HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

Shannon News, 12 November 1929, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

NOVEMBER MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council Avas held in the County Chambers, Levin, on Saturday, there being present: The Chaifman (Mr G. A. Monk), and Crs.*Barber, Whyte,. Eyder, Bryant, Colquhoun, Gimblett, Catley and Jensen, Mr F. H. Hudson (County Clerk) and Mr J. T. M, Brewster (Engineer). The Prime Minister's circular relating to Armistice Day was received, and the arrangements for observance wer3 left to the townships. KARA BRIDGE. "Writing with reference to t.ne Kara bridge, on No. 60 Highway at Shannon/ concerning which the apportionment of the eost of certain work at the approaches is unsettled, the cleric of the Makcrua Drainage Board (Mr P. W. Connell) stated that the Board agreed to the matter in dispute being submitted to arbitration. The Chairman was authorised to make the necessary arrangements in this sonneetion. MAKERUA ROADING.

A letter was received from Mr A. Seifert in reference to the MakeruaTane Road and Ashlea Extension. He stated that there was gravel on the whole length of the road, and the full quantity on all but about two miles. Several of the settlers who had taken up land wanted to get the title to the property in order to facilitate their business arrangements, and for this reason the parties interested in the road would like the Council to take over the roads at tjie earliest possible date. Should a portion of the road be not completed when the Council took it over, then the Council'' might be agreeable for the interested partie 5 to enter into a bond that the road would be completed to its satisfaction. The writer added that, in the course of a few weeks, the work on the road would be entirely finished. The Chairman eaid it appeared to him that the job should be completed and the Council then take it over, in the usual way; if it was only going to take a few Aveeks, it might as well be finished.

The Council agreed that the road be taken over when completed. BOUNDARY BRIDGE AWAITING , RENEWAL. A communication with regard to the bridge on the boundary between the Horowhonua and Kairanga Counties, on No. 60 Highway, was received from the District Engineer (Mr R. H. P. Ronayne), who stated he understood that the Kairanga County Council had passed a resolution disclaiming all responsibility for any serious accident that might occur owing to the Existing bridge being in a dangerous condition. He had been under the impression that the Horowhenua Council was going to undertake, without delay, th 3 renewal of the structure; and he asked to be advised of the position. The Chairman said he presumed that if instructions were given to the County Engineer to take immediat-3 action, he would do so; he had been preparing plans for the new bridge, and these were almost completed. Or. Whyte moved and Cr. Ryder seconded that the Engineer be instructed to treat the matter as one of urgency.

In answer to a question by Cr. Jensen, the chairman said that this Council had not agreed to take any responsibility. Cr. Jensen: I think that, where there is a boundary bridge, we should take an equal share in any liability. The chairman stated that there was an agreement between the two Counties, )mal|de about il9oiy. Apparently the bridgo was shifted from the exact boundary into the Kairanga County so that that Council could put the drain in on hard land. The Kairanga Council, however, had intimated that it was prepared to take over the bridge if &-now one was built, but that at was not taking any responsibility win Is the bridge was under the jurisdiction of this Council, which it was to-day. Cr. Gimblet.t: Can the Kairanga Council hand that liability over to U3'/

The Chairman: If it came to a Jaw case, I do not know that the mere fact of their writing a letter to us can disclaim any liability that may be theirs, provided that we take the necessary action for restoration of the bridge in reasonable time.

Cr. Gimblett: What would be the position in our County if there was a seriousf accident there?

The Chairman: I don't know; A would depend on the circumstances. A local body is not responsible for what it does not do, but for what it does do. People cross that bridge at their own risk. The question is one that has been thrashed out in the Supreme Court on many occasions. Cr. Colquohoun: The Council could claim damages if a lorry damaged that bridge. Cr. Jensen: It is only reasonable that the County do what is right to the public. The Chairman: I think we are doing that. Thero was an old agreement, of which this Council knew nothing, but which was recently dug up in the Kairanga County office, in winch this Council undertook the responsibility for the repair and renewal of the bridge in the future. We disclaim that to this extent—that the bridge is in ,tlu Kairanga County and they should take it over. They have agreed to that on conditions—namely, that the Highways Board contribute £2 for £1 and that half the remainder be found by the Kairanga County and half by this County; and when the bridge is completed, they take it over. That do as not absolve them from liability as far as a boundary bridge is concerned. The question is whether we are going to proceed with the construction of the bridge or not. The Engineer already has instructions for that and tells us that.the plans are practically completed. The motion is that the matter be

treated as one of urgency. Liabilities and* such things are extraneous matter. If this motion is passed, we can advise the District Engineer. The motion was carried. ROAD IN OPUHI BLOCK. With reference to the of road formation to serve the Opuln Block, Messrs Jacobs and Grant, solicitors, of Palmerston North, wrote making certain submissions with a view to a modification of the conditions already laid down. Concerning the road where it runs alongside the main drain, they asked if it would not be acceptable to the Council that the 66ft road reserve should include the 12ft. clearance from Akers Drain, or at any rate the greater part of that l?ft. This road, they stated, was intended to servo a very limited area, and it seemed unnecessary, having regard to all the circumstances, to have the full chain in addition to the 12ft. clearance from the drain. In reference to other drains, they understood that the reason of the exclusion of drains from the road reserve was that there might result a liability for the maintenance Of tho drains. They quite appreciated this, but suggested that a 7ft clearance was not only unnecessary, but in all probability would prevent drainage from the roads, which might be highly desirable. In respect to the questiou of damage to existing roads by reason of cartage, they pointed out, firstly, that.these were public roads and should bo available for the use of the ratepayers at the present season of the year, and, secondly, that there was a tendency at the present time for these roads to be breaking and it was questionable what share of any maintenance would be properly assignable to any use that might be made, of it by their client.

It was resolved that the Engineer's instructions, as previously notified to the applicants, be carried out. TAVISTOCK ROAD.

The clerk of the Buckley Drainage Board (Mr J. T. .Bovis), writing with reference to Tavistock Road;, stated that the Board had paid out in wages £4O 10s, and would be pleased to receive the Council's cheque for £2O in due course.

- The chairman said that, if the Engineer was satisfied, that amount could be paid. The work had already been inspected. Cr. Gimblett moved that the account be paid. He stated that he had seen the job; it had' not been completed then, but he could see that it was good Avork.

The Chairman endorsed this opinion; and the motion was carried. DUMPING OF RUBBISH AT OHAU. Reference was made in a letter from Mr -E. J- Pink, apiarist, of Ohau, to rubbish having been duumped by some person or persons on the roadside opposite a section recently purchased by him on Ohau East Road. He asked that, if this was a matter for the Council's consideration, steps be taken for the removal of the rubbish, which consisted of "old wire, tins, glass, and docks by the cartload." From the appearance of the grass nearer the roadside, he presumed that someone had poured some whey, in a position where it could run and mix with water on his section; and he wished, to draw the Council's attention to this, adding that if it was not for their consideration he must take the matter up himself. Cr. Catley remarked that the material dumped included a number of cartloads of stones.

Cr. Jensen stated that the Council had a resolution to call people's attention to dumping and to interfering with roads, and he thought that the Council -would have to take steps to stop this evil. Some people Avere under the impression that they could do practically as they liked with the roads, lie movt-d* that the Engineer be instructed to get in touch Avith the peoplo AA'ho Avere responsible for the dumping at Ohau, and have the material removed.

Cr. Ryder seconded the motion. Cr. Catley said he would like to see a public notice prohibiting this sort of thing. To the ordinary onlooker there did not seem to be any harm in it, but in Mr Pink's case there might be a bad effect on the bees, which drank a certain amount of water. The property-owner had a right to object. Cr. Gimblett called attention to the dumping of boulders on roadsides. He stated that Tararua and Gladstone roads, were practically impassable for stock' on the sides, and the animals had to be kept to the middle of those roads. Settlers had been looking forward for some years to those boulders being removed for crushing purposes. Would the Chairman give him an assurance?

The Chairman: No; the stones may not be any good. Cr. Gimblett: I do object, as ont who drives stock along there, to those stones being dumped; and they have been there for years. The Chairman: We have a resolution prohibiting people from putting stones on the roadside unless with permission..

Cr. Gimblett: The settlers in our locality do not know that; they think they are helphvg the Council. One settler pulled his fence down and thought he was doing the Council a good turn. If I go along there with stock, I have to do the best I can.

The Chairman: In several places I have seen 'where hedges have been cut and the stuff dumped on the road. Very strict action should be taken in respect to that. The stuff should .not be tipped on. the road and burnt, but taken into the paddocks and burnt. The motion was carried. ARATANGATA DRAIN. Concerning the floodgate of the Aratangata Drain, Mr A. Guy wrote under date of October 22nd, stating that a meeting of the settlers interested was about to be held, and that he would report to the Council. The communication was received.

PROPERTY AFFECTED BY NEW

ROAD LINE.

Mr N. Horrobin, Foxton Road, wrote that, as he was about to erect another good, new fence (the fourth new fence in the last lew vears), he begged the removal of the car-shed and fence opposite the centre

of the road to their proper boundary. His patience being exhausted with the stock and traffic pushing his present boundary fence over, he was driven further back on his own property with the new fence. With the summer coining, the mobs, of stock passing were increasing, and, once through the cutting, had not a half-chain access to the corner. The chairman stated that this involved the question of taking land for the Highway between Levin and Wirokino. He thought that -it was a matter for the Works Committee to deal with. He moved that it be referred to them, with power to act. This meant, he stated, that if the Committee thought it necessary to take the land immediately, they could get that authority. Cr. Jensen seconded the motion. Cr. Ryder asked if the matter was urgent, 'as the Committee would not meet for three weeks. The Chairman: It is not that urgent. Cr. Gimblett stated that Mr Horrobin had been Avaiting for months to go on-with the Avorkthat he required; he had the timber in hand. As the Works Committee Avould not meet for some time, Cr. Gimblett urged that the matter be referred to the Councillors for the riding, with the Engineer, with instructions to report to the Council. He considered that they

should' understand the position better than the Works Committee did. He Avanted the question settled in open Council, and not in the Works Committee. It had to be handled very carefully, to ensure fairness to both parties/ As an amendment, he moved that the matter be referred to the Councillors for the riding, with the Engineer, and that, failing an agreement, it be referred to open Council. This Avas seconded by Cr. Ryder. Cr. Jensen: It almost amounts to a vote of no confidence in the Works Committee. The Chairman: I have every confidence in them, and a\4ll stand by the motion.

Cr. Jensen: The extraordinary thingis that tAvo of the members for the Wirokino riding belong to the Works Committee, and if they have the confidence of that Committee -they are not going to do anything that is going to be a danger to the Council or an injustice to the parties. I Avould like to knoAv whether you Avish the Works Committee to investigate about the shifting of this shed. Cr. Gimblett said that be had every confidence in the Works Committee, but there Avere various reasons Avhy the matter could be just as Avell left to the members for the riding. He claimed to know the locality better than some of the members of the Committee did.

The amendment Avas lost, those "voting for it being Crs. Ryder, Bryant and Gimblett. The motion Avas then carried.

The Chairman said that the Council had done the right thing. With their permission he would like to add to the Committee, for the present purpose, the name of Cr. Gimblett, Avho did knoAV the locality and would perhaps be helpful to the Committee in this connection.

The suggestion Avas agreed to. HIGH PRESSURE WATER FOR BULLER ROAD.

A petition was received from seven settlers, asking the Council to raise a loan of £285 for the purpose of conveying the Levin Borough high-pres-sure water service to their properties on No. 1 Highway and Buller Road. Tht-y understood that, in' addition to the special rate to provide the interest and sinking . fund for the loan, there would be certain charges due by them to the Levin Borough Council, which they were willing to pay. As an alternative, for providing the capital cost, they would be agreeable to the levying of a special works rate for a period of ten years, provided that the annual amount of it did not exceed the annual interest and sinking fund chaiges that would be payable on a special loan. The signatories to the petition, which was sponsored by Cr. Colquhoun, were Messrs J. G. Harkness, 1\ M. O'Connor, R. W. B. Evans, Jas. Brsdley, H. Dittmer, D. V. Brown, and Jas. Chatlies.

Cr. Gimblett inquired whether a works rate could be spread over ten years. The riding, he said, would have to find about £SOO.

The chairman, in reply, said that the members for the riding, with the clerk and the Engineer, could be a special committee to report as to the financial and legal aspects of the matter. On the chairman's motion, seconded by Cr. Catley, the question was referred to the councillors for the riding, with instructions to report to the Council.

The cliairman then moved and Cr. Colquhoun seconded, that application be made to the Department of Internal Affairs for the. issue of an Order-in-Council conferring on the Council the powers available under Section 182 of the Counties Act, 1920, in respect to the supply of water for'domestic anl industrial purposes. The motion was carried.