Kairanga County Council.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7913, 21 September 1904, Page 6

Kairanga County Council.

At the meeting of tho Kairanga County Council yeocerday along discussion followed the engineer's report as to the state of the roads throughout the district, both Crs .Nathan and Were stating that several complaints had been made to them restive to the condition of tho roads in their localities. It was generally agreed that so long as the present spirit of absolute economy was necessary, the roads could not receive the full repaits tbey needed. The outcome of the discussion was that tho engineer received instructions to call at the house of any councillor, when he passsd that wa}', to obtain suggestions in case of any urgent work requiring to be done.

Some discussion ensued on the heavy traffic question, particularly the firewood traffic, which cuts up the roads terribly m some places. Milk cart traffic was also mentioned but it was recognised that the greater part of the latter traffic was in summer when the roads were good. It was decided a special meeting should be held, at which suggestions as to dealing with the heavy traffic could be handed in by Councillors. A date will be decided on later.

. The question of taking steps Id connection with the failure of the Manawatu County Council to pay its proportion of the cost of the protective works at the Awahuri bridge, was left to tlie Chairman to determine. Several Councillors expressed themselves against the suggested divided authority in the con trol of the bridge. ..'.,-. It was decided on the motion of Or Greer that it be an instruction to the clerk that in future all salaries and other expenses m connection, with the office work be charged, pro rata, against each riding, according to valuation, in keeping separate riding accounts. After wo went to press yesterday afternoon the following business was transacted at the meeting of the Kairanga County Council:—

The inspector was authorised to see that settlers trimmed and lowered trees fronting ihe country roads. Major Dunk waited upon the Council and requested a monetary grant in aid of_ the funds of the recently formed Rifle Association. He said that the townspeople had donated £60, the Borough Council £25 — not, however, available till next April—and it waa thought that, as the Association had been formed for the encouragement of rifle shooting throughout the district, adults as well as school cadet corps, that the Council would see its way to make a donation. Mujor Dunk added that after the adult meeting ia November it was proposed to hpJd a junior meeting. General.sympathy was expressed with Major Dunk's request, but there was no provision _-"• the Act for the allocation of public money in tho direction' desired Mr S. Jickell. Borough Engineer, waited upon the Council and explained that a small bridge now being erected over the Tiritea stream had been started wnhout the permission of the County Council "through an inadvertence. He explained the nature of tho bridge, whioh would not be in anyone's way', and, at the same time, be of great assistance to the settlers, who could cross stock upon it and use it generally. The bridge was being.'put ap by the Borough Council in connection with the waterworks and would only cost about £10. ■ No objection was taken to the construction of the bridge, which, it was considered, would be of great convenience to settlers. It was, also, deoided that a Jnotico should be put up at the bridge that the County Council would repudiote any liability in connection with the bridge. Questioned by the chairman as to the Borough Council's intention with regard to tbe repairs to the Fitzherbert bridge Mr Jickell said tha Borough Council had passed a resolution to sheet pile the bridge, the piles to be driven 10 feet into the river bed and support^ with struts, and also to plant tho approach with willows.

A request by Mr Meagher that a culvert.be put in the road in front of his property Rangitikei Line; w&s granted,' the work to be done in the summer time.

The inspector was authorised to report upon the cost of putting Fabian's road and a portion of the Main road, Bunnythorpe,' in order.

The following tenders for work on the Range road w^re accepted :—No. 1 contract, D. O'Brien J1339 ss; No. 2 contract, R. P. Jensen, £338 15s. The meeting then adjourned.