STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143472, 20 April 1911, Page 4

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of tho Stratford County Conned was held' at the County . Office, Stratford, yesterday. Present; Councillors Mnrehaut (in the chair), Thomson,, Christoffel, Maxwell, Marfoll/' Porritt, Walter, and Hathaway. J:

An apology was received from Councillor Astbury, who was unable to attend owing to illness.

The council expressed sympathy with .Councillor Astbury in his illness and expressed the hope that his health would soon bo restored. OVERDUE RATES.

A discussion arose with reference to what action should bo taken to recover overdue rates, the clerk reporting that the amount outstanding was about £IOOO.

It was resolved that all rales not paid by. the.end of tho month ho sued fur without further notice. ' ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Tho engineer (Mr. Robinson) reported : North Riding..—Tho shcllroclc supply contract'on Stanley ami Acklaml Roads had boon completed. -The amount of material,obtained should be Biifficient-to nmiiitam those two roads for two seasons. Improvements to Upper' Pembroke Road had been continued during the mouth. The small bridge on Surrey Road, near Derby Hoad junction, had boon rebuilt in a satisfactory manner. Plans, etc., for the renewal of Waipuku Bridge, Mountain Road, wore well in hand and would bo completed shortly. South Riding.—Tho South Riding boulder contract had been completed and measured up. As instructed, ho had inspected that portion of .Finncrty Road over which considerable boulder carting was projected and .noted its condition, also served a notice on the.contractor informing him of the probable cost tho council would take to protect its road.

■ Kast; Hiding.—Ho had, in accordance with instructions, inspected that portion of Makuri Road from Waiwiri Road to Huiroa to ascertain what mainlcnan o metal was required. At present there was a certain quantity of shollrock scattered along the road in partly used heaps which he thought could well be disposed of before .any more was obtained. Furthermore, the metal on this road was for the most part in an exceedingly rough and largo state—plenty of material existing which if broken down would, without being added to, make a good satisfactory layer. £o() spent in doing work of this kind would do far more good in every way than the same amount expended in obtaining say 100 to 120 cubic yards of shollrock to empty into the road under present conditions. The new Kopua drainage contracts were proceeding steadily, good progress having been made with tho work during the dry weather. The contractor was pushing ahead as fast as possible, but would of course come back over the whole length to make up any shortage, etc. Ho had inspected tho Toko Stream Bridge on Toko Iload, and found it to bo in a rottou condition, necessitating an .early renewal, which, in reinforced concrete, would cost about £SOO. Tho Makuri Bridge (Ohura Road) had been cleaned and painted. He had not yot been able to classify land for rating in connection with Makuri drainage scheme, but would attend to it forthwith. Tho rcmctalling of portion of Ohura Road near cemetery, and two small patches near Skinner Road had been completed, and tho crushing plant brought back to office premises, where it was being thoroughly overhauled by tho engine-driver

after the season’s work. Tho work of cleaning out drains in Douglas Valley was in progress. West Hilling.—Tho work of renewing a small bridge on Opunake Road near Rowan in reinforced concrete has been put in hand. Tho Waingongoro Bridge at Cardiff had been cleaned and repainted. Ho had inspected the small bridge on Finnerty Road, near Lowgarth, and found it in a rotten condition. A renewal in hardwood, which, cm account of foundations and the matter of keeping traffic open, would, ho thought, ho tho most suitable stylo to adopt and-would cost from £IOO to £l2O. Near this spot an old culvert under the road was, in danger of collapsing and required renewing with 12ineh pipes. There was also a culvert on Brookes’ Road in a similar condition, and which could bo similarly treated.

Mangaehii Riding.—The formation contract, .Manga Road, was proceeding steadily, being carried*out in a thorough manner. A fnrthet length had been laid off and 'plans, etc., in connection therewith would shortly bo ready. The metalling contract on Mangaehn and Puniwlmkau Roads was approaching completion. A fair amount of the metal had not yet been spawled, hut it was of paramount importance to get ns much as possible .laid during the good weather, this, of course, delaying the breaking and making mattters temporarily uncomfortable for the settlors in that district. The Mangaeliu Bridge at Puniwlmkau needl'd redeeking. The. rest of same would be about £9O, About 309 to -100 superficial feet of decking was required for repairs to Puni Bridge on Pnniwlikkau Hoad. He had inspected Air. Biirleymnn’s bridge at Tntutawa and made the following rcjwrt thereon: To drive four ironbark piles and raise the bridge, say, lift., ns .Mr. Barleyman suggested, would cost £55 to £OO (inclusive of labour and materials). In addition to this the present deck i-s rotten ami would hardly stand relaying. To renew some would cost a further .fill. Also new hacking on the new piers should be put in, and this item would cost about £35. It was decided to notify the boulder contractor for the Eltlftm County Council that be would be held responsible for any damage done through earthy- over the Finnertyßoad. It was decided to forward the clause of the report dealing with Malawi Road to the foreman, with instructions to give effect to the recommendation. It was decided to notify the Kit ham County Council of the iiere'xlty for renewing the bridge on the Finnerty Road, and asking if they bad any suggestion to make. It was also decided to acquaint the Eltbam authority with the necessity for renewal of culvert. It was decided to renew old culvert on the Brooks Road. It was also decided to redeck, the Mangaehn Bridge mid to effect repairs to the bridge on the Pnmwhakim Road ns suggested. The question of repairs, etc., to Barloymnirs bridge was deferred for one month. _ ~, It was decided to proceed with the reconstruction of Hie.Toko Road bridge in concrete as recommended. DEPUTATIONS. . Mr. Stanford waited on the council and took exception to some remarks made at. the lust, meet lug of the council by Councillor Walter. The Chairman said he could not allow anyone to reflect on what any me mher of the council had said in his uflieial capacity. It was not in the. interests id good government. - If Mr. Stanford wished to contradict anything he had other means at his, disposal. Mr. Smith, York Road, asked for a further £lO to he expended on the road. Uo expressed dissatisfaction at the manner in which the £35 already granted by tho council hall been spent on the road. ■ _ The. engineer was instructed to inspect and report to the next meeting of the.council. ■ ■ . , Mr. Jennings. Douglas, waited on the council with reference to ii deviation of drains which he contended now affected his property. Ho asked that water which came' down on tho west side of the road should he drained to the east side. Councillors Thomson and Porritt were appointed a committee,to inspect and report . Mr, Martin, Hniron. presented n petition signed by twelve ratepayers asking for the removal of the present foreman. In reply to councillors, Mr. Marlin said there was'no feeling against tho foreman. Tho council discussed the question in camera, and on resuming it was resolved that the East Hiding members and tho engineer inquiry and report. ; A committee was also appointed to go iiyto tho question of organisation of the road working staff. BRIDGE-BUILDING. ' Mr. Robinson also reported ns follows with reference to bridge-building;—l have now by gradual selection got together a gang of men competent to undertake all classes or bridge work of moderate size, tunnelling, work, etc.—in fact, all classes oT work requiring to lie pushed ahead expeditiously and efficiently. Having kept an account of recent works, I am able to state definitely Dial the cost .of same compares favourably with contract rates in the past. As most of the larger bridges are now renewed and work requiring heavy and extensive plant will seldom occur, I strongly recommend that future bridge renewals, with such exceptions as tho ■\Vaipuku Bridge for instance, bo carried out by this gang on the day labour principle. I have already found tho great benefit and convenience to county work in being able to put my hand on a number of men competent to push a work through at short notice. "Where more than one work requires doing at once it is easy to inako such very temporary repairs as will ensure safety for the time being. An estimate of the proposed work undersuch a system would ho supplied as a preliminary, and on tho completion of such work a statement in detail of tho cost thereof handed in to the council. FOREMEN’S REPORTS. Foremen’s reports were dealt with, and various routine matters arising from same attended'to. GOVERNMENT GRANTS. Mr. G. T. Murray, resident road engineer, wrote with reference to sums appearing on tho current appropriations for certain roads, and stating

that the pasition was as follows: Antawa ; Appropriation £l5O, balance unexpended £2B Bs. This was proposed - to be spent on widening preferably from. Douglas road. The department had spent £l2l 12s on bridle track construction during the year. The council might, if so disposed, submit proposals for the expenditure of this sum. Mangaehu to Waitara ; Appropriation £IOO, balance £94 Bs. - The department hold this authority, and ns its officers wore now laying out work it would probably be best to leave this sum in the hands'of the department. Resolved that tho council leave the question of expending the grants in the hands of the department. MOHAKAU ROAD. Mr, C. J. M’Kenzic. resident road engineer, forwarded plans of a small deviation of tho Mohakau Road, which had been made in order that a strip of land might be taken from tho railway reserve and added to the road, and a corresponding strip taken from the road reserve and vested in Mr. J. Stockly. In order to complete the matter the consent of the council was required, and he asked that the plan he signed and returned ns early as possible. —Referred to the chairman. RAILWAY RATES. ‘ The Hon. J. Millar, Minister of Railways, acknowledged receipt of council’s letter embodying the resolution passed with regard to tho rates on the carriage of hardwoods, , and stating , that ho would go carefully into the matter. Mr. T. Ronayne, general manager, wrote subsequently to the effect that tho Minister regretted he could not see his wav to authorise any reduction. THE OHURA HOAD. The Whangamomona County Council wrote with reference to the maintenance of portion of Ohura Road from Douglas to “ Whangamomona County, boundary, and stating that as any arrangement in connection with a settlement of claim with reference to tho future traffic would he ultra vires. The council agreed that the sum, of £209 bo paid to the Stratford council in full compensation for past extraordinary damage to date. It was presumed that it was clearly acknowledged so far ns the council could so acknowledge, that all claims for future damage had ceased by reason of the transfer of traffic to tho railway. Tho offer was accepted in, terms proposed. GENERAL. It was decided to seek , the-assist-ance of Mr. Iline;; M.l’., in obtaining a further grant towards the cost of metalling the Mangaehu Road., Mr. Hardy Jones, Finnerty Road, wrote with reference to a culvert on his property which ho said was 1 dan-" gerons. His milk cart horse-had fallen in it. and was so dreadfully hurt that jio thought it would have to be shot. Ho asked what the council would do in tho matter of providing him with another horse.—Referred to )hc riding members with power ’to’ act. Mr. H. J. Jones, district engineer of the Railway Department, wrote notifying that instructions had been issued to have the drain at the Gordon Road station cleaned out. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson wrote forwarding particulars concerning Fowler's Improved Compound Steam Road Rollers.—Referred to Councillor Porritt. Messrs. Green and Beattie wrote and accepted the council's offer of £25 for extra work on tho .Stanley Road.

51 r. P. Skoglnnd, town clerk of Stratford, wrote with reference to tho improvements to Pembroke Road, and stating that tho extra £3 had been subscribed. 'Hie engineer was instructed to do the further work.

The Stratford Electrical Supply Co., Ltd., asked for the council’s'assistance in getting owners to cut all trees overhanging tho northern side of the Opunake -Road,'which were a danger in connection, with extensions in tliis locality.—Referred to the engineerAccounts amounting to £1784 6s Id wore passed for payment.