THAMES COUNTY.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIII, Issue 2938, 8 May 1912, Page 2

THAMES COUNTY.

MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

Mr R. W. Bagnall (chairman) pre- „. sided ai the monthly meeting ot the Thames County Council yesterday, the other members present being Messrs Kilgour, Cooper, Bax, McCormick, Law, Baker, Adams, and Deeble. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. TENDERS. Tenders were opened as follows \~ Maratoto Road.—P. McConneli, £zi 2s id ; W. Davis, ,£22 10s : A. Duncan, ,£2l 12s Bd. The tender of P. McConnell, being the lowest, was accepted. PIAKO RIVER FERRY. The Assistant Under-Secretary of the Public Works Department,* referring to the proposed crossing at Pipiroa or / " The Orchard," wrote that the district^ engineer has reported on the,, matter, and advises as to the VVaitakaruru Canal, the temporary crossing has already f been supplied. With regard to the crossing mentioned, a bridge at Pipiroa would require to be about soolt. long with a swing or lilting span, while at " Tne Orchard" a bridge 200 ft. in length would be required. The engineer also states that the construction ot either bridge would interfere with the wharves at either side of the river, which are used in -the drainage works. A ford, . with fascined approaches, is being made so that cattle can be crossed over. The engineer thinks it inadvisable to erect\ bridges while the drainage works are in progress, and the Minister directs that the Council's application is to stand over. '„ The letter wjjs " received." WHAREPOA FERRY. J. Law applied for the sum of ,£l7 tor extra ironwork done on the Wharepoa punt; The matter was referred to' the engineer and a committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs Deeble and Kilgour. Mr Bax urged the necessity ot erecting a building for a man at the .Wharepoa ferry to live in, saying a man would have to be there all the time. Proper apprpaches to the ferry were also, required, and a new rope was necessary. The Chairman suggested, and it was agreed to, that temporary arrangements Ibe made tor another month so as to get a better idea of the revenue likely to be obtained. ; Mr Cooper urged the necessity of having the arrangements for working the punt improved, and also the improving of the fencing alongside the road to the ferry. Mr Bax supported the idea of having the road fenced, and it was agreed that this work be done. GRAFTOX ROAD. The estimate by the engineer for altering and improving Gratton Road I was ,£9B 14s, to which would have to be . added the cost of the land and fencing. Residents of the vicinity offered to give donations equal'to half the cost, with a ' limit of £5 5. Mr Kilgour said the offer was a very liberal one, and he moved that the offer .. be accepted, the work to be done when funds are available. This was supported by Mr Adams, who seconded the motion, and.said that people who helped themselves should be assisted. The motion was arid it was decided to ask the Hospital Board tor permission to take the track through its property. " WORST IN THE COUNTY." Residents of Whangamata and - Wharekawa petitioned for repairs to be made to the road from Luck at Last towards Omahu. Mr Kilgour supported the petition, characterising the road as , the " worst in the County." Mr Adams also considered the road a very bad one, and it was decided Jo apply to Government for a grant for the road, and the engineer, was also instructed to report on the matter. OTHER MATTERS. On Mr Cooper's motion, it was decided to make improvements to the road in 1 front of the hotel at Tairua When funds are available. , It was decided, on Mr Law's motion, to make necessary repairs to Reservoir Road. Mr McCormick moved that repairs be made to the Kopata Creek Bridge, and this was agreed to. E. V. Tizard requested that the drain running into Koupata Creek be cleared. The request was supported by Mr McCormick, but it was decided to reply that the Council cannot see its way to . carry out the work. W. Causley and others requested that a lew loads of gravel be placed on the Hauraki Road, and on the motion of Mr McCormick it was decided that the request be granted. W. H. Scott, Puriri, applied for County work in that district, and' the matter was reterred to the engineer.

N. McLean applied for an extension of time on his contract for metalling and electing a bridge between Puketui and Hikuai. It was decided that the matter ot extending the time be considered when the contract is finished. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Law, to go on with the work ot making a deviation of the- Tapu-Gumtown track at present going through private properly. Messsrs Bagnall, Law and Cooper were appointed to visit the locality and ;' report. ' ' ;