COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3934, 9 October 1891, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Wairarapa North County Council was held yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. Present—Crs F. Von Reden (in the chair), Stuckey, Maunsell, Groves, Smith, Cockburn- Hood and Guild. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From the f> ail way Commissioners, stating that they could not deliver gravel from the Ruainahunga river for use on the County roads at Mangamahoe.—Received. From Cr Handyside, applying for leave of absence - Granted.

From Mr H. Nitz, Kaiwhata, stating that after due consideration he I had concluded that he should be rated in the Taratahi-Carterton Road Board, as he was using the Gladstone road. He asked that his name be transferred, or that a road be made to bis homestead.—The Chairman said he did not think the County bad any power to make a transfer. The boundaries would have to be altered by Act of Parliament.—Cr Smith moved that the application for a transfer be not entertained, as the Council has not the power to make the same.—Cr Groves seconded.—Carried. From the Clerk to the Akitio Road Board, requesting that the services of the Engineer be granted for the laying off of road at Whaleback.— Granted on the usual terms.

From J. S. Handyside, asking that the services of two men be granted for repairing the road near Aohanga ferry.—Referred to the Engineer. From Mr Geo. Moore, stating that he would be prepared to sign a conveyance for the new road line at Eparaima as soon as instructed by his solicitor.—Received.

From the same, referring to the gorse on the district road at Eparaima, and stating what steps ho had taken in the matter. He also stated that he would subsidise the work of clearing the gorse pound for pound.— Cr Smith: To what road does Mr Moore refer ?—The Chairman: To the deviation,—Cr Smith: But this road has not been taken over.—The Chairman : It is a legalised road,— Cr Cockburn Hood said he understood private owners could be compelled to prevent the gorse from spreading from their property. As Mr Moore owned the property on both sides of the road he would move that he be informed that the Council cannot grant the subsidy asked for, and he be given notice go clear the gorse.—Cr Smith seconded.—The Chairman thought that notice should not be given till the road was legalised.—Cr Cock-burn-Hood then altered his resolution to read, that Mr Moore be informed that the Council cannot see its way clear to grant the subsidy, and that his attention be ctlled to Section 16 of the Public Works Act.—Carried.

COUNTY RANGER. The Clerk mentioned that Mr Arthur Harford, who had been dppointed ranger to the Council, was now engaged coach driving.

The matter was referred to the Engineer.

GRAVEL RESERVE. It was resolved to inform the Natives of Aohonga that the cost of ex changing gravel reserves would amount to £ls or £2O, and ask them if they are in a position to pay half the amount if the Council is in i position to convey.

POST OFFICE DIARY. The Clerk was instructed to purchase the " New Zealand Post Office Diary" from the publishers in Dunedinifhe considers it necessary.

ROAD METAL. Cr Stuckey did notthiok the taking of metal from the Buamahunga riyer could affect the railway. There were thousands of tons of gravel there. He did not think the Commissioners understood what they required. The engineer said he did not think the Commissioners understood the nature of their request. It appeared to be a little out of the business of the Commissioners to oblige anybody.

It was decided that the Chairman or any member of the Counoil going to Wellington before next meeting interview the Commissioners on the matter of supplying metal at Mangtuiahoe.

FINANCE. The report of the meeting of the Finance Committee was read, which showed a credit of £l7O 10s lid. Accounts amounting to £Bll is Id were passed for payment.

It was decided that the Baak be requested to grant an overdraft of £3ll Is Id.

TAOEBU TOLL.

Cr Groves said he had been interviewed by Mr Taplin with reference to the Taueru toll. Mr Taplin thought the Council misunderstood the position he had taken up. -

No further action was Uken in the matter.

engineer's REPORT,

The report of the Engineer was read as follows : Masterton and Waincioru Ridings.—Masterton to Wtimata Road. —Over the low level sections of the main roads in the open country the metalling repairs have been nearly completed, and the maintenance contractors will now proceed with the construction of the side widths, which, under the conditions of their contracts, have to be completed by the end of next month.—ln connection with Mr James Stone's application to the Council to have his property protected from threatening encroachment of the Waipoua River, I have to report that the river banks at the point threatened are dangerously low, an old water-course leading to the properties of Messrs F. Gray and R. R. Meredith having been interseoted by the river, If the Counoil has funds, willow planting could, with advantage, be undertaken over a length of 1£ chains of the face of the bank. The private property holders should be asked to contribute in equal propor portion to the Council towards the cost of the work, which would be between £5 and £6.—Complaints are lodged at this office of the very unsatisfactory manner in which the duties of Ranger are performed in connection with the Taueru Pound. Stock of all descriptions are allowed to wander at large ; no effort being made by the ranger to fulfil his duties. —The Council's application to the Railway Commissioners to deliver metal by rail for road repairs at Mangamahoe would appear, from he nature of their reply, to be quite misunderstood by them. Under no circumstances could it be possible to endanger the railway works by acceding to the Council's proposal, providing the gravel is obtained from the source from which their ballasting materials are procured, and I would suggest that the Council renew the application, pointing this out to them, as unless some arrangement can be made to supply a superior quality of stone to that obtainable in the bush it will not he possible to keep the Mangamahoe section of the line in order during next winter.

Castlepoint Riding.—Masterton to Waimata road. I hope with a continuous fortnight of fine weather to shift the surface men off the Mangapakeha sections and employ them together in the preparation of metal for repairs to their respective lengths of road. In connection with Mr Picket's application tor repairs to his frontage along the Whakataki creek ; the work necessary to remedy the defect of which he complains will entail the employment of a horae and dray for Rome little time which is at present beyond the means available for this section of the line. The work will therefore have to be deferred pending assistance from the Castlepoint Road Board or some other source outside the County} separate rate account. Akitio Riding.—Masterton to Waimata road.—Contract No. 41 (3-1 chains of road formation). About 9 chains of the further end of this contract have been roughly blooked out, which includes a heavy side cutting abutting on the Mataikuna river. A staff of five men are at present employed on the work, which I consider inadequate even with favourable weather to get it out ot hand by the time allowed in the conditions of contract for its completion. Alfbedtojt Riding. —Eketahuna to Tmui road.—Contract No. 27 (201 chains road fencing). A few defects which developed in this work during the month's term of maintenance have still to be rectified, when it will be takeu off the contractor's hands and made orer to Mr H. Powling who will, I assume, be responsible for its future maintenance. Contract No. 28 (85 chains road formation) is not yet commenced and fresh notioe has been served on the contractor requiring him to commence operations within 14 days from the 6th ult. Contracts have been prepared and tenders invited for the formation and repairs to roads recommended by the Council at its last sitting. A maintenance man is temporarily employed until the metalling contracts are commenced, in attending to the general requirements of the Eketa-huna-Alfredton section of the road. Ekktahuna RiriNG.—The estimates authorised by the Council have been prepared and forwarded to the settlers interested in the proposed loan for draining the Eketahuna township. Whabeama road district. —As directed by the Council, 1 have made an examination of the cottage and surrounding ground at White's Creek proposed to be leased from Mr E. Meredith for roadman's accommodation. The cottage is sufficiently commodious for the Council's requirements, but will require a sum of about £lO expended in necessary external and internal repairs. The amount of additional fencing required to enclose an area of about 8 acres is apportionately 28 chains at a probable cost of £2O ss. Jn connection with Mr George Morris' fencing along the Mangapiro Terrace the road has been so contracted by its erection, being narrowed to a width of 23 feet for some length, that I would recommend the Council to shift the opposite fence back so as to secure to the public the use of * chain width,

I have also to report to the Council the erection by Mr Moore of a fresh gateway across the road at Mungapiu within a chain or so of the present existing one and the connecting of it with the Bide fences by panels of fencing. What Mr Moore's intention may be lam not prepared to say, but I think I am correct in stating that the work has been without the knowledge or sanction of the Council, and failing 'a satisfactory explanation, I would recommend the Council to remove it. In company with Mr Tatham I visited and examined the Reposed sites ot the bridge and catting ofossing the stream to the south of his property. From the nature of the position I am not disposed to recommend a cutting in lieu of the proposed bridge owing to the necessary steepness of gradient to reach the floor ot the creek as well as the nature and number of the curves which the line must follow. The lateral slope of the ground would further make the out tings of a heavy and expensive character and would be subject to slip and close the roadway in wet weather. I have estimated that a substantial bridge of totara with earth approaches could be erected for about £'Bo and would recommend that the funds available be utilised towards its construction and that the present sum available be placed in Mr Tatham's hands to expend as best he can with a suitable crossing of the creek. I understand from Mr Tatham that sawn totara delivered at the bridge site would not cost more than birch timber procured from the coast; ranges.

rhe contract for building the roadman's whare at Blairlogie has been duly fulfilled and the m*n and bis family are now in occupation of it. A portion of the fencing materials for enclosing the reserve bad been delivered on the ground although none of the fence bad been erected on the occasion of my last visit to the distriot. GENERAL.

The Engine ar was instructed to have, willows planted along tbe Waipoua, provided settlers interested contribute half.

1 It was resolved to notify Mr Taplin that complaints bave been made about his ranging. Tbe Engineer was instructed to give Anderson notice to put a strong staff of men on the contract. It was resolved that Mr 6. Moore be requested to explain bis reason for putting up anew gnte across tbe road at Mungapeu. It was resolved to 3uggeat to Mr Tatham that be raise a loan of £BO to build bis bridge, and pay the interest out of thirds.

It was resolved to ask the Surveyor General to furnish a plan of mp; lD road through seotion 19 2, Block XII, Mangaone. The meeting then adjourned.