HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 11 April 1919, Page 4

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

j. ' MONTHLY MEETING. Tiio ordinary montlily meeting of tlio j above Council was held yesterday at Wellington. Present: Ci's. F. G. Cooper (chairman), W. Galloway, M. W. Welch, Jr Whiteman, and P. Cavanagh. J Correspondence. Correspondence was read and dealt' with as follows: — From Agricultural Department, calling attention to the spread of spiderwort in tho county, and asked that, in future it be declared a noxious weed. : —No councillor knew what spiderwort was, and it was decided to ascertain the nature of tho plant. The Chairman considered tho Department should .first pay attention to gorso before declaring other noxious weeds.

From Railway Department, complaining of Mr Leighton Short interfering with the water supply at Paekakariki, and asked tke Council to attend to the matter. _

Mr Dick said he had viewed the locality and found the complaint, well grounded: The Chairman contended action should be taken against Short if be broke the road. Ho had no right to interfere with the water, which belonged to the railway,..which body had allowed the Council to take some for the use of a fountain. —Proceedings to be taken.

From Railway Department, complaining of Counoil’s pipes beiug out of order, and hence causing a waste of water. —Attended to.

From Public Health Department, thanking all who assisted during the recent epidemic.—Received. The Chairman gave a to a report circulated by Cr. McKenzie in a paper that ’influenza had again broken out in the Hutt district. He though the statement derogatory to the district.

From Msuuiwatu County Council, rc purchase of motor lorries,' and suggesting that councils combine and make representation to the Government to secure a number, which had been used for war purposes, from the British Government.

Cr. Welch said lie understood the Harbour Board was already moving in tho matter.—No action taken.

From Mrs Maguire, complaining of sheep grazing on the roads at Plimmorton and damaging her trees. —Referred to the ranger. From Mrs E. R. Hadfield (Paraparaumu) asking permission to erect a fence and stone over a grave, and also desiring to purchase an adjoining plot.— Referred to tho cemetery trustees, who it was considered appeared dilatory over the matter. From Raumati Estate re unformed portion of Matai Road at-Parnparaumu, and asking that it be linished.—Held over till next meeting. From Cromb, Wilton and Reid, relative to road from Drewitt’s property at Paraparaumu to the Maugakotukutuku stream and the game farm, asking that it be improved. The roadway was wife need in places, and owners should be forced to fence; water tables sbonld be cleaned and deepened; the groynes were not a success, especially the lower one, and the stream if left would allow damage to be done to adjoining properties; and the beach road also needed attention. —Held over fill next meeting. The inspector said the fencing of the roads should be attended to, wliil* the groynes were to be altered and the creek turned into the old bed. The water channels were also being attended to. From R. S. Kent, re subdivision of, section 2~>. Ames Street, Paekakariki,' stating the Council’s by-laws would be, attended to when tlie sub-division was put into effect.—Necessary consent given as long as by-laws were adhered to.

Finances. The overdraft was reported to be £4-196 Is Sd7, while accounts amounting to £IIOS 3s Od were passed for payment. Inspector’s Report. Mr Cndby (inspector) reported that? he had ordered timber for bridge work at, Paraparaumu, one near the cheese factory and the other at Mackay’s crossing. Gardner's road in Horokiwi had been repaired, while it had been decided to put in additional pipe culverts on the portion metalled, also to Teplace an old wooden culvert on Piihautaunui-Plimmerton road near Mr Jas. .Gray’s. Several changes had occurred in the Council’s staff, and T. Auekram, who had ably filled the position us roadman for many years, had been compelled to resign on account of failing health. The motor lorry was at present at Silverstream. - All road* were in fair order. Mr Dick (sub-inspector) reported that the Paremata road needed metalling, and complained of gorse being allowed to spread in certain parts of the county. Since the last meeting three roadmen had be-cn pur on the Whiteman’s Valley road and one on Moonshine and Paremata. The Normnndale road had been metalled and put in good order, and a part of the Belmont road and York Bay road had been improved. Reported Nuisance,

The Chairman reported that he had investigated a nuisance at Silverstream. and the fanlt lay with the person who made the complaint.. If the drain wa» cleaned there would be no. blockage of the culvert.

Council's Machinery. The Chairman reported that he had I engaged a machinery expert, who had 1 inspected the machinery, and added that it would be dealt with in commit-

i toe. Cr. Galloway objected, and said it should come up in open Council,- which was agreed to. The report showed the crashing plant in a very bad state; the tractor was in an unsatisfactory condition, and if not overhauled there would doubtless be a breakdown. Other parts needed renewing. The engine also needed attention, while the elevator, ' now in bad order, could be "repaired. The Atis-

tin plant was in a bad condition and the wheels liable to collapse,, Tho ; machine aid not warrant a new-set of wheels. If repairs were carried out the crusher would prove a serviceable machine. The whole cost of. Tepairs would be over £IOO, without the cost of wheels to the Austin crusher.

Cr. Welch said it'would cost £O3 to put .the engine in order, -and he asked v.-ould they guarantee the work for that. If not.it would be just as well to ‘ ‘ scrap ’ ’ it* When the Council purchased it they were led to believo-tlie engine was to be a stationary one — purely and simply a field engine. The Council had carted it over the country, and it was only to bo expected it would break down. It was the Council’s own fault. There was a good life for it yet if the engine -was made a stationary one. If the crusher at his place was fixed up it would be all right, and £l7 spent on it should be sufficient to make it serviceable.

Cr. Galloway said tke report showed it was no good taking notice of laymen, who advised the Council to-scrap it. What did farmers know about crushers? Even Cr. Howell said it would- be impossible to repair it. Cr. Welch conteuued if expert advice had been secured before ill-feelmg would not have eventuated between members. He regretted ill-feeling still remained over the matter.

The .Chairman said they had the expert’s report, and the thing now was the Council going to keep the plant and use it? '

Or. Galloway moved the terms be accepted and the repairs be effected by NiVc-n and Co. at their estimate.

The Chairman emphasised the fact that if-more, machinery was. to be secured it should be new. He had seen enough of .second-hand macliineiy. Cr. Cavanagh seconded the motion, .which was-canied. Cr. Galloway suggested that a 0 or 7-h.p. engine be secured for utc in the Horokiwi and Wharcroa Riding-:. It was decided to hold this matter over till a future date. Miscellaneous Matters. Cr. Galloway pointed out that the culvert near the post office at I-aUauta-iiui was dangerous, it having a wooden top which was rotten. He advised the inspector to have a look at it. To bo attended to. The Chairman said there were many small wooden culverts in his riding which needed renewing, and one bridge was in a very bad state. Cr. Galloway said a culvert at Nicoll’s showed signs of subsiding and should bo attended to. He pointed out that the roadmen were carting one pipe a day, which made tho cost about £6 for each pipe being inserted in position. .Such pipes, he maintained, should be sent out ou a motor lorry. -

The Chairman said he did not believe in buying pipes singly, and suggested a large stock of pipes be secured. At present the Council -was not buying wisely. By buying in largo quantities .the pipes would cost about half of their present cost. Speaking of the gorse on Mills’ estate he moved that a letter be sent to the Department to have the gorse removed. The Council had no power to act except through the Department and he moved the necessary steps be taken. Cr. Galloway thought it advisable to write to the Minister of Agriculture and ask that it be removed. Other councillors agreed. The Chairman said he had a patch five yards square and had received instructions to remove it, yet ou the opposite side of the road there were large areas of which uo notice was taken. Decided to ask the Minister to take immediate steps to have the gorse removed.

iThc Chairman, in mentioning the matter of overhanging trees, considered that action should be taken to have them removed. —Agreed-to. .

The ranger’s report was considered satisfactory, . Gome twenty head of stock had been impounded, while several offending owners had been fined.

The motor lorry driver’s report fated.that he had carted 336 yards on ■j cases benzine. Benzine, however, lad.b.een stolen.

The matter of purchasing a motor car 'or the inspector, suggested by Cr. lavanagh, was deferred till next meet»g-