MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9117, 9 April 1908, Page 5

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting was held yesterday. Present: Ors. J. G. Wilson (chairman), Thos. Masters, W. E. Barber, B. B. McKenzie, G. Kendall, J. Henson, and J. Dalton The correspondence_.was dealt with as follows: ' From the Treasury, notifying payment to the account of the Council £46 14s 3d for charges on the Tramway, and £l7 14s lOd refund on same, £2OOO on Koputara road loan, £2OO on account cose of protective works at McDouall’s road. From the Foxton Borough Council, consenting to the vesting the control of the Wirokino bridge in the Manawatu County Council. From the Horowhenua ‘County Council, also consenting, and stating that a delegate had been appointed to meet the other ‘local bodies re repairs to the bridge. Mr Wilson, the chairman, reported that at a meeting of the representatives of the local bodies interested it had been decided to repair the bridge, but the necessary funds would have taken from the general fund. The Manawatu Council to manage it, but it would fall heavily on tho Foxton borough. From the Hospital Board, stating that a levy of 4s 6d in the £IOOO value had been struck, the amount required from the Manawatu Council being £368 12s 9d.— The Chairman said owing to the large increase in the valuation of the Kairanga County and the Palmerston borough it had been possible to reduce the levy by twopence,—Or McKenzie said the contribution from the towns was light iu proportion to population. In reply the Chairman said Palmerston had contributed very liberally to the funds in other ways aud tho present system of making the levy was according to the Act. From Moutoa Drainage Board, asking if the Council was willing to vest the Government drain in the Board.—Consent given, providing if the road is widened it be done away from the road and spoil deposited on the same side. (2). The bridge across the drain to he under the control of the Council and any alterations to the structure be made with the sanction of the Council. From the Foxton Borough Council, consenting to their ranger impounding stock from the Awahou Riding roads, in the Wirokino sub-division, and along the Palmerston-Foxton road, as far asßaiuesse; the ranger’s fees to he paid and the driving fees to be received by the County Council.—F. Feek was appointed ranger for the above-named area, his remuneration to be the driving fees. From the Rivers’ Conference Committee, asking for £1 towards the expenses of the meetings. -Agreed to.

From G. G. Knight, giving an order in favour of Bank of New Zealand on moneys due to him.—Order accepted. From John Duthie & Co., advising the Council that the present was a favourable time to purchase steel rails.—The chairman was authorised to purchase rails up to the value of £SOO.

From W. Burgess, asking for payment in full on his contracts.—2s per cent retained according to law. From O. Mcllroy and eight others, asking that formation on HalcomheFeilding road be widened by 14 to ,16 feet by. means of road.f ormer, that the dangerous grades be, lowered and sharp curves lessened. —Overseer to report on the application. From Stevens, Easton & Austin, drawing the attention to state of Paiaka road.—Or. Barber and the Overseer to attend to the mater. The following transfers were agreed to: Section 63, Motoa, A. Saunders to A. Jagger; section 8, Kaimatarau estate, W. R. Clark to J. J. Goodwin; sections 310 aud 311, Carnarvon, J. J. Mills to E. Christensen and F. Lucinsky; section 37 and part 36, B. Campion’s executors to Jas. McKelvie; section 5, section 384, Carnarvon, Y. Beech to J. P. Larsen; part 3 of lot 44, Oroua Downs, Thos. Clark to L. Thompson: part of 14, section 44, Oroua Downs, T. Clark to Jas. Robinson; section 41, Hutt Small Farm Block, R. E. Pearce and Job Hains; part section 202, Rowe Bros, to Margaret Good. The Treasurer reported the general account dr. £305 19s lOd, and loan account cr. £728 s 6d, In the riding accounts the amount available for expenditure were :—Sandon Riding £4B 13s lid, Waitohi £B9 2s lOd. Over expended: Mt. Stewart Riding £lO3 15s 4d, Rongotea £B7 5s 3d, Carnarvon £B2 15s Bd, Kawa Kawa £l2B 11s 7d, Awahou £l2B 15s 2d, Wirokino £33 19s 9d.

The Tramway manager reported that the had been exceptionally heavy during the past month, including repairs to the Fox engine £B6 16s lOd, extra wages £BO, and repairs to the goods shed £2 11s 6d. The debit balance for the month was £B2 Is 2d. .The principal items of traffic were: Fares £8 13s 6d, grain 121%tons, general merchandise tons, timber 18,800 feet, metal 365 yards. The cost of tne 237 sleepers received was £ll9 2s 3d. ENGINEER’S REPORT. -

The following report for the month was read :—The showery weather throughout lastJJ month has greatly improved the roads, which are now in fair order, with the exception of where new metal has been placed on them. The metalling has heeu completed in the Sandon Biding and all the stone-breaking. Mr O. Knight has completed his contract for supplying and delivering metal on the Cemetery road. Mount Stewart Riding.—Mr E. Knight is progressing with his metalling contract on the Pakehou road. Stewart & Son have completed their metalling contract on the Feilding-Awahnri road. A wooden culvert on Lee’s line is completely rotten, and is falling in, and should be replaced with a 3ft. 6in. concrete pipe culvert. Waitohi Riding.—Or. Henson and I met Mr Briscoe and inquired into the drainage matter complained of by Mr Briscoe. We went over the suggested line of drain, but consider it impossible to take the water in that direction. Stuart & Son have commenced their metalling contract on the Taupo-Awahuri road. Rowe’s Line, which was very much broken up with the dry weather, requires 150 yards of metal to patch up the weak places. '-Rongotea and Kawakawa Ridings.—Mr Sexton requires a 3ft culvert put across Milner’s Line, opposite his property. The culvert referred to was inspected by Crs McKenzie and Dalton about two years ago, and it was then decided to put in an extra row of pipes. Mr Sexton is willing to Kuy the pipes from the old culvert. Rongotea Riding.—l have let the carting of 60yds of metal at 3s for the Rougotea-Longburn road, to H.

Two 3ft culverts have been put in at the junction of Jones’ and 'Tompkins’ Lines. Mr Goodwin objected to my man filling in the scour which had taken place some years ago in front of ,the Kaimatama creamery, and requested the men to stop" work. His action in preventing the men from filling in the hole is quite contrary to what was agreed to by Ors. McKenzie and Dalton when they inspected the placed referred to, and in the presence'of Mr Goodwin. H, Petersen is pushing on with his metalling contract on Sanson’s and Jones’ Lines, and will in all probability complete the contract during the present month. Kawakawa Riding.—Or. Kendall and I inspected the hank of . the Oroua river where it has been suggested to construct protective : works by the Sluggish River Drainage Board. In my opinion the work should be proceeded with without delay, as the river is scouring away the stop bank. When that is destroyed there is [nothing to prevent the ” river from destroying a considerable portion of tho Main Drain road, and I contend it is,only fair and just that this Council should contribute to the cost of erecting protective works. Waitohi Riding,—The usual repairs have been effected in this riding. The metal is now being brought by the Railway Department for the Main Drain road, and tenders should he called immediately for metalling the road. Carnarvon Riding.—Mr J. S. Oooksley has completed his contract for forming and metalling the Koputara road iu a first-class manner. Mr H. Burgess has also completed his contract for delivery of metal on Campion’s and River Bank lines. It would be | advisable to assist Mr W. Anderson to construct a drain through his property to take the water from the tramline, provided the Drainage Board will also assist. Or. McKenzie let a contract for 83 yards of clay at 2s 3d per yard to H. Burgess, and it has been spread on the road.

Awahou Riding.—P. Petersen is progressing favourably with the metalling contract on the FoxtonShanuon road and will complete the contract within the present month.

The members of the local bodies interested held a conference at the Wirikino bridge, and discussed the position, and the best course to take in regard to strengthening the bridge. Soundings which had been made last year showed that the piers had been scoured out at from 17ft to 37ft. Subsequent silting had reduced the scour to an average of 13ft., as indicated by soundings taken on 37th March last. It was decided to drive four piles at each pier 65ft to 60ft down. A culvert constructed by H. Simpsou under the railway line at Oroua Bridge could he lowered Ift. to bring it on a level with the drain complained of by the Council.

Mr J. G. A. Wilson requires a 15-inch pipe culvert put across Taylor’s line, in the Sandon and Carnarvon ridings. It would be a great benefit to the road. Kaikokopu drains.—Coyle Bros, decline to go on with the drain contract, which has consequently been lee to the next tenderer for 25s per chain. I also arranged with Coyle Bros, to clear a line to the swamp 12ft. wide, which they have also declined to do at 2s 6d per chain. Tramway. —Good progress has been made with the plate laying during the napnth. About 28 chains have been laid down, and we expect to lay the remaining 33 chains down during next week. We have not quite decided where to ‘erect the engine shed, but thought it could be placed further along in a straight line from the goods shed to where the old Railway Station has been. The old station shed could be pulled down and another loop put down closer to the main road. The present lines would have to he'altered to make room for the engine shed, and an extra line would he required for shunting. The 835 sleepers which came to hand during the month are a first-class lot, and are said to be the best that ever came on the line. OTHER BUSINESS.

Cr. McKenzie said the Glen Oroua Dairy Go. desired to send [[their butter by the tram if possible. The Tramway manager was instructed to make inquiries as to what arrangements could be made to suit the convenience of the Dairy Companies. The Chairman suggested in view of the improved financial condition of the Council an effort should he made to widen the main drain road by increasing the special rate in the ridings interested or by loan. Or. Kendall said there would likely be sufficient spoil from deepening the drain to widen the road, hut it would be necessary to lay a temporary tramway. The Chairman Said there were no old rails in hand at present; some would be retained for the purpose. Ors. Dalton and McKenzie were appointed to interview Mr Goodwin in the matter reported on hy the Overseer.

Or. Kendall said his riding ought to contribute half the cost of the stop bank to the Oroua river reported by the Overseer. It was decided to procure poisoned grain for birds and give settlers orders to obtain packets direct from the chemist at Feilding in oases where it would be more convenient to them.

The Overseer was authorised to place lower the bridge for Mr H. Simpson as recommended in his report and construct the drain as desired by Mr Simpson, clear a line through the Kaikokopu swamp and arrange with Mr Boyle to 'carry the drain through his land. It was resolved that about six chains of Bast Belt road in Sandon Riding be metalled, cost not to exceed £lO, and that Crs. Masters and Hensen be empowered to call for and accept tenders for the supply of metal on the Sandon-Mt. Stewart road. That the Overseer be instrutced to report on the gorse and blackberry growing on the roads and ascertain as far as possible who are responsible for such growths. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the Council on Wednesday, 13th May to pass a special order maldug a separate rate in the Wirokino division of the Awahon riding. The clerk was directed to obtain the services of a surveyor to survey Lean’s road.

J. Oordiue’s tender for cleaning out Longburu-Rougotea road at 3s 9d was accepted, and also his tender of 2s lid for cleaning Government drain at Fox ton, the latter subject to the rafceapyers guaranteeing half cost. Or. Kendal).'was empowered to invite and accept tenders for the delivery of metal on the main drain road.