AWAKINO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 714, 21 October 1914, Page 3

AWAKINO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tiia usual monthly meeting was held at Waitanguru on October 10th, 1914 There were present Cra Boddy, chairman, Kelly, Old, Patter son, and Thorns. The Department of Lands and Survey wrote re access to Puketiti No 5, saying they had no objection to access being granted through the adjoining t mber resreve providing the parties interested bear all, expense in connection with survey and dedication of the proposed road, and in addition fence tfff same with a sufficient legal stock proof fence. —The clerk was instructed to write Messrs Rosa and Wilaorj to this effect. The Resident Engineer- Stratford, wrote in connection with information asked for by the Council in reference to the proposed Mokau river bridge. From same, in reference to grants applied for by the County.—The clerk stated that he had suplied the information asked for. The Department of Lands wrote with reference to thirds available. — It was decided that the councillor for each riding and the engriieer should confer as to the best way of spending the thirds, the proposals to be submitted to the Commissioner of Crown Land, Auckland, for consideration at as early a date as possible. Mr Hally wrote asking what steps the Council was taking to safegaard the intereata of those settlers who were .opposed to the severance of a portion of the County into the Kawhia County.—The chairman stated that he had answered Mr Hally's lettsr. Mr C. W. Crosa wrotes'sking if the Council could expend the £SO placed on last year's Estimates for Hunt's road. —On the motion of Cra Kelly and Old, the clerk waa instructed to write the Rasident Engineer asking if the grant was available and that the chairman and engineer inspect the road as Boon as convenient. On til 9 motion of Crs Patterson and Old it was resolved that the matter of calling tenders for metalling in the Waipawa, Kiritehere and Waitanguru special rating areaß be left in the hands of the chairman. | On the motion of Cra Kelly and Patterson the clerk waa instructed to write Mr McKain informing him that the Council cannot take any further steps in connection with the proposed Mangaorongo special loan until a petition containing he requisite number of signatures is presented to the Council. On the motion of Crs Thorns and Kelly the clerk waa instructed to write the Waitomo County Council asking them if they are agreeable to a deviation oitthe Mahoenui-Maroko-pa road adjoining Bection 3, block 7, Maungamangero survey district through the cemetery reserve and to a portion of the [cemetery reserve being taken for a metal reserve.

On of Cra Patterson and Thorns the clerk was instructed to write,the Commissioner of Crown Landg, Auckland, asking if it could be arranged that the reserve in front of Messrs Whitcombes Bros.' section should be sold to them at Government valuation thus giving them frontage on the road and saving the cost of building a bridge over the Kiritehere river. On the motion of Cr3 Patterson and Tfaoms the clerk vp as instructed to write Mr Wouldes advising him that the engineer did approve of 4 the specifications submitted by him for the erection of a bridge over the Kiritehere stream, and that in the meantime the Council would do no more in the matter. On the motion of <Jrs Kelly °and Old the clerk was instructed to write the Eesident Engineer, Stratford, out to him tne dangerous state of the open drain in front of the A'wakino post office, which ia partly on the road to the wharf and partly on Briscoe street, and asking him to get it covered in. On the motin of Crs Patterson and Thorns the engineer was instructed to make an estimate of the cost of forming, widening, culverting, and metalling the Marokpa river road and the Mangapohue road. On the motion of Crs Kelly and Thoms the clerk was instructed to C. K. Wilson, member for the district, asking him to use hia best effurtß to get the Minister of Customs to reconsider the petition pf the Waikawau settlers re the launch service, as under the present conditions the settlers have to pack and cart their goods over an extra 24 miles of road. On the motion of Crs Boddy and Kelly it was resolved that the matter of obtaining an sstimate of the cost of funning and metalling the Manganui road be left in the hands of Cr Kelly and the engineer. On the motion of Cra Boddy and Kelly the clerk was instructed to write to Mr C. K. Wilson, member for the district, thanking bim for the energetic and valuable ho rendered the chairman when in Wellington on County business. On the motion of Crs Boddy and Kelly it was resolved to advertise all immediate contracts for metalling in the following papers:—King Country Chronicle, .Kawhia Settler, Dominion, Auckland Herald, Taranaki Budget, and Manawatu Standard. On the motion of Crs Kelly, and Old it was resolved that a general rate of one penny in the pound on the unimproved value be struck and levied in ea<-h riding of the County. On the motion of Crs Thorns and Old it was decided to hold a special meeting of the Council at Pio Pio on Saturday, November 7th, at 8 p.m. On the motnn of Crs Boddy and Old the clerk, Mr Brown, was appointed returning officer for the County. Engineer's Report.—l have made an engineering survey of the proposed deviation on the Waitanguru road and find a grade of one in fourteen can be obtained, saving about eight chains of metal and a bad angle—statement and plan herewith. Plans and specifications have been ap-

proved for the first contract on this ro3d and pipes ordered for culverting, which is to be carried out by day work. On the Waipawa and Kiriteherß roads plans and specifications have been approved for the first contact, and work laid off for the balance. While at Marokopa I had another look at the proposed bridge site crossing to Whitcombe Bros.' property. I found flood marks about two feet above the highest bank and was told by a settler that the water rose even higher than this. To hridge the is stream upon the Public Works standard plan would cost fully £SOO. No doubt a cheaper bridge could be designed, but it would be departing from the standard. This bridge would become a very expensive charge upon the County when repairs were needed. I would suggest the Govrenment make an exchange with Whitcombe Bros., giving them the 14-acre reserve and let them make their own bridge. They are agreeable to this. The re serve is subject to flood, and is at present covered with white pine bush possessing no scenic beauty.—John Kelly, County Engineeer. •