HAWERA COUNTY COUNCIL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2350, 11 February 1893, Page 2

HAWERA COUNTY COUNCIL

The Council met on Friday, tbe 10th instant ; present — Councillors Foreyth (chairman), McCarthy, Glenn, Quin, Winka, Wilson, ac<3 Scott.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From T. Bourke and four others, of Awatuna, cal'ing attention to bad state of Opnnake-Stratford road, westward of Oori stream, it being perfectly impossible to get even a pack horse along the road. They pointed out that land is all taken np adjoining the road, and a large amount of bush has besn felled, and a considerable quantity is likely to be this coming season. — After enquiry as to the position of the, funds coming to the road, it waß resolved that tbe work be done as far as funds will allow. It was stated that there would be about £60 available.

W. Pearce, Pihama, pointing ont that section 68, block 1, Oeo, had been joined to section 62, and is owned by one man. .£9O is due from this land, but tbe occupier objected to spend it on tbe district road that leads to tbe back section. Writer considered that, as the land fronted tbe main road, the council was entitled to this money, which had been paid into the Road Board account. — Cr. McCarthy said that Mr. Pearce had applied to the Road Board to have the whole of the money spent on tbe Puketapu road, which was in a fair condition, and which hardly anyone but Mr. Pearoe used. The owner wished tbe money to be spent on the Patiki road, which was used for carting firewood, and tbe Road Board thought it best to spend the money on this road. The Chairman thought that the council could do nothing ; and the writer was referred to the Road Board.

Zuppicich and Guillosson, Rotokare Road, calling attention to inconvenienoe they had to contend with on Rotokare road. They had three mileß of splendid road from tbe Mountain Road, then there is an eight foot track, and a very bad one. They could not understand why two miles of stumping had been let on the three miles while they had a bad track to put up with a mile further on. Mr Twigg had said there was money, and had promised to have the matter attended to " after next meeting," but it bad been " after next meeting " for a long time ; and they hoped that something would be done before the winter.— Mr. Twigg said be had recommended in bis report that money available should be spent. — Council agreed to spend any available funds.

E. W. Mills and Co. quoting Enight Bevan's Portland cement ac 12s 3d a cask net cash for 500 casks f.o.b. at Wellington. The Chairman urged that they should lay in a stock of cement ; it was cheap because the English steamers coming out for wool and frozen meat were bringing it for ballast. — Councillor Glenn suggested that if possible the cement should be landed at Waitara. It was proposed (Glenn — McCarthy) that an order be given for 500 casks- Councillor MoCarthy pointed oat that the Tawhiti culvert would take 60 or 70 casks, and the Otakebo bridge would not last long. If tbe order was thought too large tbe Road Board would take half. If necessary a cheap place could be run up to store this or other material which might bo wanted from time to time. Tbe whole of the cement would be wanted within the next twelve months. Carried provided that the Road Board take half ; and resolved that the engineer arrange for storage. Commissioner Crown Lands re Kaponga reserve, suggesting that application be made to Colonial Secretary on the subject. G. A. Hurley, applying for transfer of Secton 69, Block XI, Kaponga (Eaponga recreation ground) to D. H. Briggs from H. Melville. — Agreed to. Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that Land Board would permit totara to be out and paid for at schedule rateß by County Council. — The council had asked permission to go on to timber reserve to cut timber for bridge to be built on Makino road. — It was commented on as being extraordinary that the Government should obarge a local body for timber used in constructing a Government road. It was, however, resolved that the totara be taken at the rate prescribed. G. Hutchison, M.H.R., re Ararata bridge, stating that he bad waited on tbe Minister, who bad promised him an official reply iv a few days. F. McGuire, M.H.R., on same subject, stating that he had strongly pressed the matter on tbe Minister. Carolio and Co., forwarding information re road-making machine. Stratford County Council, forwarding copy of resolutions re dairy industry, and asking co-operation. — Councillor Winks said they ought to have passed a resolution at the same time telling people to milk their cows and make their batter properly. It people got a bad price for a bad article they would soon make better. It was considered that as the Government had the matter in hand it was unnecessary to take further action, and, on tbe motion of Councillor Quin, seconded by Councillor Wilson, it was decided that the letter be

acknowledged. G. Webber and nine other residents on Auroa road complaining that previous to advent of council tbe road had been grossly neglected by monies being diverted from it to loss and suffering of ratepayers. As road was now in credit they urged the council to expedite completion of halfmile of metalling now decided upon, and also another half-mile referred to in engineer's report.

John Routley, stating that as the loan for Eltham road west of Kaponga was likely to be insufficient to complete metalling he wished revenue from bis section now freehold to be spent in metalling road in front of his section.— Matter to be considered when deferred money comes in.

Charles Martin re Conwayroad, again asking the Council to do something.— Resolved that Council has no intention of doing anything farther to the road at present, as there are no funds available. (Winks— Quin).

WAIMATE ENGINEERS' REPORT.

Mr. Stewart reported that strong wire suspension footbridge over Punehu crossing, Eltham road, would cost about £15. Work to be done and wire formerly used for bridge ever Mangamunga bridge on Rotokare road to be used.

Reported inability to get anyone to strengthen Otakeho bridge at price authorised by Council.

Councillor McCarthy said that Mr. Cattanacb bad taken his engine over at bis own risk.

Councillor Winks asked how tbe money for building tbe bridge was to be raised ?

The Chairman' said it would come out of rates. On that road they bad done a bridge almost' every year. He moved that tenders be called for building tbe bridge returnable at next meeting of tbe Council.

Councillor Winks seconded.

Councillor McCarthy said be would like o see tbe piers of concrete ; and he felt certain they could be put in cheaper by day labour than by contract.

That it was not possible to improve Auroa road by means of ditching. If a very high Crown were forced it would do some good, but tbe heavy timber waggons would soon sink axle deep into it. The road absorbs a considerable snm in wages and the settlers on a good stretch of the most swampy frontage are already moluded in the Eltbam road loan area. It would have to be closed for- heavy traffic this winter if some parts are not metalled.

The Ohairman said be believed the petitioners were right in" saying that money had been taken from the road, bat he did not see boy? that could be remedied how.

Councillor Mcdaifiny held that the road had been made bad mainly *y , he traffic were-pnt on ani drai& by ten bnllooks. It would out up any road. The Chapman movid, That the peti. bonen i be informed that there are no fondii< available for tbe work suggested. >3C Agreed to. Reported that uncertain nalur. ot the weather rendered it impossible to rely on gravelling and metalling works being kmi continual y going. A day »s rain a?t£2 stops metalhog on soft roads for four Z five days, and contractors bare great difficulty m keeping their .man. asthe wages earned sometime? do no/awrSJ over 12s or 15s a week. Fmiiog ££ traotorain some-oases have beWdeterriV from contracnngly reason of the peoalt, clauses, it has been, modified™ that th. council would not inflict penaltf if weather was the canse of delay: '' HAWEBA EKGINEER'ij EBPOBT. roatothM there™ „„ aifflmlty in ft! Sr wtty • ■ . < Fair progress was being made with * contracts generally, except that for sapp y of gravel on Main Sonfo road, and 2 SETS!*! ?? ™*^'W*£& that if they fail to commence Within 5 days deposits be forfeited. .HadafiSnlS in letting carting of gravel anfotona fit Tawhiti culvert, but hoped to'mafouS The report was adopted. accounts.' The following acconnts were passed for payment :-.Bud 8 e ,610 16s Bd, Connofl! j!£ < £ peni?ea a 6fl » Robinson and Co." Hospital and Charitable Aid%Bß BbK §£&££«&* u-cnen ±5 3s 2d, pavsbeet z£2fi o« Jls^ad^r, 103 ' *rt£3HSJ?J& 14s Sd, Cleaver and Brookino *w*» Spence 10s, Innes ins£sß £& Jenkins £1 10 a, paysbeet £4&19b.

TENDfiBS. S".** 8 were d «aU with as follow:670—Motnmate creek, earthwork • A lit Yd. °.°- * 19 & B^Esi£ Iw n fti3 ? f aooe Pted), 10. -vg 669-uartipg stone on Eltham roaA betweenDnthie and Palmer roaasrsSSS? a . Batl « (^eptea),^ 123. AnohS tender was received, but not openeS, ender was received, and as there- was no JJjJ? for "PPfr o« stone this was Je-

661—100 chains gravelling, Maaeatoki : Only one tender wan received. Committee araaubnit of Coanoillors McCarthy and couiateTonr 88^ 01 '^ 40 " 6^

669 -- Gravelling at Awatuua. near Palmer's mill : Same deoision.af 6frl. ELTHAM BOAD. »,-r»fm nn ama in « er WM cm P°werea to arrange with W. Button for layiog extra .40 chtmt of atone on Eltham road, at the price *be old contract was let to Butler and Suttok ±1 15s a obain. , -IF HAWEBA COUBTHOUSE AND POMSOFSXCE. • The Chairman said he had been intormed there was a movement mm By the legal profession and others- to get more accommodation provided at the courthouse. The counoil oonld not do moon, but he bad no doubt it would assist in any way it could. No doubt the accommodation was very poor, there being ' no waiting room. Also, he thought there should be better accommodation at the post office. It was very small for the work that had to be done. He had do doubt the movement would receive the * support of the counoil. < , Councillor Scott said he knew litjtle about the requirements of the court, but as far as the post office was concerned the council should do its utmost on behalf o! the movement.

The Oterk understood that there was a member of the post office aitS now in Hawera, and they were going to build a new place on the north aide of the courthouse. ' ,-

The Chairman said that more aeoom* tnodation was necessary at the court, especially as tbe legal profession were Btarting a library.

Councillor McCarthy endorsed what bad been said, especially as to tbe post office.

REGULATING WEIGHTS OP LOADS. The Council resolved itself into special meeting to consider the by*iawf3 Councillor Scott reported on behalf of tbe committee appointed to consider tbi by-laws as to loads to be oarried on roads; they thought that the present by-laws would do provided the obairman's proposal was added, but that a time for tbe operation of the by-law restricting tbe carrying on unmefcalled roads of more than half a ton on two wheels and three* quarters of a ton on four wheels should be fixed, namely, from Ist May to Ist September. They, therefore, recommend that this proviso bt added to' tbe by> laws, and given legal effect to in the usual way, balf a ton on two wheels ; three-quarters of a ton on four wheels. In answer to a question it was explained that though the rule was made general the engineer would be given a discretion as to enforcing it on open roads where tbe damage from carrying a heavier load would not be great. A resolution affirming tbe proposal was agreed to. The Council adjourned.