HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 20 July 1926, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting' of the Ilorowhenua County Council was held on Saturday. Present: The chairman (Cr. Monk) and Crs. Jensen, Catley, McLeavey, Ryder and Kilsby. Epidemic Precautions. The Palmerston North Hospital Board stated that it was desirable, in view of a possible influenza epidemic, to have a representative from the County Council on the Hospital Board for the purpose of acting thereon. —Mr. F. H. Hudson having been already appointed at the last meeting of the Council, the latter was received. ‘ ‘ White New Zealand. ’ ’ The White New Zealand League sought the Council’s support in relation to the conservation'’ of New Zealand as a white man’s country, pointing out the necessity of protecting the whife primary producers from Tlid effects of cheap Asiatic labour. It was also urged that immigration of Asiatics into New. Zealand should be checked, as much in the interests of the native race as of tho Europeans.

The chairman said he had to frankly admit having no recommendation to make in this matter. He realised this was a matter greatly exercising the minds of men very much more able to deal with it than was the speaker, but the former were unable to make any definite statement in relation thereto. Certainly, there were Asiatics in Now Zealand which the country could very well do without, but the question was a iqost difficult one to answer. Cr. Ryder remarked that some years ago Chinese women had been excluded from this country, but it was quite a common thing to-day to see them. The speaker said he thought the matter before them was not . on account of the Chinese so much as the Hindoos. The chairman: They are our own people! Cr.* Ryder: I know, that is the trouble. I do not feel competent to make any suggestion in this mutter. Cr. Catley said that in times of stress N'ew Zealand had been very glad to accept the help of these people. They had shed their blood on our behalf, and we should not seek to bar them. The letter was received. River Board Scheme. The Manawatu-Oroua River Board wrote stating that it appeared many local bodies were no,t aware of the work they were doing and the reasons why they were applying for a commission to allocate the cost. They would like an opportunity to meet the Council and put the matter before them. —Board representatives to be heard at next meejting of. the Works Committee. Manakau South Road. Mr. R. B. Kilgour, Manakau, said he still awaited the report of the Works Committee relative to the state of the South Manakau Road. He stated that tho creek was still filled with boulders, and unless something was done before the spring rains, all repairs to the road in the immediate vicinity would be for nought. —Dealt with by Works Committee. Taungata Bridge. Having heard a rumour that the Taungata bridge was to be'-dismantled, Mr. L. Barker,' of Ethelton, wrote hoping the Council would provide access to his property, and suggested that a portion of the Otaki Gorge loan might be used for this purpose. —Referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act. Waikawa South Road. Messrs W. M. Simcox, F. S. Simcox, L. Simcox and E. P. Simcox, ratepayers in the Otaki riding, petitioned the Council to consider taking the steps necessary to the raising of a loan for the extension of the Waikawa South Road, on the security of a special rating area. The . approximate cost would be approximately £I2OO, including all charges.—Referred to the Works Committee for report. Works Committee’s Report.

Cr. Ryder, chairman of the Works Committee, presented the Committee’s recommendations, including the following:— Metal supply.—Your committee have to report that an inspection was made of the To Horo distinct on the date of their meeting and they have now to recommend for the consideration of the engineer two metal sites, viz., one on the main road for the supply of metal for the Otaki Bridge-Te lioro section, and another on the road to Hauterc on a site to be indicated by the Committee. South Manakau Road. —After having inspected the locality your committee recommend that the old pipes on the South Manakau Road be left and that new pipes be put in near the vicinity of the old ones and that the work be done by Surfaceman Phillips; also that the metal under th'e bridge near Monk’s corner be carted out when the condition of the creek is suitable. Bridge over the Mangaore stream near Shannon. —Your committee recommend that a representative of the Public Works Department be asked to meet the ; County engineer to consider what steps should be taken in respect to the protection of the bridge over the Mangaore stream on the main road near Shannon. Drain at Koputaroa.—Your committee recommend that a drain be dug in the swamp at Koputaroa on the west side of th'c road 'between the school and store for the purpose of taking all water oft' the road. The report was adopted. Engineer’s Report. Mr. A. R. Callander, who has been supervising engineering matters during the absence on leave of the engineer, submitted a report as follows:

Tokomaru Riding.—-The main roads in this riding are in satisfactory condition. Messrs Webb (Tokomaru) an 1 Brccsnehan (Shannon) have been instructed to commence maintenance metalling as early as possible on the Main Roads. About a fortnight ago, the subway of Tokomaru taking Manuka Street under the Railway (near Mr. J. Liggins’ property) was reported as being flooded. This sub-

way is drained by twin parallel earthenware pipes of diameter 6 inches. These pipes run from the subway under road leading to old Ashlea mill for an approximate distance of five chains into drain leading out into the swamp. Investigation showed that neither of these pipes was delivering water. A number of pipes were taken up and it was found that they were piaclically half full of silt. They were also badly out of alignment (due no doubt to settlement). The blockage in one pipe was located and cleared and so far the one pipe is coping with the water. The other pipe is still blocked and the pipes which were lifted, have not been relaid yet pending the Council’s decision as to whether it would be advisable to lay a 12 inch pipe in place of the existing six inch twin, and so provide more waterway. The silt basin in the subway has been cleaned, and the surfaceman has been* instructed tp keep it so. Shannon punt.—Trouble at the punt this period, took the form of a broken hauling rope, which went out on Thursday, 17th ult. A new rope could nor be procured earlier than Sunday morning. 20th ult., arriving at Shannon at 2 a.m. A gang went to Shannon on this date ad installed tho new rope by 3 p.m. tho same day. Fortunately the river was in good condition for such work.

Mr. Hennessey’s request. —The locality of cutting required by Mr. Heunessy (Shannon east) has been visited. I understand he desires only a track, which a herd of dairy cows can negotiate. A .pipe culvert will be necessary. I estimate the cost of digging ,drain|s, {installing 12in diameter culvert, IS feet long, and making track fit for the use of dairy, herd only, to be approximately £25. Shannon East Road proposed water supply.—l have gone iuto this question, and estimate the total cost of the work to be approximately £4OO. This sum covers the complete installation of supply pip'e, and all necessary valves, etc., engineering supervision and costs incidental to a loan proposal. I have been informed that pipes of the required size and quality, can bo secured from the Shannon Dairy Co. at slightly less cost than quotes I procured, and a saving of approximately £4O could be effected by purchasing pipes from them. My estimate is based on the assumption that the settlers interested, will install their own service connections, and they also undertake to convey pipes, etc., from Shannon railway station to the work. This they have agreed to do. Wirokino Riding. Maintenance metal is being put out on the Foxton and Shannon roads in satisfactory fashion. These roads aredn fair shape. The grader will be over them in the course of a few days. A small wood culvert which had practically collapsed, was repaired on No. 60 Main Highway, about a mile v north of Ihakara Hill. The culvert to take water race diversion across Muhunoa West Road through Mr. Kilsby’s property, has been installed in accordance with the Council’s instruction.

Otaki Riding.—The main roads have suffered somewhat in this riding. They are now receiving attention in the shape of maintenance gravel. Maintenance gravelling has also been carried out on Forest Lakes Road. The No. 3 crusher at Waikawa has been delivering crushed metal for maintenance of Waikawa Beach, North and .South Manakau Roads. With the aid of a roller, these roads are now in good order. The above crusher has completed work here, and is now setting up at Waikanae. I interview Mr. Stupples, of Manakau, re alleged blocking of his gateway. This is at the sharp curve just north of Manakau stream and the height of embankment necessary to provide cant has made his gate difficult to negotiate. I understand the engineer has practically decided to alter this curve to a larger radius, and I suggested to Mr. Stupples, that if he waited till this was accomplished it would be a simple matter to construct a ramp from his gateway to the road. H’o, however, desired his entrance shifted south about two chains, where the road is on practically the same level as the surrounding ground, and a culvert installed. Finally he agreed to leave the remedy to tli'e Council, and to bear half the cost of whatever they recommend.

Te Hoi'o Riding.—The main road is receiving a good coat of maintenance metal. Tire grader has also been at work here and these roads are in fair condition. Re Mr. Jones’ request that Hadfield Road be attended to, I have arranged that this work be done as suggested in his letter. , Work was to have commenced yesterday (Thursday). A slip was reported in Otaki Gorge and the surfaceman was instructed to attend to same. The old box culvert on the Mangaone Road, has been replaced with reinforced concrete pipe culvert. The report was adopted. Te Horo Drainage. It was decided that the chairman, Or. Jensen, the clerk and engineer interview Messrs Barber and Ellis re disposal of flood water at Te Horo, written agreement'to be obtained from these property owners as to their requirements. Cr. Jensen urged that no time be lost in getting the matter attended to. “Health means more than fame and wealth.”—Rodger Babson. .Guard yourself against chest troubles -even Preserver for all colds, coughs, in fiuenza or bronchitis—means quick riddance of any chest complaint. “Baxter’s” has achieved wide fame for its marvellous efficacy during mortban half-a-century. Baxter’s Lung the slightest chills can develop into a serious illness. Take Baxter’s Lung Preserver is also invaluable as a tonic. Obtainable from any chemist or store. Generous-sizel bottle 2s 6d; family size 4s 6d.