HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 14 November 1922, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

NOVEMBER MEETING

The usual meeting of the Council on Saturday was attended by Crs G. A. Monk (chairman), F. J. Ryder, S. A. Broadbelt, J. McLeavey, 11. Barber, J. R. Whyte, A. R. Knox, H. G. Bryant and C. I. Harkness. SHANNON METAL RESERVE.

The Public Trustee stated that the Council’s offer for the purchase of land in the estate of the late P. L Hennessy, of Shannon, for a gravel reserve had been referred to the beneficiaries, and no objection had been made to the sale.—Received. LAND FOR ROADWAY.

Mr F. G. Roe, Weraroa, in reply to the Council’s inquiry, stated that he would give the necessary land free for the extension of the road at the rear of the railway yard to connect the proposed road from the north-east side with the south end of Tararua Road. The cost of survey, fencing, formation and legal charges would have to be borne by the Council.—Received. BUCKLEY ROAD REPAIRS. Messrs. Easton Bros, and J. G. Peers, Buckley, asked that, some metal be put on the Buckley Road west of the railway. The water tables also wanted cleaning out.—Left to the councillors for the riding and Engineer, with power to act. The Engineer stated there was a small sum on the estimates for this work. ASHLEA COMPANY’S PROPOSED ROAD.

Mr Joseph Liggins, for Ashlea, Ltd., wrote re the Ashlea Road, and said there seemed some misunderstanding about the matter of the proposed road. The road had no connection with A. and L. Seifert’S, and there was no large drain near the proposed road. IThiero was just an ordinary drain to cope with, surface water. This property had been paying rates for many years without benefit, and the owners thought they were how entitled to consideration. The Ashlea Company had divided their land among the shareholders and awaited the action of the Council lo enable them to obtain individual titles and wind up the company. An agreement of'indemnity which the company was desirous of giving the Council would free the Council from liability. Mr Liggins said he understood the Council had appointed a committee to inspect the proposed road, and if so he would be glad to show and explain the position to the committee.

. The chairman stated that the matter had been referred to the county solicitor, who stated that, provided the Council was indemnified, it could take over, the proposed road from the Ashlea Company without taking any responsibility. The chairman suggested that the Council’s committee meet Mr Liggins on the ground, when an arrangement could be come to on the lines suggested by their solicitor. . TRAM AT POROUTAWHAO. Messrs. Ross, Rough and Co., flaxmillers, Foxton, asked the Council’s permission to lay a tram about 30 chains along the Foxton-Levin road to connect with their loading bank at Poroutawhao. This would save motor haulage over about 1| miles of the main road. They required the right to use as a loading bank the cutting at Poroutawhao and permission to widen and metal the road so. that motor lorries would be clear of the road when loading, and the right to lay the tram as stated to connect with this loading bank.

Cr Broadbelt stated that, the councillors for the riding and Engineer had inspected the loading bank side and the application was a reasonable one. The proposed tram would save'maintenance of the road, nd Mr Ross had further offered to keep the pot-holes filled and to run a light grader over the road when required. Cr. Mct.ea.vey supported Cr. Broadhelt, and said if the Council was indemnified he could see no objection to the tram crossing the road. The application was granted, an agreement covering the main points and indemnifying the Council in case of accident to be prepared. .

Engineer’s Report. The Engineer reported as follows; I have very little to report on since last meeting. Although • the weather has been somewhat unsettled, work hr. been carried out in a satisfactory manner. During the period 1300 cubic yards of maintenance gravel was put out on various roads in the Wirokino Riding, j 400 cubic yards river gravel by di'gvs and 900 cubic yards crushed pit metal by the lorry. Two and a-half miles of the LevinFoxton road was metalled, and the roller and lorry are at present working on Lindsay road, which I hope to lia\e completed towards the end of next week. The 24-inch concrete pipe culvert was put in across the main toad adjoining Mr Bowler’s property near Shannon, also the 48-inch concrete pipe culvert across the main road, Otaki

Kailway, was completed. Timber for the Waitohu bridge is now expected at any time, and a start will be made with this work whenever the timber comes to hand.

Quotations were invited recently for 'Australian hardwood timber for repairs to Otaki and Ohau bridges and arc now to hand. It will bo necessary to order this timber immediately so that advantage can be taken of the long summer days to have the work carried out in as a short a space of time as possible.

Re Mr Bould's offer to sell to the Council approximately 30 acres of river bed above Ohau bridge: With Councillors McLeavey and Harkness, I visited and inspected the piece of land referred to, but as there is no access to the property excepting under the railway bridge, I do not think it would be advisable to purchase in the meantime.

In connection with flax loading-banks on the Levin-Foxton road, during the week Councillors McLeavey, Broadbelt and, myself met Mr Ross at the site of the proposed loading-bank, when certain proposals were discussed. Mr Ross offers that if the Council will supply him with metal dumps on the road, he will undertake to keep pot-holes filled up and the ruts graded in; also that cutting where loading-bank is situated is to be widened out and kept in order to the satisfaction of the Council. Mr Ross also informed us that it is his intention to apply to the Council for the right to a tramway along a portion of the above road. If this is granted, a mile and a half of road will be saved from the extra flax traffic.

Cr. Barber (Tokomaru) said Kingston West road had been attended to apd was all right , for the present. Cr. Whyte (Tokomaru) asked if a cart could be put on for a few days at the north end of the riding.

The Engineer said he had already authorised a cart to be put on.

Cr. Harkness (Wirokino) said the road work in the southern end of the riding was very satisfactory. He asked if a deep drain at Ohau was to be piped and filled in as a number of Mr A. stock had fallen into it. Complaint had also been of trees blocking the view of the Muhunoa East bridge ,and something should be done there. A drain on the Ohau West road opposite Mr Hillard’s also wanted attention.

, The Engineer said the reason the deep drain at Ohau had not been attended to was that it was desired to put in all the orders for pipes at the same time. The order for these particular pipes would go forward with other orders. There would be no undue delay.

Cr. Ryder (Otaki) again complained of the jiotlioles on the main road between the Otaki bridge and the Otaki station.

Or. Knox (Te Horo) reported that the Te Horo beach road wanted attention, also some small bridges in that part of the riding. One south of the statioa had gone through. -The Chairman considered the Council had no responsibility regarding the drain opposite Mr Hillard’s at Kuku, but he could do the work himself if he wished.