MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1216, 5 March 1914, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the Manawatu County Council was held on Tuesday. Present —Crs. J, G. Wilson (Chairman), R. B. McKenzie, H. H. Hunt, B. Gray, J. Henson, W. E. Barber and W. J. Phillips. Correspondence was read from Messrs Levin and Co., referring to damage done to benzine and kerosene landed by Foxton steamers, sayiug the cases in which the spirit was packed were too frail, and the company could lake no liability. On the motion of Crs. McKenzie and Phillips it was resolved that the agreement entered into between the ratepayers in the Oroua Downs drainage district and Messrs Ross and Co., to deepen and clean out the drain in that area, be sanctioned by the Council, and that Messrs Ross and Co. be allowed to complete the contract.

The following alterations were made in the rate roll: J. B. Westlake to R. Reay, secs. 47-50, 77-9, Foxton ; St. C. Jonnaux to T, R. Hodder, lot 1, 21, sec, 265, Wharangi.

Cr Barber moved and it was agreed that the Council will facilitate as far as they possibly cau the acquirement of the laud — at present in the occupation of one of the railway hands on the western side of the Bainesse station, for the purpose of erecting a school for the settlers.

The tramway manager reported that the traffic for February was good, and after paying all expenses a credit balance of was made. The chiel items of traffic were : Grain 143 tons, merchandise 153!;* tons, grass seed 134 tons, wool 324 bales, Umber 13,800 feet, fares amounted to £7Re Messrs Lewis and Sons’ claim.—Owing to our man being unable to unload this benzine when it arrived at Rougotea siding, the storekeepers took delivery from the truck, and the result was a shortage of 8 cases of benzine. As I could not get any satisfaction about seven of the cases, the police were called in, and they succeeded in finding five cases. Two are still missing. Bank balances: General account, dr., loan account, cr., Riding accounts: Amounts available tor expenditure to 31st March—Rongotea ,£lB, Carnarvon Whirokino sub division £lO5, amounts over expended— Sandon £72, Mount Stewart £Sg, Waitohi ,£lB9, Kawa Kawa Awahou £205. The overseer reported as follows on the Awahou Riding : At the request of Mr R. A. Wilson, Cr Barber and I made an inspection of the road line leading to Mr Wilson’s property. A portion of the road is formed, but the most expensive nart of the road to be constructed is a sandhill, which 1 estimate will cost from to £7O to grade and fascine a narrow track through. Mr Wilson is prepared to pay half the cost providing the Council completes the work before the winter sets in. Mr C. H. Petersen is progressing favourably with his metalling contract on the Whirokino road.

Bridge over Oroua River at Rangiotu.—Crs. Barber, Gray and myself met councillors of the Kairanga County Council at Rangiotu on the 12th of last month to discuss the position of the bridge over the Oroua river at Rangiotu, It was unanimously decided to proceed with the construction of a reinforced concrete bridge in terms of Mr Bastin’s report, and also apply for a commission to proportion the cost of construction between the various local bodies interested. Mr Bastin estimates the cost of the bridge at ,£I6OO.