KAIRANGA COUNTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 243, 11 September 1940, Page 4

KAIRANGA COUNTY.

HARBOUR LEVY QUESTIONED

The monthly meeting of the Kairanga County Council was held yesterday, the chairman (Cr AV. R. Hopcroft) presiding. Also present were Crs D. Collis N. P. Nielsen, F. J. Russell, T. D.’ Lynch, P. V. Koehler, AV. G. Shannon, M. AV. A r oss, and J. Batchelar. . . , , In his report the engineer stated, inter alia, that the ' small bridge oil James's Line near Mr Hanson's had been redecked and strengthened to allow' through traffic to use the road. Complaints from settlers at Kai Ini that their access to the Oroua River for metal 'had been cut off by recent Alaori river protection work had been investigated, and a satisfactory settlement reached. * Advice that Air Jas. Knight, representing local authorities on the Board of Managers of the Fcilding Agricultural High School,\ was duo to retire bv rotation, was received. "The council’s balance-sheet and accompanying accounts for the year ended March 31 last were returned by the Auditor General and certified as correct, subject to the following exception : The council, in paying to the Foxton Harbour Board out ot the general account an amount, equal to the produce of the rate directed by the board to be made and levied by the council, in lieu of levying that rate as directed, bad not complied with the provisions of Section 85 ol the Harbours Act. ]923. The halancc-slicet and accounts were adopted. The chairman and the county engineer (Mr L. C. Pickering) were authorised to supervise the collection of scrap metals in connection with the Government’s campaign. It was stated that, receiving depots would lie established in each riding and collection would be made with the county lorries. The Manawatu Oroua River Board wrote asking the council to endenvom to come to finality with tlie Alain Highways Board regarding the reconstruction of (lie Rangiotu bridge over the Oroua River, as the bridge was now 1 ' a 1 xittlo neek for flood waters and was definitely hindering production. The engineer explained that the council w'as awaiting particulars as to levels from the Public AVorks Depart moot. It was decided to advise the River Board that the council was noc responsible for the delay. LONGBURN REQUESTS. The Longburn Progressive Association wrote seeking various improvements in the township, including the re-installation of street lights and attention to footpaths and drainage I lie chairman said the residents ot Long burn should be congratulated on lorniin<r a Progressive Association, and ihe council should give them every assist-

ance.' Tlie clerk produced a minute showing that the council had decided to remove the lights last year. Ci Nielsen repotted that he attended the meeting which formed the association, and it was a very enthusiastic one. Since the residents were willing to help themselves he considered the council should co operate with them. It was decided to ask the Main Highways Board to instal street lights, and the engineer was instructed ,to report on the question of improvements to the drainage and footpaths. The resignation was received of the ranger (Mr N. I. Grayson), and the matter of filling the vacancy was left to the chairman and Crs Gollis and Batchelar. . . Information regarding the mileage ol metalled roads in other counties in the district which had become State highways or main highways maintained by the State was sought by the Palmerston North City Council. The latter also asked whether the County Council proposed in future allocations of heavy traffic fees to adopt as a basis of mileage in each county only that portion of the roads not maintained by t'he State. The chairman stated that a change in the allocation on the lines suggested would be detrimental to the county council and the city would receive increased benefit. A conference would also be necessary to alter the allocation. A resolution was passed expressing satisfaction with the present arrangement, the chairman agreeing to inquire the opinion of other county councils in the district.