BMAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9093, 12 March 1908, Page 5

BMAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting was held at Sandon yesterday. Present —Ors. J. G. Wilson (Chairman), Kendall, Dalton, McKenzie, Masters, Henson and Barber. *

The Chairman reported that Council had been cited to appear before the Conciliation Board at the Wanganui sitting, to consider the demands of the Laborers Union. The question was discussed in committee and the Chairman was appointee! to represent the Council. CORRESPONDENCE.

Prom Treasury, advising payment of £ll 9a for “paid-cna” on SausonCaraatvou tramline; and £6OO first advance on account of £3OOO loan for Council’s share of cost of bridge over Manawatu river at Shannon.

From Department of Roads, stating that plan of deviation of ShannonPoston road had been returned to the surveyor on account of some alterations being necessary. From Mr John Stevens, M.P., stating that ho "was enquiring into the £3OOO loan for Shannon traffic bridge, and shat when the amount was passed it would be placed to the Council's credit.

From Treasury, advising that the Shannon river bridge loan had been approved aval voucher for £6OO would be placed to Council’s credit. From Rorowhcnua County Council, acknowledging receipt of £SOO for Shannon bridge.

From same, stating that a conference bad been held with objectors to the height of Shannon bridge, Objections bad been withdrawn on the understandiug that the trusses would be raised 15 inches.

From Eaugitikei County Council, forwarding statement of expenditure at Bulls bridge from 2nd March, ISO 7, to January 35tb, 1908. —Mauawatu Council’s share amounted to £8 as 3d.

From Sluggish River Drainage Board, asking Council to contribute towards half cost of protective works on the Oroua river. The estimate for the work was £7s.—The Overseer was directed to report on the matter. From Motoa Estate, asking attention to bridges and repairs required on Piahaka road.—Overseer to report. From T. H. Simpson, asking for culvert to be lowered under railway line at Orcna bridge.—Overseer tc report. From Evan Yallender, request for drain to be enlarged leading from his property at Rongotea.—Councillor for riding to report. A notition was received from settlers on the Eupa Kupa road, asking that this road be formed before winter.—Council regretted that no expenditure could be made as the roau was not vested in Council. Tho Treasurer reported a credit on the General account of £37(5 Is sd, and £547 13s Sd on the loan account, making a net credit balance of £823 15s 3d. Tim amounts available for expenditure were as follows: —Shannon riding, £lsl 13s 3d ; Mount Stewart, £lOl 13s lid; Waitchi, £7O Kis 10d; Rougotea, £26 10s. The amounts over expended were; — Carnarvon riding, £ll 19s 8cl; Kawa Kawa, £ll3l 9s Id; Awahou, £74 2s lid; and Whirokiuo division, £9l ds 9d.

A copy of a resolution was received from delegates appointed to go into the matter of the constitution of a River Board, as follows That your committee report that after consultation with the Minister ox Lands, it considers it desirable to applv to the Government to set up a Royal Commission to determine the constitution of a River Bcaro, or Boards, to govern the Oroua, Mauawatu and|Pohangiua rivers, the areas to berated, and all questions bearing' upon the protection and conservation of tho land of the district; such report to be referred back to the Conference before its recommendations arc embodied in legislation.’" —The Council dealt with this matter at some length and it was finally resolved, “That (Ors. McKeuzieMastors) provided that a resolution is passed by tho Conference at its meeting on March 19th, that all lauds within the district shall bo classified in accordance with the Laud Drainage Act 1904. This Council has no objection to Royal Commission being sot up to enquire into the wTiole question of the protection _ and conservation of the laud contiguous to the river. It was resolved that the following alterations be made on the rate roll: H. Hight to W. Brookie, lot 4, section 239, block 111, Te Pawau; B. E. Austin to G. Satlierley, part section 387, Boston; Prank Heard to d. Henson, section 372, Carnarvon. The Clerk was instructed to sue for outstanding rates. Accounts amounting to £1467 3s 3d were passed for payment. OVERSEER’S REPORT.

Sand on Riding.—Good progress has been made with several of the metalling contracts throughout the county during the past month. Messrs Thompson and Hirst have completed their contract for supplying and delivering metal on McDonell’s, Speedy’s and Ohakea roads in this riding. The surface-men are now busily employed breaking down the stones and putting the roads in order. A portion of the Foxtou road in this riding is very rough with loose stones, which should;-be gathered up and broken down in the centre track and blinded with clay. Cost of work £2O. Mt. Stewart Riding.—Now that the bridges are completed on the Feilding-Awahuriroad, it would be advisable for the Council to consider the importance of raising the formation between the bridge _ and gravel pit, as in flood times it is "impossible to get stock through, and dangerous for traffic of any kind. It would be necessary to put largo concrete culvert ro take away the overflow. Spoil for the embankment could be taken from the sharp point at the top of the hill, and thus improve that dangerous place on the road. The old wooden culvert near the gravel pit has been taken out and replaced with 12 inch pipes. A culvert has also been put in on Philip’s road Mr Knight has not yet commenced his contract for metalling Rakehou road. T. Stuart and Son intend to deliver metal on the Feildiug-Awa-Imri read this week. I inspected the Kupa Kupa road, perhaps better known as Bones’ road, complained of by several ratepayers, and found the "bridge across the Maugaone stream completely rotten and unsafe for traffic/ The road would be very easy to construct ffud metal, as the metal is quite close to the road. The cost to erect a new bridge would be about £350, and formation and metaling another £l5O thus making the total £SOO. As the above road is not a recognised County road I cannot recommend the Council to undertake the work, but would sugggest that the ratepayers take advantage of the

loans to Local Bodies and raise a loan to complete the work. Waitohi Riding.—l inspected the draining of water off the Awahuri township sections on to Mr Brisco’s boundary between the town sections and his property, and residents are now cutting drains under ins fence and draining into his dram, which he objects to. Thera is also a great quantity of water off the main road which empties into the drain mentioned, as there is no other outlet available. The water from the road has always taken a course into Mr Brisco’s property, and I fail to see how the matter can .bo remedied without incurring considerable expense to open up a new channel. I am not in a position to recommend tho Council what course to take in the matter. I would like to meet tho Chairman and Councillor Henson on the ground and see if it is worth while taking levels for a new channel, and ascertain what support we could obtain from Mr Brisco and others interested in the matter. Mr O. Martin has completed his formation contract on the Kopani road satisfactorily. T. Stuart and Son have not yet commenced their metalling contract on the Taipo-Awahuri road.

Rongotea Riding.—Mr O. Blackler has completed his contract for supplying and delivering metal and clay on Tomkin’s Line. The road has been trimmed up and stones broken down and blinded with clay. The contractor for delivering metal on Bank’s Line has commenced his contract. Fair progress has been made with the blinding on the Foxfcon road. The working staff are now employed in this riding breaking up Bank’s Line and laying it down with fresh metal. Lammas’ gang are taking out the old culverts at Tomkins’ and Jones’ ijine, and placing them In opposite directions and improving the sharp corners in a general manner. i have let the erection of a picket fence at Sanson’s corner to E. Beckman for the sum of £7. I approached Mr White in reference to cleaning out and paving half cost of drain on the Rongotea road, which he agreed to. The work is urgently required. Kawa Kawa Riding Nothing beyond tho usual maintenance work has been done on Main drain, Taikorea and Fyke’s road. A small portion of Foxton road near the end .of Taikorea road requires raising at a cost of about £6.

Carnarvon Riding.'—Mr T. M. Mitchell lias completed his contract for grading and metalling the Makowhai hill in a satisfactory rmanner. Mr Cook is progressing favourably with bis contract for formation and metalling Kopntr.rr road. It would be advisable to emend tho metalling contract on the S'.’hale Line about 6 ciiains in order to cover all the'sand - holes. As the price is reasonable I think Council might give authority to have the work done. The drain has been completed at the Eaikobopu lakes and is working very satisfactorily, but requires attention at times to keep: the course clear of slips. The top end of the drain going along the bed on the old creek should bo widened in order to prevent water getting behind the drain and washing over the sides and filling the drain with rubbish.

Awahou Riding :—I inspected the road reserve near the beach where Mr Dalrymple requested permission to erect a gate, and sec no objection to a gate being erected across the roati reserve as it is used very little, if at all by the public as a road. Should the opportuntly arise for the Council to make a road to the beach, I think the route along the road reserve would be the proper place for the road, which would be out of reach of spring tides and drift wood. Although the route is fairly level wtb the exception of one or two sand lulls, the work of construction of a road to the Manawatu Heads at Eoxton will be more costly than anticipated by most people. In the first place we have the drift sand to deal with which will not be an easy matter, and will require a good deal of fascine work jamb blinding to keep it from encroaching and destroying tho road when made, the next matter and the most important is the metal, as there is no metal adjacent to the road line and it will have to be delivered by tram or railwav to the end of the road, which would cost about 5s per yard. My estimate to complete a metalled road to the Sanatorium is £2OOO. "Whirokiuo Sub-Division. Cr. Barber and I made arrangements with Mr B. Gower to let the cleaning out of drain on No 2 line for 2s per chain, or less if possible, and a portion of the drain along the Whirokiuo road. Several settlers request that Government drain be cleaned out and agree to pay half cost of work. The estimate for constructing drain at the Kaikokopu lakes is £1 13s per chain. Wo estimated tho value of punt at £lO. TRAMWAY REPORT.

The Overseer reported: TA grade at the top of the Carnarvon incline has been completed and iho line put back into the old track. Already the reduced grade is proving beneficial to the engine taking up heavy loads to the top of the J-irl, and "when the plate-laying is com pleted the advantages of climbing the hill with a heavy load will quite come up to our expectations. The working staff is now pushing on with the filling and packing, which is progressing favourably. I have an extra gang of men to go on with the plate-laying immediately, and will require about 500 or 6CO sleepers to go on with the work and keep the men employed. The sleepers should bo procured as soon as possible, now that we have the men to do the work. The Tramway Manager reported— The credit balance for the month was £lO 8s Id. The volume of traffic dropped considerably during the mouth, the earnings being only about half of January. The special run in connection with the Rougotea school excursion realised £ll 16s Pd in fares. The total fares for the month were £l7 17s Bd. Wool traffic 328 bales, making a total of 2013 bales for the se-isou as compared with 2093 bales last year, a decrease of 81 bales. IJJiiuber hauled 14,600 feet, metal and clay from pit SCO yards. On Friday last I made a special trip to Utiku to inspect a line of about 900 sleepers, that bad been offered to the Council, the owner was away, so no settled arrangement could be arrived at, I have"written offering 2s 6d on trucks and hope to have a reply in the course of a few days. List of schedules attached : Grain, 11% tons; minerals, 613% tons; manures, 3 tons ; merchandise, 85% tons ; grass seed, 8% tons; pigs, 13 trucks; chaff, 4 trucks'; wool, 228 bales ; timber, 14,600 feet; posts, etc, 6 trucks; metal, 56 trucks; clay, 14 trucks r, fares , £l7 17s 84 ; receipts for Febrruary, £135 18s 8d; expenses, £l2® os 7d. ; balance, £lO 8s Id.