WAIAPU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16719, 2 May 1925, Page 9

WAIAPU COUNTY COUNCIL.

At the ordinary meeting of the above Council there were present:—Ors. A. W. Kirk (chairman), M. Hviand', J. Woodford, F. J. Williams, J.'ltecdy, J. Busby, and) A. B. Williams. The following correspondence was read :

From Messrs Nolan and Sheet, forward■ing an opinion in reference to the Rating Amendment Act, 1924.—0 r. F. J. Williams proposed that a list of the outstanding rates be laid on the table at the next meeting.—Seconded by Cr. Hyland and carried.

From Mr Erie Whitcombe, in reference to protection of travelling public on hillsid'o roads.—Received.

From Messrs Nolan and Sheet, in reference to the closing of road in Manga hauini 2828 and other blocks, and' asking on behalf of the survey office what the Council proposes to do in the matter. —The clerk stated' this matter had been left in Mr Graham’s hands for completion.—Cr. Busby proposed that Mr Graham bo written to and asked to explain the position ro the dosing of the road in question.—Carried. The manager of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Co., Tokomaru, wrote in reference to the impounding of a bull and explaining the position; also from Mr T. W. Allan, Waipiro Bay, drawing attention to the methods adopted in tlio matter of impounding of straying stock.—After considerable discussion, if was resolved that the Council is of opinion that their engagement with Mr llollever be terminated) as from May 31; the manager of the Freezing Work's to be informed that tho fees about which ho complains are correct except that the charge for advertising, should 1 not, in.the Council’s opinion have been made, and that the Council -is taking the matter of the impounding of stock in hand. —Mr T. W. Allan to be advised that the Council is taking steps to bring tho whole matter of the administration of pounds and tho impounding of stock up to date. From the engineer-in-chief, in reference lo the regulations as to the use of motor lorries. —The Council approved of the Cook County Council being made the distributing authority in regard to the license fees collected on motor lorries. Mr Gilmour was appointed' inspector of heavy traffic under the regulations. In reference, to the Council’s application for a loan of £BOOO for the purchase of machinery, the Public Trustee advised that it will* bo necessary to obtain authority to raise the loan at 6 per cent.— The Public Trustee to bo asked whether ho is prepared to advance the money on a shorter term, say 12 years, to be repaid at intervals during the term of the loan.

The New Zealand .Stale Advances Office, regarding the balance of £SOOO, not yet lifted, of the Waiapu Main Road and Bridge Loan, stated that owing to tho demands on .its resources the Department cannot at present entertain an application for the £SOOO in question. —Received.

From the Inspector of Stock, Gisborne, in reference to the eradication of blackberry, staling that bis inspector had dealt with the cases brought to his notice and reported the work satisfactorily done. —Received. From the chief surveyor, re metalling of portions of tho Ihungia road, stating that his head office is enquiring into‘the matter and desires to know' probable date of commencement of work. —Reply held over until Cr. A. B. Williams has conferred with the settleYs.

From Mr G. A. Runciman, stating that he will be pleased to go over the line of road through Alii o te Atua with tho engineer : also that lie xvi 11 grant the Council permission to cart- gravel through his property.—Received. From the’' Mercantile and General Insurance' Co., asking for a share of the Council’s insurance business.—Received. The sanitary inspectors report was read and considered. The engineer's report was read and considered, as follows: —; * Main Highways, southern boundary to Kopuaroa stream.—Maintenance : Surfacemen on the southern end of this section have been employed cleaning watertables and carting gravel for patching metal.' Those on the northern end have been assisting at the metalling of the Manga.hauini deviations until recently, and are now employed cleaning watertables on the Tokomaru hill. This portion of the highway entails considerable work, andi requires constant attention to keep in satisfactory order. Repairs to the TakapaivTe Pula metalling were discontinued, as the plant was required elsewhere. Construction. —Metalling Mangahair’ni deviations : Both of these deviations were completed during the month.

Main Highways: Kopuaroa stream lo northern county boundary : Maintenance : Beyond the usual surfacework on the section chains of stone drains were carried out on the Takapau deviation to drain two bad springs. Both in these places and "two other portions of this deviation are being gravelled with a layer of shingle to allow traffic to use the l'oad during the winter. Construction. — Metalling Jerusalem deviation: Everything is in readiness to start crushing stono for metalling on this deviation, and as soon as the metalling of the portions of the Takapau deviation are completed (which should be done to-day) crushing will be started. Kai-inanga formation : Formation of this road has been carried well past the bad portion of country and is n6w into good dry formation a distance of miles.—Carting bridge timber : The carting of the Waiapu spans foi’\the Mangaporo and Whakurei bridges is about completed. Procuring boulders for Jerusalem and Matahiia road: metalling: I understand most of these have been procured. About 800 cubic yards only could be procured at the mouth of the ; Kopuaroa, the balance having to be obtained near Matahiia. This will entail longer carting for both jobs. Waipiro riding: The cement, for tile Mata bridge has been landed and carted out and stowed 1 in a shed built for the purpose near the bridge. This is necessary ns Mr Mcßae’s woolshed, which was used for last year’s operations, is too far from the work. The whole of the material required is now at the bridge. A large number of culverts on the Taknpau-Iliungia-Wnitahaia road require renewing. Hardwood timber and Arineo iron culverts have been sent out for a number of these. An order has been placed for more Armco iron culverts.

Fipitarau riding: The concrete wing wall protecting the western upstream of the Mungapoi bridge lias been completed. This had to be carried out owing to the erosion of the soft rock endangering this wing. The work has been carried out bv Mr. Kerr, > the newly-appointed oversoor.

Awanui riding-: The cottage for Surfaceman Armitt has been completed. Tile fencing of the paddock will bet carried out as soon as' a fencer can be procured. Engineering surveys of Maraelrara east and west roads, were done during the month. Not enough money being available to carry cither of, these wefrks a sufficient distance to be of. any use to anyone, I would suggest that the

letting of this work be ’eft over till tho new grants are available, provision having been made on the new estimates for more monev to rlo this.

General: Ini connection with the new estimates for 1925-26 for both highway and district roads, I accompanied tho chairman to Gisborne. Attached herdo is a. copy of the list submitted to both Highway and Public Works Departments.

The Council then went into commit ten to ooen and consider tenders. On rest ming the chairman announced that the tender of Mr. Porikapa Awntere for the sum of £ll4 7s. for cont Tact No. 3/25, had been accepted.

C’r. Busbv proposed that the chairman. Cr. Rcedv, and the enginertr be a committee to deal with the tenders for the concrete bridges in Tokomaru and the Hikuwni.—Carried. C'r. Busbv asked as to the position in regard to the amount available for surfacemen's cottages. Some discuss’on took place as to the most necessary cottages to bo erected. As to the one at the Mata bridge it was decided that the position of the cottage was most unsatisfactory. and Cr. A. B. Williams offered to give a site of about ten acres for the cottage near the bridge.—Cr. Recdv proposed that Mr. Williams’ offer be accented, and also that Mr. Williams be thanked - for his generous gift.— Seconded bv Cr. Busbv and carried. The matter of the cottage at 9 aka pan was discussed, and Cr. A. B. Williams proposed that the chairman be empowered to interview the trustees of the late Piripi Waipanii and endeavor to arrive at some understanding with them. — Seconded by C’r. Busby and carried. Cl*. A. B. Williams was asked to interview Koroniria Te Ana in reference to tho strip of land he has on this side of tho road.

Cr. BuSbv enquired whether if was possib’e for the surfaceman’s cottage near Pnuariki to be built.—lt was do» ci'ded to proceed with the erection of the cottage.

In reference to (be. cottage occupied bv the Public Works Department, tlie chairman proposed .that the Department be written to and enquiry made as to whether they are prepared to sell their cottage which stands on tho Council’s propei'ty near the Waiapu bridge. If not. the Council is prepared to let them have the land, provided the Department can obtain another suitable site for the Council near the same snot.—Seconded by Cr. Hviand and carried. CV. Busby said that several corners on the Tokomaru-Hilr.uwai road had become dangerous owing to the growth of willows and fences.—Engineer to attend to matter. The engineer stated, on answer to Cr. Bushy, that he had not. been able to get a. suitable surfaceman for tho Mata road.

CV. F. J. Williams enquired whether the estimates of the cost of the culvert pipes would be presented.—The engineer stated he had not yot prepared the estimate.

Cr. Bushy proposed that the enginoc he (authorised to obtain prices, etc., of Armco culverts.—Seconded by Cr. F. J. Williams and carried. Cr. F. J. Williams sa'd there was a verv bad water hole on this ride of the bridge, near the Waiau turnoff.—Tbe engineer was directed to inspect and report.

Cr. Woodford asked that, more carts bo put on to collect the shingle off the beach at Waipiro.—Cr. F. J. Williams proposed that more metal be carted off tho beach, provided the amount of monev provided for the work is not. exreeded.—Seconded by Cr. A. B. Williams and carried. Tn regard to the Matn-Waitnliaia contract, the chairman stator] that he had spoken (o flip district engineer on the matter, and the latter had stated that he had communicated to his head office, but had not yet received a reply. Arising out of a request from the clerk, Cr. Reedy proposed that all accounts not presented for payment at the office of the Council on or before the Wednesday immediately preceding the Council meeting day, he held over until the newt meeting.—Seconded by Cr. Busbv and carried.

’ Accounts amounting to £4359 7s were passed for payment. The clerk was granted leave of absence for three or four weeks.