RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 58, 8 March 1916, Page 6

RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council met on Saturday. Present:—Crs B. P. Lethbridge (chairman), F. R. H. B'rice, H. O’Callaghan, ;W, Boole, K. W. Dalrymple, J. Brice and T, Duncan. CORRESPONDENCE. The Inspector of Noxious Weeds -wrote, stating that he will be in the district within the next few days to attend to complaints re blackberry, etc. From Public Works Department, advising payment of £lO5 for Toreio Hoad, and £250 Mangaweka-Te Kapua road. - From Commissioner of Crown Bands, approving proposals for the expenditure of thirds. From Advances Department, stating that the limit of loans to £SOO is still in force. From District Road Engineer, approving plans for work on Whareroa Road, Paraekaretu Block; authority for grant of £215 (on account of £400) Mataroa-Man gaweka road, and £SOO Whareroa Road. From Clerk Manawatu County Council, asking if the Council is willing to contribute on a valuation basis towards the expenses of engaging counsel in connection \sith the evidence to be placed before the Commission re the Levin-Greatford rail--way.—The clerk reported that the auditor had stated that the amount could only be paid out of the unauthorised expenditure, which amounted to £SO —Resolved (Chairman— Cr. Dalrymple) That the Council is willing to contribute. up to the amount allowed by legislation. From Egmont Box Company, acknowledging grant of private telephone concession; asking for copy of license granted to the Company to run 'a tramway along the Mangapapa road; also for a renewal of such license.—Agreed to for five years. From J. M. Beechey, re metalling on the Tnhoe extension road. —Clerk to reply. From A. Hulbert, asking that obstruction on road opposite his gate at Utiku be removed. — Being attended to. The resignation of J’as. Rattray as traction engine-driver w r as acceptejfi with regret. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Mr S. A. R. Ma,ir reported;—The weather has been very dry and metalled roads are breaking up very much.

Te Kapua Riding—Contractor has about finished roadman’s cottage on Rcngoiti Reserve, Mataroa-. Tenders have been invited for gravelling Pukenaua and N'amunui roads, Loan papers for Pukemapou and Namunui road loans have been fully signed. So far I have not been able to bring about a satsifactory arrangement between the Lands Department and the settlers in Otaihape Valley road re expenditure of Government grant, but I expect some of the settlers to wait upon Council to-day. Awarua Riding.—Mr. O’Connor has made good progress with his contract gravelling Toe'Toe road. Gravelling Makopua read has been completed satisfactorily. I have 'arranged contract No. 463, gravelling Inland Road with Horton Bros, and the work has been ccmmenced. Mr. John McDonald has given me a satisfactory tender for widening M’akopua cliff to sixteen feet and erecting eight chains protective fence. Settlers have asked me to construct a crossing for stock and vehicles at Hautapu bridge, Taihape. This could not be done without acquiring a small area of Government land on the east side now under lease to Mr. Parker, butcher. His lease expires on June 30th, 1916. The actual constructive cost of a vehicle road ■would be about £6O, but I would recommend a stock road only, 'at a cost { of about £25. I

Erewhon Riding.—Roller is reforming Wainui road and should finish about end of this week, Mr. Crichton has made a good start gravelling on Moawhango-Erewhon road. I applied to Mr. C. D. Kennedy, who surveyed Oruamatua-Erewhon road but he cannot inform me as to whether the present formation is on surveyed road or not. I have sent to Wellington for further data, but it is not to hand yet. DEPUTATIONS. Mr. W, J. Birch waited on the Council in reference to the proposed deviation of the Moawhango-Napier road and Watt and Lowry’s road. It was resolved (Chairman —Cr. Dalrymple) that Cr. Doole 'and, the engineer meet Mr. Birch and confer on the ground ns to the deviation of the road in question. RESOLUTIONS. It was resolved — (Crs. Doole —Duncan), That the Government he asked to vest in Council for a watering place for stock a part of section 62, Block XIV., Ohinewairua, and that the mover interview Mr. Parker in reference to the matter..

(Cr. Dalrymple—Chairman), That the decking on the bridges over Tutaenui on Brandon Hall Read and at Curl’s be repaired as recommended by Mr. Thomas.

(Cr. Dalrymple—Chairman), That the Inspector give notice to landowners on the Parew r anui Road to clear the gorse on the road fronting their properties.

(Crs. O’Callaghan—Duncan), That Frank Regers be granted permission to erect his swing gates on the Karetu Road north during the pleasure of the Council.

(Crs. O’Oallaghan—Doole), That the Council apply for the balance of £SOO on the Toe Toe Road loan.

(Crs. Duncan —Dalrymple). —That the question of employing an office assistant be left in the hands of the chairman ! and clerk with power to act. The purchase of a new motor car fer the engineer was left in the hands of th e chairman and Cr. Duncan. The Treasurer reported: —Cr. balance 'after last meeting’s payment, £1206 7s 3d. Receipts during month: Rates £2622 11s lid, sundries £604 6s 7d. Credit balance before to-day’s payments, £4389 7s 6d. After today’s payments, cr. balance £2433 2 S lOd.