HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 10 March 1919, Page 2

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. Thu ordinary, monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Saturday al Levin. Present: Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), G. P. Catley-, F. J. Ityder, Jas. McLeavey, C. I. Harkness, S. A. .broadbelt, J. R. Whyte, E. Law, and and W. J. Bryant.

Correspondence. Correspondence was read and, dealt with as follows: — From State Advances Office, stating £SOO had been remitted for tlio Council for the Kuku-Waikawa water-race loan.—Received. . From N.Z. Railways, reporting that repairs had been effected to the decking of an overhead brindge at Tokoiuaru at a cost of £l6 10s 7d, for which the Council was liable. —Passed for payment.

From the Department of Lands and Survey, stating that a road in Horohemia XI., 841, South Dl, had been closed by-proclamation, and asked who the laud comprised therein was to bo vested, in order that .the necessary; warrant could bo prepared.—Decided to reply that Mary Cecilia Ryder, of Levin, was the person concerned. From the secretary of Wellington Harbour Board, notifying that an cl«c-

tion for two members would be held on April 30th. —Received. From Tuurangu Hospital Board, asking that their resolution for an inspection of Maori pas bo supported.

The Chairman said certainly- it was not much use cleaning up the slums of the towns if the slums of the country wore (o be neglected, but he thought the. Health Department was carrying out its duties. He contended that some European places wore far dirties than some of the pas.

Cr McLeavey said there were a lot of Natives in Tauranga, which may have been the causo of the resolution. Letter treated as received.

From the Ekctahuna County Council, asking for assistance in having the law altered so that when the Crown purchased land for settlement it paid general rates for the period of-its occupation. —To be supported. From H. D. Buchanan, complaining of Ihe Council's workmen damaging about seven chains of his private road fit Waikanao by carting metal over it. In places holes were 2ft deep, and he asked that the road bo put in order. It was stated that the matter had been attended to, but on the suggestion of the chairman it was decided to notify owners when Council's employees had to traverse private lauds. The road in question, however, was not a private one, l>ut was unformed. From A. M. Oldfield (Manakau)

staling she engaged a man to take a strays sheep to the Manakau pund, later it escaped, and she now wished to know if she yrould lose her expenses.—No action taken. Tho Engineer stated that the matter of a pound for Manakau was receiving attention, and that timber was now on Mr Phillips’ land waiting to bo erected.

From B. Scbwass (Tokomaru) apply-, ing for o slaughterhouse license. — Granted, conditionally. From the Otaki Town Board, asking for a grant to the Otaki cemetery.—To be attended to when the estimates are framed. • "t From T. Johuscin, asking if thsro was a road reserve at Tokomaru Valley. If so he desired to apply for the* lease of same, say, for live years.—No action taken. From P.W. Department enclosing copy of proclamation taking land for a road, and also closing a road, through; Block 11., Waitohu S.D.—Received.

Reports. Cr. Rj-dc-r reported that he had seen Mr W. McDonald (Waitohu) and discussed his claim for damages. He had agreed to pay Mr McDonald for the actual damage done to ihe vehicle. — Action endorsed. Cr. Law said he had seen Mr Carter relative to drains in his riding, but did not feel disposed to have the work, a a asked for, done, as it only served Mr Carter’s property.

Noxious Weeds. From N.Z. Flaxmillers ’ Association, asking the Council to declare goats’ rue a noxious weed, and stating it threatened to do ranch damage to swamp lands. ' j, A sagipie of weed was laid on the table. Cr. Law said a few yea--was only to be seen in small patches, now it could be seen on hundreds of acres on this side of the gorge. Ho* also drew attention io the prevalence of ragwort, and asked if anyone knew the noxious weeds inspector, as he would like his attention drawn to a large patch at Shgncon.

The Chairman pointed but that the inspector tad only to look on the footpath as the Council's chambers to see blackberry flourishing, while Cr. McLeavey said at a minute’s walk a fine patch of ragwort could also be seen. "Cr. Ryder considered ragwort one of tne worst of weeds, and thought it advisable io draw the inspector’s notice * to it.

Cr. Harkaces asked if ox-eye "daisy was a noxious weed, and being answered in the affirmative, said the Government farm, at Weraroa was flourishing with it. Cr. Catley said it appeared to him to be o-dyra farce to call any weed a noxious one, and he coaid not under - stand why the inspector was not mors .strict when on hi* rounds. Noxious 'weeds-were very prevalent in his district.

• The Chairman considered the Council’s ranger was partly to blame, as hehad been requested to report on patch-;*? of noxious weeds. He thought the matter should be stirred up and proseentioas insisted upon. Cr. Harkncss asked if Government lands were exempt from prosecution. The Chairman sajd such land* ihotud be reported, and tbatf. if the Govern-

incut Department failed to take action to eradicate tlie. weeds', then ask the member for the district to take up the matter. After further discussion it was. decided to take the necessary steps to declare goats' rue a noxious weed. Military Camps. From Ashburton County Council, asking to be supported in a resolution to abolish training camps, which it considered unnecessary and burdensome, also that the territorial system he abolished, and that the Government be urged to use every means to bring returned soldiers linen to cix i 1 liic. The Chairman said his opinion was that the territorial system should be encouraged. Ho considered it one of the best of tilings, but thought it should bo carried' even further, and lads of 18 years be given six months of military training at one period instead of attending camps for brief intervals. . Cr. Ilarkness agreed, and considered it the country’s duty to prepare for eventualities, and thought the Minister of Defence should be acquainted with the Council’s decision. This, however, was considered unnecessary by councillors generally, and it was decided to treat the lcttei as received.

The Ranger. The ranger (G. lVatson) reported that all roads were free of wandering sUck. Cr. Galley wanted to know how the ranger arrived at that conclusion. Cr. Whyte also took exception to the report and stated that in his riding several accidents had occurred through stock being on the road at nights. Cr. Bryant said stock was also prevalent on the roads in his riding, while Cr. Catlcv spoke in a similar strain. Cr. Ryder thought the ranger should be more drastic, and if lie failed in his duties a fresh appointment should lie made. Cr. Broadbclt said, as far as his riding was concerned, he was perfectly satisfied with the ranger. It was decided that all stock found wandering in the Otaki Riding bo impounded from March 15th; that, the ranger’s attention be drawn to the number of horses and cattle grazing on the Tokomaru roads, and that he be urged to give the matter closer attention; and that the ranger’s report be referred back to him, Ihe Council being of the opinion that more attention should be paid at night to wandering stock, and that drastic action bejaken against those who offended more than oucc.

Deputation, , From secretary of Levin Dairy Co., asking for improvements to tho Arapaopae road by making an easier grade over a hill near Ohau. A deputation attended in support, and urged the Council to take action to put the road in better order. The road was dangerous, the bridge was unsafe, while the river was thrafening to do serious damage to the road. lho deputation though instead of progressing tho district was going back; more rates were paid and less attention given to the roads. Tho Engineer said, timber for repairs to the bridge was not obtainable at present; but once to hand it would bo attended-to. Cr. McLcavey spoke in support of the deputation, and urged' that • the work asked for should be done. He suggested that an estimate bo given by the engineer os to the cost of imploring the hill. Cr. Darkness agreed, and thought tho criavnnee seemed a genuine one. If the bridge was as stated it should have immediate attention. Cr. Ryder urged that if a groyne was necessary no time be lost, as the ri\ cr

■was low. The Engineer said drays were the trouble, but members of the deputation offered horses and drays to do necessary vrork. ' " Air Eolston said he had had his holding for 31 years, and although within a short distance of Levin he was still in the back-blocks. Decided that the bridges be attended to at once, and an estimate gi\en by the engineer of cost of other work considered necessary. Horowhenua Lake. The committee appointed to report on the Horowhcnua Lake agreed tiro onlv.tw— • _

. l 0 uo was to commence at the saddle and drag the stream clear, of weeds, and recommended that the upper eel weir at the saddle be removed and that as much lowering be done as possible by excavation for about four chains at the saddle. The cost was estimated at £i>s.—Decided that the* report be adopted, the settlers to find £SO. the work to be undertaken when the money was deposited with the county treasurer.

Miscellaneous. Cr. Broadbelt drew attention to willows growing in-the Koputoroastream, and thought settlers interested should be requested to remove them. —Decided to serve notice on the settlers to remov? all obstructions. An application from Mr Jepson to remove a -gate from one place to another on the Otaki Gorge road was granted, conditionally. It was reported that a , flaw in the road roller had given way, _ and that much delay would be occasioned and inconvenience caused, pending repairs. Left to the chairman and engineer to have the injury, attended to as expeditiously as possible. Cr. Kyder.ldrcw attention to , trees that had be&wfelifijl at tJxc cemetery, and? asked they be 1- ''- avrav for flievtdad. If this was done Mr E. Bcvan would plant ornamenia trees in their place.—Agreed to, an offer accepted with thanks. Cr. Byder took the engineer to task for certain work on the Pukchou Ml and considered the whole stretch should have been done thoroughly; further, that whe-n large works were being undertaken .councillors should first bo consulted.

Cr. Ca.tley, said it appeared to him that councillors met simply to pass accounts incurred by the engineer. The Chairman said tho engineer had acted on reports adopted by councillors, and was therefore in tho right. Cr. Harkness thought it a mistake to tie the engineer’s hands in case ol emergency, and thought the Council should place confidence in employees when it knew them to be,good. Cr. Law objected to tho engineer doing a £SB job in the Tokomaru riding without first consulting the councillors for the riding, and ho also objected to tlio engineer letting a contract in a similar way. In future he hoped councillors would be consulted before work was put in hand. Cr. Whyte asked if tho . engineer could arrange for the point on the Tokomaru-Palmerston road to be removed. He understood mills would soon bo closing down and labour would be available.—The engineer promised to attend to the matter.

Resolutions. Law- Whyte: That the Council consents to the revocation of tlio Order-in-Council vesting certain sections in the Shannon borough. Broadbelt-McLcavey: That the seal of the Council be affixed to a transfer from ‘R. C. S. McKenzie to the Council in respect of land taken for the Hautcrc road deviation, and that Cr. Catlev, with the chairman and clerk, bo authorised to sign the memorandum of transfer. Whytc-Law: That the tender of A. Roos for widening seven chains of road at the northern end of Iliakara reserve for £SS 10s be accepted. Catley-Monk: That a return be laid on the table at the next meeting showing the quantity of metal put upon the Hautcro road by Sir Winter, less tho amount put .on the Hautcro deviation. Accounts. Accounts amounting to £l2-17 Ss Sd were passed for payment. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The County Engineer (Mr J. Malcolm) submitted the following report:— Te Horo Riding.

The progress of the works in this ruling has been rather disappointing—to me at least. I expected tho section of the main road in hand for widening to be completed, but it will take a few days yet.

Wc very unfortunately had a bad smash up .with our roller. A large piece of the main spur wheel dropped out, and with it- two teeth. No one here was in any way to blame.

I put tlio machine in the hands of Niven and .Co. at once. They sent a man down on Tuesday, who helped our driver to dismantle it. I had a conversation with the firm’s manager yesterday, but at that time lie could not

tell me what was best to be doue. They had applied to the New Zealand agents, Andcrsons, Ltd., of Christchurch, for a spare one, and if they have got that it will bo all right; but if they have to cast one it will bo all wrong, as it. will take at least six weeks to get it. They arc all made of east steel, and it takes a month to anneal it after they arc cast. Imu much afarid this accident will upset all my plans. The man from Wanganui was coming on Monday to start the asphalting of. the bridges, and I had intended starting the scarifying of the main road between Te Horo and Otaki bridge. None of these job* can be done without the roller. I inspected tho Katihiku drain on the 2-tth ultimo, and personally I am satisfied with it. I was over it from end to end. One or two of the Pahiko settlers had not started cleaning their

drains. "When I was down I interviewed one; the other I wrote to urging him to gct.it done at once. lam not sure if they arc finished yet, as I have not been able to get down. Otaki Biding. In the southern end of this riding we are doing good work, in several places widening the main road. If wo can keep at it another month wc will have done the worst of it. The supplementary water supply at North Manakuu has been practically at a standstill for at least a fortnight, for the want of pipes.to enable ns to i get the deep places filled. Thev »» very near all o« . --- uic ground now, and the balance is promised early next week. I am not sure that wc arc going to get the full use of the water until wc get a heavy rainfall. The ground is so* porous, it seems to be almost impossible to satisfy it. I have not seen it for about a week, and it may be better now. The Railway Department promises the culvert for the other water-race , earlv next week.

Wirokino Biding. The only work doing in the riding ' at present is cleaning drains. I am trying to get them all done now when the weather is suitable. - When they 1 arc done I propose widening pieces of -the road through Ikahara reserve. I managed to get a horse team to j cart metal to patch up the worst holes * in the main roads in the riding; but j I regret to say the roads are now goiEg : to pieces for the want of rain. ' In re Hokio stream, I expect, visiting i councillors will report. 1 Tokomaru Biding. I visited some of the district roads in this riding during the month, and had intended to see them all but for the breakdown of my car. I will, however. I try to see them all early in the ensuing : month. Those that- I visited are all fairly good, with the exception of part of the Kara road—that requires about ten loads of metal. I inspected Mr Liggins’ grievance on Pretoria road with Cr. Law a few davs ago, and have put the necessary .works in hand to give him relief.-