OROUA COUNTY AFFAIRS IN REVIEW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 39, 16 February 1939, Page 10

OROUA COUNTY AFFAIRS IN REVIEW

MONTHLY MEETING HELD. (Own Correspondent). FEILDING, Feb. 15. Mr. A. Campbell, chairman, presided over the monthly meeting of the Oroua County Council. There were also present Crs. O. McElroy, A. B. Shannon, R. Stewart, B. McLeod, T. Green and W. McLennan. The following correspondence was dealt with by the council: From the Public Works Department approving of the plans for the new bridge over Makino Stream on R'.nd's Line.—Received. I From the New Zealand Standards forwarding particulars in connection with Standardisation of Local Body By-Laws. —Received. From the Department of Health advising that an Inspector of Health to deal with the Western Riding has been appointed at Marton.—On being assured that it did not mean any additional charge on the county the chairman said that the new arrangement would be an improvement and one which should be advantageous to the council.

From the president, New Zealand Counties' Association, asking that all county councils co-operate with various sports organisations in connection with the proposed "Physical Fitness Week.”—"We are identified with thii movement and 1 have no doubt we will do our job to further the oh jectives,” said the chairman, in commenting on the letter. The counci he recalled, was working in with the Feilding Borough Council on the proposals.

From Ihe Public Works Department forwarding results of concrete blocks from bridge on Makino Road.— The county engineer said that the report was entirely satisfactory.

From the Public Works Department suggesting alterations to plans for Cheltenham culvert.—Referred to the county engineer.

From the Feilding Borough Council advising that a meeting would be held on Thursday, February 16, of local body representatives in Zone E lo consider the proposed Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial at Petone and other matters in connection with the Centennial Exhibition. It was stated in the communication that the Oroua County's share of the cost of the provincial memorial would be £26.—-The council appointed the chairman to represent the council and agreed that steps be taken to represent the position regarding the Mt. Stewart Pioneers’ Memorial. From the Feilding Borough Council advising I hat the tender of Rhodes and McPherson of Masterton for construction of Kiwitea Bridge had been approved and that the Oroua Countys contribution would be £674. The local body contributions, said the chairman were based on the original findings of the commission and to-day many of the ratepayers of the Oroua County did not enjoy any advantage from the bridge so that he could not see why the Oroua County’s contribution should be greater than that of

Kiwitea County. However, nothing could be done, but it was satisfactory lo note that by calling for fresh tenders a saving of over £lOO in the estimated cost, had been made. Rate Roll Alterations. The following alterations to the county rate roll were approved: A. R. Humphrey lo R. W. Humphrey; J. McKenna to A. J. Galpin; M. B. Herlihy and M. Sinclair to D. E. Herlihy; S. M. Smith to M. Managh: W. C. Boniface to W. W. Pettigrew; Est. Chas. Parsons to Mrs. A. E. Clapham. County Finances. The treasurer, Mr. R. L. Harding reported as follows on the finances of the council: Total rates outstanding previous three years to 31/3/38. Natives, £629 12s lOd; Crown, £5 9s 7d; European. £457 Ils Id; total, £lO9B 13s 6d. Collected European arrears,

£216 Is 10s. Arrears outstanding, £876 Ils Bd. Amount of rates levied for current year, £15,339 12s 7ct. Amount collected to 9/2/39, £13,900 7s 9d. Amount outstanding at 9/2/39, £1439 4s lOd.

Riding accounts: Expenditure on maintenance (western riding), £2199 7s 3d. Presented for payment, £l3l 2s 6d. Expenditure on maintenance (eastern riding), £2491 7s 6d. Presented for payment, £155 14s 2d. Bank balance: General account (cr.), £7032 14s 6d.

The county engineer, Mr. Roy L. Harding submitted the following report : Eastern Ridings: One old culvert on Ulysses Road has been replaced with 18-inch concrete pipes, and several old culverts in Ashhurst township have also been replaced. The large woden culvert on Holmes Road has been redecked. Watertables on Midland Road have been attended to and Valley Raod has been clayed. Work of reshaping and gravelling the Taonui-Colyton-Road has been proceeded with, and some gravel repairs have been carried out on the northern end of this road. The decking of Menzies bridge has been repaired. An old culvert on Spur Road west has been placed with 24-inch concrete

pipes. Western riding: The bridge and deviation on Makino Road has been opened to traffic and the contractors have commenced work on the concrete culvert at Cheltenham. Some clay has been distributed on Tokorangi, Feilding-Kakariki and Makino Roads. The new grader for this riding has been delivered and should be ready to commence work on Monday next.