CLIFTON COUNTY

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1926, Page 11

CLIFTON COUNTY

THE MONTH'S OPERATIONS MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. THE ENGINEER’S REPORT. The monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held yesterday. Those present were: Crs. H. A. Foreman (chairman), F. Sarten, C. H. Barnitt, H. A. Bower, J. E. Phillips,, G. W. Rogers and E. Mounsey. The engineer (.Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported for the month as follows: Tikorangi Riding.—Some deck repairs Lave been attended to on the Tikorangi suspension bridge. The grader machinist has arrived, and has COTiurißneed his duties on the Epihia Road, and upon effecting a junction with the Nikorima Road, will prepare the gap to receive the metal. There is a balance of £l6 available on this road. Portions of the Main Road have been Winded and repaired with Onaero gravel, and other roads have received attention in maintenance and repairs. Waihi Riding.—About 280 yards of i gravel have been used where required : on the Main North Road for blinding and repairs, and upon which the increased subsidy is available. This section is now in very fair order. The Ohanga Road gravelling has been inspected by the district engineer whose report, I understand, is quite satisfactory. The boulder contract from the Onaero beach has been proceeded with and will shortly be completed. Ngatimaru Riding.—An inspection was made of the repairs to the North Matau bridge, which have now been completed satisfactorily, and comprise new transoms, braces and posts, together with a complete renewal of the flooring. One upper chord flitch required renewing, the timber for which is on the site, and will be attended’ to by the bridge foreman when in the district. In addition to this work, both McMillon’s and McCoard’s bridges require attention. On this road, various river encroachments require to be widened and slips removed. Urenui Riding.—The Main Road, has had the usual attention in blinding and repairs, in which the Pukearulie and Okoke roads may also be ineluded. The contractors, for the Kaka Road gravelling have been proceeding with the formation and culverts. On the Okoks Road contract similar work has been performed up to about peg 25, and on the Piko Road contract- cutting Grains and formation have also been, proceeded with. On this latter road serious river encroachments and subsidences Have occurred, requiring considerable time and labour on the part of the foreman, to effect repairs. With reference to Cecil Rowe’s application for improved access to the Waikaramarama Road, an inspection revealed that the road is in its virgin state, and not accessible for any traffic. The usual route is by way of private property, which is undesirable. I estimate io provide reasonable cart access that, that £lOO be provided, and would suggest that the Government be asked to contribute £5O, the county £25, and the settlers £25, the latter contribution being in the nature of the timber for bridging the Waikarawarma River, and for culverts. Uruti Riding.—The bridge foreman is now engaged on the erection of the large culvert ou the Uruti Road, and will also attend to the repairs required to the bridge on the Hi Road. The roadman has been engaged upon the removal of slips on the north side of the Tangitu tunnel and other necessary 'works on the Uruti Road, whilst similar work has been carried out on. the south side, with instructions to improve the condition of the roads between the Matau and Waitara low-level bridges. The timber for the two culverts .on the upper Uruti Road, has been ordered and will shortly arrive.

Mokau Riding.-—An inspection was made of th suspension bridge giving access to the Derwent settlement at Tongaporutu. To effect the necessary repairs thereto, the cost is estimated at £25. The newly appointed roadman went out to commence his duties during the month, and- has had temporary assistance to eji'ect urgent repairs. On the Mangaroa and I'apakino roads, the removal- of slips and renewal of culverts, etc., has consumed most of the time during the month. The county inspector (Mr. G. F. Rowe) reported that during the month two heavy traffic licenses were issued, the fees amounting to £1 10s Bd. Eleven drivers’ licenses were granted, fees for which amounted to £2 15s. Twentythree head of stock were found wandering on the county roads, for which fees amounted to £2 10s. ' GENERAL MATTERS, P. Darke wrote petitioning for ths removal of pipes on the Okoke Road to lower down the Monier stream {Tie road above the flood level.—Left in the hands of the engineer. The county solicitor advised that the State Advances Department was considering the matter of the Onaero-Mataro loan of £4OO. On behalf of the ratepayers of Pukearulie, H. Wells wrote asking that the council have the unmetalled part of the Pukearuhe Road graded, a distance of about 11 miles.-—Left in the hands of the engineer., G. W. Murray wrote stating that the Public Works Department had promised £5O towards renovating the Tupoki bridge, to which he asked the council to attend.—Left with the works committee. The Public Trustee wrote with reference to the Pukearuhe loan application of £lOOO. —The matter was held over until tiie subsidy is assured. Ihe sum of £382 14s 9d was received from the Public Works Department for work done on the Ohanga Road. The’ gum of £536 6s 7d was also received for work ou the Auckland to Wellington route tietween the Pukearuhe jiti.’Ct.ion and Waftara.

A sum of £4 12s Od was received as royalty on State forests and provisional State forests in the Clifton county accrued to March 31, 1926. Of sixteen applications for' the position of roadman for the Waihi Riding, that of Mr. A. W. Cowling was accepted.