QUICKER LOADING NEEDED.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3174, 6 December 1927, Page 5

QUICKER LOADING NEEDED.

Cr. Quigley suggested that the council should procure a hopper and elevator for the loading of fine shingle from the deposits at Taumutu from which Mr E. Milner was at present carting. Far too much time was being lost in loading into the lorry. With proper loading facilities a great deal more carting could be done. The shingle was splendid for top-dressing roads and should be used on as many roads as possible. Until better loading arrangements were made it would be impossible to make the fullest possible use of the fine shingle. Mr Werner had told him that he could make a | hopper at a cost of £70 to £80. An elevator or conveyor would be more costly, but the outlay would be much more than justified. The other councillors agreed with Cr. Quigley and it was decided that the engineer should go into the question of the cost of suitable loading plant. The engineer said that the fine shingle was splendid material for top dressing. He had used it on various roads with excellent results. "It should be used on the whole of the main highway from the Ellesmere bridge to Flood's corner at Southbridge," said the chairman. The engineer said that the use of the fine gravel would save a lot of stone crushing. VICIOUS BEES. Cr. Quigley called attention to the annoyance to traffic caused by bees from an apiary on the old Irwell Creamery site. Quite recently a lady passing along the road had been stung. There had been trouble with these bees for years past. It was agreed that enquiries should be made from the Counties' Association as to whether the council could order the owner to shift the bees further back from the road. FIREBREAKS ON THE PLAINS. Cr. Anderson reported that arrangements had been made by a committee of farmers to have the road from the* Rakaia river by Baxter's plantation across "Oakleigh" to Kendall's corner ploughed as a fire-break. A contract had been let to a man with a tractor and plough at 7/6 an hour. The River Board was to find half the money. When the work was nicely done the council would probably be waited upon by the people interested with a re quest for a contribution. ''Let them come along; I think we should give their request favourable consideration,"' said the chairman. DANGER FROM FIRE. The chairman called attention to the danger of damage being done to the new office should a fire break out in the old toolhouse, garage and stables at the - rear of the new building. These old buildings should be moved to the back of the section, as they were by no means an ornament to the property.

It was agreed that the engineer should go into the question of the cost of moving the buildings back and also into the cost of erecting a new garage and sheds, and report to next meeting.