CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16810, 7 August 1920, Page 8

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tho monthly mooting of the Clifton County Council was held on I'nday. Present: Councillors R, H. Ihgott (chairman), T. M'Kensde, H. A. Foreman, F. C. Jones. C. Musker and o. J. Kennington. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowsett) reported : Waibi Riding.—The unmotalled gap on the Inland North Road has been completed, the contractor putting out 320 yards. Tho foundation was hardly consolidated, as is evidenced on tho surface: A start has been made with the Nikorima Road contract, a quantity of .stone having been deposited at tho depot. At Onaero, over 500 yards of boulders have been stacked in a convenient position for crushing. Ine matter of tho Ohanga Road extension is being investigated, and I would suggest that, traversing the good land a 50 link road would be cheaper and meet requirements, and where ilio 'ground is broken' and of less value, a full chain be reserved. ' ■ Tikorangi Riding.—An effort should be made during the coming season to metal tho hill opposite Cunningham s, on tho Waihi-Otaraca Road, as its condition gets extremely bad. About 12 chains would do tho worst of it. Possibly arrangements could ho made when Mr. IV. Foreman’s hill is being metal-

led. In reference to tins latter contract, had it been completed to contract date, viz., February 7 last, there would still have remained ample time to metal the cutting, and the. inconvenience attaching to its present condition would not exist. The usual maintenance and repairs have been attended to, but my suggestion ro reserve metal supplies should bo given effect to. Ngotiraa-ru Hiding. Arrangements have been made to carry on temporarily at Purangi. Tho work on the Man'gamaire tunnel is proceeding satisfactorily, the top beading having been completed, and tho work should be, well advanced in another month. The contractor has already made a. start at tho South Matau Bridge and this work will now proceed without interruption. Isolated slips have occurred in this district, but they have been attended to. On the Ngntoto I? pad. arrangements were made to effect temporary repairs to the Hoc Hoc Creek Bridge.

Urenui _ Riding.—Further _ ro-coating and repairs have been carried out on tho main road, and quarrying is still proceeding in the Native Reserve. On tho Jfataro Road,, some repairs were necessary smith of the Mangapoua Bridge, ' and the contractors were requested to quote a price for metalling from Mace’s gate to connect with tho present metal. In view of the roads holding so much moisture wherever shaded by trees those should, bo cut out, otherwise an additional coat of metal will be required in many places. On the Avenue Road Bridge, one pile has gone out; it is not intended to drive another immediately, but to distribute weight on the remaining three, if labour can ho obtained. Gn the Okoke Road, one of tho main piers on the bridge near Marsh’s is threatened, and I have left wire ropes to secure it iu the meantime but more serious attention will be required later on. On the Upper Oknke and Piko, - the worst phase of back country roads is always experienced, the foreman having more than he can cany out single-handed in coping with subsidences, slips, threatened bridges, etc., and there is a considerable expenditure required in this district in the future. Mokau Riding.—Tho foreman at Uruti has resigned, not through dissatisfaction with the work, but because be is guaranteed a wage very superior to that offered by the council. I have, employed a dray' for six days in shifting metal for repairs from the lower to tho upper portion of tho main road. The Mimi flat is bad, and I notice the department is giving it attention, which I hope is a prelude to it being metalled this summer. The western pier on tho Tupoki Road Bridge is in ganger of collapse through scour. I have had temporary repairs effected, but permanent repairs will require early attention to include threo main piles 25 feet long, one wing pile, one stringer and sheathing. At no very remote datp In the past, repairs were effected here costing £45, and my present estimate is for a similar sum. 1 would suggest that tho settler interested would make a contribution as in tlie past. On tho Okau Road the bridge work is proceeding and I have sent out an assistant which will allow the road foreman to resume his duties. I also arranged for assistance at the Kotarc end. With reference to tho Mangaonga Road deviation, the ground traversed by tho

proposed road is wet at the south end, and broken at the north end. Tho approximate distance is about 22 chains and my estimate Is as follows:—Rock cutting, 400 yards at 3s, £4O; side cutting’ 1100 yards at Is, £55; 4 culverts £35; drains £5; fencing both sides £6O; difference in area of land taken and given, Lf acres costing £ls, or' a total of £2lO. Alternative to this is cost of bridge, and if timber has to come from outside and, piles are driven, my estimate is £165. On tho Pukearuho Road, further metal repairs have been effected and the road maintained. With reference to metalling tho northern end from the factory to tho Waikaramararaa Creek, I submit the following estimate; —Approximate distance, 142 chains; metal 10 by 9 equalling 2600 yards at 15s, costing £1950; culverts £2O; earthwork, exclusive of work proposed to bo carried out bv the settlors opposite Greig’s £SO, total £2020. As the ridiug boundaries are now settled, the council are advised to proceed with, the necessary preliminaries for a loan. The Main North Road is quite worn out in places, and the condition of many of tho bridges is precarious. The report was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. H. Larson, Pehn, wrote regarding gates and wandering stock on the Rcrckino track, stating that tho first gate complained of would bo removed to a different site tumporarily, until such time as tho council defined the roadline.—To bo informed that tho gate has to bo removed, also the obstruction erected by sHi'. Young. The Minister of .Internal Affairs wrote that ho had noted tho terras of tho resolution passed by the council in favour of heavier fines being inflicted on motorists convicted of driving at an excessive speed on public roads. Careful attention would bo given to tho council’s views when legislation on the subject is under consideration. Tho Tikorangi Hall committee applied for four six-inch drain pipes to be placed in front of Tikorangi Hall.—» Application refused. The clerk of the Inglewood County Council wrote asking the council to submit accounts necessary for the adjustment between tbo two counties.— At completion of audit tho chairman and Councillor Foreman will interview members of the Inglewood Council. The Public Works Department forwarded cheques for £136 9s and £363 11s in respect of flood damage grant, Mangaopa Bridge and road.—Received. The Taranaki Education Board wrote asking for information in cases of children coming under tho council’s notice who arc receiving little or no education on account of living in remote districts.—At present council know of no cases that require attention. Tho Taranaki Farmers’ Moat Co. wrote with reference to Parininhu Tunnel, acknowledging receipt of plan, estimate and report. Tho company had written to tho Minister of Public Works on tho matter and enclosed copy of letter.—The chairman stated-that he had interviewed tho compaujq and that tho council wquld support any movement for tho ■improvement of the road. A very largo sura of money would bo necessary, and all interested should be asked to contribute. Tho council would then have some data to act upon. It was no use for the council to approach tho Government without Having some idea as to tho assistance the companies wore prepared to give. Sir. Wardell was authorised to spend up to £7 10s for tho improvement of tno floor of tho Parininihi Tunnel. Tho clerk of tho Whangamomona County Council wrote asking if tho council was in favour of the transference of properties in tho Upper Waitara Survey district, and as to what amount of “thirds” accrued on the sections had been expended.—lnformation to bo supplied. Tho Minister of Public Works forwarded report of commission set up to report on flood damage caused by tho planting of willows on river banks. The secretary of tho Board of Trade, under direction from the board, wrote stating that further to tho circular regarding tho administration of tho Building Regulations .which requested certain action should bo taken by tho council, be was now directed to state that the reference to dwellings and essential farm works was intended to ■ cover repairs, additions and alterations; and it was desired that the council should deal with applications in the same way. The Public Works Department informed the council that the storage proposed in tho opening up of tho Mount Egmont quarries provided for storage at tho foot station in bins, delivering into trucks by gravity to the extent of 2100 yards. The North Taranaki Dairy Company in reply to the council re damage done to the council’s roller while doing work for tho company wrote stating that to the best of tho chairman’s knowledge, tho council’s roller had not done any work for tbo company. There was apparently some misapprehension.—Engineer to make inquiries. Accounts amounting to £1214 13s Sd were passed for payment.