HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 13 August 1919, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held at Wellington yesterday. Present: Crs. F. G. Cooper "(chairman), M. W. Welch, W. J. Howell, J. Whiteman and P. Cavanagh. j Correspondence.

j Correspondence was read and dealt ' with as follows: — i Prom N.Z. Automobile Union asking I that all bridges in tlie county be paint- ; ed white to minimise danger to motorists. —Request to be acceded to. j From Brandon, Hislop and Brandon, j giving a legal opinion to the effect that j money could not be borrowed from the 'State Advances *fqr the building of 'roadmen's cottages. Received. From Mangahao Electric League, sta'ting that the question of tho necessary work was being watched with a II view of having it completed as early as possible. Received. From Petone Technical School, ask-

i ing that n member of the Council be i appointed to the directorate. —Crs, j Welch and Cavanagh appointed, but if ! only one allowed to hold office, the fors mcr to have the position. j From Mr W. H. Field, M.P., asking ! for a list of grants required.—To be supplied. ■ From same, re preserving the. Wai-kanac-Akatarawa bush for scenic purposes, and stating he would do his utmost in the matter. —Mr Field to be thanked for interest taken. From Odlins', Ltd.. asking the Council to attend to tin; Akataruwa-Wai-kanae road and bridges where necessary. They also thought application should be made to the Government foi a grant.—To lie attended to.

From T. M. Wilford, offering to place £ for £ up to £425 on the Estimates for Stokes Volley bridge.—Left to Crs. Cooper and Welch to make renewed application for a bigger grant. From Dr. Knight, offering land at Wainui-o-mata for roadmen's cottages at £25 per acre. —To be considered.

From H. D. Buchanan, stating he would erect the Otaihanga road fence as soon as possible, and that he had been delayed in the work owing to posts being unprocurable. —Received. Paekakariki Hill Road.

A letter was received from the Minister of Public Works relative to the Paekakariki Hill road, and stating a survey had been made with a view to improvement. It was proposed to form the road to a minimum of 16ft, to round off corners, dig away banks where aeccasary to give a clear vision, and to erect, on the worst places, rein- ; forced concrete posts and wires which 'would prevent cars going over the j edge. The alternate route was mentioned, but this the Department considered would cost a deal of money. It was proposed to do work at an estimated cost of £4400 on Paekakariki hill, and it was pointed out that the Government would supply half that amount.

Cr. Howell thought it would be a pity to turn the offer down, but did not reaKonably think the Horowhenua County could be asked to contribute, that body having many large bridges, etc., to attend to, which were just as big obstructions as the Paekakariki hill. For these bridges the Hutt Council had never been loaded, and it would now be unfair to cite Horowhenua for the hill road. Personally he considered the main road should be done out of consolidated funds, and further pointed out that if a poll was taken on the matter it would be turned down, Cr. Howell took the Department to task for starting on the work without consulting the Council, and regretted that at present only the easy grades were receiving attention. On the suggestion of Cr. Welch the letter was held over for further inforssatieis. Inspector's Report. Tho inspector (Mr Cudby) reported that he had inspected the Toad frontage at Day's Bay. over which there had been a discussion, and had come to the conclusion that the Council would be justified in giving access as asked for. He had also inspected Collins road, and to make a good job of it it would cost £A os per chain, or a total of £lO6 ss. A portion of tho Hutt-Waikanae road on the northern portion had slipped away, leaving about one-half of the formed portion at the saddle. Arrangements were immediately made to attend to it. but labour had been difficult to obtain. A pipe culvert had been inserted at Akatarawa. A further 'river encroachment had taken place near Maori bank, and he had decided to lay cable and willow work to prevent further encroachment. The maintenance of roads had been receiving attention, but in spite of the greatest efforts the main arterial roads were "etting worse, and their surface condition has never been so bad as now. The wet weather and the motor traffic was responsible for their condition, and it was impossible to maintain even an even surface. Repairs to the engine were almost complete.

Cr. "Welch, in speaking on the report, stated he was anxious to see the motor in his own riding, but the inspector pointed out that owing to the Tough state of the road it could be used more beneficially on the main road. Miscellaneous. The matter of access for a motor car at Dav's Bay caused a deal of discussion. The Chairman stated that he had viewed the locality, and now had no hesitation in favouring the request Cr. Welch expressed his view in a similar strain, but Cr. Howell said if there was going to be an encroachment he would fight the Council for a week and then not give. in. He pointed out that the applicant knew the rough nature of his seetion when he secured it. but evidently thought he had a soft thing on with the Council. A somewhat similar request wa» made by Mrs Amiss, but this lady had a desire to close what was considered a public thoroughfare. In conseqaeaca it was suggested her applies.-

tion. be held over, pending a report by the inspector. Cr. Howell objected to

this procedure, and while finding no fault with the inspector, said he would vote against the request. He thought such cases should be dealt with on their merits.—Matter referred to Crs. Howell and Whiteman and the inspector. The two former voted against the motion. Collins road was considered too large a proposition for the present, and the j matter was therefore held over. j

The sub-inspector (R. C. Dick) reported that at Plimmerton two buildings had been erected contrary to bylaws, while drainage was unsatisfactory.—As no permit had been applied for it was decided that the sub-inspec-tor take Court proceedings. The ranger reported that during July he had seized 27 head of stock, had sued several offenders, who had been convicted and fined, while other Court cases, including' one against a Waikanae resilient, were pending. The motor lorryman's report showed that the lorry was somewhat out of repair, and that new tyres, etc., were needed, while the. crusher also needed attention.—-Left to the clerk and inspector, who were instructed to send to to America for parls, to attend to. Mr Redman (representing Day's Bay Ratepayers' Association) made a strong claim for the erection of lamps. —The Council favourably considered the matter, and gave a partial promise : that the lamps would be erected in about six weeks' time.

The sanitary inspector applied for a night-cart for I'limmerton. but mi account of Cr. Galloway's absence the matter was held over. He also pointed out that he had stopped people from taking spoil from the beach, and asked had he acted within his rights in doing su.—-lie was upheld by the Council . Accounts. Account* amounting lo £l7l-1 1 Is JOd were passed fur payment, while the overdraft was shown to be .£5322 2s Id.