MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1025, 3 August 1911, Page 4

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The regular monthly meeting of the above was held on Tuesday. Present: Crs. J. G. Wilson (chairman), J. Henson, H. H. Hunt, R. B. McKenzie, W. Barber, G- Kendall and T. Masters. The following letters were received : From Treasury, notifying remittance of ,£lO 13s, paid on tram. From Minister of Railways, expressing regret that he could not see his way to reduce the freight charged on imported hardwood used for brides, etc. From Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, stating that Coronation subsidies must be claimed before December 31, 1911. From same, stating that the Inspector had reported on the tramway: “This line is in fair order, except some 401 b rails require renewing, and the line of track is bad north of second bridge, South Sanson, and line over this bridge is not the best. The small rails have been mostly replaced where bad.” From Kiwitea County Council, forwarding resolution against system of Harbour Board election. From residents near Foxton, complaining of floodwater on their properties. From Mr W. Anderson, asking that a sandhill near Mrs Austin’s property be graded. From Mr C. Glasgow, offering to bring a portable plant into the district for quarrying and crushing metal, if a fair season’s work was guaranteed. The treasurer, (Mr Drew), reported the balances to be: General account, dr., ,£1620 13s rod ; loan account, cr., ,£358 13s _ yd. Amount available lor expenditure to March 31, 1912. Saudon Riding, £214 7s rod ; Mt. Stewart, £2,00 18s id; Waitohi, £l9l 5s 3d ; Rongotea, £228 7s id ; Carnarvon, £365 1233 d ; Kawakawa, Awahou, £l9B 2S2d ; Whirokino, £l2l os Bd. The overseer, Mr Hickford, reported for the mouth of July, 1911 ; Rongotea Riding.—The usual repairs have been carried out on Tomkins’ and Jones’ lines. About 150 yards of metal has been carted and spread along the weak places on the Foxton-Sandon road between the Rongotea and Rosina sidings. Awahou Riding.—For the first time for many years the FoxtonShannon road has not been damaged by floodwater. Tramway.—The line has been overhauled between Makowhai and Rongotea sidings, and some qolb rails puts in at the curve leading to the metal pit. Sleepers in stock have been adzed and bored, and a start has been made to lay down the 401 b rails. Two sets of points and crossings are required for Rosina siding, as the present ones have been condemned.

The Tramway Manager (Mr A. K. Drew) presented the following report for the month: —The amount of traffic slackened off considerably, and a debit balance of £iq 12s 6d was the result. The chief items of traffic were : Merchandise tons, grain 34 tons, timber 261,000 feet, fares x6s sd. Messrs Stewart Bros, have just completed the alterations and repairs to the locomotive “ Rangitikei,” and expect to have it running by Thursday next. On Wednesday last one ot the metal trucks ran off the line at the curve coming out of the pit, on account of the wheels being worn. The wheels of two of the trucks require repairing. Metal Trucks. —I have made exhaustive enquiries with reference to obtaining metal trucks for supplying metal for Eoxtou Beach road, but up to date have received no satisfactory replies, although Mr Whitcombe, District Traffic Manager at Wellington, intimated to the Chairman, in a private conversation with the Railway Department were going to hire us trucks. I have wired Mr Whitcombe to let me know when he will be in the district, so that we may interview him on the matter. As soon as this matter is settled, we can go into the question of calling tenders lor metal at the pit. Dist of merchandise hauled over tramway for July : Grain 34 tons, minerals 19 tons, manure tons, merchandise tons, pigs 2 trucks, chaff 7 trucks, posts, etc., ix trucks, limber 26,100 feet, metal 58 trucks, fares £5 16s 3d.

The Council instructed the Tramway Manager to have the truck wheels repaired as reported to be necessary.

After consultation with the expert engineer, Mr Stewart, the Council decided to have necessary repairs to the “Manawatu” engine. Some discussion took place regarding the construction of the road to Foxton Beach. Cr, Barber said he would like to see the road started before October. The Chairman explained that the necessary papers in conned ion with the raising of the loan had been sent to the Government Loans Department, but the money was not vet avilable. The Council endorsed the resolution passed by the Kiwitea County Council dealiing with the election of members to the Harbour Board. The Overseer was instructed to have the sharp bends of Bainesse road attended to as soon as possfble, cost not to exceed £ 2O,