MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1048, 9 January 1913, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING,

The monthly meeting of the Manawatu Countv jouncil wa r held at Sanson on Tuesday. Pm sent; —Crs J. G. Wilson (chairman), J. Henson, W. Phillips, H. H. Hunt, R. B. McKenzie, and W. Barber.

Letters were received as follow : From Paymaster-General, forwarding ,£l3 7s 2d, paid-ons on tram.

From Mr E. Newman, M.P., stating that the Minister for Railways would visit the district about the third week in January in connection with the proposed extension of the tramline.

From Levin Chamber of Commerce, promising to support proposed tram extension. From Horowhenua County Council, declining to agree to suggestion re Foxtou-Shauuon road, but expressing willingness to meet delegates and discuss the matter, provided the subject is approached with open minds. From Mr Holben, complaining of amount of rates levied on property at Foxtou beach. From Messrs W. Ross and Son, Ltd., Foxton, asking permission to lay tram along Ballyhooly road to cart flax.

The overseer reported on the Awahou Riding as fellows: —A portion of the Moutulti road has been formed up with the road grader, and repairs completed on the Foxton-Shannou road and Karikari road. I have also clayed and repaired the Foxtou Beach road.

The Tramway Manager reported that during the past month the traffic was good, aud a credit balance ot ,£BB is 3d was made. The receipts from a “special” run in connection with the Bulls races amounted to ,£8 os gd. The wool traffic, owing to the late season, came on with a rush towards the end of the month. Several settlers put wool in the Pukeuui shed without troubling to send any notification or consignment note along, and the men had to sort and load it. The chief items of traffic were: Minerals, xoi % tons, merchandise, tons, metal and clay 225 yards, wool 998 bales, timber 28,900 ft., total fares the Inspector of Machinery inspected both boilers of the locomotives. He requires the copper rivets inside the firebox of the Rangitikei to be renewed. The Treasurer reported: Balances, general account (cr.) ,£3ll is 2d ; loan account, 9s 2d. Riding accounts, available for expenditure : Saudou, ,£x6 17s 4<i; Mt. Stewart, 17s id ; Waitohi, 7s 8d ; Rougotea, ,£264 xos xod ; Carnarvon, ,*£2l6 11s 6d ; Whirokiuo, ,£lO6 11s 7d. Overexpended : Kawakawa, is 9d ; Awahou, .£35 4 s FOXTON BRACK. When the letter from Mr Holbeu, objecting, on behalf of the residents on the Beach, to contribute general rates as well as the special rate lor the loan to construct the road was brought up (or discussion, the Chairman said the objections made to the payment of the rates savoured considerably of a joke, aud showed how important it was to have such matters iu writing, as had been the case. Cr Barber said the only reason the road was allowed to go on was because he understood the rates would increase.

The County Clerk said he had seen Mr Holben, who absolutely refused to look at it from any ,point of view but his own—in fact, he was tired of talking to him about the matter. Mr Holben said he was told that the Council could not collect any rates there ; but that was because no valuation had been made. He then said the Council had no right to make a valuation and levy rates, when, as a matter of fact, the Valuation Department made the valuation. It was decided to inform Mr Holben that the Council was sorry he had misunderstood the position, but they would have to pay the rates levied.