MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1875, 10 September 1918, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Council met at Sandon. Present: Sir James G. Wilson (chairman), and Crs W. J. Phillips, H. G. HammondpS. Penny, H. H. Hunt, J. Boyce and W. Barber. CORRESPONDENCE. Inward correspondence was dealt with as follows: — From the Minister of Public Works, stating that local authorities are making payments to contractors, workmen and owners of teams for carrying out works under Government subsidies at rates much in excess of what the Department is paying for similar works carried out under the supervision of its own officers, and attached conditions under which work entrusted to local bodies under grants or subsidies must he accepted. —Received. From Assistant I.uder-Seeretary, Internal Affairs Department, re application for permission to levy a rate on a uniform seale in the Oroua Downs drainage district. —Notification to apply for permission to strike a uniform rate to be advertised. From Valuer-General, posting roll for (he Makowhai Drainage District. —Received. From secretary of Hangiotn Farmers’ Union, drawing attention to the danger of approaching motors to school entrance at Rangiotu: also that depth pegs should he placed at intervals along Main Drain road, and also in dip at Rangiotu station. —Agreed to, and overseer to report as to how the danger to children at Rangiotu and Bainesse schools can be avoided. From 8. Hutchison, stating that the culverts leading across the road post his properly between Oroua Downs and Hindiangi are too small, and agreeing to pay hall the cost of labour for same. —Agreed. . From A. Brooke Taylor and A. P. Easton, complaining of wandering slock on the roads. —Overseer to lake proceedings. A bonus of £5 was granted If Fireman (halve 1 , who goes into camp in November. Messrs 0. H. Petersen and Sou waited on the Council and asked for an increase to 4s (id per yard for carting, quarrying and crushing metal. —It was resolved (Crs Hammond —Hunt) that the increase be granted, ENGINEER’S REPORT. Awahon Riding.—AN c have now completed repairs to the V lurokino road as far as the metal available would cover. There are yet some weak places near the NN hirokino bridge that require metalling, hut owing to the crusher not working wo are not in a position to supply metal for this work or any other works until the coal is available for running a special ballast train. As requested bv the Council, I mot Air B. G. Gower, and Mr J. Chrystall, at ihe Kari Kari, with reference to the block in the mile drain in front of Air Gower’s property and about two chains from the Kari Kari drain. The block in question has been placed in the drain by some person to form a crossing over the drain to Airs Johnston’s properly now leased by Air Gower. The water is dammed back by (ho block (o the extent of 15 to IS inches on Air Chrystall’s side of the drain. I am not quite satisfied oven if the block is removed that it will relieve Air Chrystall of surface water to any great extent, as there is very little fall, and the difference .in height of the water on each side of (he block is caused by (be supply being cut off. If tin 1 block is cut out, the water on the hiw side will gradually back up till it reaches the level of the main outlet, which is only about ten chains from the end of the mile drain, and is connected bv the Kari Kari drain. The mile drain is along a county road, and about half the length is controlled by the Afontoa Drainage Board, and the portion whore the block exists is cleaned out by the adjoining property owner. Genera!.—-During last month we crushed approximately 1,010 cubic yards of metal, which has been delivered at the various sidings between Foxton and Pukenui, but owing to the shortage of coal wo have stopped crushing till we can get a supply. Tramway.—At the present time several of the men arc employed on (he line between Olmkea and Puker.ui siding removing decayed sleepers, Hacking up and straightening (lie line, also replacing fish-plates, bolts and spikes where required. A large l number of decayed sleepers have been removed and replaced along the 2811). track between Taikorea and Oroua Downs sidings. I have secured lOcwt. of first-class railway spikes, which I intend to use on the Hiraatangi curve at an early date. TRAMWAY AIANAGER’S REPORT. The expenditure exceeded the earnings bv £172 15s Bd, but included in expenditure were items amounting to £177 0s 2d for new rail fastenings and sleepers. The chief items of traffic were; Minerals 1071 tons, merchandise 1101 tons, timber 25,000 superficial feet, metal !)40 cubic yards! Fares amounted to £3 17s Bd. The water tank of “G” class locomotive has been inspected by the locomotive foreman of Palmerston North, and forwarded to Petone workshops for repairs. The new valves purchased have come to hand. The firebox of the “Alanawatu” has been causing trouble for some time, and during the mouth, owing to a bulge developing in the left side plate, I got the Inspector of Mach*

inerv to make a special examination. The dog spikes purchased from the Austral Trading Company have come to hand. Fireman Gedvee has been passed for military service, and goes into camp in November. He wishes to leave at the end of the present month.