Waipawa County Council.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XVIII, Issue 3138, 13 October 1894, Page 2

Waipawa County Council.

A meeting of the Wuipawa County Council was held at 10 30 am yesterday. Pros nt. : —Messrs W. F. Knight (chair man), T. Crosse, O. Nor lbyo, J. Slone A. E. Jull, A. C. Scritngeonr, and T. Sidey. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was doalt From M. Satbrup resigning his position ns councillor.—Held over until the tormin ation of the day’s business. From Lunds and Survey Department asking if proper notices had been given to defaulters and whether the Council had used its best endeavours to collect arrears beforo applying to the Department.Proper notices had been given. From F. Sutton complaining of the con ditious of tender for tho County valuing and stating that none of the valuers employed at the Napier end of tho district would give auy deposit or bond.—Re-oi-ived.

From Lands and Survey Department, onclosing schedule of thirds ‘and fourths accrued between Ist Match and Bth Sept , aud asking for the Council’s proposals.— Hold over.

From Danevirke Borough Council, en closing cheque for £24 7m 9 '• share of licensing expends, and 13s 9 1 Town Board rates ovordue. Also asking fur further information of half cost of erection of Tupuata bridge, as the cot-t of parts of tho work shown in the account and the amounts in the estimate given l.y the engineer did not agree.—Account tvbo reduced by £2 Is, cost of freight on

plant. Also to be iufouued that no charge had beeu made L-r plant or supefvision From Glsn-.iiitriing and Griffin, enclosing aeconut for £7O 13' 21. Hold over.

Fiom T. Baker, asking permission to lay a tramway aerr ss th ' mad at Piri Piri. Permission granted, rubjeot to the ap pmvttl of the engineer. From J. Seigeant, Woodviilo, asking for payment for work done at H Mooteith’a paddock—The .'inn of 25s to be paid. From Edwin Harding, Mount VornoD, requesting that tho feuco on iho western side of ‘the Waipawa Waipukurau road, at the deviation at Cook’s, be put ou the l ue.— Work to be done.

From W. F tn-vay, Matahiwi, asking permission t • lay a tramway across- the rood lea ling from miin road to Oringi hem -‘Stead aud Kumoroa.—Per mission graded subject to the overseer’s approval.

From O. C. Torkiisn and others, Norse* wood, asking that the drains on sections No. 57a, 58 and 69, should bo cleaned out. Council could not undertake to drain private property. From W. F. Greenaway, asking permission to lay a tramway along the Woodviilo Danevirko road, from junction of road leadiug to Kameroa for a distance of half a uiilo.—Permission grauted, sub ject to the work being done to tbe approval of the overseer.

From S. Nelson, Ashley Clinton, asking for payment for work done on sections 6 and 7, Makaretn Merged District.—Held over until next meeting. From the Laud and lucome Tax Department, re uso of maps for valuation purposes.—Received. From N. P. Rossvall, Mikaretu, asking for £3 2s 6J royalty on metal taken Hold over until next meeting. From Chairman Waipawa Licensing Committee, asking Council to roconider its decision aud increase the salary of the li easing clerk.—Matter will Ue considered when tho estimate of expenses is made next year. From the cleric Waipawa Licensing Committee, enclosing vouchers, expenses of membors of Licensing Committee, and enclosing letter from nuder secretary of Justice Department re Licensing Acts. — No copies of the Act in possession of tho Council. »

From 11. Carlson, enclosing acoonnt for £4 10s 4d, and stating that I is last year’s contract terminated on April 7th, 1894 and that under tho contract Council

“ bad better pay it, um by law they would b i compelled to do so.”—Hold over. From clerk, Waipukurau Hoad Board asking Council to grant a cheque for £l5O being the amount promised aunually to wards paying off loan for erection of Waipukurau traffic brivlge —Amouut to bo paid. From Chairman Takapau Road Board asking Council to proceed with the embaukmont.—R? ceived.

From C. Garfortb, Ormond ville, enclosing cheque for Town B lard's sbaro of iic&nsiog expenses—Received.

From C. Garfortb re outstanding Ormondvillo rates.—Mr Garforth ot be requested to return plans, books, &c., in his possession.

From fi. Augustin, Norsewood, asking for £5 ae compensation for a drain cut through his property.—Received. From E A. Haggen and Co., asking permission to copy advertisement inviting applications for position of county vuluer. —Received.

A largo number of ntepayers complained of b dngsummoned for outstanding rates —The Council whs of opinion that all defaulters should ba sue 1 without del .y.

From clerk, Takapau Road Board askiug the Council to make a road to conuect Kopun with the lvopua Ormondvillo road and pointing out that such a road would short >n the distance from Takapau to K >pua and Ormond ville to 6 miles aud 9£ mileß respectively.—Council could not entertain the proposal. From Town Clerk, Waipawa, acknowledging receipt of resolutions parsed by the Council re collection of county rates Received.

From Colonial Secretary’s office, rc charge for gazetting apodal order.—To bo paid.

From R E. Griulintou, Wool ville, stat ing that unless theCmncii paid him £2d within seven days tie would close the road deviation between seotious 3 and 4, Victoria block. Hold over.

From C H ill, M H.U., stating that it would be cheaper for ll.e Council to pay R. E. Grinlinton £2O for road deviation tuan to tako the land under tho Purdio Works Art—Received.

From J B A’D'-ano, Ashcott, enclosing account for £lB 10s, cost of fencing on road from Onga Onga to Finlay Morrison’s, which tho Council requested him to get • lore for them when they took the piece nf road. —To bo paid.

From Colonial Secretary's office, informing Council that the resolution determining that tho Waipdwr. County Council should be brought under the provisions of “ The liaiing Act, 1882,” had been gazetted.—Received. From tho Audit Office askiug for a copy of the balunce sheet to that it ould be certified to. Cork’s action endorsed. PETITION A petition was received from a number of Dinovirke ratepayers praying that tho Road Board should be abolished and merged into the County. Mr Jull thought the question of morging wre a large one and ho was of opinion that it should be doalt with by a sub committee to report at next meeting of the Council He moved that the petition be received and that a suh-cotnmitteo consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Sidey, Scrimgoour nud the mover should r< port at the n<xt meeting whether it would he benofi- ial to the Council to merge Road Boards. Mr Crosse seconded tho motion. Mr Sidey moved as an amendment :- That it he a special order that the Dinevirko Road Board he morgad into the Waipawa County Council, such order to take eff-.rct on the Ist February, 1895. Mr Crosao stated that he was very much in favor of merging Road Boards but h« decidedly objected to no in for anything of the sort unless ho know the real financial position of the, bodies. The amendment was lost by four to three and tho motion was carried. DEPUTATION. Mr Ormond, Makotuku, appeared before tho Council and complained that the road leading to his pro perty was impassable, in consequence of which ho was unable to follow his usual occupation. This ho assorted was in consequenoo of the faulty manner in which tho contractor has done his work, which had not been carried oat aocord-ng to tho specifications. Ho prayed that the Council would put the roud in order ot once.

The Overseer characterised the complaint made as untrue, and that the maker of it u as one of the most contemptible men he had ever met. The faulty condition of the road was mainly owing to the way in which Mr Ormond had cut it op. The metal had been put on according to the specifications. The firewood traffic had cut the road up, and owing to the wot weather it had been difficult to g* t tho water away.

Mr Sidey explained that Mr Ormond had started carting upou the road before it had been properly finished. He had fouud th t tbo contractor had done his work in a satisfactory manner. He v-ousidcrcd that thero should be a broad tire by law in force ; if there Lad be»a one there would not have been any trouble of this sort.

: 'b«9 roa i hod bee r cut up and it require a good sum to put it into repair" f“T in its present condition it was almost i upassabio to those who had to earn their living carting wood. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The overseer’s report was ae follows : I have the honor to submit for your con. sideration the following report, viz. : Woodville Riding. —There have been two small bridges re>decked during the past mouth on the Woodville-Masterton road • the decking having broken through in several places. The maintenance contractor has been over his water-tables again during the past month, &Dd they are now in first-class condition. There has also been some necessary metalling done between Matahiwi and Harding's road, and some patching on the

Danovirke Riding. — The caps of the Raparapawai bridge at* Matahiwi being quite rotten, 1 had cleat pieces bolted onto each side of the piles and made to butt against the corbels. This will insure the safety 0 f the bridge until the present stringers aud corbels are rotten. Repairs have also been made to tbe Oruakepetaki. A small bridge has also been renewed across a small creek adjoining the Mangatera, aud tbe necessary metal patching has been attended to where I considered it judicious to use metal in such au unfavorable season of the year. There arc other parts of the roads in this riding which are in a bad state, but under present circumstances it would be a waste of money to try anu repair uutil we can take the water out of the pot-holes. The portion of road I refer to is between the top of Piri Piri Hill and the second sawmill. There is a wooden culvert on the north side of Piri Piri, erected in 1882, which I have carefully examined. The timber, in my opinion, will stand for many years yet, but the embankment forming the approach to and over this gully ig subsiding and narrowing and it is now in my opinion unsafe for vehicular traffic. This has been due to the present embaukment being composed of timber and logs which were utilised at that time in formiug this embankment. To protect the future traffic at this place, I would recommend that the road be raised 4ft aud made to a width of 18ft on the top. The cost 1 estimate at £3O. The Danevirke-Weber road, with the exception of the slip at Kaitoki, is in as good condition as we can make it for this seasou of the year. As instructed by the chairman, 1 have laid off and prepared plans and specifications for a deviation to avoid the slip referred to, and out of the two deviations which I laid off the chairman has selected the one winch he considers the best an 1 safest as a permanency for future traffic. I must endorse his views in this respect that is taking into consideration security, but in an engineering point of view No. 1 route was my favorite, as at ull times a man when he lays off roads considers- grades as the first effect. But iu this case my own jadgmont leads me to believe that the decision of tbe chairmau is preferable, as it will obviate any possible future danger of the roa 1 being carried away by the slip referred to. Mr Warner, together with another man, has been engaged during the greater part of the month in keeping the slip on the present road open for traffic, and he has succeeded creditably in that respect. Norsewood Riding. —l have bad occasion during the past month to use very firm language to the contractor who had got the maintenance of the roads, with regard to the clearing of water-tables, as portions of that class of work were not completed to my satisfaction. I have taken measures to see that the spirit of tbe specification will be adhered to, or otherwise the penalties embodied therein will, I am resolved, be strictly enforced. The contractor for widening the road on the Manga-te-wai-iti Hill has done part of his work, but owing to the earth and clay deposits, which must necessarily accumulate on the present metal road in carrying out that work, soften and cut up tbe road to such an extent that 1 ordered him to desist until fine weather set in There arc one and a-half chains of the Mauawatu catting, to the north of Norsewood, which is dangerous in the extreme, there being now only eight feet of traffic way and aud en overhanging perpendicular bank. Uoless the Council takes immediate steps to remedy this matter a casualty may at any time occur. To remedy and secure traffic, for this particular portion of road, I would recommend that 14 chains in length and 5 feet in width be cut out of the present bank. Ormond ville Riding. —There was a slip occurred at the northern end of the Makotuku bridge which endangered traffic for the time being and consequently the road contractor for that district considered it neceasary for the purpose of exempting the Council from liability to insert a notice in the paper circulating in that district to that effect. His expanses in connection therewith I consider it the Council's duty to pay. There are rev era 1 portions of the made in this riding in a very bad state, especially between the top of the hill above the site of Smith’s old Railway Hotel to near Mr Sidey’s present tramway crossing on the Makotuku-Norsewood road, and that portion, to make it fit for future traffic muit receive a coating of metal as soon as possible. I estimate the quantity required, 300 yards. The schedule rates for delivering this metal is Is 6d per cubic yard. A portion of the Ormondville-Norsewood road between Mr Webb’s house and the junction of Newland’s road requires to be treated ia the same manner.

Onnondville Merged District. —The contractor for this district is unaable to cope with the proper maintenance of some ot the roads owing to the continuous wet weather aud the firewood traffic ; more especially Towers’ road which is being cut up to such a depth that unless wo get, at least a fortnight of fiue weather, it cannot be dealt with effectually, as the ruts in that road at the present time are on an average 18 inches deep which is below the present level of water tables. The only course which I intend to adopt for future preservation of that, road is to allow the present accumulation of water to dry up and then fill in the ruts with new metal. Such s course 1 am certain will insure the permanency of other traffic for the foture. Newland’s road is also cut up, but not to tbe same extent. Two hundred yards of metal will meet all requirements on that road for the next 12 months. I don’t make tbeee remarks with any reflection upon the present contractor as he has always attended to his duties to my satisfaction. With respect to my instructions re the outlet drain across the railway line to Mr C. Baines’ sections for tbe purpose of discharging the water across the railway line aud over the terrace through Mr Holden's property. I have taken tbe levels during the past month and find such a course was prohibitive, as the depth of drain through the terrace in Mr Holden’s property would be 13 feet in depth for the purposes required. You will therefore see that a drain 13 feet in depth would be objectionable in every sense for the double purpose of future litigation and maintenance. I would recoin* mend that the present outlet drain, opposite what is known as Smith’s Siding be widened and deepened for a distance of 66 chains at au estimated cost of £l9 16s, which will ensure tho discharge of all waters in that pwatnp and also give the Council facilities for making the road across the adjoining properties without any intervention of the present water on Hansen’s road, Papstos, which has now become the main road lead* j ing into the Waikopiro. Complaints bare been made to me, and also to the member for the district, that since this road was made the overflow of water in flood time b»» damaged certain properties on the lower side of that road, cayced by concentrating tbe waters from the hills into one or two outlets through cnlverts, whereas other ar®* B formerly obtained due proportion « this water. The properties so in* jured by this course are Mrs Gilmores and Mr Shugar’s. For the purpose « relieving them from this inundation the old water course should be deepened through Mr fShugar’s property for a distance of 17 chain* at a cost of £5 2b. The work authorised to be done some months ago leading into » section owned by Mr Smith, this section abutting on to Buckland’s road. I havel»* D over the ground carefully and will not under* take the authorised work on that road nn^ l I have a plan from the Survey Office bearing and distances, as at present » land marks and pegs are obliterated. Survey department will not supply thiain*®' mation without being paid, I would aak tne Council to give me the mode of information before I can, or will undertake the wor **, Utuitamiwha Riding.— Th* contract**

this riding have completed the work to my entire satisfaction. A few months ago permission was given me to form a certain portion of the Takapau-Norsewood road for the purpose of diverting the water from scouring out the main channels of the present formed road, and during my recent examinations I find that to embrace that object I must continue the formation for an additional distance of 7 chains, so as to discharge the water from a side drain, which 1 cannot help making, into the Poraugahau stream. The necessity for such work is from the long run of 2£ miles of surface water from the adjoining properties. Complaints have been made to me within the last, few days about the condition of the crossing over the Tuki Tuki river at Round Hill, caused by the contractor driving rods on the lower side of that crossing. I have heard since that several people who have been crossing that river at flood time have got entangled in the above mentioned works. I wish to mention that I never authorised the works to be located in this present position, but at the time of a recent heavy flood the contractor at his own direction located those wo’-ks as they are at present, as at that lime there was a dangerous deep channel which had to be dealt with in some manner. I saw that particular place a few days ago, and partly endorsed the public opinion, that it is dangerous when the river is muddy, and have giveu orders to remedy that source of danger. As. some protection is urgently Decessary for the future traffic on that particular crossing, I would recommend that a double groin should be inserted at a safe distance on the upper side of said crossing, cost .of which I estimate at £ls. Necessary metalling works have been done on the Onga Onga-Makaretu road, between the Tuki Tuki and Onga Onga, and also from the WaipawaMate to near Mr Glenny’s during the past month.

Makarezu Merged District. —With respect to the claim made by Mr S. Nelson re the shifting of the fence bn Boyle and Neilseh’s road there are 31 i chains which have been taken up on the old road and re-erected on the new, the claim for which is already in the hands of the Council. In this instance I consider myself safe in leaving the matter in the hands of the Council, as you nearly all know what the cost of this wo-k should be ; but with respect to the deviation it has never yet been surveyed or -dedicated to the Council, and there are other improvements urgently required on this road as in winter no class of dray traffic is possible. £l6 I reckon would embrace the worst places. At the same time it is for you to consider whether any expenditure is justifiable. The vote of £5 which was authorised at the last meeting, on the cross roads between Mr Balsillic’s and Ashley Clinton is being judiciously expended, that is, by improving the cuttings on each side of the Tangrewai river and will be completed in a few days. Waipawa Riding. —l have sent the contractor over his water tables again, and on several roads the work has been fairly done. On others there is a difference of opinion. In this case I have got a man willing to do his work, the ouly difficulty which arises is a change of procedure. lie has been accustomed for the last 14 years to the former on the then existing system, but I do not anticipate any trouble in this direction. There was o cuttiug on the HampdenMaraekakaho road scoured out to a dangerous depth within the past six weeks. This particular cutting has always been a source of expense to the Council, more especially since wc formed the road in this particular locality, thereby leaving the water down the upper channels of the road which hitherto used to be distributed on an equal surface. I have taken every precaution to obviate this difficulty in this place, but, having provided for the maintenance of the roads, under the present system the contractor is now liable in every instance. I wish to point out to the Council the necessity for an additional 15 chains of formation and metalling, commencing at the end of the present formation on top of the cutting above Gwavas Gate. This portion of the road is at present, and has been for the last nine month, almost unfitted for traffic, there being some low dips which will necessitate culverting and discharge drains. There is also a portion of the same road, about 12 chains, where the water is constantly running over the road. This is caused from the percolation of water from the lower strata, and will necessitate the insertion of a timber culvert 23ft long 3x3 The cost of the whole work necessary on this road will be £32. There is a great drawback to the traffic on this road, and that is the gorse growing along it and spreading over to a width of more than half a chain for a distance of about 50 chains. Mr Carlyon some two years ago cut them down, but when such was done he did not utilise the mode of entire eradication and therefore they have grown up thicker and stronger than ever. I have had willows planted on Cvch end of the Mangauuka bridge within the past month for the purpose of combating future encroachments of that river across the road. At the southern end such a course was particularly necessary, as the river fo' the past two years has had a tendency to encroach and scour away in that direction. Mr Hastie erected protective fencing on the southern end, so as to protect those works, which lessens the cost 50 per cent. 1 have also had fenced in and planted with willows the recent scour out ot the Hampden creek above the present bridge. I would mention to the Council that the only portion of road left is 24 feet out of a width of 00 feet, and for the future protection-of the willow planting referred to, and also to ensure the future safety of the road aud bridge I would recommend that a groin of oue chain in length be made, starting from the present bluff at a point I will afterwards describe if the work is sanctioned. This groin together with the inside work I estimate at a cost of £2O. Also clearing away the present timber which in a very short time can be got rid of by burning as it is in natural heaps suitable for that purpose. I would further add that Messrs Jull and Scrimgeour accompanied me for the purpose of determining those works and as farjas I know, are satisfied in the way in which they are carried out.

Waipukurau Riding. —With reference to the pipe culvert at Booklyn, I have consulted with Mr Mackersey as to the best and most permanent mode of dealing with the surface water at that place, and we are of opinion that to give future facilities for the drainage of the land on the upper side of road that a bridge would answer the best purpose, the cost of which I estimate at £45. This is a matter which has had my careful consideration ; as I have been of opinion for the last seven years that a culvert would anewer all requisite purposes, bat taking into consideration the drainage of the land in winter time there can be no doubt that a large opening is preferable. I have had some metal patching done on the road between Waipukurau and Mr Purvis Russell’s gate during the past month, also a timber culvert inserted on the Waipukurau-Wanstead road, and five chains of fencing taken down and re-erected opposite Mr Cook’s, on the Waipawa-Waipukurau road. I would call the attention of the Council to the agreement made between the Council aud Mr Harding, that when sanction Was given by Mr Harding to the present deviation on that road the only stipulation he then made was, that the Council would take down the then road fences and re-erect them on the permanent boundary lines. At present this has only been done on one side and there are still 12 chains remaining to be removed and re-erected, which I trust the Council will sanction as soon as possible as Mr Harding’s cattle are getting out of his paddock at this place through the fence being defective.

A. GILMOUR, Overseer. RECOMMENDATIONS. Woodville RidiDg,—No resolution. Dauevirke Riding.—Chairman’s aclioD in having survey done endorsed. No 2 route adopted. Norsewood Riding.—One and a half chains of the Manawatu cutting to be done at a cost of £l7. Ormondville Riding.— Works mentioned in overseer’s report to be authorised. Ormondville Merged District.—Tracings of Smith’s road to be ordered from Survey Office ; drain at Webb’s to be authorised, cost not to exceed £2 ; alterations of drain at Shngar’s to be made at a coat c-f £6, and 200yds of metal to be put on Newling’s and Tower’s roads. Baataniwba Riding. Contractor to draw rods immediately and overseer’s

recommendations re erection of a groin to bo given effect to at a cost of £ls. Seven chains of road on the Takapau-Norsewood road to be done. Makaretu Merged District.—Nelson’s claim held over. Waipawa Riding.—Logs in creek to be burnt. Other recommendations held over until next meeting. Waipukurau Riding. Recommendations held over for a month. PAY SHEET. The pay sheet amounting to £471 18s was passed for payment. COUNTY VALUER. Six applications were received for the position of County valuer. A* they wero considered too high it was resolved, on "the motion of Messrs Crosse and Knight, to call applications for the post at a salary of £l5O. Mr Sjrimgeour thought that fresh tenders should be called on the original COQditions aud he moved to that effect. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr Jull suggested that the Council should appoint two reviewers to sit with the S*M. as an Assessment Court —Messrs W. White and T. J. Fountaine to be written to asking them to accept the positions. It was resolved that a book should be kont by the clork containing all instiuctions to the overseer. The clerk stated that £I2OO of the present year’s rates bad been paid, that the amount of the rate struck this year was £6OOO, and that the bank overdraft was £4IOO.

The chairman’s action regarding the deviation on the Danevirke- Weber road was endorsed.