HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 10 May 1920, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the above Council was held at Levin on Saturday. Present: Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), F. Coley, F. J. Ryder, J. R. Whyte, H. Barber, W. J. Bryant, Jas. McLcavcy, C. I. llarkness, S. A. Broadbelt. Correspondence.

Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: — From District Health Officer reporting a nuisance caused by drainage at the Kuku Cheese Co. ’s factory, and requesting that notice be served to collect all drainage into one common saveall, and allow the overflow to discharge into a soak pit; suppliers to take away as much whey as practicable; and the save-all to bo cleaned periodically, and properly maintained.

Cr. llarkness said as a director it was simply a private matter, and contended that the factory was not causing a nuisance. They had paid a special inspector at a big expense, and all whey had been taken away. Tlic stream was a large one, and practically no drainage went in. Everything was quite satisfactory, and the company was doing its utmost in drainage matters. -Letter to be forwarded to the company, this step being the only one for the Council to lake.

From Department of Lands, asking what steps persons responsible for the survey of Heights road intended to take to form it. If the persons formed themselves into a special rating body the sum of £IS7 7s (id paid for the road should be refunded as a contribution towards construction. The Department, however, would not admit any responsibility in connection with the formation.

Cr. Broadbelt said the settlers were willing to form themselves into a special rating district, but ho considered the Government should help, ns the road was a laid one and needed doing.—The feelings of the settlers to lie secured, pending the appointment of

nil engineer. From Department of Labour, requesting information relative to the Shortage of houses in the county.—lt tvas recognised this was a big hurdle to overcome, and it was decided to give ns much information as possible without going to undue trouble. From Hydro-electric League, forwarding its usual periodical report. Already dealt with in these columns. — Cr. Ryder said the slow work was in keeping with the world generally, and unless better conditions were available men would be unprocurable. Cr. Monk said a. mill was now established, and lie did not agree things had been altogether done wrong. Now the mill was up, good accommodation should be secured for the men. Cr. Ryder favoured the contract system. —Receivld. From F. \V. Vare re gravel pit reserve, main north road, Otuki, stating he believed the land was under the control of the Council. lie asked authority to graze a lew weancr calves and to cut the hay, 'a privilege for which he was willing to pay.—Left to councillors tor the riding-'with power to act.

From Mitchell rind Hayes (Weraroa) asking for road drainage improvement and road repairs. Tire applicants were willing ao keep (lie drain in order for all time if once put in thorough order. —Left t.»» the engineer to attend to. From J. T. Tremhuth, W. S. Patten, Ck King, K. King (returned soldiers) and J. Fratley (Te Iloro). asking for drainage improvement. —The Clerk reported that notice had been served on owners of loud in (question to clean. From Palmerston North Hospital Hoard stating the Council’s contribution (half-yearly) totalled £673 Us 6d. —Position was considered satisfactory. , From I. G. Duncan (Wellington) adinitting that a gum tree hud been cut 'down at AVaikanae by one of his employees. but that lie a'as not aware of the fact till informed by Mr Port. Unfortunately he could not go into tho matter as his manager had left for England. He did not agree, however, •that vandalism had been committed, blit at the same time he regretted the incident, and was willing to pay reasonable. damages. —Received.

Pakiko Drains. E. Macdonald (To Horo) wrote complaining of the Pnhiko drain being .in a bad state, lie had cleared his portion twice ami wished to do so again, but that below him still remained uncleancd. The offenders were Messrs Ryder, Jensen, and Harkncss. He hoped the knattcr would be attended to without delay. The Clerk had reported giving notice to property owners to clean where necessary. The Chairman said Mr Cat ley had gone to view the situation, and found Mi Ryder’s drain had been cleaned, but Mr Jensen’s had not. Cr. Harkncss said lie was interested, and he would personally give it attention.

Cr. Ryder said what was termed as his property had been al tended to by the people who had taken it over. The sides of drains had slipped in and would cause trouble. This was purely through neglect in the first place. The Chairman said notice should be heat out every :i.>; months to have the drain cleaned. Cr. Ryder said unfortunately lie had £be mouth of the drain to dean as it jilted up and caused trouble. The Chairman sympathised with Cr. Ryder, and considered seders had an Obligation to him.—Matter losing fended to. .Resignation. From O. Larsen, surfaceman. Otahi. resigning his position, and thanking the Council for courtesy in the past, and' statiag he was well satisfied with the Council as employer—Appointment left to Cr, Ryder to confer with the acting-engineer on the matter. Mttrray'e Boad. T. H. Atkins and S. E. Lea (Levin)

(wrote offering to remove trees from Murray's road .vt 2s 6d per 100 ft, including cleaning, burning, etc., a* agreed by Mr Malcolm. Cr. Harkncss considered the matter I should bo looked -into before taking 8 action, as the avenue was a splendid one. Cr. McLeavey said aa the road was leading to a private property (Murray's) he though! tho trees should be cut, especially as access was denied the public.—Left to the councillors for the riding with power to act.

Mangahao Road Improvement. Mr Nash, M.P.,'waited on the Council and asked for Voad improvement near Mangahao, pointing out that he was paying very heavy rates yet got no money spent on the road. Two returned soldier* had taken up the land, and he would like to sec necessary work done. The expense for improvement would not be great as metal tvas handy. •The Chairman pointed out that the Council had been without the advice of an engineer, while it had been stated that it would take £2OO to do the job. The C'ouueil fully intended to do something in the matter.

Cr. AVhytc said he was in favour ol putting a sum on the estimates for the road, and asked what Mr Nash thought a fair amount. Mr Nash considered £2OO should be put on as it would take this amount to do the work. He had previously thought £l2tT sufficient. Cr. Whyte said he was prepared to pay up to £-1 per chain for the -16 chains, and Was prepared to get this amount put on the estimates. In answer to Mr Nash the Chairman said the work would be done as soon as passible provided the cost was not too great. He would guarantee to spend £IBO to assist in the roadmaking. Mr Nash said his won would also assist iu the work.

Miscellaneous. It was decided to write off outstanding rates as from March 31st, 1020, amounting to £177 Is 3d, being £l5O Its 5d (general) and £26 9s 10(1 (special). Referring to werk on the Foxton road the Chairman stated the actingengineer (Mr Catley) had done splendid work with the grader.

Cr. Ryder said he had interviewed the Otaki Town Board relative to, work at Bivcrbank road, and it was agreed to do the necessary culverting and tilling.' Water races iu his district (1 Sevan's) needed attention. Cr. Coley said work at the overbridge had been attended to, while a bridge (20ft wide by 7ft wide) would bo erected on Wnihoanga road for £l2 by Messrs Crampton and Jepson. He asked if the wires at AVaiboanga suspension .bridge were to be tarred. By doing so hundreds of pounds might be saved. It was agreed to get something in writing re bridge, and to further hold the latter matter over, pending enquiries as to suitable material to do the wires. Cr. Broadbelt considered the Council did not get enough work from some surfacemen that they were entitled to, and thought on the appointment of the new engineer they should be brought faco to face and the workmen told what was required of them, and failing (ho carrying out of their duties in a proper manner the engineer to get rid of them and appoint men to his liking. —Cr. Ryder: Hear, hear!

Agreed upon that on the appointment of the new engineer ho be asked to report upon and give the estimated coot of connecting the Kimberley and Gladstone roads.

Tho ranger reported impounding 37 head of stock during the month. —The Chairman said he had been over tho roads a deal of late and found them almost entirely free from stock. Other speakers spoko similarly, but Cr. Barber pointed out tlmt he had a grievance in his district through a horse which was a great deal on the road and caused trouble. —Report adopted. It was decided that the estimates be considered on Saturday, 22nd inst.

County Engineer. The matter of appointing an engineer in place of Mr J. Malcolm (resigned) was considered. There were some 2-1 applications for the position (salary £-125 to start with), and of the number two were most favourably considered. It was decided to have a personal interview with both men, lfitk a view to appointment of one, if suitable. Accounts. Accounts amounting to £2452 11s 3d were passed for payment, including £073 for the Palmerston North Hospital.