KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 511, 23 October 1912, Page 6

KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Kawhia County Councibwas held on October 12th. The following were present—Crs W. J. Shaw (chairman), A. N. Norton, J. E. Noonan, R. T. Davies, 'A. W. Babbage, J. Kearns and F. Perham.

CORRESPONDENCE

waa read and dealt with as follows:

Under-Secretary, Public Works Department.—The Under - Secretary is having enquiry made as to letting the council have the use of a stone crushing plant.—The member for the district will be asked to assist in this matter.

Public Works Department re Kihi Road.—The Minister will carefully consider the matter of making a grant for this road w-hen the Estimates are being compiled. Same, re Waihinu Road. The Minister will carefully consider the matter of making a grant for this road when the Estimate-* 2re being compiled. Same re Kinohaku-Waiharakeke Road.—The Minister has agreed to a further £IOO of the subsidy for the Kawhia to Marokopa river road baing diverted to metalling this road.

Mr J. A. Young, M.P., re Stock Reserve at Junction of Okupata-Pekanui Road.—The Minister of Land is considering the desirability of placing this reserve in such conidtion that it cun be used for travelling stock,. — Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P. re Roads from Kinohaku to Whakapirau Valley. —Mr Wilson is endeavouring to get a grant for these road 3. Marokopa Co-operative Dairy Co., requesting the council to erect a shed for storage of butter at Kinohaku landing.—lt was resolved to ask the company for some guarantee that the shed would be'used if erected, and the engineer was instructed to prepared an estimate of the cost.

Mr Taui Wetere, requesting the council to assist him on obtaining a title to a small piece of land in pursuance of an agreement between him and the council.—lt was decided to inform Mr Wetere that the road concerning whch the agreement was made has not yet been proclaimed.

Treasurer's Statement. —The treasurer reported the various balances as follows:—General account, cr. £633 12s 3d; Land Fund account, cr. £593 lis 9d; Mahoenui-Kawhia Road Luan account, cr. £689 10s lid; Okupata Road Loan account, cr. £76 8s 9d; Harbour account, cr. £29 6s 7d; Harbour Loan account, cr. £5565 16s 4d. Riding Accounts. —Kawhia, dr. £8 lis 6d; Matakowhai cr. £62 14s Id; Oparau cr. £195 3s Id; T. Kauri, cr. £l4O-Bs9d; Awaroa, cr. £11? 4s; Waiharakeke, cr. £B9 19s 7d; Taharoa, cr. £36 4s 3d. Accounts totalling £549 15s 8d were passed for payment. EGINEER'S REPORT.

Since your last meeting I have prepared plana and specifications (in duplicate) for re-erecting the small bridges on the Whakapirau road, and submitted them to the assistantengineer for approval. I have also employed my spare time in preparing plans of different works in readiness for expenditure of future Government grants. In regard to making an en gineering survey of the Awaroa to Mahoe road; I have been unable to obtain the necessary assistance, but expect to have Mr W. H. Armstrong's services in a few days' time. The recent bad weather, has been undertaken. The portion of the road that remained to be widened on the Ukopata road that was not previously let to contractors has been completed by Mr F. Eshelby and party. Messrs Murray and Love's contract is the only formation work on this road that remains to be completed. The works un Kauri branch, Kawhia to Aotea, Waitetuna to Aotea, and other roads are proceeding satisfactorily. Messrs Scott and Forsyth have made good progress with the erection of the Lemon Point wharf and cattle race, and expect to complete th 9 work at an early date. About 35 men have been employed during the past month. In regard to my instructions to make application for a maintenance grant for roads from Kinohaku to Whakapirau Valley; I wired to Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., who replied that he would wait on the Minister at once in reference to the matter. No further information has since been received. The ruad plough that was ordered together with road grader, has come to hand. I have been advised that the grader may soon be expected. In reference to the application of Mr G. Stokes for road access to his section No. 3b section 2f, Pirongia West,, I have gone into the matter and find that no access to the section has been provided. Under these circumstances I would recommend that a road be taken from a point on the PirongiaKawhia road near the Oparau ferry, through the corner of the Waihohonu block close along the Oparau river, and passing through the Mangawhero block, leased by Mr Wright, and also without road access, to join with No. 3b section 3f at or near boundary peg 24, a distance of about 25 chains. A road taken along this route would be well situated, and good in both grade and alignment. I have also gone into the matter of a repair-slip for launches, and estimate the cost at approximately £35. Three sets of truck wheels will be required, also winch and wire rope. I propose to use the iron rails lying in the wharf shed, and have not included the cost of these in estimates. For bed work for rails and carriage I propose to use honeysuckle rickers. The length of the slip will be about 100 feet, and I propose to erect it on the street reserve opposite the "Settler" office. From enquiries that I have made I am confident that the slip is necessary and if erected would be well patronised, and if a small charge was made to all users it could be made an asset. In regard to the tenders received from Mr Eshelby for Contract No. 56, Kawhia-Marokopa river road, and Contract No. 58, Kinohaku to Waiharakeke, the tenders have been accepted subject tof the blinding of the metal from Ote/ke stream ridge, to

blinding shed being included in the latter contract. This arrangement T consider satisfactory. When last inspecting the Muturangi road I found the extreme end to be in a more flooded state than on my previous visit, due to the recent rains, and the numerous obstructions in the adjacent stream causing it to overflow the road. If the stream was cleared of all obstruction the road would not be so subject to floods, and side drainage might be made possible. I would recommend steps being taken to have the stream cleareed of the raupo, timber, watercress, etc., obstructing its course. Now that the survey of the Moerangi block is commenced I would recommend the Government being approached in the matter or providing ample reserve for the future betterment of the Kawhia-Aotea road. Some eight miles of this road adjoining the block lies vvholely below high-water mark, and very little above low-water level, and is only negotiable for about six hoursin every twenty-four. I am of opinion that the present line o<.' road could be greatly improved, and should be considered in the cutting up oE the block. GENERAL.

Stokes' Application.—This matter was held over for the present. Repairing Slip.—Consideration of the constrcution of a slip was deferred until the engineer optbaina further information as to what launch owners will be prepared to pay for the use of the slip and the number of times it would be used.

The action of the chairman, Cr Kearns and the engineer in letting contracts to F. Eshelbv was approved. It was decided to give the occupier of section 2, block 13, Kawhia North, notice to clear the stream of obstructions.

The report was adopted. Pirongia-Kawhia Road.—Cr Noonan was auhorised to have certain repairs done tp this road. Rabbits and Noxious Weeds.—lt was resolved to ask the Minister for Native Affairs if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to deal with the spread of rabbits and noxious weeds on unoccupied native lands.

Pigs on Road.—lt was resolved to give Messrs Hamilton and Armstrong notice to remove pigs from the Kihi road, failing whkh action will be taken. Willow Trees in Awaroa River.—lt was decided to clear the willow trees from the road along the river bank and also to give the owners of willows on private land notice to remove their willows.

At the close of the meeting the chairman (Mr W. J. Shaw) stated that this waa the last meeting which would be held during his present term of office, and he took occasion to thank the Councillors for their assistance during the past year. He found, however, that owing to private affairs and other matters, greater demand was being made on his time and energies, than he was able to conveniently meet, and he therefore did not propose to seek re-election as chairman at the next annual meeting. The Councillors regretted the decision of the chairman, and urged him to reconsider thfi matter, Which he eventually promised to do between this and the next meeting.