COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 7

COUNTY AFFAIRS

FEATHERSTON COUNCIL MEETING AT MARTINBOROUGH TODAY FLOODING OF KAHUTARA ROAD. (“Times-Age" Special.) The monthly meeting of the Featherston County Council was held in the Council Chambers. Martinborough today. There were present: Councillors A. D. Martin (chairman). R. Smith. D. Cameron. G. Gillies. J. C. Bidwill. Q. Donald, and L. J. Thompson. The receipts since the last meeting totalled £2423. Accounts amounting Io £3743 were passed for payment. A letter was received from Mr R. Harding asking that the council form and metal the road from his property at Western Lake. It was decided to accede to the request. The Wairarapa Automobile Association wrote i equesting the council to improve the road from McDougall's Creek to Pelain’s Bay on the Palliser Bay Road. It was decided to attend to the road as finance was available.

Mr A. Linton, Lower Valley, wrote on behalf of the residents in the Tuhitarata Settlement, drawing the council’s attention to the condition of the riverbank and stopbank on the council’s property on the eastern side of the Ruamahanga River at the Kahutara Bridge. For many years past, the river had been cutting into the. road. When the river flooded the road was covered with water and large areas of country flooded. He suggested that the county engineer and the main highway board’s engineer inspect the banks of the river. It was decided to obtain a report from the council’s engineer. Mr H. F. Toogood, on the matter. A request from the estate of J. O. Sutherland, to take metal from the Bidwill pit was referred to the engineer for consideration. The New Zealand Farmers' Union wrote in legat'd to holding paddocks. It was stated that the question had been discussed by representatives from the Farmers’ Union, Masterton County Council and the Freezing Companies on November 17. The council was requested to take a census of all holding paddocks in the county, and supply particulars concerning them. It was also suggested that the drovers in each county be asked whether they considered the present paddocks were sufficient for their purpose. The clerk was instructed to submit a report to the next meeting of the council. The Transport Department wrote in regard to a report from the policeconcerning an accident which had occurred on the Martinborough-Pirinoa Road recently. The report stated that the accident had been caused by a car skidding in an excessive depth of loose metal, and crashing into a telegraph pole. The council considered that the metal on the road was not excessive in depth. The ranger reported that he had impounded 11 cows and 1 horse during the month, and that he had registered 13 dogs.