HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

Shannon News, 11 April 1922, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

COUNCIL MEETING ON SATURDAY. A meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held on Saturday, the chairman, Cr. G. A. Monk presiding. Crs. Bryant, Ryder, Whyte, Barber, McLean, Darkness, Bijbadbelt arid Knox were also present.

H. O’Donnell, of Kuku, Ohau, applied for a slaughter-house license. In connection with this matter Mr John Horn, of Manakau, wrote stating that recently a slaughter-house and boil-ing-down shed had been erected in close proximity to his residence, and that he feared an offensive smelt. Also.'it seemed, he said, that the drainage and washing-down waters would go into the Council’s races.— Cr. Bryant said there was a fairly large space separating the house and the slaughterhouse, add that there should not necessarily be any drain-, age into the water races. It was decided then that Crs. Bryant and McLeavey visit the spot, and if conditions are favourable the application be granted. Mr .7, Bowler, of Shannon, wrote drawing attention, to the blocking by spoil of a culvert under the main road, and the consequent, flooding of his property. The chairman,, of the Buckley Drainage Board wrote in connection with the same matter. He stated that at each flush, deposits of soinl were left in the drains adjoining and his board was put to expense in clearing it. Cr. Barber said the capacity of the culvert was not sufficient.

The Engineer said he would have any spoil cleaned thoroughly. He was -sure the trouble was not as bad as it had been represented to be. f The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer to see what improvement could' be made to the old existing culvert,, and if found necessary to report as to the advisability of constructing a new and larger one. The Levin Dairy Co. wrote stating that steps had been taken to prevent any further drainage being allowed to reach the* piggery. It had also arranged for all drainage and refuse from the stvs to be carted out and properly distributed.—Received. FINANCIAL MATTERS. The ch'airm'&n said it was hoped that the Public Works estimate could be got out at the end of the month. It was essential for the county to live within its means. Under the new Finance Act as it. applied to local bodies the Council had to make both ends meet at, the. end of the year. Councillors in conferring with the. Engineer should not ask anything that ,\vas hot absolutely necessary, i Since he had been in the Council he had, not seen so much money owing for outstanding rates. There was no less than £SOOO outstanding, and there [ was £760 owing from the previous S year. It was unfortunate that a big j share of the outstanding rates came I ffloih returned soldiers. The only I thing for the Council to do now was to make every effort .to get the money in and the staff would be instructed accordingly. iOn the motion of Cr. Whyte, it was decided that the chairman and treasurer take the necessary steps to raise a loan of £9OOO to be used as a ! set-off to the antecedent liabiltiy. GENERAL BUSINESS.

The dog tax was fixed as before, and Mr Geo. Watson was appointed registrar. The ranger reported that he had impounded 32 head of .wandering stock. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS.

Cr. Barber said a few loads of metal were required in the Tokomaru road, especially near Shannon. Numbers of potholes had made an appearance lately.

Cr. Harkness said several requests had come to him from the Kuku end of the Wirokino riding that the road 'to- the hall badly needed attention. He was sure an area of land near the gravel pit would be a first-class place for the Council to do any tree-plant-ing That' it might decide on. The Kuku-Beach Road was in very bad order, and was sovergrown with lupins'. Drains on the road to the Soldiers’ Settlement needed attention, but there was no doubt that part of the obligation of clearing them rested on the soldiers themselves.—On the suggestion of the chairman, he agreed to get into touch with the soldiers and arrange a conference with representatives of the Council.