HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 18 May 1926, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

VARIOUS REPORTS. At Saturday's meeting the following business was transacted:— WORKS COMMITTEE, Civ Ryder, chairman of the Works' Committee, presented the following report:— Water-race outlet, Mr W. Kilsby's property, Ohau.—This matter is at present in the hands of the engineer for a report. Manakau and Waikawa Bridges.— ■lt is proposed that these bridges j should be replaced with new struc- \ tures in the , doming year's N Main I Highway programme. Aratangata Drain.—The locality of this drain was visited on the day of the committee meeting and the cleaning operations were found to be progressing satisfactorily. Ranger's Car.—You committee! have authorised the purchase of a new •fijvie-seatter Floirjd car with balloon tvres and self-started at a cost of £l7B. The committee made the following recommendations : That the four men engaged on the bitumen sprayer and boiler be paid an extra allowance of Is per day as from the Ist April last and whilst so employed on the bitumen sealing work. That a former custom of the Council of calling fresh applications yearly for permanent surfacemen be revived in time for applications?to be considered before the next ordinary meeting of the Council. that early consideration be given by the, incoming council of the source of metal supply for next season's Main Highway construction. The report was adopted. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The Engineer reported: The-weather during the period just ended has been very rough and wet and work has been considerably delayed. The roads have suffered somewhat and in several sections will require fairly heavy maintenance almost immediately. In the Tokomaru Riding the roads are in fair order although the Main road is badly pot-holed in places. The bridge on Albert road has been completed. Slow progress has been made with the construction work on the.: Ashlea.-Temukanui road. Wirokino Riding.—The roads in this: riding are in fair order. The tractor and grader have been at work on the main roads. A new ram lias been procured for the Muhuiioa West Race Extension and will be installed within the next few days. A large 4Sin. box culvert on the Gladstone ;road has collapsed and will require renewing at once with a 48in. coni crete pipe, the estimated cost of which is £9O. Owing to No. 1 crusher breaking down towards the end of last week, maintenance work hi this part of the district has been held up but it is hoped td again start operations on Monday morning next. Re Mr Kilsby's request for water race deviation on Muhunoa West road, I have had levels taken and have to report that the proposal is quite feasible and will cost £3O. Estimates.—A good deal of my .time during the period has been taken up on the annual Highways and Riding estimates. The Highways estimates have been forwarded to the Highways Board, Wellington, and the Riding estimates are ready for approval by the Council. Ranger—The ranger has reported to me as follows: '"This month I have impounded 38 head of wanderingstock." '

COUNCILLORS' COMMENTS. Or. Barber said the railway had raised the bridge oiver the Kara. Greek at Shannon and made the crossing impassable. ■The engineer said that would be improved as the main road was constructed. Cr. Barber drew attention to the Avater on the 'FoxUm Rood at O'Brien's cutting from the Mauguore stream. Gr. Whyte asked what had become of the crusher that was supposed to have been sent to Tokomaru. The Engineer: The crusher was available about, a for tonight ago, but the No. 1 crusher broke down and the other one was held until the extent of the damage was seen. Replying to Gr. Ryder, the engineer said he received an amended plan in regard to Gorrigan's bridge- the previous day, 'but he had not had time Jo go into' it. ' THE RANGING CRITICISED.

Gr. Harkness .criticised the ranging ■vliioh he said had been no better since the Council provided a new car. Die cost would be £3OO a year. Recently he saw five an i mills on Bruce fl'oad. one on Beach Road, and two nore on the main road. Since they uade the alterations, against Avlrich he protested. Ihe (roads had been filled with stock. One cow was on the road almost continuously. The Engineer said he had been round these particular roads several ] times and thev were very clear m | deed. He knew the ranger had been out nierht after night. Gr. Harkness: There is only one explanation, then. He cannot see n black cow at night. (Laughter). Gr. Galley said he would agree with Gr. Harkness's strictures on the ra,noer so far as they applied to- the time when be had not got a car. but since then he had no complaint to make. . , Gr. Rvder said when the works Committee were out last they made a hip- tour and did not see a single animal on the roads. Gr. Bryant was satisfied .that Ihe rnntrinff-'wa? better lint there was ■ slill room for improvement. LIGHTS FOR MANAKAG. Cr. Brvant said it was' ttmn the two lights promised to Manakau township for the winter were put In.