MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 290, 13 June 1907, Page 4

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

(Continued from Yesterday.) Foreman's report continued: — Awahou Riding.— Very little has been done in this riding during the month, beyond gathering up the motel washed off the Foxton-Shannon road by the recent flood. The extra work caused by the flood on this road will cost about £70, and even then will be in danger of being destroyed by flood at any time. Mr Petersen will have his contract for forming and metalling the Shannon road deviation completed in a few days if the weather keeps favourable. - I let to Mr Petersen a contract to repair the damage caused by flood to formation, for the sum of £10, and the extra metal required at 5s 3d per yard. I have also cancelled his contract for delivering 100 yards of metal on the Whirokino road. As requested by the Council, I met Mr Fulton, the Government Engineer, and with him took the soundings at the Whirokino bridge which show the depth of water to be from 22 feet to 27 feet, and we found that the second pier from the north bank was swinging on the two end piles which were diiven a considerable time after the bridge was built to strengthen it. Owing to the | extra length of piles required to do the repairing work it will be some time before the work will be gone on with, us such lengths cannot be procured in New Zealand. Bulls Bridge.— ln reference to this bridge there has been several complaints about getting stock to enter on to the bridge, and I think it would be advisable to erect about half a chain of fence on the bank going to Mr Weightman's, this would prevent stock going over the bank, which sometimes have to be carried up the cliff. The Council's agreement with the roadmen expires on the Ist of next month, and it will be necessary to oall fresh applications if the Coun- • cil so desires. TRAMWAY INSPECTOR'S ; REPORT. » Two of the linemen have been working between Himatangi and Rosina siding during the month, taking out old rails and putting in new ones, this length is now in fair order and will only require a little attention at different times to keep the sand off the rails and tighten up the fish Elates. The other two men have een most of their time fixing up the engine yard and siding ' at Sanson. The work here consists of cutting j chain, gathering up boulder, raising the siding and making underground drain with boulders. I have also taken the levels of the second section of the Carnarvon incline for the Council's consideration, which now give the grade 1 in 75, and I would recommend the Council to have the work carried out according to this last plan. It has also been suggested to complete the laying of the 401 b rails to the top of incline. This I think would be advisable, as we would then obtain enough light rails from the relaying to repair the other portion of the Tine for a considerable time. We have gathered up 200 rejected rails, which are spoken for or sold, and 300 old sleepers, most of which are sold. When the improvements are completed at the Sandon riding, which will be done in a few days, wo shall be ready to go % on with the lifting on the Carnarvon ircline. BUSINESS TRANSACTED. In reply to a question, the Foreman stated that Mr Stewart "would commence his contract of metalling the bridge approaches on the Feilding road in a few days' time. PROTECTIVE WORKS. Reporting on the Ohakea protective wotks, the Chairman said that in consequence of recent floods, considerable damage had been done to the works, which necessitated nine crates being added to present works. This cost a lot of money, and the Government had been approached* for a subsidy of £100 towards the work, as considerable land owned by the Government would be benefited. Mr Stevens, M.H.R. , had wired the Council, asking if it would be prepared to contribute a portion of the cost. The Chairman had wired in reply that the Council were not prepared to contribute. The debit balance on the work was £12 18s lid, whioh would be reduced to £2 18s lid if Mr Richards Dii paid his promised contribution of £10. Cr. Masters said he had no objection to the balance of £2 18s lid coming out of late paid by his riding, but he would strongly oppose any future payments being made in that direction, especially as the Government's land was benefited. The Chairman added that in future, when donations were promised, it would be advisable to have the money in hand before the work was commenced. After further discussion, it was resolved that the Chairman, having reported a serious breach in the Ohakea protective works which had been repaired since last meeting, and that the cost of such had absorbed more than the amount available from all sources, Cr. Masters be empowered to call a meeting of settlers interested, and explain the matter to them and suggest that they either provide a further sum for the Council to complete the work or take it over themselves. In reply to a letter from Clutha County Council re system of rating, it was decided to refer the matter to the annual conference of County Councils. Mr J. G. Wilson was appointed the Council's representative at the Annual Conference to be held in July. It was decided to hold next meeting of tho Council on Monday, 15th July, on account of the date of the Conference clashing with the ordinary meeting. Information was received from Foxton to the effect that the Borough Council were agreeable to the Manawatu Council taking charge of repairs of the Whirokino bridge, but were not agreeable to the work being carried out under Mr Fulton. Subsequently, the Chairman discussed the matter on the telephone with * the Foxton Town Clerk and aft«r hearing Mr Wilson, the Clerk agreed to waive all objection to Mr Fulton on behalf of his Council, and it was resolved that the Chairman be empowered to have repairs effected to the Whirokino bridge, and to take steps in that direction as soon as all local bodies interested had consented. A special order was confirmed levying general rates in the various ridings for the current year. A special order was also passed levying separate rates of one farthing in the £ in the Rongotea riding, excluding the Whirokino sub-division, and one half-penny in the Whirokino sub-di-vision of the Awahou Riding. It was resolved to inform Mr Nye, of Foxton, that the Council were prepared to contribute something towards the Whirokino road and small bridge thereon that needed repairing, but reminding him that as he got 8d per yard royalty for metal supplied from his pit on this particular road, and that the Foxton Council were also users of same, he should pay a share of cost, especially as the .road was onjy needed to gain access to his metal pit. The offer of Mr HolocrOw to g\o 12s per acre per annum for ?ea*3 ol reserve at Himitangi was accepted. The clerk was instructed to inicrni Lowe Bros, and Neville uhac their petition re proposed loan of :O>o was in order now, and that Cr. MsKonzie would have matter attended to. Cr. Barber and Overseer were instructed to inspect and report on Mr Campbell's request for a drain through his swamp. The clerk was instructed to inform Mr Kews that the Sandon-Feilding road had now been attended to, 8c yards of metal having been put en t. It was resolved to reinstate Mr J. B. Mclntyre as engine-driver till end of year. Applications made by C. H. Hopping and John Curry, for position of stoker and fireman respectively was received and filed for future reference. Resolved that tenders be talbl for erection of a stopbank nea- tbe Shannon ferry on the bank of tlo Manawatu river provided tnat settlers iiterested will contribute £40 towaids cost of construction. The foreman was authorised to clean out the drain at Mr Gower'ts, referred to in his report. It was decided to authorise Mr j ' Fulton to spend necessary money to j

obtain piles necessary for WhiriUino ! b idge. ! The foreman was instructed to fence a dangerous portion of road in the County near the Bulls bridge. It was resolved to call applications for position of roadman throughout ' the County. I It was decided to instruct the ranger to impound all stock found wan- ; dering within the County from th s fltte. j The foreman's report was then adopted. The Chairman was authorised to order 25 tons of rails and fasten' i*3. The foreman was authorised to ; make enquiries re cost of trolly meni tioned as necessary in the tram report. Mr Hickford was allowed to take a day off to enable him to attend tho j Winter Show.