HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 24 April 1925, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tlie monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held in the Levin Borough chambers on Saturday, the chairman, Cr. Monk, presiding. Also present, Crs. Jensen, Catley, Broadbelt, Bryant, Ryder, Whyte, and Barber. Accounts for Payment.

Accounts totalling £771 Os 9d, were passed for payment. Correspondence; The Pahiatua County Council forwarded a proposal that the Act bo amended enabling property owners whose property bounds hill-side roads to place their fences on the lower edge of the road, thus forming a protection for motorists.

The chairman said that what was asked was that steps be taken to legalise such a position. The question that arose was whether if a local body gave permission to place the fence as suggested, an obstruction would not be created under the meaning of the Act. Care would have to be taken that encroachment should not be made where not necessary. He thought that they might support the proposal to have the position legalised. —Carried. Conserving Water Supply.

The New Zealand Forestry League drew attention to the proposed sale of the May Morn Estate, comprising 18,741 acres of bush country, which it was held was necessary for the conservation of the water supply for the city of Wellington, Hutt Valley, Otaki, and Waikanae, and asked that representations be made to the Government to have this property, purchased <■ for a public reserve. The chairman stated that much of this property was within the bounds of the County. There could be no doubt that it would be a shame to cut down the bush, and he thought they might well support the Forestry League. It Avould be very much better if it could be taken over by the Government and incorporated in the public reserve, as it was very little use for settlement. Cr. Catley said that it would be greatly to be regretted if the land were cut up. It would bo merely extending a present objection. The country was not suitable for settlement. Any man who went 'into it was facing certain bankruptcy, and it would spoil the whole appearance of the country. , Cr. Harkncss said that in N.Z. far too much bush had been cut down where it was' not necessary. The coun-

try on both sides of the range depended on this forest for its rainfall and water supply, and everything should be done to help the suggestion along. Cr. Ryder also spoke in favour of the suggestion, and on the motion Cr. Harkness’s resolution was carried supporting the League, and asking that the Government secure the property to the public. Railway League. The Levin-Foxton-Marton Railway League notified that a general meeting of the League would be held in Foxton on Wednesday 22nd inst., for the purpose of electing officers,* etc. Crs. Monk and Ryder, with the County Clerk were appointed to attend. Main Highways Organisation. The Kairanga County Council forwarded a resolution passed at the last meeting of that body, recommending the holding of a meeting of the various Counties in the No. 9 Highway Group, to be held in Palmerston _ North _on Thursday, June 4th, 1925, with a view to the formation of a District Counties Association, and the consideration of matters relative to'financing the main highway scheme. The chairman said That the Counties should be represented at this conference. He did not think, however, that lie formation of the District Counties' Association would have much effect. He was of opinion that the handling of the finance proposals by the N.Z. Counties' Association would have more weight than bv a purely District Association, but still the suggested conference must be productive of good. It was decided to be represented. Motor Regulations.

The Public Works Department forwarded a copy of regulations as to the use of motor-lorries, made in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Amendment Act, 1924. They pointed out that it was necessary that accurate records and accounts be kept of all applications received for heavy traffic licenses, licenses issued, fees paid and particulars of the operation of motor-lorries. Referred to the County Clerk for his attention. Mrs. L. C. Skcrman drew attention to the condition of a wooden culvert opposite to her property on Pahiko Road. Cr. Jensen said that a larger culvert would be necessary. —Referred to Cr. Jensen and the engineer, with power to act. Manakau Water Supply. The Department of Health notified that their officers had inspected the proposed water supply for Manakau and considered that this was satisfactory. They stated, however, that on account of the limited number of those who would come under the operation of this scheme, unless it could be put through for £3OOO it would be impracticable. The chairman said that the engineers rough estimate of the cost was £BOOO which would apparently, make the cost prohibitive. The engineer was instructed to make a full estimate of the cost, which would be submitted to the residents of Manakau, who could then with the scheme or not. Lighting County Roads. Residents of the Beach Road, Waikanae, aslcod that three lamps be placed on the road, pointing out that there was considerable traffic on this highway and that these were necessary to public safety. The chairman said that Mr. Burgess, one of the people interested, had rung him up and he had told him that if they were going to go outside the townships, numerous applications of the same sort would come to them, and the rates would go up.—Referred to Cr. Monk and the engineer with power to act.

Otaki Water-races. Ratepayers of the locality in the vicinity of the Otaki railway petition-

ed the Council to take over the waterraces running through their properties. It was decided to take steps to form a special rating district for the purpose of maintaing the water-races. Bridge for Private Access. Cr. Ryder asked if anything was being done about Corrigan’s bridge. The present bridge which he had to use was a deplorable .thing. The chairman: We are not concerned with the existing bridge, we are only concerned with the one Mr. Corrigan is supposed to build. The engineer stated that the matter was in hand. The whole thing could have been fixed up months ago, if Mr. Corrigan had cleared out the spoil to find the rock foundation so that the levels could be taken. Before anything could be done this foundation must be got so that the cables could be properly locked in. Tho chairman said that the position agreed on when they were in the Otaki Gorge was that Mr. Corrigan should communicate with the engineer when he had got the foundation. When he did this they could proceed. Licensing Maori Dogs. Cr. Bryant asked if anything was being done about the licensing of Maori dogs. These were now worrying, and would probably become worse.—The County clerk -was instructed to keep this matter in mind.