COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

Chronicle (Levin), 10 August 1946, Page 4

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

— Horowhenua- District MEETING' OF COUNCIL Mr. G. A. Monk presided at the monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council, held in Levin yesterday. Also present were: Crs. A. M. Colquhoun, D. K. Guy, A. J. Gimblett, J. D. Aitchison, J. H. P. Liggins, W. G. Taylor and A. M. Atkins. Also Messrs. F. H. Hudson (clerk) and W. H. Fraser (acting-engineer) . Leave of absence was granted to Cr. R. W /, Jenkins. J Loss of Potential Fertiliser A copy of a petition to be presented ro the present session of Parliament by the Auckland Drainage League was received. The petition urged that a Royal Commission be set up to investigate the tremendous wastage of potential fertiliser in the form of garbage and sewerage. It was held that there was a continual loss of fertility in the soil because of the nonreturn of humus, lost to the soil by cultivation. Thousands of acres of once fertile land had been lost through this cause, and erosion of sloping, grassed and scrub-covered lands had taken place. It also meant a loss of resistance to disease in plants, animals and human beings, and an increase in diseases. notably deficiency diseases through the same cause. The petition had the support of the B.M.A. on health grounds. Mr. Monk said that in Europe and older parts of the w7orld every use was made of sewerage. In New Zealand the methods of disposal were such that all waste material was washed away. Much expense would be involved in converting the waste to fertiliser, and the amount obtained was not worth the cost. In big cities, with a population of millions, there was a tremendous waste, but in New Zealand there was not sufficient to make the process economic. However, he could see no objection to an investigation being made, and the council should support the petition. The council decided t'o give its support to the petition. Request for Sealing-

A request from ten ratepayers of Arapaepae Road for the sealing of the road was received. The letter stated that there was a large amount of traffic on the road, and the dust nuisance was great. In moving that the request be referred to the works committee, Mr. Monk said that it was the council's desire to have dust-proof roads as soon as possible, but with limited finance the work had to be done in steps. Cr. Gimblett said that the position of priority on roads to be sealed had been discussed, and a committee reported on the matter. He could not recommend that the Arapaepae Road be referred to the works committee for inclusion in the road sealing list for the year. Mr. Monk said that it was quite in order to refer the matter to the works committee. However, the work could not, and would not, be done this year. Lights at Beach Souglit The Waitarere Beach Progressive Society wrote requesting the instaliation of electric lights at Waitarere Beach. Mr. Monk said that as far as the Horowhenua Power Board was concerned there was little chance of the lights being installed, especially in view of .the effect on those .already suffering a curtailment. The matter was referred to the members of the Whirokino Riding to investigate and report. Miscellaneous Matters A request for improvement of the water races on.its course was received from the - Levin Racing Club. It was stated that* fiodd waters were over/mnning- ihe channels and eorisiderable damage resulted to buildings. Local members of the council were appointed to investigate the matter with the engineer, with power to act. Permission was granted to the Kuku-Manakau Dairy Company to establish a piggery near its factory. Complaints of the state of the water supply at Waikanae Beach were made by the Waikanae Beach Progressive Society. It was said that the -water was a dirty brown colour, unfit for consumption or washing purposes. It was decided to send a committee down to see the society, and report. to the next meeting. An acknowledgment of the council's expression of sympathy in his recent bereavement was received from Mr. W. G. Belton, president of the New Zealand Counties' Association.