HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

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

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

j MONTHLY MEETING. 1 The monthly meeting of the above 1 Council was held at. Levin on Saturday. ; Present: Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), S. A. Broadbelt, J. R. Whyte, F. J. Ryder, C. I. Harkncss, W. J. Bryant, J. McLcavey, and F. Coley. An apology for absence was received from Cr. H. Barber, i Correspondence. \ Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: I. From Assistant General Manager of the Wellington Municipal Milk Depot, stating his department was laying a 2in galvanised pipe from the Rahui Dairy Factory to the Otaki river, and asking permission to carry it over the traffic bridge in the same was as tho Otaki Dairy Company.—Permission granted, subject to tho approval of the engineer, ; the pipe to bo taken on the opposite j side to the Otaki Co.’s pipe. ' From W. 11. Field, M.P., asking to i lie furnished with a list of grants required by the Council to be placed on i the P.W. Estimates during tho coming i session so that -he may acquaint himself with them and do what he could to assist in securing a favourable consideration of the same. —Information to be supplied. The Chairman suggested that something be done to secure a subsidy for “The Forks” special district, a suggestion supported by Cr. Coley. • * J From Brandon, Ilislop and Brandon, stating a client, C. C. Higginson, was about to make dedication of the Paiaka road, and understood tho Council was willing to discuss the matter of compensation, which in their opinion amounted to £179 10s 3d.—A committee, consisting of members of Wirokino Riding and the Chairman, was set up to consider tho matter. » From Otaki Town Board, applying for the Council’s grant for the peace celebrations.—To be paid in due course. In connection with this matter Cr. Ryder said he did not know how the chairman of the Board knew the sum was available, and stated he had never been consulted on the matter. ' The Chairman explained that the Board’s representative was present at the meeting, and no doubt would convey the information, knowing the money was voted. He further pointed out. that in his riding Crs. Catley and himself had made it their business to acquaint the bodies interested, considering themselves responsible for so

loing. ' From Wellington Discharged Pri- 1 oners’ Aid Society, asking for a ;rant, as in past years, to the Society. —£3 3s granted, councillors saying that 1 ;ood work was being done. From W. Bird (Manakuu), drawing ' •ttention to the fact that a gate and * once had Lcen erected across (he North * fannkau road by the new occupier of eetion (i 7 (late Daroux), and that the * oad was being used as a paddock for * attic. The road, which was built on a l ideling, cut from the hill, was being estroyed, the water-tables filled with r atcr, and the road became flooded, lie banks had also been damaged, and i places the road was narrowed by s bout two feet. F Cr. Bryant said on making enquiries e found from the owner that the gate a .as only temporary, and he promised a t would bo there for a few weeks only, t le also considered that Mr Bird might F avc held his tongue on tho matter; here were only five cattle there, and c o damage had been done.—Left to Cr. 8 ...... c

Bryant to attend to. *- From N.Z. Automobile Uniou, asking that all approaches of bridges bo paint- ' ed white, and that where necessary t boards painted white be erected on each bridge, and that similar precautions be taken to “rabbit gates.” i The Chairman thought the Council <i should support the matter, and coii- I p sidcred that overhanging trees and corners should be given necessary atten- B tion. The Council might do the work p gradually. t Cr. Coley, in supporting the move, d said especially at night were the t bridges dangerous, and were liable to T cause accidents. E Lcticr treated as received. t From Shannon Tutorial Class of the W.E.A., asking for a donation. —Held c over till next meeting. t From Otaki Town Board, stating the ( Council’s workmen had broken through j r the bridge over the Mangapouri creek, ~ and suggested the insertion of concrete r pipes.—Decided that Cr. Ryder and the T engineer meet the representative of the ( Board on the spot and arrange the best ( plan of improvement. c

Mangahao Electric Power. j A letter was read from the Mangahao Electric League, stating the vigi- • lance committee had arranged for a 1 monthly report on the progress of the work at Mangahao, with a view to in- ■ sisting that it should be pressed forward as quickly as possible.—The Chairman suggested that a small committee be set up, consisting of Crs. Harkncss, Broadbelt, the clerk and himself, to endeavour to find out what , had been done in the Canterbury and other districts relative to securing re- . quirements. It was wrong, in his opin- ■ iou. to sit still, and later to find,that the power bad been taken through the district, and the county left unprovided for. He felt sure that unless some move was made this is what would result. Cr. Broadbelt agreed and stated that ■although Rongotga had a plant of their own they were working in conjunction with the Public Works Department to get the larger scheme, and thus supply the outlying district. Cr. Harkncss thought it advisable that the Council should give the project a lead, considering in the past there" had been too much “taihoa.” The Chairman’s suggestion was unanimously agreed with. Complaints. Cr. Ryder suggested that with a view of lessening the danger at the culvert :■ ■ V'■

a near tho new metal pit the boulder bo placed in position .and paintet white. On dark nights drivers of car: Acre liable to go off the road. The Engineer said he intended to pit jp a handrail, painted white, o Cr. Ryder considered the boulder; .rould serve the purpose better. He also considered earth had been remov r. ed, for road widening purposes at Mi r. Geo. Bcvan’s from the wrong side. .Cr. Ryder also asked the engineer when he ) had last inspected the Waitohu bridge, I and why was not the metal capsized fl on the Otaki bridge removed. He also 1 objected to the method of putting pipes t uear Mr J. S. Adams’, and considered trouble could easily be obviated by the ■ Meaning of a drain. Cr. Ryder also i desired to know if metal taken from 1 the Te Horo pit was measured. In connection with the latter matter • the Engineer said there was no doubt but that the Council had received its full measure, or over. Cr. Ryder said it was the Council’s duty to see that it got what it paid for, and metal should be properly checked. Cr. Coley had his doubts as to whether full measure had been put on the roads. The Chairman said if the Council had to engage a man to watch proceedings it would be better to get rid of the contractor. He said if any objections were put in writing he would see they were attended to. The various complaints made by Cr. Ryder were left to him and the engineer to attend to.

The Waitohu Bridge. Cr. Ryder pointed out that it was dangerous for the Council’s roller to cross the Waitohu bridge on the main road, and he. had taken it upon himself to tell the contractor not to cross without. the engineer’s sanction. The Engineer pointed out that the bridge had been tested, and it was only sinco tho roller crossed it that it showed signs of going in one stringer. He, with Mr Arcus, who also examined it, said they were satisfied the bridge would last for five years and was worth asphalting. Cr. Coley did not think tho bridge safe enough for the road roller, while . Cr. Ryder said either he, or the man ] who examined it. was insane. He | strongly contended one stringer was [ absolutely rotten, and asked was it not I a fact that the foreman had asked the engineer to inspect, it. j

Tho Engineer admitted that the fore- I man had clone so, and lie had replied ' that. Arcus had viewed it. Personally he had had many years’ experience with bridges and had never yet; made a mistake, and further had oftimes proved Government engineers to be wrong. The Chairman suggested that Cr. Ryder and the engineer together view the bridge. Cr. Ryder: The engineer swears the bridge is good, and therefore 1 refuse | to go with him. It is up to the Council | to say whether the foreman is to cross, j Tho Engineer said he would visit the bridge on Monday and attend to | the matter. There was no need for Cr. Ryder to be frightened. Cr. Ryder: We should protect our ratepayers’ interests. The Engineer: Don’t be alarmed! Cr. Ryder: If the bridge is not as I ; state I will give £SO to the local hos- . pital. 1 Cr. Coley pointed out that he had put a stick through some of the timber, and considered it murder to ask a man to drive across it. If anything happened the Council would be responsible. The Chairman said in view of such conflicting evidence the structure should be inspected, and he asked that Cr. Ryder attend with the engineer. j Cr. Ryder said he would do so. provided Cr. Coley was present.—Agreed to. t

Miscellaneous Items. ; In response to a request by Cr. ; Broadbelt it was decided to call ten- - ders for improvement to the Arapac- j pac road. Cr. Harkncss drew attention to j numerous pot holes in his riding, and pointed out that it took metal carts all j thir time attending them. He thought , definite steps should be taken to meet t the motor traffic, and also suggested. , with a view of making the State Farm , more popular, to open up a blind road to connect with Buller road. Mr W. Tompsitt waited on ilie Conn- » oil. stating he had bought sections of ] the McDonald estate, and wished the Council to leave the metalling of the ; road, of which there was no need, in abeyance. He offered to give an indem- , nity that the metalling would be done, ; which would be sufficient to protect the j Council. —It was resolved that the i Council agrees to accept the dedication , of the road giving access to the MeDonald estate provided a proper legal j undertaking was entered into by ‘Mr . Tompsitt or his successors to the land. . •netal the road to the satisfaction 1 of the Council at any time when called , upon by the Council to do so. ; The Chairman’s notice of motion re- , lative to the upkeep of the engineer’s ear. and moving for a grant of £1 per week for same, was carried. It wasstated that the expenses were now £l9O a year for the ear, while in Elthnm the running expenses were £4 per week. ;

Accounts. ... Accounts amounting to £1455 7s Sd ' were passed for paylment. ' ENGINEER’S REPOST. J The County Engineer (Mr J. Malcolm) submitted the following report:— . Te Horo Riding. , Little is now doing in this riding. J There are cue or two days’ work on ihtextension of the Te AYaka road metal- ■ ling, and a few more loads of fine : shingle are also wanted on the Main i South road before the teams leave. I understand it is now possible to get a loeal team in the riding if anything is wanted, and I am determined to en- - deavour to keep the road from getting in the same state again, although they are being severely tried at present with the meters. . t < The roadman reports that he has j had much trouble keeping the Otaki

•s. Gorge road open during the last mont d with all the wet weather we have ha s and he has frequently had to seek a siMancc to remove slips, t The lowering of the culvert in the drain is now finished satisfactorily, ss The builder (Polo) is now at Hagan 3 house, and will be finished in a fe - days, I thinkir I cannot get a bridge builder anj . where to undertake the work at th : Otaki bridge. I must have written :i , least a dozen letters about it. 1 Otaki Riding. Fair progress is being made with tii roads in this riding considering th weather, and with the exception of th metalling of the main road all the worl will be done in the southern end carl; next week. If the weather takes up ! propose getting the rcstar asphaltin; dune at or.ee when the men are about Fogiien \s road is at last metalled, j understand the metal drays fell throng! ihc culvert over the Mangapouri creek The" breach has been temporarily re paired with some of the Otaki bridgt timber, but it is too valuable to be al lowed tq remain where it is. In the north end there is nothing doing but filling pot holes and cleaning some drains. Wirokino Riding. For filling pot holes I have now got three single drays at work and a double team starts to-day. I will soon be able to get the worst of the pot holes filled, but they are very bad in places. 1 have now got the willow exterminator. After I got it in Wellington the Railway Department refused to bring it up. but an officer of the Farmers’ Distributing Co. brought it up in a motor car a few days ago. I propose to get to work in putting it in the tree trunks ns soon us the weather settles. Tokomaru Riding. There is sill no metalling being done in this riding. Before starting at Shannon it was found there was unbone place at the present time where suitable metal could be got, and to enable us to get tit it we had to form and metal about, 15 chains of the north boundary road. This is now finished., and 1 expect we will be carting it on to the roads next week. The road widening is finished for the present, and I expect we will have to hold our hands for tlii; year. Still the worst is now done. him i nm— MMei