HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 17 January 1922, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

JANUARY MEETING.

| The first meeting of the year was held on Saturday. Present Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), J. McLeavey, A. R. Knox, C. I. Harkness, S. A. Broadbelt, J. R. Whyte, H. ..Barber, F. J. Ryder and H. G. Bryant. Waikanae Drains. Mrs H. A. Brown, Waikanae, drew attention to the state of culverts and drains opposite her house. On Saturday last they were flooded and there was over six inches of water in the garden. This was owing to the culvert opposite not being large enough to carry away the water from the stud farm and the drains opposite her house not being cleaned out. The Chairman said he knew this case, which was an unfortunate one, as the water from was diverted by the railway and was causing trouble. When there was abnormal rain the water encroached on Mrs Brown’s, and it was almost impossible to do anything that would mitigate the nuisance owing to the peculiar lay of the country. The only thing was for the engineer to instruct the roadman to clean out the water tables. It was decided to act accordingly. ( Roads Want Attention. Mr...IV M. Sipicox, Forest/Lakes, Otaki, drew attention to bad places m Forest Lakes road /and the Oach Road. During the heavy rains the Lakes road had become much worse, the water tables being washed out into deep holes that were dangerous to conveyances using it. In the Coach Road the holes would bump people out of their vehicles. Lupins should also« bo cut away from the road. Mr F. S. Simcox, Camp Hill, Otaki, also called attention to. the state of Forest Lakes Road. It had not received attention since April or May last. There were three culverts running under the road, and one had been choked for months, and the water had washed a lot of metal off the road. If the roadmen put in two or three days ev ery six months on. the road they would save pounds to the County. In reply to 'the Chairman; Cr. Ryder said the Forest Lakes Road was a public road. He considered a danger notice shpuld be placed at the junction of Forest Lakes - road and the main road. This was a dangerous spot, and an accident would happen sooner or later. '

The matter of attending to the roads complained of was- left in the hands of the -engineer. , ’ Hautere Cross Water Supply. Three ratepayers at Hautere Cross, Charlotte Dugganu, H. Fielding and S. Collier, wrote asking that the Council consider a scheimc to bring water into their respective; properties. Or. Knox explained that the water would be brought from Mr Lethbridge’s place, from.’ which a good supply could be got. Cr. Ryder asked would it not be a good idea to continue the race for the benefit of the perjple lower down?. Cr. Knox said the present .proposal would benefit the whole of the Hautere water scheme. There was a good source of supply. The Chairman said there was a doubt as to whether, the water could be brought all the- way, and the engineer would have to tsike levels to find out. It was decided that the engineer take levels to ascertain if the scheme was.possible'’ Accounts. The sum. of £2168.16s was passed as payment for the monthly accounts. Purchase of Motor-Lorry. After considering the matter in Committee, Cr. McLeavey moved Cr. Ryder seconded, and it was carried.: That the Chairman and Crs. Broadbelt, Whyte, Ryder and McLeavey be a committee to go into the question of the purchase of a motor lorry, and the question of the metalling of the main road in the Wirokino and Tokoma.ru ridings, such committee io have full power to act. Engineer’s Report.

The Engineer reported as follows: Since last meeting things generally have been very quiet and work has been considerably delayed owing to the holidays and continuous wet weather. On the 30fch and 31st December exceptionally heavy rain fell causing heavy floods throughout the County, but I am pleased to report very little damage. Minor slips came down in some of the cuttings but those have been cleared. A washout. took place at the northern end of the Otaura bridge on the Main Road near Shannon; this has also been repaired. Further erosion has taken place near the Ohau Bridge on the Muhunoa East Boad, but in my opinion the sijtiiati' on at this particular spot is much i mproved and with very little work tli e main stream can be thrown over to the eastern bank. During the period, a start was made with the improve; mr juts to -the WaikawaKuku water re mea. A silt well has been put in at th<e 3 aow intake and the trench

has been opened up to receive the 12in. pipes which are to replace the present 9in. pipes. The pipes are now on the ground. Fair progress has been made with the metalling of Lindsay road and the work on the main race deviation is nearing completion. The asphalt on the Otaki bridge has been patched and re-coated and the tarred road at Te Horo will receive attention in the near future. I would be pleased if the Council would decide at this meeting what its intention fs regarding main roads. The stretch from the Ihakara creamery to Shannon is in an exceedingly bad state/and if something is not done immediately will become almost impassable when winter arrives.

Cr. Whyte (Tokomaru) said he believed that the repairs carried out by the Government on a bridge in the Tokomaru Riding had been done, with old sleepers. It would be necessary for the engineer to make an inspection, as the Council would have to bear the cost.

The Chairman said it would be as well for the engineer to make an inspection, and see what timber had been used.

Cr. Barbof (Tokomaru), after reporting on one or two small matters that required attention, stating that Cr. Barber, of the Manawatu County Council, had informed him that .the Manawatu Council would like a conference with Horowhenua to discuss the w*ay the river was cutting iu to their side above the bridge on the Shannon-1 oxton road. Cr. Barber considered it would be wise to meet the Manawatu Councillors and hear Avhat they hsid to say. It -was decided that Crs. Barber, Whyte, Ryder and McLeavey, together with the engineer meet the Manawatu representatives and report to next meeting. ; Cr. Broadbelt (Wirokino) .said there were a lot of odds and ends on the roads that wanted attending to. As regards. the Muhuuoa Fast bridge he was led to understand that the ' position /was much more serious than the engineer hact stated. The engineer .said he was quite- satisfied that the river would go back to the eastern bank, and there w r as no need for alarm.

Cr. Broadbelt: Are you quite satis fled Avith the condition of things? The Engineer: Yes.

Cr. Harkness (Wirokino) considered, the engineer in putting the men on loan money Avorks , Avas Avise. Cr. Harkness said, it had been rumoured that the McLeavey dam at Ohau was to be let go. He asked if that Avas so. The Chairman stated that had been understood \vhen it .was decided that the Avator race be diverted..

Cr. McLeavey (Wirokino) said he visited the Muhuuoa east bridge with the engineer at the height of the flood, j and again later, and agreed jWith the j engineer that the river Avould eventual- jj ly take a course on the eastern side. There was some erosion during the last flood at the second bridge on the Muhunoa East road/ ' Cr. Ryder (Otaki) stated that a number of places had been flooded lately, but the engineer had promised to come j down and see what could be done. As regards the Otaki bridge, he had never seen it in better order, and the last work done had been very satisfactory indeed. i The Chairman: That is very pleasing. Cr. Bryant (Otaki) said the roads south of Manakau were in good order but he could not say the same to the north. There Ayere some complaints about small damage being done by the recent floods which he Avould like the engineer to look into. Cr. Knox (To Horo) said there Avas little to report in Te Horo. g There had been.no slips in the Gorge, but a Avashout had occurred in loAver Mangoane road. •_ ‘ Tl'lllMl