HOROWHENUA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 248, 18 September 1929, Page 2

HOROWHENUA COUNTY

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held on Saturday, Cr. Monk presiding. Also present were Crs. Barber, Ryder,-Bry-ant, Colquhoun, Gimblett, Catley and ensen. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. Wliyto. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote acknowledging reecipt of the Council s letter ana expressing his thanks for the council’s approval of the scheme of roading for the Central Development Farm. He stated that provision had been made for the side roads to bo 40 feet and the continuation of the through raid to Buffer Road to be one chain wide. With regard to the council’s requirements for a metal pit, provisions had been made for an area of 2 acres 2 roods 18 perches, which it might be possible to dispose of to the council. Of this area he understood that approximately twothirds had been worked.—The chairman stated that, a week or two ago, he had interviewed the Commissioner and pointed out that, in view of the cutting-up and additional roading, the council anticipated receiving the pit gratis, as they were expecting to take over the roads. The Commissioner was looking into the matter. Cr. Gimblett said he thought that the council would not be receiving enough in the remainder of the gravel reserve, even if it were given to them. They should look ahead and try to get a little more. Cr. Jensen: What we wanted was two acres of fresh land. Cr. Gimblett: We wanted two acres of metal, and they are offering less than one acre. The chairman remarked that the council had power under flic Public Works Act to take land where there was some metal. With regard to the proposed roads, Cr. Gimblett said that he was opposed to the council taking over anything less than a chain wide. The department had not offered any valid reason for not increasing the width of the side roads to a chain. Cr. Ryder pointed out that the roads only went to two sections and the chairman stated that there was no possibility of an extension being made. It was decided to take no action.

Mr J. H. Mungavin, of Ohau, wrote drawing attention to the water-race running in front of Mr C. Aplin’s property, at the corner of McLeavev Road, which, in liis opinion, was very dangerous, being some ten or twelve feet deep and unfenced. ' To liis knowledge, one beast at least was killed through faffing into the race at the place mentioned. He asked that an inspection be made with a view to fencing it. —Cr. Ryder stated that the works committee bad visited the spot and found two hydraulic rams there and these were the cause of the race being so deep. He did not know by whom they had been erected. The councillors for the riding were instructed to investigate the position and make a report. Mr A. S. Easton, of Ohau, wrote with reference to the water supply on his farm He stated that last year, during the summer months, his stock were without water, and recently it had failed again. He hoped that the council would be able to remedy the matter at an early date. —Cr. Catley stated that the scheme was originally made for half the number of cows that were now being supplied. The ratepayers of Ohau had been told clearly that what was wanted was a scheme casting £lB5, with an- electrically driven motor to pump the water; but they had not replied. The matter was referred to the councillors for the riding and the engineer for a. report. Mr H. B. Cooper, Levin, wrote stating that no metal for maintenance of portion of Mako Mako Road West had been sent out. It was some considerable time since his first request was made, and lie was then given to understand that the matter would be attended to. He also mentioned that one of the pipes of the water race culvert in front of the racecourse gates had been broken for some time. —The engineer stated that the work was proceeding and it was decided to inform Mr Cooper of this. Mr F. C. Leddra, of Levin, wrote reminding the council that, some time ago, lie had communicated with them concerning the water from the road draining into his entrance and forming a pond in the gateway.—Referred to the engineer with power to act. Messrs Hankins, Fitzherbert and Abraham, Palmerston North, wrote with reference to the question of Mr Craw’s road in the Tokomaru block. They stated that they understood from Mr Craw that a deputation from the council recently waited on the Makerua Draining Board with reference to the levelling of the road running through Mr Craw’s Tokomaru block, and that the chairman of the board had informed the deputation that the road had been levelled off and was actually in a better condition than it was before it was blocked by the hoard’s operations. Mr Craw had informed the writers that this was quite incorrect the the road had never been touched by the board and that it was not in a fit state for any traffic whatever. The writers luggcsted that this could easily ho confirmed by an inspection. Mr Craw v ould be pleased to meet any members of the council ou the spot.—lt was resolved that the chairman, Crs. Catley, Colquhoun and Jensen make an inspecton. Tlie engineer having submitted to the works committee specifications for ■a proposed road to serve the Opuhi ■block, these were approved by the council on the committee's recommendation. They provide for the road to be formed up to a total width of 26 feet, in a manner similar to that carried out on Akers Road; the metal to be placed on the road 10 feet wide and nine inches deep; culverts of ample diameter to be placed. in the ro fl d where required; tho metal not to bo placed on the road until the formation has been in existence over one winter, or ft minimum time of six months. . Tho engineer reported that work was progressing steadily on the Kuku and Waikawa bridges. The works committee made the following recommendation: —“That the sum of £5 5s per annum bo granted to the. Levin Fire Board for the supply of the necessary appliances and labour for the purpose of extinguishing fires adjacent to the Levin Fire Board district. That this grant be subject to annual review by the council.” The recommendation was adopted without a discussion, Cr. Catlev voting against it. The resignation of the assistant engineer, Mr A. R. Callander, was accepted' with regret. Ho will be released from his duties on September 30. . Congestion caused , by _ cars standing in the road in the vicinity of the golf links at Heatherlea was mentioned by Cr. Gimblett, who stated that the trouble was noticeable on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when the travelling motorist had to take his turn to get through. He asked if anything could bo done to clean the sides of the road so as to allow cars to park there. A serious accident was narrowly averted in that locality recently, he added. Cars were banked up 60 that there was only one-way traffic. Some steps should be taken to prevent the cars parking so thickly on the road. The engineer stated that he had gone into this matter prior to the altering of the road in connection with the highway scheme, and had suggested to some of tho golf people that

they might park their cars on the east roacl, about two hundred yards past the pavilion. Apparently, they were under the impression that it was too far to walk, and they did not do so. Ho had been expecting a smashup. These peoplo were causing an obstruction on the road, lasting seyeral hours; and he thought that if their attention were drawn to tho fact by a resolution from the council it would help matters. Ho did not feel inclined to cut down the shoulders of the road just because the cars were parking there. There was accommodation for a good many cars on Heatherlea East Road. “When the road is sealed,” the engineer added, “there will be room but we have been building shoulders there.” Tho proposal for a water supply to serve properties on the main highway and Buffer Road was referred to in a petition from s'even settlers in that locality. Earlier in the year an estimate was supplied by the council of £793 for a high-pressure water supply, but the petitioners now stated that they would be pleased if they could be supplied with an alternative estimate for a 2-in main reducing to 3in., from Kimberley Road along the Main Road to the corner of Buffer Road and thence to the end of Buffer Road. Tho request was made as it appeared that the previous proposal could not bo undertaken.- —The matter was referred to the councillors for the riding and the engineer for a report.