CLIFTON COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1923, Page 8

CLIFTON COUNTY.

PAST MONTH’S WORK. MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held yesterday. Present: Crs. H. A. Foreman, S. J. Sutton, F. C. Jones, R. Mounsey and C. Barn it t. An apology’ for absence was received from the chairman (Cr. R. H. Pigott), and Cr. S. J. Sutton was appointed to the chair. The engineer, Mr C. F. Dowsett, reported for the month as follows: Tikorangi Riding.—The Otaoroa road was measured for metalling from the Inglewood County boundary to West’e hill, Tikorangi. The total distance, including the sections already 7 metalled and amounting to 60 chains, gigves a distance of 500 chains, which leaves me unmetalled length at 44-0 chains, or 5J miles. At the southern end the settlers, when lose busy, are prepared to prospect for metal, and similar investigations are being made at the northern end. My estimate will therefore be postponed until more definite information is supplied. Waihi Riding: On the Turangi road (>• chains of work was pegged, levels taken and plans and specifications prepared. Main road:—lf funds permit, the policy of blinding the metal with gravel is good, and I should recommend starting at the Motonui Post Office and proceeding northerly as money permits. Snell’s road: When the survey work in han' 1 is completed the necesary steps will be taken to close the upper portions o c this road and vest the area as required. Urenui Riding—Regarding the Urenui bridge, the repairs and renewals are such that I am afraid it will be necessary to dislocate traffic during the repair period, but if everything is previously prepared thia shonld not be of long duration. The timber required to renew everything of impaired strength would amount to 9500 feet of hardwood and 2100 feet of rimu. The former at 80s in place would amount to £3BO and the latter at 50s to £s’2 10s. If the bridge were painted another £G6 would be required to he added, making a total of £4'9B 10s. The expenditure of this sum would put the bridge'in good order throughout. Okoke road: The contractors made a fresh start with this delayed contract, but have been again hampered with the changeable weather. I would suggest that 1000 yards of boulders be obtained from the beach at Waitoitoi to renew the metal from the 28 mile peg on the Main Road southwards, and that the metal now spawled at Uruti be used from the enme point northwards. Mangamaeho bridge: Both abutments and wing waffs are completed as far as it is practicable to go at this stage. Uruti Riding—Tangitn deviation: The survey plans are now completed. Murray’s bridge, Tupoke road: The western approach badly scoured out during the rbcent rains and I instructed the roadman to effect temporary repairs. the river has been threatening the west side for some time and only shoot piling will permanently improve the position. My estimate for the work is £75. Jones’ culvert: The banks on the down stream side have completely collapsed anil seriously threaten the stability of the culvert. For permanency my recommendation is for two main piles anchored and faced with sheet piling and my ostiate for the work is approximately £lOO. Mokau road: The present roadman has too great a length to maintain, controlling as he does the road from Barker’s culvert to the Kaituna jcnction, and additional assistance should be provided as in the past. Mokau Riding: No new works are being carried out in this Riding. The usual maintenance and repairs are receiving attention, and I am endeavouring to get a price per chain for putting the Kiwi road in good order. Ngatimaru Riding: Owing to a lot of plan work and preparation of contracts, etc., I have been unable to visit this Riding, but hope to be in a position to do so during the coming week. GENERAL. The engineer was empowered to make temporary repairs to the Urenui Bridge, to draw’ up plans and specifications for a new bridge at Onaero. and to employ Rowe Bros., to effect repairs to the Uriti Bridge. Failing Rowe Bros,, the engineer was empowered to call applications for a competent bridge carpenter. The matter of securing 1000 yards of boulders at Waitoitoi and 300 yards at Pukearuhe was left in the hands of the engineer for a report. It was decided to call tenders for the Turangi Road metalling, and the matter of metalling Jury’s Hill was left in the hands of the engineer to call tenders. H. L. Taylor, Urenui. drew the council’s attention to what he called the dangers of th/ upper portion of the Mataro Road, which had became almost impassable for traffic. Unless something were done to improve the road the settlers would be unable to cart their cream out.—The engineer was instructed to carry out repairs, it being understood that the settlers were willing to assist.

P. Wells, complained of the state of the Pukearuhe Road, where it crosses the swamp near the White Cliffy Dairy factory, and suggested that a drain be mad er across the swamp.—The chairman pointed out that the foreman had already been instructed to dig the necessary drain.

The noxious weeds inspector wrote stating that owing to limited staff (there being only 2 officers to cover the counties of Taranaki, Clifton, Inglewood, and portion of Egmont), the inspection of weed-infested country had not received the attention it should. It was. hoped, to devote practically the whole of next month to th? work and prosecutions would be instituted where the clearing of weeds was not beino’ attended to.

The tender of Kapinga and Co., nt £OOB 5s for the Piko Road metalling was accepted.