MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 863, 9 July 1910, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above was held on Wednesday. Present: Crs. J. G. Wilson (chairman), R. B. McKenzie, J. Henson, G. Kendall, Masters and Barber.

Mr W. H. Field, wrote asking for particulars of grants applied for within the Otaki electorate. — The chairman said the Council had nothing to ask,for. From Foxtou Borough Council, Taihape Borough Council, Bulls Town Board and Rangitikei County Council, approving of the petition to Parliament re extension of tramway.—Petitions to be forwarded to Messrs Field, E. Newman and R. Smith, M’s.P. From Bruce County Council, asking that it should be made compulsory for owners of property to notify the local body when a change of proprietorship occurs. The Treasurer (Mr Drew) reported as follows : Balances, general account, dr. ,£1747 7s sd ; loan account, cr., ,£942 5 s 9d ; available for expenditure to March 31st, 1910, Sandon riding, ,£2ll 19s rod ; Mt. Stewart, 3s rod ; Waitohi, 3s 7d ; Rongotea, : Carnarvon, 6s 2d ; Kavva Kawa, 1 2s gd ; Awahou, £374 6s 4d ; Whirokino, ,£144 17s 3d. Accounts to the amount of ns 2d were passed ior payment. The fallowing roadmen were appointed : —Sandon, George Leat ; Mt. Stewart and Waitohi, J. Cave ; Rongotea, A, Cave; Carnarvon, H. J. Currie ; Awahou, W. J. Giffkins; Carnarvon, Kawakawa, Awahou and Himatangi, H. Halcon ; Kawakawa and Awahou, R. Daly. Cr Henson said several ratepayers had inquired from him whether auy poisoned wheat was procurable this year from the Council. Some were complaining of the small bird nuisance, and he understood Mr Woollams had the wheat ready, but he had received no instructions to poisou it. The chairman doubted whether it was the Council’s duty to find the poisoned wheat- Cr Masters looked at it iu another light, for some ratepayers would not poison, and those who did not only coped with the pest, but paid lor their neighbours. Cr McKenzie agreed with Cr Masters, but did not kuow whether it was advisable to poison this year, in view ot the prevalence of the caterpillar pest. Cr Henson said he would not be without poisoned wheat on auy account. Last year he had purchased strychnine, and mixed it with wheat himself. It was decided to order five bushels of poisoned wheat.

Crs. McKenzie and Barber reported that they met Mr Lowe at Himatangi on June 29, and discussed the terms on which he is now willing to exchange the land required for the deviation of the Koputaroa road. He stated that he is willing to make the exchange if the road is fenced on one side. He suggests that the cost of erecting the fence and improving the road should be taken out of the balance of the special loan (,£600) for the Koputaroa road, provided Messrs Dalrymple and Wilson will agree to contribute a fair share of the interest on the loan, and he believed that if they do the other ratepayers in the special rating area will offer no objection. Lowe Bros., have sold their farm, and it will be necessary that any agreement made should be confirmed by the purchaser. —The report was adopted. The tramway manager (Mr Drew) reported on the working of the tram for June, A credit balance of 19s Sd was made after paying ,£l3 10s for sleepers. The chief items of traffic were : Grain, 52 tons ; merchandise, 1 35/4 tons J flax, trucks ; metal, 205 yards ; timber, 103,200 feet; fares, ,£ll 9s Bd. The draw chains have been fixed to the Manawatu, and an eight-feed lubricator, bought from the Government for the Fox, put on the new engine. The Council should consider the question of trying to sell the Fox. I would suggest that particulars be given to some engineering firm, and a commission given if a sale is effected.

Crs McKenzie and Barber reported in connection with Hammond’s lake as follows :—We met Mr Hammond on June 29 at Oroua Downs. He showed us that a part of the “Enter Lake” is within his boundary ; that it is and always has been a good and never-failing water supply, but is now very shallow, and he fears that if it is lowered it will dry up altogether. He does not object to any drainage works, so long as he is left sufficient water tor his stock. He is of opinion that it will not be necessary to lower the lake any more in order to complete the drains necessary to drain the land, and asks that it should not be lowered any more until the next summer. If it is then found necessary to lower the lake in order to get the required fall, he is willing then to re-open the matter for further discussion. We recommend that this course be adopted. —The report was adopted. Mr Hickford reported upon the works in progress and works completed throughout the County for the month of June, 19x0: Awabou Riding, Mr C. Petersen has not yet completed his contract of supplying and delivering metal on the Foxtou-Shaunon road. Mr T. Cordue has completed his drainage contract satisfactorily. There is a narrow neck of land between the first lake at the head of the Main Drain and the second lake, whic-h prevented the water getting away as quick as it should do, and I would recommend the Council to connect the two lakes by cutting a drain about four

chains long. Tramway Report. —The linemen are now employed taking up a portion of the old track just above the Carnarvon incline, where we intend putting down the balance of qolbs rails, which we have on hand. We have also improved the line into the ballast pit, which was not equal to the traffic.