HOROWHENUA COUNTY

Shannon News, 12 June 1928, Page 2

HOROWHENUA COUNTY

JUNE MEETING OF COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held in the County Chambers, Levin on Saturday, there being present: Mr G. A. Monk (chairman). Crs,Barber, Whyte, Ryder, Bryant, Kilsby, McLeavey, Cat-/ ley and Jensen, Mr F. H. Hudson (County Clerk), and Mr J. T. M. Brewster (County Engineer). •' "' DANGEBOUS CROSSING AT SHANNON. The Town Clerk of Shannon (Mr J. T. Bovis) wrote stating that reference was made, at a meeting of,'the Borough Council, to the dangerous crossing leading from the south side of the railwav line and across the line at Otauru Stream. Traffic was at present being diverted by the County Council on account of repairs to the Kara bridge. It was mentioned at the Borough Council meeting that several accidents had occurred at this point, and to minimise the danger a rail, painted white, erected on the embankment of the stream, would be ,an acquisition. Ho would be pleased to* visit the'locality with an officer, from the County Council and discuss the matter with him.

Cr. Barber stated that this was the crossing that he had tried to eliminate when he wanted the road to the bridge. To put rails across they would have to block half. the road. • The Council could overcome the difficulty by closing the bridge and diverting the traffic through the borough. It was left to Cr. Barber and the Engineer to discuss-the matter with the Town Clerk on the ground. BRIDGES ON TOKOMARU VALLEY ROAD. ; : -■• Mr S. H. Roberts,, Shannon, wrote with reference to the state of the bridges oh the Tokdmaru Valley Road He stated that one bridge, with a drop of about 16ft.. into a creek, was absolutely unsafe, and most of the decking and. stringers were rotten. Another bridge Had been damaged by a lorry and had not been repaired. There was also a large culvert thafe : required attention. The ' writer stated that he had patched things up for a year or two, but they were now past', redemption."* This road was the only access to all the sections on the Tokomaru Valley. ... ... ~.:• The Engineer was instructed to furnish a report on .the state, of the bridges. FOOTPATH TO SHOWGROUNDS. A letter was received •"from Mr S. A. Broadbelt. asking- for a with the Works Committee to discuss' an ''account for work asked for by the President of the' Racing ■ Club, comprising footpath construction in Mako MakoVßoad from the Borough, boundary to the Racecourse gate. Mrißroadbelt had been appointed to represent the Finance Committee of the A. and P. Association and the Racing Club, to see what assistance; the Council would-give. The chairman stated that the amount in question was £2B 5s 6d. Cr. Catley said it appeared that the work.'.was done without first consulting the. Council. There was a question of precedent involved in sanctioning expenditure on. works concerning which the Council had not been, consulted. He understood that the applicants - would be satisfied if the County Council, the Borough Council and the Finance Committee paid one-third each. He did not see how the Borough Council could be asked to pay anything; the work was outside the boundary.

Cr. Kilsby suggested that such an arrangement be agreed to. The road was about three chains in length, or a little more. \

Cr. MeLeavey said that Mr Bevan spoke to him about the proposal about two years ago, suggesting that while the Borough Council was doing work in that locality the footpath be extended. The speaker thought that this Council should take into consideration that this was a path leading to a piece of ground that served the whole dis- ! trict. He did not think they would be overstepping the mark 'n any way if they' tried to meet these people and paid some of the cost. The Finance Committee should pay a half share; and he thought it was understood that the Borough Council was to bear a proportion. The chairman said it was purely a riding matter, but he did not like the idea of the Council being called on to pay for something that had been done without their being consulted. He suggested that the matter be referred to the members for the Wirokhio riding, with power to act. He had not the slightest doubt that they would do the right thing. The ground belonged to a semi-public institution. The chairman's suggestion was agreed to. . • . LEVIN BOUNDARY ROADS. The Town Clerk, Levin, forwarded an estimate of the expenditure on the boundary roads for 1928-29, the amount being £l2O. The communication was received. ARATANGATA DRAIN. Mr F. F. Newman, Koputaroa, wrote with reference to the cleaning of the Aratangata drain, stating that the settlers interested were of the opinion that the offers they had made were more than fair and equitable. Cr. Kilsby stated that Mr Newman had intended waiting on the Council, but was unable to be present; he was prepared to hand in, a cheque for the amount which the Council was asking. ? Th e chairman said there appeared I to' have been a misunderstanding, and it would be best for. a committee to deal with the matter. The subject was referred to the members for the Wirokino riding. • CULVERTS AUTHORISED. Applications for culverts were received from Mr H. Adams, of Oturoa, Messrs Oakley and Oakley, of Ihakara, and Mr J. Hewitt, of Oturoa, the first being for the purpose of taking away water from the side of the road, and the others for access to properties. It was ' cided that a culvert be put

in at Mr Adams's at the Council's expense, and that in the other two cases the applicants are to do the work to the satisfaction of the Engineer. POLICY IN REGARD TO SIGNBOARDS. An application on behalf of the Oxl ford Tea Rooms for permission to erect ! a signboard at the top of Queen Street, on Council property at the deviation, was declined. The chairman stated that he had consistently opposed to such signs being placed about the County; and if this application was granted it would be . contrary to the. Council's expressed' ,' opinion" in past cases! The Council could not prevent signs being erected on private property, but they would, oppose them on public property. ROAD CONSTRUCTION. Mr Hugh Akers,. Rangiotu, forwarded a cheque for £362 lis 6d to be held by the Council and used as required on roads constructed by him in the TuI whakatapua Block. He stated that he appreciated .the. kindly remarks of councillors about the job. He was not only a contractor to the Council, but was working for himself as a ratepayer. The chairman said that altogether the Council could say that Mr Akers was a Very satisfactory sort of ratepayer and constructor of roads. The letter was received, and it was resolved to thank Mr Akers for his promptness. ■ DIVERSION OF WATER RACE. The Levin Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd.,. wrote that, as it was going to erect a concrete fence in front of the factory, and it would like the Council's sanction to divert the water race from inside the factory fence to outside the fence. The application was granted, subject to the work being carried out to the satisfaction of the Engineer. . An application by Mr Collier for permission'to'move a water race from the front of his property in Bartholomew Road, to enable him to erect a fence, was referred to the councillors for the riding, with the Engineer.