HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 15 February 1924, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE FEBRUARY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua 'County Council was held at Levin on Saturday, The Chairman, Mr G, A. Monk, presided and there were present—crs Jensen, Bryant, Ryder, Broadbelt, Catley. Harkness, Whyte and Berber. BOUNDARY LIGHTS.

The Levin Borough Council wrote stating, in reference to the agreement between them and the County Council that the cost of boundary lights should be shared by the two bodies that it had now been agreed to adopt an all-night service for all lamps. This would make an extra cost of 5/ per lamp and they asked that the County confirm the amended agreement.—On the motion of Cr Broadbelt tlie report was agreed to. MANGAORE STREAM. The Department lof Health wrote enclosing copies of a Gazette notice dated January 24, placing part of the Mangaore Stream under the control of the Shannon Borough:* Council.— Received. SHANNON-BUCKLEY ROAD.

From Messrs Hankins, Fitzherbert and Abraham, solicitors, stating that on a property being acquired by a client, and marked Lot 5 oh a plan of sub-division of Block XI, Mt. Robinson S.D., a chain strip of land had been taken by the County some 20 years ago for the purpose of forming a read. The land had not been dedicated to the Crown and they now asked that the County would make clear their intentions in regard to it. The Chairman explained that thjs was the road between Shannon and Buckley. The County Clerk had made a search and the only thing that could be found was that the natives should give the land for such road free of cost. The. only question was what area the purchaser should pay for. The road had been made and evidently on the title no deduction had been made in respect to same. The matter was referred to the County Clerk to obtain all information possible. * * SHANNON-FOXTON ROAD.

The District Engineer of the Public Works Department advised that the ramp and deviation on the ShannonFoxton Road was completed and he asked that the County fix a date for inspection with a view to taking the mover.

The Engineer stated that he had inspected these works during the week and considered that the ramp on the east side was too steep; otherwise the work was satisfactory. On the motion of the Chairman it was decided to refer the matter to the members for the Riding and the Engineer with power to act. FLAX ON ROADSIDE. An application was received from Mr T. A. Judd, of Shannon, for permission to cut flax, estimated at 6 tons on the Kuku Road, and offering a royalty of 6/ per ton for same.—Accepted. ROADING AT HEATHERLEA. A petition asking that the road to their properties at Heatherlea should be;jicfrmed ! ahd metalled: was received from Messrs Chas E. C. Webb and T. Hannan and Mrs F. McDonald, who expressed their willingness to be rated therefor. Cr Broadbelt explained that he,and the Engineer had examined the road to which the settlers concerned were willing to contribute. It was an easy piece of road to make and he considered that the road should be proceeded with. The Engineer stated that the approximate cost would be £2lO provided that the work could be proceeded with before the. crusher closed down.

On the motion of Cr Broadbelt, it was agreed that steps be taken to form a special rating area with a view to putting the work in hand.

ENGINEER’S REPORT-

The County Engineer reported us follows:

The weather during the period just ended has been very dry and although the work has been carried out in a very satisfactory manner the roads are beginning to break up considerably.

In the Tokomaru Riding I have very little to report. Victoria Road has received 146 cubic yards maintenance metal.-and a start will be made at the beginning of next week with gravelling of Kingston Road. A further quantity of metal was put out on the Kingston ’ Road. During the week Cr Barber and myself interviewed Mr Seifert and the Engineers in connection with the proposed /new Main Road bridge over the Kara Stream, and a plan is now submitted for your approval. Designs for bridge over the Tokomaru River at Makerua and bridge on the Okuku Road were also discussed.

Wirokino Riding.—Metalling on the Otorua Road has been completed and a start made with the Levin-Foxton Road. Arawhata Road has been rutted in readiness for metalling and the contractors will finish the Beach Road during the coming week. The concrete culvert on Potts Road will be commencd on Monday, and the tarring on Main Roact, Weraroa Settlement, is nearing completion. Cr Broadbelt and myself visited, during the ; period, McDonald Road Extension and met with several settlers interested. After discussion the settlers were agreeable to having their properties brought into a special rating district.

Cr Barber (Tokomahi) stated that the plans of the bridge over the Kara stream had ■ been made out and appeared to be very satisfactory. The Okuku bridge plans were also out and both should be very fine structures. Cr Whyte (Tokomaru) stated that the settlers of the Victoria Road were dissatisfied with the metal put on the road, which had not been crushed finely -enough. He would like to see some blinding put on.—Left to the Engineer for consideration.

- Gr' Harkness (Wirokino) reported that he had gone over the Gladstone and Tararua Roads recently and found them in. excellent repair. The arrangement made with the sawmill people was evidently working very satisfactorily ’and he was sure that p’s. would be glad to hear of this. Cr groadbelt (Wirokino) stated that

part of the Main Road was becoming very much pitted with pot holes. He considered that something should he done to effect repairs where possible. Cr Catley asked if the loan for the W-aitarere Road had yet been received. The Chairman stated that so far although he did not doubt that the Department would entertain the loan, nothing definite had been received. These applications were dealt with in rotation and in due time the matter would be dealt with. RANGER’S REPORT.

The County Ranger reported that he had impounded 28 head of wandering Stock. An information would be laid against a stock owner at next Court—lt was decided that the Ranger’s report should be adopted and that his attention be directed to stock wandering on. the Arapaepae Road and the Bruce Road. ENGINEER’S CAR.

A lengthy discussion arose as to the Engineer using the County car for private purposes, it being decided that it would not serve the best interests of the County to limit the use of it, provided always that before taking it for any lengthy trip, the permission of the Council should be obtained. VISIT TO HUTT ROAD.

Cr Catley brought up the. suggestion of a visit by Councillors to the construction works at present being done on the Hutt Road. In view of the work which would be necessary under the Main Highway scheme it would be advisable to gain as much information -on the subject os possible, Cr Jeftsen objected that until the Main Highways Board decided on the standard of road required it would be inadvisable to go into estirhates for themselves. They might decide on some particular kind of road ana find that it was necessary to provide quite another. The Clbai'rfman Explained tfhat as far as the information at present being collected for the Main Highways Board was concerned this referred to the particular roads to come under the Main Highways scheme, the traffic on such roads, etc. As for Cr Jensen’s contention that the visit of the Crs. to the Hutt Road should be postpofned ulntil the Board’s intentions were known, Ijho Council must remember that it was proposed to finish the road by April, so that they could not wait indefinitely. The compiling of the Engineer’s report was a lengthy affair and whilst it was being made, he considered that Crs. should at the same time gain as much information regarding construction as possible. On the motion of Cr Ryder, seconded by Cr Catley, it was decided that the Council visit the Hutt Read as a body on a date to be arranged.