TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145999, 4 December 1917, Page 5

TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly mooting of tho Taranaki County Council was held on Monday, Councillor J. S. Connett presiding. There were also present; Councillors A. E. Laurence, J. B. Simpson, J. Wooldridge, C Andrews, D. M'AUum, A. Morton, G. Capper, and J. Andrews. FOREMEN’S REPORTS. Tho following synopsis of foremen’s reports for tho month of November was laid before tho mooting;— PLANT. Enginedriver Maekie.—During the month the plant crushed 1604yds. at Waiwakaiho Depot. Enginedriver Stewart had rolled and scarified 129 chains of road for the month. Enginedriver Orr had scarified and rolled in 129 chains on tho Main, Perth, Kaihihi, Leith, Dover and Pitone Roads at a cost of T3S 8s lid, MOA RIDING.

Foreman Laurence.—Roads breaking up badly owing to dry weather. Foreman Dennett’s time had been taken up with usual repairs and cutting out some of the sharp corners. Ho had put two planks in Manganui Bridge. Foreman Mallon had been engaged on the usual maintenance work. Ho required eight Sin. pipes for tho Zigzag. Foreman Heal had formed and constructed water tables for 63 chains on tho King Road. Messrs. G. Blackburn, C. Longstaffi and Stanfield loaned horses and ploughs and gave free labour. Ho had metalled about a half-chain on Kaipi Road and dono some formation. Mr. L. Street did work with horse and cart, and Messrs. O’Byrno, Yeatos and Sinclair gave free labour. Reference was made to tho valuable assistance given by settlors in connection with improvements on tho King and Kaipi Roads, ,and on tho motion of Councillors Morton and Laurence a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded them. MANGOREI RIDING.

Foreman Batten had repaired Upper Alfred Bead and required seven 9in. pipes on tho Alfred Road. Foreman K-cast’s roads were breaking up, consequently ho was kept busy blinding the hills. Foreman Spencer reported the dry weather had kept him busy blinding tho roads. WAITARA RIDING. Foreman J. Holmes had received 540 yards from tho crusher and spread same on roads. Foreman W. Holmes’s time had been taken up with usual maintenance work. Foreman F. Holmes during the mouth had received 564 yards of metal on Egraont Road and 70 yards on Bishop’s Road. Foreman Proud had received 200 yards on the Parito and Honwood Roads.' O'MATA RIDING.

Foreman Seamark’s roads had broken badly with the dry spell. Ho had two men and horse and dray assisting him. Foreman Eva’s length was breaking up fast, and ho was trying to hold same. As regards metalling Upper Barrett Road it would cost £7 per chain for formation and metalling, the total cost for 28 chains being £196. Tho metal could come from J. Wilton’s and tho council plant could do tho crushing, OKATO RIDING. Foreman West reported that the dry weather kept- him continually blinding to hold tho hill. He required two 24inch pipes to lengthen culvert near Oakura Bridge. Foreman Scfton’s roads were breaking up with -tho continued dry spoil. Foreman Meredith had boon chiefly employed during the month with the small roller. As_ regards Mr. Archer’s request for pipes to divert water from scouring his privato road, ho found that the stormwater from Pit-one Road was damaging Mr. Archer’s road. If a culvert was placed in under Mr. Archer’s road (seven 9iu. pipes) it would bo quite all right. He would like three 9iu. pipes for culvert near Mr. Newing’s on the Pitone Road, which required shifting and lengthening. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

Mr. C. D. Grant, inspector, reported that during the month of November ho had been engaged collecting the dog tax in the Waitara, -Mangorei and Moa Ridings. On November 22 he attended court to prosecute three owners of motor lorries for using tho county roads without licenses, all of whom were fined. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. The Chairman reported that during tho past month ho had, with Councillors Laurence and Capper, mot tho Moa Road Board overseer, Mr. Hogg, at Kaimnta and discussed the proposed scheme of road improvement at the Junction-Kaimata. cross roads, and on tho same day attended the monthly meeting of tho board at Inglewood and agreed to tho proposals already submitted to tho council. It was also agreed that the work should bo done by day labour under the supervision of the hoard’s overseer. In tho matter of Tbremen’s lengths at Okato under discussion at last meeting, after investigation he thought the only satisfactory solution was to divide the roads lately merged into the county between Foremen Meredith and Hayes, and permit them to employ extra, labour when required. Ho had mot Mr. Schwann with reference to metalling and earthwork required on the upper Mangorei Road. Tho length under consideration was 48 chains of grading and formation from the end of the present metalling, also metalling of the first, hill of about eight chains. Ho had suggested raising a loan to metal the whole length, and this had been agreed to by the settlers interested. With Foreman J. Holmes ho had measured up boulders carted out by I>. Paul on the tiplaml Road, and recommended that ho be paid on the contract quantity of 160 yards. Ho had agreed with Messrs. Brodin Bros., of Puniho Road, to remove crusher site on their property as soon as convenient. He had mot Mr. Wainshorough, assistant railway engineer at Mangamawhiti m reference to obtaining a railway crossing on the south side of the river and from his remarks ho thought his recommendation should be favourable. I he big engine resumed work on tho 23rd, and Messrs. Andrews’ engine had been returned to Okato. During the past week the crushing plant had boon stopped to permit of necessary; repairs

to crusher and road roller. There- was approximately 1000yds yet to crush at Waiwakaiho. and 700yds waiting at Tozcrs. Spotswood boulders would bo ready by the date agreed on, and from there the plant would proceed to dT. Solo’s, in the Perth Road. GENERAL. . It was decided that tho clerk attend at Inglewood and Okato on dates to bo arranged for the collection of rates. The question of revising the lengths of road under- the supervision of tho foreman in tho Omata riding was referred to the chairman and Councillor M‘Album to deal with. Tho chairman and Councillor M;Allum were authorised to enquire into the proposed improvements of the Barrett Road |

Councillor Laurence reported having arranged with Messrs. Julian and Grills for them to cart the Maketawa and Durham Road stone at 6s 2d per cubic yard. , This he thought was satisfactory under tho circumstances.—Action confirmed.

The Restar Company notified that they would be ready to start tarring the Main South Road at Omata any time after January 7. Mr. C. S.. Rennell. secretary to tho Harbour Board, wrote that the hoard could not see its way to . make a- reduction in the royalty on stone taken from tho beach. The Moa Road Board notified that it was agreeable to tho merger of certain sections from tho Waitara West Read Board, and. to. pay all expenses in connection with same. Tho council Was asked to take, the necessary steps to effect tho merger.—Tho matter will bo. held over until consent is received from the Waitara West Road Board. Tho North Taranaki Head Centro of tho Royal Life Saving Society wrote asking for a refund of tho toll fee paid, in connection with tho visit of some of its members to coastal schools. They pointed out that their work was of a humane nature, and was carried out by members at great personal sacrifice, It was decided to inform the society that tho council had no power to maho a refund.

Tho Lands Department forwarded “thirds” proposals for tho period ended September 30 amounting to £39 17s Id.

Mr. W. H. Sharp, resident engineer of the Public . orks Department, wrote that ho had been instructed to qffor the council the amount appearing in current year’s estimates in respect to Carrington Road £4OO, on tho understanding that plans and specifications were submitted for his approval before tho work was commenced It was explained that no labour was available at the present time to do the work, and it was therefore decided to write tho department asking that the period of grant bo extended.

Subject to sample being satisfactory tho tender of Messrs. Cook and Lister for the supply of dog collars at 7d each and IJ-d for relabelling old collars was accepted. Tho time for receiving tenders for tho erection of a concrete bridge over the Mangaone stream on the Junction Road was held over for a fortnight, a committee consisting of the chairman and Councillors Capper, J. Andrews and C. Andrews being authorised to deal with same. Tho chairman was authorised to arrange for Christmas pay for tho staff. Tho office will bo closed from December 21 to January 3. Accounts were passed for payment as follows General expenses £854 3s 3d ,Moa Riding £272 7s lOd, Mangorei Riding £lO9 3s 6d, Waitara Riding £524 12s 6d, Omata Riding £4O 3s, Okato Riding £153 Ss 8d—£1953 18s 9d.