HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 14 September 1923, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting oi' the above was held on Saturday. Present: Grs. G. A. MonK (chairman), H. G. Bryant, C. 1. Harmless, i>. A. Broadbeit, J. B. Whyte, Barber, H. P. Jensen, and G. P. Catley. Leave of absence was granted Cr. Ryder. CORRESPONDENCE. •

From Department 01 Health, reporting that the premises occupied by Mr Johnston Davies (Tokomarui), and owned by Mr Pullyn, ol' Wellington, required certain repaius.—The cnairniian stated notice had been served to have repairs effected. From Department oi Health reporting ftnat title premises occupied by Mr F. Shaw. and.owned by Mr Hira Parata, of Wakaiiae, tihat Maliara House, owned by Mrs McDonald, oi Palmerston Norm, also the Manakau Hotei. owned by Mr G. Marett, anu occupied by Mr Walshaw, required certain repairs.—Notices served.' Front. A. and iL. Seiiert’s Flaxdressing Gq., asking lor repair work on Ohuku road. They had paid a deal in rates, but so far little money had been spent on the road mentioned. It was considered the Council should also assist. A similar request was made by the Makerua Drainage Board. TiJ(e Engineer said 90 yards ol metal would be useless, and that the damage had been done by the firm’s own lorries.—Matter neferrled to the councillors lor the Riding and Engineer. From .Mark Downes (Levin) drawing attention to the bad state ol Pretoria road, due largely to motor lorries, the property ol he P.W. Department, passing over them.—The chairman. said it had at one time been proposed to form a special district, but nothing eventuated. He thought the matter might be left to the councillors for the riding, but the Engineer said it was no good doing anything till fine weather set m— Referred to councillors for the Riding. From H. Moffatt (Otaki) applying lor a slaughter-house 'license. A letter from Messrs Taylor Bros, and others objected to the license, owing to the situation ol the slaugh-ter-house, as it was near the Waitohu stream and likely to cause pollution. —Referred to the Stock and Health Department. From Mrs A; McLaggan (Tokomaru) stating that l*3r lease expired on the unimproved portion of Toi Tot 51, and making application for ia renewal of same at the same rent., viz., £4 5s per year—Lease to be renewed, Cr. Whyte speaking in support. Letters were received from various owners of properties adjacent to Tiro Tiro and Mako Mako roads expressing their willingness to be included in the proposed (high pressure water service for that locality, which would necessitate the forming of a Special rating area—Received. Mr A. C. Holms wrote drawing at-

tention to the necessity for the foregoing work which he pointed out was the subject of an affirmative resolution some months ago.—Received. From Ohau Hall Committee, making application for a culvert in front of the -hall—Cr. Harkness said he had visited the locality and found it a genuine request, He moved that the application be granted—Agreed to. The. Government Insurance Department wrote re the insurance of County employees, and pointing out the advantages of. dealing through that office.—Received. From Messrs Park and Adams stating they had been advised by the Undersecretary for Public Works that it had been decided to proceed with the taking of land for the purpose of a road in connection with the matter—Bievan v. Talum, The Un(dei>S e cretary advised that owing to the objection lodged on behalf oi the owner of the land to he taken it was desirable that Section 15 of the P.W. Act should be strictly compile* , with. They enclosed formal appUca-

tion for the issue of an Order-in-Council, arid would be obliged if the Council would have it executed on behalf of the Council—To be attended to. ACCOUNTS. Accounts, amounting to £2023 3s 10d, £IOOO being for interest, were . passed for payment. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr W. N. Anderson) reported„ “Since my last report work through--out the County has been carried out - in a very satisfactory manner. “In the Tokomaru Riding I have practically nothing to report on. In the southern end metalling was completed at the end of last week; most 'of the roads were repatched and a number of dumps put out. In the northern part of the Riding, metalling has been delayed owing to the contrafe failing to commence his contract. This contract is now under way 'and by next meeting the

roads should be in giood order. “Wirokino Riding: The main work in this riding has been practically all routine work. The men have been mostly engaged in cleaning watertables. attending to culverts, etc. The new Kawiu-Foxton road has been reformed and is now in readiness for metalling. As a .£3OO Government grant exists for this road, application will shortly be made for this money and the work put in hand. A new pipe culvert was put in at the intersection of the main south and Kuku roads. Tenders were called during the m'onth for maintenance metal for the roads in the southern end of this riding and the tender of Mr K. Easton, of Foxton, was accepted ot a very satisfactory' price.—The contractor will start'work on Monday. “Re Messrs Carry and Jack’s remiiest to have a certain road through Section 59. (Hieaitherlea Settlement, dedicated as a public road: I have visited this proposed road and after making inquiries regarding the matter find there is still no access from the present, road t.o the proposed road. The Council therefore cannot accept dedication. . “In connection with Mr Criward ' Newmian’s .request to have someth ng done to road leading from Waitarere road to his property near the roast ’The councillors for the rulm* myself visited the locality during the

period. Since the visit ! have gone into the matter and find that no public road exists, only a nght-oraccess between Sections 2 and 3, Heatherlea Estate. I therefore do not consider the County nas power to spend money on private property.

“Regarding W.aiterere road.—A Government gram of £SOO, £ for £, has been granted for this, road, but as the estimated cost to the first gate (approximately one mile and threequarters) is £I4OO, ways and means will nave to be found to take up this grant. I would suggest trial a meeting of ail the settlers- concerned be field to <Uscuss Hie raising of the balance oi the money.

“Arataiigaia road: This road branches lrom tne Koputaroa-Foxton road and runs to the Manawatu river, parallel to the Aratangata dram, through swampy country. ' 1 estimate the cost of lonning and metalling a distance oi 100 chains at £2501).

“Damage to Tararua road: During the month 1 interviewed Mr Knignt, Dannevirkie, regarding damage ;to above road and he has promised that a start wiil be -made with repairs to

my satisfaction within the next few days. I have therefore withheld claim tor the time being. “The crushing plant has been set up in the Bartholomew road pit and arrangements made lor power to drive, same. I. hope to have crusher in full swing within the next day or two. COUNCILLORS’ COMMENTS. ' Cr. Whyte reported the metalling in bis riding was progressing satisfactorily, while Cr. Barber considered that another roller should be secured. One was badly needed throughout the district.

Gr. Harkness complimented • the Engineer on his full report which showed the amount of work entailed. There were many roads that deserved improvement. Cr Broadbeit expressed pleasure that the Council had a crushing plant and although the roads were gpod now they would soon require attention. He, thdught a tar-boiling plant should he secured and erected on a suitable spot-. The Enginer said that he had a plant in sight. Cr Catley said attention was needed to roads in his riding. WATER RACES DISCUSSED. Cr. Bryant said the Waikawa water race needed attention; no one seemed willing to . clean it, out. The chairman proposed that a maintenance rate be struck. Cr. Jensen said the Hautere water race should be considered. The Engineer said to bring the water 'to Lethbridge’s boundary would cost £450, while the cost of the pipe line alone would be £l4O, but he would not guarantee to cater for springs. Mr Lethbridge Was desirous of tapping his springs. Cr. Jensen asked would there be sufficient water to make the scheme of any use. The Engineer said be did not have much faith in the scheme and was afraid there would be a lot of leakage. He did not feel inclined to waste time on the matter. Cr. Jensen said miany settlers were anxious to get the water, and he proposed that the ratepayers be called together to discuss the proposal. He also stated that there was a shorage of water in the present races and that there had been many complaints. He thought there must be some serious blockage, or that someone was interfering with the races.. Surfacemen, he maintained, should not be allowed to attend the Gear races as there was no maintenance rate. The Engineer said the men had been instructed not to go. oil the Gear estate. RESOLUTIONS. Broadbeit—Harkness—That Crs. Harkness and Broadbeit be authorised to sign the rate hook for the rating year 1922-23. Monk—Bry ant—That necessary steps be taken to raise a. special loan for the purpose of acquiringland and makingi a road through the Bevan and Inse subdivision at. Manakau. RANGER’S REPORT. The ranger (Mr G. Watson) reported that during the month he had impounded 35 head of stock, but owing to shortage of feed the roads needed a lot of attention. ' Cr. Broadbeit complained of stock on the Arapaepae road and thought the ranger should be requested to pay more attention to it. The chairman considered the ranker very tactful, and that he had received very little support from Magistrates, who inflicted paltry fines. It was decided to twite to the ranger asking him to be more active m some ridings. •