MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1672, 8 February 1917, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting was held on Tuesday. Present; Crs Sir James G. 'Wilson (chairman), H. H. Hunt, H. Hammond, B. Gray, W. E. Barber, W.,J. Phillips. Cr. Penny was given leave of absence. The inward correspondence was dealt with as follows:

From the Palmerston N. Chamber of Commerce, urging the importance of having hydro-electric power established in the district, and stating that a conference had been arranged on the matter.

The discussion on the subject was in favour of such an establishment. It was believed much power would lie required in the Manawntu County if available electrically at a moderate cost, especially by the dairy companies, and possibly it might be used for motive power on the tramway, but it was not possible to give even an approximate estimate of the amount. Crs Hunt and Barber were appointed to attend the conference.

From the Rangitikoi Comity Council, wit h tally of traffic over the Raugilikei bridge at Bulls from November Oth to December sth, 11)16. This showed that there had crossed 1,71)6 5-seater cars, 616 2-seaters, 58 motor lorries, 075 motor cycles, 243 motor cycles with side ears, 773 bicycles, 1,230 light traps, 283 drays, 210 waggons and expresses, 780 horsemen, 1,014 cattle, 8,033 sheep, and 50 horses.

Tlit: chairman said the* tally showed I hat ‘240 vehieles .from through the Mariawalu Gorge passed over the bridge, having gone through the county in one month. This tally took no aeeount of traffic from the

same source that passed through the county in other directions. The tally taken at the Gorge had shown that 80 cars had trussed through in three months from the M ana walu County. This tally, taken on the Bulls bridge, showed that 00 ear’s from tire Gorge passed over the bridge in one month. From ' Foxton Borough Council, (hiding fault with the manner in which the Whirokino bridge had been decked. —rNo action taken.

From D. Fitzgerald, as to the cause of his discharge, and asking for compensation for improvements to the house ho occupies at Rosina. —A full month’s wages to be allowed in lieu of notice, and the compensation asked for. From Cooper and Rutherford, demanding compensation on behalf of William 'Moffatt on account id' damages said to have been done to the latter's properly by a lire caused by the tram engine. The Chairman said, with the grass so dry as at present there was danger along the Government lilies as .well as along the tramway of tires being caused by sparks from engines, lie had lost a plantation near Greatford from this cause and would get no compensation. He would rather the three hay slacks in the same paddoek had been burned. The Council could not acknowledge such claims as that of Mr Molfa 11.

From W. 11. Smith, Moutoa, asking for the removal of:' a fence across tlie road leading lo (he river. —Cr. Barber to inspect.

TRAMWAY MANAGER’S REPORT

Tim traffic was good, and a credit balance of £152 3s 7d was made. The chief items of traffic were: Minerals 105 tons, merchandise 1491 tons, grass seed 121 tons, sheep 10(5 tracks, wool 704 bales, butler and cheese 90 tons, timber 18,300 feet, metal 905 yards, fares amounted to £34 (is 2d.

.Notwithstanding the precautions taken a lire was started on Mr Moffatt’s property on 29th ultimo. The spark catchers in both engines are in good order, and only the best; coal is being used.

The engineer reported as follows on the Awahou riding:—The Foxtail-Shannon road is breaking into holes between I ho Fox ton borough boundary and Hlkins-Motuiti road, and in order to get this portion of road pul in repair it may he advisable to supply the metal required by tram to Foxton. Cost of work approximately £IOO.