KOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 16 February 1920, Page 4

KOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING.

' The usual monthly meeting of the above was held at Levin on Saturday. Present: Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), F. Coley, S. A. 1 ’ Broadbelt," C. I. Hark11CSS, J. AleLeavey, W. J. Bryant, F. J* Ryder, H. Barber, J. R. Whyte. Correspondence; Correspondence was road and dealt with as under:—

From settlers of Shannon asking for a stream to be bridged and a road formed.- —Mr Hennessey waited on the Council and pointed out that as the result of work at Mangahho a deal of water had been diverted to the adjacent lands, and unless something was done settlers would not be abld to work their lands. He thought if the Government. was approached on the matter it would meet the Council fairly. ' • The Engineer said lie could not give an estimate of the cost, lm(. would submit. one at the next meeting.

Mr Hennessey said he would like the work done out of revenue, and was willing to fight the Government on the matter at. any time. The Chairman thought it might -be bettor to leave the matter in abeyance for a brief time so as to see what amount of water would come down.

The Engineer said he considered the Government would .bridge the stream. —Decided to get an estimate of the cost, and then approach the Government for assistance.

From Public Works Department forwarding Order-in-Council exempting road in Takapu No. 1 Block, Horowhcnua County (Koput.aroa). —Received. From Department Lands and Survey, relative to road construction in the Oturoa returned soldiers’ settlement,

accepting Council’s oiler for the construction of the work, and asking that it affept-improvements to a hole in the road. —Received.

From Public Works Department, stating the Minister was prepared to issue authority for formation and metalling works provided for on u subsidy basis, no work to be commenced until the Council’s plans and estimates of cost had been approved of by the Department’s engineer. The works referred to were £SO (£ for £) Gladstone road, £l5O (£ for £) Mangaonc to Eikiorangi, £2OO (£ for £) Odlin’s road, £3OO (£ for £) Tuungata bridge to Waitatapia river road (on account of £750 (£ for £), and £250 (£ for £) for the Waikawa road.

It was pointed out that Odlin’s road was in the Hutt County. —Received. From State Advances, stating it had decided to grant £llOO for acquiring land for and construction of road (Ivawiu-Foxton road). —To bo attended to.

From District Health Officer reporting a case-of diphtheria at Levin, and r.eeommending improvements at the house where the case was.—Copy of letter to be sent to.persons interested.

From Trade Commissioner asking ' or particulars of motors and eye 1 , -S registered in the county lor th-c year. Replied that. 7L motors ; **nd been regiter«d, incimoug 10 motor cycles and 44 cars (all new). Ford headed the list i with 20, Chevrolet next with six. I From G. Anderson, L. 11. Atkins, W. J. Row. F. W. Mitchell, R. Patting, C. Cotter. Ed. Jones, D. C. Taylor, stating they were desirous of having a rate struck in order that the unformed road at Tc Mununo (Otaki) be metalled. In all there would be about 20 chains, and if the work was carried out it would be of great benefit to many settlers. —Cr. Ryder said the. matter should bo given attention, and he asked the loan be

raised. The Engineer asked if it was a legal road. He had offered to do the work while the road plant was there, but he still believed the road was not dedicated.

Cr. Ryder said the road was a curse to the ranger and was one that could be formed with advantage. At present it was a by-la no.—Decided to ascertain the status of the road, and-when this was done some definite action could be takdn.

The Clerk considered the work could be done for £IOO, and it would be bettor to get the money straight out and not go for a loan. From A. F-. Wilson (Levin) drawing attention to the bad state of the hairfield road, particularly the extension where no repairs had been done since the formation had been made. —Improvements to be effected. From ,T. Xash. drawing attention to the bad state of the road to his property at Tokomaru. He had paid £125 in rates and besides a few hours’ work nothing further had been done. During last winter he had considerable difficulty in getting through the mud, and he now wished improvements. — Cr. Whyte to inspect and report. From Kiranga County Council desiring support relative to medical advisers at Palmerston ICorth Hospital., viz., , that any patients hr»ve the services ot 1 doctors who had previously attended I them. —The Chairman said if the CounI oil wanted trouble to introduce the I matter. He.guaranteed in Wellington | such proposal would cause no end ot I iroubie, * Cr. Broadbelt said there was no fear of the movement passing the Hospital Board, while Cr. Harkness considered an outside doctor inav desire to rule the rtjvsf and cause trouble. —Council decided nor to support the letter. A letter was read front Feilding residents relative to the storage of intent, and asking that a commission be at I once sent to England.—Councillors considered the matter* a very important I one, and one that affected the financial position of the cotinirT, Cr. Ryder considered the price of meat had begm made so high that it c-ould not I*6 bought by the working class, and had now become a glut on the market. The Chairman considered meat could have been sold at od per lb cheaper, but that the price had been made

higher to bring it into line with meut j from America. —Letter to be supported. ' Front Kiwitea County Council asking to bo supported in having import duty taken from dump trucks.—The Chairman said if the duty was taken off it would only be put on something else, and from a national point of view he would oppose it; as a member of the local body he favoured it. -Cr. Harkness considered it might open up a way for trickery, and lie. thought taxation should not be opposed- when well spread. —Letter rcc-ei ved. From Westport Citizens’ Committee relative to the output of coal, and asking that the Council ask the member for the district lo favour the Parliamentary party calling when on the way to Samoa, and see for themselves that there was ample coal at Westport tor New Zealand and no need to import any. —Councillors generally favoured that the party should call at Westport. -They considered that llie coal question was vital, and members of the party should call. Cr. Ryder considered the shipping companies were the trouble, and thought the matter one that should be looked into. It was. he said, the man with the money that was causing the trouble. Cr. Darkness said it meant that the working man was lighting combines aiul money. Cr. Ryder said there was plenty of coal in the coun!try, but particulars were being hid. Cr. Coley agreed and considered the | cost of coal should be lessened, and lie J thought our members should make the j trip to Westport and see for himself, j He could then move in the matter. It was decided to approve of. the principle of the letter.

From L. H. Greenaway (Waikanae), stating the beach road just above nigh water mark was almost impassable, and he asked that, improvements lie done. He offered £lO towards its cost. II the work was done it would benefit many.— I The-Chairman said he and the engineer had inspected the work and found it impossible to do much work without the teams. The work asked

for by Air Greenaway could lie done by a scoop. He moved that the donation be accepted w ith thanks, and that improvement be effected. —Seconded by Cr. Coley, who spoke in high appreciation of Mr Greenaway’s oiler. From Kirk and Harper, asking for Lupin road (Otaki) to be exempted from the Public Marks Act. ns Air Stavcley wits subdividing the property for sale. The road was scarcely used, and only served about four properties, while a new road had been opened up to take its place—The Chairman thought it. hardly a iair request, as it meant cutting up into town sections for building allotments. Ue felt sure the Department would not accept it. Cr. Ryder said a half-chain road would lie. sufficient. Cr. Harkness said in view previous experience the Council should stick to the chain road, .wide Cr. Ryder said as u track the -ond had been a hard one to :»• intain. and that the property pi hardly suitable for building sections.—Left to Crs. Ryder and Coley to report on at next meeting. A letter was received from Messrs Brightw ell. Allies. Atickcll. Dalziel. R. Sevan and Inge (Maimknu residents), requesting the Council lo strike a rate lo keep the race clean lor water so as to ensure a greater volume, ihe Chairman thought it beet to leave the .matter in the hands of the engineer And Cr. Ryder to report on.—Agreed to. Miscellaneous. The Engineer put in a certificate stating that McDonald’s ( iompsitt’s) road had been formed and metalled to his satisfaction.—Received. It was decided to secure a motor truck and sub let the same to William Winter, contractor, conditionally. It was pointed out that tiie Council had paid a deposit of £450 on it. while the sellers desired 5 per cent on the remaining amount. It was thought advisable, to pay cash, as the money could be borrowed at 5| per cent.—This was agreed to, and therefore the remaining £IOO will be paid at once. Thc*tender of Hans Wilde (Levin) at £55 was received for clearing stumps, etc., from Lindsay road {AicDonald’cstate). Cr. Whyte said lie had inspected the roadman’s cottage at Tokomaru. and found the work satisfactory. Cr. Barber asked that necessary work be done on the Otaura bridge and at Spier’s- mill.- —The Engineer said he intended to have the former asphalted and to give attention also to the bridge near the mill. It was decided that the seal of the Council be affixed to an agreement with the Minister of Public Works in respect to the maintenance of the road leading tq the Mangahao hydro-electric headworks, and that the same be signed by the chairman, Cr. Barber and the clerk. The Ranger. The ranger (Geo. Watson) reported impounding 22 head of stock during the month of January. Cr. Broadbelt drew attention to a horse that had been consistently on his road for the past six weeks.—The

ranger said he had been over the road and had not noticed the animal. He had been over Bruce road twice a week and had seen no homes.

The Chairman asked that the ranger, if he had any trouble - in collecting the dog tax. to report to the Council. If he called on owners twice it should be sufficient, and failing registration then it. remained for the Council to take tuition.

Cr. Harkne-* thought the ranger should carry a gun. ami shoot dogs that owners refused to register. In answer to the Chairman the ranger said he would take action against an pwiiyc of wandering stock at Waikan&e. In aiiß,wsrr so Cr. IfeLeavey he said he would keep his eye ;>n horses that were likely to be turned adnri from a circus tha| was due next week. The ranger said on an aveiage he ran hia car 600 miles a week, and asked that the Council purchase benzine in bulk and charge rim monthly. He thought by so doing money would be saved. The same, he considered, could b 9 applied to the engmeer.

The Late Mr Venn. On the motion of Cr. McLeavey, seconded by Cr, Broadbelt, a vote of sympathy was passed to the widow and relatives of the late Mr F. W. Venn. The former said the late gentleman was well known to all, straight as a dart, and a pleasure to work with. He was always honourable. Cr. Broadbelt said he had known Air Venn for many years, knew him to be conscientious, and maintained the services he had given to both Palmerston and Horowhenua had been of great value.

The Chairman said he looked upon Air Venn as the live wire of the Council, and recognised they had a man that had a thorough grasp-of local body matters. In connection with hospital matters the deceased gentleman had worked hard for severance, and he was pleased to know that he had lived long enough to see it carried. Mr Venn had been a man who had put up a great fight for 20 years for severance, and lie was pleased t.o know that he had proved right in his contentions. Cr. Whyte said he had known Cr. Venn for 25 years, and knew him to be recognised as an authority on Council matters. He was highly esteemed and all had had the utmost confidence in him. The motion was carried in silence, all standing. Resolutions. AlcLeavcy-Harkness: That the sum of £lO3 5s be offered Air C. C. Higginson’s solicitor without prejudice as compensation for his claim against the Council in respect to the widening of Piaka road.

Broadbclt-Ryder: That in connection with the subdivision of Mr Lancelot. Hitchings the Council take such Native land as may be required to enable compliance with section 117 of the Public. Works Act, IfiOS, to be effected, in accordance ’with the provisions for taking Native land in the P.W. Act, 1908, such steps to be taken when Air Hutchings has deposited with the Council a bond approved by the Council’s solicitor to pay to the Council all expenses incurred by it in connection with taking such land both as to compensation and the costs of taking the land.