CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1919, Page 3

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. « The ordinary meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara yesterday, when there were present: Crs. R. H. Pigott (chairman), T. McKenzie, H. A. Foreman, F. C. Jones, C. Musker, S. J. Kennington, and H. E. Waite. Cr. H. E. Waite, who was taking his 6eat on the council for the first time, in succession to Cr. H. Sander, resigned, was welcomed by the chairman. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported: Waihl Biding—lf tenders are too high for the main road metalling contract, I intimated that possibly the council would accept a joint tender to Include the Nikorima Road, which would give more acope for contractors, but any price accepted for on» work will undoubtedly govern the other. When the new bridge foreman arrives his first duties will be directed to the Waipapa and Waiau bridges on the Inland North Boad. The roadman has been engaged in the Onaero pit quarrying for repairs, etc. Tlkoraugi Biding.—On the Inland North Boad the factory hill on the north side has been stripped of metal, the grade lowered, and additional metal applied thereto, together with other Improvements in this locality. On the south side tile edge of metal should be protected by an inexpensive fence. The Ngatimaru Boad contract is almost completed, and I recommend a further 50 yards being procurred. Ngatimaru Biding.—The metalling contract on the Junction Koad is Bearing completion, and a price offered for further supplies at the Tarata end. I am prepared also to proceed.with the council's requirements. The Mangaoapa Boad from Mounsej'B to the Junction Boad Is In good order, and work is proceeding on the Ngatoto Boad. The Hoho creek bridge was inspected, and will bo re-decked and strengthened. Bepalrs are being carried out on the stringer bridge at the Tarata end of the Otaraoa Boad. Various works will be proceeded with when the opportunity offers, viz., tuo Maugamalre tunnel, a collapsed tunnel on the Pulsemahoe Boad, reforming ihe southern end of the Mangaoapa Boad, and sanding portions of the Junction Boad. About 5000 feet of timber 's cut for the Mangaoapa stream bridge, and the balance will shortly be completed.

Urenul Biding.—The pipes below the township were placed in position oarly in the month, and arrangements have been made to concrete tbe inlets and outlets in the future. The gravelling contract in the native reserve Is proceeding slowly. The bridges on the Okoke and Piko Boads, including the Punga, Whittaker's, Gibson's, Kenah's, etc., are all receiving attention at the hands of the roadman, who recently took up private duties, but has again resumed his position with the council, and fortunately, at a time when the roads are requiring a good deal of attention. The section of road opposite Bogors' liys-i requires considerable metal, but unfortunate; it Is rather widely separated from any adequate deposits.

Mokau Hiding.—The concrete . flood opening has been completed and plastered, and will be open for the public use on Monday next. The burnt papa between the SB and 38 mile pegs is cutting up badly, and I am endeavor'ng to have the worst places patched. The Okau roadman has left for good, and the position has been offered to others, but so far without success I drore over the roads last week, and they are in fair order, but sundry culverts require attention and renewals. The Uruti roadman has also taken up more lucrative employment, and this leaves an Important district without attention. The crushing at Wal-lti was completed on the 18th, the result being three more gapß completed, leaving one to complete next season. In addition a goodly portion of maintenance metal was deposited where required, and blinding and rolling has been steadily proceeding The northern gap was not rolled, as I preferred taking no risks with the I'apatlki bridge. The grader has been engaged at the l'ukearuhe end, and will then proceed to the Wai-iti Road. The crushing plant was transferred to Uruti on Monday last to crush metal for the Public Works Department, to be followed by scarifying and rolling certain sections on the Uruti and Mokau . t, H - s ' Wllite ' ffhast > credentials tndlcate him as a man of wide bridge experience Is expected to take up his duties on the sth instant The report was adopted. MAINTENANCE OF MAIN ROADS. The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce forwarded copy of a resolution favoring the Government constructing main roads, and asking local bodies to co-operate in the work of having their roads put in a permanent condition in respect to surface and width that would enable them to carry with safety the rapidly increasing number of powerdriven vehicles. Members expressed the opinion that local bodies could control the roads better than the Government if the latter provided the necessary finance. On the motion of Crs. Musker and Foreman, it was resolved: "That the council is alive to the necessity of Government assistance to main roads; but considers that the scheme should be in the nature of classification and increased subsidies to needy councils." , GENERAL. Mr. C. A. Simons, Matau, asked permission to erect six' chains of fence along the roadside by a creek in order to prevent live stock from getting on to the road.—Granted. Mr. Simons also complained that, while he had been prosecuted for allowing cattle to wander on the Matau North Road, other setters still had cattle running there. It was decided, after full consideration, that the council could not Bee its way to give financial assistance towards the maintenance of that portion of the Junction Road in the Whangamomona County. The Patea County Council forwarded a resolution for consideration, asking that various local bodies in Taranaki and the Auckland Electric League be asked to combine, with a view to urging at once that a hydro-electric scheme be evolved for the North Island, especially urging the Awapuni site, on the Waikato River, as being the best available for Taranaki, and that the Members of Parliament be asked to support the resolution. The council decided to support the resolution, and to ask for the co-operation of Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P. It was resolved that the council is prepared to contribute towards the cost of uniform by-laws in terms of the letter received from the secretary of the Taranaki Counties Conference, provided that the approval of the solicitor to the New Zealand Counties Association be obtained thereto.

The Milton Borough Council forwarded the following resolution: "That, in view of the excessive cost of exporting the surplus produce of the Dominion, this council is of opinion that the New Zealand Government should he urged to adopt measures to secure, at the earliest possible date, a Government mercantile fleet of steamers,.in.order that .producers and others may not he entirely at the merry of shipping companies and''kindred monopolies." It was resolved: "That this council is unanimously in accord with any effort to have our products placed on the markets of the world at a reasonable cost, freed from monopolies and trusts, and would join with other local bodies in asking the Government to give the matter its earnest consideration." The matter of accepting a tender for the supply of 400 yards of boulders at Waipapa was referred to the chairman and engineer. Accounts amounting to £IOB6 18s Id were passed for payment. GERSTENA for BREAKFAST. ' Get a ''Unique" Stopper Hot Water Bot+le for this Winter—the Unique is made by the North British Co from the finest plantation rubber! It won't burst or leak—make sure of Brand being on the neck of the bottle. 51 for HBEAKFABT