MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2463, 5 August 1922, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly iqgeting of the Manawatu County Council was held at Sanson on Wednesday, when there were present: Sir James Wilson /chairman) and Crs. H. Hunt, J. Boyce, W. E. Barber, H. G. Hammondj H. J. Fagan and W. S. Penny. CORRESPONDENCE. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote relative .to a letter from the council regarding the raising of a loan of £1,200 for the purpose of making a road deviation. He advised that he was doubtful whether he had the power to grant the authority to do so as the deviation had beei/caused by Hoods; and it should be provided for-out of the ordinary revenue or by raising a loan, which would require to be submitted to the ratepayers. —Received. The State Advances Office notified its resolve to entertain the council’s application for a loan of £1,200 for the construction of a road and stop-bank for protection ? —being a deviation of portion of Foxton-Shannon road —the loan to be 36J years at 4A per cent.—Received. The Department of Agriculture J notified the addition of Japanese . -r" wineberry to the third schedule of the Noxious Weeds Act. —Received. The Railways Department wrote stating that many portions of the county’s private line was below standard. —The engineer notified that certain weaknesses had already been attended to. —The same department notified the council of requirements in its rolling stock. — Received. The following alterations were made in the rate roll:—E. Yanko to C. J. Cockburn, Lot 29, Sec. 315, Carnarvon; M. Darragh to M. Good, Lot 29, Sec. 258, Rongotea; Ann* Pearson to A. Stuart, Lots 32/3, 36, 37/40, 42/5, Sec. 86, Sandon. AWAHOU RIDING. The contractor is progressing favourably with the metalling of Shannon road deviation near the bridge. The stop-bank has been completed and the road fenced on one side. The late flood in the Manawatu river scoured along the sand spit on the east side of the river, and is now threatening the old bank on the west side towards the bridge. During the month we carted 150 yards of metal with the lorry on to the Shannon and other roads throughout the riding. The cost of carting this metal by motor is about 5s 3d per yard, including fuel, but not repairs, -ft- Tramway: The surfacemen on the Pukenui length are employed adjusting the points and crossings, and ballasting the curves, and during the present week the curve at O’Brien's corner will receive attention. The 281 b track requires constant attention as several rails were broken during the past month and had to be replaced with the best 28 lb rails available. Stone Crusher: Last Friday night, we had the misfortune to get the engine-shed at the crusher plant burned down, which has completely stopped crushing operations. A number of tools and belting were destroyed by the fire, and some of the gear about the engine, and also most of the engine laggen, but as far as we can judge the engine is not seriously damaged. We have commenced operations to remove the engine to Sanson for repairs and a general overhaul. The platform and crusher will now be taken down and remodelled on the lower level. TRAMWAY MANAGER’S REPORT. The tramway manager reported on the working, of the tramway for the month as follows: —The chief items of traffic were: Merchandise ~, 123 tons, minerals, etc., 71i tons, J timber 33,480 feet, metal 750 cubic yards. Fares amounted to 11s B<L The accounts show a debit balance of £9 9s for the month’s working. The axle boxes of the ‘G’ engine have been giving trouble and the metal bearings will require to be renewed at an early date. Temporary repairs, have been effected, but as soon as the lathe is installed this work can be carried oat. A large number of boiler tubes require to be renewed in the locomotive “Manawatu” as they are giving considerable trouble at present. It will be remembered that the present tubes were put in during the war period, when new tubes were not available, and second-hand welded tubes were procured from the Railway Department. Two trucks of silver pine sleepers have come to hand, on account of Mr Crabb’s contract. A start has been made with the building Of the machinery workshop. TREASURER’S REPORT. The treasurer reported that the * county fund account had a debit balance of £2,236 4s 9d, and the loan account a credit balance of £12,721 6s Id, giving a net credit balance of £10,485 Is 4<L For expenditure there would be available the following sums in respect to the various ridings: Sandon, £316 4s lid; Waitohi, £502 11s 2d; Rongotea, £399 18s 6d; Carnarvon, £227 9s lOd; Kawa Kawa, £42 17s 3d. Mt. Stewart riding had over-expen-ded its quota by £B4 14s 3d, and Awahou by £B7 8s Bd.