Kairanga County Affairs

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7284, 11 October 1933, Page 10

Kairanga County Affairs

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The Kairanga County Council met yesterday. Present: Crs. D. Collis (chairman), P. G. Mildon, M. Voss, C. Anderson, J. Batchelar, W. R. Hopcroft, M. A. Moody and R. A. Mercer. Engineer’s Report. General: Number of men employed average 26. Men employed under No. 5 scheme total 205, of which over 70 are now ‘' over-the-fence. ” Awahuri bridge: All urgent repair work to this bridge has now been carried out. Taonui riding: The contract for carting out metal at Karere has now been completed. Screening of metal with shaker machine has been continued and metal carted direct to roads. As opportunity permits grading and improving side flanks of College street has been continued about two-thirds of the length being completed, and spoil has been used in filling depressions on opposite side. Necessary watertables and drains will be constructed on completion of formation work. As instructed roadside of Kairanga-Bunnythorpe road has been ploughed in the endeavour to cope with the ever-increasing giant fescue. Tractor and plough has been employed in widening of Walker’s road in accordance with desires of the deputation. Opportunity was also taken while plant was in vicinity to widen Hamilton’s line. A commencement has been made with carrying out of major repairs to Hoihere bridge. This is more complicated owing to local difficulties and design of structure. The motor grader has been over more important roads raking in loose metal from sides and cutting off corrugations. A new shallow drain has been tut on Rangitikei line opposite Hamlin’s.

Mangaone riding: Crashing of metal at James’ line has continued for the greater part of the month. This metal has been carted to Milson’s line and Kairanga-Bunnythorpe road. The new drain on Newbury line from corner to Derby creek has now been completed. The old watercourse near roadside will now be filled in as opportunity permits. The council has completed draining and metalling of main drive of Bunnythorpe cemetery, but owing to the sodden nature of the subsoil the road will have to stand for a few months before consolidation can possibly take place. All metal in the Mangaone stream on council's property at Bunnythorpe has been carted to the dump. Further progress of widening Milson's line and regrading water channels has been proceeded with, three culvrets having been extended to conform with improvements. Watertables and drains on Stoney creek road, Railway road and Napier road have been cleaned out. The motor grader has been over more important roads. Fitzherbert riding: Very little other than ordinary maintenance and widening has been carried out in this riding. Practically all watertables on roads in the lower end of this riding have been cleaned out. Men are nowscreening metal on Linton beach while the truck has been carting same direct to the roads. A large gang of men are stripping the new pit on council's property on Kahuterawa road and a seam of good metal has been discovered. Kahuterawa road was again blocked by slips, but was opened up the following day. The Aokautere gang has been stripping the pit at the bottom end of the Pahiatua track which is probably the best sample of metal obtained in the county for binding purposes. Another gang has been cleaning watertables on Forest hill road and Pahiatua. track. Both trucks have been patching as required from several sources. Riding Finances. A statement of riding expenditure as compared with estimates, 1933-1934, was presented by the clerk (Mr. N. I. Nielsen), as follows: — Taonui Riding:— Road maintenance: Estimates, 1933-34, £2268; expended, £749 1s 1d; balance available, £1518 18s 11d. Bridge maintenance: Estimates, 193334, £25; expended, 10s; balance available, £24 10s. Plant maintenance: Estimates, 193334, £30; expended, £11 13s 2d; balance available, £18 6s 10d. Totals: Estimates, 1933-34, £2323; expended, £761 4s 3d; balance available, £1561 15s 9d. Mangaone Riding:—

Road maintenance: Estimates, 190334, £2486; expended, £919 11s 10d; balance available, £1566 8s 2d. Bridge maintenance: Estimates, 193334, £25; expended, 10s; balance available, £24 10s. Plant maintenance: Estimates, 193334, £3O; expended, £5 2s 2d; balance available, £24 17s 10d. New works: Estimates, 1933-34, £770; expended, £64 10s; balance available, £705 10s. Totals: Estimates, 1933-34, £3311; expended, £989 14s; balance available, £2321 6s. Fitzherbert Riding:—

Road maintenance: Estimates, 193334, £2444; expended, £879 19s 10d; balance available, £1564 0s 2d. Bridge maintenance: Estimates, 193334, £75; expended, £33 5s 9d; balance available, £41 14s 3d. Plant maintenance: Estimates, 193334, £25; expended, £1 14s 9d; balance available, £23 5s 3d. Totals: Estimates, 1933-34, £2544; expended, £915 0s 4d; balance available, £1628 19s 8d. Bank Balances. County fund account No. 1: Dr., £4064 18s 5d. County fund account No. 2 (plant) (adjusted to 31/3/1933): Cr. £8187 15s 4d. County fund account No. 3 (tarred roads) (adjusted to 31/3/1933): Cr., £534 1s 3d. Loan accounts: Fitzherbert riding, culverts and bridges account: Cr., £15 13s 7d. Sundry accounts: Linton Domain Board (Post Office Savings Bank a/c.), £55 8s 6d (on fixed deposit due 8/6/34), £44 10s; heavy traffic fees account, nil; Fitzherbert West water race management account, £73. Note re County Fund account No. 2: The amount of £8187 15s 4d is inclusive

of £3500 on fixed deposit due January, 6, 1934. Outstanding Rates. Taonui riding: 1932-1933, unpaid at 31/3/33, £449 14s 1d, paid to 10/10/33, £245 0s 1d, outstanding, £204 14s; prior years unpaid at 31/3/33, £52 183 10d, paid to 10/10/33, £6 1s 9d, outstanding, £46 17s 1d; total unpaid, £251 11s 1d. Mangaone riding: 1932-1933, unpaid at 31/3/33, £628 6s 3d, paid to 10/10/33, £243 14s 1d, outstanding £384 12s 2d; prior years, unpaid at 31/3/33, £187 10s 3d, paid to 10/10/33, £35 19s 9d, outstanding, £151 10s 6d; total unpaid, £536 2s 8d. Fitzherbert riding: 1932-1933, unpaid at 31/3/33, £889 18s 1d, paid to 10/10/33, £301 10s 2d, outstanding, £588 7s 11d; prior years, unpaid at 31/3/33, £237 13s 10d, paid to 10/10/33, £141 15s 11d; outstanding, £95 17s 11d; total unpaid, £684 5s 10d. Aggregate unpaid at October 10, 1933, £1471 19s 9d. Note: (1) Arrears unpaid at September meeting were £1807 2s 1d; (2) total unpaid at March 31, 1933, was £2446 1s 4d. Land Transfers. The following land transfers were notified: — Mangaone riding: Est. H. Penberthy to H. C. Baines, 40 acres, 0 roods, 26.6 perches; G. J. Johnston to P. W. Anderson, 147 acres, 2 roods, 12 perches; Mrs. F. J. Clarke to Thos. Gore, 19 acres, 1 rood, 17.4 perches. Taonui riding: Barry and Nelson to F. Barry, 1 acre 2 roods; G. Davison, jnr. to J. J. Scales, 41 acres, 2 roods, 16.55 perches; W. Clegg to A. E. and D. C. McPherson, 45 acres. General. The Palmerston North City Council advised that the allocation in respect of the fourth progress payment in connection with the new Fitzherbert bridge was £697 19s 1d, of which Kairanga's share was £116 6s 6d. A statement presented by the clerk showed that the county’s share of heavy traffic fees collected for the quarter ended August 31, was £177 2s 1d. The Madge Charabanc Motor Company applied for exemption under regulation 5, clause 2 (load limit) in respect of mystery bus trips they proposed running. Their heaviest bus was rated under class 1 and though it was possible they might never be on a road inferior to class 3, they desired permission just in case of necessity.—Left with the engineer to deal with as occasion arose. Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., advised that he would place before Parliament the council’s views on the proposed amendment to the Valuation Act, especially as regards the question of the right of owners to offer their land to the Crown. Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., forwarded a similar promise. Mr. J. A. Nash also acknowledged the council’s letter in reference to payment of rates by the Crown. He was afraid that it was a very difficult proposition to overcome though he would do what he could in the matter. The Linton branch of the Farmers Union asked for improvements to the main road.—To be attended to. The Palmerston North HospitaL Board forwarded for consideration, a proposal to provide accommodation for chronic medical cases at Awapuni Home at a cost of £6500 and an administration block at the hospital to cost £6000. To finance the proposals, it was intended to make application for a loan of £12,500 for 20 years. The annual charges would amount to £82 1s as far as the Kairanga County was concerned. The erection of the buildings could be no longer delayed without preiudice to the welfare of patients and administrative control. The Government met half the capital cost.—The proposal was approved. The Unemployment Board advised that it had been decided to make labour available to farmers for the eradication of ragwort on similar conditions to last year. The Fitzherbert ranger (Mr. J. Vining) reported having impounded between September 12 and October 2, 38 cows, while the Kairanga ranger (Mr. I. Baldwin) reported having impounded 47 head. Power Board Rate. Cr. Anderson sought information regarding the Power Board rate. By paying the rate, could a farmer compel the board to bring the lines to his property? he asked. The reply in the negative brought the comment from Cr. Anderson that it was most unfair.