COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS.

Shannon News, 13 March 1923, Page 3

COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS.

RIDING REQUIREMENTS. Owing to the absence of the Engineer there was no works report at Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council. Councillors mentioned various small matters that required attention. WIROKINO RIDING. Cr. McLeavey reported having attended the conference of the i-Ywoi: Board and Levin Borough Couiu.il in regard to the continuation of 1 tire road through Mrs Prouse’s property. The other delegates did not seem to think the Council offer was enough, but it Avas not. increased.

Regarding the. Kimberley Road ft rd, the last big flood had improved it considerably. He had no recommendation to make in regard to a request by Mr Stratton for a bridge over a water race and repairs to another bridge, as the original agreement made stood o-d.ty, and the property was bought v. oh the race through it. Something would have to be done, to the Aratvatu Road or it would be impassable this winter. On the motion of Crs. Harkness and Broadbelt, expenditure up to £ls was sancti mad on the road, Cr. McLeavey to have the work done. Cr. Harkness said, in connection with the water supply into Mossrs. Jeff and Deacon’s, there was da i.rur of children falling in, and it V.o’Cd be covered. The drain should U: Hll.ed in or they might have to pav damages for stock injured.

Cr .Harkness considered the Council should go seriously into tlm qjistion of concrete bridges. KOPUTAROA DRAINAGE.

Cr. Broadbelt said that he quite believed something would be done as a result of the meeting lield at Kooutaroa in regard to the Tangata drain agS area. A committee hdd been set up and was going further jnto the matter. , The owners recognised that the Council could scarcely be expected to maintain all these drains, because it derived no benefit. The 'Kopataroa people Avanted to be included in the scheme, and would hold a meeting next Aveek.

Cr. Broadbelt expressed disaopmument that more .could not be done to the roads this financial year.

MANY BROKEN CULVERTS

Cr. Whyte (Tokomaru) said tbjt since last meeting there had been fb’e or six culverts on the mala road in bis riding, and they had no pipes to repair them. The pipes were ordered in November, but Avere lieid up owing to tlie financial position. The residents Avere being earned much inconvenience. -

The chairman asked whether timber would not be necessary, as pipes were not safe from heavy .traffic ire less they had a foot or fifteen incites of earth on them. Cr. Whyte said the Engineer. ordered the pipes for this work, and it was decided to obtain enough to go on with and repair the breaks. RIVER EROSION. Cr. Whyte drew attention to the erosion near, the bridge at Tokomaru, threatening the approach. He would like some inspection to be made. BROKEN AXLES. Cr. Barber said no less than six axles of cars had been broken recently in -the Tokomaru riding, some on the main road and some on the iy-

roads, which* showed'the condition of the surface. Very good progress was being made at the south end. AVAITOHU BRIDGE. Cr. Ryder, asked when the hamlfaiis Avould be ready for,., the Waitoliu bridge. • The chairman said they had been delayed by a breakdown in the mill. The timber Avould be prepared here and taken down and .adjusted Avlien it came to hand. At Cr. Ryder’s instance the chairman and he are to meet represeniatives of the Otaki Borough Council to go into the matter ,of the responsibility for the River Bank Road extension.

' WAIKAWA BEACH ROAD

Cr. Bryant said matters had reached a deadlock in regard to the .Waikawa Beach Road,, as he had not been able to get one of the native owner:, to agree to allow the road to go through. He would like' the Chairman and Cr. Ryder to make another inspection to see if they could get another route. .

A good deal of erosion was going on in the Waikawa at the bridge, and it should be inspected. Cr. Bryant ■ drew attention to a signboard on.railway property on the north side of Manakau. it was on the edge of the road and was a danger to traffic. CULVERTS FOR ACCESS. Cr. Knox said a ratepayer had ask e'd him whether the Council replaced bridges and culverts across water races where there had already lieen a bridge'. * • The Chairman: It depends* a goon deal on circumstances. There are cases where the Council -is responsible. Cr. Knox.:skid this bridge was die approach' to the ratepayer's house, and it was broken away. If Hie Council supplied the Umber lie would repair it himself. .The Chairman agreed that this was a case where the Council could assist.

Cr. Knox said there had been complaints that water in certain water races was very scarce, ami he l tid found places between Mr B\ Cat ley’s property and the Mauri land, and on Mr Rest’s farm, where the cuttle bad broken down the banks and half the Welter was running to waste. It would need considerable length of fluming to be erected to carry Hie water, over these places.