STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. 'p> The Stratford County Council met on Saturday. Present: Crs. E. Walter (chairman), F. J. Mackay, L. Baslun, \V. H. Were, J. O'Neill, E. W. Hancock, T. R. Anderson, J. Christoffel. An apology was received fiom-Cr. Worthington.

THE EPIDEMIC. Before proceeding with the council businesss, the chairing stated that lie desired to express his appreciation of the work accomplished by the people of the town and district in fighting the disease. There had been many sad losses, but, all things s considered, he thought they were fortunate in coming off ao lightly. He was glad to say that the people had behaved like Britishers, and tins unity of purpose had considerably alleviated the distress. The Hospital Board nad been very hard hit, and had many heavy charges to meet. The | county employees would have many heavy bills to meet, and he thought the council might pay the men. Special mention was made of Dr. Paget and the chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. J. McAllister), who had done very fine work in organising and had fine workers under them. The splendid organisation had saved many lives. He paid a tribute to those who provided motorcars and accomplished a lot of work, which, with the telephone, had proved a blessing to many living out in the back months has beep thoroughly disorganised, Cr. O'Neill also expressed appreciation, but thought Dr. Cooper was also entitled to consideration. Cr. Hancock stated that out Cardiff way Drs. Steven and Gordon had rendered great assistance. Cr. Mackay stated there were dozens and dozens of others who had rendered assistance.

The chairman's motion placing on record appreciation to the chairman of tha Hospital Board, the medical profession, and others who had rendered such valuable assistance with the organisation, was carried unanimously.

CONDOLENCE. The chairman then stated that the council employees had suffered, and referred to tho deaths of two ex-workera, Wellington and Meharry, who had been in the council's employ at various periods, and expressed regret that one of the road foremen, Plews, had lost his wife—Votes of symp l hy were carried On the chairman's >.".otion, a further vote was passed to Cr. Anderson on the death of his sister, Mrs. Maun, also a victim of influenza.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. W J. Lopdell, county engineer, reported:— The county work during the past two months has been thoroughly disorganised. The time lost through peace celebrations was immediately followed by the outbreak of influenza, which claimed two of the council's most valued employees There were still a few of the men who were unable to resume duty. Most of the men had lost a considerable amount of time, and looked to the council for some consideration.

North Riding.—The Acme plant is now set up in Baker's Reserve crushing metal for roads, which can be worked from this depot. After the New Year we will crush for the Mountain Roa3, when it will be necessary to obtain a suitable man for the tar work.

South Biding.—Foreman Parker has had the road roller during the month, and has done good work, but, unfortunately, it had to be taken away to follow the crushing plant. The bridge gang have completed the Climie Road bridge, and will have the Cornwall Road concrete culvert finished before tho New Year-

East Riding.—The Gordon Roa"3 metal ling contract is completed from the Crown Road to the bridge by the Gordon Road, using about 1166 cubic yard? of metal. At times it was very difficult to keep going, men having to cease work nearly every day, which necessitated bor rowing from other ridings. West Riding.—The staff in this riding for a time were depleted to a man, consequently there has not been a great deal done. The filling on the Cardiff Road ha 3 been raised about 6ft and remetalled, making a good job of what was a very bad grade. Waingongoro Road: The contract let to Gordon Staples on this road is completed, and at some future date the road at this place will require re-grading. The Collett plant i? engaged crushing on this road. Foreman Bevins was congratulated on the manner in which he has pushed on the work under most adverse conditions. The washhouse has been completed at the Manaia Road cottage, also a small footbridge near Rowan. The truss bridges between Rowan and Stratford have all been attended to. The bridge. sang are assisting with the Cornwall Road culvert to get it through before the New Year. I purchased a wheelbarrow and a few hundred feet of timber from the factorv sale at Cardiff."

Mangachu Riding.—The plans for the Tututawa bridge have .been approved by the Public Works Department, subject to minor alterations which have been agreed upon and are on the tableAdopted. Cr. Baskin complained that work of the North Riding had been hung ijp, and yet he knew of men who could take 6n the work haß not been employed. The cngineeer stated that his experience during his P/n years with the county had been that men were not plentiful, and, in regard to Cr. Baskin's complaint, he had been unsuccessful in getting a man. The chairman said the council, like similar bodies, were very short of men. PAYMENT OF MEN. The question of payment of men who fcad lost time through the epidemic was raised by the chairman. After some discussion as to whether the men should receive half-pay or full pay, it was resolved that they be paid 10s per day for time lost through the epidemic.

ELECTION OP CHAIRMAN. In relinquishing his position as chairman, Or. Walter stated that the council had had a very satisfactory year. Tliey had lost some men through" enlistment, and the scarcity of labor had prevented the council making the progress he would have liked to see. The rainfall had been very heavy—nearly 100 inches up to October. Probably the best thing done was the purchase of two motor lorries,, and these, he believed, would prove a big asset to the county. He was in favor of the pnrchase.«of a motor tar-sprayer, which would be a vast improvement on the present method. By | erecting a depot, they could operate with

contract to carry these out o£ revenue. Although at first rather dubious as to how the council would work with him, he now thanked them for the support accorded him. He paid a tribute to the county staff and to the preßs. Cr. Christoffel, as senior councillor, moved —"That Cr. Walter bo re-appoint-ed chairman." Cr. Walter had proved a very capable and energetic man for the position, giving the eouncil every attention, often at great personal sacrifice. Cr. O'Neill seconded. All the councillors endorsed the nomination.

Cr. Walter was then re-elected unanimously, and, in returning thanks for the generous tribute paid to his chairmanship said he had always endeavored to do his best. COEEESPONIDENCE.

Eltham County Council intimated- they were prepared to pay 'aalf-cost of new Finnerty Road bridge.—Received. W. J. Tristram, clerk, forwarded copy of resolutions carried at the recent County Conference held at Eltham.— Received, and resolutions outlined there endorsed-

Two county employees applied for increaso of wages no acount of the high cost of living.—No action was taken— Cr. Were dissented, adding that the council was riding for a fall. R. Guppy, Wharehuia, desired permission to take a few loads of clay off Stanley Road. —Left to the efigineer. W. J. McKenzie, Puniwhakau, desired to lease a piece of land and wharc at Puni.—ln the absence of Cr. Worthington, it was left to that councillor to deal with. ■

Alexandra Borough Council desired cooperation in, protesting against the medical profession sending tuberculosis patients from town to other districts.—"Resolution endorsed.

G. H. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands, notified decision to grant thfi council a lease of section 55, Mangaehu Village, 3 acres.—Offer accepted.

GENERAL. Tututawa bridge is to be the first undertaken by the bridge gang in tho New Year. The dog tax was fixed at the same as last year—2s 6d and 10s. Tenders were opened and decided as follows:—200 cubic yards, Cheal Road, Grimmer and Chamberlain; ' 1000 cubic yards pit metal, Mangaehu Road, No. 1. Kehelly and Madgwick. Two other tenders—4so cubic yard 3 boulders, Ohura Road, and 400 cubic yards boulders, Radnor Road, MidEirst—we're left to the riding members and the engineer. The question of hiring out of the motor lorry was discussed. It was pointed out that at times the lorry could be made revenue-producing by hiring out when not required by the council.

The chairman moved that the fee be £4 per day.—Cr. Christoffel thought the charge should also cover the interest and depreciation, and the fee should be £s.—On a division, the fee was fixed at £4, Crs. Christoffel and O'Neill dissenting. ENGINEER'S RESIGNATION.

A letter was received from the engineer, W J. Lopdell, forwarding his vssignation as engineer to the council, and status" he desired to leave as soon as possible. Cr. Baskin moved that the resignation be accepted. Seconded by Cr. Mackay. The chairman stated he regretted they were losing the engineer after 4% years' service with the county. During that period he had had a hard time, labor becoming scarce and material dearer. Work he had undertaken had been carried out conscientiously. The engineer hal always endeavored to make a success of any work, and no man could do more. He had always done his best to assist the ratepayer, The council had shown their trust in the engineer, and he had a lot to do in birying and selling material, and no hint or suspicion of anything undesirable had ever been even whispered. Se knew it was no good asking the engineer to re-consider the position, and wished him every cuccess and better times in his new county. Crs. ChristofTel, Anderson, Were, and Mackay _ all added appreciative remarks as to the manner in which the engineer had carried out his duties. The resignation was then accepted, and, on the motion of Cr. Hancock, it was resolved to call aplications for the vacant position. The chairman, Crs. Anderson, Mackay, and Christoffel were appointed a sub-committee to consider applications, which are to be Suvcrtised in the Daily News.