OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8915, 7 September 1907, Page 3

OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting was held yesterday. "Present: Ora. Wheeler •{chairman), Bowling, Wrightson, Vincent, Pearce, Cornfoot. CORRESPONDENCE.

Frcm John I,oobbe, asking Council to take into consideration his claim for the value of horse, which had fallen on a piece of bad road between Ashhurst and Bnnnythorpe, and died.—From information supplied it appeared as if the animal - had died from heart disease. Die Council declined $o accept responsibility in the matter. From Hospital Board, with invitation to opening ceremony of the new ward. From J. Jepsou, roadman, Bunnythorpe, stating ho had repaired Reid’s Line, but no metal had been put on it. Ho had repaired bridge on Nauncsted’s Line and fence protecting willows at the BnnnythorpeMaugaono bridge. From F. Y. Lethbridge, asking Council to lower a culvert across the road near his property. He was willing to pay part of the cost.— Engineer and Or. Reid to attend to the matter. From Department of Roads, stating, that a number of settlers at CoXyton had petitioned the Minister for Public Works for a subsidy towards the erection of a light suspension bridge over the Oroua near Menzies’ ford. The probable cost was £2500. The questions were asked: What would be the span of tho bridge: the character of the banks; whether traction engines would cross; would tho Council accept full charge of such bridge ; and what proportion of cost would tho settlers provide? I From Mr John Graham, solicitor, on the same subject, informing the Conncil that Messrs Lethbridge and Graham, M’s.H.R., had waited on the Minister and had received a favourable reply, and suggesting the Council also petition the Minister in favour of the proposed bridge.—it was decided that tho Council should support the petition forwarded to tho Minister, praying the Government to erect a bridge at Menzies’ ford, and that the Engineer of Roads *he supplied with the information ho has asked for in connection with same. In the meantime the

settlors to be asked What proportion of the cost they are prepared to pay. REPORTS; The Sanitary Inspector report’d six cases of scarlet fever. Tio nuisance on the Ahslmrst-Buuuy-tliorps road had been abated. The Engineer “reported that Marshall’s bridge aud approaches had been completed; Wet weather liad delayed the survey of the road through the native bush in the Raumanga Riding. There were two bad blocks in the Makino stream,, which the owners of property should bo notified to remove. He estimated , the cost of making Grove road at a grade of lin at £516 4s 6d. He ; had prepared plans for regrading the : two hills near Huonui school; but ; would recommend that the work be ; held over until weather is settled. Ho recommended that the small slips bo cleared aud bridge repaired of road complained of by Mr Harding. cost* ct diverting the water complained of by Mr Ooombos would be £3 10s.

Sir H. J.PHayueg, inspector of the Gore bridge construction, reported that lie and Or. Vincent had accompanied Mr Robinson ou the latter’s inspection of the river bank, from the northern part of the Ashhurst domain to the site of the bridge, aud Mr Robinson had expressed the opinion that willows planted thickly along the hank would provide the necessary protection. The west side of bridge approach should be’pitched with largo stones. OTHER BUSINESS.

It was decided to ‘borrow £5750, according to the Local Bodies Loans Act, for the purpose of providing the Council’s contribution towards the cost of the Manawatu Gorge bridge. That the Engineer he instructed to prepare plans for the formation of Penelope road from the end of the present formation to section 7, to give Mr Bismarck an outlet. That the gully near White’s crossing ho fenced. That tenders be invited for formation of Grove road as ,'soou as the Engineer has specifications ready and has made satisfactory arrangement with the Kairanga County Council for this part of the work.

That the Chairman and Treasurer be left to deal with the pmrehaso of a section for an office sice for this Council and obtain same before next meeting, aud arrange for routing piresout office.