HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 18 September 1925, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SEPTEMBER MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held on Saturday, the chairman, Cr. G. A. Monk, presiding, and Crs. Barber, Whyte, Bryant, Harkness, Broadbolt, Catley and Jensen being present. Leave of absence wa s granted Cr. Ryder. Correspondence. Mr. D. Preston-Thomas, Otaki Railway, asking for a grant of certain concrete pipes, at present on the roadside at the Otaki Railway crossing, to construct a bridge that would take away flood waters from his property.— Matter left to the chairman and engineer to deal with. In connection with accommodation for a surfaceman employed on the maintenance of a Government section of a Main Highway, the Main Highways Board stated it had been recommended to purchase a cottage for this purpose, but before coming to a decision it requested the County Council to forward a statement as "to the existing practice in this district, for the Board's guidance. —To be forwarded. Horowhenua Power Board wrote stating that settlers on the eastern end of Manakau North Road were desirous of

being connected to the Board's mains, which would cros s the northern portion of the County Reserve situated just ca&t of the Waikawa stream, and asked the County to grant permission for the work to be proceeded with—Agreed to. From Mr. J. T. Trombath, Te Horo, drawing attention to .the condition of the road leading to his property, and asking the Council to consider the matter of repair.—The chairman said the matter was being attended to. The Otaki Borough Council wrote; :m connection with the repair of the Waitohu bridges near the golf links, stating that the Town Clerk of the Borough Council and Mr. Anderson, engineer to the County, had inspected tho bridges and had agreed upon the advisability of the work being carried out, the Otaki Borough Council to pay half the costReceived. . .

Prom Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., pointing out that.it had been decided not .to make any change in the departure time of "Field's Express," and that he was endeavouring to have the train accelerated on both its journeys.—Letter received, Mr. Field to be thanked for his efforts. The State Forest Service wrote stating that the Finaace Act, 1924,, made provision for the payment to Local , Bodies 'of "Fifths" of revenue-derived from State Forest royalties, and proceeds of native timber sold on State forests. In the Horowhenua County's ease these amounted to £1 and on completion of necessary forms thi s would be paid over. The chairman said he was not inclined to say this sum was >not worth while, as there might, be a larger sum forthcoming later 1 on. It wa s decided to comply with the request. Ensuring Car Drivers' Competency. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote in regard to the licensing of motor-vehicle drivers, and pointed oat that some local bodies were issuing licenses to drivers who had previously been refused by another local authority, and that it was most desirable for every enquiry to bo made befprc the issuc_ of a license. Certain local authorities, continued the Minister, had strongly urged that more power be given them in regard to controlling the drivers of public vehicles, and he enclosed an Order-in-Couneil providing, inter alia, that a motor-driver's license must be specially endorsed by the Local Authority concerned, before the holder can drive a motor-vehicle plying for hire. The chairman said the letter confirmed the position the' Council took up at the outset of requiring applicants to pass a reasonable test. This was subject to a certain amount of ridicule. In some cases people who did not wish to submit to the test went to other districts, and to a certain extent what the Council was trying to do by insisting on a proper test was undermined by what other local bodies did. , In some districts all one had to do was to go to the office and make application, when a license was granted. This Council had insisted on a .test of competency, and the Department said that was .what should be done. Cr. Harkness approved of the circular, but thought it should have been issued earlier than it was. The chairman said a similar circular had been sent out at the commencement and it was that on which the Council acted. The Minister of Internal Affairs enI closed a copy of further draft regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act,

1924, and further stating it had been decided not to make provision for the fixing of speed limits, it being considered that this question could be more adequately dealt with by the local body concerned, as while a limit might be, reasonable in one locality it might not be so in another. —Received. Grants for Public Works. From Mr. W. H. Field in regard to , grants, stating the Public Works Department were cutting down expenditure this year and the County would not receive all it asked for, but it would, however, receive £250 for the Ohau West Road extension and £SO for the Otaki Gorge Eoad extension. With re- ( spect to the Gorge Eoad north bank, j Mr. Field felt, sanguine of obtaining j £2OO on the supplementary estimate.*, though the District Engineer regards the road as impracticable and thinks a survey of it should bo made. The Rasmussen's Road grant was struck off because no authorisation had even been asked for it, and the District Engineer's i impression is that it is not needed, but suggests application should bo made for next year. —Received. The Minister's Defence. Mr. Field reported that he had shown a clipping from the "Otaki Mail," to Mr. Coates, in which it appeared that the Minister of Public Works had been taken to task for delaying the main highway through Horowhenua County. The Minister states that he was informed by the chairman, of the Main Highways Board that no detailed proposals or plans and specifications whatever had been received by the Board from this Qovadj. It should l>g .quite evident that

the Board must have this information before it can authorise funds for the work. The chairman said lie thought he made it plain at last meeting that so far as the Highways Board was concerned they were not holding up the work. He did know how the report got into the paper except that Cr. Harkness wrongly made a statement blaming the Public Works. The letter was received. General. The Council approved of a subdivision of part of the Hami Matenga estate at Waikanae. Accounts. Accounts totalling £1230, already paid, were confirmed, and a iurtner £1795 was passed foi payment.