MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1974, 8 May 1919, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

i* MONTHLY MEETING. ' The Manawatu County Council held its monthly meeting at Sanson on Tuesday. There were present: The Chairman (Sir James Wilson), and Crs. H. H. Hunt, W. E. Barber, J. Boyce, W. S. Penny, W. J. Phillips’, and Hammond. CORRESPONDENCE. In reporting upon the SandouPoxton tram, the district engineer, Now Zealand Railways, staled that certain matters required the earnest attention of the Council. —It was reported that temporary repairs, to the line were already receiving the attention of the engineer, vide his monthly report. The Public Works Department forwarded a copy of the license authorising the Rongotea Co-op. Dairy Co. to erect electric lines in township and a portion of the county.

The Department also intimated that in consequence of the cessation of the war the Government considered it advisable that the proposed regulations under the Tramways Amendment Act should be brought into operation as soon as possible, and advising' the Council to take the necessary steps to increase its rolling stock. —No action was taken in (lie matter, the Chairman remarking, amid laughter, “We don’t overcrowd on our line!” The Oroua County Council wrote supporting the Council in its agitation to obtain power from the Government Advances Office for the purpose of building homes for employees, and suggesting that power should also he given »to purchase suitable homes.

With reference to his former application for a subsidy, Mr J. L. Currie, of box ton, forwarded particulars in connection with the Workers’ Educational Association. —The sum of .C 5 5s was voted towards the funds of the bodv.

Messrs Slovens, Easton md Austin wrote, askin';' that the Council undertake certain work minimi on the road from the junction near Shannon bridge, past Saunders’, and . Spring’s properly, also the Mile Drain road to Baiaka. —The letter was received, it being pointed out that the remedy Jay with the property-owners themselves, in that they could raise a special loan for the work if desired. As regards the Mile Drain road, it was mentioned that the matter was referred to in the engineer’s report. EXG LX EKK ’ S I? EPOii T. Awaltou Hiding.—Mr Gibbs has completed his contract for supplying and delivering maintenance metal on the Eoxtou-Shannon road. As suggested by some of the settlers along Bowe’s road, lie had arranged with Councillor Barber to meet these settlers with reference to constructing a stop-hank along (he'Manawalu Diver for (he purpose of preventing the Hood water blocking the road and Hooding private properly. After some discussion on the matter, the settlers interested in the proposal agreed to have (he hank erected, and he recommended the Council to proceed with (lie work without delay. During last month he made an inspection of (lie Kari Kari road right to (he Manawatu Diver. This road was grown over with fescue grass for a distance of about three miles at the lower end of the road, which was not used for dray traffic, to any extent, and before the road could he graded up it would he necessary lo (dear (lie fescue, which would ho very cosily and in his opinion (he traffic did not warrant such an expenditure. Tramway. —The plate-laying on the tram line had been delayed for 'several days owing to the shortage of material, which had now been secured. They wore now 7 unable to procure any 401 b. rails to repair a length where second-hand iron rails were put down some years ago, which were now showing signs of breaking up. He recommended the Council to purchase four or live tons of 451 b. rails, as this length of line must he attended to;

Stone Crusher. —During the early part of the month they had the misfortune of breaking the swinging jaw of the crusher,- and the work has been stopped till this part was replaced. The report was adopted, and the various recommendations agreed to.

TRAMWAY REPORT. In bis monthly report, the tramways manager stated that the trafli<‘ fell away during the latter end of the month, and the receipts were only £260 17s. A dehit balance of £159 18s was the result, but included in pie expenditure were the following extra items: Sleepers and freight £lsl 9s, rail fastenings £2l 15s. The chief items of traflie were: Merchandise 921 tons, minerals 115] tons, grain 80A tons, cheese 87 tons, sheep 81 trucks, timber 9,200 feet, metal 7G5 cubic yards. Fares amounted to £2 19. s 9d.