HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Shannon News, 20 April 1928, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

SOUTHERN DISTRICT MATTERS. A number of questions relating to the southern end of the district were dealt with at the monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday. Old Coach Road. Mr. D. H. Lea, of Otaki, wrote drawing the Council's attention to the condition of the Old Coach Road from the Golf Club gate to the beach.' This was an unformed, unmetalled road at present. The Golf Club gate was one mile from the Otaki Post Office, and the road was much used, being used for carting wood from the beach and for carting flax, and by pleasure parties. No taxi would come further than the Golf Club gate, which was about half a mile from his own gate. Cr. Ryder said he would like the Works Committee to visit the road and see if something could not be, done towards improving it. Occasionally the | surfaceman had been put on to cut ! gorse and to fill the bad holes. However, it was a badly neglected road. The chairman suggested that the Councillors for the riding take the road into consideration when framing the estimates. If they wanted any outside help, such, as a Government grant, this was the year to apply for it. It was left to the Councillors for the riding, together with the County chairman, to inspect the road. I Manakau Requirements. The Manakau branch of the Farmers' Union wrote asking the Council to give consideration to the following matters: (1) the erection of "School—Drive Slowly" notices; (2) the need of regulating motor traffic speed through the township; (3) the re-sealing of footpaths in Manakau township. Cr. Bryant said that the notices for the school were promised about a year ago, but had not been erected. With regard to the footpaths, a sealing course was all that was required, and a very good job would then be made of .ji-hem. The chairman said that the erection of the school notices could be attended to. The question of motor speeds applied all through the,county, the good roads having accelerated the speed.' The Motor Regulations governed the matter of speeds, and the only course for the Council was to prosecute in cases of excessively fast driving. The Council should take some proceedings in such cases. Anyone travelling- at more than 20 miles an hour through Manakau, was, he thought, driving at a speed dangerous to the public. The regulations provided for the prosecuting of persons driving at a speed over 35 miles an hour, or at a speed dangerous to the public. Need For Traffic Inspector.

The County Clerk pointed out that it would become necessary for the Council to consider appointing an officer to administer the various bylaws." The Council would obtain a certain revenue in fines, and he did not suggest that an officer's -whole time should be occupied in this work. However, with the present office organisation it was extremely difficult to administer all the by-laws and regulations.

The chairman stated that the matter of sealing the footpaths would be gone into when the estimates were under consideration. He thought that when the new engineer arrived,/ the Council would have to consider the appointment of a trafiic inspector. Cr. Barber remarked that drivers of cars delivering papers were bound by their contracts to observe a certain time-table, and in some cases they had to travel at an excessive speed in order to fulfil that requirement. It was decided to reply to the Union stating that the requests in regard to the signposts^and footpaths would be attended to by the engineer, and that the question of motor speeds would be further considered. Crossing Near Manakau.

The District Engineer of Railways, Wangariui, wrote suggesting that, as he understood it to be the intention of the Council to tar-seal the Main Road railway crossing one mile north of Manakau station, the crossing be improved us shown on a plan which he submitted, and which would have the effect of reducing the angles of the present crossing. He was prepared to have the fences shifted back and the telegraph pole removed, and it would be necessary? for the Council to make up the formation to road level. The work of shifting the fences and telegraph pole would be at the cost of the Department should the . Council wish the alterations to be carried out. —It was decided to refer the matter to the District Engineer of Public Works for Ms opinion. >, Lawlor Road, Messrs Treadwell and Sons, solicitors, Wellington, wrote that they had been instructed by Mr. George Beyan to write to the Council with reference to Pukehou 4B and with particular refer- i ence to a road known as Lawlor Road, I This appeared to be, at present, only a paper road, inasmuch as it was not formed and the land Avas taken for the purpose of giving access to Mr. Lawlor's property across the railway line. The Railway Department had apparently refused to allow the County Council access over this railway line where desired, and the road had never been put into active operation. Mr. Bevan wished, and they understood that the owner of the land on the south of the road also wished, that the Council either abandon the road or compensate the owners, or recall the dedication. The firm asked to be advised as to what attitude the Council took up with reference to the matter. The chairman and the Clerk were authorised to interview Mr. Treadwell and report to the Council. Transfers of Land and Road. Messrs Harper, Atmore and Thomson, solicitors, Otaki, wrote with reference to the agreement between Mr. R. M. B. D 'Ath and the Council relating

to the proposed transfer by Mr. D'Ath of portion of his freehold to the Council for the purpose of a road and the transfer from the Council to Mr. D'Ath of the closed road. They wished to know whether the necessary surveys had been completed, so that Mr. D'Ath might obtain possession of the title to the latter portion. The Council authorised the chairman and the clerk to interview the District Engineer to ascertain if he can send a surveyor to attend to the matter. Highway Through Otaki Borough.

The District Engineer wrote advising the Council that the Highways Board I had decided to authorise funds on a free basis .to enable steps to be taken to bring the short section erf highway through Otaki Borough up to a reasonable standard. He asked to be advised if the County, was in the position to undertake this work as soon as possible, the cost incurred.being a charge against the Public Works Department.! He suggested that this portion of the highway be treated as follows:—(1) Till all pot-holes with unscreened metal, size not to exceed (2) scarify, re-grade and ' consolidate with roller, water being used if available; (3) spread 2in layer metal. Fifty per cent, of this metal should be from I'm to lin. gravel free from sand, and 50 per cent, of lin clean crushed metal; the two classes of metal should be well mixed when spreading. The 'clerk reported that he had replied informing the District Engineer that the Council was prepared to undertake the work and that the actingengineer had informed him that in view of the near approach of the .Easter liolidays«<ind the consequent heavy traffic, Jt was proposed to patch the road immediately.' The work of scarifying and re-shaping the road would be put in hand as soon as the holidays were over. The chairman stated that he had told Mr Eonayne, the District Engineer, over, the telephone,, that if the Highways Board would bear the cost, the Council would undertake the work.

On the motion of Cr. Catley, seconded by Cr. Kilsby, the "chairman's action was confirmed.

In reply to a question by Cr. Jensen, the chairman stated that the road j would be done with water-bound maca-1 dam in the meantime. He that the Board would pave it later on. i

Taungata Bridge to be Dismantled. With regard to" the Taungata suspension bridge, Otaki Gorge, the District Engineer forwarded a report from Mr. Cull, an engineer of the Department, indicating that the bridge was in a dangerous state and that the Council should take immediate action to condemn the structure. ft The chairman stated that tlie Council had its engineer's confirmation of the opinion that the bridge should be immediately dismantled. He had attended in company wih officers from the Public Works Department, who were unanimously of the opinion that the bridge was nQt repairable. It had been so built that it could not be repaired unless new were built and the whole structure iaken down. An important question was involved for the Te Horo riding—namely, that of finance. That riding was not in a position financially to handle this matter. It was the Council's duty as a local body to see that the bridge was . taken down, and he thought they could justly go,to the Public Works Depart-, ment and ask for assistance. It had been suggested that a certain proportion of the material be used in the reconstruction of the Waihoanga bridge, and the Department was prepared to make a £IOOO grant towards the latter bridge. That arrangement had been come to verbally, and before any action could be taken it must be confirmed in writing. When the Taungata bridge was taken down, some access must be given to the settlers. It had not been confirmed that the Government would give assistance to the erection of a light footbridge;. The Council must take up with the Department the question of how far the latter was going to foot the bill for the dismantling of the suspension bridge and the erection of a small bridge to take its place. He thought that the Council would be -willing for the Department to undertake the dismantling, and the would contribute its quota towards the erec'tion of the material into the new bridge at Waihoanga. He proposed to make a definite request that the Department plaee in writing what it was prepared to do. On receiving this the Council should be in a position at next month's meeting to call for tenders for. the dismantling of the Taungata bridge. He thought that the Council should express its thanks to the Department for having allowed Mr. Cull," its designing en-1 gineor, to inspect the bridge and make j the report. I

On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. Ryder, it was resolved to thank the Department for its action. Cr. Jensen said there had been a suggestion to dismantle the bridge before another one was constructed., The chairman said he did not think that this mattered. Here was a bridge that was unsafe for public use, and somebody had a duty to perform. He did not think that a local body could be forced to build a bridge while it was dismantling another bridge. He asked the Council to allow him to interview the Public Works Department regarding a subsidy on the dismantling of the old bridge and the erection of a bridge to substitute it irrespective of the site.

On the motion of Cr. McLeavey, seconded by Cr. Ryder, the authority asked for by the chairman was granted.

Offer of Boulders,

Messrs Cooper, Rapley and Rutherford, solicitors, Palmerston North, wrote on behalf of Mr. James Puti, offering, the Council £1 an acre if it was prepared to clear the surplus stones from his property at Te Horo, where 40 acres of his land was covered with stone claimed to be suitable for road purposes, and the site was close to the Main Road.

It was decided, on the motion of tha chairman, that h reply be seat that the

Council has no immediate use for the metal. Waimea Road. Messrs W. H. and V. Weggery, of Waimea, wrote stating that, ts they were shortly to hold an auction sale of sections or. their sub-division at Waikanae Beach, they sincerely thanked the Council for'the past privilege of being allowed to ltaep gates on the Waimea Road. They now u*ktvl the Council to tuke charge : of, ihe. ro:ii, which, had br-en maintain*! i :n failorder, and of which they invited inspection by the chairman, engineer, or any member of the Council. They lad formed and metalled ah approach to the Beach from the end of Waimea Road. This'work "had "been completed at their expense, and they thought that, with reasonable care from the public, they might be able to maintain a fair approach to the beach.—-The Council decided to reply that it would botetalsic over the road. :