MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1886, 5 October 1918, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Manawatu County Council met on Tuesday. Present: Sir James G. Wilson (chairman), and Crs. H. H. Hunt, W, S. Penny, J, Boyce, W. E. Barber, and H. G. Hammond. Correspondence was dealt with as follows: —

From Kuirangu County Council, stating that they were paying Id per dozen for birds’ eggs other than starlings’, with a view to coping with the small birds nuisance, and asking the Council to assist in the matter.

From Moutoa Drainage Board, stating that the portion of Mile Drain, in which the block is said to exist, is not included in the Board’s svstem of drains. —Received..

From Walter S. Carter, asking permission to construct telephone wires along the Whirokino bridge to connect with cottage at Whirokino. —Permission granted subject to engineer’s approval. The following alterations were made in the rate roll: —J. 11. Lobb to C, A, Masters, H. Burling to J. Cornfoot, F. C. Saxton to E. J. Simonson, Millar and Giorgi to H. S. Pearce, T. H. jfremain to Rangilikei Co-operative Dairy Co., A. E. Eglialoa to A. W. Beasley, 0. T. Woodroofe to A. P. Fas)on, E. B. Amyes to F. C. Saxton, H. Van tier to W. Port, K. M. Duke to F. C, Saxton, F. S. Prentice to B, F. and H. W. Mohekev.

Mr A. G. Hick ford reported: — Awahou Riding. —I interviewed Mr Saunders with reference to placing his tram line in a safe position on the Foxton-Shannon road, which he agreed to keep in proper order. This is now receiving proper attention. I have arranged to widen (lie road at this corner and make an easier radius for all traffic. Tramway.—Several men have been employed on the line between Ohakca and Bukenui sidings, replacing decayed sleepers, fishplates, bolts and spikes. We arc now renewing the ballast along this section of line. J have also regauged the Himatangi curve and removed all decayed sleepers. About Mitt sleepers have been put in the line between Rosina and Himatangi during the last (wo monies, which has improved the line to a great extent.

General. —The recent flood in the Omia river made a serious erosion about 15 chains above the Rongo-rea-Longburn bridge, and approximately ton chains from the main road. The willows at this point are submerged and the whole current impinges on the land in this curve, which is a. very serious gap and should receive attention immediately. Wo are making good progress with the second groyne above the Awaburi bridge. The latest flood .-mired away a little from the nose of the first groyne, which was to bo expected, but otherwise the groyne has not been damaged or shifted in any way and stood the force of the flood remarkably well. It will lie necessary to adopt very stringent measures to protect the willow plantation, or (hey will he destruped by wandering cattle on the riverbed.

TRAMWAY MANAGER'S REPORT,

The chief items of traffic were: Merchandise 191 ;ftons, minerals 88 tons, cheese 71} tons, timber 18,300 feet; fares amounted to £3 12s 2d.

The accounts show a debit of £159 4s, but included in expenditure are the following items: Sleepers and freight £94 2s 4d, boiler tubes £l4 ss; total £IOB 7s 4d. The repairs to water tank of “O'’ class locomotive have been completed and the engine is doing good work. Minor repairs are at present being effected to locomotive “Rangitikei.” With reference to Mr Read's claim for damaged glass, attached is a statement from tram guard. During last month two cases of benzine have been taken from the Pukenui shed. We have been unable to trace them.

A blue print of the boiler of locomotive “Manawntu” has been procured from the Machinery Department. Copies are at present being made, and prices for a new lire box will he obtained from the boilermakers as soon as these are completed.

TREASURER'S DEPORT,

Tiie treasurer reported: General account dr. £0,997 14s Id, loan account cr. £382 7s, net dr. balance £0,617 7s Id. Amounts available for expenditure to March 31st, 1919: Sandon £564 36s . 3d, Mt. Stewart £B3O Os (id. Wailohi £3,304 ss, Rongotea £3,067 3s od, Carnarvon £779 7s 7d, Kawa Kawa £554 5s 3d, Awahon £475 6s sd. The Council decided to enter an appeal on behalf of H. E. Differ,’in charge of the engines on the (rawway, as an essential worker.