KIWITEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9400, 22 March 1909, Page 5

KIWITEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting was held on Saturday. Present: Ors. ,F. F. Hockly (chairman), D. H. Guthrie, H. Fowler, E. Short, W. Mortoh, Chas. Mclntyre, J. McNeal and W. L. Brice. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Or. Fowler, it was resolved, that the Council regrets to hear of. the serious illness of Or. Bruce; is glad to hear of his improvement, and trusts soon to hear of his complete recovery. CORRESPONDENCE. From the County solicitor, in reference to the cases brought before the Kimboltou Court against persons for allowing cattle to wander on the road. The Magistrate had intimated that he did not consider the oases were of sufficient importance to justify the Council in employing a solicitor, and said that an officer of the Council could' have represented the Council at the Court. The Chairman said the clerk had his duties at the offipe to attend to, and to inflict such light fines was simply patting a premium on the practice of grazing stock on the roads. He would take an early opportunity to attend the Court to explain the views of tlie“Oounoil on the necessity of keeping the roads clear of stock.

It was resolved. That this Council regards the continued trespass of stock upon the main roads of the County, especially at night, as a serious menace to the safety of the travelling public, and feels compelled, notwithstanding the nominal fines imposed by the Stipendiary Magistrate on recent offenders, to continue its efforts to stamp out the practice. From Treasury, notifying that £428 Is Id had been placed to the credit of the Council, being £263, in respect to the Marton block bridge, and the balance for metalling Apiti Main South Road and the Mangapapa Road. From Waituna poundkeeper', with cheque for £2 10s, being credit balance on sale of filly. From John Turner, with order by O. J. Hansen and Son for payment to the former of all moneys due to him.—Accepted.

From Henry Summers, giving an order to pay £2 to A. W. Gould of money due to him.—Returned to be stamped.

From N. O. Hensen, asking the Council to collect royalty dne to him for metal.—Agreed to. REPORTS.

The Engineer reported :—I have had the flood water at Cheltenham diverted from the hotel property and taken to. a creek on Mr Bruce’s section. Men are now engaged digging the drain on Mr Russell’s property at Beaoonsfield. I have a letter from Mr Dawson stating that his estimate for proposed suspension bridge at Karewarewa does not include the approaches, the cost of which can only be arrived at after a survey of the site is made. The timber for the bridge on KaWbatau road has been delivered, and the work of erection will be commenced as soon as the men are at liberty. Since inspecting the slip on the Upper Pakihikura Road with Councillor McNeil and yourself, I have arranged to have a portion of the road regraded, a culvert put in, and the drain from the lagoon above straightened. Delay has occurred in the erection of the Marton Block bridge owing to the non delivery of a few pieces of timber, but the work should he? completed by the next meeting. The required quanitity of gravel has been delivered on the Upper Kawhatau road, but I understand the formation is not satisfactory, but will make an inspection in a few days. All the contracts were reported oh by the Engineer, and in the case of delay in commencing work, the Council directed -that the contractors be communicated with.

The Treasurer reported the receipts of rates, eto., £3ll 14s 7d; hypothecated thirds, £lO5 9s lOd; Government grants, £428 Is Id; dog tax, £53 9s; total £897 14s 6d. The dr. account at the bank was £l7 18s Bd, and the amount submitted for payment £2380 0s 6d, namely, County fund account, £1632 6a 5d ; land fund No. 2, £73 14a 7d; land fund account, £B6 15s 3d; loans account, £637 4s 3d. OTHER BUSINESS. Cr. Mclntyre said he had been asked to allow himself to be nominated as a member of the Land Board, and it had been with some

diffidence he had consented , and, if elected, he wonld certainly do his best on the Board, both for the Crown tenants and in the interest of the country generally. The Chairman said it would be a benefit to the Council to have a member of the Board on the Council, and he was sure that with Cr. Mclntyre’s experience on the Council he 'would make a useful member on the Land Board, and especially for the Crown tenants. Or. Guthrie also spoke as to the qualifications of Or. Mclntyre for the position. It was resolved— That (Ors. Hookly— Guthrie) this Council hears with regret of the impending retirement of Mr Hursthouse, Chief Engineer of Roads, and of Mr Robinson, District Road Engineer, from the public service. It wishes to place on record the unfailing courtesy and the uniform consideration and assistance which they have always .extended to this Oounil, and expresses the hope that they may both be spared for many years to enjoy a full measure of health and prospects. That (Ore. .Guthrie—McNeil) in future the Council will accept open orders for amount of royalties on gravel obtained by the contractors from private pits. The number of yards returned by the County spreaders to be taken as correct tally of metal taken. That (Ors. Mclntyre—Brice) Mr Moeas be granted permission to put a gate across Karewarewa Street, Rangiwahia, on the understanding that it must be any ratepayer objetos. Or. Brice stated that a meeting had been held by settlers interested in the re-erection of the Kiwitea bridge, when a resolution was passed as follows That until the Council gives us a guarantee that a bridge will be erected when the banks of the river are secure, this meeting of ratepayers do not think it advisable to rate ourselvbs for protective works on private property.” Or. Brice said the ratepayers appeared to be under the impression that Maokay’s Line was a main road, and, as such, with the bridge, should be kept in repair out of general fund. That in fact, it had been gazetted a main read. The Chairman said he could not

reply to the question as to the road having been gazetted. The Clerk stated that Maokay’s Line and the bridge had been constructed out of loan. Or. Short said it was quite unlikely the other Ridings would agree to the erection of a bridge on Mackay’s Line put of the general fund.

That (Ora. Brice—Mclntyre) the saltiers interested be informed that this Council cannot see its way to give a guarantee to erect a bridge on Mackay’s Line, either now or at a future date, out of the general fund. (Jr. Neil spoke of the need of taking off some sharp corners on the Kimbolton . Road near the Bluff Road. Or. Short said there were several sharp corners on roads in his that required removing. Or. Morton said it was very desirable that the timber on the sides of the Kimbolton Road formation, between Kiwitea and Kimbolton, should be removed. He pointed out that on some parts of the road if a swerve took place an accident was likely to occur.

The Chairman said now was the time to mention snob matters for they would have to consider the estimates at the next meeting. In view of the financial state of the country it wonld be the duty of the Council to keep the rates as low as possible. Certainly they should not increase the rates andt’he would like to strike a lower rate if possible. During the coming year the Council should keep the expenditure at the lowest limit. He intended to provide each member of the Council with a copy of the estimates abont nine days before the meeting, so that the members , could oonsider them before coming to the meeting. He suggested that the Council hold a special meeting on Friday evening before the ordinary meeeting of the Council in order to oonsider the estimates.—The suggestion was agreed to. That (Ors. McNeil—Guthrie) the Engineer have some of the sharp points taken off the Kimbolton Road in the Peep-o’-Day Riding. That (Ors. Guthrie—Mclntyre) as soon as the necessary steps have been completed for the raising of the £13,000 for the Karewarewa bridge, and the money available, tenders be called for a “Dawson” suspension bridge, ard, in the meantime, plans and specifications be approved’ by the County Engineer and the Government District Engineer.