COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

Chronicle (Levin), 11 January 1947, Page 4

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

COUNCIL HOtPS tTS FIRST MEETING OF YEAR

The Horowhenua County Couneil ( held its first meeting of the year yesterday, Mr. G. A. Monk presid- : ing. Also present were Crs. J. D. , Aitchison, J- H. P. Liggins, _ A. MAtkins, W. Taylor, W. Jenkms, A. M. Colquhoun, A. J. Gimblett and ■ D. K. Guy. Also the county clerk (Mr. F. H. Hudson) and actingengineer (Mr. W. H. Fraser). Coiinty Sub-divisions A letter was received from the Minister of Lands, Mr. C. F. bkinner, stating that the new Counties Sub-division Act came into efiect as from January 1. Its introduction had met with general sansfaction and with the co-operation of local counties could be the means of correcting many past def ects in the administration on- land sub-divisions in rapidly developing urban and rural loealities. • Commenting on the effect of the Act, Mr. Hudson said it would result in better control of sub-divi-sions and the possible avoidance oi the "ribbon type" of development in areas adjacent to municipalities. This type of development was- a source of troutole to local bodies in regard to gas supplies, footpaths and other necessary amenities. _ It also made for closer co-ordination between the Lands Department and local authorities. Cr. Aitchison: Does it mean that we may say where roads are to be built? The chairman: We will _ at least be allowed to exoress an opinion. Mr. Monk added that , he agreed with Mr. Hudson that the new Act placed local bodies. in a better position than previously. Complaint About Road Residents of East Road, Shannon, - wrote complaining of the "shocking" condition of the road, the surface of which they said was worn to the foundations. Trucks were continually 011 the road, carrying metal from a nearby pit to another county, and they understood these activities were likely to be intensified. In view of this it would not be difficult to forecast the state of the road during the winter. The chairman said he understood this road was one of those which would ultimately be permanently sealed. The Main Highway? Board, which was paying three parts ot the» cost, had stated that it would be re-formed during the coming autumn, but would not be sealed till the summer. He added, however, that the excessive use of the road by the Manawatu County Couneil vehicles required investigating, and he suggested that the couneil eoncerned be advised that they would be responsible for making good excessive damage to the road, if they continued to use it. The couneil adopted the chairman's suggestion. Health Inspeetor's Report The health inspector, Mr. W. J. Guinan, in his quarterly report to the couneil, said 'that he had carried out inspections of all building works under way and all applications for new works had been approved. Eleven new septic tank svstems had been approved. A sgmple of the water from the bore at Waikanae Beach had been taken for analvsis. Complaints regarding dead stock had received attention. Inspections had also been made at the Maori camps at Opiki and all district sehools had been visited, and a special 'survey report made to the Medical Officer of Health. Under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, he had taken six samples .Qf milk and 16 samples oi water. No action had been necessary. The chairman said he waS pleased to flnd that 110 complaints had been received about the Waikanae water supply. It was surprising to find such good water was obtainable at such a level. The bore, which was 87 feet deep, had pierced various classes of material and could not be reached by surface contamination.