Pahiatua County

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 32, 8 February 1937, Page 2

Pahiatua County

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. On Saturday morning Councillors A. W. Bisset (chairman), G. H. Hodgins, T. Fouhy, F. H. Bolton, F. H. Horne, W. Lassen, H. B. Whitta and J. B. Nelson met for tflie monthly meeting of the Pahiatua County Council. Mr. A. G. Cavanagh tendered for the Konini reserve at Bridge road. His tender was accepted as long as stock bo kept out of the native bush. A letter was received from Mr. P. Dransfleld stating that he had been too busy to put back his fence on the ■Woodville-Aohanga road and asking for a pegging out of the boundary as there wore no visible pegs.—-It was left for the overseer to peg out a line for the fence. Mr. W. C. Killiek wrote complaining of the amount of ragwort on the council’s property at Kaitawa and asking if it could be cleaned ont before it seeded. Mr. S. Macrae was aeked to eeo that the surfaceman destroy this noxious wood. A letter from Mr. Sladden, consulting engineer, regarding the short span bridge at N&e Nae road at Murima, was received. Cr. Fouhy said he thought the best plan was to renew the small bridge and concrete the low-lying approaches. The chairman suggested that a more detailed report on the bridge be asked for from the engineer. A letter from the Masterton County Council asked that the Wairarapa group traffic control tako over Inspector Milne. The chairman moved that the inspector be transferred, and it was agreed to. The clerk, Mr. J. Hutton, stated that a letter had come to hand from the Manawatu Employers’ Association regarding the clerical workers’ dispute and that the office staff had to join a union. Cr. Horne: Why not join the Farmers' Union. (Laughter.) The Wellington Local Body Officers' Industrial Union of Workers wrote stating that a number of council employees had not joined the union. The secretary asked that the clerk see that they joined. The council left this matter" to the clerk to examine union tickets when the men are being paid. Cr. Nelson stated that Mr. Gregory, the overseer, and himself, had viewed two points on the Pori road which were considered dangerous to traffic. The road carried a lot of traffic including a school bus and mail car and he thought it was proper to move these two points and make passing better. The first point would cost £lB to move and the second £4O. It was decided to carry on with the removal of the corners and the cost to be included in the estimates for 1937-38. Treasurer’s Report.

“I desire to commend for your consideration the question of the introduction of the five-day week insofar as the office staff and executive officers are concerned. With the exception of two members of the outside staff who arc not as yet covered by an award, all other members-enjoy this privilege and it would seem reasonable to suggest that: the same privilege should be extended. To my knowledge all adjoining county councils' clerical staffs are now observing the five-day weok. Should you consider this proposal favourably, an adjustment of the daily working hours will be necessary. I would also draw your attention to the present practice of payment of salaries to tho clerical and executive staff which . is made after each monthly meeting which oh decasitinh extends into the sixth'week. In'view of the fact that the outside staff now receive regular fortnightly payments, I would respectfully suggest that payments to the indoor staff be made twice in each calendar month, i.e., on the 15th day and last day of each month. “As directed, I have interviewed the solicitors in the matter of destruction by stock of river protection at the borough bridge, and it would appear as though the proper course to take is to institute proceedings for damage thereto. It is suggested in the meantime that if a letter was forwarded by tho solicitors to the person concerned pointing out tho intentions of the council in this respect, that it may have tho desired effect of making him keep his fences in a good and sufficient state of repair and thus prevent tho everrecurring damage to protection works. “On receipt of advice that the consent of the Minister of Finance had bee received to the raising of a bridges loan of £4900, I directed the consulting engineers to invite tenders for the construction of Hulls bridge and Harris bridge. This has now been done. I , have circularised some lending institutions with a view to interesting them in lhe taking up of this loan, but those replies I have received indicate that the terms do not appeal. “The committee set up to consider the amount required for renewal of bridges in the county over, say, the next five years/ recommends that appli- , cation be made to the Loans Board for its consent to raise a sum of £22,000 by way of loan, for this purpose. The amount suggested does not take cognisance of any subsidies which may bo granted in respect of works to be undertaken, and is therefore purely tentative. The committee feels that if the Loans Board’s sanction is obtainable for such a sum, the delays previously experienced will be eliminated and greater progress will be made in the 1 renewal of bridges long past the period of usefulness. It is also suggested that the Loans Board be personally interviewed in the matter, and the programme explained prior to any formal steps being taken to obtain its sanction."