ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 15 January 1917, Page 4

ELTHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Eltham County Council was held on Saturday. Present: Crs C. J. Belcher (chairman), A. Campbell, A. Messana, D. Black, A. McWilliam, J. Granville, C. E. MeGuinness, E. J. Gifford, and A. C. Pease. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs Hatriek and Co., Wanganui, wrote stating that the timber for the Patea bridge had been ordered, and when it came forward it would be railed to Eltham. A circular letter was received^, f rom the Petone Borough Council with reference to adequate pay for members of the motor boat patrol service. A further letter was read from the Acting-Premier, stating that the pay of the married men in the patrol service would be made up to that of married men in the Expeditionary Force. J he letters were received. The New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers notified that the next conference would be held in Wellington in February. It was decided that the engineer attend the conference. Councillors considered that much valuable information must be obtained, indirectly if not directly, by the engineer attending the conference. Mr W. Hard wick Smith, Jtfangamingi, petitioned the Council to allow a certain amount of grazing on some of the roads in the county. He said that now a ranger had been appointed, and all stock removed from the roads, it was feared that some of the roads would be overgrown on either side with bracken fern and other rubbish. It was noticeable in the Mangamingi valley that where grazing had been permitted the roads had been kept almost clean, and in, other places where grazing had not been allowed fern and other growth had taken possession of the roads. He added that he had discussed the matter with several farmers in the Omona. and Mangamingi districts, who agreed that something would have to be done if the roads were to be kept clean. * Cr McWilliam asked what would be the position of the Council if there were an accident through allowing stock to graze on the roads. The clerk replied that the Council would clearly be responsible. The chairman said there was no doubt that grazing would benefit the roads, but in these days, of motor traffic there would be considerable danger j and,'as the clerk had said, the respon- ! sibility would be upon the Council in the event of accident. Cr Granville thought that the Council would be able to save the expenses of a ranger were it to permit grazing on the roads. Cr McWilliam : What about an accident? Cr Granville: We would have to meet it. It was pointed out that an accident had cost one local body in Taranaki heavy expenses, and Cr MeWilliam added: - Does Mr Hardwick Smith and others so minded propose to move in , the direction of legislation to absolve" i the Council from responsibility m the event of an accident if grazing is permitted on the county roads? Cr Pease said that at present the Council would be liable in the event of accident. ' The chairman: Yes; I don't see how we can grant the permit asked for. . Cr McWilliam said there was no doubt that some of the by-roads were getting very ugly, but Be- was afraid the Council could not grant the permit. There was no doubt that, owing to the increased motor traffic, the danger would be more pronounced than itT was a few years ago previous to the advent of motor traction. On the motion of tsr Pease and the chairman, it was decided to inform Mr Smith that the Council had no powor to permit grazing on the roads, and therefore could not adopt his suggestion. . Messrs J. Hickey, E. Berridge and' others wrote protesting against the removal of the Mangamingi roadman from his central position to the other extreme end of the riding, where the road required very little attention. The new site for, ths roadman's cottage at the Patea bridge was most unsuitable. The chairman said this matter had already been thoroughly discussed, and i the Council had placed the cottage in the present" position in the best interests of all. Crs McGuinness, Pease- and Messana expressed a similar opinion, and considered it was impossible to reconsider the- matter- now. tfeat the cottage v.-as being erected. On the motion of Crs Pease and McGuinness, it was agreed that a reply be sent to the petitioners that the cottage was in the most convenient position, and that the Council cannot reconsider its decision.

i The Egmont Comity Council wrote j accepting the offer of a hut at £35. I Mr L. Bunn, mail contractor, wrote applying for a reduction in the tollgate charge for hrs delivery car. No action was taken. , .Mr J. Revell wrote on behalf of his wife, offering to sell the Council an area of Land;,, approximately five acres, at Ngaere at £750. The chairman said the offer ought to be a good proposition if the finances could stand it. Cr Campbell moved that Crs Pease, Black, and the chairman be a committee to inspect the land, with power to actThis was seconded by Cr McWilliam ana carriedl. RANGER'S REPORT. The county ranger (Mr J. Smith) reported that he had visited all the roads in the county with the exception of those west of Itaponga and those over the Mangamingi bridge. All the roads visited were clear of stock with the exception of one road. The ranger waited upon the Council to ask for instructions in regard to various matters, and these were accordingly given. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr Basham) reported as follows: Kaponga Riding—The Eltham road between the Mangawhero and Rowan roads has been tar-sprayed. Certain necessary repairs to the superstructure of the Mangawhero bridge have been executed. The decking is worn out, and requires renewing. I should recommend this being done with rimu The tarring on the Upper and Lower Manaia road has been completed. Mangatoki Riding—Only a very small amount of work has been done m this riding, principally clnv binding on untarred roads. There Is a considerable quantity of this work necessary, but scarcity of labor prevents it being carried out at present. I hope to start tarring on the Upper Duthie road by the end of this month. South Riding—A fresh start has been made on the Boylan road. It should be finished in about a fortnight. There is a distance of about 60 chains on this road that is still good enough to tar, and if this is not done the motor traffic will vsoon tear it to pieces. The swing bridge over the Waingongoro river on the NeffF rond is in a bad state of repair, tNftn'iderablo damagI' l having been done by reeout Hoods. This bridge is ior i&e

convenience of foot passengers, schoot children, etc. I should be glad of in V structions in the matter. The bridge V is not on the road reserve '"-r Eltham Riding—Work' has -been confined to general maintenance and repairing flood damage. The Mountain road has been patched with, tar and sand, . Omona Riding—The Rawhitiroa road. is now open lor wheel traffic as far as the wash-out afc Takau. A temporary deviation around this is being formed through Messra Scott's property To reinstate the road permanently I should recommend replacing the filling with a deck bridge with concrete abu£ ments when circumstances permit General—The alterations to 'the crushing plant are completed, and are the means of great saving in workingexpenses, both directly and indirectly Owing to the cost of metal the job has been fairly expensive, I>ut the whole cost will easily be saved in one season, and the work: is permanent. Contractor has made a start on the cottage at the Patea river. Cr Messana complained that some of the by-roads required attention. The engineer stated that he had great difficulty in obtaining casual labor. He had an extra man coming on Monday, and he would be able to employ him constantly. Cr. Campbell also" mentioned that ratepayers had complained to him of the state of this road. The engineer repeated that he had been faced with the labor problem. After some further discussion the report was v adopted. OMOANA RIDING. With reference to the damage caused m the Omoana riding some weeks- ago, it was decided to apply to the Government for £ for £ subsidy, on the motion of Cr. McWilliam and the chairman. MOTOR TRAFFIC. The chairman referred- to the fact that several of the motor lorries did not carry observation' glasses, and. he thought, in the safety of traffic, this should be done. He was supported by other councillors, and it was decided that the motor lorries must be equipped, with observation glasses by February 1Cr. McWilliam brought under rthe notice of the Council tne dangerous practice of motor cyclists riding doublebanked. This was a practice that should be stopped, and it the Council had, any power to prevent this being; carried on it ought to exercise chat power. The clerk pointed out tnat this was a matter for a by-law. I Tn© question of motor cars being com_ | celled to carry tail lights - was- also .1. -brought forward, and it was stated that I thl?, was also a. question for a by-law. j After some further discussion in regard to appointing a committee to • consider various amendments to the byj laws, it was decided to defer consideration of the subject until the next meeting. GENERAL. The question of meeting representatives of the Stratford County Coun- , cil m regard to an adjustment o£ i certain matters between the two I Councils was left in the hands of the chairman. Cr. McWilliam reported that the question of the application * made by £ne i roadmen for an increase of wagesl had been satisfactorily settled. The applies, tion had been made through some'mis- , apprehension. , Cr. McWilliam complained of the j growth or noxious weeds in the Mata- ■ mata, and said something- ought to be done. It was decided to draw the attention ol the noxious weeds inspector to this and ofcner centres mentioned in the course of discussion. i InTeply to Cr. Messana, the clerk said that all the papers in connection, with the proposed Auroa road commission had been sent to Wellington No further communication had been received trom tne Government m regard to the matter.