MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7982, 9 March 1906, Page 7

MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The mouthly meeting oi! tho Council was held in tho aftornoou, there being present.'--Ots c, E. Cookburn Hood (in the chair), HolmesWarren, D. Guild, H. Toogood, J. Morris, jnr. W. Harris. The Stratford County Council forwarded the following resolution which bad been aaopted by that body:—"That in view of the almost insuperable difficulties in the way of enaoting efficient by-laws to ensure the fair and proper use of public roads, the Council urges upon the Uovernment the need of introducing into Parliament a measure dealing with unfair traffic on roads and containing a permissive clause enabling local bodies to adopt it if tbeyseeflt to do so." The letter conoluded by inviting the Masterton County Council's support and cooperation in the movement.—lt was deoided to accede to the request. The District Road Engineer notified that all claims for progress payments should reach the Head Office not later than March 17th, 1906. It was decided to comply with the request, and to point out that in connection with some grants where arrangements were being made to expend the samri, it would be impossible to do as suggested. / Messrs Lang, Miller and Gordon wrote asking the Council to convene a meeting of ratepayers to define a rating area for the Glendonald Bridge Loan.—lt was deoided to call a meeting at Glendonald, at 2 p.m., on Tuesday next. A request was receiped from the Early Settler' Memorial Committee, soliciting contributions.-—The letter was received. The Greytown wrote asking what charges the Council made m connection with the supply of water tu the residents of the Upper Plain.—lt was resolred to supply the information.

ENGINEER'S REPORT,

At the monthly meeting of the County Council, yesterday, the following report was received from the "County Engineer Upper Opaki Road (contract N<\ 60, building a 65 feet span bridge). Unfavourable oonditions of the weather have delayed the completion of tho above work. It vyill take about two days tj complete the timber work. I have arranged for the making of the earthwork approaches, and expeot that the work willjbe far enough advanced for wheel traffio to be resumed by the eud of the Opaki District Road.—The traction engine has been employed with grader raking in the new metal north of the school house. Considerable i stone-breaking is required on this I section. I beg to direot the Council's at tontion to the want of provision for accommodation at this end of the distriot for roadmen, and the difficulty of obtaining suitable labour ou that account. 1 should suggest that a whare on skids be erected on the piece of land recently acquired by the Council from Mr R. Campbell; the position being fairly central for the purpose. Rangitumau Riding.—Bluff-Ran-gitumau and Rakantii Roads— Contract Nos. 70 and 71, 620 cubic yards of metal repairs are finished with the exception of the stone breaking. Surface repairs have, also, been made to the Northcroft and Kemble's Roadß. The recent heavy rains have caused damage to the extent of about £8 on Dorset's Road; half of the road having slipped away at two points on very steep ground. The line is now being opened for wheel traffio. Wangaehu Koad (contract No. 74, 100.4 chains of metalling,'etc.)— Very little progress has been made on the contract up to the end of last month, beyond preparing and stripping the pit; two teams only being engaged in hauling during this month. I have notified the contractor that he muFt comply with the specification with respect to number of teams required. The quarry from whioh the lime atone ia being taken presents much difficulty in working; the many different seams of papa, etc., which are greatly intermixed with the stone, demand careful selection. Contract No. 75; 6.16 chains of metalling.—Fair progress is being made with this contract; in this case the metal is of better quality, being of a uniform grade of lime stone. Contract No. 77; 15 chains, more or less, of metalling, was only started on the 26th ultimo: good progress is being made with the work for the time eugaged, considering the long haul from the Te Ore Ore pit. Alfredton Riding.—Flat Bush Road. (contract No. 73, 37 chains of formation, etc.)— The contractor had the bulk of his work benched out on my visit of inspection, on the 2nd instant, and is making good progress under the adverse oonditions of the weather. A oontract has been prepared for 60.70 chains of formation and bridging to Mr Cross' boundary, and tenders for same have been advertised to close ou the 14th instant. Having suitable labour I deemed it advantageous to have the roughest portions of the flats, in the vicinity cf Watson's, improved by day labour. The sawmill proprietors having contributed the decking far two small bridges, will render this length tolerably safe for traffic. As a result of the heavy rains the-Castle Hill Road has been entirely blocked for traffio; damage to the extent of £ls having been done. The Alfred ton-Weber Road has suffered to about the same ex - tent. ' Contract No. building a culvert and embankment— The plans Jhave been forwarded to the contractor who will immediately put the work in progress. Eketahuna-Alfiedton Road (con' tract No. 65, 770 cubic yardß of metal fpr repairs).—The contractor has been somewhat dilatory in starting, but is now making better progress. Upper Taueru Riding.—Glendon - aid - Wairere Road (contraot No. 72, 12 chaina of formation, culverting, oto) —» The contractor who is

engaged in the formation of the Flat Bush Road, expects to undertake the above contract within the next week. Wilton's Road (contract No. 66, building a light traffic bridge over the Taueid River) —'The, loads of totara have been conveyed on to the site. When the ironbark has been delivered the contractor will immediately start tho nioia. Wainuioru Killing —■ WeraitiFernyhurat Road (building a traffic bridge over tho lauera River) —Tne bulk of the totara is repotted cut at the mill; the iroubnrk piles are landed in Masterton. Tenders may now be called for tho erection of tfoe bridge. Braucepeth Road (contract No. 69, delivering 700 oubiu yards of metal for repairs), was completed on the 23rd ultimo. Masterton - Waimata Road (contract No. 67, delivering 1415 cubin yards of"metal) ia in progress. Te Whiti Riding. ,MastertonGladstone Road—l would direct tho Council's attention to the fact that no tenders were received for the eroution of a 21 feet stringer bridge (contract No. 8i) advertised to close yesterday.