STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144050, 20 March 1913, Page 5

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting ’of the Stratford County Council was hold at tho County Chambers, Stratford, on ’Wednesday. There were present: Councillors AV. Hathaway (in the chair), J. Christoff cl, T. Anderson, J. Smith, 10. 'Walter, and J, Young. TENDER. The tender of J. Neilson was accepted for the supply of 50 cubic yards of shell rock on the Stanley Road. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer, Mr. E. C. Robinson, reported that during the month a further 30 chains of metal had been laid in respect of the Mangaehu metalling contract. There were now about 83 chains spread, leaving about haif-a-mile still to do. Kerrisk had made a staid with his maintenance shell rock contract on Mangaehu and other roads. 'lhe Mnkmi Valley drainage contractor wa-, nearly through with his contract,. some further cleaning, etc., being required throughout most of the length, to complete. The Waiwiri Road ro-metalhng contract had been completed id a satislactorv manner, and the contractor was now engaged in repairing the portion or road carted over and in delivering the maintenance metal authorised last meeting. Sloadv progress was being made with the supply of boulders for .Pembroke Hoad, also with the South Ridim' boulder contract. / Tuc Finncrty Road bridge was approaching completion. Crushing operations had been completed at Hastings, Palmer and AA aing'tgoro Road, and tho roller had been following up and doing good work besides rolling in Ronald Road. The grader .had been at work on Croydon, Salisbury, and Mountain Roads. FOREMEN’S REPORTS. The foremen’s reports were read and various routine* matters arising therein were dealt with. HOLIDAYS. There was a short discussion with reference to tho holidays to bo allowed to the permanent road staff. It was eventually agreed that the men be allowed fivo days each year (on fall pay) as follows; Christinas Day, Boxing Day, New' Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter Monday. AHUROA ROAD. In accordance with notice of .motion, Councillor Marfell moved that £SO be transferred from the East Riding special fund to the Ahuroa Road West fund.—This was agreed to. COLLECTION OF RATES. A circular letter was received from the Waimate County Council, with respect to tho collection of rates and suggesting mi amendment in tho Act whereby 10 per cent, may be added -to all unpaid rates at tho expiration of two months. The full text of the communication has been published in the Herald. t ; . ln A The council decided that it could not support tho resolution, believing that ■the present system was the most satisfactory. . _ RAUPUHA ROAD. Mr. C. E. Archibald, on behalf of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, wrote that he was informed that the council was cutting up the Raupuha Road hy carting gravel for the Toko Road. If this was so he asked that* the council arrange for the repair of the road where required.< It transpired that the road was under the jurisdiction of the council, and that since the carting had been finished 'the necessary repairs had been attend- °* THE COUNCIL’S DEBT. The Treasury wrote with reference to tho council’s inscribed debt and stating that as 26 years had elapsed since the council converted its debt of £9OO 19s (with half-yearly interest amounting to £2O 5s sd) under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886, tliis amount had been deducted from the total indebtedness of the cpnncib A sum of £3OO inscribed in 1887 had! been dealt with in a similar manner.! The total indebtedness of the county therefore was £121,466 0s Id, the halfvcarlv interest amounting to £2712] 13s Id. ; .GOVERNMENT LOANS.

Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., forwarded ,a letter ho had received from the Hon. Mr. Fraser, actiug-Minister of Finance,! with respect ,to the council’s applica-! tion for a loan of £3OO for tho Makuri Road. The Minister stated that it was a matter resting entirely with the board of the State Guaranteed Advances Office, and .the application had therefore! been referred to the superintendent. If it was possible for the board to entertain the application the council would re.-cive advice from the superintendent. He pointed out, however, that the depailment was in no way committed to grant tins loan, and that as there were a great many loans already promised, mid ns the Stratford County Council had already exceeded the limit of £SOOdL it was possible that the board might! be unable to entertain the ap-l plication. If it was,unable so, he thought the council would have little difficulty in borrowing the amount from tho Public Trustee. .

Mr. Hine, in a covering letter, suggested that tho district engineer’s .approval for the expenditure of tho £3OO, Government grant on this road should 1 be obtained before March. 31 so as to ensure the vote being available at any time.

It- was decided to follow Mr. Hine’s suggestion. SHUT OUT.

Messrs. Grimmer and Chamberlain, contractors for a supply of boulders, waited on the council, and asked that the council take steps to enter a property on the Bird Road for tho purpose of taking stone from the river running through the farm. . They explained that the occupier had declined to allow the contractors to enter on tho land. The council, after conferring with its solicitor, Mr. Malone, referred the matter to the chairman and the engineer, and failing an amicable settlement the occupier will be notified that the council will take steps under fho Public Works Act to enter tho land. PEMBROKE ROAD WEST.

Mr. E. Jackson waited on tho council and asked that the Pembroke Road AVest be put iu order. Ho explained that if the work was put in hand now the cost would not be very great. A

few pounds spent now would make a tiptop road. The road, it appears, has to he traversed to reach the Stratfofd Mountain House, and Mr. Jackson explained that the people of Stratford would he prepared to subsidise the cost, estimated at .£lO, to the extent of £1 for £l. The Chairman said he thought the council would bo prepared to contribute one-third of the cost if the wratford Borough Council would contribute a third and the public of Stratford the other third. It was agreed to contribute £1 from the general fund provided £4 was contributed by the Borough Council and £4 was raised bv the residents of Stratford. GENERAL. H. 11. Worthington, Puniwhakau, wrote complaining that stock was allowed to graze on the Puniwhakau Road.—Referred to the ranger. Messrs. W. Creighton and Co., Midhirst, drew the council’s attention to a dangerous bank in front of their store, Queen’s Circus, Midhirst.—lt was estimated that the cost of tho improvements would be about £6, and .tbe council expressed its willingness to contribute one-third of this amount. Mr. W. Ogier, clerk to tho Moa Road Board, wrote risking the council to do for his board £5 worth of work on a bad hill near Mr. A. Smith, jun.’s property on the Ratapiko Road.—Agreed to. Mr. A. Coleman, clerk to the Whangaraoraoua County Council, forwarded copy of resolution regretting tbe decision of the Department of Lands not to supply in future the monthly schedules of land sold, etc., and asking the council if it approved thereof to pass n similar resolution.—The council agreed to endorse the resolution. R. D. Milue, Toko, wrote offering £1 a year for a lease of a small reserve at the corner of , tho East and Ahuroa Roads. —The council agreed to call for tenders for a lease. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £I9OB 8s 4d were passed for payment.