MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1196, 15 January 1914, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Manawatu County Council held its first meeting in the New Year on Monday. Cr. J. G. Wilson presided, and there were also present: Crs. W. J. Phillips, B. Grav, W. E. Barber, H. H. Hunt, J. Henson and R. B. McKenzie. The following correspondence was dealt with : From Assistant-Secretary Postal branch, Wellington, stating in reply to Council’s request that arrangements had been made for a telephone bureau to be opened at Rongotea siding. The bureau keeper would be Mrs McCabe. From the Public Trustee, regretting that he had to decline the Council’s application lor a loan of From Department of Lands and Survey, saying tracings of Beach road would be sent as soon as possible. From Secretary Palmerston Hospital JBoard, asking for instalment of ,£224 9s 4d for Old People’s Home, for lew of ,£'l46 13s 2d for first levy, and ,£2B 14s 6d for maintenance. From Horovvbeuua County Council, reporting it had appointed Mr H. J. Hayns to act as arbitrator in the dispute regarding the Foxton-Shauuon road. From the Town Clerk, Foxton, asking Council what steps should be taken regarding the taking over of a section to straighten Purcell Street.—Cr Barber to report. From the Counties’ Association, stating the powers relating to tramways in the Counties Act had been repealed. From Mr E. Newman, M.P., with regard to borrowing for the purchase of rails, stating he had made enquiries and he found it might be possible to borrow under the present law, or to alter the law to meet the case of the Manawatu County Council. —The chairman repotted he had written to Mr Newman suggesting that a clause be passed giving the Minister power to authorise the Council raising a loan. The County Treasurer (.Mr A. K. Drew) reported: Bank balances: General account, dr. ,£169 14s ; loan account, cr. >£l69 15s id ; net cr, balance, is id. Riding accounts : Amounts available for expenditure ; Waitohi ,£1 iSs Sd, Rongotea £66 2s nd, Carnarvon /£t>3 5s sd, Whirokiuo division Sandou ,£4B 5s 3d, Mt. Stewatt £6B is 3d, Kawa Kawa £265 11s Bd, Awahou ,£lßl ns nd. RESOLUTIONS. The following motions were agreed to : Crs. Barber —Gray.—That the Council ask Mr M-air, engineer for the Raugitikei County Council, to act as arbitrator in connection with the dispute with the Horowheuua County Council over FoxtonShauuon road. Crs. Barber—Gray.—That a report be made up as to what mails could be carried to advantage on the tramway. TRAMWAY MANAGER’S REPORT, The traffic for December was fair, but was £6O less than for the corresponding month last year. A debit balance of £l4 9s gd was made, but included iu expenditure were extra items, as under : Sleepers and freight, ,£ls 4s ; dog spikes, £2 133 ; alterations to “Raugitikei,” £3O gs gd ; total, ,£4B 6s gd. The chief items at traffic were ; Merchandise 121J4 tons, limber 12,900 feet, wool 497 bales, metal 330 yards, fares The running on five days a week has not yet been resumed, and I do not think it advisable to start until we can replenish our coal supply, unless absolutely necessary. The repairs and alterations to locomotive “Raugitikei” have been completed. The local postal authorities have approached me with reference to the Makowhai mails. They ask that the Council either enter into a contract to carry the mails or allow the tram guard to do so. I would ask the Council’s direction in this matter. The rod brasses of “Manawatu” are worn put and require renewing. The eugiue has been iu use for three years and nine mouths. Mr G. Hickford (County overseer) reported : Whirokiuo Sub-division. The usual road maintenance work has been done iu this riding on Nos. 1,2, and 6 lines. We have completed improvements to the bridge over the Government drain by widening the bridge at the turn in the road by eight feet.