HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

Shannon News, 13 September 1927, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

SEPTEMBER MEETING OF COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held in the County Chambers, Levin, on Saturday, there being present: Crs Monk (chairman), Barber, Whyte, Ryder, Bryant, Kilsby, McLeavey, Catley and Jensen, Mr. F. H. Hudson (County Clerk) and Mr. W. N. Anderson (Engineer).

USERS OF ROADS AS PAYERS OF MAINTENANCE.

The Tauranga County Council asked this Council to support a resolution representing to the Government that the time has come when the users of roads should pay the whole of the cost of maintaining them; and asking the Government, owing to the increasing cost of maintenance, to introduce legislation providing that the whole of the cost shall be paid by the Main Highways Board, thus leaving the County rates available for maintenance of byroads. The Chairman said he thought the Council endorsed the position that the user pay; but lie felt that if the User was going to pay, a road should be of a certain standard before he was asked to do that. It was resolved on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Ryder, that the Council endorse the opinion that the user should pay for the maintenance of highways. NATIVE LAND PROBLEMS. The Town Clerk of Te Kuiti (Mr. 0. H. Tate) communicated with the Council, reporting on the conference held to consider rating and other pro--1 lems arising from native lands. He asked for particulars of (a) the average amounts of native rates in arrears fpr each of the past five years, and (b) the total amount of native rates outstanding to March 31st, 1927. It was resolved that the Clerk supply the information asked for, as far as possible; and that the Chairman and the Clerk represent the Council when a deputation from the .counties waits on the" Government in this matter. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES.

The Assistant Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs acknowledged receipt of che Council’s letter of August 11th, urging that Section .83 of the Counties Ast, 1920, be amended so that County councillors may be paid a fixed sum per meeting, plus actual and reasonable travelling expenses. The Council’s representations ha'd ibden noted and Avould receive careful consideration. The chairman stated that the Counties ’ Association had taken this question up and given an expression of-opin-ion on it. and it had been passed on to the Minister. Whilst lie was in Wellington recently he interviewed the Minister of Internal Affairs, and urged the necessity for some action in the near future. MACHINERY FUNDS The Department of Internal Affairs notified the Council that tlieir representations that statutory provision be made enabling County Councils to establish a depreciation and replacement fund for machinery, would receive careful consideration. The Chairman stated that he had also urged this recommendation on the Act-ing-Minister of Internal Affairs.

KARA BRIDGE RENEWAL

Five ratepayers living in the vicinity of the Kara bridge, on the Main Highway, Shannon, petitioned the Council to facilitate and expedite the plans of the bridge, so that the Makerua Drainage Board could complete its works. They stated that this was the only link in the Board’s scheme which was not completed. These works had been in abeyance for three years, and they were at the mercy of a*ll floods. They were called upon to pay very heavy rates to the Makerua Drainage Board, the County Council, and the Main Highway Board; and they had had to turn their lands into dairy farms, at heavy expense, to cope Avi'tli these rates. In the event of floods with this In-each open, they had to resort to grazing on roads, Avhieli Avas very detrimental to their returns and caused them heavy losses.

The chairman, moved that a reply be sent that the matter is receiving the immediate attention of the Council. There was an arrangement with the Malcerua Drainage Board, who first mooted the idea that this bridge would have to be raised to fall in line with their banks. As far as the Council's road was concerned, there was no necessity to do that. Tlie Board had had !o prepare plans and specifications which th 3 Council were tc submit to lie Highways Board for approval, to support the subsidy on the construction of the bridge. Flans were submitted which were .refered back, apparently not being acceptable to the Highways Board. Until the plans were completed and approved, the work could not be proceeded with. -The County Engineer stated that the plans were now in handand when they were approved, the work would be gone on with. The Onus was not on the Council; the trouble was due to neglect on the part of the Drainage Board. The motion was carried.

Mr 11. McKay, Ngaturi Bridge, Pahiatua, wrote offering for sale an iron Wliare on wheels and an iron tool-shed, at Te Kara stream, Shannon. He stated that they would be in the right position for use in the work of xc-erect-iiig Te Kara bridge.—Received. MAKERUA COMPLAINT DISPOSED OF. Mr T. Christensen, • of Makerua, wrote complaining that lie had not had any reply to his request concerning the road fence going up the cutting, which the Council’s clay-carters had destroyed. He stated that these workmen had also knocked the whafe about, near the station. Further, Mr Christensen drew the Council’s attention to the condition of a drain up to Blythe House, stating that there was over a foot of dirt in it, which was keeping the water back.

Cr. Barber stated that lie had had a look at the drain and could not take any exception to it. With regard to the fence, one post had a piece split off it, and a batten was off, but otherwise the fence was in the same state as Before. Mr Christensen said the whare ivas on his own property, but the speak-

er Avas inclined to think that-it Avas not.

The Engineer stated that the cottage Avas on the road line. Any damage to the fence AA r as caused by a mob of* cattle Avliich came along when the men Avere working at the corner.

Cr. Barber stated that he had informed Mr Christensen that he had no ease in regard to the drain, which AA*a s main, tained by Messrs Seifert. The Engineer said he could not see that there had been any damage to the hut.

The Council decided to reply to Mr Christensen stating that they could not sec any cause for complaint’’.

REPAIR OF A RAMP

Mr C. A. Loughnan, of Palmerston North, Avrote bringing to the Council’s notice liis claim to be paid for replacing spoil at the main drain ramp on the Ashlea-Te Mukanui road, AA’hich had been Avashed aAvay by the July floods of last year. He stated that ’he was originally instructed -by the Makerua Drainage Board to supply the necessary spoil for this ramp, Avhich Avas not within the original contract. This he did, and Avas duly paid for the AA-orlc. Then folloAved the flood, and a great deal of the soil Avas Avashed aAvay, making the ramp quite useless. lie had kept account of the soil used in re-building and repairing the ramp, and at 5s a yard it amounted to £33, for Avliich amount he asked payment. The Engineer explained that the Makerua Drainage Board erected a bridge over the bank and consequently had to make a ramp. Neither of these Avorlcs had ever been taken over by the Council.

The chairman said that apparently Mr Farquhar, aa’lio was at that time the Council’s representative . on the Avork, instructed the writer to carry out the re-construction of the ramp. The matter had better be referred to Mr Farquhar, Avitli a request for information as to what he authorised. The Council had had the work carried out, at the people’s expense, and Mr Farquhar Avas the engineer in charge of it. The subject Avas referred to Mr Farquhar, Avith a request for a report on it. CEMETERY GRANT FOR SHANNON A letter AA T as received from the Shannon Borough Council rencAving their application for a grant in aid of the Cemetery. -On the motion of Cr. Barber, it Avas resolved to grant the Borough £lO, to be paid in Februaiy. MIRANUI TOWNSHIP. The A. and L. Seifert Flaxmilling Co., Avrote asking that the plan of Miranui township be approved, as it Avas desired to give a title to some sections sold and this could not be done till the Council took over the road. Cr. Barber stated that he and the engineer had made an inspection of the locality. One or tAA r o e-mail alterations had been made, to comply Avitli the Council’s requirements, and everything Avas noAV in order. The plans A\-ere approved and the common seal of the County attached to the dedication. OHAU WEST ROAD.

A complaint Avas received from Mr Tumekc Wehipeihana, of Ohau, that the Ohau West road giving access to his. section and to Ohau Beach Avas being cut up by dairy cattle, .and'was in such a state as to be impassable. Cr. M‘cLeaA r ey stated that the writer spoke to him about this matter just after last meeting. Mr Bayliss was milking a good many coavs, and using the road to drive them to and from different padc\ocks. Tumeke said it was impossible to get along with a spring dray. This Avas a public road out to the beach.

The chairman said it had to be taken into, consideration Avlietlier Mr. Bayliss was creating a nuisance under. the byJaAvs. A man could not be prevented, however, from driving a mob of stock daily along a road from one paddock to another.

It Avas decided that Cr. Catley and the Engineer inspect the road and report the Works Committee on AAdiat is ■ happening.

CULVERT UNDER FOXTON ROAD

Mr S. Sloan,' of Foxton Road, Avrote stating that he AA r as not prepared to bear the co.st of the placing of pipes under the road by the Council, but he would undertake to do the work himelf to the satisfaction of the Engineer, f pipes Avere delivered free of'cost on the job.

Cr. Catley stated that, in accordance Avit-li a resolution of the Council, they were to find the pipes and Mr Sloan AA'as to do the Avork.

The Clerk stated that the work was to be done by the Council at Mr Sloan’s expense.

The Engineer: We could not allow a man to go on the main road and put in. pipes.

Cr. Kilsby said lie believed that Mr Sloan could do the work as well as the Council’s own men.

The Chairman: There is a responsibility as far as traffic is concerned. Cr. Kilsl/y: He said he would do half at a time.

Cr. Cat'.ey: We have done this for other people—they have put them in and we have not supplied the labour. The Chairman: We have not done this on a main road.

Cr. Catloy: He offers to do it at 'his own expense? The Chairman: Yes. The Council decided to adhere to its previous resolution. PLUNKET SOCIETY.

A letter was received from the Levin branih of the Plunket Societv, thanking the Council for a grant of £lO to the funds of the branch.

WORKS COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The following report was presented by the Works Committee:—

New Manawatu River 'Bridge and Approaches.—Pending the result of an interview which the chairman (Cr. Monk) and Crs. Barber and Catlev had with officials of the Main Highways Board on the 25th ultimo, your com-are-unable to report further progress in this matter.

Mr G. Bevaii —Road through Pukehou LB Block.—The consideration of this request has been held over until the next meeting of the committee. Your committee have to submit the following recommendations:— ' 1 That the Engineer be instructed to call tenders for the delivery of boulders to the crusher at Hautere, subject.

to conditions outlined by the Committee. That all. tools in the possession of the Council be branded. With regard to the Manawatu bridge question, the chairman said a decision had now to be obtained from the Highways Board as to whether they would call a conference to discuss the matter. .. ‘ The report was adopted.