ESTIMATES PASSED BY HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 28 May 1929, Page 3

ESTIMATES PASSED BY HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Rates Reduced in Tokomaru, Otaki and Te Horo Ridings. Four Miles of Foxton Road to be Paved Next Season. Deviation Proposed at Law's Hill The Horowhenua County Council, for the first time since the elections, met on Wednesday, m the Municipal Chambers, Levin, holding the annual meeting as required by .statute, and a special meeting to « deal with the estimates for the year ending March 31st 1930 and to strike the rates for the same year. A pleasant feature of the latter proceeding was that in three out of the ? tour ridings the general rates were reduced on last years, as the following figures will show:-

The above rates are on the £ of capital value in each riding. Other rates struck were:— ._..., Hospital and charitable aid: 7-32d,m the £ on the capital value of all rateable property in the County. -Last year the rate was the same, but m 1927-28 it was Separate Rates.—Horowhenua water-race district, 7-16 d, being the same as in the two previous years. Hautere water-race district, 1-3 d, the same as m the two previous years. - - v ' ■. /: . , The meeting had important aspects m relation to road work. It was reported by the Engineer that, on the Levin-Foxton Highway, he expected to put down tour miles in bitumen during next paving season. In the Tokomaru Riding five miles of bitumen paving had been completed. Plenty of discussion took place on various 'features of road-making, past and present. In addition to passing the. general and maintenance estimates, the Council had before it a list of requirements m Highways construction, to be submitted to the Board. Lhe principal item on these estimates was the aggregate sum of £40,000 for the construction as a modern highway ot the road from Levin to the Wirokino bridge, being the route to Foxton on No. 1 Highway. Application is to be made for £6IBO to subsidise the Council's completing the section of No. 60 Highway from the, Wirokmo North boundary to Shannon, and the Board is to be asked * for a free grant of £2BOO for a deviation to do away with the dangerous curves on Law's Hill, Ihakara, on the same Highway. Several country roads in the Wirokmo riding are to benefit by the calling of tenders for the supply ot maintenance metal.

There were present at the special meeting: Mr G. A. Monk (chairman), Ors. Barber, Whyte, Eyder, Bryant., Coilquhoun, Gimblett, Catley and Jensen, Mr F. H. Hudson (County Clerk) and Mr J. T. M. Brewster (County Engineer). In welcoming- Cr. .Colquhoun, the new member who had succeeded Mr W. E Kilsby as one of the Wirokino riding representatives, the chairman said hhad not previously, had the pleasure o ? knowing Cr. Colquhoun, but realised that he was a man who had some considerable interest in local body affairs.. and felt sure that he would be an acquisition to this body. Cr. Eyder said he had not forgotteithe kindly reception given to himsel? when he came on the Council twelv years ago, having been elected to tinsame position that Cr. Colquhoun now occupied. He hoped that that gentleman would in time be able to looiback on his introduction with the samf eelings. A cordial welcome was also tendered to the new councillor by Cr. Gimbletr In returning thanks, Cr. Colquhoui, said he would endeavour to do his b'fes; as a member of the Council; Littidiffcrences of opinion v might crop up. but he hoped that, they would not b>carried outside the room. The ■chairman moved that the Council place on record their appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Kilsb; during his three years of office. He rt marked that Cr. Kilsby had, according to his lights, done what ho though' was the best in the interests of th,? ratepayers. -\ The motion was seconded by Cr. Eyder, and carried.

Miscellaneous expenditure (health inspector and sundries), £650, £58.,, £4OO. Postages, etc., £6O, £4O, £oo. Travelling expenses: Chairman, councillors and staff, £250, £333, £3OO. Printing, advertising and stationery, £175, £lßl, £2OO. Public works, £6OO, £275, £3OO. Ranger's salary, £2.00, £192, £2OO. Ranger's ear running, £l5O, £lO-, £l5O. , t Motor drivers' and motor lorry licensing expenses, £25, £22, £25. Loose tools, —, £36. £35.. Engineering department: Salaries (5), £I6OO, £1537, £I6OO. Ditto: Car-running expenses and office requisites, £4OO, £323, £4OO. - General office: Salaries (4), £IOSO, £1029, £IOSO. Totals Of the foregoing, £7-142, £6178, £6732.

MAIN HIGHWAYS—MAINTENANCE (County share only). No, i._Waikanae-Otaki bridge, £l5O, £lO2, £l5O. ■ N o# l.—Otaki Bridge - Waikawa stream ,£2OO, £154, £2OO. N o> l.—Waikawa Stream to Wirokhio bridge, £675, £532, £6OO. ]s v t o> 60.—Levin Borough Boundary to. North Boundary Wirokino Eiding, £2OO £222, £3OO. No, 60.—Wirokino Eiding Boundary to North Boundary of County, £750, £689, £450. No. 59.—Shannon to Manawatu Bridge, £6O, £lB, £25. Main Highways Construction loan interest, £4550, £4439, £SOOO. Contingencies, £6OO, £l6B, £SOO. 'Totals of general estimates, £14,627, £12,502, £13,957—1f ss general 'revenue (including refunds from M.H. loan account) for administrative services),

' THE ESTIMATES. The three sums mentioned in each case represent: (1) The estimated expenditure in 1928-29; (2) the actual expenditure in that year; and (3) the estimate for this year, 1929-30). After being amended in several particulars, the estimates were passed as follows: — i

GENERAL ESTIMATES

Bank interest and charges, estimated 1928-29, £375; expended 1928-29, £23; estimated 1929-30, £l5O. Audit charges, £4O, £3B, £BO. Insurance—E.L., fidelity } arf/1 jfi>e, £2OO, £9O, £l5O. . Valuation Department, revision of rolls, 4 * £IOO, £66, £SOO. Interest main roa/d 'bridge, loans, £lO2, £lO2, £lO2. Legal, expenses, £l5O, £l6, £IOO. Election and poll expenses, £25, £26, £IOO.

. Dog tax collection, £75, £49, £75. ' Office expenses: rent, cleaning, lighting, etc., £320, £3OO, £320. Office fittings, etc., £35, £lO, £35. ■ New plant, £SOO, £543, £IOO. General stock, £3OO, £219, £250. Hotel licensing expenses, £lO, £4, £lO. Unauthorised expenditure, £SO, £4O, £SO.

£IBOO, —, £IOO. Net totals—£l2,B27 £12,502, £12,357. Approximate Biding Valuations. — Tokomaru Riding, £l, 291,476; Wirokino Riding, £1,919, 019; Otaki Riding, £757,606; To Horo Riding, £885,584; total £4,853,085. Riding Apportionments. —Tokomaru, £3288; Wirokino, £4886; Otaki, £1929; Te Horo, £2254; total, £12,357. NATURE OF MAINTENANCE PROPOSALS.

In a report accompanying the public works estimates, the Engineer (Mr Brewster) .stated:— ''l now have the honour to submit for your perusal, a schedule of estimates, which I consider reasonable tor maintenance of the various roads in the County for the year 1929-30. In compiling these estimates I have taken into consideration the present condition of the roads and what they have cost during the past year. "The'amount I have allocated on the Main Highway in the Tokomaru Riding, shows a considerable reduction as compared with last year. Tins is aeccoiinled lor- in that five -miles ot bitumen paving have been completed, thus requiring very little maintenance over that section. _ _ • "The amount shown for-Levin-Wiro-kino Main Highway is approximately the same as last year. Although during next paving season I expect to put down in bitumen a minimum of four miles of this length of road, the cost of maintenance will not be afreeted, as it will be near the.end of the financial year before much of the four miles will be completed. _ "On the No. 1 and No. 60 Mam Highways I have made provision for painting the Otaki, Ohau and Tokomaru river bridges. This is a very essential work.and should be completed as soon as opportunity offers. The painting of the Ota-ki River bridge is weir under way.:' • ■ '.". . . ■ . "Provision is mads in the estimates for completing the metalling of Pretoria Road in the Tokomaru Riding, and Convent and Waikawa Beach Eoads in the Otaki Riding. ' "I have hot made provision for new metalling or formation work-in the Wirokino Wing, as this matter was left by resolution of the Council, to the'members for the Riding to bring down a report. The estimates also do not allow for straightening the Levin- , Hokio. Subsidiary Main Highway, > '' "-.Generally speaking", the total amount of estimates is about the same as last year." PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES. :..'.- Tokomaru Riding.

Hume'3 Road, estimated expenditure 1928-29 £SO 6s 7d; actual expenditure 1928-29, £37 3s lid; estimated expenditure, 1929-30, £45. /Tokomaru township, £7l 18s-, £134 9s Bd, £l5O. n Williams' Road, £2l lis sd, £39 0s 9d, £2O. Schwass Eoad, £2l lis sd, £6 9s 4d, £2O. v .. ' Jamieson's Road, £SO 6s 7d, £39 lis 9d, £4O. '■ Albert Road, £43 2s 9d, £243 3s 2d, £220 Ashlea Road, £l4 74 7d, £lO 10s, £ls. Victoria Road, £35 19s, £2O lis lid, £35. Kaihinau Road, £lO7 17s, £BB 9s Sd, £IOO. Kingston Road, £B6 6s, £47 5s 7d, £BO. Okuku Road, £lO7 17s, £36 0s lid, £IOO. . Kara Road, £SO 6s 7d/ £49 17s sd, £4O. Otaura Road £2l Us sd, £lB5 0s 6d, £lO. Shannon East Road, £143 15s lid, £176 Is 10d, £l4O. Pretoria Road, £l5B 3 3 7d, £l3l 0s sd, £6O. Marinoto Road, £l4 7s 6d, £5 19s sd, £lo.' .Mangaore Road, £35 19s, £2l 10's Id, £3O. ,' To-komaru Valley Road, £7). 18s,-, *8 16s 3d, £l6O. . Shannon Boundary—Buckley, £lls 0s lOd, £3O 6s, £BO. Buckley Road, £B6 6s, £24 7s 6d, £BO.

•.Heights Road, £43 2s'9d, £2B 10s 4d, £2O.

Bridge (Kingston Road), £215 14s, £2OO brains', £7l 18s, £2 16a Id, £3O. Culverts, £SO, —, £SO. Town lighting, £3O, £2O 7s, £3O. ■Akers Road, £l4 7s 6d,- £ls 3s Bd, £IOO.

Ashlea-Temukanui Road, £2B 15s, £6 Os 6d, £25. Contingencies, £287 10s 7d, £BO lis 4d, £2OO. Totals of the foregoing, £2050, £1489 ss, £2090. To. be Apportioned Through the General Main Highway No. 59 (County share only) £6O, £l7 13s id, £25. Main Highway No. 60 (County share only) £750, £6BB 16s 3d, £4OO. Total estimates of riding, £2860, £2195 14s Id, £2505.

EXPENDITURE.— Public works, 1929-39 £2090, 1928-29 £2050. 'Share general . expenditure. £3288, £3460. Share antecedent liability repayment and interest, £l5O, £159. Totals, £5528, £5669. ; . RECEIPTS.— Cr. balance forward, 1929-30 £2236, £1928-29 £1435. Arrears general rate, £IOO, £250. Subsidy on rates, £SOO, £4OO. Share heavy traffic license fees, £IOO, £IOO. Totals of the foregoing, £2936, £2185. General rate of fd in the £, 1929-30, £3272; 11-16 d, 1928-29 £3730. Totals, £6209, £5915; (l-16d produces £327). Wirokino Riding.

Ohau Weat Road, estimated expendi

ture 1928-29 £155 14s 7d, actual ex- \ penditure 1928-29 £l3B 14s Hd, estimated expenditure 1929-30 £l5O. Kuku Soldiers' Settlement Road, £23 7s 2d, £23 18s 9d, £25. Hogg's Road, £23 7s 2d, £ls 12s lid, £2O. Ohau East Road, £ls lis 6d, £5 17s, £lO. Florida Road, £46 14s 4d, £9 0s 4d, £4O. Muhunoa East Road, £7O Is 7d, £7l 12s sd, £IOO. Muhunoa West Road, £93 8s 9d, £33 12s lOd, £BS. Ohau township roads, £ls lis sd, £2 3s lid, £ls. > McLeavey Road, £3l 2s Ud,- £4 16s Sd, £3O. Kimberley Road, £7O Is 7d, £32 Is 2d, £65. Tararua Road, £46 14s 4d, £3l 14s lid, £45.. Buller, Bolt-on and Bruce Roads, £46 143 : 4d, £2O 2s, £6O. Arawliata Road and drains, £46 14s •id, £2l 12s 4d, £45. Hokio Sand Road, £77 17s 3d, £4o 12s lOd, £6O. Apnpaepae Road, £62 5s lOd, £lB 14* fo'!, £6O. Gladstone Road, £93 8s 9d, £69 Is 4d, £3O. Upper and Lower Queen Street, £77 17s 3d, £49 19s, £BO. Fairfield Roads, £62 5s lOd, £SO 13s, £IOO. „. Lindsay Rdßh £46 14s 4d, £32 10s 7d, £SO. Kawiu-Foxton and Kawiu Roads, £155 14s 7d, £73 15s Sd, £l6O. Te Whanga Road, £7 15s 9d, £1 14s 9d, £B. . Waitarere-Road, £3l 2s lid, £27 17s 3d, £35. Otarua Read,' £46 14s 4d, £34 Is 6d, £45. .'-.''■

McDonald Road, £ls Us sd, £8 13s Bd, £ls. .Wallace Road, £3B 18s Bd, £35 10s 4d, £SO. Pott's Road, £3B 18s Sd, £29 Is 3d, £4O.

Heights Road, £lO9 0s 2d, £7O 5s Id, £7O. ' Heatheiiei East Road, £46 l4s 4d, £3l 4s 4d, £SO. Tavistock Road, £62 5s 10d, £39 16s 9d, £BO. Heatberlea Cornev to Koputaroa, £124 lis Sd, £122 2s 7d, £125. Kukutauaki Road, £93.8s 9d, £43 2s, £6O.

Koputaroa -Foxton Road, £233 lis lOd, £l4B 6 i 7d, £2OO. : Paiaka Road, £124 Us Bd, £77 7s .sd, £l2O.

River protection, £77 17s 3d, —, £SO. Drains iarid fencing, £155 N l4 : s £lO5 5s 4d,£150. Boundary Roadr (£l4O, Levin Borough Council £108), £248, £l9B 10s 10d, £l4O.

;Mako Mako Road, £ls lis sd, £4 8s 3d, £2O. Boundary lights, £3O, £29 Is 3d, £3O. Contingencies, £3ll 2s lid,. £63 13s 3d, £3OO. Subsidiary Highway No. 374 (Hokio) £BO, £l3l 17s 4d, £IOO. Totals of the foregoing, £3153, £1954 6s 7d, £2978. To be Apportioned Through the General Account. — Main Highway No. 1 (County share only), £675, £531 0s 9d, £6OO. Main Highway No. 60 (County share only), £2OO, £221 6s 4d, £250. Total estimates of riding, £4028, £27-06 13s Bd, £3828. EXPENDITURE.— Public works, £1929-30 £2978/1928-29 £3153. Share general expenditure, £4886, £SIOB. Share antecedent; liability repayment and interest, £715, £755. Totals, £8579, £9016. RECEIPTS.-^-Cr. balance forward, 1929-30 £1463, 1928-29 £1209. Arrears of general rate, £4OO, £930. Subsidy on rates, £9OO, £9OO. Share heavy traffic license fees, £225, £225. ' ' Totals of the foregoing, £2988, £3264. .General rate of 23-32 d. in the £, 1929-30, £5700; 1928-29, £5758. Totals, £B6BB, £9022. , \.-32d. produces £247.) Otaki Riding. Rahui Road, Estimated Expenditure 1928-29,' £l3O 6s 3d, Actual Expenditure 1928-29 £SO 16r- 9d, Esetimated Expenditure 1929-30 £IOO. Elair's Road, £32 Us 6d, £6 19s sd, £3O.

Freeman's Road, £26 Is 3d, £3 lls ; £2O.

Te Wata Road, £l9 10s lid, £l6 3s 10s, £2O. Waitohu Valley and South' Mar.ak.au. £9l 4s 4d, £2B 9s 6d, £IOO. Waikawa Beach Road, £260 12s 6d. £136 7s Hd, £3OO. Waikawa South Road, £39 _ls 10d, £2 5s 6d, £4O. North Mana.kau SRoadi, £26 Is 3d, £l4 18s 7d, £SO. Manakau township roads, £143 6s lOd, £6 8s 9d, £145. Forest Lakes Road, £6 10s 4d, 12s 6d £5. ' Gleeson's Road, £6 10s 4d, £1 15s 6d, £5.

Culverts, £SO, —, £SO. Convent Road, £97 14s Bd, £3 8s 3d, £l2O. Township lighting, £3O, £31,'£32. Bridge timbers, £SO, —, £SO. River protection, £65 3s Id, £lO 10s, £2O. Contingencies, £l3O 4s lid, £29 7s 7d, £l3O. Totals of the foregoing, £1205, £342, £1217. To be Apportioned Through the General Account. — Main Highway No. 1 (County share only), £2OQ, £153 17s Bd, £2OO. Total estimates of riding, £1405, £496 12 S 9d, £1417.

Otaki Riding. ESTIMATES 1929-30. EXPENDITURE.— Public works, 1929-30 £1217, 1928-23 £1205. ! Share general expenditure £1929, £2013. ; Share antecedent liability £B2, 86. Totals, £3228, £3304.

RECEIPTS.— Cr. balance forward, 1929-30 £1137, 1928-29 £154. Arrears general rate, £250, ' £4OO. Subsidy on rates, £250, £250. Share heavy traffic license fees, £75, £75. Totals of the foregoing, £1712, £S79. General ratcvll-16d. in the £, 192930, £2086; 13-16 d. 1928-29, £2464. Totals, £3708, £3343. (l-16d. produces £189.) Te Horo Siding. Ngarara Road, Estimated Expenditure 1928-29, —; Actual Expenditure 1928-29, £8 3s 9d; Estimated Expenditure 1929-30, £B. Mangaone Road (Reikorangi), £9O, £4l 5s 1id,,£90. Mangaone Road (To Horo), £54, £77, 9s lOd, £75. Ngatiawa Roads, £54, £6l 7s 6d, £SO. Waikanae township roads, £36, £ls 3s 4d, £35. Waimeha township reads, £54, £23 18s lOd, £SO. Te Horo Beach and Solfliers', £IOB, £35 13s 3d, £l5O. Te Waka, Swamp, and Addington £IOB, £29 19s lOd, £IOO. , Hut't boundary roads, £IOO, £97 2s sd, £IOO. • : Rahui Road, £9O, £lO Is 4d, £SO. Gear Road, £lB, £9 16s 4d, £ls. Old Hautere Road, £lB, £43 9s 9d, £2O.

Otaki Gorge Road, £2BB, £231 18s sd, £2SO.

Taungata Bridge, £IBO, —, £IBO. Culverts, £SO, —, £SO. Bridge timbers, £SO, —, £SO. Tovvnship lighting, £3O, £34 17s 4d, £35.

FloQd damage, Te Horo, £36, £1 17s 9d, £35. Contingencies, £196, £94 Is sd, £2OO. Subsidiary Highway No. 371, £2O, £8 10s 9d. £2O.

Subsidiary Highway No. 372, £SO, £54 17s 4d, £7O. ' Subsidiary Highway No. 373, £IOO, £B7 12s 6d, £IOO. Totals of the foregoing, £1730, £957 7s 7d, £1763. . To be Apportioned Through the General Account. — . Main Highway No. 1 (County share only), £l5O, £lOl 5s Id, £l5O. " Total estimates of riding, £IBBO, £IOSB 12s Bd, £1913. EXPENDITURE.— . Public works, 1929-30 £1763, 1928-29 £1760. Share general expenditure, £2254, £2396. Share antecedent liability repayment and interest, £129, £136. Dr. balance forward, —, £366. " Totals, £4146, £4658. RECEIPTS.— Cr. balance forward, 1929-30 £B2l, 1928-29 —. Arrears general rate, £2OO, £SOO. Subsidy on rates, £420, "£420. ' Share heavy traffic Hcen:;e fees, £IOO, £IOO.

Totals of the .foregoing, £1541, £IO2O.

General rate of 27-32 d. in the £, 1929-30, £3110; 31-32 d. 1928-29 £3641. Totals, £4651, £4661. (l-32d. produces £115.) VARIOUS FEATURES DISCUSSED.

In placing the estimates before the Council for consideration item by item, the Chairman said he had discussed them with the staff. In tho increased if cm ffir audit, £BO, two years' charges were provided for. A sum of £SOO had been set down to cover a new valuation over the whole County. The Council's legal expenses had been kept down largely by the fact that summonses were being issued from the office, for which purpose an extra officer had been employed during the last two or three years, who acted with The County Clerk's assistance. With regard to the item appearing in the general estimates as "public works, £300," the Olerk explained that it represented payments which could not be allocated to particular ridings, for matters which arose occasionally and which were of 'benefit .to the whole County. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE ON HIGHWAYS.

Cr. Gimblett reminded the Council that it should be the duty of the Highways Board to contribute to the Engineer 's salary. The Chairman replied that the Board had never definitely"- turned down the Council's request in this respect; the Council had been urging it. for the last four years, and the matter was raised again when the Board called at Levin recently. Cr. Gimblett said it was a question ivhieh the Council should try to push a little further. It seemed as though (he Board were putting off the evil day until the Highways work was finished, in which case the Council would get nothing in this connection. The Chairman: They pay a percentage to the Public Works District Office for doing their work. If we drew £20,000 during the year, they would pay 3 per cent on that amount to the District Office.

Cr. Gimblett. It is costing us 4 per cent., so it means that it is costing 7 per cent to spend our money. The Chairman: If we asked them to pay on a £1 for £1 basis; they would contribute 2 per cent on the whole, if they paid their share of the administrative cost. To the extra engineering and survey they have not contributed anything. Cr. Catley remarked that the Council had been refused assistance in the matter of a part-time employee; the County Engineer was a part-time employee in this respect. The Council had thought that when they appointed a special overseer they were entitled to a contribution representing half his pay, but they had found that this was not so, and had had to dismiss that officer.

Cr. Jensen: Is the whole of the survey paid fo: by this County? The Chairman: Excepting deviations. Cr. Jensen: This seems most unfair, and I don't consider that the Board were consistent. We have an enginoer putting in his whole time on Highway.* work, and we are not getting anything

towards it. I think they should pay the whole subsidy for £3 for £1 for that.

The Chairman: We have charged a certain proportion of the administration —office and engineering—to loan. If our loan terminates and they have to find the balance of the money to cwmpllete the' job, I shall feel that they have contributed; but if the job is completed in that loan authority, I shall feel that' they have not played the game. If the Board is not against making any contribution, the Public ! Works Department is. It may be a little more oxpensive to run the Board if it is removed from the Department, but it Avould be under better control and I think Ave Avoulld get a fair deal. If a Board is to be set up to control the South Island, it means two institutions, and they Avill have to come out from the shelter of the Department. ,-,,,• Or. Jensen: Even if Ave had all our work completed, we are paying about £IO,OOO mors of the ratepayers.' money than other local bodies are paying today- . ~ The Chairman: Our neighbours are working on the same basis as .we are, except in regard to subsidy. I am not aware that they are getting any contribution to salaries. Cr. Gimblett: I think that, after the position becomes clear to them, the protests will come from them as Avell as from us. . The Chairman: We are being supported by ether counties. ■ The Cook County Council arc taking it up strongly just at present: I quite agree that we must not lose sight of it. Hoavever, there is a way out of it for the Board, and that is to see the job through. NO. 1 HIGHWAY.

Eef erring to the maintenance ox No. 1 Higlwajj, (the Chairman said that there were several miles of drains to keep clear; ailso, the grader.had to go over the shoulders. If there Ava?: a wet season, a fair amount of chips had to go on; and there were one or two patches south of Te Horo, which would have to be repaired. In one place a vehicle picked the scalmgcoat up, on a hot day; there was evidently top much bitumen there. He thought there had been only one day this year when that damage to th-3 coating could have happened. Cr. Catley: That part has had tAvo additional coats of chips, and I think that that has set Med it. Cr. Jensen said'that something further should be done to the shoulders before any more money Avas sp.ent in. metalling them. The grader had been along and taken the metal off again, so the metalling Avas only a waste of money. It appeared to him that the graders'were too. light, and Avere not taking off the grass as they should. The Chairman stated ,that the grader had lifted the metal, owing to tjie grass groAving through it, and the only way *this could be remedied would be to have a team of men following with forks to .separate the grass from tho metal. If the water had been led' away from the places where it Avas accumulating, the result Avould probably have been better.-' It Avas the Public Works Department's idea that the gradershould go over the shoulders. Where there' was sufficient vehicular traffic, as in the vicinity of a factory, metalling could be done-with impunity, because the grass was kept down. Cr. Catley said that in connection with the construction oc future roads, the shoulders should be seriously considered. When this scheme was' first started, he had said that the shoulders would not be' put down to. a satisfactory camber with the rest of the road, even if rollers were used, and the fact that the Council had to put the grader on proved that. "' Not only had this been done, but the Council had had to put men on Avith picks and shovels to take off stuff that had cost money to lay down. If ther,e had been less shoulder when the road Avas constructed, there would have been less of the rise afterwards and Avhcn the Council put the metal on it would not bring the road above. Avhat a camber ought to be. The outside of the fhoulder got churned into mud, and to put metal on now only made the road into a saucer 1 o hold water. He quite agreed with the grader taking these parts off; but to spend a lot of money to put the nietal there and then take it off agin, seemed unnecessary.

The Engineer stated that the grass coming up through the shoulders grew into heavy tufts, which stopped the water. It' some wesd-killer could be pit on the shoulders, he did not think there would be any trouble with grass.

• Eeferring lo drainage of. the surface on ■ the southern portion of the Highway, the Engineer Stated that .side drains had been put through the shoulders, 'trenches having been dug and filled with boulders. This was very necessary, no doubt as the water was seeping up through the bitumen. It was not known where springs might come to the surface in the wet time of the year. He had left the estimate for the section Otaki bridge to Waikawa Stream fairly high, but the expenditure could not be estimated. The Chairman stated that the eastem face of the Pukehou Hill would all have to be treated for drainage.

LEVIN-FOXTON EOAD. With regard to" the section "Waikawa Stream to Wirokino bridge, for which £6OO had been set down for maintenance (as the County's share), the Engineer stated that there were 8* miles of unpaved road between Levin and the Wirokino bridge. Cr. Barber: Is that enough to keep that road in fair repair where it is not bitumenised? The Engineer: There would have been at least £IOO more as the Council's share if we were not going on with paving. I hope to get four miles of it down in bitumen before the end of the year, after which the maintenance of that will be fairly light.

Cr. Gimblett asked if too much money was going to the maintenance of Main Highways aa compared with

country roads. There was a feeling amongst back-Mock ratepayers in the Wirokino riding that that Avas the case.

The Chairman retorted that if ther.; was not a main road that traffic could use, there Avould be an objection not only from the general travelling public, but also from the men in the country part 3. There Avere no real backblocks in the County, unless,they were in the Otaki riding. The men Avho were clamouring on behalf of unmetailed roads used the Main Highways as much as anyone. The Council was receiving a maintenance subsidy of £2 for.£l provided that it kept the Highways lip to a standard. How far Avould the ratepayer get if the Council Avas not receiving any subsidy? There would not be a road in the County. Applications had been made tc the Board for certain subsidiary Highways; .if the Council only got one declared, it would be an assistance. It would be a mistake to cut down the work'' on j ,the Main Highway. Cr. Gimblett: I am not suggestingcutting it down. Tiie Chairman added that the vote of £6OO Avould represent £IBOO in all, which would be t lightly over £2OO a mile: There-was a little maintenance on the completed portion, but not much. The upkeep 'off the unmatfie portion was reckoned 'at £2OO a mite, which he thought Avas light, considering that this was'No. 1 HighAvay. NO. 60 HIGHWAY. Commenting on the amount of £250 which had been set down for the section of No. 60 Highway from the Levin Borough boundary to the north boundary of the Wirokino riding, the Engineer ■■ said he Avas doubtful as te whether he had enough money for that.. Owing to the Foxton Eoad being blocked by floods, this section of No. 60 Highway had been taking all the traffic, and during last Aveek it became verv rough. indeed. . It needed some repairs, and it was doubtful Avhether £250 Avould be sufficient. The total would be £750 for the repairing of 3 miles 51 chains, from the bridge at Po'.ts Road to Swindlehurst's Eoad. There Avas a chance that they would get some formation done on it. Cr. Gimblett; What chance? Cr. Catley. Buckley's chance, (Laughter.) » The Chairman: Better than that. We have to eater for this road as if there was nothing being done on it. Cr. Gimblett Amoved that the vot3 be increased by. £SO, making it £3OO. The motion Avas seconded by Cr. Whyte, and carried. < f The Engineer remarked that the increase was brought about purely through the other road being blocked. It might be blocked again before the winter was over..

Coming to the item of £4OO set down for the section, Wirokino riding boundary' to the north boundary of the county, the Chairman stated that what the reduction from a vote of £750 in ,the previous year was brought about by their having paved 5 miles 7 chains. The £750 had not included the roadman's Avages that might be expended; this year's item included that. On the motion of Cr. Barber, seconded by Cr. Whyte, the- vote was Increased by £SO to £450. The Chairman moved that the item of- £6OO for contingencies be reduced to £SOO, bringing the - total of the estimates to that existing Avhen they were framed. This wa3 seconded by Cr. Jensen, and carried. HIDING' REQTJiEEMENTS.

The public Avorks estimates were next dealt Avith. The Chairman stated that last year the Council had a special item, for roadmen's wages, but this year it had been allocated, as far as possible, to .the various roads.

On the motion of Cr. Whyte, seconded by Cr Barber, the item of £IOO for Tokomaru township was increased to £l5O.

• Cr. Whyte said he would like to see the rate reduced from 11-16 d to 5-Bd. The Chairman, stated that the levy for the Palmerston North hospital might have to be increased next year. In that case, if the rate was reduced too much, it would not allow the riding any margin to come and go on to maintain the rate at the' same' level; .However, there was no objection to the reduction" proposed. The Clerk stated that the riding would have to bring forward a fairly substantial credit each year in order to keep the rate unaltered. It was resolved, on Cr. Whyte's motion, thai; the rate be reduced to 5-Bd.

' When the Wirokino estimates were reached, Cr. Gimblett expressed appreciation of the very eonprehensive way in which the Engineer had brought all the figures -before the Council. , Later, Cr. Gimblett said he did not think that £BO would b-ranywhero ii:-ar sufficient for the maintenance of Upper and Lower Queen Street, which was in rather a bad state of repair. However, if this amount was passed now, .the Council might know later how it stood in reference to a subsidiary Highway and might get some relief.

HOKIO BEACH EOAD. Speaking of No. 374 Highway (Le-vin-Hokio), for which £IOO was set down, the Engineer stated that the grader had been over a portion of the road, but that was prior to the end of the financial year; all the expenditure of £l3l was- carried out before March 31st; that amount consisted of ,the County's share and the grant of £25 by the Levin Borough Council, but did not include the Board's share. The £IOO set down for this year did not include any money from the Borough; with the Board's subsidy it would be £3OO.

Cr. Gimblett asked if the County could afford a litte more than £IOO. The Chairman: This riding has not a very big margin. : Cr. Colquhoun: Seeing that last year's margin was about £550, I don't think we can spend much more on it. The Chairman: Considering the rateable value of the land out there, it ap-

pears to me, as an outsider, that the Council is doing it fairly well. Concerning the rate, 23-32 d, the Chairman said it did not appear that it could be reduced. As a matter of fact, it was less now than it was six years ago.

Cr. Gimblett: I cannot see any hopo pf reducing it, on these figures. I think the ratepayers are prepared to meet that rate, and that it will not create any v.nrest at all. The Wirokinc riding estimates were passed as set down, and the rate wa3 not altered. During discutsion of the Otaki ridj ing estimates, Cr. Eyder said he had had a request from the Otaki Chamber pf Commerce J hat the Council take into consideration, the bridging ■of Blair's Eoad. It would take a i'airly. expensive bridge and a considerable .filling on the south side. He suggested that the Engineer meet him, with, Cr. Bryant, 10 go into the matter. Tlyi speaker suggested •:». scheme to obviat/ the building of a bridge, which would perhaps have to be 40ft. long ana would cost between £SOO and £IOOO. The Chairman stated that the matter originally arose in the Chamber of Commerce because of business people in Otaki having to return over tho same ground in A'isiting their customers. He did not think, that the riding would be justified in going in for an expenditure of £SOO or £(500 for this purpose, at the present juncture at any rate. _ f - Cr. Eyder: I think it can be' o\'ercome if the Engineer will visit it with us. ' ;.-»jJili|l|B The item for the Waikawa Beach Eoad, £260, was increased to £3OO, oi the motion of Cr. Bryant, seconded by Gr. Eyder. The item for the North Man'akau Eoad Avas increased from £3O. to £SO, as the former sum included a contribution from a sawmiller. Cr. Eyder, lematking that the Otaki rate was raised by 3-16 d. last year, moved that it be reduced from 13-16 d. to 11-16 d., and this was carried. , The To Horo riding estimates \verc passed unaltered, but the rate was reduced from 31-32 d. to 27-32 d., on the motion of Cr. Jensen, seconded by tin Chairman. The estimates as amended were then passed as a whole, the rates were struck as particularised abo\ r e. MAIN HIGHWAYS CONSTEUCTIOIS ESTIMATES. N

The Engineer reported that the Mail HighAvays construction estimates to b*. presented to the Board were as fol lows: — Council's Board': share shar' - -

'ln connection with the last item the Chaiiman staled that a deviatioi; taking off four or five chains'was nee essary, and until the survey ; was'mad. : this part of the work could not pro ceed.

Th Engineer stated that he woulc make application for the free grant it the ordinary Avay. It would have tc be discussed by the -Highways; Dis triet Council.

The Chairman said he had no doub that the District Council would pas: .the application, which would thei have to be armroved by the Board.

APPLICATIONS FOE GEANTS. The following applications to be made to the Public Works Department for grants were also announced by the Engineer, and were approved by. the Council: — Waikawa Beach Eoad, £2OO, £ for £. Ohau East Eoad, £2OO, £ for £. Paiaka Eoad extension, £IOO, £ for £. •Tokomaru Valley Eoad bridge, £l4O, £ for £. Albert Eoad bridge, £172, £ for £. Waihoanga bridge, £IBOO, £2 for £l. Taungata bridge, J £2so, £ for £. Cr. Catley said that application should be made for a grant for the Ohau Beach Eoad extension. The matter was referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. BITUMEN SUPPLIES. Tenders were received for the supply of bitumen and were referred to the Chairman and the Engineer, with authority to select a suitable tender. MAINTENANCE OF WIEOKINO EOADS. Cr. Catley moved and. Cr. Colquhoun seconded, that tenders be called for the delivery of maintenance metal on Florida Eoad, Muhunoa East and Wesu Eoads, Ohau East and West Eoads, Soldiers' Eoad, and Bassett's Eoad. . It was explained by the mover that the Ohau West Eoad was in a bad state, and a 3 he thought this, too small a length for which to call tenders h'e had added the other roads named, pro: vided that the Engineer thought those works necessary. Ohau West and Muhunoa East Eoads were -:n urgent need. The motion was carried.

Riding. Tokpmaru Wirokino ... ■; Otaki .. Te Horo .. 1929-30. . . . jjU .. 23-32d .. ll-16d . . 27-32d 1928-29. ll-16d 23-32d 13-16d 31-32d 1927-28. ll-16d ll-16d \ « u 13-16d

Otalu Bridge to Jubilee Road '1'... 290 ' ' 87. D'Ath's and Sevan's 692 207: Staples's Deviation 122" ",-' .?$« Waikawa ' railway , crossing ........ 37 ,■-■;.'. ii. Waikawa Stream U9 1945 Kuku bridge 225 67? Manakau bridge - 250 ' 75( Ohau railway cross50 15( Levin to Wirokino 10,000 30,001 North boundary Wirokino Riding to 2060 61S( Top of Law's Hill to \ connect with above, for formation and foundation work, for one year (free 280'.