COUNTY COUNCILS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 10, 9 December 1926, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCILS

MONTHLY MEETING. MANAWATU COUNTY. The monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council was held at Sanson yesterday, there being present:— Crs. Barber (in tho chair), Boyce, Reid, McKelvie, Fagan and Pearce. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Counties’ Association, expressing the hope that every effort would be made by tho responsible authorities to abate the .nuisance to residents and the grave danger to the travelling public in every district where there was cause for complaint in regard to wandering stock on the roads at night.—The traffic inspector (Mr W. Berry) was instructed to watch the matter. From the Society of Civil Engineers, asking that the council’s engineer be granted 'facilities to attend the annual meeting of the society, to be held in Auckland commencing on March 14, 1927.—The engineer was granted the necessary leave to attend. From the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association, suggesting that local bodies should stipulate the use of New Zealand timbers rather than imported timbers for all local body work. —Received. From the Madge Char-a-banc Motor Co., Ltd., expressing disappointment at no effort having been made to improve the condition of the roads with the moneys paid under tho heading of highways taxes.—Received.

From the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association forwarding reasons why the system of rating on the value standing timber should not be revived after the end of the current year.—Received.

From the Manawatu Employers’ Association, advising that its annual meeting would be held in Palmerston North on Thursday, Dec. 9.—Received. From the district engineer, Public Works Department, advising that, on a recent inspection of the highway from Rangiotu to Himatangi, it had been noticed that the surface had suffered considerably owing to the wet weather experienced of late. It was hoped that every endeavour would be made to make good the damage before tho Main Highways Board visited tho district. It had also been noticed, concluded the writer, that the Whirokino bridge was now due for painting, and it was hoped that this matter would receive attention at an early date.—The chairman reported that the first matter had been attended to, but that nothing had been provided in the estimates for the painting of the Whirokino bridge, which questioh would have to be deferred until next year.

From the district engineer, Public Works Department, advising that the control of the ferry across the Manawatu river on the Foxton-Shannon highway had been transferred from' the Horowhenua County Council to the Manawatu County Council, and reminding the latter that, up to the present, it had not paid its proportion of the cost of construction of the punt.—Received. From the Horowhenua County Council advising that the sum of £1154 10s 3d was due from the council as its share of maintenance of the Manawatu river punt for the period from May 23, 1925, to November 25, 1926.—Th0 clerk reported that the accounts between the two bodies were being gone into. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr G. Hiekford) reported, inter alia, as follows: Sandon riding: (jrcnerai repair none lias been effected on the various roads, including the carting of repair metal along McDoncll’s road and

tho placing of a 12-inch pipo culvert across Oliakea road. The grader has been employed to trim up Banson-13ulls road several timos during the month, and lino metal has been applied to the road surface at intervals where required. Mount Stewart riding: On Feilding-Awahuri main highway a quantity of repair metal was applied to the road surface and most of the flood damage put in order, the surface being treated with clay binding where required. ’1 ho whole length of the road has been trimmed up with tho grader. The team has recently carted repair metal on to Kowhai and Kakehou roads which aro now in good order. Wailohi riding: The grnding and trimming up of l’enny s road has now been completed and at the present time this road is in good order. It would bo advisable to treat Rowe’s and Hammond’s roads in a similar manner, providing circumstances will permit of the work being carried out. Repair work has been carried out along Fail-Held road, and the time has arrived when it should bo trimmed up. The unmetalled portion should be trimmed up with the grader providing tho agreement with the settlers for metalling is given effect to. Rongotea riding: A good deal of grader work has been carried out on the various roads,

including Sanson’s Bank’s, Rongotea and Mill road, Kopaiie. Repair metal has also been carted and weak places patched up along Kopane road. During last month f employed some time in obtaining signatures for tho metalling of Loens’ road, but so far I have not yet completed tho petition. Carnarvon riding: We have now completed tho grading work, on Itosma road, and tho roads during the last few days have greatly improved. I made an - inspection of Taikorea road, and it would he advisable to metal a section, as m winter it is one sea of mud, while in tho summer time sand holes make it al,most impassable for any kind of traffic, ivawa Kawa, riding: The metalled portion of J yke’s road has been treated and put in order with a quantity of metal from the Rangiotu dump, and similar repairs were recently carried out alpng (he lower portion of Main Drain road. At the nresent time it would lie advisable to trim Ham Drain road witii the grader as the road surface is very uneven. Awahou ridmg: A good deal of metal was carted along Foxton-Shannon road during the past month, and yet metal is urgently required to complete repairs and put the road in anything like order. Minor repairs were carried out on No. 6 and No. 1 lines, and grader work was carried out on Whirokino and Hiinatangi-Foxton roads.

General. I have taken the levels as requested by the council for the purpose of draining off tho water from the liorso paddock at the Oroua Downs School and lincl there is not sufficient fall to take away the water from the school paddock m flood times, ns the water would back up front Mr Cotton's drain. Tho cost of constructing a drain to relieve the position would be approximately £36 14s and even then this drain could only be’used for storm water.

Stone crushers.—Owing to several repairs and adjustments that had to he earned out to the crushers, the output, for last month was only about 1000 yards of all grades of stone. The present contract for quarrying and carting metal to the stone crushing plant lias expired and it will be necessary to make provision for calling for fresh tenders for a "further supply of crushed stone. The new chip crusher and the whole of the machinery in connection with this unit are almost completed. and we expect to have a trial run during the present week. Tramway.—General repair work lias been earned out along the tram line at various places. A number of decayed sleepers have been replaced and several sections of tho line cleared of all growth and weeds. A three-foot concrete pipe culvert has been placed under the line near ftnnatangi. and it will be necessary to put in a similar culvert opposite Mr Koss s property during the summer months. .During tho last few months very few sleepers have come to hand, and I think it would be advisable to make provision for an increased supply as they are urgently required. j Jho report was adopted and the en- I gmeer given authority to attend to the 1

matters mentioned, with the exception that it was decided not to go on with the drain at the Oroua Downs School. TRAFFIC INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The report of the traffic inspector (Mr W. Berry) was as follows: “Since last council day the motor lorry owners who -were summoned for breaches of the heavy traffic regulations have been before tho Court, when fines ranging from £1 to £lO were inflicted. One person, for allowing stock to wander, was lined 15s and costs. Fair progress is being made with the cutting of lupins on the roads. I would suggest that the Manawatu Rabbit Board write to the Railway Department asking it to cut lupins growing alongside to railway line. 1 understand from the secretary of the board that ho has already written to the department, but in reply tho latter seemed to think that the board wanted it to clear all the railway reserves. I think that if tho department were written to again and it was pointed out that it was only the section along the railway line that was referred to, it may take some steps to have the work done. The notices for tho Shannon punt are now being painted. I waited on the secretary of tho Foxton Racing Club and made arrangements with him to supply a man to assist with tho traffic on race-days.”—Adop-ted, the inspector being instructed to approach the Foxton Rabbit Board as he had suggested. TRAMWAY REPORT. Tho tramway manager reported as follows : ‘ ‘The chief items of traffic for the month were : Minerals and manure 237 J tons, general merchandise 44J tons, metal and boulders 206 trucks, eggs 122 crates, wool 37 bales, timber 2000 super feet. Fares amounted to 14s Bd. The accounts show a debit balance of £96 2s 4d for the month’s working. The shed platforms at Oroua Downs, Taikorea and llongotea are in a bad state of repair and require attention. I would again draw the council’s attention to the necessity of more engine shed accommodation. The present shed is absolutely inadequate and inconvenient, and badly out of repair. The fat stock traffic has commenced, and will necessitate the restriction of the output of the crushing plant.”—The report was adopted, and the engineer was instructed to draw up plans for additional accommodation at the engine shed, and to attend to any shed platforms that require attention.

GENERAL. In regard to a request from tho Foxton borough, it was decided that it be supplied with 400 cubic yards of metal at 16s per cubic yard if reloaded and delivered at Foxton, 15s if out of the bin and delivered at Foxton, or 14s if out of the bin and delivered at Himatangi. The following alterations wore made to the rate •roll: A. E. Brown to W. JSmith, lot 11, Oroua S.D.; L. W. Cross to Denis King, lots 216-7, 228-31, Sanson, and pt. sec. 12, Carnarvon; Est. T. Sanson to H. J. Fagan, pt. 2 se. 19, Hutt small farm block; do to A. H. Sanson, lot 4, sec. 13, Sandon; do. to J. 11. Sanson, pt. sec 39, 40, Sandon; do. to Mrs M. E. Harris, lot 2, sec. 13, Sandon; do. to Mrs E. R. Sanson, lot 1, sec. 13, Sandon; do. to S. J. Sanson, lot 3, sec. 13, Sandon; do to J.

W. Lamman, sec. 16, Sanson; Est. O. R. Robinson to Mary Robinson, pt. lot 7, Mt. Robinson S.D.; Mary Robinyon to A. P. Easton, pt. lot 7, Mt. Robinson S.D.; Mary Aiken to Mrs C. Robson, sec. 60, Tnngimoana extension. The treasurer’s report was as follows : County fund account dr £7llß 12s 7d ; loan account or £1845 4s 8d ; main highways loan account cr £854 0s 6d; dr balance £4419 7s sd. OROUA COUNTY. The monthly meeting of the Oroua County Council was held at Feilding yesterday, Cr. Campbell being in the chair. Also present were Crs. McElroy, Greennow, McDonald, Brewster, McLonnan and Green. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Main Highways Board forwarding £1133 12s 9d subsidy on main highways maintenance and construction. —Received. From the Highways Board stating that a traffic tally would be required before the district council could make a recommendation to the Highways Board regarding the Aorangi bridge maintenance allocation.—The engineer reported that the tally was being taken and the letter was received.

From iilto district engineer, Public Works Department, arranging to take delivery of gravel at the Manawatu Gorge as decided upon and fixing - a date for a meeting between the county engineer and tho department’s overseer to decide upon tlie exact class of metal required.—Received. From tlie Highways Board stating that it now had authority to advance moneys to local bodies for a period of ten years, such amount not to exceed £50,000 at any one time.- —The chairman remarked that local bodies had been looking for this form of moneyraising for some time and that it would simplify a lot of detail work. The letter was leceived.

From the Employers’ Federation stating that the interests of the council would be guarded in the event of any dispute in respect to the application of the council for exemption from the drivers’ award.—Received. From the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association advocating the use of New Zealand timbers in preference to the imported article; also protesting against the proposal to revive the system of levying rates on tho value of standing timber. —In moving that the letter be received, the chairman remarked that lie did not for a moment think that the public would depart from its practice of using New Zealand timber for all purposes for which it was most suitable. Cr. McElroy said that tho sawmillers had drawn the trouble they alluded to upon themselves by tho high prices they placed upon New Zealand timber, forcing the users of timber to use the imported article which they could get more cheaply. From tiro Society of Civil Engineers, asking tho council to allow its engineer to attend tho annual conference of tho society at Auckland. —Permission was granted to Mr Harding to attend.

From the ICairanga County Council, informing tho council of tho magistrate’s derision in regard to the heavy traffic fees, viz., that, after tho de-

duction of the overhead charges on collection, tho amount shall be divided on the ratio of two-thirds to the counties, and 0110-tliird to the boroughs, and apportioned between local bodies on the mean between the capital value and mileage of metalled roads. —Received. GENERAL. On the motion of Crs Green and McLennan it was decided to add the 10 per cent penalty on all rates outstanding on and after the 20th inst.; also that legal proceedings bo taken to recover outstanding rates after that date.

It was resolved to close the council chambers for the usual Christmas vacation and that tho next meeting of the council lie postponed until 18th January, 1927. The chairman and Cr McElroy were authorised to affix the county seal and sign the resolution appointing the Manawatu County inspector (Mr Win. Berry) to act as inspector within tho Oroua County. Accounts amounting to £1440 0s 7d were passed for payment. RATE ROLL. The following alterations were made on the county rolls: James Currie to William Currie; H. J. Argyle to Alice Frances Argyle. TREASURER’S REPORT. The treasurer reported: Total general £BOO 17s 3d; arrears collected to date, rates outstanding at 31st March, 1926, £lO2 8s 8d; outstanding to date £698 8s 7d; general rates levied 1926-27, £9621 2s 8d; collected £4451 12s lOd; outstanding December Bth, 1926, £5169 9s lOd. Riding accounts.—Western riding (dr) £1517 8s 4d; Eastern riding (dr) £1564 9s 9d.

Bank balance.—County Fund Account (dr) £1531 8s Cd; Highways loan (cr) £659 4s 2d.-AAdopted.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The engineer (Mr Harding) reported : —Eastern riding : Gravel repairs have been effected on Siberia road, which has now received a top dressing of fine gravel for its full length. Tho stone crushing plant is now at work supplying gravel to the Main Highways Board on the Gorge road. The worst portions of Greenliow’s road have been repaired, and as soon as work on the Gorge road has been completed, this road will receive a coating of crushed gravel. Gravel repairs have been carried out on Bunnythorpe, and portions of Feilding-Ash-hurst, Taonui, and Spur roads. Two old wooden culverts on Valley road have been replaced with concrete pipes. All main highways have received frequent attention with tlie grader and dray. Western riding: Tlie-work of constructing the concrete culvert across Ivimbolton road near the Kiwitea bridge has been put in hand. Gravel repairs are at present being carried out on Makino road and teams are at work renewing the miantenance dumps along this road. Some maintenance gravel has been placed on FeildingKakariki road and the men are now at work on this road carrying out minor improvements in the nature of widening and banking corners. An old wooden culvert on Arapata road has

been replaced with concrete pipes; this completes the work on this road so far as the repairing of the flood daniage is concerned. Several small slips have been cleared on Reu Reu road and minor repairs carried out on roads about Stanway and Tokorangi road. The Feidling-Kakariki, Kimboltop, and Makino highways have been treated with tlie grader on several occasions. —Adopted.