MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 892, 15 September 1910, Page 4

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above was held on Tuesday. Present ;—Crs J. G. Wilson (chairman), J. Henson, G. Kendall, W. K. Barber, R. B. McKenzie, and T. Masters.

The following letters were received at the meeting : From the Minister ot Finance, stating that applications for the Oroua Downs drainage and Tiroroa road loans having been made under the new system, they could nut be dealt with in the intended legislation. From the District Engineer, Wanganui, reporting that bridge No 3, Himatangi, required attention owing to defective piles. From the Railway Department, approving ot crossing cn the Foxton road near Bainesse. .

From Mr E. Newman, M.P., confirming the Government offer of subsidy of _£3oo for Ohakea protective works. Also stating that the Public Petitions Committee of the House had reported favourably on the tram extension petition. From Mr F. S. Easton, Foxtail, asking that permission be given to leave gates on road to his cottages on the ridge leading to Mr G. Barber’s cowshed.

Mr G. Hickford, County Overseer, reported as follows; Awahon Riding.—Two low places along the Foxton-Shaunon road require forming up and metalling. A temporary bridge has been erected across the Wakapuui drain. Whirokino. — Arrangements have been made with MrC. Martin to deliver 120 yards of metal at 4s 6d a yard to metal the clayed portion of his contract. The Treasurer (Mr A. K. Drew) reported : Balances : General account, debit, ,£3137 lys gd ; loan account, credit, /1068 17s rod. Available for expenditure to March 31, 1911: Saudon Riding, 4s 8d ; Mount Stewart, ,£179 19s id ; Waitohi, 6s id; Rongotea, 15s 6d ; Carnarvon, ,£172 4s gd ; Kawakawa, ,£258 19s lid ; Awahon, 19s 4d ; Whirokino, ,£127 19s 3d. The Tram Manager (Mr-Drew) reported for August: — The traffic was very satisfactory, and resulted in a credit balance of Z. 49 7s being made for the mouth. The chief items of traffic were : Grain, 40 tons; merchandise, 1334 tons ; flax and posts, 37 trucks ; metal, etc., 360 yards ; timber, 117,100 ft. ; fares, 4s 4d. Time-table. —I have gone into the question of altering the timetable, and would point out that, if the tram ran on Wednesdays and Fridays to the same time as at present run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a saving would be effected in truck time, as they could be unloaded and lifted on the same day. I would not suggest an} r alteration to the Monday time-table, as it is advisable to run into Foxton as early as possible once a week.

Extension. —On Wednesday, Cr R. B. McKenzie and I appeared before the Public Petitions Committee at the Parliament Buildings, Wellington, and gave evidence on the question of extension of tramway to either Greatford or Marton. The result was a favourable recommendation to the House.

Mr Easton was granted permission to erect a gate across the Kari Kari drain road.

Ou the motion of Cr Masters, it was decided to allow stock on the roads between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. but in no case at night, and to dispense with the services of the ranger between the hours mentioned. This arrangement to date from the 19th inst. Accounts totalling ,£BSB 16s were passed for payment. The Clerk was authorised to take steps to get the rates in before the end of the month. TRAM EXTENSION. There was a considerable amount of discussion over the attitude taken up by the Minister of Railways over the extension of the tram-line to Marton or Greatford. The Chairman (Mr J. G. Wilson) was the only one who did not strongly resent Mr Millar’s statements —not that the Chairman agreed with them, but, as he said, because it was pleasant to find a Minister who stated straightforwardly what he thought. The worst of the position in regard to Mr Millar’s declaration that he would make the Foxton harbour “go bung ” if it interfered with the railway earnings, Mr Wilson said, was that the Government had entire control of the Foxton wharf, and took all the harbour dues, while the Harbour Board had to pay to improve the harbour. Unfortunately they were entirely in the hands of the Minister, and could do nothing. Cr. R. B. McKenzie considered that they ought not to let the matter drop, but should convene a meeting of the petitioning local bodies to consider the position. Cr. Masters resented very strongly the attitude taken by the Minister, and Cr. Kendall characterised the Minister’s statements as most extraordinary. Eventually it was decided to communicate with the local bodies and ask their opinions as to the best course to take.