HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 14 April 1919, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary; monthly, meeting of the above Council was held at Levin on Saturday. Present: Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), a. P. Catley, P. J. Ryder, Jas. MeLeavey, .C. I. Harkness, S. A. Broadbclt, J. R.' Whyte, E. Law, and and W. J. Bryant. Correspondence was road and dealt with as follows: — A "Clean Up." \ Prom Minister of Public Health suggesting a '.'clean-up" week. " The clerk pointed out that the letter referred chiefly to boroughs and town boards. v The Chairman agreed, but thought, if necessary, something could be done at ■ such places as Manakau and Waikanae. Cr. Law took exception to 'county roads being made a dumping ground, ! and in his riding the roads were made I a disgrace and an eyesore. It appeared ! to him that a lot of the stuff came I from tho Shannon borough.—Decided | to take no steps to "clean-up," but, j if the nuisance continued, to take steps.) to prevent roads being made a dumping ) ground. |

Metal Lorries. From Manawatu County Council, relative to the hanlagc of metal; and suggesting, now <.that the war was over, that application be made to the British Government for some of the lorries used in France. Cr. Monk said it seemed to him the British Government would distribute the lorries after being overhauled by the manufacturers, an idea that seenjed to him to be a good one.—Letter received. / A. N.Z. Governor Wanted. From" Hastings Borough Council, suggesting that it be supported in a resolution that the people of New Zealand elect their own Governor.—No action taken, Cr. Monk being of the opinion that if General Eusscll was what ho believed he was he would want to take a more active interest in the affairs of the Dominion than as Governor. Horowhenua Lake. From Wilford, Levi 'and Jackson, acting for Hanita, Henare, pointing out the limitation of the Council's powers in dealing witfc the Horowhenua Lake, and stating any attempt to interfere with the stream in the direction indicated would bo met with an action for injunction to stop the work. —The Chairman said the Council would go on with the work if an indemnity was secured from the settlers. Personally, he considered the wort would be beneficial and would in no way effect the fishing rights. It was preposterous to think two eel weirs were to be left there to .the detriment of thousands of acres of the best land.

Cr. MeLeavey said Sir Francis Bell considered the lake wanted lowering, and he suggested he be waited on in the matter. If he (Cr. MeLeavey) was a settler he would give no indemnity. Cr. Monk said they could not go past the Native Minister to Sir Francis, but thought ho could be asked to join a deputation to the Minister. Cr. Ryder was in favour of risking the work.

Cr. Monk said not one iota of damago would be done the Natives, while settlers had much to gain. It was a case of "dog in the manger" attitude with the Natives. Cr. Harkness said it seemed to him a deliberate attempt to stop good work, and he thought the matter should be proceeded with.

Cr. Ryder: The matter is monstrous. Why study tho Natives. Go on with the work and let them sue for damages. Cr. Catley moved the work of putting the Hokio stream in a satisfactory position be done if an indemnity was forthcoming.—Seconded by Cr. Law. Cr. Ryder: If the settlers won't sign the indemnity they have no pluck.

Cr. Harkness: Wc are here in the interests of the ratepayers—wc aTe their representatives, and should do our best for them. Motion carried.

It was further decided that the members of the Wirokino Kiding be given authority to deal with the tenders re Hokio stream when the minutes re deposit of £SO and letter of indemnitywere complied with.

Mount Hector Track. From secretary Mount Hector Tract Committee., applying for a grant to improve the track to Table Top. The Chairman pointed out the road leading to the Gorge was a costly one, and if the Council kept it open it would be doing its share. Cr. Catley favoured a small grant from general funds, and moved a grant of £lO be made from the Council as a whole.—Lapsed for want of a seconder. / Otaki Library. Prom J. E. Ingram, librarian (Otaki), asking to be favoured with the usual grant. Owing to the epidemic funds ,had fallen off, and a grant would be welcome. The Chairman said the fee from the Manakau billiard saloon had always been given, but lately no fee had been ! forthcoming from that quarter.—ln consequence of this it was decided to make no grant. A Waikanae Matter. - From L. H. Greenaway (TVaikanae) complaining of rates imposed on him for works carried put from which he derived no benefit. He asked that his section be struck off the separate rating area, and payments he had made refunded.. If the works were of reasonhim he would raise no objection to*psying rates. T&s Chairman said the lane! was inclu'led for river protection, aid according to the Act if once included it could not be taken out. The matter, he added, may be removed by Act of ment.—~STo action beyond referring Mr Greenaway to' the Act. Workers' Homes.' , Prom Manawatu County Council atat-

ing at its last meeting it had decid to approach other councils relative workers' homes with a view of getti: legislation enabling councils to be row money from the Advances Offic for the purpose of building homes.To be supported. From Arnold A. Butt and L. Re wick' (Hautere) stating they had bei instructed by their landlords to r

move their places of residence. So far they were, unable to find other quarters, and therefore asked that the Council consider tho question of building roadmen's cottages. From A. J. Hagan (Te Horo) asking to (have the roadman's cottage repaired, as nothing had been done for 18 years. The place was in a bad state, and should be attended to before the winter set in.

Cr. Monk agreed something should be done regarding roadmen's cottages, while Cr. Catley said it was a coincidence that tho Manawatu Council and the roadmen had all written at the same time. The Council, he considered, was not in a position to build houses at once, but it was a matter, he contended, that would have to be faced. Referring to Mr Hagan's house, he said he was surprised to hear it was in such a bad state.

The clerk pointed out that the rent, was .only 3s per week, and included the j use of three acres of land. I

The engineer .said the building was in a very bad state, it was unlined, the oven was burned through and was useless, and repairs were necessary inside and outside the house.

The Chairman suggested the rent be raised to 5s a week, which was agreed to. Reverting to,the workers' homes he said the Council could not undertake to do buildings within twelve months, and if they could secure an alteration in the Act it would be a goSd thing. Cr. Catley said the Council had power to build houses, but the trouble was to get the money and suitable sites; Several acres of fairly good land was needed.

It was decided to investigate the position relative to Butt and Renwick, and to obtain an estimate of cost of doing repairs to Hagan's house. The councillors for the riding were empowered to deal with the matter. >

Drainage Matters.

From C. H. Spiers (Shannon) asking for drain improvement. A. K. Newman made a similar ftquest.-Referred to the councillors for the riding and engineer with power to act. From W. Bock (Foxton) re drain and floodgate„betwecn his property and Dr. Newman's, pointing out that repairs were needed. He was willing to contribute £SO towards the cost. The Chairman pointed out that while Bock offered a donation the other, though equally interested, refused to give anything.—Referred to tho councillors for the riding and engineer, with ' power to act. j From Alfred Seifert, E. M. Tremewan and W. Galloway, asking for a dram ito bo widened near Kara creek, and thus prevent water overflowing and damaging valuable land. Cr. Law considered the matter a private one, and that the writers were trying to impose on the Council by way of getting their properties improved. Left to the councillors for the riding and engineer, with power to act. From E- L. Tippler (Shannon) also drawing attention to the bad state of a drain near his propeAy. It was over- ! crown with weeds and caused water to i Overflow.—Referred to the councillors i for the riding, with power to act.

A Disagreement. • J The roads foreman (Darrell) put in a complaint, pointing out that the men in his charge had had too free a hand in the past, ana now reseated a "boss." One man was insolent, made accusations that were incorrect, and refused to work. He now recommended his'discharge. Or. Monk said if the men refused to work under'their foreman they would J have to relinquish their positions, as it was no gepa having men who wanted to run the snow.—Decided to support Darrell in his actions, also that all roadmen be instructed to work till 3 p.m. on Saturdays, except pay days. | when they will cease woTk at 1 p.m. Pinances. The following rates have been collected for the year 191S-19:-Toko-maru Riding: First half, 5269 S Ss 73; second half, £2244 7s lOd Wirokino £IOOS lis 9d and £5806 12s Sd; Otaki and Tc Horo, £ll7l 7s M andLMBIB 3s 2d; arrears, £SS9 Ss Sd and £44 18s i Id; total, £18,372 18s 2d. Ba.tos out- , standing: Tokomaru, £72 lis 3d; TVrrol££«rt Os 103; Otaki, £l2B 10s; Te Horo, £l2B 5s 3d; total, £605 7s 4d. Accounts amounting to £I4BO Is 9d were passed for payment. Miscellaneous. , . From H. McLaggan (Tokomaru) offcrin- to put a two-horse team on the road to do all carting on .the Tokomaru end of the county, either by day. or contract, or both if circumstances re r quired, provided he was kept m constant Work.-Ref«rcd to the councillors for the riding with power to act From TV. McDonald (Waitohu) ask-, Ins that the amount of his claim (£3 15s), passed to him, be paid.-Demded to pay the-amount forthwith. "Prom Department of Internal Affairs, stating the date of the town planning conference had been altered to 19-24tk May.—Received. From "Under-Secretary, stating that the Minister was prepared to authorise | £4OO (£ for £) for the TVaikawa Beach I road, immediately plans, etc., were approved of.—Referred to the councillors for the riding and engineer to consider j when estimates drawn up. From Minister of Public Health, I thanking all who helped during the re- : cent epidemic—Received.

Cr. Ryder asked that an extra pipe be inserted near Mr J- Adams' (Otaki Eailwav), and that metal to be used in ■ his riding be screened.—Agreed to. 4n account owing to Major Adding: ton in connection with the overhead ,' bridge at Te Horo is to be paid nest -month* v. ~--. " - . ',

, The rangeriTeported impounding-SS head of stock during the month, while ho stated his intention to;.summon two, offenders. [ Cr. Harkness considered that tho I Council should'have tho collecting of I the Native dog tax, but the chairman ■ cut the remarks, short by stating it j would be just as easy to chop out Mt. ] Egmont as to; move the Native Ministor. \ Resolutions. Broadbelt—Law.—That the tender o"f A. Roos be aceptcd for removing Bft of. cutting at the Ihakara recerve at £-16 12s. S Monk—Law.—That the county offices be closed from the ISth to the 23rd April inclusive, for" the Easter holidays.