COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 October 1938, Page 9

COUNTY AFFAIRS

MEETING OF MASTERTON COUNCIL. APPLICATION FOR BRIDGES LOAN. The chairman, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, presided at the monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council, held yesterday. Others present were: Councillors H. H. Mawley, W. I. Armstrong, P. R. Welch, J. W. Colquhoun, J. Donald and G. Moore. The Manager of the State Advances Corporation advised that it was regretted that the corporation was not in a position to deal with the council’s application for a loan of £14,500, for bridge construction, until the Loans Board signified its consent to the raising of the money. Full details of what proportion of the loan moneys would be required up to March 31 next should be notified after the consent of the Loans Board had been received. The Clerk, Mr J. C. D. Mackley, was instructed to reply to the letter. Mr J. Robertson wrote stating that the following items had been provided for in the Public Works Supplementary Estimates, 1938-39: Finemor’s road access, £250 free on account; Mangarei road metalling, £250, £1 for £l, on account.

Mr Robertson also forwarded a copy of a letter from the Minister of Public Works with reference to the representations he had made on behalf of the council regarding several bridge proposals for which the council desired to have provision made on the Supplementary Estimates. The Minister regretted that as the Estimates closed some time previously it was not possible' to make financial provision for any of the bridge works during the current financial year and he must necessarily defer the proposals for review in the next Public Works Estimates.

The District Engineer, Public Works Department, advised that the legalisation of the Waihora Road had been effected by a proclamation in the. Gazette and that the available monetary authority of £B4O free was being requisitioned for and would be forwarded to the council in due course. A letter was received from the Commissioner of Transport stating that it was likely that the whole question of improving the system of the issue of motor drivers’ licences would be reviewed in the near future. One aspect recently considered by the New Zealand Road Safety Council was the issue of a learner’s plate to new drivers on similar lines to the system existing in Great Britain. Before the proposal was considered further by the Government the views -of those who would be affected were desired. The Clerk pointed out that the proposal regarding a sign for learners had been brought to the notice of the Department in June of last year, as the result of a suggestion by Councillor Mawley. • It was decided to advise the Commissioner that the council favoured the proposal. * The secretary of the New Zealand Counties’ Association wrote asking to be furnished with information concerning hospital rates to assist in 'the preparation of a case for submission to the Government supporting a request for a review of the' whole question of hospital rating. The Clerk was directed to forward the required information. The Kairanga County Council wrote explaining the circumstances that had persuaded it to abandon the idea of a huge deputation to the Government making-representations for relief to all contributing local authorities to hospitals in the Dominion and stating that steps would be taken to place a strong case before the Minister of Health early in the new year. The Overseer, Mr B. L. Larson, reported that it would cost £209 to provide a new access to Glencrieff Station. The Finance Committee’s report was adopted and accounts amounting to £5,989 19s 2d were passed. The ranger reported having dealt with 31 head of cattle and 2 horses during the month. Fees collected amounted to £1 9s, making the total collected to date ltl3 4s. Messrs Seaton, Sladden and Pavitt reported that the proposals for the replacement of the Sulphur Wells Bridge were being prepared for a bridge 24 feet'wide in accordance with the Public Works Department’s requirements. It was agreed to increase the width of a second bridge 18 feet further on to 24 feet. ENGINEERS’ REPORT. The Engineers! Messrs Seaton, Sladden and Pavitt) reported:—No. 64 Mas-terton-Castlepoint Main Highway — Goodlands to Bennett’s Hill section, reconstruction and sealing: The improvement to the curves beyond Otahoua homestead and the final dressing up of this portion of the road preparatory to priming will now be done. No. 65 Mas-terton-Stronvar Main Highway—Weraiti Corner to Lee’s Road section, om.

to lm. 13 chains, reconstruction and sealing: Repairs to the road affected by recent flooding have been completed and the road is being consolidated prior to priming. It is expected that this section will be ready for priming in about three weeks’ time. Weraiti Hill Road improvement: Steady progress is being maintained by the meexcavator. Homewood Road deviation at 36 miles: The contractor will be recommencing the road formation this week. The road at the wooden culvert became unsafe after recent flooding and traffic was directed over the new culvert. It is expected that the deviation will be completed very shortly. Waihora Road, access to A. E. Taplin’s property: Good progress has been made with the formation, about 55 chains is nearing completion and the remaining 20 chains is partly constructed. All the culverts are in place.