WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15865, 11 December 1923, Page 6

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council, held at Ohaupo yesterday, was attended by Crs. D. S. Reid (chairman), W. McGee, A. I-I. Storey, S. Saulbrcy, A. Livingstone, R. G.'Speakc, .1. S. Fisher, S. C. Macky, E. F. Peacocke, 11. T. Reilly, J. W. Civil (engineer), and C. Bowden (clerk). Public Trust Votes. The Public Trustee wrote regarding a supplementary loan of £I6OO, staling that the application had been granted. The special rate already struck in connection with the original loan would provide more than sufficient to meet the annual charges on it and the supplementary loan, and therefore it would be unnecessary to strike a further rate.

Advice was also received from the Public. Trustee that a supplementary loan of £I2OO had also been approved.

Kakepuku District Matters.

The clerk reported on a meeting of ratepayers of the Kakepuku drainage area that Cr. Alexander and the clerk attended on behalf of the Council. Cr. Alexander impressed on those present the advisability of arriving av some, amicable arrangement regarding the maintenance of the main dean. Toe matter was thoroughly discussed, and the following resolutions we-c passed: “That the Waipa County Couicil be requested to exeicise its authority under the Land Drainage Act to force properly owners interested 1o keep their drains cleaned out”; -‘'tha: the county engineer be instructed to make an estimate of the cost of improving the present drainage sysdem by extending the drains to the top boundaries of Rickit’s, Anderson’s through Gorboy’s, Fear’s and McVerry’s properties in deepening the present drain where necessary”; “that the Council be requested to, if possible, have the land in the present drainage area classified.” The engineer was instructed to provide the estimates sought when time was available. The other matters were referred to Cr. Alexander, and the solicitors’ opinion is to be obtained in regard to cleaning out drains. Te Rapa Drainage. Certain matters' in which the To Rapa Drainage Board and the Council were jointly interested were set out before the Council as follows: —(a) Subsidies which were arranged for some time ago and of which the board had not received payment, though several requests were made; (b) drain Breckon’s Avenue finished and practically paid for by the board; (c) Holmes’ culvert to be lowered to enable further drainage; (d) culvert Sunshine crossing to give outlet to Gray; (c) culverts' on road from Schaeffler's through Livingstone s (late Mathers’)) block; (f) drain along road between Monckton on on l ' side "and Naylor, Schaeffler .and Huff ell on the other; (g) provision in the subdivisional plans for drainage bcfoic Council approve same. Messrs Smith and Gribblc waited upon the hoard and elucidated the various points. Although it was asserted they had been sent, the clerk said that, the accounts for subsidy (£211) had not come forward. The Council quite recognised payment. The Council agreed to lower the culvert on Young’s road, and gave the hoard permission to put in a drain along Ruffell's side of the road to the railway. The matter of contribution to the former drain was deferred for future consideration.

In being asked that provision be made in subdivisional plans for drainage before the plans were approved, it was pointed out that if the board was to he concerned with other than maintenance it would he a very costly matter.

The engineer was of opinion that no power existed for counties to compel owners to put in drains when subdivisions of properties were being made. The Council will have an inspection made of the area concerned before definitely advising the board of its' decision on the points not immediately dealt with.

Dinsdale's Road Work.

Five ratepayers of Dinsdale’s road, Frankton, petitioned the Council to put the road in order at once. It was stated to be in a disgraceful condition and a great danger to the public. Cr. Reillv said that the work was very essential, and asked for authority to go on with it. Cr. Livingstone agreed that it was necessary that the work should be done.

The engineer and riding member were empowered to act in the matter. In reply to Cr. Reilly, the engineer said that he hoped to be able to lay the work off next week. He thought it would be better to do the job by contract. Various Wtatters. The county solicitors forwarded particulars of several holdings near Hamilton with a view to clearing up the ownership and for rating purposes. —Received. Mr S. B. Sims, engineer, submitted tracing of a proposed subdivision of lot 18 of 209, Pukete Parish, situated at the corner of Sunshine Avenue and the main road at Te Rapa, the property of Mr T. S. Webster.—Approved. The engineer and Cr. Saulbrey were authorised to investigate the question of reducing Allen’s Hill, in the Newcastle riding, with the object of going on with the work.

Cr. Reilly asked for authority for forming the three or four chains of road to the Nawton Hall, and the engineer was instructed to prepare the work.

The chairman, before the closing of the meeting, wished the members and staff the compliments of the season and trusted all would return to duty with renewed vigour after the festive season.

Engineer's Report. The engineer’s report of work done during the three weeks since last meeting in tlie various ridings stated: — Newcastle. —Tuhikaramca - Whalawl la ta-Ngaruawahia road: Some 228 cubic yards metal from Hodgson’s quarry lias been landed at Blackett’s and Whatawhata landing by steamer and barges; delivery of metal from Hodgson’s quarry has been suspended owing to river being 100 low. Urquhart "has made a start on his contract and is making good progress, having carted out. over GOO cubic yards from the Whatawhata landing oil to above road. Te Kowhai to Horoliu road (£750, £1 for £3): Some 708 cubic yards or metal rrom Tirohia has been conveyed from Horoliu railway station and spread on the road. Te Kowhai to Te Rapa (£i for £3): Some 70 chains of earthworks have been laid off for improving this road for metalling and supply and delivery of timber and pipes' arranged for six culverts. Earthworks are being carried out with road plant. Expect to start metalling this road when metalling completed to Pope’s corner on the Horotiu road. HorotUi to Te Rapa, Young’s road: Contractor has started on his contract fur. forming. JLmile. .3 -a j^liaiaiAilAOiLd,

Hamilton-Whatawhata road: I have gone over this road and made out estimate for improving and sealing same with bitumen, which is before this meeting. Mawhtnnev has' carried out road improvement with road plant on various roads near Whatawhata. Hamilton. —Horotiu to To Rapa, Young’s road: Plans and specifications have been prepared for forming some 83 chains of this road and tenders are called, to close on Saturday. Burbush road, Te Rapa: with Cr. Reilly have inspected this unformed and suggest meeting the owners of land adjoining re subsidising work. With Cr. Reilly have gone over most of the riding rearranging works to be carried out, and inspected Breckon’s drain and other matters re drainage board. Rukuhia. —A 2-horse Midget grader plough and drag-scoop have been purchased for the riding. Have arranged with Donald McKinnon to start with road plant after the holidays to carry out works arranged.

Tuhikaramea. Koromatua road: Portion of this road has been graded up by with road plant. Road access to Crown sections (subdivision lot 2 of section 365) : I have inspected this road so as to give estimate asked for by Chief Surveyor regarding cost of forming and metalling. Kaipaki.—Kite’s road: Have laid off some 25 chains of earthworks on this road, cutting down roads to permanent grades so that same can be sanded. Pukckura. —Redoubt road: Portion of this road from sandpit to Maupgatautari road has been graded and the sanding is being carried out. Mangatautari road: Portion of this road at the Crow’s Nest has been gravelled. Arranged for carrying out the reforming of portion of this road before gravelling same. Cambridgc-Pualiue road, bridge into metal hill quarry. The bridge has been erected. Timber required for rebuilding culvert at junction of roads at Roto-o-rangi creamery has been conveyed out on to site ready for erection. Rangiaohia.—Muir’s and Thomas’ roads: Have notified the contractor to make a start and complete his contract that was' left over from last season. Expect Bygrave to start on this road at an early dale after few small requirements on other roads has been carried out. With the chairman and Cr. Storey T inspected this road, and have interviewed the settlers interested. Te Awamutu to Cambridge and Puahue roads: Widening, watertabling and banking up of metal has been carried out. on" Pickett’s and Smith’s hills' and other portions of these roads by Bvgrave and party. Chamberlain’s road (£250, £i for £1): Plans and

specifications of this work have been prepared ready for forwarding to Public Works Department. Orakau. —Kihikihi-Waotu road: The contractor has made a start to complete his contract, the unfinished portion being sonic 50 chains. I have arranged for the supply and dumping of 200 cubic yards metal near 7 and 8tnile posts; portion of the road between 3 and 5-mile posts I am leaving until I can get scarified before gravelling. I have arranged for the repairing of road near Waikato River, blowing boulders out, etc. Owairaka Valley road: I have laid off connecting road with proposed deviation road through Mr Guy Wellington’s to Mr Townsend’s property; also have arranged for two short pieces of road to be given by Messrs Townsend and D. Kay so that Brett’s and H. Johnston’s properties will have access to this road.

Mangapiko.—Paterangi to Te Awamutu road: Sonic 30 chains of this road has been cut down and graded to permanent grades near Taylor’s hill, and sanding of same is being carried out by surfaceman. Perrin’s road: Some 20 chains of this road has been cut down to permanent levels, also watertabling and banking up of metal is being carried out from junction of Perrin's road to Paterangi creamery. Pirongia to Te Rore road: Specifications have been prepared and tenders called, to close on Saturday, for quarrying and carting 556 cubic yards from Hodgson’s quarry to metal the unmetalled gaps and carry out repairs.

Kakepuku.—Contractor Reilly is making fair progress, and has some 40 chains of formation of this road and several pipe culverts have been laid. Cruicksliank’s road: Contractors McNickle and Gee are making good progress, having roughly completed some 35 chains of the work. Te Awamutu to Otorohanga via Kakepuku school: Baston and Brown have started on their contract breaking metal spawls and are making fair progress. Fair progress is being made in quarrying, breaking and stacking metal spawls with our own men under Foreman Westbrook. Some 70 chains of this' road between 3A and 5-mile distance has been widened, straightened, grades cut down to permanent levels hv W. Smith and party with road plant, who is making good progress. Three timber and pipe culverts have been laid. Watertabling and banking up of metal lias been carried out from the 1$ to the 31-mile distances by Bygrave and party, and culverts, watertables' and drains lowered opposite Clark’s and Hughes’ so as to take all surface water from fiat. The report was adopted.