MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 602, 27 November 1909, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting was held on Wednesday. Present Crs. J. G. Wilson, G, Kendall, J. Dalton, W; E. Barber, R. B. McKenzie, T. Masters and John Henson.

Cr Masters proposed that Cr Wilson be re-elected chairman, and in doing so took the opportunity of thanking him for the kind and genial manner he had always presided over the meetings. They had been termed a happy family, due principally to the successful ruling of Mr Wilson. He felt that he was expressing the views, not only of his fellow Councillors, but all the ratepayers. Everyone admitted there was not a man in the County to do the work gratis with such tact and ability as Mr Wilson,

Cr R. B. McKenzie, in seconding the motion, fully endorsed these remarks.

Crs. Dalton, Barber and Henson followed with equally eulogistic references.

Cr Wilson was unanimously elected. In reply, he said the work of chairman had been somewhat exaggerated, for when, they had a gbodilaff it inade his duties merely a matter ol supervision. This had been his experience on the Council. People did not realise the amount of work done by local bodies, and they did not get sufficient credit for the time and trouble so generously given. He was quite sure the district felt that Councillors were doing good work, their re election being sufficient evidence of this fact. It was certainly gratifying that the tramway was paying so well as to enable them to purchase a new engine and continue the relaying of the line. As to the future several difficult problems had to be faced. The most important was the proposed extension of the tramway to Greatford railway station. The wishes ot those interested had been put in writing and sent on to the Minister, but no reply was yet to hand. He thanked them for the honourable position they had again elected him to, and speaking of the work of the Council he said it bore very favourable comparison with other Councils in New Zealand. CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury, payments for tram £6 12s. From Prime Minister, acknowledging receipt of Council s letter relative to proposed extension tramway to join the railway line at Greatford, and stating that the matter will receive consideration. From E. Pigott, drawing attention to bad state of road in front o! his property. —Beft to overseer to attend to.

It was resolved that the Council take early steps to frame by-laws to enforce the use of wider tyres on vehicles, according to the weight of the and load.

That cheap fares on the tramline start on the Ist February and continue in force for two months. That the Chairman affix the seal to the letter accepting offer of a locomotive engine for £1195-

That legal proceedings be taken for rates not paid by 21st December, and against all persons who have not registered their dogs. That the tenders of H. Behrent for contract 81, on No. 2 line, Foxton, and G. J. Mason for the supply of dog collars be accepted. The Tramway Manager reported :—The amount of traffic was satisfactory, the credit balance for the month being £47 Bs. The principal items of traffic were as follows: Coal, etc., 41 tons, manure tons, merchandise 129 X tons, metal and clay 195 yards, timber 96,200 feet, fares £5 19s gd. • The wool traffic has now started, and every effort is being made to prevent any block. During the mouth I went to Wellington with the Chairman, when we interviewed Messrs Richardson and Blair, and accepted their tender for a six-wheeled coupled locomotive delivered under steam at Himatangi for £1195- In & 11 probability we will get delivery in March next. Hearing that there was a possibility of a shortage of coal, I have taken every opportunity to obtain a good stock- We have about two months' supply in hand.

The Overseer reported that repairs had been done to the bridge across the Mingaroa stream on the Karikari road. , Mr C. H. Petersen has commenced his contract of blinding the Foxtcn-Sandon road. The usual repairs have been effected in Awahou Riding in the shape of filling in ruts and patching up weak places on EJlkinsMotuiti, Kari-Kari and FoxtonShaunon roads. The road grader is now at work trimming up some of the roads in this Riding.