HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 11 July 1919, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of th above Council was held at Wellingto yesterday. Present: Crs. F. G. Coopt (chairman), AV. Galloway, TV. J. Howel M. IV. Welch, J. Whiteman, and I Cavanagh, Correspondence. Correspondence was read and deal with as follows:

From G. E. Hooper, asking for improved road formation at his place (Upper Hutt).—Left to the inspector to report ion.

From Jas. McDougall, asking to be

allowed to put in an approach at hi 3 property (Sil verstream). wLeft to inspector.

From C. W. Neilsen, complaining of gorse impeding traffic at Day's Bay, and expressing a hope that tho Council would take action—Referred to noxious weeds inspector.

From Ecich, Bolton, and Pearson, offering to- assist in road improvement at Belmont.—-Work to bo done as soon as carters wore available.

From Wellington Automobile Club, forwarding plan of proposed road from Wellington to Paekaltariki.—As there was no accompanying letter the matter was treated as received.

From Mangahao Hydro - electric League, forwarding report on the past year's working.—Received. From H. P. Hanify, forwarding tracing of proposed new road for J. A. Dunn at Silverstream.—Referred to inspector. *

From same, forwarding plans of Troup and Moore's subdivision at Plimmerton.—Ecceived.

From Trade Commissioner, thanking the Council for statistical information, and giving the number of motor cars and cycles registered in tho chief centres of the Dominion. —Received.

From Health Department, enclosing circular relative to the influenza out-

break.—As it was of a bulky nature the circular was laid on tho table, .to bo perused by councillors if desired. From Internal Affairs re peace celebrations, stating that the 19th inst. had been set apart for jubilation, and adding that where the consumption of coal was involved there would bo no illuminations.

Cr. Howell made application for a grant of £5 for tho Paekakariki school, whilo Cr. Cavanagh applied for a similar amount, for Wainui school. —Decided to make the grants, but Cr. Cavanagh's application for a grant for a private school at Day’s Bay was not entertained.

From Mines Department, stating that undue risk was being taken by quarrymen at Day’s Bay, and pointed out that the Act would havo to be strictly followed.—The Council decided to take every precaution in future and to see that the Act was adhered to. From the Hon. T. M. AVilford, stating a report would be made on Stokes' Valley bridgo and proposed road deviation, and forwarded to the Council.—Decided to endeavour to expedite matters. Cr. Welsh suggested that the assistance of the Automobile Association be also secured, but this was deemed unnecessary. From Wellington City Council re Hutt road deviation, and stating the estimated «ost for 1919-20 was £4OOO. — Received. From Wellington Hospital Board.' stating its intention to withdraw contingent estimates. —Received. Counties Conference." From N.Z. Counties Association, stating the conference of local bodies would be held on September 3rd, and inviting remits, same to be made as concise as possible.—As Cr. Welch had been previously appointed delegate it was decided to leave the matter in his hands. A Plimmerton Complaint. From Plimmerton Ratepayers’ Association, drawing attention to the disgraceful state of the Plimmerton beach, at a place where rubbish had been deposited.. It was pointed out that glass was among the debris, and therefore dangerous, especially to children. A hope was expressed that the Council would take action. Cr. Galloway pointed out that the Council had a man who was paid to look after the beach, but the inspector (IV. Randall, who was present) said the locality was a dump before he was appointed, and further that there was no by-law empowering him to take action.

The Chairman thought the CouncH was empowered, under the Marine Act, to take necessary action, and failing this thought a by-law dealing with the ; matter should be passed. Cr. Galloway moved that a by-law be passed to meet the case and similar cases that might arise on other parts of the bea.ch. This was agreed to, while it was considered some action should be taken in the meantime. Cr. Howell thought if notices were putrup it might have the desired effect, and if they did not the Council should take action. He strongly maintained that the foreshores should be kept clean and 'instanced how two very nasty accidents had occurred through glass and wire being carelessly thrown on the beach. In tho former case a little girl had her foot almost severed, while in tho latter a lady was thrown from her horse and injured. It was decided to take steps to have the debris removed. Ccllan’s Valley Road.

G. Burdon waited on the Council and pointed out that owing to the dangerous nature of Gollsn’s Valley road he ■was prepared to assist in fencing cer tain parts by supplying posts. The Chairman asked was it reasonable that the Council should go to a deal of expense for one land owner, and pointed out that rates collected were not sufficient to keep even the toad in

order. Mr Burdon pointed out that the expanse would not be great, and on the motion of Cr v -Cavanagh, seconded by Cr. Galloway, it was decided to supply

wire, staples, and labour for the work. Epidemic Hospital. Mr F. T. Moore, chairman of the Johnsonvjlle Town Board, waited on the Council, and asked assistance to e wipe off a deficit on the temporary epin demic hospital. He pointed out that r the Government had declined to meet 1, all the expense, and in consequence there was a debt of £3O, £lO of which ■ would be paid by his Board, while he ' had no doubt but that the Makara t j Council would give £lO, and hoped the Hutt Council would give a similar . amount. A deal of the expense incurred , had been due to Plimmerton residents, . who resided in the Hutt County. Mr Moore also pointed out that a nurse had died, after rendering excellent service, and as she was really forced into tho position to enable the district to have a hospital, he felt something should be done by the erection of a suitable monument. Cr. Galloway said he did not know of one patient who had gone to the hospital from his riding, and he thought under the circumstances the expense should be borne by the Council as a whole. After discussion, however, Cr. Galloway offered to contribute £lO from his riding.

Inspector’s iicpori. Inspector Cudby said he endorsed the epinion frequently expressed by people in general that it would be safer to have all hillside roads like Paekakariki fenced, but would admit that to fence the latter road would require 34 to 4 tons of wire, whilo tho erection would bo a big undertaking on account of numerous acute angles. In places the road was so narrow and tho sides so precipitous that it would be almost impossible to fence them, but he thought the Council would be justified in supplying a portion of the wire, settlers interested also to supply some. He recommended that the small bridge at the southern approach to the old Akatarawa bridgo bn demolished and traffic diverted.- The fencing at AYainuiomata was now in hand, and the roa.d in good order. A few days’ grading had also been done at AVhiteman’s A'alley and Mungaroa, while the motor lorry had been in use at AVhareroa, pending repairs to the engine. Referring to the race traffic the inspector reported that, so far, everything had gono on without ' a hitch.

Cr. AVelch thought it advisable to use the grader on the Trentham road, and rako in the gravel that had been thrown off by the race traffic, and the inspector promised to attend to the matter as soon as the races were over. In answer to Cr. AVelch, tho Chairman said he hoped the engine, which was undergoing repairs, would be ready withiu a week. A new radiator had to be procured at a cost of £45, and when put in the plant would bo complete. Cr. Galloway asked why the motor lorry was taken from Pahautanui, and was told by tho inspector that it was of more use in the AVhareroa riding, where there were no carts available. Cr. Galloway also took the inspector to task for the. manner in which time was wasted in carting pipes, and the inspector replied that as he did not know when the pipes were due he could not keep tho lorry waiting. Cr Galloway said it appeared to him that the AVhareroa Riding could get the lorry at any time, which caused Cr. Howell to remark that he had made no application to the inspector and that all he had said concerning the lorry, had been said at the Council table. Tho report was adopted.

Tim Ranger. The ranger (E. C. Dick) reported that during June he had seized 32 head of stock, and had also been busy collecting dog-tax. Cr. Galloway asked the ranger if it was true that he (Dick) made a demand on him for dog-tax. The ranger replied that he had done so, and was told by Cr. Galloway that he had no dogs, but that they were his sons’. Dick said he saw the sons, who said the dogs belonged to their father. Cr. Galloway said he first approached the ranger in the matter, and contended that Dick had gone in a round-about manner about his business. It was his intention to fight the matter out. Motor Driver’s Report.

The motor driver’s report was Considered satisfactory, but it was argued that instructions should come from the Council as to where the lorry should work. It was agreed, however, that instructions should come from the inspector, who should not be interfered with in his duties. If each councillor was going to dictate the inspector would, said the Chairman, fail to know where he was.

Cr. Howell said the inspector was not being given a fair chance to do good work.

Mr Metzenthin pointed out that a second brake was necessary on the engine, and considered if hs was to take charge of the plant his wages should be increased.

The Chairman agreed the extra brake was necessary, and thought it might be the means of saving the engine as well as the man’s life. The increase of wages rested with the representatives of the Horokiwi and Whareioa Hidings.—Decided that Crs. Galloway and Hewell confer and report at next meeting. In the meantime it was agreed to have as extra brake affixed to the engine. Paekakariki Hill. Cr. Howell said he had been told that several Government men were working on the Paekakariki Hill, but no one seemed to know anything definite. The Chairman remarked that if the statement was true the- action was a wrong , one, as the Council rhould have been j consulted. j Hutt Road. ! The Chairman reported that he had attended the conference in connection with the Hurt Road, and he-was pleased to say the estimate for the work was lower this year by £257. He had made representation to have the Wainui tunnel completed, and had reason to beliqvo his application would bear fruit. , Estimates of receipts and expeadi-

tirre for 1919-20 were tabled. ■ ' Accounts amounting., ric.£7iifi 19$. JM were passed for payment.