HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, 14 February 1923, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary nfoulhly meeting of the above was held at 'Wellington yesterday. Present: Crs. H. D. Atkinson (chairman), A. I. Mackay, J. AAiiiteman, A. It.-Edwards, 0. I. Eiiubiick, and 11. Foley. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: —■ From Minister of Railways acknowledging receipt of the Council's letter! re Otuihanga crossing and stating lie u oci Icl go Into the matter. —Received. From N.Z. Railways relative to cutting the hedge at Kapiti Hoad, Faru-

■ p trauma, and stating sufficient cuttingback had uot been done. It was requested that the matter be given attention to at once. —The Inspector stated that the Railways first asked for 20ft., but nun wanted the hedge cut back lOUft. When the hedge was cut a [blacksmith’s shop would be erected, and lie considered this would block the view more than the hedge. —Decided to write to Mr Jeffries on the matter, pointing out that the Railway required the hedge to be cut back lUUft.

A petition was received irom Paraparauuni residents asking the Council to take action relative to the blackberry which was a pest to the soldier land and the road adjoining. They -were willing to assist the Council in the mutter. —It was decided to ask the Agricultural Department to take action. From P. W. Department, requesting the Council to provide maintenance for the completed portion of the AVaikanacUpper ilutt Road. The letter pointed out that thousands of pounds had been spent on the road and they had no de- j sire to see good work wiped out the : first year. —Decided to take over the maintenance from April Ist, | From PAY. Department favoring the j erection of a toll gate on lire Day s , Buy road.—-Decided to support the proposal. | From Health Department asking to , be advised of the Council’s decision in

regard to the proposed increase of the Council’s contributions to the Health Inspector’s salary.—Decided to agree to the Department's proposal of (id per head of population. l-’rom Paekakariki Life Saving Club, making application for the Club’s rooms to be connected with the water supply.—-Granted. From Secretary of the Wellington Automobile Club relative to the fencing of the Paekakariki Hill road. —Decided to write to the, Horowhenua and Makara County Councils on the matter, it being agreed that the Council could not bear the whole of the expense. From Field and Luckie, reporting progress on the taking of Native reserve at Plimmerton for hall purposes. —Crs. Limbrick and the Chairman appointed to sign the memorial. From Manawatu Bluestonc Quarry Co. requesting reconsideration of its agreement with the Council in regard to the rent of plant. —Referred to C'r. Mackay and the Inspector. From John Odliu and C’o., desiring

further assistance re maintenance of Maungamii road.—Application decliu-

From IV. Griffiths asking Council to erect fire-bell at Paekakariki. —Referred to Cr. Mac-key and Inspector. From T. Watson asking for an approach to his property at Paraparauinu. —Being attended to. From T. Gollop applying for permission to construct a sanitation depot on the reserve at Paekakariki. —Not granted. v -wv The resolution in respect to an exchange of road on Mr Gray’s property was rescinded. A special order making by-laws in] connection with Paraparauinu was passed, to take effect from May Sth. A resolution extending the Rauniati drainage district was passed by way of special order. 1 Inspector’s Report. Mr Cudby (Inspector) reported that during the month several small bridges in the Horokiwi Riding had been repaired, while road improvement had also been effected. The motor lorry was in use on the road between Paekakariki and Paraparauinu. Forty yards of metal were being put out per day at 2s per cubic yard. The material was rough and needed a deal of napping, which would probably cost an additional shilling per yard to break and rake in. Cr. Maekay stated that some time ago £IOO had been granted for the purpose of protecting the parade at Paekakariki, but as the matter has been hung up ! on account of the inspector being busy, he asked that the matter be treated as urgent.—Agreed to. The Ranger. The ranger (G. Griffith) reported having seized thirty head of stock during the month. Several Court cases had resulted in consequence, while others were pending.—Received. Council Dissatisfied, Cr. Maekay and the Chairman expressed themselves dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court, County Council v. Whiteman Bros., and considered it should be brought before Parliament, j In their opinion there had been a lot of I hole and corner business which should I be exposed.

After sharp words had occurred between Cr. Win tern op and the Chairman, u was decided to refer the judgment to the Counties’ Association with a view of protecting local bodies in the future. he judgment was looked upon as extraordinary.