Taranaki County Council.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 167, 7 February 1896, Page 3

Taranaki County Council.

The Taranaki County Council held its ordinary meeting on Monday. Present:—Messrs W. Bewley (chairman), Okey, Adlam, Connett, McCullum, and Tate. MOA BIDING. The Foreman's report was read. He gave separate estimates of a pipe and wood culvert on the Junction Road, the Council deciding to accept the pipe. The report dealt with several other matters of a routine character. WAIWAKAIHO BRIDGES. The Chairman stated that it had been represented to him that the condition of the Waiwakaiho bridges—both on the Junction Road and Main Road—was so bad that he deemed it advisable to authorise the Engineer, Mr Davies, to instruct Mr Gollar to report on them. This was done, and he had charaterised the stone pier on the Junction Road bridge" as the worst job ever done in the county." It was also stated that instead of building apron work to protect the pier it would be better to let a flood sweep the'whole thing awaj—bridge and all. There was, however, no immediate danger. As regards the bridge on the Main Road, it was absolutely necessary that something should be done. The foundation was washed away, and the bridge might collapse at any time. _ It was decided that Mr Davies should report whether it is advisable to do the work by day work or tender. APPROACHES TO BRIDGES. The question of gravelling approaches to county bridges was discussed, and it was decided to have the holes filled up. REPORTS. The reports of the foremen of the Waitara and Omato Ridings and the requirements needed, were attended to. TAPUAE. The Council decided to supply timber, &c, for building a bridge across the stream on Mr F. Morris' pioperty at Oakura. PARIHAKA RIDING. When the Foreman's report on the Parihaka Riding was read, the Chairman stated that the riding was £66 overdrawn. Mr McCullum: It is only overdrawn on paper; it's hot all spent yet. Mr Tate : It's negotiated. On Mr McCullum's motion, it was that the foreman should be authorised to employ a man to collect loose stones on the road. OKATO. The work required on Gosling Street, Okato, was allowed to stand over until next month, and the Road Board is to be asked to defray half the cost of the work. MEETING-OF-WATERS. The Clerk of the school commissioners wrote with reference to the erection of a fence at the Meeting-of-Waters, stating that unless the conditions were complied with no person would be allowed to remove gravel from the river bed.The Chairman stated that it was decided at the last meeting not to erect the fence, but on further consultation with Mr Peters it was considered desirable to put up the fence. He had made the necessary arrrangements. On Mr Connett's motion, the chairman's action was confirmed. HEAVY TRAFFIC. Mr Roy, solicitor, gave a written opinion on the question of heavy traffic over bridges, stating that regulations should be framed fixing a penalty for breaches. The Chairman said that on receipt of the opinion he gave instructions to have notices posted up at the bridges warning the public. Consideration was deferred for a month. PATE A RESERVE. The Chairman was authorised to reply to a communication from the Land Department with reference to the university reserve at Patea.

REMOVING GRAVEL. The secretary of the Harbor Board wrote defining the boundary of the gravel beach, viz., from the Katikara Eiver to the Waitara Eiver. Mr Tate said he thought it was hardly fair for the Board to charge another local body royalty on gravel. The Chairman replied that the Board had made concessions to local bodies. Mr Adlam agreed that the Board should not be so particular, and he favored a deputation waiting on the Board. Mr Tate: The Board is composed of country members and they should support the country. It was finally decided that the clerk should write to the secretary of the Harbor Board stating that the Council will pay royalty on all stone removed from the beach in future. PIAKU BRIDGE. Mr Eoy gave his opinion on the question of the Council's claim of £5 on the Eailway Department, money expended in removing flood timber that had banked up from the railway bridge. Mr Eoy advised the Council that it had no claim on the Department. ARREARS OF RATES. The clerk was instructed to sue for all rates in arrear. TOLLGATES. Tenders will be called for leasing the tollgates. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr McCullum gave notice of motion —" That where there are two tollgates in any riding within the county of Taranaki that payment at one gate clear the other." TENDERS The following tenders were accepted :—Contract P. 1, 96, E. Sullivan, £2 18s ; P. 2, 96, £2 10s ; earthwork, 90 yards, 6d ; cottage and section, £2 12s annually for two years. Accounts were passed and the Council adjourned.—News.