ELTHAM COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 12 March 1928, Page 5

ELTHAM COUNTY AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. At the monthly meeting of the Eltham County Council, held on Saturday, there 'were present: Cos. C. J.. Belcher (in- the chair), R. J. Knuckey, A. MeWilliam, A. V. Messan-a, M. W. Barker, A. L. Campbell, W. E. Carter, C. E. McGuinness, E. J. Gifford. NOXIOUS WEEDS. The assistant inspector of stock at Hawera (Mr. J. F. Jaine) wrote, thanking the council for assistance, rendered to him during his inspection of the district in connection with noxious weeds* At a time when he was seriously indisposed he had been kept well posted, and on several occasions one of the councillors had taken him round the district- in his car. Mr. Jaine added that from what he had' seen the ooun-ty had been very well cleaned up in regard to ragwort, and although several prosecutions were pending the weed had been cut in the meantime. He was- only too willing to assist the county, and any information imparted by the council, whether in person or through the county inspe-tcor. would be. treated 1 confidentially and promptly attended to.. Councillors spoke well of the inspector’s work throughout the comity. MAKING SETTLERS’ DILEMMA. Mr. George Hurrell wrote, asking if the council would entertain a suggestion to expend money on the Rotokare track to give the Makino Valley settlers easier, access to Eltham. At present it was necessary to make a journey of 25 miles- to reach Eltham, whereas it could be reduced to seven or eight, miles via the Rotokare track. The track closed' a gate to Eltham and diverted traffic and trade to Hawera, to the inconvenience of Makino settlers. Also a considerable amount of public traffic took a wrong turning in Hawera, and had to return to that town before being a bid to continue the journey. It was resolved that Mi*. Hurrell be advised of steps- being taken to give access as requested, and an endeavour to secure the expenditure of thirds on the road. The engineer is to report to next meeting of the council. ROAD MAINTENANCE. The Highways- Board representative (Mr. T. M. Ball) notified that local authorities who desired' payment of subsidies- due should -submit claims without delay. It was possible to make progress payments on , maintenance up to 75 per cent- of the amounts due on tuo certificate of the engineer arid without inspection by the department.

Resolutions to the effect “That this council agrees to efficiently maintain, in future, to the satisfaction of the local representative of the Public Works Department, the road metalled under these proposals” are to accompany all metalling proposals from local bodies in excess of £250 towards the cost of which the Government is- contributing. MATA SETTLERS’ REQUEST. Messrs. G. A. Tipler, T. Willy, J. •J. Slater and E. A. Hitchcock, ratepayers, wrote requesting the council to take the necessary steps to raise a loan of £3OO for the purpose of forming and metalling about 35 chains of the Mata Road. They were prepared l bo pledge their properties for the special rating for repayment of the loan and payment of interest during the> currency of the loan. On the motion of Crs. Ivnuckey and Carter it was resolved to accede to the request. RAWHITIROA ROAD METALLING. Mr. T. M. Ball, district engineer, approved of the council proceeding with the completion of metalling on the' Rawhitiroa Road' out of its own funds on the understanding that an item for £BOO (£2 for £1) would be. authorised after March 31 as a first charge against the council’s allocation for £‘O2S 2s 9d. It was resolved to proceed) with the work immediately. A request from the Manga told Dairv Company in reference' to metalling and tar-sealing factory entrance was referred to the riding member and the engineer. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. F. Muggeridgo) reported as follows on the montlrs operations: i South Riding.—With- the exception j of cleaning up the newly metalled por- j don of the Tawhiti track, no work was done in this riding. A start will he made on Monday to metal 45 chains of the south end of the Te Roti Road. Mangatoki Riding.—On the Eltham Road about 80 chains of the bitumen surface were widened out on the one side. Owing to the outside of the road being raised a considerable | amount of banking is necessary. This lis now being done. Bitumen surface I patching was commenced on other porItions 1 of the road. j Omonna Riding.—The contractor at Takau has completed the first portion

of his contract, and has now started' on the final length. When this is completed there will be a metalled road from Omoana to Moeroa. The newlv-made road has been thoroughly rolled and blinded. The surfacemen have cleaned out the watertables and made a start in cutting back corners. Watertables and culverts were attended to on the Mataiwhetu Road. Kaponga. Riding.—General maintenance work, consisting of bitumen surfac patching, watertabling, and culvert attention, was done on the Eltham Road. Concrete posts were sent out from the depot to repair all filling fences. Crushed metal was used to protect, the edges of the bitumen surface on the Manaia Road. Repairs were effected to the approach of the Awatuna stream bridge on the Opn-nake-Stratford Road. Eltham Riding.—The widening of the 50 chains of the bitumen surface on the Rawhitiroa Road has been completed. The surfacemen are now engaged in hanking with clay to protect the shoulders; corners have. also.'been cut back. One 12-inoh culvert was put in on" the Horoi Road. Watertables and culverts were cleaned out on the Mangamingi ridge. As requested, an inspection was made of the Mangamingi stream immediately the Wingrove Road. About two cnains down there is a willow log lying in the stream, which should he removed before it commences to grow; otherwise everything is quite satisfactory. RANGER’S REPORT. Mr. 11. E. Williams, county ranger, reported that during the period _ in which the loadometer was called into requisition all carrying business was exceptionally slack, and-thereoccurred only one instance of a loaded lorry which registered overweight. Two bullocks _i'nd one cow were imoounded off the county roads, and one horse was released. Notices to cut overhanging hedges and high hedges at corners would be issued l during the current month. GENERAL. A letter of thanks was received from the South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union for the use of the Council Chambers, for the purposes of a meeting. One case- of scarlet fever at Matapu was reported. Accounts amounting to £2162 14s 2d were passed for payment.