HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 17 March 1925, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

monthly* meeting^ ~ ordinary monthly meeting ol' the Horowhenua Coum/ Council was e . i n kh-b Borough. Chambers on Saturday. Piesent Crs. Monk (chairman), 'Jensen, BroadJtjelt, Harkhess, Bryant, Ryder, Whyte, and Barber. Leave qf absence was granted to Cr. Catley.

THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. From the Levin Chamber of Com merce asking that the Council appoint delegates to attend a meeting to arrange a deputation to the Agricultural Commission, re the question of the suitability of the Central Development Farm as a site for the proposed agricultural college. A funner letter was received stating that at a meeting held fqr this purpose, it had been decided to make a levy on the various local bodies for the purpose of paying the expenses incurred bv the deputation, and that the Council’s quota had been assessed at £2. Cr. Broadbelt stated that he was present at the conference at which a deputation had been set up to wait on the Commission. He had been unable to attend, but had sent in a report, and was pleased to hear that the deputation had been favourably received. As the result of the deputation the Commission had visited the Central Development Farm on Friday. It had been necessary to raise finance 'tq send the deputation to Wellington and the only means oi. raising this amount was to levy it* from the various /bodies interested in the establishment of a College. lie moved that the Council contribute as suggested.

This was seconded by the chairman, who said that there were many arguments for the establishment of the College at the Central Development Farm. The Commission was at present touring the country for the purpose qf deciding primarily the necessity of an agricultural college, and if they decided that such is necessary, just where it should be built. He was of opinion that such a college would he of great advantage to the North Island whether'built at Wcraroa or otherwise, and tbe present muvu should be supported. Tlte motion was carried. N AUJE R—N FA V PLY MOUTH EXPENSES. From the Levin chamber ol Commerce, drawing attention to the proposal to cut out the stations on the Manawatu line as stopping places for the Napier and New Plymouth expresses.

The chairman stated that he hadattended on this deputation and whilst he had ,not found, looking at it from a. district point of view, that \lie was in absolute sympathy with the desires of all the delegates, he had found himself able to join with the Boroughs in their request for a five-stop system for all trains save the Auckland expresses. As far as the flag stations were concerned, the suggested time table would suit better than the existing one. The Board had given the deputation a very sympathetic reply, although a non-com-mittal one, save in one respect, viz., the request that suburban passengers be taken on to Lambton station instead of Thorndon as it present. This it had been agreed to do if possible, although, it was pointed out that there were many difficulties m the way. MAKERUA DRAINAGE BOARD.

The Makerua Drainage Boaird wrote that in the course. of the next week or two they contemplated .sending the dredge to bank the north_ branch of tlie Kara sti earn, this being tile stream from Spiers’ Mill towards the Kingston Road on the East side. They pointed out that in sL previous cussion of. the position the Council had stated that part of the gravel formation on the adjoining road, belonged to the Railway Department, and they (the Drainage Board) now asked if they might go on with the banking or if they would have to wait for permission from the Railway Department. They pointed out further that it was necessary to get the work done before the end on June as there was too much water in the creek in the spring.

Re the Okuku Road, the Board stated that .they had decided to build a road from'Where the bwidgo is now being built to where the road turns away from the stream, arid asked for particulars of the class of road which would satisfy the Council. The chairman said that he considered that title suggestions regarding the Okuku road were very satisfactory. Regarding the banking, the Engineer said that lie had already conferred with the Makerua Drainage Board representatives, but it depended on the Railway ’Department just what could be done. He suggested that, a conference between the Railway Engineer, Drainage Board, and Council be held to settle the matter. He pointed out that the Board was proceeding with the building of a Kara bridge but bad not received the confirmation ol the Council for the work in hand.

A resolution was passed 'suggesting the calling of. a conference to settle the matter of the Kara bridge mam road, and that the Drainage Board be notified to cease all work on roads and bridge until plans bad been submitted to, and approved by the Council. POHERNA ROAD. Mr C. NV. l.iggins, Tokoma.ru, asked that repairs be effected to the Poheruu Road which gives access to liis property. lie stated that sums of £6O and £l5O had been placed on the estimates tor the work at various limes, but had not been spent. He stated that a boy bathing in a hole on the road during this summer had cost his life. The work required was: Shifting the site of. a culvert, forming part of the road, and metalling. The chairman stated that the position in regard to this matter was that two years ago steps were taken to form a special rating district to form and metal the road. Later some of the signatories had withdrawn leaving not a sufficient number to enable the Council to carry on. The road had never been properly formed. The Engineer said that the road was a very long one, and could not

be made Qut of revenue. Some repair work was being done on it, Out nothing much could oe done unless it were properly metalled. Cr. Whyte said that the road was ■ absolutely necessary to Mr Liggins and he would like to see something done. The Engineer said that he had made arrangements with Mr Luggins’ manager that he should do the lepairing oi the culvert and other

necessary work, but nothing had been done. The matter was referred to the Engineer and councillors for the riding with power to act, the chairman suggesting that something might be done towards the forming of a, special rating area.

SHANNON BRIDGE. Thq Wjhitanui Flaxmilling Co., Ltd., entered a protest against the delay in re-ei ecting the Shannon-Fox-lon bridge which resulted in their being practically isolated from Shannon, and caused them great inconvenience. They asked that everything he dope to ha,ve the bridge rebuilt at, the earliest possible moment. —Received. THE SHANNON-FOXTON PUNT.

The Public Works Department advised that the punt over the Manawatu River on the Shannon-Foxton road was now ready for handing over to the Council. The Department had engaged a man to act as ferryman, wages not being definitely settled, as it was understood that a meeting 01 the local bodies would shortly he ueld to decide the question of wages, scale of charges, etc.

The' chairman said that at the conference held at Shannon it had been agreed that the Highways Board take over control of the punt. The suggestion made at 'this meeting was that only non-ratepayer* should be charged, but this did not appear to he workable. He would move that the matter be referred to the Highways Board.—Carried. SHANNON WATERWORKS.

The Shannon Borough Council-ask-ed for permission to run pipes over the County Road to Mr J. iLiggins’ property.—Agreed. QUESTION O>F RESPONSIBILITY. From the residents of Koputarou asking that the floodgate on the K<> putaroa creek be repaired. The chairman said that he had discussed this matter with the County Clerk and he considered that this was a case wliioh required a legal opinion. It appeared that this flood-gate had been erected on a road belonging to the County. He suggested that Mr T. F. Martin, counsel to the N.Z.

Local Bodies’ Association, be asked for an opinion. Cr. Broadbelt supported this. The matter was so serious that advice should be taken on it. This case had a bearing on others in the district and it- would be well to - have it settled. In this instance the County had certainlv done the work, but it was at the request of a number of settlers, and for the hen'’fit of those settlers. He did ’’of consider that in such a case the ' o—q should be resnonsible for maintenance for all time.

Cr. Harkness said that lie understood that it had been agreed that a Drainage Board "" s io be formed to control this matter. He regretted to hear that this had urn been done. Cr. Broadbelt. said, that- the repair of this gate would he a big work. The concrete side of the wall at the gate had collapsed and it would be a costly matter to put it in order. 1 On the, motion of the chairman it was agreed that Cr. Broadbelt and the County Clerk be aww'inled to take the necessary legal,advice.

BARTHOLOMEW ROAD PIT. From the Levin Borough Council forwarding conditions under which thov would permit I hri oounc.il to metal from the Bartholomew Road pit t< was that these con,:t;ons be agreed to.