POHANGINA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Feilding Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 142, 15 December 1902, Page 2

POHANGINA COUNTY COUNCIL.

» The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held at Pohangina on Saturday. The following were present — Crs F. Phillpotts (chairman), i H. Hammond, T. Clark, A. Russell, A. Arbuckle, and W. Boddy. Before commencing business Cr Phillpotts, who was absent from last meeting, returned thanks to the Councillors for electing him chairman. COBRESPONDENCE. N. Chnsfcensen, Apiti, resigning position as roadman for Table Plat. A. G. Knight, Table Flat, applying for position of roadman on Table Flat. M. E. Wright, Piripiri, asking the Council tc urge the Government to complete the road through the Totara Reserve Wanganui Education Board, asking fch&6 the Council would notify the Crown Lands Commissioner? of their consent to the gravel reserve on the Apiti - Norsewood road being vested in the Board. — Done Treasury, provisionally approving of the £400 loan for the completion of Mt Richards Road. A. Brooking, offering 10s for grass seed on the Makiekie Road (Umutoi Riding). — Accepted. Cr Hammond brought up the question of metalling Den ton's Road, and suggested that the amount in hand for the work. (£2oo) should be diverted to clearing the slips off the same road. It was decided to leave the matter over until next meeting, Cr Hammond to interview the ratepayers interested in the matter. — Engineer instructed to make inspection of road in question, and prepare estimate of cost for re-opening same. The tenders of Messrs Hart and Dick for delivery of 300 yards o£ gravel at 2s 5d per yard, and 700 yards at 3s 4d per yard on the Apiti Main Cross Road were accepted. Resolved, That the county offices be closed from December 24th to January sth, 1903. Mr A. G. Knight was temporarily appointed roadman on Table Flat. Resolved, That the clerk be in--1 structed to write to David Nicoll to start metalling contract 76 without \ delay. i Resolved, That James McMillan i (contractor), be requested to complete 1 his metalling contract No 82 Opawa [ t road at once. t Resolved, On the motion of Cr , Phillpotts, That the Minister of i Lands be requested and urged to > finish and complete the road known I as the Totara Reserve Deviation and that he be informed that owing to the late floods, the settlers have to oross and recross the Pohangina river five extra times, thereby causing great hardship, the fords being both ) deep and bad. Also that Mr LethL bridge, M.H.R., be requested to use his influence on the subject and ' interview the Minister of Lands. , Resolved, That the cle-k be in- ' structed to write to Mr Warren to , finish his contract on Apiti-Norse- ! wood road at once. It was decided to invite appli- [ cations for collecting the dog tax for the year 1903 on the usual conditions. • Cr Arbuckle, in a motion, proposed ' that as the Pobangina river bad made inroads at the Ferry road, temporary protective works should ! be made at a cost of about £20, the 1 cost to be divided between the Tamaki | and Awahou Ridings. ! Cr Phillpotts objected to the proposed allocation of the work, which he held should be charged to the ! Mangaone Riding. Cr Russell considered that the work could stand over until the end of the summer, when in all probability the ( question of site for the proposed i bridge would be settled. If the Council decided on the Ferry site, the cost of the works could be included in the loan schedules. After some further discussion Cr Arbuckle withdrew his motion, and agreed to allow the matter to stand over for the present. The question of the erection of the , Pohangina bridge was discussed when Cr Arbuckle moved, and Cr Phillpotts seconded, That the clerk be instructed to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the report and plans of the proposed bridge and sites as proposed by Mr Robinson, surveyor; that the Miuister of Lands be informed that in accord- J ance with Mr Robinson's report this Council is of opinion that the middle or ferry site is the only one suitable for a bridge over tho Pohangina river and that he be requested to give his final consent to the erection of the proposed bridge at this site. Cr Clark moved as an amendment that the Councillors appoint Saturday 9th January 1903, to view the site reported on by Mr Robinson before his report be adopted, and Holley's Hill in connection with regrading. The Chairman considered that the latter would bo the wiser course, in order that the Councillors who had not seen tbe site should have an idea on what they were voting for. On the amendment being put, it was lost, Crs Clark, Hammond, and the Chairman voting in favor of ifc, the remaining Councillors being opposed to delay the matter. Tbe original proposition was then put and carried. On the motion of Cr Arbuckle it was resolved, That in adopting Mr Robinson's report on the bridge and bridge sites, this Council would respectfully suggest that something of a more substantial nature in the way of protective works should be provided than those mentioned in the report ; that the Minister be asked if the promise of a subsidy of £ for £, with all professional services towards the bridge, is still available. The meeting then adjourned.