HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 March 1910, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held tins morning. * Present—Crs. G. Watson (chairman), Tompsitt, Froemnn, Venn, Stephenson, J. Prouse, Richnrds, and McLenvey. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was dealt with as follows:— From Men ten th an<l Ward, reokl road fronting Mrs Stansell's section, Te Iloro, forwarding obection from owner to proposed sale of old road to Mr Murray.—Mr J. R. Stansell also waited upon the Council and explained the reason of the abjections, nnd it was resolved to rescind « former resolution dealing with the matter at next meeting and hold the matter over ponding an arrangement being come to between the parties in the meantime. From Chapman, Skerrctt and Co.' advising, of completion or transfers re Nodine nnd Mickell, and asking for cheque.—Placed on pay sheet. From New Zealand Railways re account for special rates. From J. P. I lines, solicitor, Palmerston North, forwarding opinion re Piaka road throusfli Otowhiwhi Block.—Opinion to be sent to Mr Campbell. From Dr Hnthwaite, forwarding certificates re Edward Mndgway. — Received. From R. H. Frnser, asking for payment for felling bush on road fine through his section.—Placed on pav sheet. From Tvirk and Stevens, solicitors, re agreement with T. O'Ronrke.—Chairman to report. From W. >T. Smith re state of Heights road The Engineer reK»rted that the road was being atnded to. From E. A. Ey res re Otnki Cemetery rond.—Cri Tompsitt moved that the Crs. for the riding nnd the chairman see to the mater.—Agreed to. From G. N. Wood re old Ferry road. Shannon.--Resolved to inform Mr Wood that the Council was awaiting n reply from tlie Manawatn Council. From W. H. Collingwood, stating Minister of Marine's reply re Harbour Board elections.—Received. From Labour Department forwarding Gazette notice re statutory hal f-hoi id a y.—R ece i ved. From Health Department re insanitary stnto of drain at Mahara House, Waikanae, nnd stating it would be necessary that the Council require the nuisance to be abated in Accordance with the provisions of th ePublic Health Act.—Attend- I ed to. From Marine Department re method of electing members of Harbour Boards, and stating that the whole matter will be dealt with jn the Harbour Board Amendment Bill which it is proposed_ to submit to Parliament next session.—Received. From Public "Works Department ro claim fo rpnyment in connection with Reikorangi-Mangaone road, and nsking for particulars of work done.—Received. From Education Board thanking Council for steps taken re access to proposed school at Otaki Gorge.— Received. From Field. Luckie and Toogood re Piaka road, asking for Council's proposals in writing.—No further action being taken. From Kirk and Stevens, re road purchased from C. A. Monckton.— Payment authorised. From W. IT. Fitchett, resigning his position as poundkoeper at Shannon. From fame, offering to act as ponndkeeper for £2 per month. — Crs. for riding to have power to act. From Advances Department re Tarawa and Kara loans.—Received. From New Zealand Railways re crossing at Jubilee road, stating same was being considered. — Received. From C. Niven and Co. re wheels for Strnker Avagon.—Received. From Law and Bntcholor re metalling Otaura road.—Left with the Engineer and Crs. From J. Pettersen re rate and metalling East road.—Received. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Engineer presented the following report:Te Horo Riding.—The Otaki Gorge road has now been cleared of all slips, and with the exception of a few places where the road has broken awny on the lower side t is very good; 1 will as soon as possible get the parts I'refer to widened. The bridge over the "Roaring Meg" is almost completed; if the weather is good it will be ready for traffic about next Wednesday. Two of the surfacemen have been employed the greater part of the month cleaning the Hautere water-races; something will have to be done about a maintenance rate; it will take a man at least half of his time to keep them in good order. The road down to nnd along the mile drain at Paetawa has been opened, and part through tlio swamp adjoining the road has been formed; this lias been done by the county surfaceman with the assistance of casual labour. Otaki Riding.-The main road railway crossing has been regraded and metalled; this will be found a great improvement. There is a part of the main road south of Manakau, from the Dairy Union creamery to Mr TT. S. George's cottages that requires widening very badly. I have bad this part metalled recently, and bv crowning it up with metal it is difficult for two vehicles to pass. The fill in" will be ensily got, as there is a cutting at the north end. 1 would like to see this put in hand as soon as poseibla.

Wirokino Rid ing.—l <nn gutting tlie Muhunoa East rond widened from the creamery hark towards the railway station at Olian, a distance of something like 40 chains. There was a sum placed on the estimates (£00) for it, but half of this will be sufficient to <lo nil that is necessary nt the present time. The contractor for the Foxton road metalling is getting on well. Tf the weather is favourable another eight days will finish. The Strnker is running metal to the Piaka and Koputnroa roads; there is ample room to keep going for another three months. Cr. Stephenson, with myself, arranged.- with Mr Easton, of Foxton, to construct the- floodgate nnd culvert at the outlet of the Koputaroa and Buckley creeks for the- sum of ,£l7O. We arranged to use concrete in place of timber for the bottom of the culvert; it reclucod the price about £8, and I nm sure will make a much better job. Mr Easton expects the material on the ground in n day or two. Tokomaru Riding.—A phenomenal rainfall on the evening of the 26th tilt.,.on the ranges nt the back of Shannon caused a very big flood in - tho Tokomnru and Otnuro streams. Between them they carried away three small bridges on the Tokoma.ru Valley road, one on the western or Shannon side of the rann-e, and \\vo on the other side. It will be necessnry to,re-erect the one on the Shannon side as soon'as nossible to enable tfhe settlors to get stores in; the others can stand over. I have arranged to make. a six foot track to allow horsemen to get through. The bridge on the Shannon side was constructed of jar rah. I will send the surfaceman along the river-bed to pick up as much as possible; in fact, the whole .of the timber should be got unless buried up in the debris. The clearing and stumping of Wilton's road has been done. I j will get it formed in a few days, ! or as soon as the horses are available. lam much afraid the Toko- ■'" mnrn streets will bo in the same bad

stats as they were in last winter, unless the Government leanding department conies to light soon. The won it of the Tokomaru roads is that they hold tho water so long that it is impossible to get, on to them. 1 liopo to be able to call tenders for tho expenditure of the Government grants, to bo in at next meeting. RESOLUTIONS PASSED. Watson-Freeman—That leave of absence be granted Cr. Windley from this meeting. Piouse-McLeJivey—That the action of tho southern members in appointing William Ingley to the position of ranger for the Otaki and To Horo ridings he confirmed. Richards-Prouso—That the Engineer's report be adopted. Fieemnn-Tompsitt—That the ranger be put on all roads under the jurisdiction of this Council oh and after Monday, 21st March. Vonn-Stepheiison—That Mr Greig be granted permission to. lay a tram along the side of Toe Toe street, Tokomaru, to remain during the Council's pleasure. Wnn-Stephonson—That this Council's surfaceman be instructed to disconnect trailing logs or other articles attached to wandering stock. Rii'hards-Prouse—That tho Engineer be instructed to prepare nn estimate for providing water to the Arapaepae sub-division. HSAVY TRAFFIC BY-LAWS. Tlie Council then went into committee Jpon the revision of the heavy traffic by-laws.