MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 813, 12 March 1910, Page 4

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above was held on Wednesday. PresentCrs J, G. Wilson (chairman), J. Henson, R. B. McKenzie, G. Kendall, J. H. Dalton, T. Masters, and W. H. Barber.

The Treasurer's report was received as follows:—The balances in the various Ridings are : Sandon Riding, 5s ; Mt. Stewart Riding, 18s 3d ; Waitohi, 19s td ; Rongotea, Whirokino, ,£59 10s 3d. Amounts over-expended, Carnarvon Riding, os 1 id ; Kawakawa, £gc 15s. From the Public Works Department, in reply to the request ol the deputation from the Council to grant permission tor the extension of the tram line to Greatford, slating that the Government was advised that the Rangitikei Bridge at Bulls is not sufficiently strong at the present time for the proposed railway traffic. In order to render the structure sale lor such traffic the wroughl-iron lower choid, lip verticals, and truss braces, with the exception of the end one, require increasing in strength by 34 per cent. The timber transoms supporting the decking will require increasing in strength by 15 per cent- As regards your other questions, the Government has no power to grant provisional rights to construct a tramway under “ The Tramways' Act, 1908,” until the requirements of that Act have been complied with, as until that has been done it is impossible to know what objections, if any, may be made to yonr scheme. Under these circumstances, therefore, the Minister regrets he is unable to give you the permission asked for. If, however, it would facilitate matters, the Department would be prepared to provisionally examine the detail plans of the proposed tramway extension, and also the draft order-in-Council to authorise the same, in anticipation of your Council carrying out the preliminary requirements of Bart I ol| the second schedule of “The Tramways Act, 1908.” Such examination would, of course, not limit the right of the Department to make further revisions upon the plans and draft order being formally submitted to his Excellency the Governor after the said statutory requirements have been carried out. The question as to whether or not permission can be granted to the County Council to construct its tramway with the Government line at Greatlord is one for the consideration of the Minister of Railways, and your proposal has been submitted for the consideration of the Railway Department accordingly, with whom it is suggested you should communicate. The Chairman explained that he Ead again communicated with the Minister of Railways on the matter. Cr. McKenzie said he had spoken to the Minister of Railways that morning, not being aware of the correspondence received, but Mr Millar had not yet considered the question- If they could not get the connection with Greatford, they would have to consider the Rougotea-Feilding proposal. From Cr Barber, notifying that he had let the following contracts : —C. Peterson, Contract A., 8s 6d; 8., 6s yd. —Approved. On the motion of Cr Barber, seconded by Cr Henson, it was decided to call tenders for drain cleaning in Whirokino division, and for grading hill on Brown’s line.

Accounts totalling ,£940 6s 8d were passed for payment. The overseer reported as follows : —Awahou Riding.—The usual repairs have been effected on the Foxton-Shannou Road in the shape of filling iu holes and putting in two small culverts, Mr Petersen is progressing with his contract of supplying and delivering metal on the Foxtbn-Shanuon Road. T. Cordue was making good progress with the Wakapuni drain until the recent rain flooded him out and caused some delay.

Whirokino Subdivision. —Mr H, Behrent has almost completed h’S contract of grading and claying the sand-hill on No. 2 Eiue. There are several drains which should be cleaned out iu this district before the winter.