MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9468, 10 June 1909, Page 5

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting was held at Sanson yesterday. Present: Ora. J. G. Wilson (chairman), T. Masters, R. McKenzie, J. Dalton, J. Hensen, W. E. Barber and G. Kendall OORRESPONDENOE. From A. H, B. Wall,, asking that willows be planted on bank on Manawatu river, near flaxmill, to protect property —Agreed to. From Secretary Himatangi School Committee, application for a crossing and culvert to the school; there being no means of access at present. —To be informed that present crossing should meet requirements. From Department of Roads, notifying gazetting of proclamation of land taken for Shannon road deviation. From Brandon, Hislop and Johnston, with reference to Pirinoa roads, stating that they had advised the syndicate that they were safe in going on with the construction of Bartholomew’s road. From Geo. Bartholomew & Co., Ltd., stating that there was no objection to the above mentioned road as long as the grades meet the Council’s requirements. From P. W. Brown, offering to keep drain along his boundary in order, at a price to be fixed by Council.— Council agreed to pay Is per chain. Fxom Ohas. Hopping, complaining of horses and cattle straying on roads in Rongotea riding.—Resolved that the ranger be instructed to impound all stock straying on County roads, and all persons persisting in, grzaing stock on roads after being warned to be prosecuted. From T. McKenzie, complaining of condition of roads in Carnarvon riding and suggesting that clay be put on all river metal.—The overseer’s recommendation to clay roads complained of was agreed to. From Hugh W. White, agreeing to Council’s proposals in regard to Leen’s line deviation to give access to Mrs Johnston’s sub-division.—Left in Mr Bickford’s hands to'get the necessary signatures. From Treasury, advising payment of £SO 5s 5d for charges on the San-son-Oarnarvon tramline.

From Adam Craig, application for position of roadman. —Applications to be called by next meeting. From J, A, Smith, asking that covert be lowered opposite bis property.—Agreed to. FINANCE. The Treasurer reported : Balances : General account £1869 13a 7d ; loan account £947 9s 3d. Amounts available for expenditure for year ending March 31st: Sandon, £255 19s Id; Mt. Stewart. £299 10s 4d; Waitohi, £215 7s lid; Rongotea, £422 3s 4d; Carnarvon, £304 4s lid; Kawakawa, £4O 13s 7d; Awahou', £352 6s 6d ; Whirokino, sub-division, £147 2s lid. OYERSEBR’S REPORT.

Mr Hickford reported . Sandon Riding.—On Ohakea■ierrace Road 120 yards of metal have been delivered as well as patching up McDonell’s and Richardson’s lues. Similar work has been done on Foxton-Sandon Road. It would be advisable to blind the rough metal with clay on several of the roads in the County.

Mt. Stewart Riding.—Messrs Jensen and Petersen have completed their contract for supplying and delivering 114 yards of metal on Hal-combe-Mt. Stewart Road, and 63 yards of metal have been delivered and spread along' weak places on Stewart’s Line. The contract for supplying 120 yards metal at 6s 6d on the Halcbmbe-Feilding Road has been commenced. Mr Gillett’s services had been obtained to inspect the survey of Boness’ Road and he is of opinion that the first section from the Feilding Road to beyond the Mangaone creek is in its proper position; the other portion towards the Oroua river ha considers should not be recognised by the County, but the road line now in use should be surveyed and dedicated to the County. Waitohi Riding.—Very little work has been done beyond breaking stones and filling in ruts on Hammond's and Rowe’s Lines. Other small works have been attended to. Rongotea Riding.—The bridge across Smith’s drain on Tompkins’ Line is unsafe for heavy traffic and should be replaced with a 4ft. concrete pipe. I would recommend a 4ft. concrete-pipe culvert be placed across the Campbell drain opposite Mr Oostall’s. Kawa Kawa Riding.—General repairs have been completed and the contract for metal on the main drain is finished. Two trucks of metal are required for Taikorea Road opposite Mr Mudford’s. During the month I suspected the Mangawhata protective works along the bank of Oroua river, with Or. Kendall, Mr Armstrong (engineer) and other members of the Drainage Board. The work had just been completed when a flood came down and scoured out several of the piles and fascine work and carried them completely away. It has: now been decided to out a new channel through *the point on the opposite side of the rvier and place a groin lust below the entrance to the new channel, to assist in turning the stream. The matter of protective works at this point is of great importance, as the river at this point is threatening to cut off communication. I would recommend Oonnoii to go in for a loan to carry' out protective works as required. Carnarvon Riding.—The usual repairs were reported to have been carried out. Blinding a of River Bank Road and Rosina Lines was recommended. I have inspected the continuation of the Koputaroa Road for the purpose of making a road to the beaoh. There are about 40 chains that require clearing and a portion of this will require to be formed and drained; a small culvert is also needed and to make the road through for traffic to high ground where travellers could pick a track for themselves would cost between £45 and £SO. Awahou Riding.—Mr O. Petersen has completed his metalling contract and the road is now in fair order. Kawakawa and Awahou Ridings. Mr Oooksley has completed his contract for formation and metalling chains of Palmerston-Foxton road, in first-class manner. It will be necessary to supply about 125 yards of clay by train for.this road. Rongotea, Kawa Kawa and Carnarvon Riding.—Nearly all the metal available for patching Foxton-San-ciou road has been delivered. The protective works at RongoteaLongburn bridge are in frst-olass order. The rirer is now running under the east bank and has silted up the old course on the west side to a great extent. I recommend that willows be.planted on the Bilt,

Ohakea Protective Works.—The willows have got a good hold along the bank and the work, on the whole, is in good order with the exception of a chain or two where stock got at the willows. The principal recommendations in the Overseer’s report are to be carried cub 'IK AM WAY REPORT. The Manager reported The traffic was satisfactory during month of May and a credit balance of £6O Os lOd was made. The principal items of traffic were :—Merchandise, 152% tons; grain, 76% tons; minerals, 48% tons; timber 14,500 ft.: metal 8650 yards. The fares amounted to £6 16s 3d. The boiler guage glass protectors, which have to bepioonred, have been ordered from Wanganui. The Council have had the offer cf firstclass “Powell system” rlmn sleepers for 3s each from 'the Rangitaua Timber Company, who are willing to take old rails at current prices in payment. As sleepers will be required shortly, it is thought advisable to accept the offer; During the month another quotation for steel rails has been received and 24 tons have been ordered. Mr Hickford inspected second-hand rails at Makerna, v aua was informed that the rails were not for sale, as the Company had decided to use them again. The Overseer was granted leave of absence for four days during this mouth. Tenders are to be invited for carting bout 150 yards clay for Riverbank Road ; 400 yards metal for Main Road (near Whale Road) and for clearing about 80 chains for drain in Kopufcara Drainage > District.. —Ors. Dalton, Masters and McKenzie were empowered to accept tenders.