MANAWATU COUNTY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2986, 14 January 1926, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The Manawatu County Council met at Sanson on Tuesday, Councillor Hunt presiding in the absence owing to a slight indisposition of Sir James Wilson. There was also present Councillors Fagan, Penny, McKelvie, Boyce and Barber. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received from the following: — Department of Internal Affairs, stating that petition had been received praying for the alteration of (he boundaries of the Sluggish'River Drainage district by the inclusion of a certain area of the Carnarvon registration district. —No action taken.

District engineer, New Zealand Railways, calling attention to the need for painting the crossing arm notice board at the 6-mile peg on the Foxton branch. —Left to engineer.

Minister of Finance, advising that he had consented to the Council’s application to borrow loans of £7,500 and £15,000 for Main Highway purposes. The Minister’s consent was also given for the payment of interest thereon not exceeding 61 per cent, per annum. —Received. District engineer, Main Highways Board, drawing attention to the fact that some local bodies were using coarse gravel for maintenance work. The Board’s requirements allowed of no latitude in this respect and maintenance gravel should not contain stones larger than one inch. —Referrer to the engineer.

Main Highways Board, agreeing to assist the Council to purchase plant for Main Highways construction work on the hire purchase system, with interest at the rate of 6 per cent. Councillor Penny considered that as the Council was already paying 6 per cent., for loan money, there was nothing to be gained by the hire pul-chase system from the Highways Board.. The County Clerk pointed out that Sir James Wilson’s idea was to allow the Board to purchase the Council’s machinery in order to protect the Council. Once the Board purhased the plant, the Council could pay it off right away. —It was agreed to purchase the plant from the Board. Foxton Borough Council, seeking confirmation of the Manawatu County Council’s agi-eement to contribute half the cost of fixing' up the roadway at the corner of Purcell and Patrick streets, Foxton. — Agreed to confirm. ALTERATIONS TO RATE ROLL. The following alterations to the rate roll were approved:—James Davey to Annie E. Davey, Himatangi 2. A. No. 1, Blks XIII and XIV Te Kawau S.D.; The engineer submitted his report on the works done in the ridings during the past month: Awahou. —A good deal of grading and trimming work had been carried out along the HimatangiRangiotu road and also the Himat-angi-Foxton and 1 Foxton-Shannon road, but the progress made was very slow. The dump truck was to be sent along to carry out the metalling work as soon as sufficient was available. With Councillor Barber, the engineer met the engineer of the Horowhenua Power Board and the Foxton town clerk with reference to removing the electric light pole at the corner of Purcell street. It was decided to let the post remain and to re-construct the curve round the corner, as would be required by the Mjain Highways Board. The Council’s representatives also had a meeting with the directors of the Whitaunui Flaxmill Company with reference to the extraordinary traffic which was cutting up the Foxton-Shannon road. Tt was estimated that approximately 3,000 tons of flax were carried over tfiis road from the mill and the whole of the product comes from the adjoining County. The Council’s representatives made an application for a grant to repair the damage, but it was not entertained, as the owners had to pay rates in the adjoining County to the amount of £230, but they would consider the matter when repairs had been completed and the road put in order. The total amount, paid in rates to the adjoining County from the two flaxmills carting over the above road was approximately £360. Councilor Barber and the engineer had met Mr. Hannah with reference to the Foxton beach, but further information on this question was not available yet. The engineering survey of the Whirokino road was now completed and plans and specifications would he prepared at an early date and forwarded to Wellington for approval. The manager of the Sanson Tramway reported on the working for the months of November and December last: The chief items of traffic for the two months were: Manure and minerals 522 j tons, general merchandise 118 J tons, stock 82 trucks, timber 9,000 sup. feet, eggs 305 crates, wool 321 bales, metal 755 yards. The accounts show a debit of £99 for November and £l4B/0/4 for December.—Received.