COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1939, Page 7

COUNTY AFFAIRS

MEETING OF MASTERTON COUNCIL.

TAUERU AND KAIWHATA BRIDGES.

The chairman, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, presided at the monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council, held yesterday. Others present were: Councillors W. I. Armstrong, P. R. Welch, J. W. Colquhoun. G. Moore and J. Donald. Various matters concerning the Taueru Road deviation on the MastertonCastlepoint Main Highway were considered and arrangements made. The engineers, Messrs Seaton. Sladden and Pavitt. submitted proposals for the formation and metalling of Fenemor’s Road at Kopuaranga. The necessary resolution was passed to lift the £4,500 granted as pari of the £14,500 bridges loan for the reconstruction of eleven bridges exceeding 20 feet span within the county. It was resolved to use the money to reconstruct the Taueru-and Kaiwhata bridges and the question of financing the nine other bridges is to be the subject of a report to the next meeting of the council by the Clerk, Mr J. C. D. Mackley. The Overseer reported on localities where improvements could be made to the visibility and safety of main highways and roads adjacent to intersections in order that the council might consider making application to the Main Highways Board for a subsidy towards the cost involved. A copy of proposals for the construction of the Longridge bridge on the Masterton-Stronvar Main Highway was received from the Engineers. On lhe current estimates, they pointed out, a subsidy of £5O, £3 for £l, on account, had been provided for the erection of the bridge and therefore it would appear that tenders should not be called until just before the close of the current financial year. In connection with the construction of the Mangapokia stream bridge at Blairlogie, the Engineers stated that the proposals had been approved by the Public Works Department. Monetary authority for £lOOO, £3 for £1 on account, had been applied for and would be received by the council in due course. Tenders could now be called for the work. The council could also call tenders for the erection of the Kaiwhata stream bridge at Ngahape. Monetary authority for £875, £1 for £l, had been applied for. The Department had advised that an item for moving gates.would not receive a Government subsidy. The treasurer reported that the County Fund Account was £1214 18s

5d in credit. Receipts since last meeting amounted to £13,516 3s lOd, which included £10,902 Ils lOd rates for the current year. Main Highway’s and other claims outstanding totalled £1576 17s Id. Accounts amounting to £6602 6s 6d were passed, including £1273 12s 6d representing the council’s final instalment of levy due to the Wairarapa Hospital Board. Subject, to the approval of the Public Works Department, the tender of J. W. Thornton Junr., was accepted for supplying and delivering 400 cubic yards of metal on to the Kaiwhata Road. ‘

Councillor Armstrong reported on the result of his negotiations with representatives of the Wairarapa South County Council regarding the hire of their air compressor. The arrangements were regarded as satisfactory. The ranger reported having dealt With 18 head of cattle and one horse during the month. Fees received amounted to 12s, making the total to date £l5 Ils.