MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 17 July 1909, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL

’ MONTHLY MATING. The ordinary monfily meeting of the above was held/W ednesday. Present Messrs J.| G. Wilson (chairman), J. Henpn, G: Kendall, J, Dalton. Blber, R. B. McKensie and Mastas. . Correspondence w® read From District Erfineer, Wanganui, asking Coulcil to apply for renewal of rigli of access to the private siding atfiimatangi.—To be applied for. I From Bank of jTew Zealand, Bulls, stating that jhe rate of interest on overdraft would be 6. per cent, in future. I Applications for| positions of roadmen were reeled from G. Leat, D. Hurley, ft. Verran, A. Cave, J. Cave. YL F. Gifkins, H. Haleron, R. Daley, H. Whittington, W. Gedder, E. Haynes, W. Brichall, F. B&rd, T. Keaevan, W. Rickard, James Gifkins. From secretarj, Himatangi School Committee; pointing out that the Council’Uuggestion re crossing to school |uould not meet th§ caste. ~ v ,i : ■ V. The, Engineer reported: — Awahou RidinJ. —-The usual repairs have .beep completed in this Riding duriife the month, such as .filling in hales and ruts on the Foxton-Shamjon road “and trimming up the Karikari road. Kawakawa and Carnarvon Ridings.—F. Fagin is making satisfactory progress with his metalling contract on the SandonFoxton road, j

The Treasurer reported: —Balances: General account dr M ns 3d; loan account cr., £B9B 2s gd. > ;' Riding Accounts. Available for expenditure : Sandon Riding, os rod ; Mt. Stewart, ,£219 17s 8d ; Waitohi. lIS Ild ; Rongotea, ,£391 ?s 2d, Carnarvon, xos; Kawakawa, I 3 S 2 d; Awahou, 10s gd ; Whirokino division, 2s nd.

The following alterations were made in. the rate roll:—Stevens, Easton and Austin to W. B. Dudson, section 40 of 31-2, section pdrt 555 Moutoa. The Chairman stated that the conference of local bodies as to the extension of the tram line to Bulls would not be held as arranged, owing to the two representatives of the Rangitikei County having to go to Wanganui to the Hospital Board meeting. A desultory discussion ensued, the majority of Councillors expressing the opinion that the connection with Greatford was necessary, and that taking it to Bulls oiily would not be popular. Cr. R. B. McKenzie, who has all along been a strenuous supporter of the extension, considered that even to get fo Greatford it would be best to go first.to Bulls. As to the advisability of the extension, he considered from all points of view that it would be best to goon with it.

•■*r said he was more inclined to support the because of the g-eat public and enthusiasm Cr. McKenzie had shown in the matter than from his own innate conviction. Gr. McKenzie deserved every credit for the manner in which he had gone into the question, and it was his action which made it possible pow to thoroughly sift the question. Mr Wilson suggested that another attempt should be made to convene a meeting bt representatives of local bodies. He wanted, however, it to be clearly understood that he did not at present support any scheme by which the ratepayers of his riding would be saddled with the cost; the position he took up was that if an agreement was arrived at with the other local bodies It should be submitted to the ratepayers for their approval before being acted on. •. < .

Cr Masters could not see how any great benefit would be received from extending the line only to Bulls. Mr Wilson said that grave doubts had been expressed as to the bridge carrying the line. Crs. Barber and Dalton, agreed with the chairman that practically the only question worthy to be pdt before the ratepayers was the extension to Greatford. Cr. McKenzie would sooner see the tram cross the bridge than a mob of bullocks. He thought the benefit of theextension to Bulls was not fully recognised—if carting had to be done for three miles it made all the difference to users of the line. N

It was decided to hold a special meeting at a date to be fixed to confer with representatives of other local bodies. Considerable discussion took place in reference to the necessity for a new engine for the tramway, and it was decided to ask the Government engineer (Mr Beatty) for advice on the question. The following roadmen were appointed:—Rongotea, A. Cave ; Mt. Stewart, J. Cave; Himitangi, H. Haleron; Oroua Bridge, R Daley; Awahou, W. J. Gifkins ; Sandon, G. Leat; Kawkawa, D. Hurley; Carnarvon, W. Birehell.

It was decided to discontinue the running of the tram on Thursdays until tiie traffic warrants a resumption. The traim manager reported:— The credit balance for the month of June was £1 6s 4d. The traffic dropped considerably during the month, the principal, items being; Grain 44 tons, minerals tons, general merchandise tons, timber 36,547 ft, metal 270yds, fares £u ss. I would suggest that the Thursday tram be stopped for toe nest two or three months, as a loss is being made on this trip at the present time. The following the earnings for the * Ui araJi vj 1 _ 4 _ uv ;

past month :—June 10th, £2 gs 6d: 17th, £2 7s icd ; 24th, £2 16s 6d; July Ist. £2, os 5d ; Bth, £3 is gel. Included in these amounts is metal hauled for the Council, so that the run could be easily stopped. The estimated cost of running to Foxton is £3. The number of rejected rails taken out of the line is 242. These will be forwarded on to the Rangitaua Timber Co., in accordance with agreement, in exchange for sleepers. Accounts totalling £1 635 8s lod (general account) and £64. 4s 3d. (loan account) were passed for payment. The overseer's recommendations were agreed to. The action of the Council s Committee in accepting the following tenders for clearing drains at Kaikokopu lakes were endorsed Contract 73, R. P. Jensen, is 8d yd ; contract 74, J. RJones, icd per yd ; T. Cordue, 8s per chain. . ■ The Council decided to inform Mr Gifkins that the Council could not see their way to let the rpad at Sandon he required.