HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 12 May 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), G. P. Catley, F. J. Ryder, Jas. McLeavey, C. I. Harkness, S. A. Broadbelt, J. E. Whyte, and 3V. J. Bryant. . Correspondence. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: From Palmerston North Hospital Board, enclosing statement of the estimated expenditure for the year ending March, 1920, also of the estimated income for the same year, and the proposed appointment of the estimated expenditure among the contributing authorities. Horowhenua was expected to pay £1340 4s 8d in maintenance for hospital and charitable aid, and a capiexpenditure of £9l I.ls lOd for this year. —Received. From Collingwood County Council suggesting that the Government be approached with a view of opening up the Pupouga coal mine (Golden Bay) _witli a view of alleviating the coal shortage.—Received. | From Foxton Chamber of Commerce, asking eo-operation in preventing sanddrift between Wanganui and Paekakariki. —Decided to support the resolution. Front Minister of Public Works slat- • ing endeavours had been made to ob- j tain- information as to the conditions under which motor lorries and cars could bo obtained for New Zealand on j demobilisation, but the War Office had j declined to supply information. Fur- j ther information would be supplied | later, provided it was available.—Re- ' ceived. I

Prom Stewart Park re Kawiu road extension, suggesting, if the Council intended to do the work, it would be as well io get the necessary resolution passed that steps be taken for the taking of the necessary land. —Decided to pass the necessary resolution.

From Alfred Newman (Wellington), ignoring to contribute up to £25 for noviding a floodgate to the drain run-

niug past his property to the Manawatu river. He trusted the Council would do the necessary work while the river was low.—Received.

. Prom Loughnan and Jacobs relative to widening and deepening a creek through Glassford’s property and connecting with the drain at Koputaroa, and asking that the necessary work be done. —Left to Cr. Broadbelt to deal with.

From J. W. Wallace and Co. (Wellugton), stating there was no delay in forwarding timber to the Council as far as the firm was concerned; it was simply a matter of no boats being available. They asked that some of the extra freight incurred be paid.—No action, the Council also being much inconvenienced iii the delay of the timber. Stock on Roads, The ranger reported impounding 5-3 head of stock during the month. He had summoned two offenders, while two others would be similarly dealt with at the next Levin Court. Cr. llurkness said he recently had occasion to go to To Horo, and seeing stock on the road started to court the number. They wore so numerous, however. that he gave up the task. Cr. Broadbelt said it might have been the herd of 500 head of cattle recently seen on the Tararuas by hit Seed. It was agreed that after May 10th all stock found wandering on the T* Horo roads be impounded. Main Arterial Roads. A letter was read from the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, forwarding the following resolutions:— That the time has arrived when the Government should control - the main arterial roads with a view to the formation of permanent highways; that local bodies be urged to co-operate in the work of putting main arterial roads in permanent condition in respect to the surface and width as to carry with safely the rapidly increasing number of power-driven vehicles. The Chamber asked to be supported in the above The Chairman said the letter was further ahead than any previously received, but still did not go far enough, as allocation was what had to b.e considered. The Horowhenua County was probably worse situated than any other county in the Dominion, and he maintained the resolutions should be supported. The Government, in his opinion, should not control highways —local bodies should do that—but the Government assistance was necessary in borrowing money or raising subsidies. _ Cr. Harkness favoured the Government taking over the main arterial road and making it a memorial road, which" ho thought would solve a big difficulty. The Paekakariki road, he considered,

should be deviated and put round the rock?- ■

It was agreed to sup,port the Chamber in its resolutions. New Zealand Conference. ’ The Wellington Central Chamber of J Commerce forwarded the following resolution:—That now the war is over; . the Chamber resume its practice of callins together representatives of local _ bodies for the purpose of discussing important matters of common intcre«t ; particularly 'hydro-electric development, improvement of Paekjakariki and Kiicutaka roads, improvement of • Paekaknriki and Rimutaka railway inclines. ] closer settlement of rural districts, h!'lago settlement on t-own-plauniig lines, forestry, and motor tax.' It was suggested tho conference be held at Wellington next month, that the Council forward remits, and be- represented at the conference. Three days were suggested for the holding of the eoniw:enee, preferably on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and thus enable 'delegates to get home on the Saturday at latest. Gr. Harkness considered the matter an important one, and pointed out that " the Chamber consisted of some of the

most honest men in Now Zealand whe had been -forced out of ; politics. The move was one that the Council, could help, and he suggested it be represented, also that a committee of the Council meet beforehand and draw up remits. Tin's was agreed to, and the Chairman and Cr. Ryder were apponlcd delegates, while the Chairman, Crs. McLeavey, Ryder, Harkness and the clerk were appointed to draw up remits. ' Mount Hector Track. 11. -L. Beauchamp (Waihoanga) wrote, asking the Council to reconsider its refusal to make a grant for the Mt. Hector track. The undertaking ranked

only second to a work of national importance, inasmuch that it was desired to connect two sides of the island by means of one of the most beautiful walks in the Dominion. The committee was also willing, in the event of a grant of £2O being made, to dedicate • the work and hut as a memorial to fallen solders from the. Horowhenua County. Speaking as a Gorge resident, lie fully realised the good work the Council had always done, and felt sure others also appreciated it. He admitted the bad pieces of road must be maintained in fair order as well as main roads. In conclusion he asked the Council to give the matter its generous consideration. Cr. Ryder said not one man in a year wished to make the trip, but Cr. Catley considered otherwise, and moved that a grant ctf £lO be made.—Carried.

Willows in Streams. The District Engineer of Railways wrote asking the Council’s method of killing willow stumps in beds of streams. Cr. McLeavey: Tell them to dig them up! Or. Ryder suggested that the Department lie written to and state that if the stumps were scorched it would prevent their growth, and finally kill them. Willows, in his opinion, were a curse to rivers. It was decided to leave the matter to the engineer to reply to. Miscellaneous.

The Chairman’s suggestion that rates amounting to £236 15s 2d be written off was agreed to. By doing so it saved a deal of trouble in book-keeping, while it was impossible to collect, a portion of the amount. He pointed out that some time ago £1(500 was written off, and it would therefore bo seen the Council was now not doing badly. „

It. was decided to endeavour to secure a travelling hut for the workmen’s convenience in the To lloro riding.

The matter of selling a small disused gravel pit at Kuku was left to the councillors for the Wirokino riding.

Cr. Ryder suggested that while (he crossing span at Otaki bridge was beingdone, the bridge itself should be overhauled and screwed up.—Agreed to. Cr. Ryder pointed out that the water race at Hr Bevan’s was unsatisfactory, there bing .insufficient water for two races. In his mind there was no more water going down than last year.—No action.

Cr. Broadbelt stated that a deputation had some time ago waited on the Council with a view of having a belt of fern cut down at Upper'Ohau. Nothing had been done, and he had put a man on. —Action confirmed.

Cr. Catley asked'if the engineer had inspected the groyne put in the Otaki river. The engineer replied in the affirmative, and pointed out that the settlers had endeavoured to do too much and had spent £SO in wire. Two small floods had upset the work done, but if the material could be recovered the Council might give assistance, provided the groyne was made smaller. Cr. McLeavey paid a tribute to the road work on Pukchou hill, considering it the best work in the county.

Hr Roos’ tender to widen Ihakara road at £4S was accepted. Attention was drawn by Cr. McLeavey to the fact that the culvert opposite*Mr J. Adam’s (Otaki Railway) had not been attended to, despite the fact that the order for improvement was given a month ago. —To be attended to.

The Chairman reported that a deputation of councillors had waited on Sir Francis Bell and the Minister for Internal Affairs relative to the Hokio stream and Horowhenua Lake, and were simply told to go home and take legal advice. If seemed to him to bo useless to proceed with the work unless the settlers did something to help themx. selves. Cr. Harkness pointed out that Hr Field was willing to join with the settlers to get necessary work done. — Decided to leave the matter to the settiers,

It was resolved that a committee, consisting of the chairman, Crs. Harkness and Law, meet Mr G. K. Douglas in connection with the Koputaroa creek contract, with power to act. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Tho County Engineer (Mr J. Malcolm) submitted the following report:—

Te Horo Riding.

It is in this end of the county that al! the works aie being done this month. The asphalting of the Otaki bridge is done as far as aa possible mins' the widening of the centre has been effected. I regret to say I have not been able to get a carpenter so far. I have one or two friends on the outlook for rue, ?nd I may png in a day or two. Another' shipment of- ihe timber came to "hand during the month, and the balance is'expected next week. However, there is plenty on hand to go bn with on the ground now. The metalling at Te Hero U getting tm slowly. I cot the roads leading To Pukenamu (the. soldiers’ settlement) put in good order, and also the road to the beach. I have also got the Te Boro beach road down to Mr Harkness’ gate metalled wi;h brokpn metal. The men arc- now- engaged scarifying and metalling between the Te Horo and .the top of the hill on the south side of [frillies’ woolshed. I Tho crusher will have to get at least “tine new jaw; in fact, I think it will be better to get two, as it is now impossible

to make .fine metal. I have written about the price of them, and if they ai'c to be got I will know in a day or two. Cr. Catley with myself decided to - accept the tender of Mr J. S. Pole, of. ‘Otaki, for renovating the roadman’s cottage at Te.Horo (Hagan’s). His tender was the lowest and in order. ;" otaki Biding. There is still nothing doing in the r-iding but the main road widening near George Bevan’s, and cutting down the trees round the Manakau cemetery. I

propose to finish the road in about a week; I will then get the pipe culverts laid on the Waitohou flat. I have been unable to get suitable fencing materials for the gravel pit at AVaitdhou. Wirokino Riding. Very little is doing in this riding. In most' places the roads arc fairly good at present, and while dry weather lasts tiiev arc just as well loft alone. I have got a good groyne put in the Ohau- river near the Kimberley road ford. I would have liked to have got another, but could not until I get more netting, and as it is still very expensive I thought of waiting for a month or two. Tokomaru Riding. The main roacl at the north end is very good. The surfaceman has been able to get. a single horse and dray and has filled the pot holes. The Government have started on the , hydro-electric works, but away up beyond our Tokomaru Valiev road. I would much like to'know' their intentions in regard to this road, especially as we are getting out our estimates. It" we have to put on anything it cannot be a very small sum. as the road is in a bad way. However, we must try and find out as soon as possible.