MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 465, 11 April 1919, Page 4

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

i • Monthly Meeting The monthly meeting of the Manukau County Council was held at { Auckland on Tuesday last. Present —Crs. A. D. Bell (Chairman), F H. i Brownhill, A. D. Reid, A. £. Hattaway, F. M. Waters, J. Luke, 8. W. House, the Clerk (Mr Alex. Bell), and the Engineer (Mr J. W. Lopdell) CLEARING 01 MANUREWA CREEK AND fttzpatrick's CULVERT. Mr Knight, Brookby, Manurewa, requested the Council to request the occupier or owner of land formerly owned by Messrs Kemp Brothers, to remove all weeds and other growth, and obstructions, to allow free flow of water in the creek running through their property. At the present time the flow of water was impeded such as to cause damage to bis property. It was pointed out that the water in the creek lower down was also backed up, and it was suggested by Cr Waters to serve notice on all the property-owners in the locality to clear their portions of the creek from weeds, etc. On his motion, Cr Reid was instructed to hand the names of the property-owners to the Clerk, who was instructed to send notices on to them to clear the creek out. Mr A. L. Collie, Manurewa, wrote | relative to Mr Fitzpatrick's culvert, j over which there was a dispute last j year, asking that immediate steps be taken to do something to allow free I flow of the water. The matter was left for Cr Reid and the Engineer to deal with. DRAKE STREET DRAIN, HOWICK The Howick School Committee wrote drawing the Council's attention to the open drain and bad corner at the north end of the school footpath on Drake street and County road, and asked that the same be put in good repair. The matter was referred to Cr Hattaway and the Engineer to deal with. ROAD REPAIRS. 11 r J. H. Hansch, of Alfriston, wrote pointing out that the road from Mr Mclnnes' corner, along to Mr Wedding's property, required forming and metalling very badly. He added ihat the road was the most neglected in the whole of the district. —The letter was received, and a reply forwarded that the matter was reoeiving attention. The state of the road approaching his property was brought under the Council's notice by Mr John Frankham, of Papatoetoe, who stated that nothing had been done for years beyond a few loads of metal being carted thereon and which still remained on the roadside. Cr Waters said it was the boundary road between the Fapakura riding and the East Tamaki Road district. Cr Waters said that the road was in a very bad state. On his motion the Engineer was instructed to inspect and report on same. Messrs Tapp Bros, Clevedon, pointed out that Matheson road was in a very bad state and required repairing. Nothing had been done on the road for years —The matter was left to the Engineer to inspect and report on at nest meeting. PROPOBED POST OFFICE. The East Tamaki Road Board wrote intimating that it intended to apply to the Government for a new post office building to be erected in the East Tamaki Road District and asked for the Council's co-operation. On the motion of Cr Waters, seconded by Cr Hattaway, it was decided to support the Board's application to the Postmaster General. Several members contending that the present building was unsuited for the purpose and they thought a new office was badly needed. REQUEST FOR MF.TAI, The East Tamaki Road Board asked when the County crusher would be available for crushing purposes and also whether the Council would supply them with about 200 yards of two inch metal. Cr Waters moved that the Engineer be instructed to ascertain the County's requirements for the metal crusher, and that a reply be sent to the applicants stating the Council had no metal available SELECTION OF GOVERNOR OENERAL The Hastings Borough Coudcil forwarded a resolution stating that the time had arrived when the Governor of the Dominion should be selected from the people of New Zealand and that 'heir Council, in appreciation of the splendid work done by General Sir Andrew Russell, forwarded his name to the proper authorities recommending his appointment. The letter was merely " received." GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES The Public Works Department wrote sta'ing that the Minister was prepared to issue authorities for road works in the County directly plans and specifications and detailed estimator of cost had been submitted to and approved of by the District Engineer at Auckland for the following works : Alfriston to Ardmore £BO ; (£ for £) ; Clevedon to Mataitai £SO (£ for £;; Grangor Bridge £SO ; Ness Valley (Moumoukai Hill) £SO ; Otau Mountain Road £SO (£ for£) ; Ranfurly Road £IOO (£ for £); Whitford to Brookby £2OO (free). Iili: EPIDEMIC The Minister of Public: Health wrote expressing the thanks of the Government to the Council, the governing bodies, and the poople of the district for the assistance rendered during the recent epidemic. The Public Works Department wrote approving of the plans and specifications tor the Mataitai to Hauraki plains via Orere Road formation contract. CLEARING OK iri'OU.v's LINE. Mr J. W. Gilchrist, Papakura, drew the Council's attention to the state of Huolin's line, which was covered with find blackberries I

He asked that the Couucil plough and grade the track before the winter sot in. The matter was referred to the Engineer and the member for the riding to attend to. PEACE CELEBRATIONS. The Department of Internal Affairs forwarded particulars in regard to peace celebrations. Councillors were of opinion that if the Council as a body decided on some course of action, they would be interfering with the efforts of other local bodies moving in the matter. The Chairman pointed out that he knew a number of local bodies and patriotic societies had already begun to make their arrangements. It was decided to take no action in the matter, the letter being merely ''received" A " CLEAN-UP " WEEK. The Public Health Department forwarded a circular letter suggesting that a special " clean-up" week should be arranged for in the County with a view to preventing a recurrence of the recent influenza epidemic. It was decided to take no action, as the Council thought it a matter more for towns and cities to arrange. THE TERRITORIAL SYSTEM. In connection with a resolution from the Ashburton County Council, regarding the abolishment of the territorial system (which was discussed at last meeting, and deferred, in order that a statement of Colonel Chaffey's remarks could be obtained), the Ashburton Council forwarded a copy of this statement. Oh the motion of Cr Hattaway, it was decided that an the resolution was rather conflicting, it would take no action in the matter. PURCHASE OF MOTOR LORRIES The Manawatu County Council wrote stating that in their opinion, now the war had ended, there would be be many motor lorries which had been used in France, and which, 'if returned to the original works tor overhauling purposes, would be suitable for metal carting. They suggested that other Councils requiring such lorries make representations to the Government, in order that application could be made to the Imperial Government for the number required in New Zealand. The Engineer stated that several local bodies had previously dealt with the matter, and that the Government intended to send an expert over to inspect the lorries, and repart as to their suitability for this purpose. It was finally agreed that the Council support the Manawatu County Council. GIFT BV ORERE RATEPAYERS On Tuesday March 13th Councillors in company with the Engineer made a tour of inspection of the roads in the Orere district, Wairoa outlying riding. They there met settlers of the locality and heard their grievances and eventually the Chairman moved that the offer of the settlers in the vicinity of Orere. to contribute the sum of £250 in in order to secure the grant of £SOO offered by the Government for roading purposes be accepted with thanks. i Cr Waters seconded the motion which was carried. The offer of Mr Kersley to give a piece of land for a deviation was also accepted with thanks. The settlers agreed to the money being expended in making a good road through the Orere settlement as far as possible starting from Mr Cashmore's gate. At the monthly meeting of the Council these resolutions were confirmed NEW MOTOR FOR ENGINEER On March 18th, Councillors in company with the Engineer inspected 1 the whole of the ridings under the Council's jurisdiction. During the tour, Cr Waters moved and Cr Luke seconded that a subcommittee consisting of the Chairman and Crs House and Brownhill be appointed to deal with the purchase of a suitable motor car for the Eugineer with full power to act. At Tuesday's meeting the subcommittee reported having acquired a motor car and the Engineer stated that the car was running exceedingly well. The Committee's action was endorsed while the Chairman's action in disposing of the old car was confirmed. TENDERS FOR CASTING. The tender of Mr Geo. Munro, of Manurewa, for caning and delivering 400 cubic yards of metal from the Great South Road to Alfriston was accepted at 2s 0d per cubic yard. The unsuccessful tenderer was Mr Geo. Thompson, also of Manurewa, at 2s lOd per cubic yard. Mr John Paton, of Clevedon, tendered the sum of £65 for forming and filling at Ness Valley Road and for the carting of 200 yards of metal and clay for same. Ho also tendered at £SO for carting 350 yards of metal and constructing culvert in connection with the Mataitai road contract, and for carting and spreading metal | on the Whakatere road at 3s rid per i cubic yard. The Engineer considered the tenders too high and%dl were declined. The Engineer was instructed to obtain authority trotu the Public Works Department to make arrangements for proceeding with the work. FINANCE The pay-sheet amounting to £llß7 10a 8d was submitted, approved and panned for payment