HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Levin Daily Chronicle, 12 June 1917, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

ORDINARY MONTHLY MEETING.

Horowhenua County Council met ■last Saturday at Levin, Councillor Monk in the' chair. There nJso were present: Councillors G. iN. Stephenson, F. J. Ryder, G. P. Catley, iH. iFreeman, S. A. Broadbelt, A. Murray, J. Kebbell, F. W. Venn.

The matter of registration of motor car drivers and similar needs was briefly discussed. The chairman remarked that th'e need was becoming greater every year. The council resolved to discuss the matter further when the matter of a general revision of the council's by-laws came up for revision.

Mr Pees!.. application re boundary was acceded to. Councillor Stephenson wae empowered to deal with the application for the securing of information as to river levels, and prospects, in times when floods threaten. Messrs Kirk and Raploy's application re securing etaoinshrdluetao eta tion re Paliiko roads was agreed to. No action was taken in regard to Palmerston iNortli Technical School Board's application for a grant in aid. The matter of a Koputaroa road title noted in our 'last issue (written aibout by the council's solicitor) was referred to Councillors Monk and. Broadt>elt, who are to consult with Mr Park con cerning the need for a proclamation, etc. Councillor Broadbelt reported that satisfactory arrangements had Ibeen mode with Mr W. Winter for gravel carting in the Wirokino iriding. The council) .affirmed the arrangement, which ensures the carting being done on terms as favorable as last year's contract gave. Prices range from 3s 6d (Fairfield and two other localities) 12s 64 p«r 120 yds (Syrconde' gate to bridge). Intermediary prices are frdm 6s to lis 6d. A stretch of 800 yds (Foxtfon-Koputaroa Toad) is set down at lis.

A report by the county chairman and the county ongincer are printed under, a separate heading. During a • discussion concerning proposed purchase of a road roller (motor or steam), it was mentioned that a 6econd-liand, road roller in good order was on offer at £850. It oost £1100 before the war, and. such road roller now were unobtainable. It lias been five years in use, and is guaranteed to be in good order. The county chair-

man, with Councillor Stephenson and the county engineer inspected it recently and found it doing good wonk.

"Councillors Ryder and Keb'bell spoke in favor of inspecting another style of roller (the Austin motor) now in use at Cook County. The INew Zealand agents for this roller have undertaken to bear the expense of thia visit of inspection. The council authorized the chairman and county engineer to make the trip to iGisborne, the agenti meeting the expense. The seal of the council was affixed to a debenture for £100 in respect to Maikahika bridge. (Dedication of Tararua (Road Extension from "William Pringle (2 acres 2roods 16 2-10 perches) was accepted by tho council and the council seal attached thereto. BTOC C ON THE .LONG ACRE. TV c uuty ranger: "This month ''Via;), through ill-health, I have not )'or:i able to get about the county as f wou'd have liked to. The result — th;i t People took advantage of it !l>y allo.viivT their stock to wander' on '■h? - ' ids. 1 .am now much improved and pr scouted five offenders: one was fined lOi and costs; two were dined 5s and for!:;; one £1 and costs; one was convLted and discharged. lam prosccut*rg a number in all ridings next Court day."

TAR4MADE ROADB. iln submitting his report o* roadmaking, the chairman said he was convinced that by adopting the policy of road construction therein dealt with would eventually reduce the cost of maintenance to a bagatelle. Councillor Catley Baid that such a scheme could not be dealt with except byi loan; the intial expense would be too great to 'be met put of revenue. In the course of further discussion it was stated that if asphalted roads wore"* made it would be necessary to establish toll-gates, to make motor-* cars, passing through, pay their fair share of the cost (especially in view of the fact that so many care for outside districts passed along the CEDorowhenua County roads.) Councillor Monlc said he was perfectly' convinced that a toll-gate was the only real remedy available to the council.

Councillor Murray agreed, and said that where there was heavy traffic the toll gate was oP very great "benefit. His experiences in the Wairarapa had proved that. He believed that finally concrete roads would be the only sort for heavy traffic, but in the meantime he would like to see the tarring dorfb.

Eventually notice of motion was given by Councillor .Ryder, "That a Special meeting of the oouncil be called to consider the advieableness of erecting a toll-gate or toll-gates in H'orowhenua County." The motion will come on at the July meeting.