HOROWHENUA COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Shannon News, 17 March 1922, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Horowhenua Council was held on Saturday and was presided over by the chairman (Cr. G. A. Monk). Others present were Crs. A. Knox, C. I. Harkness, J. McLeavev, H. Barber, J. R. Whyte, F. .J. Ryder and H. G. Bryant. Correspondence.

Bulliman Bros., Waikanae, wrote drawing attention to the condition of a culvert across the Waikanae road in front of their property. It was stated that the pipes had sunk in places and caused a block in the water, thus flooding the road and adjoining property. — Referred to the chairman and engineer.

The Department of Labour forwarded a copy of section 7 of the Industrial Coneilntion and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1921-22, which, notwithstanding the provisions of tho Act of 1908, exempts local bodies from the provisions of any awmrd or industrial agreement in respect of any relief works they may institute. —Received. A petition was received from three ratepayers of Te Horo that the Council take the necessary steps to turn the flood water at Te Horo into its natural course. —The chairman said he was sure residents w'ould be disposed to pay a’ portion of the cost, and he moved that the engineer frame an estimate of the cost of carrying out the work. — Carried.

The Otago Hospital w'rote asking for support in a protest against increased fees charged for audit. The last account received by the board intimated that the fee wms £3 3s per day of seven hours at 9s an hour. The previous rate of £2 per day was regarded as high, but the new rate was in the opinion of the board exorbitant. It was therefore suggested that the Council bring the matter before the M.P. for the district. —Supported. Requests from Ridings.

Cr. Knox reported that a ratepayer recently fell through a bridge over the Mangaone, which was a pretty good indication of how' badly repairs were needed. —Attention in this quarter was promised. Cr. Bryant stated that settlers at Manakau w'ere desirous of having a high prossure water supply installed, and considered tapping the Waikawa stream for this purpose. He asked that., the engineer be allowed to inspect the site and report on the practicability and probable cost of the scheme. Granted. Purchase of Road Plant.

‘‘Now that the Council has decided | to some up-to-date road plant, | I think it would be advisable to get | either one or two light two-liorse graders to be used for trimming and raking ' in,” said the engineer in the course of | his report. Tho chairman strongly ’ supported this, and on his motion two j are to be procured, f Ct. Harkness, asked that repairing I work be done on the Gladstone road. The engineer promised to look into the matter, and remarked that continued complaints came from that quarter. Either metal was too rough or else it | was too fine. There was always something wrong. -