WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 577, 18 June 1913, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held at Te Kuiti on Monday evening. There were present—Cr Scholen, chairman, Hoffman, O'Dwyer, Berry. Were, Gregg, Johnston, and Smyth. Otorohanga to Hangatiki-Waitomo Road.—The District Roads Engineer wroie regarding the offer of £ s for expenditure, intimating the amount was additional to the bal ® n ®® of authority £26 7s at present held by the council. —Received. Tapuae Road.-The District Roads Engineer wrote stating that no money • was now available for the roa . e ceived. , m. Otorohanga Pound Site. - The Under-Secretary for Public Works wrote requesting to know if cil had any objection to the site, and if the tramline shown on -he tracing was in use.-The clerk was instructed mL write stating that arrangements been made between the Council Otorohanga Town Council, and the tramline wa* not in U J®Waiwhakaata Road. - The Distnc. Roads Engineer wrote stating the authority for £99 4s free money had . been issued. The balance of the

grant, £IOO, was £ for £ subsidy. Referred to the engineer to report. Main Road. - The Public Works Department wrote intimating that further portion of the le K " stl Mokau road had been gazetted a v countv road. —Cr O'Dwyer said he thought the Council should entei an emphatic protest against the maintenance of main arterial roads. He moved "Than as this Council contenps that it is the duty of the Government to maintain all main arterial roads in the Dominion, and as far as this Council is concerned the burden is too great for the settlers to bear, this Council emphatically protests against the Government's action in compelling the Council to maintain the Te Kuiti-Awakino main arterial road as far as the nine-mile peg." Seconded by Cr Berry and carried. A letter was read from the Prime Minister acknowledging reeipt of a letter from the Council supporting the request made to him by a deputation at Pio Pio that the Government should take over the maintenance of the ie Kuiti-Moku road, and stating he would bring the matter before the Minuter of Public Works. M . _ . Manecaiti Road.-The rublic Worns Department wrote intimating that portion of the road had been gazetted a county road. County Telephone.—The Telegraph Engineer wrote enclosing particulars with respect to the erection of a telephonee line. Mr L. J. Bacon, secretary ot the Tangitu Settlers' Association, wrote enclosing a petition for the erection of a telephone line by the County. On the motion of Crs Smyth and O'Dwyer it was resolved that the request of the settlers be agreed to. Subsidy for Loans. The Prime Minister wrote with respect to the Council' 3 - application for a subsidy -or various loans, intimating that he would confer with his colleagues in connection with the matter. Hypothecated Thirds.—The Audit Inspector wrote stating that the Audi-tor-General did not see anything illegal in the method adopted by the county clerk, and that a similar method was adopted in the South. Counties' Conference.—The chairman was appointed to represent the Council at the forthcoming conference of County Councils at Wellington. Motor Cars— H. M. Trade, Commissioner, wrote requesting information as to the motor vehicles registered in the County.—Received. A Tourist Road.—The Tourist Department wrote in reply to an application from the Council for the maintenance of the Hangatiki-Waitomo road, stating that the Department does'not now receive any appropria- - tiona from Parliament, and any appli cation the Council wished to majse should be forwarded to the Public Works Department. Regarding the application for £lO, it was stated the amount would be passed for payment on receipt of particulars of the ameunt actually expended in September last for immediate temporary repairs.—Resolved that information be SU Te Kopua-Puniu Road.. —The Commi3sioner for Crown Lands- wrote bating the matter had already come under the notice of the Department, j and arrangements would probably be . made to have a road laid off in the Budge Wrote asking for permission to erect a verandah at the creamery on the road. Referred to engineer. Action for Damages —Messrs Bam■fnrd and Brown, solicitors for Mr John Snowdon, gave notice that their client claimed £SOO by way of damages for injuries sustained to his hand by detonator.' The matter was held over for later discussion, the Council meanwhile disclaiming any Grants.—Mr C. K. Wilson member for the district sstatin- as Parliament would v Tbortly meet he Would be glad to have f list of the grants applied for by

{he Council, with » vie" to assisting in^ e g ™!e"mote objecting to being S»d«de3 In the Pnngarehn .peel M A n Dhpnt'ea Contract.-The chairMr Cameron had interviewed respect to a claim against him Lii He had interviewed the the Coun-J . egar ding the matter, wm *° a "; l,°l^n y the n.ot r n of - - hands of the so'>=_ b molio „ 0 f Heavy Traffic, u CrS °^Zt e tfafcouncil take steps to solved that th by _laws relating mak e and enforce the wjth 1908 *, - t firavel. The County Taking o dd an opinion advia-

the taking of gravel or metal from Crown lands by the County for public purposes. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Since your last meeting metalling operations have in most cases ceased until the coming summer. The past summer has been exceptionally favourable for metalling, and we have been fortunate in being able to take advantage of it. The distance metalled this season was about 37 miles. A considerable amount of formation and bridge work has also been undertaken, including necessary repairs and maintenance in all parts of the county. On the works in hand and proponed during the past month, I beg to report as foflows : Potaka Road. —About a mile Iras now been metalled by Mr Lewis on this road. The contractor proposes continuing during the winter, so that suppliers to the dairy factory may j look forward to better condition 3 during the early part of the coming year. Totoro.—About 2| miles of metalling has been completed on this road. The work is proceeding slowly, but as most of the worst places have been metalled, the work done will be appreciated. Te Kuiti-Awakino. —Mr Power has

completed his metalling contract on this road south of Pio Pio. About 11 chains has been added to the 49 chains completed earlier in the saason by Mr McGrath. Mangaotaki. —■ Mr McDonald has now completed about 35 chains of metalling, in patches, on thiß road, During the month an earthwork contract near the Mangaotaki bridge wa3 let to Mr McDonald. Miroahuiao-Matiere. —'A sum of £SO (£ for £) has been received for repairs to thi 3 road between Aria and the Paro road junction. A sum of £2OO (£ for £) and a free grant of £240 has been received for metalling between Pio Pio and Aria. A contract will be laid off as quickly as possible, but I am afraid no metalling can be done to advantage until the coming season. Mairoa —1 m&t several of the settlers concerned in the proposed metalling scheme on this road. Various metal pits vfere found and there is every indication of the work being done at a reasonable cost. Pungarehu Road, —The gap in the dray road formation on this road a distance of 63 chains —was completed during the month. Arapae. —Mr Ormsby completed his contract on this road, and is now doing by day labour the portion between his contract and Rothery's. Messrs Scott and Forsyth have completed the construction and erection of three bridges on this road and have made a good job of them. Waitomo Valley. A formation and metalling contract on this road was let during the month to Messrs Tarry and Cartwright. A small earthwork contract was also completed bv Mr Baile3 on the frontage of his section. Hangatiki-Waitomo, —Messrs Tarry and Cartwright have completed their metalling contract on thi? road, a distance of 4\ miles. It was found necessary to put on more metal and undertake more extensive earthworks than was originally intended. A good job, however, has been made, and full value obtained for the extra expense involved. Mr Laweon also metalled a few chains on this road during the month. Caves Road.—A distance of 2 miles •50 chains has now been completed on this road, but nothing more can be doneuntil the coming season. Hautturu-Otorohanga. —A contract to supply 1200 yards of metal to continue metaling from end of Rothery's contract was let during the month to S. Ormsby. No work, however, will be started until the coming summer.