MASTERTON COUNTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1940, Page 7

MASTERTON COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL RECONSTRUCTION OF WANGAEHU BRIDGES. PENALTY ON OVERDUE RATES FIXED. The monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council was held in the Council Chambers. Masterton, yesterday afternoon. The chairman, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee presided. There were also present: Councillors J. W. Colquhoun, P. R. Welch. J. Donald and G Moore. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H. H. Mawte-j and W. I. Armstrong. The district engineer. Public Works Department, wrote advising ■ that the proposals forwarded by the council's engineers to minimise flooding ovei the Matahiwi Road had been approved. and monetary authority was being issued. It was also stated that following an inspection made by representatives of the Main Highways Board, ir. company with councillors, of the several sites for the reconstruction of the Wangaehu stream bridges, the Board had approved of route 28.

A letter was received from Mr J. Robertson. M.P., stating that he had once again approached the Minister of Public Works with reference to his promised visit to the Bideford district. Although the Minister was very busy with matters arising out of the war situation, he would do his best to secure the Minister’s visit to the district. It was decided to send a letter of thanks to Mr Robertson for his efforts, and ask him to continue to make representations to the Minister.

The dog registration fee of 2s 6d plus Is for the hydatid preventive medicine (the same as last year), was fixed for 1941.

The chief engineer of the Wairarapa Electric Power Board forwarded a further print of the Kopuaranga reticulation. and asked if the pole position as shown on the second portion of the line would interfere with any future work the council had in view. The letter was received.

It was decided to make application to the Main Highways Board for monetary authority for the purpose of repairing the road from the Te Ore Ore junction to the Weraiti corner on the Masterton-Castlepoint route. It was decided to impose a penalty of ten per cent on all rates not paid after Friday, January 24, 1941. It was reported that six notices of sale of property within the county were received during the month. The ranger reported having impounded 6 head of stock during the past month. Messrs Seaton, Sladden and Pavitt reported on the engineering activities during the past month ' as follows: — Masterton-Castlepoint Main Highway: The priming of the section from Bennett’s Hill to Taueru has been completed and tenders for the sealing would be called immediately. The balance of construction on the Lodge deviation would be commenced next week. Good progress was being made with the construction of the Taueru River Bridge, on the Masterton-Stron-var Main Highway. On the BlairlogieLangdale Main Highway the maintenance period for the Mangapokia stream bridge had expired and the contract had been approved by the Public Works Department. Subject to maintenance and approval the Wangaehu stream bridge contract had been completed. Mr B. L. Larson, overseer, reported that maintenance work had been attended to and grading carried out in the various ridings. The work of re-' constructing and priming the main drive at the Masterton Hospital hac been completed in a satisfactory manner.