COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1940, Page 7

COUNTY AFFAIRS

FEATHERSTON COUNCIL BUSINESS AT TODAY’S MEETING. REMOVAL OF WOOD FROM RIVER. (“Times-Age” Special.) The monthly meeting of the Featherston County Council was held at Martinborough this morning. The chairman, Mr A. B. Martin, presided. There were also present: Councillors R. Smith (treasurer), D. Cameron. J. Carne Bidwill, Q. Donald, Guy Gillies, L. J. Thompson and R. W. Matthews. Accounts for £3667 14s 7d were passed for payment. A letter was received from Mr Ben Roberts, M.P., stating that he was unable to arrange for a deputation from thecouncil to interview the Minister of Public Works as he was leaving for the South and did not know when he would be able to return. The Education Department wrote stating that the council’s request for permission to alter the fence line on the department’s property at Martinborough could not be acceded t’o without having an Act passed by Parliament. It was considered that the cost would not warrant the action.

The Clerk, Mr H. Hardinge, was instructed to write to the department pointing out that the council's request was in the interests of the travelling public as the main highway passed through the department’s property. The Moroa water race committee asked for the council’s legal opinion as to the powers the committee possessed in the matter of preventing people from taking wood from the Waiohine River as the wood protected the headworks. The matter was referred to the council’s solicitors for an opinion. Messrs Card'and Lawson (solicitors) wrote on behalf of Mr Norman Matthews asking the council to close the road the council had formed for him as he had now a better and more convenient road. It was proposed that Mr Matthews should buy the old road and form the new road to recompense the council for the cost of closing the old road. It was decided that steps be taken to accede to the request. The ranger reported having impounded 7 head of sheep and 14 dogs during the month.