HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 14 August 1925, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

AUGUST MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council took place on Saturday, when there were present: Crs. Monk (chairman), Barber, Ryder, Bryant, Harkness, Broadbelt, Catley and Jensen. No Money for the Exhibition. The Wellington Provincial Court of the Dunedin Exhibition wrote asking whether the County Council would assist the exhibition by way of a financial grant, and giving a list of local bodies that had done so. It was also asked that the County be represented by exhibits representative on any body set up to deal with the matter. The chairman said he had a great deal of sympathy for th’e enterprise, but he had still more for the ratepayers of the County, and particularly for those at his own end as they were faced with expenditure running into thousands of pounds on account of certain bridges. He could not, therefore, in justice, recommend any expenditure on their behalf for the exhibition, and that being so would not like to . suggest that other ridings pay what he wa/ not prepared to do for his own district. The exhibition was going to be a good thing for New Zealand as a Whole and it should therefore receive the support of agricultural societies and dairy companies. Cr. Harkness suggested making an exhibit of the County Engineer's plans and specifications for the Main Highways scheme, a subject in which great public interest was being taken. He' thought something could be done to obtain exhibits.

Cr. Catley: They want the cash. The engineer said he could not possibly' prepare the plans as he had too much to do.

Cr. Catley said they could not spare any money when they had to refuse requests for a few yards of metal. The chairman said Cr. Broadbelt was interested in one of the finest butter factories in New Zealand and he suggested that he be appointed to represent the Council on any committee set up to represent the County. This course was adopted. Metal Freights Higher. The Taupeka County Council wrote forwarding a copy of a letter sent to the Minister of Public Works and Railways, with regard to the proposed increase in freight on road metal used solely for the construction or maintenance of “feeding" routes and not “competing" routes, with the Railway. The letter points out that the effect on the Tuapeka County would be to render the cost prohibitive and under the new regulations it was proposed to limit the concessions up to 100 miles. The cost of metal to the above County is 6s 9d per ton on truck Dunedin and with freight and cartage it would be seen that the cost of metal on the road is out of all reason. The Tuapeka County suggested that as freight on agricultural line was paid by the Agricultural. Department, a similar procedure might be adopted regarding road .metal, the freight being paid by the Highways Board out of motor taxations. The Counties' Association wrote reporting on the result of an interview with the Railways Board on the 7th July, wherein they stated that metal required for feeder roads had been increased in carriage charges by 60 per cent., and that for competing roads showed a 250 per cent, increase. The chairman of the Board regretted that, oven under the new tariff the railways would be carrying metal at a loss, the Board were unable to comply with their request. The Association asked the Horowhenua County Council to use its best endeavours to enlist the help of the local. Member of Parliament. The chairman said the Railway Department had set out to make the railways pay and consequently many items that had got concessions in the past had been cut out. One of these was metal, but in view of the importance of metal in the national roading scheme he thought that this was an item that should be given every consideration. He did not altogether agree with the suggestion that the Highways Board should pay the difference as it only meant taking the money from the Board's proper functions. Cr. Catley said the effect of the new railway tariff was to take charges on the individual and put it on Council's and companies. The chairman: It gets back on to A he individual just the same. Cr. Catley condemned the growing use of motor buses and lorries as tending to affect the railway revenue. Heavy Traffic License Fees.

The Kairanga County Council, wrote requesting that the Horowhenua County. Council endorse the action of its representative at the recent conference with regard to Heavy Traffic License Fees. It was finally proposed, and carried unanimously, that fees for heavy traffic be distributed amongst the local bodies on a basis of the mean struck between the mileage of metal roads and capital valu’e except in‘the case of Foxton which is to receive its proportion or 50 per cent, of the fees it collects (whichever is the higher), the valuations of all local bodies to be taken as at the 31st March, 1926, the agreement to hold good only until the 31st March next. The conference decided to leave the collection of fees in the hands of the Kairanga County, and it was further resolved that it be a recommendation for all local bodies to take steps ensuring payment of heavy traffic fees. The chairman said great credit was due to Mr. Drew, clerk of the Manawatu County Council who worked this scheme out and put it before f he local bodies. He mentioned that the Wanganui Highways Group took the matter to a Magistral e but he adopted the same scheme as this, so that they arrived at the same conclusion —but had the costs of the enquiry to pay as well. The settlement was accepted by the Council. Another Hospital Board Member.

The secretary of the Palmerston North Hospital Board intimated that the extra-representative for the Horowhenua County had not been appointed, and re-

questing the Council’s nomination during August. The chairman explained that the Palmerston Borough Council had lately become entitled to an additional member owing to the increase of valuations. As this would mean taking away one of the Oroua County representatives, it was decided to increase the membership of the Board to allow them to retain their two members, and thus Horowhenua also got another representative. The chairman suggested that a Levin nomination be made.—Or. Harkness considered the district south of Levin needed another representative, in view of the recent attack on the Otaki hospital and the need for vigilance in the future. —Cr. Ryder (Otaki) was appointed to the position. Te Waka Road. Mr. H. B. Lethbridge, wrote requesting that the Council favourably consider the question of putting the northern end of the Te Kaka Road, as far as his boundary, in a more fit state, and pointing out that it was becoming impossible to pull 20 or 30 milk cans over it unless improvements were made. Tf the work were not done he would no longer be able to comply with the late Prime Minister’s injunction: ‘‘Produce more and still more. ’ ’ Cr. ifydor endorsed the statement as to the very bad condition of the road for ten chains. It rvas not expected that the work would be done until the summer. On the chairman’s motion it was decided to reply that the Council would s'ee what could be done rvhon the weather improved. Cr. Jensen said it was impossible to touch the road at present as it was simply slush from fence to fence. The speaker had mentioned the road when the estimates were considered and a promise was made that it would get attention.