HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, 13 January 1919, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

• ■ • ■ MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of tho above Council was held at Levin on Saturday. Present: Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), G. P. Catley, F. 3. Ryder, * S. A. Broadbelt, J. B. Whyte, J. Mc-.j •Leavcy, and C. I. Harkness. . '^ .""■' Cr. Law was granted leave of ab: ■'' scnee. / The Chairman congratulated Cr. Harkness on being returned to the Council, and stated the Council would be glad to have any new ideas he might bring forward. He wished Mm a suc- ~~*>< cessful career. \ Cr. Harkness said .. he entered the Council with ho axe to grind, but to .support any progressive move for the advancement of the district and the common good of the community Minutes. Minutes were read and confirmed. v. Correspondence. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: Prom Napier Borough Council, enclosing a resolution, viz., "That having regard to the serious loss of life arising from the epidemic and the fact that the Health Department did not take at the ; outset proper precautions ) .-*he Council ■, requests the Government to set up a , Eoyal Commission to enquire and take evidence as to how the epidemic was diialtwith." From the Hastings Borough Council ( asking co-operation in recommending to , the Government the absolute and urgent . necessity of strengthening the financial ; position of the Health Department, to j enable it to combat any epidemic that , may attack the community. I The Chairman considered the Dominion had been through a serious time, ] and that the Department had grasped i with the matter as soon as possible. Ho < thought it was now impossible to do ( much in the matter. < Cr. Catley supported the Hasting* Council's resolution, but considered i the one from Napier should be treated ( as received. Cr. McLeavey concurred, t After duo consideration it was decided to "receive" the resolution from Napier, and to support the one iron. Hastings. f From State Advances" Office stating that a loan of £SOO for the Waikawa- < Kuku water race had been gazetted.— ' Keceived. . From State Advances Oflice granting the Council £IOOO for road and bridge construction in the Tc Horo Riding.— Keceived. From Minister of Public Health, in reply to the Council, stating the matter of centralising tuberculosis patients -was one that had long engaged his at- , tontion, and that he would be glad to . go further into the matter. —Received. ■ Pahiko Drains. ' From E. Macdonald (Tc Horo). acknowledging notice to clear drains, etc. He pointed out that his portion of the drain was cleared when the notice was received, but to the best of his be- , lief Messrs Ryder and Harkness' por- ; tion had been untouched for some time. and ho thought owners at the lower end , should clear first. The engineer stated notice had also > been served on Messrs Ryder and Harkness. Cr. Ryder, said the letter appeared to , him to be "rubbing it in," and stated as a rule he had dono more than hi? , share of the work, but it was for the last time. The Chairman said he did not understand Mr. Macdonald's letter, but he was pleased to know he had done his share of the work, and hoped others .would do likewise. Cr. Harkness said a deal of the trouble was due to labour, and suggested the Council do the work and charge Jhe owners of the property. The Chairman considered such a step would be inadvisable. Cr. Ryder added the matter was a serious one, and the trouble had not yet started.' The river had changed its course, and now went to the back of the old racecourse, which meant thai the drains would silt up ateach flood. The letter was treated as received. Cemetery Grant. From Shannon Borough Council, 'again requesting the Council to make a grant towards the upkeep of its cemetery. The Chairman said that during ■the present, financial year the Council could do nothing, but after (lie end of the year a grant might be made. Hautere Water Races. M. A. Griffiths (Otaki) wrote thank- , ing the Council for the trouble it had taken regarding water-race rates on her property. She yet trusted something ■would be done to adjust the matter. A eheque for the amount owing (£l3 10s) was cneloscd. . . - The Chairman stated that anything done by way of release had not been made legally, and the only way open now was for ratepayers to get a reclassification. The land was previously bought, in a block, but was now subdivided. The whole property carried Jhe- liability. Cr. Catley congratulated the clerk on .the manner in which he had attended to the matter. Other councillors spoke Similarly, after which a vote of thanks was passed. Bate:. It was decided to impose the 10 per cent, penalty on outstanding rates from February 20tli. ''..'•'-V - Protective Works. CrivCatley and Ryder reported con-' ■ cemingT : ver,protective works at Rahui, asked :fe?by Mr Griffith, They recommended a. £ Ui £ grant up to £?? be made. ■■' ; , Cr..~Cai!ey said'- no .doubt, a serious breach was threatened, bri£ he was sur- ■ prised at the stability of the-work already done.' It would be a great mistake if the Council did not assist, despite the fact it was only terested<Jr..Ryder agreed, bntregTetted that ',.-■ ry, '.-■-:.■'■■ '-.'. -'""■' ■ J ■ ,"" . '.•■"■

settlers..intorested did not', do as .promised and. view .work done by him. If they had done so they would save " largo quantities of wire-netting.' x Cr. Catley considered' the work should be done under proper supervision. The Chairman-assured'Cr. Catley that proper precautious wonld be taken to have the work done to the satisfaction of the Council. T <- j '■'-"■' General. j Cr. Broadbcit'asked if the Engineer would give his attention to various bends on the roads in the Wirokino Riding. Tho engineer said' want of labour was the trouble, but he hoped the matter would shortly be attended to. \ Cr. Broadbelt asked the engineer what he had done re fencing on the Olawhiwhi road. —Engineer said he was/atttnding to the matter. In reply to Cr. Broadbelt the engineer' said 'he would keep his eye on a roadman who was said to bo, at times, diia-' tory. Cr. Whyte reported that patching was being done on the road in the Tokomaru . Riding, but; that .small slips .needed at- . tcntion. He suggested the engineer re- .. port on the by-roads. - The ranger reported, that, during the ; month the roads were fairly clear of ( stock, but noxious weeds were prevalent - in all ridings.. Pig-styes were a iiuis- ( ance in the Wirokino 'riding, and he I hoped to have. the. nuisance attended to ;. at an early date. During tho month L only four offenders were summoned. J

A motion to donate £25 for the bonelit of the Levin Public Library, to be paid by the Wirokino Riding, at the end of the financial year, ; was fully discussed. Crs. Broadbelt and Harkness strongly 'supported it,, but Cr. McLeavey was equally strong against it, pointing out the Council had quite enough expense for the year. Thq motion, however, was carried. Cr. Catley proposed, seconded by Cr. Ryder, "That all plans-and specifications for contracts bo the Council for approval, and that np alterations be recognised unless by the Council's authority. Cr. Catley moved, seconded by Cr. Monk, "That the engineer be authorised to enforce the penal clause on contract 269 (Tc Horo Riding contract)." Accounts. Accounts amounting to £2050 ISs 3d, including £1549 (interest), were passed for payment. Cr. Catley said it had come to his ears that the Council passed all accounts in an indifferent' manner, and urged all councillors to be present to go through the finances. The Chairman pointed out. that all members wore a finance committee, and passed accounts fifteen, minutes before each meeting. Half-Holiday. A communication was received relative to fixing the statutory half-holiday, and it was agreed to take no, action, in consequence of which the. day would be fixed by Government. """' Road Widening at To Horo. Cr. Catley. said ho was disappointed with the nature of the work done oh this road. The sand widening had been rut on,, an unstable bottom, and was nothing but a trapj'while the metal was not. filio enough. He considered it doubtful if the Government, engineer would pass the work. The chairman considered the sand

would be stable enough or.ee it set. He ,' was not in iovewith Iho mtealj but the. engineer had assured him it would be all right. The matter might be improv- : od by the aid of the grader and roller. ' He would like to have seen the road ] scarified, but the engineer had said no ' labour was available. . Tho Engineer said he had submitted ■ a proposal to the contractors, but they would not entertain it. He added that j the contract time was up long ago. The Chairman considered authority ; should be given the engineer to have _ the work finished. The road was at pre- . sent dangerous, while this work was > hung up waiting for Lee and Ahern to finish. The Engineer remarked they were like "two old hens pecking." The Engineer was instructed to get a price for 600 yards of soil to top-dress the sand in the filling where widening had been done, and submit to the councillors for the riding, wdio would have power to act. Otaki Cr." Ryder wanted to know when \ metal would be available for the Otaki j Riding, and when the asphalting of the j bridge would be clone. The Engineer .said it whs impossible j en account of shipping facilities to lici 1 timber, but he understood it was all leady, waiting to bo sent from Australia. The planking was all right, and there were now lewt of new spikes' in tho decking. Petition. A petition'from settlers of To Horo, asking that the Mangaone creek be cleaned was received, while Messrs Pat- j • ten and Pratley attended in support. I Mr Patten, while apologising for the absence of their leader (Mr Harkness), ■ stated he was not aware till that morning that the Council had no responsibil- j lty in the matter. He now thought the i Council might make a special rating | area and arrange to have the floodwater carried away. Harkness-, August, and himself were the worst sufferers, and he could not get access to his property unless he went along the beach. The job was only a small one. Cr. Harkness sympathised with the petitioners, and said while the fall was not great the blockage was bad. and w-ith a little attention the creek could be kept open. 6#thought the Council might support the matter. Cr. Catley said he had known the stream for the past SO years, and ■ though the request a reasonable one. The country a-as of a damp nuisre, hut I' TT as aggravated by the backing up or • water. ■■ ■ ■ . The Engineer thought as it was soldiers' lands, secured by the Govern- ■ reenr,, something should be done by that. body. . I The Chairman pointed out that the ; ' matter was ono that had previously

. been attended) to by the late Mr Hodge, by'the aid'of,'the._Cou:!cil?s scoop. • The . Council was willing to do its best in the v matter, but could do nothing illegally. Mr Patten said he would be'unable to help with the work,- but would lend his horses. He was .Willing, if the Council ' gave him its backing, to wait on - the Commissioner of J Crown Lands re the matter. . |" The Council agreed to do this, add j undertook also to loan the scoop to the settlers., - ■ . . Toll Gates. This matter was briefly touched on by the chairman, who said tho Minister of » Public Works had promised to bring \ down a Bill dealing with the main aiv terial roads. In view of this it was inadvisable for tho Council to discuss the matter at present. j ENGINEER'S REPORT. j The County Engineer (Mr J. Mai-j colm) submitted the following report: —'! Te Horo Riding... j There is ically little "to report on to i this meeting.;. Between the bad weather I and the holidays there has been scarcely anything done. ' The wideningof the' Main Road near Hadfield is'getthig on most unsatisfactorily. Unless there; are two or three extra-men oh tho work on Monday I wi'l be compelled to exercise" the powers given in section 7 of-.the | general conditions of contract. ' i The metalling is getting on well,-and [will be finished in about ten days . I would like to get about 600 yards of soil to top-dress thousand oh the side filling where the windening has been done before sowing tho grass, seed, if it is not too expensive. I thought to have a price to submit, to you to-day, but I am afraid my man has forgotten. . Tho roadman reports that the Gorge road is now all right. 1 sent notices to all tho land owners adjoining the Piaka drains to got them cleaned. As the is up Fw.Ul have to look them up early next week to seCjif the work is ' done. Otaki Riding. There is nothing doing in this riding I but maintenance; still the roads are fair. . | The North Manakau water supply extension is not getting on at all for the want, of timber and men. The timber, I believe, I will get early next week, but I do not know .-hat to do about men, as no one wants work. If it is tho intention of the Council to acquire a gravel pit for the south end J of this riding, I would like them to go . about it, as it will be too much to keep the contractor going in Te Horo much more than another month. Wirokino Riding. There is nothing doing in this riding but the Muhunoa water-races, and they will be finished to-day. The main road throughout is fairly good. ' v Tokomaru Riding. There is nothing doing in the riding, as there ara only two men employed. I sent up ouv';;wn horse and dray to Shannon, and with the help of the surfaceman the man got the worst holes filled beforo the holidays on tho Poxtou Road. I havs !cft the dray at Shannon and will try to fix up the main road between Shannon and the• Miranui Mill before taking it away. SANDER AND SONS' EUCALYPTI ' Tho unequalled remedy for colds, influenza, chest complaints, headache, neuralgia, indigestion, rheumatism. SANDER'S EXTRACT, the'surest protection from all infections, fever, diphtheria, meningitis. SANDER'S EXTRACT, the great healer of burns, wounds, ulcers, sprains, skin diseases. SANDER'S EXTRACT, proved at the Supreme Court of Victoria to contain antiseptic and healing substances not present in other Eucalyptus preparations, hence its superior and unique curative power. SANDER'S EXTRACT, the only Eucalyptus product prepared exclusively from tho leaves, and refined by special process, is free from the irritating and heart depressing qualities of the common Eucalyptus oils and the > so-called "extracts," and is safe for internal as well as for external use. Insist on the GENUINE SANDER EXTRACT, and derive the benefit of purity, reliability and effectiveness. There is no "just as good."