PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 July 1924, Page 6

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. At the ordinary meeting on Tuesday there were present: Messrs J. Gibbs (chair), W. G Belton, \Y. A. Scown, W. Back, Alexander, McDonald, and W. H. Watkins. Leave of absence was granted to Crs. Sutherland and Taylor. Air. Sheild (clerk) and Mr. King (engineer) were also in attendance. GENERAL.

In regard to work on the Kohi Road (Waverley) some discussion took place with reference, to the suggested working bee by settlers, about which there is some misunderstanding. The engineer said that settlers on the road had agreed to help, and it had been decided to clear mud off the road before putting on metal. i The chairman reported on his meeting with the settlers and the suggested securing of a grant from the Highways Board for completion of the metal, ling of the Kohi hill.—Cr. Watkins and Cr. McDonald confirmed what the chairman said, and agreed that it would not be expedient to do the work now. —After some little discussion he moved that the matter of the Kohi Gorge Road be left over until the summer. It w»s notified by circular that a deputation of Taranaki County Councils will meet the Prime Minister and the Minister of Railways on railway matters, and arrangements had been made for .Mr. S. G. .Smith, M.P.. to'introduce the delegates on Thursday. , The chairman said lie hoped some members would be able to go, but feared that the shortness of notice would prevent any joining the deputation. The Prime 'Minister wrote stating that the Ngutuwera loan of £GS() has been granted by the Advances Board, and will be remitted this week. With regard to. the Rakaupiko and Kahuroa Roads loan of £IOOO, when the Crown .Solicitor’s certificate has been obtained the application will lie submitted to j the Advances Board for final approval. Air. T. E. Wilson wrote asking the council to consider the advisability of declaring the Waitotara station road a | secondary highway.—The matter was deferred, as, in the opinion of’ the chairman, the question of new declarations would only be dealt with by the board once a year.

The 'Wanganui County Council wrote stating that the meeting re uniform by-laws would be held on the 17th inst. at 10.30 a. m.

The matter of the corner near the Waitotara bridge was brought up as the result of correspondence from* the local authority and the school committee. —It was resolved to approach the owners of the corner sections, asking if they would donate a piece to he taken off to widen the corner, and that a committee consisting of the Moumahaki representatives and the engineer be set up to take any action necessary.

The Hawera County Council wrote asking the Council’s opinion with regard to rebuilding the Manawapou bridge in concrete. —The chairman said Hawera, he understood, had agreed to the strengthening of the bridge as carried out and to let this suffice for some years to come. He moved that, as the strengthening of the bridge would make it last several years, there was no immediate need of a concrete bridge, but that when the time was ripe they would be ready to discuss the question. This motion was carried. The Waitomo County Council wrote asking support for a proposal that Ric Government take into consideration the question of amending the existing legislation so as to enable local bodies to obtain sufficient loans from the State for the purposes of the Alain Highways Act.

The Ilorowhenua County Council wrote suggesting that councils co-oper-ate, with a view to a. loan being raised for the construction of roads under the Alain Highways Act, so that councils would not. compete with one another in the’ open market. The eh airman said the question was dealt with at the Highways Board, the proposal being for the Government to raise a. big loan. Patea would, he hoped, he able to do their part out of revenue. On his motion the Council decided to support the proposals. The Director-General of Health wrote approving of the plan of the new nurses’ home, subject to a few minor alterations. COUNTY RATE.

It was resolved that the rate be the same as last year in the various ridings. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Alain Road and General: The whole length of the Alain road has been regularly maintained and is in good order throughout. Metal is at present being received at Ball road station and at Alanutahi screeings for resealing. A survey is in hand for straightening and widening Patea hill, which work I propose should be done bv contract ami the spoil used towards'filling in place of the old bridge leading to the Patea station. During the month the chairman and myself have interviewed the district, engineer of the Public Works Department re road estimates, and have attended the No. 8 District High wavs Councilmeeting, where Hie comity proposals for reconstruction and maintenance on the declared highways were submitted and approved by the'Council to be forwarded to the Highways Board. Several notices have been issued re cutting back overhanging hedges during the month. Otoia West: The metalling on Mug. geridge road is complete, and the 2-ineli metal lias been laid along the whole length of Hamilton’s road to be done at present. A new culvert at the MtWnitiilii Hotel corner lias been put in, and the new one at Geary ’s corner is in hand. The contractor for the Alton Goige earthworks is making good pro-

Otoia East: Very good progress is being made by the grader partv on the improvements to the Otauto hill. A nlling has been put in near Southcombe’s corner on the Beach road, and repairs have been made on the upper portion of the Maben road hill. Elsewhere general surface work has been carried out. k \Vn\ erlev Biding: The chairman, local members and rnvself recent lv attended _a . meeting of Kolii settlers, where it was agreed to carry out repairs to the metal on the kohi hill and the settlers to fascine and sand a bad length near Kolii. The short gap left in the metal on the Beach road has been metalled. An inspection has been made of various roads in the riding.

Moumahaki Riding: The contractor for the Motoroa bridge has notified me that he will make a start early next month. The metalling and other work required on- the Moumahaki station road is nearly complete. The work recently arranged on the Weraweraonga road and track has been satisfactorily completed. Surfacemen have been engaged on all the other lengths in this riding. Kapara Riding: Mr Waldie reports the bridge for which he had the contract on the Upper Makalcaho road to be complete. This will be inspected at an early date. Another bridge on the Makakalio road is reported to be under-

mined, and this will also be inspected and attended to. The contractor on Train’s track has made further progress during the month. .Flood damages have been sustained on the Makaknho and Lower Waitotara Valley roads, hut both roads are reported as open for traffic. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £BaB 3s Id were passed for payment, and the Council