MANAWATU COUNTY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 28 November 1908, Page 4

MANAWATU COUNTY

COUNCIL.

The annual meeting of this Council was held at Sandou on Wednesday. Present : —Crs J. G. Wilson, J. Henson, W. Barber, T. Masters and R. B. McKenzie. Leave of absence was granted to Crs Kendall and Dalton. Cr Masters proposed the reelection of Cr Wilson as jhairman, and in doing so he said he was expressing the wishes of councillors and ratepayers. They fully recognised they bad bad the right man in the chair, and one who could devote bis time to the business of the Council. Cr R. B. McKenzie, in seconding the motion, said he did not want to enlarge on the qualifications of Mr Wilson—they were too well known. He congratulated him on his election for the Mt. Stewart riding. There were two matters he wished to bring before the Council. They bad been a little lax in not having resolutions of the Council in writing, and it was necessary that this should be done. It had also been customary for councillors to practically manage the affairs of their own ridings, and this was not as it should be. Councillors should endeavour to take an intelligent interest in the management of the whole county. He did not suggest that anything bad been wrongly done, but he considered councillors took upon themselves too much responsibility.

Cr Barber considered Cr McKenzie’s proposal too drastic. He had a better knowledge of the requirements of his own riding than any other in the county, and the suggestion would bear discussion. Mr Wilson, replying, said be appreciated the compliment, and thanked the Council for renewed confidence and expression of goodwill. He thought there was a good deal in what Cr McKenzie had said. The principle was quite right, and the whole Council ought to take the responsibility. If it was desired, resolutions could be put in writing. It had been customary to note the decisions of the Council on the original letters.

CORRESPONDENCE. From Treasury, advising payment of 3s 8d on account of subsidy on rates collected. From District Engineer New Zealand Railways, report on inspection of tram line and stating that just to the north of the skew bridge, about 13 miles, the line had been surfaced by packing timber between the sleepers and rails. This was a very bad arrangement and should be altered by packing up under the sleepers with ballast and taking out the timber packing, otherwise the spikes would not hold. He recommended the renewal of two small bridges and generally regauging was badly wanted over a greater part of the line and he noticed several 281 b rails that should be taken out. The 281 b track near Himatangi should be relaid early.

From Foxton Chamber of Commerce, asking for alteration of time-table to run tram on Saturdays so as to arrive at Foxton x 1 a.m., leaving again at 4 p.m.— New time-table to be issued and tram to run on Saturday if possible.

From Moutoa Estate, giving consent for deviation of Foxton - Shannon road through land sold to Mr W. E. Barber.

From District Railway Engineer, stating he did not think any objection would be raised by the Department to either of Councii’s proposals ; probably the one showing tramway line running alongside the present line towards Foxton would be the most suitable from Government point of view. It Council decided to go on with alteration he would submit the matter for approval.—Application to be made to have the siding put in. The question of securing the butter traffic for the tram was brought up and it was resolved that the tram manager again in-

terview the directois of the two dairy companies—Rongotea and Glen Oroua—to see if some arrangement cannot be made to secure the butter traffic for the tram in order to save the roads as much as possible. The overseer reported: Awahon Riding—Usual repairs to road s have been completed in this riding _ TRAMWAY REPORT. The overseer reported The line near Himataugi has been stripped and is now ready for laying the 4olb rails, and it would be avisable to proceed with the work early iu uew year. The linemen are now employed clearing weeds and tall grass on the steepest grades along the line. Mr Broadbelt has a considerable amount of timber stacked at Rongotea siding and has almost blocked the roadway at one end of the siding, which is causing incovenience to other persons loading and unloadfng goods. The manager reported : The credit balance for the mouth was £6O 19s Bd. The volume of traffic both in goods and passengers has been satisfactory. A special tram was run in connection with the sports at Foxtou. Two special trams were also run in connection with card tournament parties. The fares for the month amounted to of traffic for the month were — Manure tons, merchandise 93 tons, metal and clay 470yds, timber 83,400 feet, wool 37 bales. The wool traffic has now made a start and every effort is being made to avoid delay. I think the Council should consider the advisability of running another day in the week during the summer months. The repairs to engine shed are completed.

treasurer's statement. The treasurer reported a debit on the general account of ,£4867 4s id and a credit of £9"]% 14s s<i on the loan account. , The amounts available for expenditure in the various ridings are :—Sandou, ns id ; Waitohi, 14s id ; Rongotea, £SB is 7d ; Carnarvon, 16s 2d; Kawakawa, ,£195 7 s is over expended to the extent of