HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 13 February 1923, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

FEBRUARY MEETING. The meeting on Saturday was attended Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), A. R. Knox, H. Barber, J. MeLeavey, >B. A. Broadbelt, 11. G. Bryant, J. ByAn Otaki Road. Mr C. W. Foster, Civil Engineer, Levin, informed the Council that having sub-divided a portion of the native block known as Topoatekoahu fronting the old W.cllington-Foxton coach road near the Waitohu stream" crossing at Otaki, he had been asked to furnish evidence that the road was a legal .one. He asked if the Council could give a certificate bearing the seal of the Council stating tha public money had been spent on the road and that it was recognised as a .public road. Cr. Ryder said public money had undoubtedly been spent on the road. On the Chairman’s motion it was decided to supply the certificate as asked for.

Cambridge Street Extension

Mr T. R. Overton, Horowhenua Power Board Engineer, wrote in reference to the Cambridge Street extension to Tarar.ua road and said it would be a convenience to the Board if the road cqjild be constructed at an early date. He understood that only a small portion of the work had to be done by the County Council, and he was writing the Levin Borough Council to carry out its portion. The Chairman said it had been suggested that representatives of the three bodies concerned, County Council, Power Board, and Borough Council, meet on the ground and go into the mattex - . He proposed that Cr. MeLeavey be the County representative. This was agreed to.

Cr. MeLeavey said the Chairman’s proposal was a good one and the sooner they met the better so that .the work could be gone on with. Koputaroa Drains.

Messrs Jacobs and Grant, solicitors, Palmerston North, wrote on behalf of Mr McGill, re Newman’s drain. They wished to know if the Council intended to dp anything in the matter. The drain had become a .menace to Mr McGill’s lands and unless soriiething was done soon he would suffer great dam-, age. The question was one of urgency and 1/hey asked that it be treated as such. ,

The Chairman 'said he intended to go ofit the other day to make an, inspection but was not able to do so. It was also proposed to hold a meeting of ratepayers with the idea of forming" a drainage board, but the meeting liad not yet beeii held. They could not do anything until they got the opinion of the ratepayers. Cr. Broadbelt said that was the position. When they got the opinion of the ratepayers they would know what was best to do. The Chairman said.the matter was in the hands of himself and members of the Wirokino riding, and they wo.ld take steps to arrange the meeting at Koputaroa. The matter was an urgent one, and they ,would regard it as such. Kimberley Road Ford.

Mr J. Stratton, Levin, drew attention to the bad state of the ford on Pie Kimberley, road. He and other settlers had to use the ford every day on the' east side and they found it extrem Ty awkward to cross in its present condirtion. Two bridges wove also required over the main water race on section 3E2, No. 10. The race cut the seel ion, into three parts and in the one instar.ee there had been no access given. In she other there had been a temporary bridge, which was now • rotten and quite unlit for stock to cross. Tie a fired the Council to make an inspect'.oa and see what could be done.

Cr. MeLeavey asked what was the matter with the ford.

The Engineer said the floods earn ed boulders to conic down and the ford to to get into a bad condition generally. The matter was referred to Cr. Harkness and the Engineer for inspection and report. General. . * Mr E. M. McEaehen, Makerua, made application to lease of an unused road at the back of the Makerua railway station. —Referred to Cr. Barber with power to act. The Taumarahui Borough Council informed the Council it had a stone crusher for sale. —Received. An application from Mr V. Croon .for a slaughtering license at Shannon was granted, subject to the approval of the Stock Department. Accounts amounting to £2637 3s Id were passed for payment. Engineer’s Report.

Mr W. N. Anderson reported as follow's:—

have little to report on since last meeting. The greater part of the period has been taken up in unloading timber and in bridge repairs. 82,000 superficial feet of Australian hardwood timber was received and carted to various bridges. The work of Tedecking the Ohan

bridge is practically ' completed, and a start will Jae made on Tuesday next with a new structure over the Waitohu stream, and from there the bridge gang will go to Otaki river bridge. The plant is now, at work in the Tokomaru Riding and by the end of next period I expect to have a fair amount Levin Club after a very enjoyable afternoon’s sport by sixteen games to five. A team of Otaki players uh&> der and C. I. Harkness.

travelled, to Levin and defeated the A team, of tennis players from Otaki of gravel put out in this riding. Another heavy flood occurred in the Manawatu river during the month, and although a good deal of erosion took place in the vicinity of the bridge on the Shannoii-Foxton road, very little damage was done on the eastern side as far as this County is concerned.

The surfacemen in the northern end of the To Horo Riding have been prac-. tically full time on the Hautcre water races which are now in fairly good order. 1

Owing to the continuous wet weather the main roads have suffered somewhat, but taking . everything into consideration have stood the strain exceedingly well.

Cr. Harkness (Wirokino) drew attention to the state of the Hokio beach road, xvliich was causing them more concern than anything etse just now. Some blackberry at Ohau should be cut before it was allowed to spread. Cr. Broadbelt said some few months ago he had asked for some gravel for the Piaka and Potts’ roads. He wanted to know if anything was being done and what was the cause of the delay.

The Engineer said it was understood they were to get a report about Paekakariki metal. That had not been done yet.

Cr. Ryder (Otaki) enquired what was the intention in regard to the repairs on the Otaki bridge, and whether it was to be closed during the whole 24 hours once the work started.

Tlic Engineer said the work was of such a nature that it seemed impossible to open the bridge at all after the work was commenced. He was going to consult with the Public Works Engineer and see what could be done, but he would be glad to do his very best to meet the public. •Cr. Hydes asked that whatever was, the decision arrived at that the information be made as public as possible so that the ratepayers and public generally would be fully informed. The Engineer said he thought it would be another fortnight, before the Otaki bridge repairs were commenced. Cr. Ryder drew attention to. Riverbank road. It was in very rough condition. The Paliiko drains were in an unsatisfactory condition us some of the owners cleaned their portion and others did not. Another thing was the sand being washed down the drains causing extra work to owners lower down. Cr. Ryder said a plank over the Waitohu in the Rahui road had been washed away, and he asked that it be replaced. This was referred to the Engineer.

Cr. Knox (To Horo) said' ,a small bridge at the end of Waihoanga road had been w-ashed away, and he asked would the Council replace it for the convenience of the children attending school.

Cr. Barber (Tokomaru) said Mr Burton, of Mangahao, had' applied for a Government grant to assist the clearing of slips on the road leading to his land. He asked that the Council assist with the 'grant, so that the work could be done. ./

Cr. Bryant (Ot.aki) said £75 had been subscribed towards improving the "Waikawa beach road, and was confident another £25 -would be collected. The members for the riding and the Engineer were appointed to go into the question of improvements to the road.