas), W. B. Martin (Huiroa), A. MacCracken (Mangatoki), F. J. Kilsby (Toko), and E. Bruton (Midhirst). PEMBROKE SCHOOL CONCERT. The function being favoured by a fine night the Pembroke Hall was not large enough to accommodate the large audience present on the occasion of the school committee’s concert. The proceedings commenced with a pianoforte solo rendered by Miss Aagaard, followed by a lengthy programme as follows: —Song, school infants; song, Standard 111., IV. and V. girls; dialogue, older boys; song, Mrs. Aldridge; action song, boys and girls; wand drill, girls; song, Miss Olga Aagaard; song, Mr. and Mrs. Newbold; song, Mrs. Pepperill; song, senior girls; pianoforte solo, Molly Gibson; nigger minstrels, senior boys; song, Miss Vincent (guitar accompaniment Mr. Corlett); pianoforte solo, Isobel Sharpe; song, Mr. Mapp (two items); character song, Mrs. Windmill (two items); recitation, Mr. W. Verney; character song, Mr. E. Aldridge; song, Mrs. Hancock; character song, Mr. A: O’Sullivan; song, Mrs. Belcher; photograph selections, Mr. Verney. Mr. Belcher (chairman of the school committee), at the close of the concert, expressed the committee's thanks for the

generous attendance and also to all who assisted to make the function a success. Special thanks were due to Mrs. McAloon (teacher) and Miss Vincent, who had worked untiringly to prepare the children’s items. Dancing followed until the carl/ hours of the morning. STRATFORD DEFEAT ELTHAM. MARGIN ONLY TWO SETS. Playing at Eltham in the A grade tennis competition, the Stratford Club team defeated the home repres utatives by niiie sets to seven (95 g. :to 89). The afternoon was somewhat >..udy but interesting games were provided. In the following details members of the Stratford team are mentioned first:— Ladies Singles.—Mrs. Weston 7 v. Miss Quin 4; Miss Martin 7 v. Miss Wilson 2; Miss Walker 7 v. Mrs. Wylds 1; Miss Weston 2 v. Miss McDonald 7. Ladies’ Doubles.—Mrs. and Miss Weston 7 v. Miss Quin and Miss Wilson 3; Miss Martin and Miss Walker 7 v. Mrs. Wylds and Miss McDonald 3. Men’s Singles.—Chadwick 3 v. Wylds 19; Wilson 9 v. Gray 7; Curtis 9 v. Gover 14; Lawrence 2v. Cooper 9. Men’s Singles.—Chadwick 3 v. Wylds 19; Wilson 9v. Gray 7; Curtis 9v. ’Gover 4; Lawrence 2 v. Cooper 9. I Men’s Doubles.—Cradwick and Wilson 7 v. Wylds and Gray 9; Curtis and ’Lawrence 6 v. Gover and Cooper 9. Men’s Doubles.—Chadwick and Wilson 7 v. Wylds and Gray 9; Curtis and Lawrence 6 v. Gover and Cooper 9. Combined Doubles. —Chadwick and Mrs. Weston 6 v. Wylds and Miss Quin 9; Wilson and Miss Martin 9 v. Gray and Miss Wilson 4; Curtis and Miss Walker 9 v. Gover and Mrs. Wylds 3; Lawrence and Miss Weston 4 v,"Cooper and Miss McDonald 9. Totals.—G-ames; Stratford 95; Eltham 89. Sets: Stratford 9; Eltham 7. CATTLE ON THE ROADS. At the annual meeting held in New Plymouth on August 13, the North Island (N.Z.) Motor Union passed the following resolution: ‘That the local bodies and county councils be requested to pay more serious attention to the grave danger to the public caused through stock wandering on the roads at night and a request be made that rangers be instructed to impound all stock so wandering.” A copy of this resolution was sent to the New Zealand Counties’ Association and the executive of that body circularised the counties in the association. The circular, which contained a copy of the resolution, stated that the matter had been considered by the executive of the association at a meeting on October 22, when it was resloved that a copy be distributed to affiliated local authorities. The executive expressed the hope that every effort would be made by the responsible authorities to abate the nuisance to residents and the grave danger to the travelling public in every district where there was any cause for complaint. A copy of. the circular was received by the Stratford Council on Saturday. The chairman said that the council always maintained that Main Highways must be kept clear of stock, especially at night. The letter was received without further discussion. At another stage in the meeting, when the ranger’s report was being considered, the matter of stock wandering on byroads was discussed. The chairman ,n--sidered that it might be advisable, for two or three months in the year, for the ranger to be a little less severe on owners of stock wandering on by-roads, especially at the time when the grass and fern were making considerable growth on the roads. Another member of the council stated that such a course could not be judiciously followed, and Councillor Parker voiced a decided objection to what he considered was a dangerous practice. It was also pointed out that damage might result to the water-tables and one councillor said they were simply shifting the responsibility from their own shoulders on to the ranger’s. No action was taken. GENERAL ITEMS. On Saturday the Stratford Plunket Society held their annual street day and did good business with their stalls on the footpath. The local branch of the W.C.T.U. also held a shop day, engaging an empty shop for the purpose. The funds collected as a result of their efforts will amount to about £lO nett and will be in aid of the Sailors' Rest at New Plymouth. Mr. G. R. Bobwell, of the Dairy Division of the Agriculture Department, who has been transferred from Pukekohe to act as dairy instructor with headquarters at Inglewood, was in Stratford yesterdaj- on his way to take up his new appointment.