WAIPAWA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3936, 27 June 1877, Page 2

WAIPAWA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tuesday, June 26. The Council met at 11.30 a.m. Present — Messrs Mackersey (Chairman), Russell, Rathbone, Levy, and Monteith. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A statement of accounts was read by the clerk, and also the following letter on the county roads from Mr Burgess, the road overseer : — In accordance with resolution of Council of the Bth of May, requesting me to furnish a report on all the roads in the county on which Provincial Government money has been expended, I have the honor to report on the following roads : — Te Aute to Waipukurav. This road is in very fair condition at present. About 4000 cubic yards of metal, at 3s (kl per yard, will be required ; also, day labor, tools, £80. Total cost of maintenance during the year, £150. Waipukurav, to Plains. This road is also iv fair condition ; 300 cubic yards of metal will be required at 2s (3d per yard, £37 10s, and one laborer as surfaceman. Total cost of maintenance, £70. About 3 miles of the upper portion of the plains is at present in a very bad state, but nothing to caiise any serious obstruction to traffic. I may also remark that the General Government is extending the railway line to Kopua, a distance of 6 miles beyond its present terminus, and is expected to be open for traffic within a year, when this part of the road will be very little used ; but should the Council take the matter into consideration, with a view of forming and metalling it, its CGst would be about £350 per mile, This item I have not taken into consideration in my estimates. 70-Mile Bush Road. The traffic on this road is very heavy, and which has a very destructive effect, in consequence of the road being so very narrow and so much shaded with timber. I intend to make some improvement in this respect during the year by falling some of the heavy timber which overhangs the road ; this being additional labor will slightly increase the cost of maintenance between the Railway Hotel and the Piri Piri clearing, parts of which are getting into a very bad state. About 2500 cubic yards of metal will be required on this part of the road, and also about 350 yards near WoodviUe ; total quantity of metal required, 2850 cubic yards, .at 2s 6d, £356 ss. I have also carefully examined the bridges, and I found the planking on many of them in a very bad state of decay. During the last two months I have ordered 9000 feet of timber for the purpose of repairing those bridges, and I am getting it laid down as fast as it is being delivered. The total quantity of timber required on this road during the year will be about 20,000 feet, at 14s per hundred, £140. It will also be necessary to keep constantly employed 7 day laborers, at 7s per day, £764 8s ; tools, spikes, &c, £40. Total, £1300 13s. , Waipukurau to Porangahuu. About a mile of this road, between Capt. Newmans residence and Pukakura, is almost impassable during the winter months. Disputes have existed for some considerable time with the owners of property abutting on this . part of the road ; therefore it would be ; necessary, before any improvements are made on it, that a survey should be made and the road properly defined, I have not taken this item into consideration in my estimates, but should the Council take a favorable view of the matter, the cost of the work would be about £10 per chain, or £800 per mile. From Pukakura Saddle to near Mr Gollan's residence, a distance of seven miles, the greater part of which has been metalled, its present condition is tolerably good. I have about 300 cubic yards of metal in stock at Pukakura, which will be necessary to get carted to this part of the road for the purpose of keeping it in good condition. The cost will be, 300 cubic yards at 4s 6d, £67 10s. The carting of this metal will not extend beyond Motuotaria. Between this and Mr Gollan's the metal will have to be got on Mr Ormond's run, and every yard so got and carted on the road will cost at least 15s. To keep this part of the road in order, 200 yards at least should be quarried for the' purpose ; cost, 200 yards at 15s, £150. About 26 chains of road between Gollan's and Wallingford bridge are generally in a very bad state. I have sufficient metal in stock at Ugly Hill to metal this part of the road ; the cost would be about £10 per chain, or, 26 chains at £lo £260. About 15 chains of the road between Mr Ormond's gate and Mr Bird's property is also in a very bad condition. To metal this would cost about £12 per chain, or, 15 chains at £12, £180. A large number of the culverts and bridges will have to be repaired, and several new ones are required to be placed on the road between Wallingford and Porangahau. Total quantity of timber required on this road will be about 5000 feet, at 225, £55. Also, three laborers will be required — one at 8s per day, and two at 7s per day, £343 4s ; tools, spikes, &c, £15 ; total, £1070 14s. Wallingford to Blackhead. This road is very littie used. The greater portion of it is in its natural state. Several small cuttings have been made, the creeks have been bridged, and culverts placed on the road where necessary. To form and metal this road would cost £1200 to £1400 per milo. In order to keep open the road for traffic, I would suggest that the sum of £50 be spent on it. Porangahau to Blackhead. The condition of this road is generally very bad during the winter months, but during the summer in tolerably good order. About two miles has been formed, the metalling of which would cost at least £1006- per mile. ?here are several soft, boggy places, where drainage cannot be had only at considerable expense. These places might be much improved by laying down fascines ; the material being close at hand the cost would not be heavy. The principal traffic on this road is bullock teams and horsemen. I would suggest that £130 be spent on this road. Porangahau to IVainui. The greater part of this road is in its natural condition. The worst of the creeks has been bridged, and several culverts placed on the road. The traffic on it is very light. It is used principally as a horse track. To

make this road available for traffic generally would cost £1400 per mile. The road during the summer months is generally good, but during winter very heavy. The bridges and culverts require a little attention, and a few other oulverts might be placed on the road to advantage. I would suggest that £100 be set aside for that purpose. Waipawa to Plains. This road has been much neglected of late. The traffic on it is considerable. About 25 chains require forming and metalling. The cost would be about £6 per chain, or 25 chains at £6— £150 ; also about 700 cubic yards of metal is required for other parts of the road, at 3s 6d per cubic yard, £122 10s ; and one day -laborer at 73 per day, £100; tools, &c, £5. ' Total, £387 10s. Kalkora to Paiangaia. The traffic on this road is also very heavy, and parts of which are getting into a very bad state. For about six miles of this road nothing whatever has been done to it. It will be necessary to form and metal at least one mile, which can be done at a cost of about £400. £100 will also be required for the protection of the Waipawa river bridge at Home-wood. This work is absolutely necessary ; it should be done, and immediate action should be taken in the matter, as the river has encroached upon the western abutment to such an extent that one of the spans of the bridge is in danger of being swept away by the next heavy flood. It will also be necessary to employ one laborer on this road at 7s per day. Total amount required, £600. Patangata to Oero. About two miles of this road has been formed, and culverts placed on it were necessary. The principal traffic is bullock teams and horsemen ; its general condition is very bad, but as good as can be expected under the circumstances. To form and metal this road would cost £1000 per mile. I would suggest that £100 be spent on it. Kaibora to Potirerere. This road is in much the same condition as the Oero-rdad, but as good as can be made, only at great expense. The cuttings and culverts require a little attention ; and one bridge at Tamumu requires replanking, which would cost about £10. I would suggest that £150 be spent on this road. The following is my estimate for the year 1877-8 :— Te Aute to Waipukurau, £150 ; Waipukurau to Plains, £70 ; Takapau to Manawatu Gorge, £1300 ; Waipukurau to Porangahau, £1100 ; Wallingford to Blackhead, £50; Porangahau to Blackhead, £130; Porangahau to Wainui, £100 ; Waipawa to Plains, £400 ; Kaikora to Patangata, £600 ; Kaikora to Pourerere, £150 ; Patangata to Oero, £100 ; contingencies, £100 ; total, £4250. S. Burgess. —The Hon. H. R. Russell said that with such a small amount as they hac at the disposal of the Council, they were not in a position to undertake any works except such as were necessary for traffic. At this season of the year it was not judicious to carry on much road making or even metalling. No doubt during the session the whole system, of local Government would be better regulated and denned. He would propose that, with the exception of] those works of pressing necessity, they should not consider the larger works referred to in the road overseer's report, and he was of opinion that they ought to have the opinion of a competent engineer on the works that were required. He then moved the following resolution : — " That the consideration of the report by the road overseer be postponed till the opinion of a competent engineer is obtained on the whole system of roads embraced in the report, with the view of making any alteration in the lines of roads that may be found desirable before incurring much expense, and that meanwhile the Council should only undertake such repairs as may be found of pressing necessity to prevent the interruption of traffic," Mr Monteith, in seconding the motion, said it would be very injudicious to proceed with the larger works at present. A great saving might be effected by obtaining the services of a competent engineer. The Chairman said he quite agreed with the resolution. There was no doubt that, pending the next session of Parliament, the Council could not work harmoniously together. If they were to enter into works of this kind they required a competent engineer, not only to furnish estimates of cost, but to lay off lines of road. Nothing should be done xmder such a report as that under consideration, unless the Council were prepared to strike a rate. He urged upon their consideration the necessity of taking some steps in the matter, and of determining whether or not they should proceed with the larger works before the projected alterations in the Council took place. By allowing the matter to stand over they would lose a large portion of their income. He again urged upon the Council the desirableness of striking a county rate, and of obtaining the services of a competent engineer to enable them to do so. The motion was put and carried unanimously. The Hon. H. R. Russell moved the next resolution as follows :— " That Mr E. H. Bold be asked if he would be able to undertake to make the report indicated in the foregoing resolution, including an estimate of the cost, in order that a county rate may be struck at as early a date as possible; also, that communication be opened with the Hawke's Bay County Council to ascertain if they will co-operate with this Council in securing the permanent services of Mr Bold." Mr Levy wished to know whether the engineer was to be appointed simply to check the report of the overseer. If the appointment was to be made under clause 207 of the Act he would support it. He did not know anyone who was better qualified for the office than Mr Bold, but it was necessary that the matter should be settled as soon as possible, as the road boards would shortly be holding their annual meetings, and the ywould be desirous of having some idea of what rate the county would strike. Mr Rathbone agreed with the resolution. He thought that, if a report were made by Mr Bold, all deviations should be included. The sooner a rate was struck the' better it would be for the Council, as they had done nothing up to the present time. He was of opinion that in course of time all the road boards would merge into the county. The Chairman said, with reference to obtaining Mr Bold's services as a permanent engineer, that negotiations might be entered into with the Hawke's Bay County Council relative to sharing the expenses of that gentleman's salary. He thought that Mr Bold could, with the assistance of a competent overseer, manage the two counties. In the event of a flood the Hawke's Bay Council would require Mr Bold's services, and he (Mr Mackersey) .thought they might safely have the prior claim, as the Waipawa district was not affected by floods. The Hon. H. R. Russell said they might obtain from Mr Bold his terms for furnishing the report referred to, and also inform him that if arrangements could be made with the Hawke's Bay Council, the amount paid for the report would form a portion of his salary. The resolution was then put and carried. The Chairman said that the Wairoa County Council had added a clause to their bye-laws prohibiting the importation of rabbits, and one also prohibiting the planting of furze or briars on lines of road. He thought if all the counties passed these bye-laws, it would have the effect of drawing the attention of the Government to the matter. He " was of opinion that the spread of rabbits meant simple ruin ; in Tasmania and other places the rabbits had ruined many settlers, the sheep having been completely starved off by them. It was decided that no action should be taken in the matter for the present. The Hon. H. R. Russell brought before the Council the subject of a grant towards the road from Ashley Clinton to the railway station at Takapau, and represented the great importance and. convenience of this road to a large number of .small settlers living at Makaretu, many of them being beyond the boimdaries of the Wai-

pukurau Road Board. That Board had, at their last meeting, agreed to make & direct road for the convenience of the settlers who may come into it at Ashley Clinton, and also to shorten and improve the old road across the Pukipo. He (Mr Russell) was instructed by the Road Board to ask the Council for a grant-ma-id towards the expense, which would be about £200, on the ground of so many outlying settlers being interested, but as this was a special meeting he would postpone giving notice of motion for a grant till next meeting. At this stage of the proceedings (a telegram having been received from Napier to the effect that the Waipukurau election had been declared void) Mr Levy said that they had already had three elections, which were attended with great expense. He thought that if the returning officer did not understand how to conduct the election he ought to receive some assistance from the Chairman or one of the other members. Some means should be) used so that the next election would be the last one. He merely referred to the matter in the interest of the ratepayers. The Chairman said that all.their duties were fulfilled by giving the returning officer notice of the vacancy. The election was in the hands of the returning officer only. Mr Russell said, as one of the parties interested, ..that he considered he had a majority of the ratepayers in his favor. He had only been opposed by the plural votes of a few large landholders. • The meeting was then adjourned till Tuesday next, the 3rd July.