HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 12 March 1919, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL

| MONTHLY MEETING. . Tho ordinary monthly meeting of tho above. Council was held yesterday at Wellington. Present: Crs.-.F. G. Cooper (chairman), W. Galloway, W. J. Howell, M. W. Welch, P. Cavanagh. Correspondence. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: — Prom Public Trustee, -agreeing to the dedication of a road in Whitenian's Valley.—Received. Prom Internal Affairs Department, ' enclosing additional list of societies controlling war funds. Prom Valuation Department, requesting particulars of nunibor of building | permits issued by the Council.—To be j supplied. , Prom District Health Officer, reporting on nuisances'caused by pig-styes at j Xaita. —Decided to take necessary pro-j ceedings to have the nuisance abated, j Prom Ekctahuna County Council, re- | questing to be supported in a resolution j

that tho Crown should pay rates on land in their possession.—Agreed to. From Tauranga Hospital Board, asking to be supported in a resolution for sanitary inspection of Native pas. — Agreed to. Prom Waipa County Council, asking to be supported in a resolution to inaugurate a scheme for bettor permanent roads, and a tax on motor tyres. — Cr. Howell contended that it was the milk traffic that injured the roads, and stated that the Waikauac bridge, with no milk traffic over it, was as good as when put down four years ago, while the Otaki bridge, with much milk traffic, fared badly. To ask the Government to maintain the roads, he said, was all right, but it was not fair to overtax the motor traffic.

Cr. Welch said milkmen paid rates and encouraged an industry, but car owners were generally out for pleasure. He favoured a tax on cars, but tho question was how to fax them. Letter to bo supported.

Prom Ashburton County Council, suggesting the abolition of training camps and the territorial system. Cr. Welch considered the territorial system wa,s a farce, and should be wiped out.—Letter endorsed. From Henry Fasten, complaining of the state of a culvert at Silvcrstroan), which was a great source of danger, especially to children, who had the chance of losing their lives.,—Left to councillor for the riding and inspector. From 0. H. Izard, giving notice to cease carting over a right-of-way at Mungartfa',' otherwise he would take action against the Council,—To be attended to.

From G. Glover, relative to his offer to supply wire and staples for the Wainulomata Hill fence, and stating as lie was selling his place ho wished to withdraw it.—Decided to ask Mr Glover to reconsider his decision.

From Pctone Technical School asking for usual donation of £lo.—Passed for payment. - . '

Reports. 1?. C. Dick (ranger) reported that during the month lie had seized twenty, i head of wandering stock. All cases j heard so far had ended in favour of the Council. j Mr Dick (as sub-inspector) reported that the sanitary arrangements at Plimmerton were bad, while tho roads throughout the county wero breaking up owing to dry weather. The roadman at Rikiorangi desired pipes for'drainage work, and also timber for a bridge at Pakautanui. J. Metzenthin reported he had worked IS} days in January at ni'etal cart- \ ing, and had removed 121 roads of 2 yards each. 41 loads being in the 'wharcroa riding, and SO in the Horokiwi riding. The amount of fuel used was 0 cases of benzine, 33 gallons of oil, and 41b grease. The amount of metal removed during February was 119 loads of 2 yards each for 1-t days 1 work, while 5J cases of benzine wero used. The reports were, adopted. Cr Galloway drew attention to the bad state of the roads in his riding, and said something would have to bo done. At present there was only one man on. tt-e road.—Left to Cr. Galloway to attend to.

The Stone Crusher. The stone crusher was' well discussed, and Sub-Inspector Biek considered it would take six weeks to put it in order, and appeared in a worse condition than the old one. Cr. Howell said he had viewed the crusher with a view to seeing it work--ing. Instead he found it in a terrible state and an absolute disgrace. Pulleys were smashed, belts worn, parts out of truth, riding-elevator upside down, and things generally out "of order. Cr. Welch contended that had the Council adopted'his suggestion in the first place all would have been all right. He considered the Council's machinery an exorbitant expense.

Cr. Whiteman considered it a waste • of time discussing old matters, and advised the Council to leave oft talking . and have the machine repaired. The Chairman favoured expert advice on .both the crusher and engine. Cr. Galloway said the crusher was never suitable—it was too weak to stand the work it was intended for. In his opinion no machine.was any good to the Council unless it could work up to 40 yards a day. Cr. Welch: We should have bought from New Zealand firms, where parts could have been obtainable in the course of a few days. Cr. Whiteman. wishing finality, proposed that Mr Metzenthin be engagedfor four or live weeks to put the machine in order. Seconded by Cr. Howell. Cr. Galloway moved that expert advice be secured on the cost of an over-ha-ul, Seconded by Cr. Cavanagh and carried. Cr. Galloway moved that Mr Metzenthin be appointed in charge of the crashing plant. After brief discussion, , however, it was decided to leave the

appointment in abeyance till\the expert's advice was obtainable. * Day's Bay Troubles. I A deputation from "Day's Bay at- , tended and asked for better lighting . j facilities. \ j The chairman pointed out that both ( electric and acetylene lamps could not | be installed on account of the cost, and suggested kerosene, but the Council would consider the matter. The deputation, while thanking the i Council for work done, asked if all ■ roads would be metalled and channelled.—The Chairman assured the deputa- ! tion tho matter would be properly atj tended to, but not to expect channel- . ling work. Attention was niso drawn to motorI ists breaking the speed limit. —DcI cided to take steps to prevent the re I I currehee of the trouble. ! Councillors generally wore of the opinion something should be done, and I it was decided to get the inspector to : report on the matter of read improve-. i meats, motor speed, etc.. while it was ' decided to make enquiries relative to the price of lamps. ,