CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 January 1920, Page 2

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. I The ordinary meeting of ilia Clifton County Council was held at Waltara yesterday, when there were present: Crs. R H. Pigott (chairman), T. McKenzie, H. Foreman, F. C. Jones, C. Musker, H. Waite, and S. J. Kennington. ENGINEER'S BEPOBT. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported as follows: Wathl Elding.—About 100 yards of boulders have been removed from the foreshore at Onaero, and opportunity will be taken to considerably increase this when stone is available. The expansion of the toll gate receipts is satisfactory; ono week produced over £4O. The annual income from this source Is too useful to discard except by substitution. A start has been made scarifying at the sutbern end of the Main road, and this will be continued in sections to the toll gate, certain sections to be re-coated and others crowned up and afterwards rolled.

Tikorangi Elding.—During the month the crushing for the Ngatlmaru Road was completed, the total output, being 380 yards, which include some yards stacked on Alexander's Boad for repairs, and also an improvement to the Library corner. Owing to the alterations to the crusher, little difficulties were experienced at starting, somewhat restricting the output, and after a conference

?tween the councillor, contractor, and myself, it was decided to relieve the contractor of any disabilities In respect of reduced output. By an arrangement subsequently decided upon, I do not - anticipate any such trouble in the future. The driver appointed has picked up his duties and is giving satisfaction. On the Otaraoa Boad the formation is proceeding and it is expected that greater vigor will be shown in the future. Some chains of the Ngatlmaru Boad were unproved by cutting off the grass shoulders, and all roads requiring it should be similarly dealt with. Tenders close to-day for metalling a section of the Otaraoa Road.

Ngatlmaru Riding.—Repairs to different bridges at Tarata are delayed owlug to the ni-a-arrival of timber ordered montns ago. The roadmen's position at Purangl I hope to fill very shortly. The paoWock, in the meantime, la being let to a local resident. On the Mangaoapa Boad the formation and culvertlng have been In abeyance, but it Is anticipated work will be resumed again this month. All the timber for the small bridges' contract is now available, and the construction will commence forthwith. On the Matau North Road the timber is now available for the erection of the Mangamalre stream bridge, which will take precedence upon completion of works In hand. There are two works lam desirous of proceeding with at Matau, viz,, the Mangamalre Tunnel and the formation of the Tirangl Boad, and I am prepared to entertain offers for either work.

Urenul Riding.—lnstructions have been given to proceed with the formation work In Whakapakl Street in the Urenul township. Further gravel has been carted out from the native reserve. Other pits are known to exist, and 1 am prepared to accept any quantities If up to standard quality. Large concrete pipes have gone out to replace small bridge at Okoke. I hope to shortly get quotations for cutting timber for the renewal of the Black Bridge The pit road at Okoke is now receiving attention, as (maintenance gravel 13 urgently needed. The settlers at Plko are asked to express on opinion which section they prefer metalled first. It is to be regretted that the worst portion in the district, viz., between the end of the metal and the Plko junction. Is held over.

Mokau Riding—Further strengthening and repairs have been effected to the Urutl and Mangamaeho bridges, and loads limited to three tons and speed to five miles; oiher main road bridges are limited to five tons and speed eight miles. This Is necessary Jn view of the increasing weights used, and the progressive depreciation of the timbers. Further inquiries have been made in respect of quarrying shell rock, and tenders ore again called for this work. Further supplies of timber have been transported to the depot at TJruti for distribution. On the Pukearuhe Road the formation for the completion of the metalling contract Is well In hanS, and the metalling will be proceeded with after the plant finishes In the Walhl Riding. The bridge on the Mangahia Road was Inspected, and the culvert was left in situ to hold the' banks supffcrting the sides, double will follow any removal, and I have Informed the settlers to that effect. The Council are still short of necessary men, the reason, of course, being-that • labor is going to .xlie highest bidden and the is whslher this Counclll will also be a competitor. ÜBTJTI ROAD LOAN. Mr. Alpln wrote for information regarding the Urutl Boad loan, stating that settlers In the district were agreeable to rate their properties up to Id, and in the Tangitu, up to %d.

Cr. Musker stated that steps were being taken by the settlers to raise this money for the purpose of metalling 2% miles of the Urutl Road. The settlers would then be able to take advantage of the Government's free grant of £6OO to metal the last halfmile.

In reply to an application from the County Council for payment of the £6OO free money promised, the Minister of Public Works notified that as the outcome of a deputation from the county chairman and Cr. Musker, he had definitely promised to find £6OO for the last half mile of road, but he assumed that the £6OO would not be applied for until the 2% unites of metalling for which the Item of £1145 (£ for £ on the estimates), related had been spent The £6OO was granted because the county chairman had expressed the opiniou that the Government should provide a free grant for the last half mile, because a considerable portion of the road passed through country from which no rates were obtained by the Council. The chairman said that the letter was alright, only the Minister had the half mile on the wrong end. They asked the Minister to metal half a mile In continuance of the present metal, after which the settlers would metal 2V4 miles on the £ for £ subsidy basis. , Cr, Musker said that was so.. If the £6OO had been available tenders could have been called straight away, but In the state of the labor market possibly It did not make much difference. The chairman said that the clerk would give the information required to raise the loan, but two loans would be required. , A LIBERAL OFFER. Mr. Whitehead waited on the Council and asked whether they would bo prepared to crush any metal that the settlers might cart out on the Inland North Road in continuation of the present contract. He did not think the settlers would be able to cart out sufficient to complete the full nine chains. Cr. Walte considered it was a good offer, but as the Council had put themselves out a good deal to metal a portion of the road they should specify that the two pieces of metal must he connected. On the motion of Crs. Foreman and the chairman, the Council agreed to accede to the request. , GENERAL. The Waltoitol Dairy Company wrote asking for payment of £3O promised when 500 yards of metal had been obtainable from the Okoke gravel pit. It was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman, Cr. Musker, and the engineer to interview the chairman of the Waltoitoi Dairy Company and explain the position with a view to final setltement.

J. F. Ritchie, Matau, applied for a reduction of rates on his property—Resolved to Inform applicant that tho Council has no power to accede to the request. Transfer of two small reserves at Kotare from E. Sheeny to Beverton Bros, was agreed to.

The Waltara Borough Council notified that they would be prepared to supply water to the toll gate at £7 per annum.—Councillors considered that tjiis was rather high for the little water that would be required, and it was resolved that Cr. McKenzie and lit Vaughan wait on the Council.

It was resolved to forward the reply from the Inglewood Bacon Company ro an alleged nuisance at Urenui to tho Health Inspector. A foreman asked the Council to warn settlers who owned wandering stock in the Okoke district. It was resolved to warn those settlers reported for the first time, and to sue two who were reported for the second time Settlers on the. Plko Road asked that' the money available on the road should be first expended at Waihi's riding.

The matter of opening up the metal pit on the Otaoroa Road was referred to Crs Foreman, McKenzie, and the engineer. Accounts amounting to £l2lO 19s lOd were passed for payment.