HOROWHENUA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 218, 14 August 1937, Page 16

HOROWHENUA COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Horowhernia Coumy Council was held at Levin yesterday, (Jr. G. A. Monk presiding. Also present were (Jrs A. At. t/olqulioiui, U. I'. Jensen, A. J. Gimblett, D. K. Guy, A. M. Atkins, F. J. ityder, J. It. vvliyte and L. H. Lest. The Public Works Department advised by circular that while ordinary maintenance was to bo continuously carried out on main highways as at present, the approval ot the annual estimates at any time was not to be taken by the local authority to mean that major maintenance or improvement work could be undertaken without the approval of the department. Cases had occurred, added the circular, wherein local bodies had carried out work without this authority, and the expenditure had not always been to the best advantage. The department desired to be helpful and not critical, and sought co-operation.—Refer-red to the engineer. The Wellington Automobile Association wrote congratulating the council on having reached finality with the Main Highways Board in regard to the reconstruction, bridging and sealing of No. CO Highway to the county boundary. “We are aware,” added the letter, “of the work and persistent effort of your chairman in regard -to this and other important works on main highways, and on behalf of the motorists we extend to him our thanks.”—-Received. The Public Works Department wrote with reference to the proposed traffic tally on No. 60 highway, to be taken from August 29, suggesting that a tally be taken between Shannon and Palmerston North and one between Levin and Shannon. —Agreed to. It was decided to agree to the Pal merston North City Council issuing permits to the telegraph engineer at Palmerston North, to cart poles and ladders exceeding the length provided for in the regulations. It was stated in a letter from the city traffic manager that at present permits had to be secured from the local body in whose area the carting was done, and this often caused delay and inconvenience. | Messrs Nicholson and Ryder wrote thanking the council for metalling the Hokio-Waitarere road, stating that a splendid job had been made of it. — “That is very refreshing,” commented the chairman. Cr. Guy was appointed to represent the council on the reception and entertainment committee in connection with the quadrangular Rugby tourney tp be held in Levin between Taranaki, Horowhenua, Rangitikei and Hutt Valley primary schools during the coming vacation. The Department of Agriculture advised that steps had been taken, to have gorse cleared on Oturoa Road. Received. Mr I. R. Taylor wrote requesting permission to lower a. culvert on the Foxton road to provide drainage for his property.—The engineer “is to inspect and report. The works committee reported that authority had been given for the employment of 20 men and arrangements had been made whereby a party of 10 men had been engaged on improvement work on both Raliui and Buckley roads. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer reported as follows: Tokomaru riding: Minor slips and drainage have been attended to on roads in the northern portion of the riding and Tokomaru township, also the subway and drainage therefrom have been attended to. One 18-incli diameter and two 9-inch diameter culverts have been put in Kaihinau Road. Three 9-inch culverts have been put in Victoria Road and one 12-incli culvert put in on Kingstone Road. The above culverts are replacing decayed totara boxes. It is unfortunate that these old culverts are giving out together, and it is absolutely necessary that good road drainage bo maintained The grader has been over most of‘the district roads. The drains along Kara Road have been cleaned. This road has also been patched with metal. Metal patching lias been carried out on Kingstone Road, Okuku Road and Shannon-Buckley Road. During the past three weeks 10 men and a foreman have been engaged taking off corners on Buckley Road. These men are working well and the result is very satisfactory. A contract has been let to Mr R. IL bmd for the deviation through Mr Guerin s property at the west end of Kings Road. 6nly two tenders were received for this work. The nmount of contract is £97 15s sd: Wlnrokino riding : The grader has been over various district roads. 'Metal has been carried out on Florida Road. A heavy grader is now working on Buller and Bruce Roads with the object of giving a good running surface to these roads. The eastern side of Tararua Road from the saleyards to the railway crossing has been graded and approximately ten chains metalled to make a parking place for cars during sales. Otaki riding: The grader has been over most of the district roads. A corner has been cut back on Forest Lakes Road. Metal patching has been carried out-on all district roads. A gang of ten men and a foreman are doing good work on Kahili Road'. The road near Mr PrestonThomas’s property has been widened 12 feet and the culvert lengthened. A corner has been cut back on the hill near No. 1 bridge to give better vision The men are now working on the corner at the end of Blair s Road and the approach to No. 1 bridge. The portion of Raliui Road that" Mf Galloway complained about has been repaired. Te IToro riding. General maintenance has been carried out on Otaki Gorge Road. The track leading to Taungata suspension bridge has received attention. The big grader is on its way to Waikanae and till dress up the district roads while there Various roads are in need of a little maintenance metal. This will he attended to at an early date. I

have made an inspection of the lower drains administered under the Paetawa agreement and can now plot them on the plan for the Public Works Department. Main highways.—The plans for the completion of No. 372 main highway have been forwarded to the Public Works Department for approval. The contractor is delivering the remainder of the metal for the first mile of paving. This work will now be completed at an early date. Materials are on hand for repairs to the chapel at the Waikanae cemetery and the works will be carried out soon. Water races: Generally the water races are in good condition. In a number of places old totara culverts are badly decayed and it is necessary to replace them with concrete pipes. During the month two culverts were renewed on Hokio Beach Road, one on Arapaepae Road, one on Roslyn Road and one on C. D. Farm main road. Ranger: The ranger reports having dealt with 18 head of wandering stock and to date has registered 1040 dogs. Building permits : During the month four building permits of a total value of £570 were issued.