Manawatu County Council

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3712, 15 September 1906, Page 3

Manawatu County Council

The usual monthly meeting of the above was held at Sanson on Tuesday. Present —Crs J. G. Wilson (chairman), Kendall, Dalton, McKenzie, Barber, and Masters. Tetters were received from : P. C. Freeth, re Infectious Diseases Hospital. Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, re the purchase of the Wellington and Manawatu Co. line by the Government, The Council signified its willingness to lend every support to the matter of the taking over of the Wellington and Manawatu railway, and Cr McKenzie was appointed delegate to attend the meeting. J. Stevens, M.H.R., stating that he would support the Council’s application to the Government for monies required for various works. Inspector of Telephones, re Makowhai extension, A. A. Schlutz, of Makowhai, stating he was willing to have the telephone in his house for a year. Treasury, stating that the loan of for construction of drainage works in the Oroua Downs, had been provisionally approved. Bands Department, re river protective works at Ohakea, stating that as the Council had provided the subsidy it is proposed that they carry out the work at a cost not exceeding Sluggish River Drainage Board, asking for contribution of for clearing willows out of the . Oroua river in the vicinity of the Oroua bridge. K. W. Coley, Motoa, directing attenion to the bad state of the road branching off the SandonFoxton road close to the ferry. Minister of Public Works, re grant of for construction of Beach road, Foxton, also grant for the completion of the Palmerston North-Foxton main road, and to assist the settlers in the Mangawhatu Estate for constructing river protective works. The first two grants will receive consideration when the Estimates for the year are being dealt with. The ,£2OOO grant has been referred to the Minister of Lands. G.P.0., Wellington, re Puke-nui-Foxton mail route, stating they cannot grant a subsidy to the Tramway, a* the present mail sy tern meets all requirements. A. Wallace, Mdhtoa, stating that cattle on the road were damaging the fences. The Chairman was appointed delegate to attend a meetuig to be ucid at Palmersion North, on the 27th inst., in connection with the •Infectious Diseases Hospital, The balance for the various accounts are as follows : —General Account; dr., ns lid; , Road Account, cr., 4s 3d;

nett dr. balance, ,£2583 ys 6d. Riding accounts —Sanson, ,£Bl 2s 2d; Mt. Stewart, ,£25 gs qd; Waitohi, ,£393 4 s ; Rongotea, £127 x6s 2d; Carnarvon, 3s qd ; Awahou, ,£163 17s 3d; VVharokino Sub-division, ,£99 19s 6:1; amounts over expenditure Kawakawa riding, ,£2O 143 gd. The tram manager reported that the work of relaying new qolb steel rails down to Rongotea had commenced. Sundry improvements were required to grades. All the available sleepers have been adzed and bored, and another 300 to 350 will be required to complete the 42 chains of relaying. He had arranged to construct a 12-inch culvert to take water from Mr Penny’s property. The water service at Sandon was still unsatisfactory. Special trains have been arranged in connection with the Bulls races. The merchandise carried during the month of August was : —Grain 35 J 4 tons, minerals tons, manure 5 tons, merchandise tons, chaff 10 trucks; pigs, 1 truck stores ; firewood etc. 8 trucks, timber 63,935 feet, wool 10 bales, metal 18 trucks, grass seed 5 tons ; fares £22 8s Bd, receipts for August balance oi £22 ss. The overseer’s report was read. In accordance with the new reading of the Act by the Treasury the Council now authorised the raising of a special loan of ;£ioo for protecting McDonnell’s road ; also a loan of ,£2OO for the construction of a portion of Pyke’s road, the said loan to be for 41 years; also a loan of ;£6oo for tha construction of drainage works on the Oroua Downs Estate and the Manawatu Railway Co.’s block. A special train has been arranged for Foxton sports on November 9th. A long discussion took place in committee over the prospects of running a daily train service to Foxton. Cr McKenzie brought forward a motion to give the matter a six month’s trial. On being put to the meeting it was lost, on the casting vote of the chairman. Cr McKenzie said he would again introduce the matter at the next meeting. Cr McKenzie said that repairs to the tram line should be done by contract where possible, in order to do away with the Government stroke system. It was pointed out that it was absolutely necessary to employ two permanent men. The census returns received show that the county has increased from 3000 inhabitants to 4008. The following motions were carried : That the clerk again write to Mr Beazer, and ask him to remove his combine off the road immediately. That five trucks of limestone be procured for the township of Sandon. That the question of the purchase of a windmill for the tramway be left to the chairman and manager to deal with. That Crs Masters and McKenzie sign and initial the rate book. That tenders be called, to be in by next meeting, for the right to work the Shannon Ferry and collecting the tolls thereat for a period of 12 months. That the tram manager be authorised to sell all useless sleepers. That permission loe given to Mr Banks to cart timber if wide tyres are used. That Mr Schulz’s letter be forwarded to the Inspector of Telephones. That £5 owing to Sluggish Drainage Board be passed for payment.