New Road Plant For County Work: Waikohu Decision

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22877, 22 February 1949, Page 6

New Road Plant For County Work: Waikohu Decision

The heavy demands upon county plant by maintenance and new works were reported upon at yesterday's meeting of the Waikohu County Council, at which a decision was taken to procure a new heavy tractor with a loading attachment, and also a 3-ton truck, for addition to the permanent road-works' plant. Those present at the meeting were Messrs. A. A. Fraser, chairman. A. C. Bellerby, H. C. Boys. G. S. Bridge. G. Brown, A. F. Fitzgerald and H. J. F. Tombleson. A request was received from Mr. A. E. Ashdown, Matawai, that a pound be established in the township. The chairman and Messrs. Tombleson and Boys were deputed to discuss the matter with the applicant. Permission was granted to Messrs. Williams and Pedersen to cart timber on the Moanui road, subject to the usual conditions as to maintenance of ! the surface. I Matawai Footways Sealing: The state of the footways at Matawai ' was the subject of a letter from the | postmaster there, and the engineer, Mr. S. R. Currie, stated that he could put a coat of shingle on the footways shortly as a preparation for sealing, which ho hoped to carry out next summer. The Rerc Settlers' Association signified its agreement to vesting in the council ownership of the land on which the Rere hall stands, but stipulated that the council should recognise the association’s ownership of the building. The council agreed to this course, and fixed a nominal rental for the land. A proposal from the Cook County Council that the Waikohu council should take over one-seventh of the liability in respect of the cemetery loan and join with the Cook and Gisborne borough councils in applying to have that loan diverted for the purpose of a women’s rest room in Gisborne, was discussed with interest. The council decided to offer a contribution to the restroom, payable out of its revenues, rather than accept liability in respect of the cemetery loan. Improved Rural Mail Service The Chief Postmaster, Gisborne, wrote stating that it was the intention of the department to give a twiceweekly mail service to settlers on the Rakauroa-Tahora and Oliver roads, and asked whether improvements could be made to these roads to assist in this extension of rural mail facilities. The council expressed the view that the improved mail facilities would be much appreciated, and the engineer reported that normal all-weather traffic conditions would be restored as soon as flood-damage could be rectified. The Wages Commissioner wrote agreeing to increases in the salary rates of the clerk and engineer, in the terms of an application filed in December last. A copy of the Cook Hospital Board’s statement of accounts for the year ended March 31, 1948, was received. The New Zealand Counties Association wrote asking for an expression of opinion on the abolition of riding accounts. The council was of opinion that abolition of riding accounts had been beneficial. Anti-Rat Campaign In View Co-operation was promised by the council in a Department of Health campaign to reduce the rat population of the country. The medical officer of health wrote asking if the council intended to change existing arrangements for the conduct of health inspection. The answer was in the negative. A request from the Auckland Suburban Drainage League for a contribution to its funds was formally received. Satisfaction was expressed when authority was received from the Works Department for an expenditure of a £740 free grant for reforming and culverting Fraser road. The clerk, Mr. J. G. Appleton, reported that Mr. F. Holiss had been appointed dog tax collector and noxious weeds inspector for the county, the appointment being approved. Accounts amounting to £6307 were passed for payment. The prospect of providing some improvement in the highway near the Rere School was discussed on the initiative of Mr. Bellerby, and the engineer was authorised to report upon what could be done in this direction. The need for a twice-daily mail service betv/een Te Karalca and Gisborne, in view of the restoration of air dispatches from Gisborne, was also referred to. and it was decided to apply to the Chief Postmaster at Gisborne for its reinstatement.