WAITOTARA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15195, 16 April 1917, Page 7

WAITOTARA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above was iield to-day. Present: Crs. D. Boss (chairman), Hafcdley, Mitchell, Mackintosh, \V. Morrison, McGregor and Connor. BEAT ROAD.—Mr J. G. Howie wrote stating that he was . prepared to find JJ2SO towards erecting a dray-bridge and forming a dray road into his property on the Wanganui River, in the Ahu A<hu Valley.—Resolved that the Council cannot see its way to make a grant towards the proposed work. ROAD CONSTRUCTION—A communication was read from Ellis and Co., Ltd., Auckland, stating that a proposal bad been put before them by a civil engineer on behalf of a Road Construction Co which is being formed with the intention of undertaking all classes of road and street construction, particularly in bitumenous works with Union asphalt. The proposed company wished to ascertain what are the prospects of obtaining work, assuring that their engineer puts before the Council definite proposals for, road and street formation in the Waitotara district on a basis that they will provide complete plans and es-timates-of the cost of work on the basis of 10 per cent charge of tiie total actual cost of such work with a guarantee that the estimate will not be exceeded by more than 5 per cent, or, as an alternative to this proposal, they are prepared to undertake the work on a fixed and definite figure, such work to be carried out to the satisfaction of tfie Council's engineer and the Council. —The chairman moved that the Council procure plant of its own to do its own road-tarring work. He though it would be money in pocket fortheCouncil to have a sprayer of its own, and th« material could be procured without difficulty. If the Council had its own sprayer, whatever work was necessary could be done at the most suitable time. Cr. Mc. Grecor seconded the motion.—Carried. SIDING AT ARAMOHO —The District Engineer wrote stating that the Railway Department, was prepared to grant the Council a private siding at Aramoho on condition (1) that t&e whole cost be borne by the Council; (2) for a term of five years; and (3) the rental to be .£25 per annum, the permanent way material to be supplied by the Council. —Held over in the meantime. TATFOBTH ROADS.—At the last meeting of the Council, Mr C. P. Hill, of Tayforth, waited upon the Council and asfced that tfce road leading into Ms section be cleared of gorse, and stated that he would be wiling to spend up to £25 in metalling the road if the gorse were first cleared.—The matter was held over to get the opinion of the Council's solicitor as to whether the road in question was a legal road. It was reported to-day t&at counsel had expressed opinion that it was a legal road, and the Council could expend money on it. —lt was resolved that the occupiers of land fronting William Street, the Westmere Road, and Day Road be given notice to remove the gorse from the road fronting their respective properties.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. In his usual report on the works in progress during the month ended 31st March, the engineer (Mr G. H. Dickson) Bruuswick.—The metalling contract on the Tokomaru East Road deviation has been closed down. The fencing along this deviation has not yet been commenced. Westmere.—The gravelling contract on the Upper Heads Road has been completed, and the tor-sealing work on the main road between Kai Iwi Beach Road and top of Goat Valley Hill at Missionary Line was completed on April 5. Waitotara.—One hundred cubic yards of shell-rock at 7s 6d per yard have been delivered on the Rangitatau East Road for metalling the hill. Road Maintenance.—The Patea County Council has offered the handsome sum of £lO per annum towards the upkeep of the watershed road. This sum is totally inefficient for the purpose. I also think the Wanganui Borough Council should be asked to contribute towards the upkeep of the Kai Iwi Beach and Rangitatau East Road.