MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 18 July 1907, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ordinary Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council was held on Tuesday. Present. —Crs Wilson (Chairman), Kendall, Masters, McKenzie, Barber, and Dalton. Correspondence was read, and included the following : From several ratepayers in the Foxton district, asking for formation of road from Cemeter}’ road at Gower’s corner up to Mrs H. Austin’s property. —Overseer to carrv out the work. From C. Brooke, again asking for attention to defective drainage near his store at Oroua Downs. From E. Capel, asking the Council to pay driving fees on old stock which, when sold, did not realise sufficiently to meet expenses. From Roderick Ross, Glen Oroua, claiming compensation for an accident which had happened to him owing to bad roads, and stating he intended to place the matter in the hands of a solicitor. From Jas. Jenks, offering his services as Inspector of pile driving at the Whirokino bridge. Resolved that the road known as Main Drain road be closed against all heavy traffic from 15th July to 15th September, 1907. The overseer was instructed to arrange for formation on Koputara road, either by public or private tender, and Crs Barber and McKenzie were authorised to accept tenders: the work to be charged to loan for Koputara road. TRAMWAY MANAGER’S report. The Tramway Manager reported; —The credit balance for the month’s working was ,£43 ns rod, which must be considered satisfactory. The bulk of the traffic has been inward. The wet weather has interfered with flax cutting, and thus the amount of flax hauled has been less than anticipated. Thirty-six trucks were hauled. Fares for the month amount to ,£l3 7s. The contractor for the supply of metal at the pit has ceased work, but the contract has been re-let, and the work will be resumed during the present week. 195 yards of metal were supplied during the month. Summary of receipts :—Wharfage ,£l2 los steamers ,£45 13s 6d, rail ,£39 los gd, tramway £1 57 13s Bd.

Expenses —Wages, £59 *6s : Bartholomew Bros., timber 3s 6d ; Anderson and Son, sundries, 9s 1 id ; Bilderbeck, metal, £1 8s qd ; W. Richardson, firewood, £1 10s ; R. H. Barber, ironwork, £5 93 6d ; Westport Coal Co., coal, 19s 8d ; trucks and sheet hire, £26 4s 1 id ; total £\Ut is icd. Merchandise carried :—Grain 3134 tons, minerals 13 tons, merchandise 89 tons, pigs 6 trucks, chaff 3 trucks, posts 3 trucks, flax 36 trucks, timber 32,700 feet, metal 41 trucks, limestone 10 trucks, clay 2 trucks, fares 7 s - OVERSEER’S REPORT. The Overseer reported as follows: —The last month has been very wet and trying to the roads in the low-lying area of the County, which have been subject to continuous floods, and has caused a considerable amount of extra work and expense for metal, in order to keep the roads open for traffic. On the F'oxton-Shannon road deviation alone, we have put on extra metal to the extent of 207 yards, at 5s 3d— v£s4 6s gd, besides fascine and repairing formation £22 10s and yet there still remains a lot to spend at Burr’s corner to make the road passable, and when completed the whole may be swept away by floods in an hour or two. Carnarvon Riding—Mr W. Dick has completed his contract for building roadman's cottage at Himatangi satisfactorily. Repairs have also been effected to the old portion of cottage, such aspapering, painting, and fixing two new sashes and passage. I would suggest that the rent be 6s per week from date. During the month I went down to Scott’s Ferry and found the punt silted up * the river bed very much neglected and unworkable. The Rangitikei river has cut away the road about a mile on this side of the Ferry, and I would recommend the Council to close that portion of road just above the gate going to the beach. There was just room to go along off the metal when I was down, Mr Daniel’s lease of house and ferry reserve expires on the 31st of the present month, and I suggest, that tenders be called for leasing the the two cottages, reserve and ferry. Awahou Riding.—The FoxtonShannon road has suffered considerable damage during the recent floods ; places in the new formation scoured out about 3 feet deep, arid at times it seemed almost impossible to keep the roads open for traffic. At present the worst places are being temporarily made up with silt. Kari Kari Road.—lOo yards of sand is required to patch up weak places on this road. Mr Campbell should also receive a subsidy for work done by him on Campbell’s road. Councillor Barber and I also interviewed Messrs Hunt and Campbell in reference to their deputation sent in at last meeting to have the road formed to the back of Mr Campbell’s section, but as there is no traffic to warrant the formation, it was decided to give the settlers permission to construct a drain along the road line. Councillor Barber and I also met Mr Gower, Mayor of Foxton, and inspected the drains complained of in the Whirokino sub-division. Mr

Gower pointed out that the Council should maintain the drains and keep in order, as was done by the Foxton Borough Council, and in order to do the work, if necessary, strike a rate to cover the cost of maintenance. In regard to the Government drain, the understanding is that settlers interested pay half cost of keeping drain in order. TREASURER’S REPORT.

The treasurer reported as follows : Bank Balance : General account, Dr., .£2323 7s 8d ; Eoan Account, Cr., ,£7lO 2s 3d; Debit balance, £1613 5s 3d. Riding Accounts. Amounts available for expenditure —Sandon ,£26333 ns, Mt Stewart £329 19s 2d. Waitohi ,£129 5s 4d, Rongotea ,£315 6s tod. Carnarvon £229 16s 4d, Kawa Kawa ,£2OB 12s 2d, Awahou £135 18s 9 d , Whirokino £>l34 8s 9d.