WHANGAMOMONA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 86, 24 November 1911, Page 8

WHANGAMOMONA.

COUNTY COUNCIL

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Whangamomoua County Council took place on Wednesday, when tho full Council were present. The Clerk took the chair and read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were adopted, and then called for nominations for the position of chairman for tho ensuing term.

Cr. W. A. McCutchan moved, and Cr. Bacon seconded, that Cr. A. Meredith be re-elected chairman, which was carried unanimously. Cr. Meredith briefly returned thanks for the honour bestowed upon him.

After the minutes of tho last meeting and tho engineer’s report had been read, tho Council adjourned for lunch.

Ordinary Meeting.

The ordinary monthly meeting was held at the usual hour, when there were present:—Crs. A. Meredith (chairman), E. B. Roberton, W. Bacon, W. A. McCutchan, M. I. Jury, A. Coyne, J. Riggins, and R. Cloland.

Ensineer’s Report.

Mr. E. C. Robinson reported as follows: Tenders.—Tenders were.again invited for contract No. 28 (formation of portion of Mauku Road), and contract No. 29 (felling and clearing portion of tapper Mangachu Road), which closed on the Stii lust., and the following tenders were received:— Contract No. 28, L. Hennessey, £7l 10s, Needham Bros., £79 10s iOd ; contract 29, J. Levandowski £6l 17s 6d, Needham Bros. £65, Coleman and Jones £75.

I provisionally accepted the tenders of Messrs. Hennessey and Levaudowski respectively, and would ask the Council to ratify same. Putikituna Road.—As instructed, .1 applied to tho Public Works Department to have the slip removed, and the Resident Engineer informs me that he is recommending the issuing of an authority to use £lO for carrying out the work.

' Tab ora Road.—The necessary repairs to this road are in hand. Mangaowata, Whitianga, and Kohuratahi Roads.—l have instructed the Foreman to attend to the repairs necessary on these roads. Ohura Road (Central Riding).— This road above Whangumomona township is being badly cut up with railway traffic, hut it is useless to think of doing anything at present. Pohokura Road.—The repairs an thorised to this road are now in pngress. Makaim Road.—The matter of .the reinstatement of bridge on this road should not be lost sight of. The ; fate of tho bridge was reported to last meeting, but no action was then taken.

junction Road;—Tho £2O authorised on this road has been expended, leaving it in a fair state of repair, with tho exception of a small portion ai this end which needs a further two or tnreo days’ uerk. Tawhiwhi Road.—An expenditure of about £3 is required on this road to put it into proper order. Ohura Road (Strathmore Riding).— About 30 cubic yards of stop a, are required for repairs to this road from ,23 mile peg upwards. Bridges (Ohura Road). -I he Makaim Stream Bridge, Brower Road, tho bridge on Makaim Road, the fridge at Makaim factory, tho Tapuni Road bridge, and tho Upper Mangachu Road bridge, are all in need of attention, either cleaning, minor repairs, screwing up, and painting. I should like authority to engage labour for, this work during the coining summer. Government Grants and (Subsidies. Attached herewith are letters from the Public Works Department re the above. I have explained the position to the clerk. Should the Council adhere to its decision to accept all grants for widening, I take it that some equitable arrangement will to made in connection with the cost of administration for the carrying out of such work previously undertaken by the Department.

Following: arc the proposals:— Marco.-7-On account of £looo,'widening over saddle, £179. Mangaro.—On account of £IOOO, widening towards saddle, £SB. Mangaowata.—On account of £IOOO widening to Maikai Junction, £145. Mangaehu (Upper), £ for £.—On account of £IOOO dray road, £2O. Putikituna, widening to Vera Junction, £213. Whangamomona. to Wanganui River, on account of £2OOO, widening below Arnold Creek,’ £l9B. The balances that may be offered the Whangamomona County Council by the Public Works Department for proposals on the roads are as under; —Paorangi £6l 8s Gd, widening Wha-ngamouona-Wa nga mi i River R or.d, £l9B 4s Bd. As both of these works are now being operated on by the Department, and as both amounts will bo reduced on account of liabilities, 1 would ask you to recommend your Council to let them remain in the hands of the Department. The following business was iransacted, arising out of the Engineer’s report:— iMovcd by Cr. McCutchan, seconded by Cr. Bacon, that the District Hoad Engineer bo communicated with in regard to the extremely dangerdus condition of the Putikituna Road for which he is recommending a grant of £4O, and asking him to expedite tlie said sum, and as the Council is responsible for this road (it being vested), the position is a very unfair one.—Carried.

The Engineer’s action in regard to accepting tJio tenders for contract Nos.’ 2S and 29, was confirmed. The Engineer was instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of ploughing the Whitianga Hoad water tables from the foot of the Whitianga Saddle to the Mauku Hoad. On the motion of Cr. Bacon, seconded by Cr. Biggins, it was decided that Cr. Jury interview the settlers on the Mahahu Hoad, and ascertain if they are agreeable to rate themselves for a special rate for payment of interest on a bridge loan for reinstating tiie .Makahn Hoad bridge, and also take a petition to that effect with him for completion. 'flic Engineer was empowered to proceed with the necessary work referred to in ids report on Tawhiwhi Hoad.

The Engineer was instructed to procure ll'J yards of metal for maintenance purposes required for repairs on Ohura Hoad. It was decided that the Public Works Department bo written to informing them that their recommendation re the expenditure of balances on the I’oarangi and WliangamomonaWangamu Hirer roads "would be acceded to. No action was taken in respect to the Engineer’s recommendations for repairs to bridges on the Ohura Road. It was decided on the motion of Cr. Bacon, seconded by Cr. Coyne, that the Council accepts the grants offered by the Public Works Department, the

cost of same to be •charged to the roads upon which grants are to lie spent. On division Cr. McCutchan voted against it. , The Engineer was instructed to lay off, and call tenders for the formation of the Upper Mangachu Road loan work, tenders to close next meeting of the Council if possible. Correspondence. Tho following correspondence was received:— From J. B. Hino, M.P., i - c Public Works estimates.—Received. From the New Zealand Counties Association, enclosing copies of counsel’s opinion No. 97.—Received. From M. Wilson, secretary ol KoImratahi bazaar, enclosing the sum of 10s, and asking the Council to forward permit for Mr R. Cottier to auction goods for charity purposes.—The clerk was instructed to interview Mr Cottier in respect to same, and if in order the permit to he granted. From the Receiver of Land Revenue, informing the Council that the sum of £77 10s Id was lodged at the Bank of Australasia to the credit of the County Council’s account for interest accrued on Crown lands under tho administration, of the and that the Land Board has authorised the expenditure for the payment of interest on loan. —Received From Victor Klee, _ surfaceman, asking for ah increase in wages from Ss to 9s per day.—Consideration was deferred for the Engineer’s report on same until next meeting oi the Council. From the Public Works Department re offers to local bodies, informing lb*. Council that tho Minister <?f Public Works will .he prepared to authorise up to the full amount of a grant as soon as satisfactory proposals are submitted.—Received. From the ■ Public Works Department, ro_tho expenditure of £9 ISs lid on idle Mohak.au Road, and enclosing form for details of claim.— Received. _ . From William Wright, offering his services as County ranger.—No appointment made. Deputation. Mr. A. Coxhead waited on the Council with reference to a letter received by him from the County Clerk requesting a receipt for moneys paid to Mr. A. Coxhead, jun., to which he took great exception. Mr. Coxhead, after explaining the circumstances of the case, retired while the Council considered tho matter. During his absence tho Clerk made an explanation to the Council of the facts of the case, and after a short discussion it was decided that the Chairman inform Mr. Coxhead, sour., that the letter was sent in accordance with the Audit Inspector’s suggestion and was merely one of a number of similar ones cent to other payers of County moneys in the district. Mr. Coxhead accordingly signed the receipt, thanked the Council, and withdrew. Riding Business. Strathmore Riding.—Tho Clerk was authorised to write to the Minister of Public Works enquiring rc tho £1409 subsidy due on the Brewer to Murcott £3BOO loan. Pohokura Riding:—That an account of all expenditure of .£3BOO loan and subsidies received on. .account thereof, bo prepared in detail for the information of the 'Council.^-Carried. Central McCutchan moved that tho Engineer ho empowered have the thirds as scheduled expended on a 12ft. formation on Marco Road forthwith. It was also decided that the foreman be instructed to do a day’s work in clearing a slip on the Putikituna Road. Tab ora Hiding.—lt was decided that tho clause in the, Engineer’s report fo remuneration for, supervision of expenditure of Government grants by the County Engineer he held over until next meeting of the Conned, General. It was resolved on Cr. Meredith’s motion that tho Council meet on the fourth Wednesday in each month. On the motion of Cr. Coyne, seconded by Cr. Diggins, it was decided that the question of the appointment of a ranger be deferred until next April. It was decided on the nation of Cr. Bacon, seconded by Cr. Roberton, that the roadmen be empowered to impound cattle, etc'., off tho main roads, the fees for same to be paid to the Council. In cases where trespass of stock is persisted in tho offenders to be reported to tho police, with a request for action to lie taken. Accounts amounting to £lsl 17s 8d wore road and passed for payment. Tho Council then adjourned.

EDUCATION BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranai Education Board was commenced on Tuesday night, when there wen present: Messrs H. Trimble (chairman), W. McL. Kennedy, A. Morton,. A. IT. Halcombe, Ci. Rogers, J. Young, .and G. A. Adlam. Chairmen's Report. Whangamomona additions.—The Department suggested that the proposed movcablb school should be built by the Public Works Department, which had erected schools at a comparatively small cost in other districts. He had agreed to the suggestion, and arrangements had been made for its construction, though on a smaller scale than was originally suggested. This building would lie the property of the Board so long as it remained in the Taranaki district. Mahoe.—On receiving Miss Breen’s resignation Miss A. Smith was appointed assistant. Uncartificated Toachcrs. Messrs W. A. Ballantyne and 11. G. Whettcr, inspectors, reported that after considering the matter of the Department’s grant of £SO for the purpose of assisting uncertilicated teachers to qualify for the teachers’ I) -certificate, they recommended that classes be established at Stratford, Urenui, and Oaqnui, each place being a convenient centre for the schools in which uncertilicated teachers are engaged. Classes in three different subjects for the !> examination, suitable to the requirements of the teachers interested, would he bold under suitable instructors every alternate Saturday. This would probably absorb all the money, but if the Department wore willing to increase the amount the scheme could be extended by establishing and maintaining a system of tuition by correspondence that would moot the cases of the few teachers in the service who arc so remote from any centre or whose requirements in individual subjects wore not such as could be dealt with collectively.—Adopted. Farm Scficc!. It was resolved that the Board approve of the principle of the technical organiser’s report and submit it to the Minister for his consideration with regard to drawing up regulations for Agricultural High Sheools. General. The Whangamomona School Com-

mittco is to lio informed that permission may be granted the Whangamornona Sports Club to hold their sports in the school ground on December 26th provided that all damage done is repaired. The Hoard expressed itself in accord with the opinion expressed by tne North Canterbury Board that in connection with any addition to or alteration of Acts affecting Education Boards, the latter should be informed thereof in time to allow them to give an expression of opinion. The Board also thoroughly endorsed the resolution forwarded to the Minister by the North Canterbury Board requesting that action be taken to provide a sum of money to enable Boards to assist school committees in the erection of swimming baths. The secretary of the Wellington Education Board notified the election of Mr C. Carson as a member of the Committee of Advice, Wellington Training College, as representing Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, and Wanganui.

The action of the Puniwhakau and Makahu school committees in closing their schools on account of measles was confirmed.

Miss M. Breen’s resignation of her position as assistant teacher at Mali oe was accepted.