EGMONT COUNTY CONCERNS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 January 1929, Page 6

EGMONT COUNTY CONCERNS.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Egmont County Council was held at Opunake yesterday, when there were present: Crs. W. C. Green (chairman), It. C. Watson, J. F. Shepherd, A. E. Collins, G. Gibson, J. S. Tosland, A. J. Lilley and J. Young. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. J. Hickey. BITUMEN PURCHASE. The secretary of the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association inquired as to whether the council is willing to join other bodies in the purchase of bitumen supplies.—The chairman said this was a matter which did not affect the council, and the clerk was instructed to so advise the Local Bodies’ Association. MAINTENANCE OF ROADS. The Taiiranga County Council requested support of a resolution recently carried in which attention was drawn to the ever-increasing burden upon ratepayers since the inception of motor traffic, particularly in the case of main roads largely and continuously used by the travelling public. The Taiiranga Council suggested that the most equitable way of overcoming the problem of road maintenance was by means of the petrol tax or other direct levy on the users of motor vehicles, and that the Government be urged to pass legislation to effect the solution at the earliest opportunity.—The letter was l’eceived, the general opinion being expressed that the problem is in course of solution T>y the existing legislation dealing with the subject. WAREA ROAD BENDS, Mr J. A. Wolstenholme, on behalf of 15 ratepayers on the \Varea Road, forwarded a petition urging the elimination of several bad bends and sharp curves which were becoming a serious menace to the travelling public. The ratepayers were prepared to assist the council by the loan of horses and drays and removal of spoil. The work could be done at little expense to the council under supervision of the riding foreman. The chairman was of opinion that the time had arrived when something should be done in the direction indicated. He suggested that the council subsidise expenditure by the ratepayers. It was resolved that the locality be visited by the chairman, the riding member, Cr. Collins (chairman of the Works Committee), and the engineer to ascertain the exact requirements of the ratepayers and report at next meeting of the council. REPAIRS TO COUNTY HOUSE. The sub-committee appointed to inspect and report on necessary improvements to the County Council’s nouse in Domett Street recommended the expenditure of £56 thereon, and that the previous tenant of the premises be written to and requested to make good the damage to the motor shed. —The recommendations were adopted. It was resolved that Wednesday be observed as the weekly half-holiday in the county. GENERAL. The Health Inspector (Mr F. Swindells) reported that during the quarter ended December 31 he had investigated 13 cases of infectious disease and had visited one food seller’s premises and the Parxhaka pa. The infectious diseases comprised eight cases of pneumonia, two of tuberculosis, and one each of enteric fever, scarlet fever and erysipelas. Mr P. Keller, district engineer and local representative of the Main Highways Board, forwarded particulars in reference to the correct method of erecting road traffic signs by controlling authorities. The Public Trust Office, Wellington, advised payment to the council’s credit of £2500 on account of the bridge loan of £15,000. The tax on cattle and sheep dogs for the ensuing year wasi fixed at 2s 6d per head, and for all other dogs 10s. Mr J. Williams was reappointed collector.

In reply to a personal request by Mr J. Ernie, sawmill proprietor, of Ngariki Road, the council decided that it had ho objection to the formation of a tramline on Upper Ngariki Road provided that interested settlers in the locality were also agreeable. The riding members were requested to obtain the settlers’ assurance in this respect. WORK FOR THE MONTH. The work of the staff during the past month was reported by the engineer (Mr. G. Mclvor) as follows: Main highways.—The section from the Ouri River to the Taungatara has now been completed, except for the gap at Punehu River and a small piece at the crusher, and has been placed on maintenance. A start was made towards the end of December at the Waimate West boundary, and the section should be completed this season. Bridges.—The Waitaha bridge is now on maintenance period. Progress on the Rautini bridge is still slow. The beams have been concreted, and form work and steel are being placed for the decking slab. On the Mangaliume bridge the south abutment has been concreted up to water level. Maintenance.—Main South Road : The sections from the Waiaua to the Waiteika, and from the Ouri to the Nopera Road, a total of 155 chains, has been bitumen sealed. Oeo, Ouri, and Punehu bridges have been repaired. Bitumen surfaces have been gritted throughout. Shoulders have been made up with pit metal, and grading is in progress north of Opunake. Widening for the side track on the Pikitahi hill has been completed, and the Waitekauri hill has been repaired with \ crushed metal. Drains and culverts I have been cleared near Rahotu. Eltliam Road: The whole of the portion from the Main South Road to the Taungatara River has been bitumen sealed, and the remainder gritted. Shoulders have been graded from Young Road to Awatuna. A tile drain has been put in near Watino Road. Ihaia Road: Forty chains were sealed with asphaltic road oil. Shingle is being dumped for the second seal coat. Patiki-Skeet Road has been blinded i and water-tables attended to. Eight chains of drains have been cleaned.

Oeo Riding.—Opunake, Watino, and Patiki Roads have been patched. About five chains of the Kiri Road were reformed. Nopera Road has been blinded and grass ridges cut down on the Hone Road.

Opua Riding.—Most of the month was spent on main roads. The new metal on the Lower Waiteika was watered and rolled, and patching and grading done. Young Road was graded.

Rahotu Riding.—The Upper Pariliaka, beyond the metal, has been shaped up, drains cleared, and a culvert taken up and relaid. Lower Parihaka and Opourapa Roads have been patched and water-tables cleaned. Pit metal has been dumped for patching on Manihi and Ngariki Roads.

Newall Riding. —The Waiweranui bridge was repaired. Patching has been done on the Stent Road.

General.—Proposals for the expenditure of grants on the Upper Kabul and

Ihaia Roads have been sent to the Public Works Department for approval. The contractor lias made a start on the Okaliu Road. The. survey of the Rua Road is in progress. The engineer advised that since preparation of his report he had been advised by the Public Works Department that the expenditure of grants on the Upper Kahui and Ihaia Roads had been approved.