COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1938, Page 8

COUNTY AFFAIRS

MEETING OF FEATHERSTON COUNCIL. (“Times-Age” Special.) The chairman, Mr A. B. Martin, presided at the monthly meeting of the Featherston County Council, held at Martinborough today. Otners present were Councillors Q. Donald, R. W. Matthews, G. Gillies, I. McLeod, L. J. Thompson, D. Cameron, and R. Smith. Mr Martin reported that Mr J. G. Mahood, County Overseer, had recently been taken ill and had to go to Wellington to undergo an operation. Although he was now home again and was improving, he still had to have treatment in Wellington. The action of the chairman and the Clerk in appointing Mr F. Gray to carry out Mr Mahood’s duties was approved. Mr A. J. Rendle, Kanautara Road, wrote drawing the attention of the council to the flooding of his property. He asked the council if it would, without admitting any liability, take the matter up with the Public Works Department and see if any improvement could be effected. The letter went on to refer to the damage done to his land by the last flood and to criticise the attitude of the departmental engineers towards the matter. It was stated that on receipt of the letter last month, the chairman had advised Mr Rendle to take the matter up direct with Mr B. Roberts. A further letter was received from Mr Rendle again urging that the council should place the position before the Minister of Public Works

The meeting viewed sympathetically Mr Rendle’s request and it was decided to write to the Minister, asking that something be done, as the council had no control in the matter. A firm of solicitors advised that Mr Norman Matthews was prepared to dedicate the land required to complete the road through to Wharekaukau, provided the council fenced the road without cost to him. It was decided to suggest to Mr Matthews that the council instal cattle stops when called to do so. Mr R. E. Williams wrote objecting to the council putting a culvert under the road near his property. He said he did not want the county engineer to instruct him what to do to maintain a drain on his own property. The matter was left in the hands of Councillor Donald to interview Mr Dilliams. Mrs E. Herrick wrote asking the council to consider the blocking of three culverts on the main road a few chains from her property. She understood that the culverts were of no value and by blocking them the flood water would be prevented from backing up on her property. It was decided to ask the Main Highways Board for an opinion on the matter. Referring to the sealing of backblock roads, the chairman said he wanted the engineer, Mr H. F. Toogood, to experiment with a view to getting a type of road on which reconstruction costs would be low.

Accounts amounting to £8458 12s lOd were passed.