CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144855, 6 December 1915, Page 8

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

■ MONTHLY MEETING; The- moirthly meeting of the Clifton County Council was held at Waitara on Friday. There wore present; Counciiloxs S. M. Bower (chairman), R. T. KTp]r« 1 H. M. Pardio, W. R. H, Figott, H. Sander and S. L Kennington. * ENGINEER’S REPORT.-

The Engineer reported as follows: Waihi Riding.—l would recommend that tbo lease of the Onaero gravel reserve be terminated upon payment of arrears to December 31, and that in . future the grazing portion be attached to tho county cottage at an annual rental of £2. Inland North Road: Levels have boon taken near Matthews’ for improving the grades, and tho plans aro in course of preparation. The metalling of'a portion of this road has heen and Farquhar has relinquished his contract in favour of tbo council. At the Turangi depot the contractors are busy increasing their supplies, and tho contract for carting same when crushed has been accepted at a satisfactory figure. Further supplies will also bo obtained for the Nikorima Road at the Waipapa depot. Tikorangi Rid ing.—Tho re-snrfacing of about 13 chains near the cemetery is completed; also an increased length added to the continuous metal. Thereafter tho crusher will bo requisitioned by tho borough and then again return to Dio Waihi Riding. The metal broken hi Frceling’s pit will be got out tho first opportunity. Ngatimam Riding.—Gravelling is proceeding satisfactorily on the Junction Road. Timber for repairs to tho Purangi Bridge will shortly be coming forward. The foreman at Purnngi desires leave of absence, and will provide, in tho meantime, a suitable substitute. Flans and specifications have been approved for the Kioro Road Bridge, ami , tenders will be called to close at next meeting of the council, or curlier if desired. The recent heavy weather interfered with the completion of the Autawa Road tunnel. Urenui Hiding.—Timber for repairs to tho Onaero Bridge has arrived, and is already on the site. The Okoko Road again suffered somewhat from the recent heavy rains, but the worst portions have received attention. The Kainikari Road has been attended to, and assistance transferred to the Mature Road. Operations of a private nature are still being pursued at the now gravel quarry, and in the mean time X am taking no action. Mokan Riding.—Tho Moki and Twngixu Roads again suffered during the lato heavy weather, but aro receiving attention. Tho burnt papa contract still remains unsatisfactory, although I was assured that tho contractor ini tended to proceed. Tho Parininilii tunnel has been re-opened for traffic for some days, and tho repairs to tho Waifcihikihi • Bridge will be early attended 'to. Further quarrying in connection with the Uriti Road is proceeding. No action has been taken in the meantime , m connection with the Pukearuho metalling. Tho half-yearly thirds schedules have been prepared and will be submitted for approval at 'the next sitting of th© Land Board. 1 have made further application for the balance of the money owing on tho Mitni-Mokau Road, amounting to £258 14s 3d, and also a further special request .to Wellington for the annual grant to this road. At the termination nf the - present lease it was resolved that the Onaoro reserve bo attached to tho Onaero cottage, at a rental of £2 per annum, as recommended. It was decided, on the motion of Councillor Pigott, to call for tenders for proposed work on tho Inland North Road. Councillor Hicks suggested that a quantity of stone which was now lying at one of tho metal pits in the Tikorangi Riding bo carted to the depot.—Tho matter was held over until next meeting. It transpired that for the work on JSono Road,-including the bridge, there was a Government grant of £IOOO towards the cost, and it was estimated that there would ho an additional cost •to the council of about £4OO. It was decided to call for tenders for tihe bridge, and to proceed with the /road work by day labour. It was resolved, on the motion. of • Councillor Sander, seconded by Councillor Old. to cancel burnt papa contract in the Mokan Riding, and to apply to the Government for authority to substitute aboil rock for burnt papa. PTTKEARHHE ROAD LOAN,. The Hon. W. Fraser, Minister for Public Works, telegraphed: “Re your wire to Prime Minister regarding Pukearohe Road loan, there is a grant of £3OO on the Supplementary Estimates on account of £7OO £ for £, but no ‘‘authorities for new votes are being is•saed until the loan is floated.” A deputation of Pukeurnho settlors, consisting of Messrs L Martin, Bowman, Sorrenson, Davis and Frcoth. waited on the council, and tho question of the loan; the Government subsidy, and metalling contract • generally was discussed very freely. 1 Some doubt was expressed as to "whether the Government subsidy of £3OO on account of the £7OO promised would he available, and the deputation urged the council to persevere in its efforts to obtain this on behalf of the settlors, Tho chairman said he thought tho £3OO would bo availaide,. and that later.on .the balance of £4OO would also bo provided by tho Government. . It was doubtful, however, whether the £7OO would do . the . work,. and it was suggested by the. deputation that tho formation work, which was estimated to cost . £l2O, might ho considerably reduced. Eventually tho deputation agreed to proceed with tho expenditure of the loan of £IOOO, in. the hone that tho Government subsidy would be available, and rather than cut down the formation work the council agreed to contribute £SO towards tho cost of tbo work, as laid out by the engineer. Tenders will, therefore, be called for metalling and formation up to £IOSO. THE WAREMPLOYMENT OF SINGLE MEN. The Raglan County Conned forwarded copy of the following resolution, and asked the council to pass a rimdar resolution-: “That tho services of all single men eligible for military service employed by the council bo dispensed with, at one month’s notice, unless such men can produce a certificate from the nearest military medical recruit examining officer that they had offered their services and had been rejected, and that no single men eligible for military service be employed during the continuance of the war.’ 3 The letter was received. PROPOSED PATRIOTIC RATE. The Mount Herbert County Council, .RixrauwLiCHcardeA cony of a resolution^.

and asked for the council** support, as follows: —(1) That- thin council views with regret that the present gigantic European struggle will continue for aconsiderable time to como, anti arc; therefore of opinion that the many patriotic funds should bo liberally supported; (2) that under present system of voluntary contribution largo sums toavo already been subscribed, but me fortunately many who are well able to contribute have done but little or nothing iu all in this direction: (4) that this council is of opinon that all local bodies .should be empowered to strike a "Patriotic Fund Kate”; (4) that such a course would reach who hav» riot yet realised their duty in this grea Empire struggle, -and urge them to fur ther endeavours. It was resolved, on tlie motion o Councillors PigKt and Purdio, "the. this council, owinr to the large atnoimjf of voluntary subscriptions received, 1 not in ryiupatby with the resolution.” THE PENSIONS ACT.. The Pctone Borough Council «sko< for tho council’s support of the follow ing resolution:—“Tliat- as an aid to if cruiting the Government ho requested to amend "Pho War Pensions Act, 191 setting forth therein clearly and definitely tho amounts payable to the sol-, diers’ dependents in the event of death 1 on active service, such amounts not to be subject to reduction or variation hy tho Pensions Board set up under that Act; and, in view of tho dissatisfaction which generally prevails regarding tin's mutter, urges that Parliament be at once summoned to amend tho Act.” Tho letter was received. GENERAL. Tho resolution passed on November t 1915. by way of special order authorising the raising of the Tangitu special loan of £2OOO, was confirmed. It was decided to communicate with various Government departments notifying them that unless their servants were provided with certificates notifying that they wore in tho service of the department they would not bo allowed to g». through the Waihi __ toll-gate without paying the ordinary fees. Tho chairman was voted an lionm arium of £25 in recognition of his sc vices during tho past year. Accounts amounting to £441 19s 8d were passed for payment.