COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1941, Page 2

COUNTY AFFAIRS

MEETING OF MASTERTON COUNCIL BENNETT’S HILL LIME DEPOSITS. REPORT OF ANALYSES. The monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council was held yesterday. The chairman, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee presided. There were also present: Councillors H. H. Mawley, W. I. Armstrong, J. W. Colquhoun, J. Donald, G. Moore, and the County Clerk. Mr J. C. D. Mackley. An apology for i absence was received from Council-' lor P. R. Welch. In connection with the work on Kummer's Bridge over the Waipoua River on the Paierau Road, Akura, Messrs McKenzie and Marsack, solicitors, advised that their client (Estate of Martin Kerins) had consulted them on the council’s action in removing soil and willows from the right bank of the Waipoua River for a distance approaching two chains on the northern side of the new bridge. It was pointed cut that the council's action was'likely to result in damage being done to the property by erosion and flooding of the land adjacent to the river bed. The council’s attention was directed to the matter to enable remedial steps, to be taken. "I consider that the owner of the land should have been consulted,” said Councillor Colquhoun. He added that the council should not do any work without notifying the owners of the land concerned. The engineer, Mr H. 11. Pavitt said that the work was a protective measure. Mr Mackley said he had consulted the trustees of the estate before the work was commenced and they had not taken any exception to the proposal. It was decided to call a meeting of the solicitors, the engineer and the County Clerk, to meet on the spot and discuss the matter. Mr N. Lamont, Agricultural Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Masterton, advised that the reports he had received on samples of limestone from Bennett’s Hill showed that the upper face (nearer Masterton) contained 83 per cent of carbonate of lime at the bottom and 81 per cent at the top. The lower face showed 73 and 75 per cent respectively at the bottom and top. A hard seam in the lower face tested 95 per cent, while McKenzie's face tested 92.5 per cent. "These analyses suggest that there are good prospects for developing a supply of reasonably good lime from this site,” stated Mr Lamont. The figures would suggest that the Mastertcn end of the face would give the best results. He offered his co-operation in any further investigation. The report was received and it was decided to thank Mr Lamont for his work. An application was received from Mr J. W. Buchanan, to put a pipe into the water race for pumping water to his property at Lansdowne. It was decided to refer the matter to the Opaki Water Race Committee. Mr J. Robertson. M.P., acknowledged receipt of a copy of a letter sent by the council to the Minister of Public Works with reference to the re-erection of a suspension bridge at Bideford, giving access to a residence, the Anglican Church and other district amenities, which was completely destroyed by the heavy floods experienced in May. He intimated that he would discuss with the authorities the proposals contained in the council’s letter. The letter was received. Mr H. A. Truman advised that as he .had, been appointed to the position of ’ Borough Engineer and Inspector to the